Chapter 48 Chapter 48 [VIP]
Something happened in Bianzhou.
When the emperor received the news, he was still in the suburbs of Beijing. He was wearing a black suit, a crown on his head, and jade beads swaying on his forehead.
Respectful and elegant, with the demeanor of a dragon and a phoenix.
It demonstrates the emperor's profound majesty and nobility.
But after seeing the urgent letter, the emperor's expression suddenly turned ugly.
Shuofang is close to the border and is prone to accidents. This time, the incident actually involved the King of Chu.
The border states are adjacent to the Rouran, and there are frequent mutinies.
Next to it are several vassal states with a mixed population and various forces intertwined.
Border state is a broad concept. As long as it is close to the border, it can be considered a border state. Strictly speaking, even Lingzhou, the seat of Shuofang, is considered a border state.
But this time the incident occurred in Fengzhou, the city closest to the border in the entire Shuofang area.
A little further north from Fengzhou, you will almost reach the southern desert grassland.
It is only one step away from Rouran.
This place is often in turmoil, and is often the first to be plundered when the two countries go to war.
Six years ago, when Jingzhao was in turmoil, Fengzhou was taken away by the Rouran.
Four years ago, the emperor led his army and headed straight for the Rouran royal court, only then was Fengzhou recaptured. The Shuofang military town was also established at that time.
Where ownership changes frequently, mutiny is very likely to occur.
Therefore, the person in charge must be someone extremely close to the royal family.
The governor of Fengzhou came from the Chu Palace and had been with the King of Chu for many years. He had been with the King of Chu when he was in the south of the Yangtze River.
He is a capable and talented man.
Therefore, after the King of Chu went to Shuofang, the emperor appointed this man as the governor of Fengzhou.
Fengzhou is a strange place. Even loyal old ministers may develop thoughts of rebellion when they arrive here.
So the leader here is different from other places, and is replaced every three years.
When the Fengzhou governor first mutinied, the emperor didn't take it seriously at all, and it wasn't something he needed to pay attention to.
Political affairs have their priorities. Although he works day and night, diligently governs and loves the people, it is impossible for him to go into every detail.
The King of Chu had been in Shuofang for some time and had become familiar with various affairs.
He was the governor of Shuofang. If something happened in the border state, he should have dealt with it. This was his duty, especially since the man was once his close minister.
But the emperor admitted that he had selfish motives in this matter.
He was eager to use one thing to threaten King Chu and Yuan Mu and separate them immediately.
The Fengzhou incident happened just at that time.
But even if the Fengzhou incident had not happened, the emperor would have found other reasons for the crime.
Yuan Mu always kept this matter in mind. Every time she mentioned it, she looked at him with an unfriendly look, thinking that he was deliberately targeting the King of Chu.
The emperor would explain to Yuan Mu, but if he were to go back to that time again, he would still make the same decision.
The King of Chu was very well protected by him and his mother.
While the emperor was walking on the cliff of power struggle, the King of Chu was sleeping peacefully in the palace. While the emperor was escaping death in the chaos, the King of Chu was picking willow branches and appreciating flowers in his ancestral home in the south of the Yangtze River.
It would be a lie to say that I have no emotions at all.
The King of Chu has been living a leisurely life for so many years, it’s time to give him something in return.
Especially when the King of Chu did such a thing, he not only took away other people's wives and concubines, but also his own sister-in-law.
The emperor felt that at that time, being able to resist killing the King of Chu was the greatest forgiveness and indulgence he could show him.
The mutiny lasted almost six months, from May to November.
It was not because the King of Chu was incompetent, but because it involved the neighboring Jiemizhou and the Rouran in the north.
This incident was caused by Rouran's direct intervention.
The prime minister under the young Khan rebelled.
The person who sent the letter knew that the emperor loved his brother.
Put the Rouran coup first, and then the news of the accident of the King of Chu.
Supporting foreign leaders who are close to the Central Plains dynasty is a common way to stabilize the government. Previously, there was a great chaos in Shuofang, and the vitality was severely damaged.
The emperor thought that the Rouran would finally be able to maintain peace for a few years this time.
However, they did not expect that only four years later, the political situation of Rouran would become completely chaotic again.
In the Rouran regime, the prime minister, also known as Yehu, had great power, but due to the special national conditions, he could not be easily replaced.
Things happened extremely quickly, and by the time the news was delivered at full speed, it had already been several days.
The downside of having a vast territory is this.
Even when the political situation is stable, Fengzhou is always a turbulent place. Once a disaster occurs, it will be the first front line to bear the brunt.
Swords and knives have no eyes. When disaster strikes, even the emperor may be in danger.
The emperor's face turned cold and he put the urgent letter away. There were many important ministers accompanying him. When he got on the imperial carriage, he immediately called them together to start a meeting.
The attendant still had something to say, but after he finished reading the urgent letter, he hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
The matter is too urgent.
Before the emperor could hear what the attendant was saying, he said, "I will return to the palace later. They don't have to wait today."
In the past, she even liked to do everything she could to avoid having meals with him.
The emperor had a lot of things to do and didn't care much about this matter.
It was after the little prince was born that they became closer in daily life and diet.
The little prince and Yuan Mu have very similar tastes. The emperor has a bland taste and doesn't have any preferences, so he follows them in everything.
After that,
Military and political affairs cannot be delayed for a moment. If it is delayed for half an hour, tens of millions of people may be in danger.
For example, it is simply being marginalized.
However, his life or death depended on the decision of that powerful official.
Even the slightest change in a neighboring country could cause a wave in an instant. For example, when the previous emperor abolished the crown prince, the Rouran, which was originally in chaos, united instantly.
This is a big deal.
The emperor has been dealing with this matter since he heard the news, and he didn't even have lunch.
Only when the moon was high above the branches did he return to the Ziwei Palace.
It was a deep night, and the little prince had been asleep for a long time. Yuan Mu had gone to bed early these days, so he should have rested as well.
She is like a little animal, and her sleep time increases in winter.
Although Yuan Mu is much sleepier than ordinary people.
The emperor raised his eyes and saw Yuan Mushi sitting in the center of the hall. He was stunned for a moment.
She wasn't reading either, just sitting silently on the couch, her eyebrows slightly lowered, revealing an imperceptible sense of depression.
The emperor had been busy all day, and when he saw Yuan Mu, the coldest and hardest part of his heart softened.
He walked forward, gently picked her up, leaned over and asked, "Why don't you go to bed?"
Yuan Mu was still very resistant to the emperor's touch, but after spending these past few months together, she had become much more accustomed to simple contact.
This is like a bird, its nature is of course to yearn for the blue sky.
But if it is kept in a cage for a long time and is fed every day, it will be able to accept such a life.
Yuan Mu sometimes gets emotional, but most of the time, she is actually rational.
She could even be said to be a very sober person.
Otherwise, Yuan Mu would not have been willing to marry Yan Fei by her father.
The emperor knew that such thoughts were morbid.
But sometimes, he was glad that Yuan Mu had feelings for the King of Chu, otherwise he really didn't know how he could control her and force her to stay by his side.
As long as Yuan Mu still cares about King Chu, she can do nothing.
Supreme power means endless freedom.
The emperor went through countless hardships and dangers, and fought his way out of countless near-death situations, all for this kind of power and this kind of freedom.
He kissed Yuan Mu's forehead and asked softly, "Why aren't you talking?"
Yuan Mu lowered her eyes and restrained her expression. She seemed to be suppressing her emotions, or trying her best to avoid his touch.
She whispered, "A Fei is still sleeping."
This is the very bad thing about living with children.
The little prince lived in a side hall of the Ziwei Palace and was taken care of by many people, but he always made a fuss about wanting to see his mother.
The emperor was already prepared. When the little prince was four years old, he would let him leave the palace and live in another palace.
He pinched Yuan Mu's face and chuckled: "If you don't like it, how about we just not be here."
It has been half a year since Yuan Mu returned to the palace. A girl of her age is not without desires. She has very normal thoughts.
The ice in their relationship was broken because she was drunk one time.
However, the emperor did not dare to go too far. Except for once or twice occasionally, he would at most kiss Yuan Mu. She must like being kissed and bitten gently.
Although she would always hold his shoulders and hide away crying.
But after that, Yuan Mu was well-behaved and quiet for several days.
She wouldn't rub against the quilt at night, nor would she roll unconsciously into his arms.
During this process, the emperor slowly figured out Yuan Mu's taboos and preferences.
He carried Yuan Mu into the inner hall, but his knuckles had already lifted her skirt and were caressing her deeper inside.
In the past, when the emperor was upset, he would often go to Qingning Palace or summon Yuan Mu to Ziwei Palace. Thinking about it now, that was too disrespectful.
But he is a sick person in his blood.
Only the ultimate possession and control can satisfy him.
The emperor kissed Yuan Mu's lips, and the moment he closed the palace door, he pressed her directly against the heavy door.
Her legs were spread apart, and her snow-white skirt trailed on the ground, wrapping around his strong and slender waist.
The red lips were bitten until they were red, glistening with moisture, and were incredibly soft.
All the manic and depressed emotions disappeared completely at this moment.
The emperor's voice was hoarse: "Is it okay?"
He leaned over and touched Yuan Mu's forehead, his expression slightly flattering, similar to that of his son.
Yuan Mu half tilted her head back, her long black hair spread out behind her, her face was pure and cold, only the corners of her eyes were tinged with a faint red, disturbing her godlike elegance.
Her beauty became better and better, and after she turned twenty, she was like a flower in full bloom.
The fragrance of jade bones is captivating.
Yuan Mu rarely took the initiative in such matters. Seeing that she did not object, the emperor held the back of her head and gradually deepened the kiss.
After all, the two of them lived together for three years.
They are very familiar with each other.
The emperor's kiss fell on Yuan Mu's neck, leaving a mark of neither deep nor shallow. He clasped her wrists together, then lifted them above her head and kissed her like that.
He looked tall and thin, but he was actually proficient in riding, shooting and swordsmanship. His slender hands were extremely powerful and could easily leave red marks on Yuan Mu's snow-white skin.
The emperor held Yuan Mu in one hand, and the blue veins on the back of his hand were faintly visible.
Tears welled up in her eyes, her lips were tightly bitten by her pearly teeth, and her body exuded a rich fragrance.
The emperor pinched Yuan Mu's jaw and kissed her red lips again.
He coaxed in a low voice, "Let me kiss you."
Yuan Mu struggled to avoid the emperor, but was kissed even harder. Her expression only calmed down when she was carried to the bathroom.
But the delicate red lips were still slightly swollen.
Yuan Mu had already bathed once. The emperor tied up her black hair, washed her clean, and carried her back to the inner hall.
Her eyes were red and she sat quietly in front of the low table drinking water.
It's getting late.
The emperor gave some simple instructions to the servants outside, and when he returned to the inner hall, he found that Yuan Mu had not entered the tent yet.
He leaned over and kissed her face, and asked in a low voice: "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
As the emperor said this, he reached into the secret compartment and took out the medicine.
His voice was slightly hoarse: "Let me give you some medicine."
But Yuan Mu held the emperor's wrist. She put down the cup, looked at him sideways, and said softly, "Did you do this to the King of Chu?"
She knew.
The emperor was slightly stunned, and then he thought, how did she know?
His thoughts raced, but his expression remained calm.
"Did anyone say anything to you?" the emperor said slowly. "A Zhang is still suppressing the rebellion in the border states. He even sent a letter here two days ago."
Even if Yuan Mu looked at him with the blade in hand, he would still look calm and peaceful.
The emperor was used to being in control of everything.
The fire in Qingning Palace made him learn a lot from the experience and lessons.
The emperor would never let such a serious out-of-control thing happen again in his life. He patiently relaxed his control over Yuan Mu in exchange for her trust and dependence.
Covering the palace was a dense and gentle net.
It seems invisible, but in fact it is a hundred times closer than before.
The emperor lowered his eyes, a look of hurt in his expression, and said slowly, "If you don't believe me, I'll show it to you."
Yuan Mu actually prefers gentle and weak young men rather than strong and reliable men.
After the emperor regained his memory, he would often think carefully about what he was like when he was Helan Zhen. There was no one in the world who was more like him than himself.
If he could make Yuan Mu fall in love with him the first time, he would definitely make her fall in love with him the second time.
But after hearing the emperor's words, Yuan Mu's expression did not improve.
"At this point, are you still going to lie to me?" Her voice rose. "He's in trouble in a border state. He's a prince, and his life or death is uncertain!"
This was an urgent report that the emperor received in the morning.
He had been in meetings all day, and the news had not yet spread outside. Even all the officials did not know the secret.
How did Yuan Mu know this?
The emperor's expression turned slightly cold. He asked word by word, "Who told you that?"
He has always paid great attention to personnel, especially the people serving Yuan Mu.
No one was talkative, and no one dared to disrespect her.
"Don't worry about where I learned this," Yuan Mu turned his head away, "you just need to tell me whether you did it or not."
Her words were harsh, but her eyes were slightly red.
The emperor thought that after so much time had passed, Yuan Mu should finally come to his senses.
But when she mentioned the King of Chu, her expression clearly showed that she still had feelings for him.
The emperor didn't believe that Yuan Mulian knew about the whereabouts of the King of Chu, but he didn't know that there was a major coup in the Rouran.
He had been exhausted all day on this matter, but she only had eyes for his brother.
The emperor was so angry that he almost laughed. His expression was very cold and the gentleness in his eyes disappeared.
"If I wanted to kill him," he laughed, "would it be necessary to go to so much trouble?"
The emperor curled the corners of his lips sarcastically, but there was not even the slightest smile in his phoenix eyes, only an indescribable dark coldness.
Yuan Mu simply asked, "Did you do this?"
She turned to look at him, her eyes full of vigilance and questioning.
The emperor was really angry this time and laughed. The fragrance in the hall had not yet dissipated, and his body was still covered with marks left by him, so he questioned him like this.
Should we say she is heartless or affectionate?
The emperor always thought that a big reason why Yuan Mu was willing to follow the King of Chu was that they looked alike, and the King of Chu was about the same age as when they first met.
She was just looking for his replacement.
But now it seems that two years of living like a couple have really made her fall in love with the King of Chu.
"So what if I did it, and so what if I didn't?" The emperor pinched Yuan Mu's jaw. "Do you still want to be his princess after all this?"
His words were still gentle, but his eyes were full of hostility.
There was distrust in Yuan Mu's eyes. Even if he said he didn't do it, she would definitely not believe it.
The emperor's heart was very cold. They had known each other for six years.
But the kittens in the palace all became close to the little prince, but she still couldn't acquaint them with him.
Yuan Mu's expression changed immediately, and her voice trembled: "He is your own brother! Are you so heartless and cold-hearted that you can't tolerate him?"
She stood up and clasped his wrist with her slender jade fingers.
Yuan Mu's expression showed his devastation.
She couldn't even maintain basic composure, pushed the emperor away and walked towards the outside.
The emperor didn't react and wondered why Yuan Mu's expression suddenly changed.
But almost instinctively, when she left, he immediately stepped forward to her and held her wrist tightly.
The emperor raised his voice: "Where do you want to go?"
"Let me leave the palace," Yuan Mu whispered, "It's uncertain whether he's alive or dead. I want to go find him."
She didn't even look at the emperor.
Yuan Mu's voice was choked with emotion: "He has done me a great favor, I should repay him."
Great favor?
Could she be talking about the fact that the King of Chu helped her create the illusion of a fire and then took her away from the palace for two years?
The emperor's face looked unusually ugly, so gloomy that water seemed to be dripping out.
He said coldly: "You are dreaming, Yuan Mu."
The emperor pretended to be a gentle gentleman for half a year. He always listened to Yuan Mu's opinions first on everything. No matter what she said or what she wanted to do, he nodded in agreement.
By now, his patience had reached its limit.
The emperor grabbed Yuan Mu's slender waist, lifted her onto his shoulders and carried her into the curtain.
She cried out, "Let me go, Li Congliu!"
How could Yuan Mu possibly resist him? If she really had that ability, she should have managed to leave when she first entered the palace six years ago.
The emperor's eyes were dark, and he no longer cared about her tears.
Yuan Mu hadn't broken down like this for a long time. She cried so hard that after she lost consciousness, she was forcibly awakened by the emperor again.
The Ziwei Palace, which had been silent for a long time, was now filled with crying sounds all night long.
If there wasn't a court meeting the next day, the emperor still wouldn't let Yuan Mu go.
His expression was paranoid and sick, and there was deep hostility in his eyes.
The emperor was already very resentful about what happened between Yuan Mu and the King of Chu. He still clearly remembered the look on Yuan Mu's face when he threw himself into the King of Chu's arms in front of him.
How could she have the courage to do that?
The emperor had not slept all night, but he did not feel tired at all. His heart was filled with intense jealousy.
At the same time, a thought kept repeating in his mind.
Since Yuan Mu admitted that he was the one who killed the King of Chu, he could simply stop ordering people to look for him and directly prepare for the King of Chu's funeral.
This way, the cause can be more legitimate and the emotions of people from top to bottom can be affected.
If the King of Chu really shows up again in the future, it would be even easier to execute him directly on the pretext of pretending to be a prince.
The emperor always thought that he loved his younger brother very much, but at this moment he realized so deeply how cold his heart was.
This was in his nearly thirty years of life.
He might really have only had feelings for Yuan Mu, and he held her at the top of his heart, held her in his palm, and protected her with all his might, and was afraid that she would be broken.
But Yuan Mu just refused to accept him.
She trampled on his sincerity unscrupulously and had rarely been kind to him in the past six months.
The emperor felt pain in his chest, and sometimes he really wanted to give up on appeasement completely.
After all, what could Yuan Mu do to him? Without his protection, she wouldn't even be able to survive.
Last night Yuan Mu said she wanted to leave the palace, but without his token, she couldn't even step out of the first palace gate. Even if she successfully left the palace, she actually had nowhere to go.
She was a homeless person, and the only farm where she had stayed for a long time was burned down in a fire long ago.
The emperor entered the palace in a bad mood. When the most important ministers saw his expression, they also lowered their heads and frowned deeply.
Throughout the day, the atmosphere around him was so solemn that it was almost terrifying.
But no one knew that this was not because of the sudden disaster, but because of Yuan Mu.
Yuan Mu fell asleep just as dawn was breaking. She slept for a whole day.
The little prince ran to the inner hall and wanted to go in to see her, but how could she meet anyone in this state?
The maid stopped the little prince and leaned down to say, "The queen is ill, Your Highness."
The little prince lowered his head sadly. Yuan Mu had not woken up until he was so sleepy that he could hardly open his eyes and was forced to climb onto the small bed to sleep.
The emperor came back from outside, frowned and touched Yuan Mu's forehead.
It was like this before, and sometimes if I overdid it, she would start to have a fever.
Yuan Mu was weak, especially after experiencing such a big fire. The emperor was afraid that something might happen to her, so he patted her face and forced her to wake up from her deep sleep.
He whispered, "Wake up, A'Luo."
Yuan Mu's eyelids were heavy, she fell asleep very late.
After the emperor left, she forced herself to take a bath, then tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Finally, she took the medicine and fell asleep.
Yuan Mu opened her eyes with great difficulty, and the emperor helped her sit up.
He took the cup and fed her some water.
"Are you feeling unwell?" the emperor said softly. "Shall I ask the imperial physician to come over?"
His eyebrows and eyes were soft and beautiful, showing no trace of the paranoia and morbidity from last night.
Yuan Mu's thoughts were heavy. She supported herself with her arms and sat up straight. When she raised her eyes and met the emperor's gaze, there was a hatred so strong that it could not be concealed.
When the crisp sound of "pop" fell in the silent palace, she realized what she had done.
The emperor turned his face away, with obvious red marks on his face.
Yuan Mu looked at the emperor and gritted his teeth: "Why wasn't it you who got into trouble?"
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