Is there anything wrong with Chapter 113? (Super fat chapter, finishing up) What...
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Lechen is actually a cunning and scheming person. He always prepares other ways of retreat before doing something or even making a choice. In fact, this is also a necessary ability and determination for many "power holders" who can accomplish great things and have become leaders.
The father and son of Prince Yan are like this, and their words are like yours.
The same is true for those who have been lurking for years and planning to "steal power".
In fact, anyone can enter the inner court of the imperial palace at will. Once you enter, you need to know how to behave, how to cover up your behavior, how to retreat safely after you succeed, preferably without being discovered, and how to retreat if you are discovered.
The seemingly small act of "treasure hunting" theft actually requires the mobilization of many confidants who had previously infiltrated the palace and were lurking throughout the Chang'an organization.
If you break one thread of a spider web, you need the support of all the threads in the entire web to stabilize it and prevent the web from collapsing.
After years of planning, isn’t it just for a little “treasure hunt” tonight?
Lechen had thought it through carefully and made careful arrangements from the "end" of Yan Siqing whom he had captured to his own "end" if he escaped after succeeding.
He also thought about his escape route after being exposed.
I never expected that...
In the darkness, the moonlight was cold, and the Qinghuang Monument stood proudly for hundreds of years in the dynasty. It had witnessed everything, including the figure of the mighty emperor wearing a black dragon robe with gold patterns and looking back at him, following the eaves of the corridor.
Because it was pitch black and there were no lights or fires, one could only see the half-length dragon robe and the overall silhouette through the slanting silver moonlight.
The dragon head and phoenix character can be expressed by the sky and the sun.
The three generations of the Chiang family have always been similar, except that this founding emperor was the most heroic and violent.
He is a tyrant, a scholar and a warrior, violent and precious.
Three generations as above.
But it is definitely 50% to 60% similar, invaluable and unmatched.
This incomparable means that as long as they face the other two people in their own family, they seem to be able to achieve incomparable results against anyone else.
Is this the style of the royal family?
Lechen looked at him for a moment, and also observed the other shadows hidden behind him.
It's strange that they call themselves the Heavenly Family, yet they blend in so perfectly in the darkness.
"Father, it's so late. Can't you sleep? Is it because you're too old?"
"I'm digging sweet potatoes. Can I make you a midnight snack?"
Lechen smiled calmly, revealing a feminine and noble look.
He spoke, but Emperor Heng was in no hurry to respond. After all, the supreme ruler of the world had no etiquette to respond to those below him.
The etiquette of the world comes from the heart of the emperor.
It's up to him to do whatever he wants.
And in this silence, the hidden shadow moved slightly.
The eunuchs lit lamps and hung lanterns, and a little bit of light suppressed the moonlight, spreading regularly from behind and around the emperor, and finally concentrating on his body.
It was as if all the glory and splendor of the palace core were concentrated in one person like the sun.
The appearance of an emperor, the tripod of the dragon court.
He was there, his features calm, his eyes looking at Chen as still as a deep well. The ferocious black dragon hidden inside did not come out of the well, but just hummed softly, shaking the quiet night.
"I am old now, and I really want my children and grandchildren to be filial to me."
"If you had sneaked into the palace without permission before, I would have asked you to die as a token of your filial piety."
Liaochen smiled, "I know this, my son. After all, no matter how disastrous the deeds of Prince Qi's three brothers are, or how they harm the people, in your opinion, if they don't endanger your own authority, threaten the rule of the court, and insult the country's borders, you will not kill them."
It has been like this since ancient times.
There were few emperors who really killed their sons for the sake of "judicial justice". Not to mention killing their sons, it was common practice not to punish scholars and officials, let alone royal relatives.
Emperor Heng: "Since you know this, why are you still holding the box that belongs to me? Why shouldn't you kneel down and offer it to me?"
Lechen: "Are you sure this belongs to you?"
Emperor Heng: "If it doesn't belong to me, does it belong to you? Aren't you my son? How can a son want to take something I haven't given him yet?"
"That's not right. You are not necessarily my son."
The originally warm conversation between father and son came to an abrupt end.
Whether it was the palace servants present, the imperial guards, or Wei Tingzhong who was standing not far away and in charge of the Shen Ce Army, none of them had any unusual reaction.
As if he heard nothing.
Even if there are turbulent waves in your heart, there is still silence.
Lechen was also very calm, only uttering a tone of grievance, "Father, why do you say that? Am I not the child of you and that spy?"
He asked himself, "It seems not to be the case. After all, I am the child you forced Empress Xie to bear. This is truly against your dignity and propriety. If it gets out, I will be criticized by the world. Is it because of such a shameful life experience that you are so heartless to me? Just because of this box, you arranged so many people to ambush and kill me?"
"Oh no, if I tell this secret, those present here will be silenced later. After all, you are not a very kind person."
This time, Wei Tingzhong was still calm, but the other subordinates were more or less panicked.
Firstly, except for a very small number of people, such as Wei Tingzhong, they did not know about Emperor Heng's past.
Secondly, this matter is already unbearable, and it is highly likely that those who know about it will be silenced.
The restlessness was just a slight ripple.
Emperor Heng seemed not to hear, but smiled.
The laughter was contemptuous and the expression was also contemptuous.
"You must be my son?"
"You've been secluded in the White Horse Temple for years, becoming a monk. If it weren't for past evidence, I would have thought you were sent to a theatrical troupe since you were little."
"You're weak and courageless, with only a few unpresentable scheming skills, and you think you're a genius?"
"You have repeatedly plotted to make me believe that she is the child of Emperor Ye and Empress Xie, in order to clear your name and allow yourself to be my son, so that you can seize the throne and take over the throne in the future."
Everything else is fine.
The mention of Emperor Ye and "stealing the country" immediately touched upon Chen's sensitivity. The latter's hypocritical smile faded, revealing a cold and vicious expression.
"Stealing the empire? Your Majesty, you fought for power through military prowess, and rose to prominence as a young governor of your fiefdom. Unexpectedly, you're also as adept at using words to revise history as those stinking scholars—have you forgotten how you came to this empire? If you hadn't arranged for that shameless spy girl to lurk beside my mother and poison my father, leading to his untimely death, do you think those veteran ministers would have quickly joined you?"
"My royal grandfather was foolish and incompetent, causing chaos under heaven. But my father and mother should have been the best emperor and empress in the world. It was you who stole the country!"
Lechen stopped pretending and sneered as he tried to kill Emperor Heng.
Wei Tingzhong subconsciously glanced at Emperor Heng, and his expression changed slightly when he saw the word "Emperor and Empress".
He remembered that a long time ago, he became a eunuch and worked like an ordinary eunuch in the previous dynasty. At that time, he saw Emperor Heng and his wife arrive in Chang'an from their fiefdoms like other generals who were listening to the imperial edict. It was the beginning of the new emperor's reign, and Empress Xie and Emperor Ye, who were once the prince's wife, had just ascended to the throne and become the masters of the world. For these generals, it was like a Hongmen Banquet.
He had also seen that the current emperor and empress were ranked at the head of the aristocratic families among countless dignitaries and officials, and they all bowed their heads and knelt before the emperor and empress.
Are you unwilling to be a subject when you kneel down?
When they rose again, would the two husband and wife, who were different in status, ever look at each other?
Later, they fought for the throne and killed all the old kings.
Looking back at that scene, it may be a masterpiece for historians.
Emperor Heng's arrogance and cruelty were fully exposed when he later became the overlord. His contempt, jealousy and even hatred for Emperor Ye were extremely complex.
Looking at Chen, who has now been proven to be the son of the former emperor and empress, the hatred he felt increased.
Emperor Heng was only slightly disturbed, but was not overly angered by Lechen. He even smiled.
"You are indeed not as good as your parents."
"Your mother once said: In the struggle for the world, there is no regret in making a move. There is only success and failure, not right or wrong."
"As for your father, although I may no longer despise his weakness, I at least admire him. Prince Qinghuang, look back and see what that stone means."
"Sacrifice for the country in defeat, no regrets."
"How strange! When I thought Yan Siqing was Qing Huang, I didn't feel any hatred or disgust towards her. I even felt sorry that she wasn't my offspring. But now it's your turn... I actually feel that you're not worthy of being their child. You look neither like Emperor Ye nor like her."
"If I don't deserve this world, then who does? You?"
Lechen didn't look back.
He knew that behind him was the place where Emperor Ye, who was poisoned and dying, committed suicide and died for his country.
I also know why he committed suicide here.
"He doesn't recognize you as the ruler of the world."
"It was to fulfill his dignity as an emperor and his responsibilities as a father and husband."
"He used his death to protect me and my mother."
"If Your Majesty is truly at peace with himself, why does he insist on getting the Imperial Seal?"
"Isn't it just that you know you're not so at peace with yourself?"
Whenever the emperor who was overthrown was a foolish old emperor, he could be called a wise ruler in troubled times.
The person who was overthrown was Emperor Ye, who was very popular at the time and seemed to be the embodiment of the new and enlightened dynasty. He also used poisoning to overthrow him.
Empress Xie recognized the success or failure of the means of the struggle for hegemony, but people all over the world criticized it, and there were always people who took advantage of it to make trouble. Over the years, there has been a reactionary trend, and Emperor Heng had to care about it.
For example, in a situation where the outcome is clear, there is no way out, and the attacks on each other must be extremely cruel and ugly.
Lechen was also very sharp-tongued, and he added, "But you look down on my father's weakness and kindness, and he might not look down on your loneliness and heartlessness. At least he is worthy of his wife and children, while Your Majesty is very heartless to the wife and children who accompanied you in danger. I guess this situation, including this box, is just a plan that Yan Siqing and you reached earlier. Use the jade seal to trick me into exposing it."
"If I don't reveal myself, you won't be able to confirm whether I am your son and my mother's."
"If Empress Yuan and Prince Yan knew this truth, I wonder what they would think."
Lechen has always been very good at understanding human weaknesses. From the very beginning, he has been mobilizing the evil thoughts of his subordinates around him - telling them that they will be killed by the emperor if they know these secrets.
Now he is trying to sow discord and resentment between the Emperor and Prince Yan from afar.
The scary thing is that what he said was all true.
It's hard to ignore the inner turmoil.
However, these are just trivial matters, and Emperor Heng knows that they will not have much effect.
Is Lechen so naive as to think that such provocation can give these people the courage to fight against the imperial authority?
Everyone has a family behind him.
How many people in the world have the courage to challenge order?
If there is, it is already dead.
That's just stalling for time.
Emperor Heng: "I have been patient in chatting with you for so long, so are your confidants ready?"
Liaochen suddenly became quiet.
There was movement outside.
A very cruel movement.
It was the sound of some people being killed.
Everywhere he looked, swords and knives were raised inside and outside the palace. As they moved around, the Jinwu Guards controlled by Zhou Li were quickly killing some of the exposed "stakes".
Fresh blood was also flowing on Zhou Li's armor.
He searched room by room.
Kill them one by one.
The hot blood splashed on his face.
Some of them are even good friends who have known each other for many years, and some are former subordinates in the Jinwu Guard.
As the knife went in and out, he seemed to have become the heroic and cruel General of the Jinwu Guard before the White Horse Temple case.
They are also the two prides of the empire.
This was also a side that Yan Siqing was extremely unfamiliar with later on, but it was probably also a side that others were used to.
What she sees, only she can see.
Others don’t know.
"Zhou Li, you and I have known each other for many years, why are you forcing me so hard?"
"I am innocent, I am not..."
Zhou Li raised his knife and slashed, and the head fell to the ground. After making sure that the last person on the list had surrendered, he wiped the handle of the knife to prevent the sticky blood from affecting the feel.
"Clean it up, these will be achievements in the future."
"Your Majesty will have his own rewards."
"Have you dealt with those things outside the palace?"
"Deputy General Liao has taken his men out and hasn't replied yet, but those people have already been exposed. We should be able to eliminate them one by one according to your majesty's instructions without any mistakes."
Zhou Li was still very cautious. "Send someone out to investigate, and the rest of you follow me..."
Zhou Li was in charge of the cleanup, but he noticed that the "stakes" exposed on the list were basically located at the north gate. He guessed that Lechen had concentrated his troops at the north gate in order to make it easier to escape after they succeeded?
Zhou Li didn't know about the emperor's and Yan Siqing's plan, nor did he know about Yan Siqing's game with Lechen outside the city and his defeat in the interrogation. His actions tonight were entirely based on the emperor's secret orders, and they, the generals, could only do as they were told. Other inside stories were not something they could blindly pry into at the moment.
In fact, he felt something was wrong in his heart and knew that something must have happened behind these characters, otherwise Lechen would not suddenly take such a risk.
Something happened to Yan Siqing?
He was anxious, but he could not neglect his duties. He just wanted to finish the matter as soon as possible. After the dust settled, he would go and see the real situation of the turmoil outside the palace.
However anxious he was, he was also cautious, because he had long recognized that Chen was an extremely cunning person. If he was prepared to give up his current identity as a "prince" and escape from the city, once he was exposed, the military officers and officials at the North Gate would lead their men to rebel and even force the emperor to abdicate.
To foresee in advance and execute secretly is the most economical and effective behavior.
The emperor was unwilling to start a war in the palace or even inside and outside Chang'an, which would destroy the current good situation and allow countries like Beiyue to have ambitions again.
But as for Lechen, it was not safe for him to put all his efforts on the North Gate. He had to place at least one or two hidden stakes at the South Gate so that he could have an alternative escape plan in case of an accident.
But in the previous insights, no one was involved at the South Gate.
Zhou Li was going to go to the South Gate to take a look, but as soon as he arrived at the South Gate, he felt something was wrong.
The guard is a bit of a protégé.
He narrowed his eyes and asked the other person's name, and was told that he was the one who had been transferred to another shift.
The other party was very calm.
Zhou Li pursed his lips slightly, "Really? You're going to change shifts today? I'm quite surprised."
"Since you are in charge of the Jinwu Guard, it's not uncommon for you to be unfamiliar with the shift changes of our Imperial Guard commanders."
If it is too clear, it would be equivalent to exceeding authority, which would be scary.
After hearing what the other party said, Zhou Li should have let it go, but!
Zhou Li's trusted deputy general had already figured out something from Zhou Li's hints and quietly ordered his subordinates to investigate.
Sudden!
"grown ups!"
With a click, the tightly closed small door of the side room of the palace gate was opened by a young general of the Jinwu Guard.
A body fell to the ground with a thud.
clang!
Zhou Li immediately drew his sword, but his eyes swept towards the inner court.
This is not good. If the South Gate had been taken down long ago, did the other party let anyone out of the palace?
This is still a small matter. I am afraid that the other party will not let people out, but let people in!
"Team one, go to the inner court!! Team two, follow me and kill! Team three, stand guard!"
——————
On Lechen's side, the emperor showed his composure in "taking control of the overall situation". He was like a prisoner, with countless archers targeting him, and all his trusted subordinates were exposed.
It means he is completely defeated.
Is he panicking?
No.
Lechen showed a strange smile, which was a sign for both Wei Tingzhong and Emperor Heng.
really!
"Take action!" Wei Tingzhong immediately gave the order after seeing Emperor Heng's gesture, but an accident also happened.
The archers were attacked...
At the sound of the turmoil bell, another group of soldiers rushed into the garden from inside and outside.
And followed by a loud shout.
"The Prince Yan's Palace has suddenly mobilized troops without the order of His Majesty. This is a sign of rebellion. According to the new regulations of the Ministry of War, the Xuanwei Army and other guards are to leave their posts and enter the palace to protect His Majesty!"
General Xuanwei Qi Wuhui, also known as Chen Cangyu, led his troops to attack, was only given a name, and then ordered to attack without saying a word.
This has been an incredible thing in all dynasties. Logically speaking, Chen Cangyu was not the commander-in-chief of the Xuanwei Army, and there were other generals above him who held military power. If there was a major crisis for the emperor that could not be ordered personally, according to the rules, the consent of the above-mentioned people must be obtained, and the troops must be sent together, otherwise it would undoubtedly be tantamount to rebellion.
But...Shen Zangyu is mobilizing the army now.
The reason lies in the bribery of soldiers and wine - long-term drinking is chronic and toxic. The generals above are now poisoned and have been directly defeated. Chen Cangyu has been following Chen's long-term layout and has only now reaped the success.
What Lechen had talked about with the man in black robe before was Chen Cangyu's desperate fight.
He has to take on the final counterattack.
If it succeeds, flying dragon in the sky will be a piece of cake.
If it fails, it will just mean death.
However, before this matter succeeded, they took advantage of an incident and changed the new system of the Ministry of War.
"Protect the emperor!"
There was chaos on both sides, and Chen Cangyu, who mobilized the Xuanwei Army to quietly enter from the south gate, obviously had a greater military advantage, and was even more powerful than Shen Ce and a part of the imperial guards - they had more numbers, and they had followed from the outside to kill their way here.
Liaochen practiced martial arts, killing an incoming imperial guard with a single blow, then backhandedly blocked Wei Tingzhong's sword strike. His internal energy surged, his sleeves fluttering.
He shouted to the expressionless Emperor Heng from a distance.
"I didn't recognize you as my father for nothing."
"When you die, I will hold the imperial seal and become the new emperor."
"There are people who support me."
"It's not like I can't wear the Jiang family surname."
"Thank you, Father, for changing the military system so that you can use me to contain Jiang Rong. This will benefit my actions today."
"kill!"
What about taking the imperial seal and escaping and then hiding to rebel?
Lechen had no such plan from the beginning.
Since he had planned to create the title of prince, he set up several routes - the best result would naturally be that Emperor Heng and Prince Yan and his son would kill each other. After eliminating his biggest rival as King Ying, he would be the future crown prince and the future new monarch. Assuming that this excellent plan failed, or even his identity was exposed, it didn't matter. Once the old emperor died, he, the King Ying, would naturally ascend to the throne. It just so happened that at this time, Prince Yan and his son also left Chang'an because he captured Yan Siqing. This was the right time and place that he had painstakingly created.
As long as he succeeds and takes the imperial city, and has the identity of King Ying and the imperial seal, he can take advantage of Emperor Heng's previous vigilance and hostility towards Prince Yan and his son to frame them for treason.
The time, place and people are all right.
And he arrested Yan Siqing only for the sake of the imperial seal and to lead Prince Yan and his son out of Chang'an.
As long as these two goals are achieved, everything else is secondary.
Of course there are risks, but when it comes to seizing the world, there is no such thing as risk-free. Wasn't Emperor Heng also taking such risks back then?
As for the other people who knew his identity and the people present, even if they were not killed by Emperor Heng, they would be killed by him to silence them.
Lechen was determined and attacked with a sword in hand.
Wei Tingzhong and others were forced to retreat step by step, and soon only Wei Tingzhong was left to protect Emperor Heng into the nearest small hall and close the door to defend it.
Emperor Heng was as majestic as ever, standing in the empty hall and glancing sideways at the enshrined deity.
"Your Majesty, is there a small exit at the back? It's not safe here."
"The Jinwu Guards had already set out on alert just now. Zhou Li must have sensed something was amiss. With his abilities, he would have definitely notified the rest of the army to come and protect the emperor..."
"His Majesty?"
Wei Tingzhong remained loyal throughout. In such a difficult situation, he broke off half of the arrow in his shoulder and calmly arranged to send Emperor Heng out. After all, they could not hold out here for long before the enemy broke in.
As he was speaking, the door broke.
Chen Zangyu followed Luchen and rushed in to kill him.
The dust is almost settling.
Lechen and Chen Cangyu did not dare to delay any longer. They wanted to cut the Gordian knot and kill Emperor Heng, Wei Tingzhong and others directly, and take over the entire palace.
As Lechen raised his hand, the soldiers and generals rushing in from behind him were about to complete the final "following the dragon".
How did Emperor Heng and his followers take over the country?
Their generation can do it too.
In such a situation, who wouldn’t be afraid?
Emperor Heng narrowed his eyes, but saw only Wei Tingzhong, whose body and boots were soaked in blood. He blocked him behind him and stood in front with the most unmanly qualifications.
The sword pointed at the dust.
There was no other nice nonsense, only the determination to fight to the death. He also asked his subordinates to take Emperor Heng to the small gate for their final retreat.
Because Wei Tingzhong led the charge, his subordinates, who were originally a little timid due to the disparity in strength between the enemy and us, became brave and used their bodies to protect Emperor Heng firmly.
Watertight.
Emperor Heng was stunned for a moment, and glanced at Wei Tingzhong's back with a somewhat deep expression. His body did not move - but the sculpture of the deity behind him moved.
The huge and magnificent sculpture supported the high beams of the entire temple, looking down at them, and then opened many hidden openings in the palm of the Buddha's hand and the body.
The crossbow arrows came flying.
Strong and dense, the group shot towards Chen and others like a waterfall.
Lechen and the others were completely unprepared and never expected that there was such a deadly trap here.
Chen Cangyu was shot in the shoulder, his tendons were broken, and he could hardly hold the sword. He stepped back and changed his sword to block, but he was not a serious warrior general after all and lacked martial arts skills. Moreover, in such a random shooting, others would be in danger - at this point, neither he nor Luchen was willing to die to protect their confidants.
A complete defeat.
He was hit by an arrow, but Lechen was skilled in martial arts and was able to block one or two. He retreated to the threshold. The first wave of people were almost killed, but there were still people outside...
"Everyone come in!"
Lechen ordered the people behind him to come in, but the small door behind the Buddha statue creaked.
The door opens.
Revealing the soldiers and generals of the imperial guards inside.
The troops led by the general of the Jinwu Guard were also surrounding them from outside. After a few orders, these brave soldiers who had raised an uprising were frightened.
Many of them surrendered.
The dust has settled.
Chen Cangyu was kicked to the ground, and the long sword of the Jinwu Guard general was pressed against Liaochen's neck.
He didn't move, his tongue against the root of his tongue, unwilling but calm.
Just staring at Emperor Heng.
"She also informed you of the location of the imperial seal in advance? So you made arrangements beforehand, even modifying the Buddha statue."
"You're making such a big move, just to dig out as many of my hidden spies as possible, and even to lure out those who betrayed their master, like Chen Cangyu, and the officials who defected to me in the court, and catch them all in one fell swoop?"
This arrangement resulted in the sacrifice of many people, but the results were great.
It can eliminate a large number of traitors who are disloyal to Emperor Heng.
But Lechen still felt something was wrong.
"I'm not your target."
He said quietly.
Emperor Heng's expression was cold and indifferent. "I knew from the beginning that you were not my son, yet I still gave you a status and allowed a dog of yours to command the army. How could I not be prepared?"
Such contempt.
But Liaochen and Chenzangyu didn't even have the ability to get angry. Liaochen laughed at himself: "Raising a dog into a wolf is naturally for the purpose of dealing with a tiger."
"Your Majesty was waiting for Prince Yan to get involved, so he could deal with me, the fake prince, and the real eldest prince together. But in the end, he didn't fall for it, hahahaha!"
Lechen was indeed smart. He was able to draw inferences from one instance and immediately realized that his plan was not even a real target in the eyes of Emperor Heng.
Although he was brought down, he became even more arrogant.
Emperor Heng disliked him, turned his eyes away, and asked Wei Tingzhong.
"Tell me, why didn't Prince Yan come?"
"strangeness."
He had settled things with Lechen and eliminated a major threat to the court and the country. The only thing left was Prince Yan's Palace.
The commotion was quite big and should have spread out long ago. At least Prince Yan's Mansion couldn't have been unaware of it.
He didn't believe that his strong eldest son didn't know what it meant.
Don’t you have the courage to give it a try?
You have to know that he took advantage of the chaos caused by Luochen to come in and interfere. He was more legitimate than Luochen - he took the opportunity to kill the emperor in the palace and announced to the outside world that the King of England was rebelling and assassinating the emperor, and he came to protect him...
This approach has been common throughout the dynasties, with the substance remaining the same in a different form.
Not to mention the imperial family, many aristocratic families are also like this.
Father and son.
As long as the rule of the son inheriting the father's property still exists, as soon as the father dies, the son will naturally become the next master.
Just don't let anyone get to the bottom of the matter.
But King Yan didn't.
It has been so many years, how could he have endured it for so long?
Or is he truly loyal and has never thought of rebelling against his father, the king, nor of replacing him?
There was suspicion in Emperor Heng's eyes, but there was also a hint of ferocity.
Wei Tingzhong knew that this question was not easy to answer, but he had to answer it.
"The prince left the city with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to rescue his daughter-in-law because she was kidnapped. He probably didn't know that such a big event was happening in the palace right now."
It's pretty watertight.
It was because he was so impartial that Emperor Heng did not get angry. If it were someone else, this kind of impartiality would be an attitude of siding with Prince Yan and would be fatal.
Emperor Heng smiled but remained silent.
He was about to order the killing of Luochen.
Liaochen suddenly spoke up, "Are you going to kill me now? Killing three sons in a row is already recorded in history, right? But claiming I'm the son of Empress Xie, Emperor Ye, is probably not what Your Majesty wants, fearing it might stir up trouble again among those who came before. So I'm curious, what excuse will you use to punish me?"
Compared to Chen Cangyu's grief-stricken expression, Liaochen was much calmer and had a bit of royal demeanor.
But Emperor Heng still looked down on him. He glanced at him and said calmly, "What's wrong with killing three sons in a row? If there is any rebellion, it should be killed. I don't lack sons."
It was also an admission that he would not be treated as the son of Empress Xie of Emperor Ye.
"As for the charges against you, since you've called me father so many times, I won't let you do it in vain—I'll just convict you of colluding with Zhan Tianli to orchestrate these crimes."
Lechen was stunned.
Staring at Emperor Heng.
Emperor Heng only smiled slightly at this moment. "Do you really think you are invincible? You have only let me confirm your identity today?"
"Zhan Tianli is not dead. I kept him alive. It was other death row prisoners who were executed."
"It's not difficult to get him to confess the truth—his wife's grave is in the mountains behind his hometown, and didn't you take my third son's head to pay homage there? This is the deal between you two. Since you care so much about it, then threaten him with his wife's corpse, and he'll naturally turn against you."
"You've been exposed a long time ago."
Lechen and Chenzangyu's faces turned pale.
It turned out that they were being manipulated even before Yan Siqing reached an agreement with Emperor Heng and the Liao family.
Liaochen adjusted his expression and said, "Aren't you afraid that I'm really your son?"
Emperor Heng looked indifferent.
Walk up to him.
Looking down.
Looking down from a high position, treating others like ants.
"I was so optimistic back then that I investigated everything, thinking she had also escaped. But we still found her body. Two lives in one body, and the child was in her belly."
"You're still not like her. You don't have her arrogance."
Emperor Heng's expression was quite cold at this moment. The look in his eyes when he looked at Chen changed from scrutiny to disappointment and disgust in a flash.
Lechen noticed it, his eyes darkening. He knew he had no chance of turning the tables, so he said slowly, "Then I'm afraid I'm even more spineless than you think."
"My father, the king, and my mother were able to accept success or failure without regret, but I cannot. For me, if I fail, I must perish together or hand over the success to the people of another country."
Hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Chen Cangyu was startled and stared at Lechen who was calm and composed.
Lechen smiled and said, "I've poisoned many generals, some of whom were guarding the frontiers and important cities. Calculating the time, the poison has become more severe recently. The secret letters from the envoys from the Arab and Northern Yu Kingdoms should have returned to their countries by now."
"Will Prince Yan, the only capable general, risk going to the border and letting you exploit him to the last bit of his worth? Or will Jiang Hui, who is obsessed with Yan Siqing, rush to the border a second time?"
"Even if Jiang Hui prioritizes his country over his family, it doesn't matter. Yan Siqing has been poisoned, and only I can cure it... If I don't die, I can save Siqing's life, and Your Majesty can still control this grandson, and perhaps even make them kill each other."
"So, I won't die today."
"Your Majesty, you are not the only one who can make the most ruthless decision..."
"The army is coming, and the border will be destroyed."
“The kingdom I cannot have…”
Emperor Heng drew out the sword from the Jinwu Guard general and plunged it into Chen's abdomen.
Lechen opened his mouth and spat out hot blood, but Emperor Heng pinched his chin.
Blood flowed on his palms. Emperor Heng was ruthless. "Threatening me?"
Lechen smiled, a smile like that of a hermit without any desires.
"I dare not. I just... don't have the backbone like my father, the king, and my mother."
"But it's also thanks to their foundation... Even if they didn't gain the throne legitimately, they'll surely let the world know that as long as they work hard, they could be the next emperor."
"There are countless aristocratic families, and there are countless Jiang families as well."
"Your Majesty, if you hadn't been so reckless back then, turning your back on your wife and children, bullying my mother, and being so greedy, you wouldn't be in this situation now."
"You're going to hell like me."
For some reason, the muscles on Emperor Heng's face, who had been confident of victory, trembled a bit, as if he was weak, and his hands loosened.
Walk away sideways.
Everyone thought that he had been hit in his soft spot, so they didn't kill Chen for the time being.
result....
brush!
Chop with the sword horizontally and diagonally.
Heads fell to the ground.
Hot blood splattered all over everyone, and everyone was shocked.
The head of Liaochen rolled several times and stopped in the middle of the threshold. His eyes were open, looking directly at the Qinghuang Monument outside, as if offering his final filial piety to his father.
But he did abandon it all.
Dignity and honor.
Family, country and destiny.
The only response to this eye contact was Emperor Heng's cold words.
"The Emperor is infallible."
——————
Emperor Heng also saw the Qinghuang Monument outside, as if he saw the young emperor to whom he once had to humbly bow down through the air.
He also saw the extremely elegant Empress Xie beside him.
That woman.
I wonder what I would think if I saw that my only beloved child was such a traitor.
He had a blank expression on his face, turned around with his knife in hand, and walked towards the Buddha statue.
Bleeding all the way.
He looked up at the Buddha statue.
Back then, he built this small temple next to the Qinghuang Monument where Emperor Ye committed suicide, to enshrine the god in order to suppress his soul.
Is he uneasy inside?
No, more anger.
Even if this person dies in anger, he will still be recognized and praised by the world.
What had he done that was truly remarkable? Was it simply because he was born a prince? Was his rise from crown prince to new emperor legitimate?
He clearly tried his best to save the world from collapse, but instead he was not praised as much as he deserved.
Why?
He wants his soul to be torn to pieces!
But no matter what, the kingdom he personally built could not be taken away by the former fugitive branch of the Beiyue Kingdom.
What ancient emperor's bloodline.
Just a traitor from a side branch.
The emperor's blood is with me!
Emperor Heng raised his hand and Wei Tingzhong handed him a towel. Emperor Heng used it to wipe the blood off his hands, while suppressing the boiling emotions in his heart and giving orders in a cold voice.
"Check border intelligence, mobilize preparations, and call the cabinet and military departments to a court meeting."
"Yes."
"Also, contact..."
He was about to mention Prince Yan and Jiang Hui with a complicated tone, but at this critical moment, he also realized that the people he could rely on the most were still his most vigilant relatives and descendants.
This was the most unsatisfactory fact for an emperor, but he also had to admit that he was old - and time didn't seem to be running out.
The faces of many sons and grandsons flashed through his mind, and many calculations came to his mind.
Chen Cangyu is dying, but he will not be allowed to die like this. The crime of treason is a crime that will make his life worse than death. He can't even commit suicide now.
Wei Tingzhong had already controlled him. Chen Zangyu heard Emperor Heng's deployment and felt unwilling, but there was no consolation: the more Emperor Heng relied on Prince Yan, the faster Prince Yan and his son would die.
"Tell them that their country is their most important priority. If they disobey military orders for other reasons, then..."
As he spoke, his expression suddenly changed slightly and he covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief.
The blood gushed out, and it was black.
Emperor Heng frowned, and Wei Tingzhong and others were horrified.
They seemed to have forgotten one thing - Liaochen was able to make long-term plans, and he had colluded with King Lie and others early on to plan various cases. He had other secret agents arranged inside and outside the court, and he poisoned and knocked down a bunch of generals, causing the empire's border defense to fail and endangering national defense. So, why couldn't he make plans within the palace?
Poisoning the Emperor...
However, His Majesty has always been cautious, and all the things he uses and the food he eats have people who test for poison. It would be extremely difficult to poison him.
unless....
The general of the Jinwu Guard and the commander of the Imperial Guards looked at each other, then looked at Wei Tingzhong, and both thought of the suspicious person.
Because the three of them knew that the other party was the one that Emperor Heng had been least guarded against in recent years - the Ninth Prince and his mother.
The Ninth Prince is also the person that Emperor Heng has most favored and wants to cultivate in recent years after he was preparing to eliminate Prince Yan and his son.
He was only eleven years old, still young, but he knew some principles, was obedient and refined, and was very popular with the emperor. His mother was of low status, and he had no relatives...
Regardless of whether they intended to poison him, or whether Lechen saw through the emperor's mind and secretly used them to poison Emperor Heng, it now seems that he succeeded.
Everyone turned to look at Chen's head.
I actually felt that there was a cold and strange smile on his remains.
Emperor Heng vomited blood, and when he fell down, he felt as if a building was about to collapse - so this is what it felt like.
He was on the ground, seeing the frightened or confused faces of his ministers, and vaguely seeing the Blue Phoenix Monument.
Emperor Ye, did that kid feel this way back then?
A good day was just around the corner, but suddenly the poison took over and he was dying, with no chance of recovery...
Emperor Heng fell into a coma.
Wei Tingzhong and others could only call for the imperial physician, but the more terrifying situation before them was that Liaochen's plan of mutual destruction had succeeded from top to bottom.
The emperor has been poisoned, and his life or death is unknown. If there is another war on the border, then...
Wei Tingzhong was alert, and his first reaction was to look at the two generals who commanded the Imperial Guards and the Jinwu Guards, with a look of vigilance in his eyes.
At this moment, the expressions of these two people seemed obscure, and no one knew what they were thinking.
If the situation is the worst, for example, the emperor falls and never gets up again, then these generals and cabinet ministers will... It's hard to say what they are thinking, but they will either look for Prince Yan, or take advantage of the situation to support the puppet little prince, who will be second only to the emperor and above everyone else, and steal power!
Wei Tingzhong signaled with his eyes, wanting his subordinates to go find Prince Yan.
The two generals said nothing and just asked their subordinates to find the imperial physician.
The atmosphere is eerie.
until....
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Three Lords, outside the palace gate, that one, that one... he's outside."
Wei Tingzhong fell silent, his tense mood suddenly relaxed. He looked at the two generals and found that their expressions had also relaxed.
They are also afraid.
I'm afraid I'll have to make the most devastating choice...
How many people in this world can cross that threshold?
————
At the palace gate.
The fighting at the South Gate was only halfway through. Zhou Li originally thought that he would have to fight to the death and would probably die here, after all, his side was short of manpower.
Unexpectedly...these bandits were killed halfway through the fight.
Zhou Li raised his sword and confronted Prince Yan, who was standing motionless on his horse outside the palace gate.
Behind Prince Yan, there was a huge army.
They have been silent for a long time.
Prince Yan had no intention of forcing his way in, nor did he have any intention of retreating. It seemed as if he was waiting for an order from the palace.
Zhou Li and others were unable to make decisions for the emperor at all. During the confrontation, the people on the Jinwu Guard side were panicked, not knowing how the situation would end.
But, they could see that Prince Yan had no intention of forcing them.
He seemed very calm, so calm that it made people think that the whole situation in the world had tilted towards him.
He didn't even have the intention of challenging the laws and the emperor's will.
No mistakes, no violations.
Submit to the situation.
Zhou Li was uneasy because he knew that as long as the emperor was safe and the situation in the palace was calm, the situation would never turn to Prince Yan's side.
Especially after the old troubles of the Lechen lineage were eradicated...and the emperor still had many children and grandchildren, some of whom were young but of good appearance, and the emperor was still in good health, so the situation was completely unfavorable to Prince Yan's Mansion.
How could Prince Yan be so calm?
Zhou Li was puzzled and worried that the worst outcome would occur in the end - killing each other, internal strife, and exhaustion of the empire's foundation.
Prince Yan and his son are too powerful.
"Your Highness, why don't you go back home first?" Zhou Li asked in a low voice.
"The princess is missing. Do you have any news about her?"
On the one hand, it is persuasion, and on the other hand, it is also a subtle suggestion.
Prince Yan was calm and said calmly, "It seems like not too long has passed since I last persuaded you to enter the palace, but it also seems like a long time has passed."
Zhou Li didn't expect the other party to suddenly bring up this matter. "Yes, thank you for your tolerance at that time, Your Highness."
Prince Yan: "I am not tolerant, as you will soon find out."
"Whether it's my daughter-in-law's business or my own business."
What?
Just as Zhou Li was hesitating, he heard the young general who had been sent in to ask whether King Yan should be summoned had returned with an urgent report.
Poisoned, His Majesty has been poisoned and is in a coma...
Zhou Li suddenly looked at King Yan.
Prince Yan pulled the reins and looked down at him.
Looking down from a high position.
No words, just a look of disdain.
Zhou Li took a deep breath. He had his own political acumen and knew that the situation had changed.
The voice coming from the palace was also very clear - Wei Tingzhong and the three ministers in charge of the military all asked Prince Yan to come in and take charge of the situation.
Including his own boss.
That....
Zhou Li took a step back and bowed.
"There are traitors in the palace who are trying to poison Your Majesty. Please invite His Royal Highness Prince Yan to enter the palace and rectify everything."
The horse's hooves moved slightly, and Prince Yan rode into the palace, followed by soldiers behind him.
It was majestic and murderous.
But Zhou Li also received the final response from King Yan.
"She left Chang'an."
Zhou Li was stunned.
In the evening, he also met Jiang Hui who had returned to Chang'an.
The whole person seemed to have just returned from hell.
The emergency decree returned.
He didn't find Yan Siqing, but he had to return home because of family and national affairs.
Return to his own place.
Because he is Jiang Hui, the eldest grandson of the emperor, and may also be the future crown prince and the future emperor.
Zhou Li was guarding the gate of Chang'an City, checking the record of Yan Siqing leaving the city during the day. Due to his different position, he was delayed by the important affairs of the palace. By the time he was free, the dust had settled.
But, she is not dust.
But she disappeared.
Was he kidnapped by Lechen, or was he taken away by people from the Kingdom of Dashi or the Kingdom of Beiyue?
Nobody knows.
Everything happened today, and it seems to end today?
Zhou Li really couldn't find out anything. When he was upset, he heard the sound of soldiers and horses. He looked sideways and saw Jiang Hui returning with the people from the Dali Temple.
The murderer was caught, the case was solved, but the person was gone.
None of these people had a good look on their faces, and they all looked dirty and dusty.
But no one dared to say anything.
Jiang Hui was covered in blood, and no one knew how many people he had killed on the way.
He rode into the city on horseback and would soon enter the palace.
In the palace.
Wei Tingzhong stood under the eaves, watching the bodies of some concubines and princes being wrapped in white cloth and sent out.
The other princes, princesses and even royal family members were all imprisoned in one place.
Including Huai Xuan.
The place was dark and gloomy, and was caught in an interrogation led by Prince Yan.
It was all legitimate and none of the cabinet members could find any fault - the one who rebelled was Liaochen, a fake prince who was used and supported by the emperor, and the ones who poisoned him were certain people controlled by him.
Taking advantage of this huge case, the investigation has no limit, and everyone in the court and the country knows that Emperor Heng is in such a predicament that the empire can only belong to one person.
The Arab Empire and the Northern Yu Empire have already colluded and sent troops to the border. Faced with external threats, mature politicians will only work together to quickly resolve internal problems, so no one will resist such a move.
Under such toughness.
Even as noble as these princes and grandsons, some died and some disappeared.
After today, if anyone survives, there will be no more spirit.
Scared to death.
When the bleeding body of the Ninth Prince was carried out covered with a white cloth, Jiang Hui passed by.
Didn't even give me a glance.
Wei Tingzhong was not surprised at all - if Prince Yan, who never took the initiative to attack his younger brothers and sisters, had already completed the ruthless transformation of an emperor and his attacks were thunderous, then Jiang Hui did not need such a transformation in the first place.
The Prince Yan's Mansion had long been cruelly alienated from the other princes.
Everyone is waiting for the death of a whale to bring all things to life.
But sometimes it’s the other way around...
"Your Highness."
Wei Tingzhong saluted Jiang Hui.
Jiang Hui nodded in return, but his solemn and gloomy expression did not improve much. He was tired after a day of work, and his face was paler than usual, making him look even more lonely and heartless.
Wei Tingzhong already knew about Yan Siqing, but he did not mention that Yan Siqing was likely poisoned by Chen after falling into his hands.
If you can't find the person, everything is in vain.
And now...the border matters.
Wei Tingzhong hesitated, but still didn't say anything.
Inside the palace, Jiang Hui saw Prince Yan standing alone under the window.
"Father?"
Prince Yan did not turn around, but just looked at the garden scenery outside and spoke.
"Can't find it?"
"Yes, I can't find her. Do you know where she is?"
Prince Yan then turned around and stared at him.
Jiang Hui smiled. "I've been investigating all the way and found that many people are trying to assassinate her, but they may also want to capture her alive. No matter what, they are all different groups of people."
Prince Yan: "Do you doubt me?"
Jiang Hui: "No, I just feel that if she targets Lu Chen, she has reached a plan with His Majesty. His Majesty agreed to use this in exchange for her escape from Chang'an, but there is a high probability that he will send someone to kill her."
"So the different groups along the way were sent by His Majesty... I'm certain of that. However, I don't know who took her away in the final melee."
"But perhaps she is collaborating with more than just His Majesty."
And the person in front of him, his father.
He also knew something about the poisoning incident and Lechen's connections, and knew that some of it had entered the palace.
He knew everything, so there was no reason why his father wouldn't know.
Since you knew it, but still let the other party succeed...that means you tacitly agreed.
No bloodshed, no dust.
It also avoids the situation of father and son killing each other and avoids the losses caused by internal strife.
People in the government and the country were secretly happy with this outcome - these civil servants and celebrities have always been the most shrewd group in every dynasty, always speculating, choosing, and watching the wind direction.
Then use this incident to eliminate all threatening opponents and wipe out the royal family.
Jiang Hui always knew that his father was different from himself in that he was vindictive and had a bad temper. The latter never quarreled over trivial matters.
When the real action comes, it's time to close the net.
So he could only make a guess.
"Father, did your people take her away?"
Prince Yan narrowed his eyes.
There was a moment of standoff between father and son.
After a while, Prince Yan said, "You know very well that there is a high probability that she will leave on her own."
Jiang Hui's expression darkened.
Prince Yan was too lazy to argue with him any further. "It's your choice whether you go to find her or go to the border. Or the other way around, you secure Chang'an and I'll go to the border."
"Is the wound on your palm healed? Don't let it get infected or it will cause you trouble."
He was just cold, but he didn't have the brutal authority of a strict father.
The relationship between father and son is cold and peaceful, but not cruel.
Jiang Hui frowned, feeling a little angry and a little aggrieved.
"She doesn't want me, are you happy, father?"
Prince Yan was speechless. Just as he was about to say something, Jiang Hui strode away, leaving behind a few words.
"Of course I'm happy. After all, no one wants you."
He walked so fast that Prince Yan didn't have time to throw the inkstone he picked up.
But he finally let it go, his expression changing, but he looked out the window again.
He was not looking at the palace gardens at all, but outside - in the direction of Prince Yan's Mansion.
The man was well protected and was still in his home.
But he also knew that he could no longer keep her.
Especially after Yan Siqing had left Chang'an.
Then her destination would be either in the inner court of the imperial palace where he was, or...
He is almost an emperor, what can't he do?
As long as he is cruel.
That person will belong to him forever.
He can also give her the highest power and glory.
Although he had an agreement with Yan Siqing regarding her, he did not agree to it at the time...
Prince Yan stood under the window with a gloomy expression.
————
It was a turbulent day, and everything was in chaos. There was blood inside and outside the palace, and many people died. Ministers and generals were in trouble both inside and outside the palace.
But soon all dissenting opinions were swept away as Prince Yan entered the palace and took power.
The Ministry of War was basically one-sided - because those with ulterior motives were basically taken down.
The only two disturbances were on the border and in the palace.
Who poisoned Emperor Heng? Is Emperor Heng already dead?
What's happening in the border areas? Who will go there to quell the rebellion?
——————
Half a month later, at the border.
The armies of the Arab Empire and the Northern Yue Kingdom have already met. Hai Fugui's military advisor met with the ambitious new commander of the Northern Yue Kingdom. In order to strengthen cooperation, the latter repeatedly mentioned Yan Siqing and Jiang Hui, with a hidden meaning.
Hai Fugui endured it at first, but then his face darkened and he said calmly, "She's mine. If you touch her, don't blame me for turning hostile."
The commander of the Northern Yue Kingdom raised his eyebrows and chuckled: "Of course, it's just a woman. Our common goal is to kill Jiang Hui and swallow up the Central Plains."
"I hope that Haida will remember his original intention."
"I also hope you will become her third husband."
Hai Fugui said nothing, but just lowered his head to drink, then looked at the Celestial Empire army base on the other side of the garrison, which was dotted with stars.
"I hope to capture the enemy's border city before Jiang Hui arrives. If he does arrive, this battle will be difficult. We will start the battle the day after tomorrow."
"The day after tomorrow is too urgent. Crossing the river is no simple matter. Yan Siqing is missing, how could he not go looking for her? Didn't Liaochen say he had poisoned her? Let the news out to disturb his mind."
Hai Fugui looked at him, "Even when I heard Yan Siqing was poisoned, I wouldn't choose to escape and save her despite my worry and pain. And he is first and foremost a great general, then the future crown prince, and even the future emperor. Only then is Jiang Hui a man. Since you look down on the love between men and women, don't use such lowly tactics to calculate the most ruthless battlefield tactics before the battle. My country of Daqin has invested heavily in this war, practically risking our national destiny. I won't play such petty tricks with you."
The other party then became serious.
A battle between the three armies is imminent.
"Tomorrow, then."
The people of Beiyu Kingdom are also cunning. They will not let Hai Fugui have the final say. They would rather advance the attack one day and launch a surprise attack the next day!
——————
Another month later.
Jiannan Road, on the outskirts of a small town.
The courtyard of the villa is elegant and simple. Local tenants live peacefully, farm simply, get up early and return late, and have their own meals.
In the evening, smoke from cooking rises.
Inside the courtyard and outside the garden, Fuling had already determined that this place had long been Yan Siqing's territory.
That’s right, he is the richest man in the world and has properties everywhere. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is the largest landlord in the empire.
Such people, since they have already planned to escape, naturally set up a transit station early on.
They traveled quickly down the waterway and found that they had been here for more than a month.
Fuling also learned some things about Chang'an.
It wasn't an intentional attempt to spy, but it was known to the entire world—the emperor had been poisoned and was terminally ill. Prince Yan was acting as regent, managing the government and maintaining order, acting like the emperor. Prince Yan's son had gone to the frontier to join the war...
There has been no news on the border war so far.
After all, more than a month is nothing for the border, minus the travel time, confrontation time, and message transmission time.
Fuling didn't know what Yan Siqing was planning, he just felt that this man had an unfathomable calmness, and because there was no fluctuation, he seemed gentle.
Suddenly there was a movement of children.
Fuling turned his head and looked.
A cute little girl, whose appearance really resembles her mother, ran over with a wreath in her hands.
"Aunt Fuling, this is for you."
Fuling raised his hand to catch the little ball of flesh that bumped into him. When his palm touched the soft flesh, his heart softened as well. His voice became a little gentler. He laughed and chatted for a few words, then heard a soft and elegant voice coming from the other side of the door.
"Zhao Zhao, have you finished writing the calligraphy?"
Zhao Zhao shrank her head, stuck out her tongue, ran to the kitchen to get the pancakes made by Liu'er and the nanny, then ran back to the study to write. In the study, Zhou was whispering to her about being lazy.
Fuling turned around and saw Yan Siqing walking out.
Fu Ling felt that these days were the most peaceful and happy days in her life, but...
"Want to go to Chang'an to find your master?"
You speak straight to the point.
Fuling was embarrassed, then sighed: "I am happy and don't miss Shu, but my virtues compel me to go back."
Yan Siqing smiled and said, "You are not my employee. Even if you are, you have your freedom. There is no need to be so embarrassed. Just be careful and safe. Maybe we will meet again in the future."
Is it still possible?
Fuling was a little confused. After all, the world was so vast that a carriage or horse might not be able to reach any territory in a lifetime, and news about people was always easy to be cut off.
But she knew she had to go.
only.....
"Have you cleared up all the tail news? Will Chang'an come looking for us?"
Yan Siqing paused and said seriously: "Based on my understanding of him, he must go to the border. The war for the country comes first."
Fu Ling: "It's strange, aren't you worried?"
She was very straightforward, because she could see that Jiang Hui was no stranger to Yan Siqing.
Because he cared about it, he had to make such a meticulous plan. He borrowed Chen's hand and involved multiple forces to hide his tracks. Moreover, Yan Siqing himself did not hide anything.
She had said it a month ago: She hoped Jiang Hui would feel better.
Yan Siqing was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke, "We were able to win every time before. Wouldn't it be strange if we lost this time? Could I still speculate that the disappearance of my wife caused him, as the head coach, to fall so low? That would be too unlucky for me."
Fuling: "I'm too sad."
Yan Siqing: “…”
She hesitated to speak, then reminded, "You are a martial artist, so don't be sad about the wind and the fan."
Fuling: "Your Highness, I am also a person of folk art, so it is not surprising that I am sentimental."
That’s right.
Yan Siqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Don't call me like that. When the war is over, there will be news that the princess is dead."
What?
Fuling was surprised and suspicious.
"I said I would close it up."
Fu Ling's eyebrows drooped slightly, feeling inexplicably uncomfortable. "Don't you regret it?"
In fact, she kind of disliked Jiang Hui, and had disliked him since the time at the post station.
I always feel that this person is too naturally noble, and is too willful compared to those people whose fate is full of twists and turns and pain, and whose tragic end can be foreseen at a glance.
He is also naturally attracted to the best things, as if they were born to be his.
But looking back later, I felt that some people missed each other and made people around them feel regretful.
But it could also be that during the performance, I saw several times that although the new princess treated others with gentleness, composure, and courtesy, her demeanor only became lively and energetic when it came to that person.
Shame, frustration, helplessness, caution and hesitation...
Just like a living person.
Rather than a perfect specimen.
Yan Siqing stood up, straightened his clothes, turned around and left.
"In this life, I have done everything I can do. The rest is up to fate."
"As for fate, regret is the norm."
"Maybe when he and I are old and we look back on the past and each other, we will admit: he and I are the most incompatible."
A good match, but not a good match.
How cruel, and how obvious.
Yan Siqing walked alone towards another small courtyard leaning against the forest. That was where she worked and it was more quiet.
She walked into the study and took down the newly delivered account books and shipping lists from the many standing bookshelves. When she turned and walked towards the desk, she was stunned.
Staring at the slightly tilted paperweight on the desk.
Take a step back.
But something hit me from behind...
She was startled and was about to drop the account book in her hand.
A hand reached behind her and caught it.
The waist was restrained by a horizontal arm.
The bodies pressed tightly against each other.
The list papers in the account book fell to the ground with a rustling sound, sticking lightly to the wooden board.
Her body was thin and fragile, like a piece of soft paper, and she could be easily restrained by the strong man behind her.
There is a coolness in the ears, and a light scent of soapwood.
"Why didn't you shout?"
"Are you afraid that your beloved daughter will catch you being flirted with your cruelly abandoned second husband?"
Yan Siqing was speechless for a moment.
Just as he was about to speak, he was touched on the cheek and turned away.
Blocked.
There was no chance to breathe.
Eager, domineering, mixed with anger and depression.
He wanted to crush her, but he was cautious not to hurt her, so he transformed the repressed force into time.
Just as they had agreed upon in the most intimate places and situations...
She couldn't bear it any longer and asked him to restrain himself.
"I didn't violate any rules."
"You broke your promise, Yan Siqing."
Appears close, extravagant, frequent....
Yan Siqing had a rare moment to breathe. When her shirt fell and dragged softly on her arm, she grabbed the clothes with her fingertips to prevent them from falling to the ground. But she whispered hoarsely, "You don't even want to fight anymore? Are you here to bully a woman like me?"
"Is this the style of a great general? Hmm?"
Jiang Hui held her waist against the small couch beside her, supported her back and gently lay down on the couch, which was padded with a soft cushion. He leaned forward and looked down at her, whose proud expression was even more radiant after a month.
"We won."
"Using your disappearance as an excuse, I pretended I hadn't reached the border yet. At Hai Fugui's instigation, the armies of both countries launched a surprise attack, and the Arabs ended up turning against us."
"Your true love is quite cunning. He has already discussed a strategy with my father to lure the main force of Beiyu into sending troops."
"In fact, it was a plan within a plan. Our two countries worked together to destroy the enemy's second wave of main forces, basically draining their country's military strength."
"The North Yue Kingdom has submitted its surrender."
It is truly a perfect national policy.
Jiang Hui knew the inside story at the border and met Hai Fugui who came secretly. He felt complicated at the time, but he still made the choice that was best for his family and country - it was a godsend opportunity that came to his door, and it was also the most perfect plan of the three people behind it. How could he refuse?
There's just a feeling of anger.
Yan Siqing: "That's great."
Jiang Hui leaned close to her and spoke softly, "I'm not surprised at all. It seems that in the original plan, you didn't mention it to Father, but you really trust President Hai Fugui. There's no doubt about it."
"So what's your plan for me? Just a fight?"
He was angry, very angry.
He was so angry and depressed that a month later, even though he had won a great victory that was unmatched by two generations of empires and was even about to annex the Northern Yue Kingdom that had been divided for hundreds of years, such a glorious military achievement could not make him happy and proud, but instead made him even more depressed and pitiful.
The proud and brave man of heaven, the future emperor.
How can it be so pitiful?
His eyes were filled with bloodshot, and he was clearly offended by the thought of getting close to her.
It feels like I'm about to cry.
Yan Siqing reached out and touched his little ear. When he pressed his body against hers, transferring his scorching heat to hers, she whispered, "Not only that."
Jiang Hui stopped and waited patiently for her to speak, as if as long as she gave him an explanation, he would not be angry or annoyed and would pretend that nothing had happened.
Yan Siqing's eyes were slightly strange, but he replied gently: "There will be news of my death from poisoning. If you don't believe that I'm dead, you will also find out that I might have been taken away by Hai Fugui to the Kingdom of Daqin."
"Due to national policy, you have to give up."
She was so gentle, handing the knife to me gently.
Jiang Hui: "It sounds like you're really thinking about me and have praised me as a top talent serving the country and the people. Should I thank you?"
Yan Siqing: "You are."
Jiang Hui: "So you didn't plan to stay in the country for long, did you? Are you going to take your loved ones and friends to the Kingdom of Daqin soon and completely escape my pursuit?"
"You just pretended to have made such a good arrangement, but in reality you were afraid I would find out what you were preparing. The next merchant ship under your command will leave for the Arab Empire in half a month, right?"
I think he had been searching for a long time and had already found this.
Careful and patient, until you can't bear it anymore.
Yan Siqing's plan was exposed, and her expression was slightly strange. She looked at him intently, "If I don't admit it, do you believe it?"
How could she possibly admit it?
Jiang was extremely angry, but he was reluctant to touch even a hair of hers. He just lowered his head and leaned on her shoulder.
"I heard you were poisoned half a month ago, but they didn't tell me. It was as if they were afraid I would delay the border war for you. Everyone was saying it was for my own good."
"It's you who's hateful. You treat me like this too."
"You want me to be a hero, to be flawless, to be perfect."
"Isn't it ridiculous?"
"You hold me up so high."
"But you don't want me."
Hot tears fell on her bare shoulders, and the spring beauty and true love melted into each other.
Yan Siqing was stunned, but had no words to say.
Even a little helpless and embarrassed.
Jiang Hui wasn't a pretentious person after all. He was just suffering and feeling wronged, so he couldn't keep crying. Instead, he wiped the moisture off her shoulder and asked, "Why aren't you talking? Don't you want to pay attention to me anymore?"
Yan Siqing: "I'm making up a lie to comfort you, but I really don't know what kind of lie to tell."
Jiang Hui: “….”
"Then do you still want me?"
Yan Siqing's eyes were deep, her fingers rested on his arm, and she saw the scar on his palm.
There are wounds and scars.
She remembered that it was left over from the Liao family courtyard.
He knelt there and kowtowed.
There are red marks on the beautiful and flawless forehead.
Like the humblest ant.
"You will be an emperor in the future. Aren't you afraid that I will bear a grudge against you and endanger your clan's royal power?"
"Jiang Hui, your family wiped out my entire family."
"Even if you can endure considerable suspicion and not question me, or even if you are confident enough to control me for a moment of lust, what makes you think I will bear offspring for you?"
"An emperor cannot be without an heir."
"Don't you know what happened to the previous emperor and empress?"
"Or do you think I can tolerate you having a large harem with other women and children?"
"You can't do it, and I can't do it either."
Jiang Hui was stunned for a moment.
Yan Siqing saw his pain.
She supported herself and stood up, her graceful figure far surpassing the beauty of the world at any time. She seemed to be beautiful but unaware of it. She just pulled up her half-open clothes with her fingers hooked on the belt, calm and composed.
“So don’t make things difficult for each other.”
“When we are old in the future, we can still remember the good times between us and make our lives worthwhile…”
She was so calm, as if she saw through the world and the end of each other's lives.
She always makes the right choice.
Decent, thoughtful, perfect.
Just when she was about to end this romantic affair and push him away, she was aroused.
He pushed the person down again.
Yan Siqing was puzzled and looked at Jiang Hui approaching.
Won't you stop?
She thought he would be as strong as when they first got married.
Jiang Hui: "Before, during that time, you indulged me... Did you plan it all this way? You thought that once I got tired of this kind of thing, my feelings would fade and I'd be willing to let you go? Or that I'd be more receptive to the outcome you had planned?"
Yan Siqing did not admit it.
Jiang Hui: "You also told that Fu Ling that when we are old and look at each other again, we will find that we are not compatible."
"You always seem to prioritize my demands on you."
"And you have no interest in me at all. You can just say no."
Yan Siqing: “….”
Jiang Hui sneered, "I acknowledge the family feud, but since there's hatred, you should seek revenge. How can you just let it go like this? You're taking advantage of me, the most outstanding descendant of the Jiang family, to control me, toy with me, and enjoy the glory and power of the Jiang family."
"You actually want to let me and my father comfortably be emperors? Yan Siqing, what are you thinking? How can you be so weak! Be a little mean!"
Yan Siqing: “….”
Once again, I was shocked by his crazy words and actions.
"As for whether or not to have a child, I never intended to force you."
"It's up to you to have a baby or not."
"Anyway, Father is in very good health, and your mother and I can work hard. As long as your mother is willing, he will wake up laughing in his dreams. You and I will also work hard to support that child to become emperor."
Yan Siqing was shocked by his outrageous words, especially when he mentioned their parents and said "try hard", she couldn't keep her expression and hit him in shame and anger.
"What nonsense are you talking about! Giving birth is extremely dangerous. How can I protect myself if I give birth again?"
"Then don't give birth."
"Stop making trouble and get out of the way."
"So do you want me?"
“.....”
Jiang Hui put his fingers into her untied waist, moved close to her, and begged her softly.
"Do you want it?"
"Don't you have anything you want? You have immense wealth, are gifted, and possess extraordinary intelligence...why can't you get whatever you want?"
"I've already delivered it to your door... The future emperor is beneath you, don't you want it?"
"Your words are like yours..."
"You're a bit ambitious... Why are you looking at this crappy account book? Look at me..."
Yan Siqing's face flushed red as he did this. She pinched his little ear and panted softly, "What do you mean by being in my control? Every time I asked you to stop, did you stop?"
"You're not listening again."
"Don't try to deceive me."
Jiang Hui was speechless because she had dug the hole herself, but she endured it and lowered her head to tidy up her clothes.
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Yan Siqing was surprised.
Jiang Hui's forehead was dripping with sweat, but he ignored it and wiped the traces on her body. "Anyway, don't leave me."
"Now that we're married, you and I will grow old together. Don't break your promise."
He was serious and refused to give up.
Yan Siqing saw scars all over his clothes, more than last time.
She was silent for a while, then took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Jiang Hui was slightly startled, lowered his head and moved closer to let her wipe it more conveniently, blinked, and saw that there was unwavering love in her eyes.
"My loyal bones can be buried under the great events of my country and family. That is where I will die."
"But if you survive."
"I just want to be by your side."
“Is that wrong?”
Yan Siqing wiped herself, lowered her head, folded the handkerchief as usual, and spoke softly.
"I know."
"I'm not afraid of you changing your mind, I'm afraid of myself changing..."
Jiang Hui paused, as if deep in thought, and then muttered, "Is it true love for Hai Fugui? Zhou Li? Jian Wuliang? Or Fuling? My aunt? Xie Juansi... Damn it, and that second place Liu Wuzheng..."
He gave out a list, an endless list...
Yan Siqing was originally deep in thought and felt sad, but stopped talking when he heard this.
Finally, he pushed the person away angrily.
What a great hero, the future emperor, this little man has a problem!
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