Chapter 262 What I'm Curious About Is Something Else
Xiao heard the commotion outside getting closer and closer, but he felt surprisingly calm.
This is the family of the Xiao family.
This is the powerful family that Fu Mingyi is determined to eradicate.
When the northern barbarians invaded from the south, they hurriedly inventoried their private property, trying to avoid disaster.
After the Northern Xiaos migrated south, they were eager to seize profits and dream of wealth and status.
When the country needed to recuperate and resettle displaced people, these people would seize land everywhere and exploit the people at every level.
When the country needs to use its treasury to rebuild homes and conscript soldiers for war, they hoard their wealth, obstruct it in every way, and even embezzle the treasury's gold and silver!
They consider themselves the most prestigious families in the country; they don't have to pay taxes or do manual labor.
They look down on the common people from their high positions, even higher than she, the emperor, yet all they do is harm the people and erode the nation!
They are the malignant tumors that Fu Mingyi hates to get rid of as soon as possible!
He's been watching for three years, enduring it for three years, and he can only endure it until today.
Now that all the secrets of these seemingly glamorous aristocratic families are about to be exposed, they panicked and became bold enough to actually point their swords at the emperor they used to kowtow to and shout "Long live the emperor!"
Oh.
Ma Hong stood in front of Xiao Qing, looking nervous. "Your Majesty, this servant will stay. Your Majesty, please leave first."
Arrows have no eyes, and he was worried about the young emperor's safety.
Xiao Qing sat there steadily, watching the person at the front rush in with a sword in hand, a half-smile on his face.
The one leading the group was none other than Li Bo, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture.
Oh, and the commander-in-chief of the city's garrison.
They really are like family.
Looking at these people, Xiao Qing's memories seemed to return to Yongxiao Palace three years ago.
It was a world of blood and fire.
But these people in front of us are not barbarians, yet they are invaders!
Li Bo was already in his fifties, several generations older than the young emperor, but at this moment he was covered in sweat from running and was about to catch his breath, but he had to hold it in so as not to appear weak.
But when he looked at the little emperor sitting there quietly and calmly, he inexplicably felt that he was a step below him.
"Lord Li, why do you need to see me so late at night instead of resting in your room?" Xiao Qing gestured for Ma Hong to stand beside him so as not to block his view.
Zhao Ziyuan was hiding among these people.
He was dressed in the clothes of an ordinary city garrison soldier, gripped his sword tightly, and lowered his head slightly, but his eyes were fixed on the young emperor in front of him.
Because of the awkward angle, his forehead was squeezed into layers of wrinkles.
But deep down he was proud.
They faced the menacing city defense troops, who were armed with swords and exuded murderous intent.
However, the young emperor, whose shoulders were slightly thin, sat upright and at ease on the throne, his back straight, his eyes clear and honest, showing no fear whatsoever.
These are the masters of this country.
This is the country they fought and risked their lives to protect—the country, and the masters of this country.
Zhao Ziyuan suddenly understood her nephew.
Although the young emperor is still young, Zhao Youchen has probably given his all in loyalty to such a ruler.
Four dark figures, their bodies tense, were hidden in different positions on the roof. One of them made a hand gesture, while the other three cooperated.
Soon, they intercepted some people and silently slit their throats.
The four of them were as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood, wishing they could grow a pair of eyes on the back of their foreheads.
Brothers!
Today is the day to give it your all!
The career paths of several of my buddies all begin today!
The two pried open the roof tiles and stared intently at everything happening below.
The other two people provided cover and remained on guard.
Li Bo quietly took a breath, straightened his chest, and said, "Your Majesty, let's talk after you hand over the Imperial Seal!"
Xiao Qing then smiled.
I've seen people who are bold and ignorant, but I've never seen anyone this bold and ignorant.
Compared to Li Bo, Xiao Qing felt that even he, an alien, was a professional native!
"Oh? What does Lord Li need the Imperial Seal for?"
Xiao Qing tilted her head, instantly transforming into a drama queen.
"Could it be..." She touched the seat next to her, "that Lord Li would also like to sit here?"
Li Bo's expression changed, and he suddenly shouted, "Hmph, if His Majesty doesn't want his identity to be exposed, he'd better hand over the Imperial Seal obediently!"
Xiao Qing remained expressionless, but a hint of suspicion lingered in her mind.
What does Li Bo mean by this?
What does he know?
Was he involved in the affairs of the He family?
Zhao Ziyuan frowned.
A man strode in from outside, sword in hand, charging forward without hesitation, yet no one stopped him.
He shouted, "Lord Li! What's the situation here?"
Xiao Qing looked up and was somewhat surprised.
It was Yu Zaiting.
Li Bo frowned. "Why are you here? How is the Prime Minister?"
Yu Zaiting walked up to him with his sword, suddenly grabbed him, and held the sword to his neck.
"I cannot concern myself with the Prime Minister's affairs. However, Lord Li's breach of etiquette before the Emperor has disturbed His Majesty. What punishment should he receive?"
Li Bo's eyes widened.
"Yu Zaiting! What do you mean by this?!"
The commander of the city's garrison next to them drew his sword, looking tense.
"Release Lord Li immediately!"
Yu Zaiting forced Li Bo to turn around and face the city's garrison soldiers. "Li Bo has deceived the emperor and attempted to rebel. Are you all going to commit the same heinous crime, punishable by death and the extermination of nine generations of your family?"
Xiao Qing was surprised that it was Yu Zaiting who came, and even more surprised that Yu Zaiting had so simply and directly taken control of Li Bo.
Just then, someone else walked in from outside.
"Yu Zaiting! How dare you betray the Prime Minister!"
Yu Zaiting made Li Bo take two steps back and stand in front of Xiao Qing.
"What do you mean by betraying the Prime Minister? Do you intend to betray the Emperor?!"
With the sword pointed at him, Li Bo dared not speak. At first, he struggled to get Yu Zaiting to loosen his grip, but he found that the more he struggled, the closer Yu Zaiting's sword got to his neck. His neck was wet and sticky, and he could smell the scent of blood.
"Blood...blood...Lord Sun...help!"
Lord Sun glanced at him, then turned his gaze to Yu Zaiting.
"The northern barbarians invaded, and His Majesty traveled all the way from Ping'an City in the north to Nanhua City, enduring countless hardships along the way."
He squinted, his gaze turning somewhat cold as he looked at Xiao Qing.
"Lord Yu accuses me of betraying the Emperor. How does Lord Yu know that I am loyal to the Emperor?"
Yu Zaiting sneered.
"Lord Sun acts in this way, yet he is also eloquent and dares to question His Majesty. I wonder if he is fearless because he is so confident, or if he is greedy and ignorant!"
"Lord Sun, save me!" Li Bo shouted again, his voice trembling, but Yu Zaiting's sword showed no mercy.
Li Bo screamed in pain, but was then silenced by the sight of his own blood.
Lord Sun didn't even glance at him.
"Your Majesty would be better off handing over the Imperial Seal."
Xiao Qing's expression did not change.
"The Imperial Seal is unique; there's only one, and it can't be taken away."
She even had the mood to make witty remarks.
"It is Lord Sun and Lord Li who have spoken so confidently, questioning my identity. I am very curious."
She smiled. "Since things have come to this point, let's be frank and speak openly."
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