When the emperor was about to leave the palace, the capital was under heavy guard.
Lanterns lined both sides of the Imperial Street, resembling a long dragon.
The Imperial Guards probably hadn't rested all night, and since the Emperor hadn't come out yet, they could at least stand up and take a short nap.
The entire capital was more tense than usual, with a heavy sense of pressure.
Anxingfang and the Pei family were eerily quiet, as if they were about to die.
No one from the Pei family goes to perform the sacrificial rites anymore; they can't even serve as a lowly soldier. Last year, the Pei family was incredibly powerful and influential.
The lights in Qinglong Hall were also turned on.
There was a brazier, so Li Shi lay on the couch and wouldn't freeze to death.
Winter has probably arrived and spring is not far away; Li's spirits are still quite good.
Madam Ma sat to one side, quite idle. Anyway, that's how Li Shi is; if she were to order anyone else around her to die, she could simply run away.
The servant came and reported: "Master Shi of the Shi family requests an audience."
For a long time, a cold wind was blowing outside, but Li Shi didn't react at all.
The servant, having received the money, had to speak on his behalf: "Shi Chongyi's father is the magistrate of Nankang County, and his third uncle, Shi Tong, is a successful candidate in the imperial examinations. He will surely pass the exams with flying colors the year after next."
None of this had anything to do with Ma. Li was dying, and even if Ma clung to the Shi family after her death, it would be useless.
She was unwilling to become a servant in the Shi family, which, to be honest, would be lowering her own status.
The servant couldn't give her a thousand or eight hundred taels of silver, so he relied on his smooth talk: "The Emperor's favorite concubine right now is Consort Chongyi."
Ms. Ma couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Isn't there a conflict between Consort Chongyi and the Crown Prince's Consort?
Not to mention that the Pei family has no control over Lady Huan, even if they could, they would never help the Shi family.
So this is a bit ridiculous, since everyone knows that the Pei family and Lady Huan are not on good terms.
The servant was just saying it casually; once he received the money, he had to be professional: "It's just a matter of Lady Huan helping the Shi family, but the Emperor will think she's magnanimous. Besides, the Shi family is a small, insignificant household, and they'll only follow Lady Huan in the future."
Ma remained silent.
The Pei family is actually making plans for Huan Yue? Even if they were, she might not appreciate it.
Isn't it good for Ma to eat and drink well and live her own life?
Especially after the He family was wiped out, although Li Shi didn't die, Ma Shi, a mere servant, wanted to live a few more years.
Shi Tong ran in by himself.
Ma looked at the man in his thirties and thought he was incredibly lewd.
He was good-looking, wearing a thick fur coat in the freezing cold, his eyes fixed on the wealth of Qinglong Hall.
Even if the Pei family isn't the best, they're still far superior to ordinary families.
Even sitting on a small stool, Ma's family was better off than the poor. Even wearing an old piece of clothing, Ma's family was better off than Shi Tong's.
Shi Tong didn't care; he was a scholar, and he brought gifts for Li Shi.
Li opened her eyes and looked at his face.
Shi Tong looked like he had a snake crawling on his face, not just one, but it seemed to be wrapped all over his body. He was so scared that he ran away!
Li Shi just watched, and when he ran away, she closed her eyes again.
When Ma looked at the things Shi Tong had brought, she thought they were really tattered, not even worth twenty taels of silver. She was afraid that Shi Tong had spent a lot of money on them.
Shi Tong left the Pei family feeling quite resentful.
He's clearly the emperor's brother-in-law! He hasn't done enough yet.
The sky gradually brightened.
The Imperial Street seemed to have awakened.
Apart from the Imperial Guards, they made repeated trips to the southern suburbs.
Not only was the road clean, but there were also no onlookers on either side of the road.
Similar to the curfew, today, before noon, no one may approach the Imperial Street without a valid reason; it is best to stay away from other neighborhoods.
There will be plenty of people in the capital; just the Emperor's procession alone will draw a large crowd.
Shi Tong stumbled into the Imperial Street in a daze, but he didn't think much of it, even though it was unlikely that he could stop the Emperor's procession.
But as the emperor's brother-in-law, his niece's husband had to be more polite to him.
As for whether he was considered the emperor's brother-in-law or not, Shi Tong was arrested immediately, and his protests were useless.
He Deng and his group came over.
Wang Jian confronted Shi Tong without the slightest fear.
He Deng had no duties today, so naturally he had no soldiers or armor; he was relying on his momentum and the power of the He family.
Everyone knows the He family is plotting a rebellion; Wang Jian is even ready to fight, but it's not time for a fight yet.
Shi Tong got excited: "Let me go! What do you want to do to me?"
He Deng shouted, "Release them!"
One of the guards kicked Shi Tong.
"Insolence!" He Deng rushed forward to hit someone.
Clang! Several men drew their swords!
He Deng's expression changed, and he hurriedly retreated. He could fight a few people or disarm them, but there were too many people on the street.
The He family commands 300,000 troops, but they are not located near the capital. Some of the He family's cronies, like He Deng, have been temporarily dismissed.
In short, the current chaos is very disadvantageous to the He family.
He Deng wanted chaos, but what could Xie Yu do about it? But he couldn't make that decision.
It was just a coincidence that Shi Tong seemed so useless. He Deng hesitated, wondering whether to take action.
Whistling could be heard in the distance. He Deng had no choice but to retreat. He'd wait until they made their move.
Shi Tong shouted! "Don't run away! At least take him with you!"
Heibe kicked him again.
"Agh!" Shi Tong screamed in agony.
He Deng was furious! Was this meant for him? He turned around and launched a hidden attack.
Wang Jian gestured.
Some soldiers blocked with shields, while others shot!
"careful!"
"You brat!"
A cacophony of shouts erupted in the distance.
He Deng was locked on and turned around in anger, vowing that he would not be He Deng if he did not kill a few of them!
Whoosh! A single arrow to the throat!
He Deng and his men were in a state of chaos and rage! They were quickly shot dead!
Wang Jian remained unfazed. They'd already killed quite a few people in the capital; what reason could they possibly have for further trouble?
Shi Tong was terrified. Despite the freezing weather, he still reeked of a foul odor.
Bingwei, being mostly a stinky man, couldn't stand it either, and was even less polite to Shi Tong. It was a miracle he wasn't killed on the spot.
Shi Tong was a scholar and wanted to save his life: "The Eighth Prince is my nephew's grandson."
Heibei nearly chopped off his arm with a single strike. The back of the blade now carried a murderous aura.
Shi Tong, tears and snot streaming down his face, exclaimed, "I can let my nephew's grandson... Ouch!"
Bingwei pushed hard, and Shitong crashed headfirst into the stone lion, almost crushing it, taking advantage of the fact that the stone lion couldn't roar.
The main gate in front of the Imperial Palace: Yingtian Gate!
At this moment, the rising sun shone on the imperial carriage, its splendor as majestic as the power of heaven!
"Your Majesty" signifies a high level or rank.
From sages down to kings, dukes, and ministers!
The Crown Prince's entourage was positioned slightly behind, with the Crown Princess's entourage following closely behind.
Following them were Prince Huayuan, Prince Yongning, and others.
This looks like the Crown Princess has stepped in front of Prince Huayuan.
Huan Yue sat in the car, still eating.
Huiqing was a little flustered, as if there was murderous intent all around, but she couldn't afford to be. She was afraid of being a burden even when protecting her master. Should she just lie down on the ground if a fight broke out? Playing dead was an option, and she could get up if her master was in trouble.
The young palace maid nervously muttered something to herself.
Cuizhu listened to her chanting things like "May God bless you," and started chanting along. It seemed to be quite effective.
Wang Jian received the news that He Deng had been killed.
Huan Yue, with a beef patty in his mouth, thought, "Is the He family really going to fight today? If they do, the He family will be completely wiped out."
The young palace maid recited the mantra faster and more devoutly.
Huiqing was both amused and exasperated. This curse on the He family was practically a demonic act. Who knew what would happen if the curse actually worked?
Huan Yue ate the beef patty, drank some tea, and then, after the car started moving, she ate some dessert.
Huiqing was both amused and exasperated. His Highness was well-prepared, and Her Majesty was incredibly magnanimous.
It seems that's how it is; a fight is inevitable anyway. Huiqing clenched her fist and then relaxed it; she wasn't exactly weak.
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