338 The Emperor's Wrath

At the city gate, people gathered in groups of three or five, talking about what had just happened. They didn't dare to mention the Ninth Prince's name, so they could only talk about Feng Qingchen, a famous and romantic figure in the capital.

The word "Fengliu" would definitely be a compliment when applied to a man, as a true gentleman is naturally romantic. But nowadays, when applied to a woman, it always carries a hint of sarcasm.

You have to know that Feng Qingchen is not famous for her literary talent and graceful demeanor, but for her romantic affairs with the Ninth Prince, the Eldest Young Master and General Yuwen. Such a reputation is definitely not a good thing for a woman.

There were a few shrewd men in the crowd who were originally preparing to leave the city, but after hearing these discussions, they quietly stepped back a few steps, exchanged a few glances with the people in the distance, made a few unnoticeable gestures, and then pretended nothing had happened, blended into the crowd and prepared to go out of the city.

They acted very covertly, but could not escape Zhai Dongming's eyes. Zhai Dongming knew that nothing serious had happened in the city after being reminded by the Ninth Uncle. If someone with ulterior motives reported him to the emperor for blocking the city gates without authorization, he would certainly not escape punishment. However, if he could catch a few spies, then his achievement would be offset.

Zhai Dongming sneered, gave a few instructions to the people around him, and stood quietly aside, watching the people coming and going at the city gate.

The flourishing imperial city was undercurrents. After the loud noise in the palace, the entire imperial city entered a different situation. The emperor immediately blocked the news and summoned all the princes and ministers who were qualified to enter the palace. Even Wang Jinling, who had no official status, was not spared.

The emperor ordered that no one dare to be late, but there was one person who was late. The emperor looked at the empty seat coldly, knowing the truth but deliberately asked: "Where is the Ninth Prince?"

"In reply to the emperor, people from the Ninth Prince's Palace said that the Ninth Prince's uncle has left the city and has not returned." The eunuch was a very perceptive person and he immediately told the Ninth Prince's "crime" to everyone.

"Leaving the city? When did it happen?" The emperor had a dark face and some white hair appeared on his temples. Li Xiang's death was too much of a blow to him.

Previously, the emperor relied on the Thunder of Heaven in Li Xiang's hand to suppress the Three Kingdoms and Nine Cities so that they dared not make a sound, and he seemed to be the master of the world. However, Li Xiang died suddenly. The most important thing was that the Thunder of Heaven had not yet been developed.

Without weapons that can shock the Three Kingdoms and Nine Cities, how could the people of the Three Kingdoms and Nine Cities endure this? They will definitely vent their anger for what they have suffered in Dongling.

The emperor did not want to investigate whether Li Xiang's death was man-made or God's will, nor did he dare to investigate. He also knew something about the rumors in the imperial city, which came from the mouth of a highly respected master. Now that Li Xiang had died from "heavenly fire", the emperor only hoped that everyone would forget about Li Xiang.

Moreover, the most important thing at the moment is to quell the trouble brought to Dongling by Li Xiang's death. The people of the Three Kingdoms and Nine Cities are not good people. During this period of time, they have been enduring humiliation in the Dongling Imperial City. If this group gets the chance, they will definitely take it back severely.

The best person to handle this matter is none other than the Ninth Prince Uncle. It just so happens that the Ninth Prince Uncle has fallen into his hands again. It would be wrong for him not to take this opportunity to kick the Ninth Prince Uncle out.

The eunuch's face turned pale. He knew that the emperor's anger was not directed at him, but the emperor's anger was not something that ordinary people could bear. He prostrated himself on the ground and said tremblingly, "Yesterday, yesterday afternoon, someone saw the carriage of the Ninth Prince's Palace leave the city and go to the Ninth Prince's Palace outside the city."

"Leaving the city? Leaving the city without my consent, the Ninth Prince is so bold. Someone, come... bring the prince into the palace." The emperor slapped the dragon throne, showing his anger at the moment.

"Yes." The eunuch crawled out and ordered the guard to "bring" the Ninth Prince into the palace.

Prince Luo and Prince Zhou were gloating over the emperor's misfortune. They certainly understood that the emperor was using the Ninth Prince as a target. It was only right that the matter be handled well. If it was not handled well, the Ninth Prince would be in trouble.

Although the prince was worried about his ninth uncle, when he saw the emperor's furious face, he had to lower his head. A bold idea flashed through his mind: It would be great if the person who was killed in the explosion today was not Li Xiang but the emperor.

Of course, this rebellious thought only flashed through his mind, and the prince quickly collected his thoughts, silently calculating what conditions the people of Xiling, Beiling and Nanling would take the opportunity to ask Dongling for. As for the people of the other nine cities, it was easier to deal with them, after all, the power of one city could not compete with that of a country.

The civil and military officials all looked at each other with their eyes on the nose and their noses on their hearts, and no one dared to say much. Speaking more at this time would only lead to mistakes. It was indeed a pity that Li Xiang was gone at this time, but what could be done now that the person was dead? They had no relatives or friends with Li Xiang, and the most they felt was a pity that the method of making the thunder bomb was not passed down.

The hall was silent, and everyone understood that this was the calm before the storm. When the Ninth Prince appeared, the storm would end. Everyone silently mourned for the Ninth Prince. He did not leave the city earlier or later, but he had to leave the city yesterday. This was truly a disaster from the sky.

Not long after the Ninth Prince and Feng Qingchen entered the city, they ran into the palace guards head-on. This shows how well-informed the emperor is.

The guards only obeyed the emperor's orders, and when they saw the Ninth Uncle and Feng Qingchen, they were not very polite. After paying their respects according to etiquette, they brought the Ninth Uncle into the palace as ordered by the emperor.

"I will go to the palace, you go back on your own." The Ninth Prince seemed to have expected this, he got off the horse and threw it to Feng Qingchen: "Stay in the Sun Mansion and don't go anywhere. You don't have to listen to anyone except the imperial edict."

Feng Qingchen nodded and wanted to say, "Ninth Uncle, take care." But the words couldn't come out of her mouth. She could only watch as the Ninth Uncle was taken into the palace by the guards. Looking at this, Feng Qingchen understood that the emperor was angry.

Come to think of it, Li Xiang was blown to pieces without leaving any residue. The emperor spent so much effort on Li Xiang, but in the end he got nothing. How could he not be angry? The angriest person must be the Duke of Zhenguo. The Duke of Zhenguo even gave up his daughter's reputation for Li Xiang, but what was the result?

Thinking that the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion had lost his wife and soldiers, Feng Qingchen felt relieved and spurred his horse towards the Sun Mansion. As for the ambiguous looks and unbearable words on the road, Feng Qingchen pretended not to hear them.

When she had too many lice, she was not afraid of the itch. When she entered the city with the Ninth Prince, she knew that not only would her reputation not be restored, but it would get worse and worse. But now that things had come to this, she could do nothing but admit it.

She believed that the rumors would eventually fade away. She had survived all the difficulties before, and she could get through this time as well. Moreover, she did not fail to deal with the aftermath of this matter as the Ninth Prince had said. She had made arrangements for a backup plan.

When Feng Qingchen returned to the Sun Mansion, Sun Zhengdao did not ask anything and arranged for servants to serve her and let her rest. The calmness and magnanimity revealed in his words and actions were not something a small director of the Imperial Hospital could have. Feng Qingchen had long known that Sun Zhengdao was extraordinary, but she did not ask.

Everyone has secrets that they don't want others to know.

As soon as the Ninth Prince stepped into the hall, he found that the atmosphere inside was tense. The entire hall was completely silent without a sound, and all the civil and military officials were like stone statues, motionless.

The emperor was getting more and more impatient. The Ninth Prince sneered in his heart, but did not show it on his face. He walked steadily into the hall, ignoring the emperor's icy eyes. The Ninth Prince opened his mouth to salute as usual, but was interrupted by a loud bang...