Wei Jingzhuo glanced at Su Wan and said to the scout, "Continue."
The scout said, "No one noticed His Majesty's abnormality at first. Later, the Prime Minister went to see His Majesty on business and found that His Majesty had died with blood flowing from all seven orifices. During this time, only the goddess Qiu Jie and Yang Yaozu entered His Majesty's room. It must have been one of the two who poisoned him."
Meng Ruliu said, "His Majesty's room is heavily guarded, and only these two people could have poisoned it."
One of the generals asked, "How did the Prime Minister determine that Yang Yaozu had poisoned the body?"
The scout said, "The goddess Qiu Jie has remained in His Majesty's palace, but Yang Yaozu has escaped. If he didn't do it, why would he run away? Clearly, he has a guilty conscience. Currently, the court is posting arrest warrants everywhere to search for Yang Yaozu."
Su Wan had already heard the whole story from Yang Yaozu and thought to herself, "Bai Zhiyi is quite insidious. Even if Yang Yaozu hadn't run away, he would have been a scapegoat. The emperor took Bai Zhiyi's medicine and gradually recovered, so no one would suspect that Bai Zhiyi had poisoned him. Yang Yaozu's escape only proves that he was the one who poisoned him."
The scout said, "There are a few other things that we find somewhat strange, but we haven't been able to figure out."
Wei Jingzhuo said, "Strange?"
"His Majesty's most beloved Consort Li seems to have been absent from the palace for quite some time. The imperial physicians who treat His Majesty have also disappeared. Our spies have been unable to enter the palace and have yet to find out the reason."
Wei Jingzhuo said, "Alright, I understand. Investigate further."
After the scouts left, the generals in the hall began to whisper among themselves.
Su Wan stood up and went to Wei Jingzhuo, whispering, "I know all about these things. I'll tell you after the banquet."
Qiu Jie's true identity, Wei Jingzhuo's biological father, Consort Li's fate... there was a lot of important information that should have been told to Wei Jingzhuo long ago, but he was preparing for a midnight raid on the enemy camp, and she didn't have the chance to say it. Now that they have returned victorious, it is the right time.
Wei Jingzhuo nodded slightly and said softly, "Alright, let's celebrate this great victory first to boost morale."
Just as everyone was about to drink, a commotion erupted in the courtyard, mixed with the sobbing of a young girl: "Don't stop me... Where is Brother Jin? Where is Brother Jin?"
Su Wan recognized Zhao Xiyue's voice, stood up in surprise, and said to Wei Jingzhuo, "I'll go take a look."
“I’ll go too.” Wei Jingzhuo put down his wine cup, stood up, and followed behind Su Wan.
The two arrived outside the hall and descended the steps. Zhao Xiyue had already rushed to her side, followed by several soldiers. Upon seeing Su Guang, Zhao Xiyue threw herself into her arms and cried, "Sister-in-law, Grandpa is gone, Grandpa is gone!"
Su Wan was shocked. She held Zhao Xiyue's shoulders and looked at Wei Jingzhuo, asking, "A-Jin, what happened?"
Wei Jingzhuo was also shocked and said, "I didn't know. I sent someone to ask my grandfather to withdraw his troops and join me."
“Grandpa refuses to withdraw his troops,” Zhao Xiyue cried. “Grandpa said that General Meng has been defeated, and if he also withdraws his troops, Xiping Pass will be completely finished. He refuses to leave; he wants to risk his life to stop the Southern Chu army.”
Zhao Xiyue cried and shouted, and Su Wan only heard the gist of it.
To protect Xiping Pass, Zhao Xian decided to block the Southern Chu army. However, Zhao Xian only had five thousand men, how could he possibly fight against Chu Yi's tens of thousands of Southern Chu troops?
She comforted Zhao Xiyue, saying, "Cousin, don't cry. Where is he now?"
“We’re holding the Northwest Camp, but the Southern Chu army has already surrounded it,” Zhao Xiyue cried incessantly. “Why are you still drinking? Hurry up and save Grandpa!”
Wei Jingzhuo sighed deeply: "I originally wanted him to withdraw his troops and join me, but I didn't expect that my grandfather, despite his old age and frailty, would still have such a fierce temper..."
All the generals in the hall came to the door. Meng Kuan said, "Your Highness, it was because I did not heed the general's advice that we suffered this defeat, leaving the general to face the Southern Chu army alone. I am willing to lead troops to rescue the general. If I cannot rescue the general, I will atone with my death."
Meng Ruliu also said, "I will go with my father!"
Wei Jingzhuo shook his head and said, "No, you stay here. I misjudged the situation. I will personally lead the troops to rescue you."
The generals were all terrified upon hearing this, and they all said, "My lord, if you leave, the enemy will attack, and we are afraid we will not be able to hold Xiping Pass!"
Su Wan advised, "Ah Jin, you have already sent people to fetch your grandfather, but he refuses to withdraw his troops. How can you blame yourself for this? Everyone is relying on you now, so please don't act rashly."
Wei Jingzhuo shook his head: "I have no choice but to go."
He turned around and grasped Meng Kuan's hands: "General Meng, I will lead two thousand cavalry to rescue the General. I entrust Xiping Pass to you."
Meng Kuan, whose face was rosy from drinking, turned pale upon hearing these words.
There are only two thousand men in the entire Xiping Pass who are not wounded. If Wei Jingzhuo takes them away, the rest will be all wounded soldiers. How can they fight Wei Shao's army?
Meng Ruliu said, "Father, what are you hesitating for now? Let His Highness go. Your daughter will lead the troops with you to defend the city. Xiping Pass has always been a natural barrier, and Wei Shao has just suffered a great defeat. He may not have the courage to attack."
Meng Kuan composed himself, and said with a look of shame, "My daughter is right, I... I'll risk it all."
He turned to Wei Jingzhuo and straightened his chest: "Your Highness, you go and rescue the General. My daughter and I will stay here to defend the city. We will live as long as the city stands, and we will die if the city falls!"
Seeing Meng Kuan make his vow, the other generals also said, "We are willing to lend General Meng a hand."
Seeing that everyone was united in purpose, Wei Jingzhuo immediately donned his armor, gathered his troops, and prepared to set off.
Su Wan held Zhao Xiyue's hand to see him off. Zhao Xiyue had calmed down and said to Wei Jingzhuo, "Brother Jin, although Grandpa is old, he is one of the three heroes of the Western Expedition. Even if he is surrounded by the Southern Chu army, he will definitely be able to hold out until you arrive. You must rescue Grandpa."
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