"If Gu Qin is not removed, how can the court have peace!" Xiao Ming turned his head, put his hands behind his back, and his brows were full of gloom. "Those who achieve great things do not care about trivial matters. Gu Qin is a cunning man. Only by controlling Xia Tong can we find his weak spot. Otherwise, there will be endless troubles."
Looking at the ruthless man in front of him, Shen Xin took two steps back, a hint of alienation appeared in his eyes, "If I can't even trust the people around me, how can I trust the world?"
With his palms tightened, Xiao Ming suddenly turned around, his eyes burning: "The biggest obstacle to controlling the imperial city is not Xiao Jing, but Gu Qin, don't you understand it yet!"
"I don't understand, or you just want to get that position!"
The atmosphere in the entire tent became solemn. The two looked at each other, each holding his own opinion. They had never argued like this since they met. Chen Xin looked a little disappointed. Perhaps Xia Tong was right. There is no real distinction between good and evil in this world. Everyone has their own desires. At least Gu Qin's desires are in front of everyone, while some people's desires are hidden deep.
Xiao Ming pursed his lips, and suddenly stepped forward to hold her arm, with a serious look, "Since my mother passed away, I have never trusted anyone. You are the first and the last. Everything I did was not just for revenge, but more for my own revenge. Gu Qin and the Grand Tutor's Mansion are the key to the corruption of the court. Why can't you understand me?"
"Don't be so cautious. I won't let you hurt Xia Tong no matter what." Chen Xin shook off his hand, with disappointment in her eyes. "Perhaps, you don't even believe me."
The atmosphere instantly froze. Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, Xiao Ming couldn't help but tighten his palms. Seeing that Shen Xin was about to leave, he suddenly stepped forward and hit her on the side of the neck. When she fainted in his arms, he put her on the small couch over there.
"Someone come."
Instantly, a soldier walked in, "What do you want, Your Highness?"
After taking a steady look at the delicate outline of the woman, Xiao Ming closed his eyes and said in a cold voice: "Watch Miss Shen carefully. She is not allowed to step out of the tent without the permission of my Highness."
——
The night was as dark as ink, with snow falling all over the palace. The light snow was filled with dense footprints. Teams of royal guards were holding torches and walking hurriedly to no one knew where. Only palace servants passed by in twos and threes from time to time, and the atmosphere was solemn and heavy.
In the council chamber, only a few experienced ministers were discussing something heatedly. Xiao Jing, who was at the top, was looking at the memorial with a frown, a hint of anger on his face. However, Gu Qin, who was sitting next to him, was drinking tea leisurely. He was the most leisurely one.
"Report!"
A royal guard suddenly rushed in, interrupting the heated discussion in the room. He knelt on one knee and said in a serious tone: "Your Majesty, we have found many traces of rebels five miles outside the city. It is dark at night, and we can't see how many troops the rebels have."
"What should I do?"
The Minister of War immediately paced back and forth anxiously, wanting to say something but not daring to, as if he was concerned about Gu Qin. In fact, he didn't understand why the emperor wanted to keep the regent here. Who knew if the regent was in cahoots with the fifth prince? What would he do if he turned against the emperor in the middle of a battle?
"Yes, now the people of the Shenji Camp have been sent out, and the nearest garrison in Yangcheng is two days away from the capital. Now there are only 20,000 imperial guards left in the city. If the rebels are too numerous and powerful, the city gates will definitely not be able to be defended!"
The people below were as anxious as ants on a hot pot. Xiao Jing, who was in charge, frowned, put down the memorial in his hand, and suddenly looked at Gu Qin beside him, "I wonder what the Regent thinks?"
In an instant, everyone focused their attention on the lazy-looking man above. Apart from the fact that the regent was cruel and had no respect for the imperial power, the man's ability to lead troops was still extremely outstanding. One has to know that he also made his fortune through military merits and once repelled an enemy army of 150,000 with a smaller force!
The man took a sip of tea, while stroking the jade ring leisurely, and said in a light voice, "I am just a rough man, so I will deal with this kind of thing as it comes."
It was the same as if nothing had been said. The people below were a little disappointed. If no solution was thought of now, the capital would be in danger.
"The Shenji Camp still has some troops. It should still be in time to mobilize them now." Xiao Jing said with a burning gaze.
After the words fell, the people below seemed to see some hope, but Gu Qin chuckled and said lightly: "What the emperor can think of, the rebels can also think of. Do you think they will not take precautions?"
"What can we do? We can't let the rebels break through the city gates!"
The others were walking around anxiously. They were all from Xiao Jing's faction. The situation for others might have turned around, but even if they surrendered, the other side would never let them stay. Now they could only fight back with all their might.
Unlike the others who were anxious, Xiao Jing did not look too worried. After a while, he suddenly said, "After my father passed away, I expected that some people would be restless, so I secretly transferred 50,000 troops from Yangcheng the day before yesterday. They are now stationed ten miles southeast of the city. Although I don't know how many troops the enemy has, as long as we guard the city gate and wait for the people from the Shenji Camp to outflank us, we have a chance of winning."
As soon as these words were spoken, the people below seemed to see hope, and they all complimented the emperor on his foresight, saying that the rebels would definitely be defeated.
"The Regent can stay here. I need your help." Xiao Jing suddenly looked at the person next to her.
The people outside the city are not the problem; the problem is Gu Qin's attitude. The only solution now is to keep him here to prevent him from doing anything again.
Hearing this, the latter naturally smiled faintly, "I will naturally abide by the palace with the emperor."
It was late at night, and unlike the solemnity of the imperial palace, the palace was as warm and harmonious as usual. Xia Tong had just finished embroidering half of the hat when her mother criticized her severely, accusing her of being so unskilled in embroidery and saying that such a thing was not meant to be worn by anyone.
Xia Tong didn't dare to say anything. She was of course not as skilled as the original owner. It was already very good to be able to embroider like this, and it was also her intention. Children don't know what is beautiful or ugly, as long as they can wear it, it's fine.
"You have never embroidered a piece of clothing for the prince since you came to the palace. Fortunately, the prince doesn't despise you. You are always angry with the prince. I don't know who spoiled you."
Liu shook her head and was about to throw the hat away. Xia Tong quickly snatched the hat away and hid it in the gap of the couch behind her. "This is embroidered by my daughter herself. No matter how beautiful it is, it is not as important as a mother's thoughts. You should understand."
"You're always stuck in a rut!" Liu nodded her head in a chastising tone, looking outside the house and saying, "The medicinal food in the kitchen should be ready soon. You have to finish drinking it before you can rest."
Xia Tong: “…”
Watching her mother walk out, Xia Tong's face was filled with despair. She was going crazy from drinking these every day.
However, Qing'er and others on the side couldn't help but laugh. Xia Tong was about to teach these two guys who were gloating over other people's misfortune a lesson, but at this moment, the sound of Xifeng suddenly came from outside the house.
"Has the princess rested yet?"
The other party must have something to ask her at this time. Xia Tong immediately asked Fang Yu to open the door. She didn't know how Gu Qin was doing now.
As the door was opened, Xifeng closed the door with a serious look on his face, looked around, and then stepped forward and whispered, "The master sent someone to tell you to wait for him in the tunnel of the study today."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
