Su Zhirou had never met Lian Xin, but Lian Xin did recognize her. Back then, Lian Xin was still Qinghe's shadow, hiding in the shadows for a long time. Furthermore, Tang Chen had asked the Princess's Mansion to inquire about Su Zhirou's situation, so Lian Xin knew a little about her lifesaver. "Thank you very much, Miss Su, for saving me. Lian Xin hurried back to the Princess's Mansion. I will repay you for your kindness today."
Lian Qiao, Lian Xin. From their names and similar looks, Su Zhirou roughly deduced their relationship. If one were to make a rough calculation, they could be considered acquaintances.
Seeing Lian Xin here, Su Zhirou roughly guessed the purpose of her visit. She would have said nothing else, but she had to remind the girl first: "The Princess's Mansion has been occupied by Tianshu Tower. Princess Qinghe and her husband are currently missing."
Lian Xin heard this and almost fell to the ground if Su Zhirou hadn't supported her. "What! I hope Miss Su can tell me what you know!"
Su Zhirou frowned in embarrassment and said, "I live in the suburbs, so I don't know much. I don't know if I can help..."
Not long ago, the imperial guards originally stationed outside the Princess's residence were suddenly transferred and replaced by another group. At first, the people in Qinglong Village and the grain transport department thought it was still the same as before. Although it was house arrest, in some ways, it was also a disguised form of protection.
But on the very night they arrived, no one knew who had ordered them, and no one knew where they had gotten the courage, but they actually stormed into the princess's mansion armed with weapons. The servants and maids within were no pushovers, and after a chaotic brawl, by the time the city residents discovered what had happened the next day, the princess's mansion was in shambles, and she and Ouyang Ming had vanished.
At present, that group of people not only took control of Qinghe County, but also set up sentries at various city gates. As soon as Qinghe and Ouyang Ming were found, they would immediately invite them into the government office for "protection."
Although Lian Xin didn't know what was happening in the court, she knew one thing: as long as Emperor Gan Zhao was alive, he would never allow anyone to attack Qing He. "Do you know where these people come from?"
Su Zhirou shook her head and said, "I don't know about that. I only heard about it from other people. Qinghe County is under martial law right now, so entering and leaving is not very convenient. If you want to find someone, you must make a plan first."
After hearing Su Zhirou's story, Lian Xin was about 60% to 70% sure that Qinghe and Ouyang Ming were no longer in the city. However, this situation was so strange that she had to risk a trip to the city for the remaining 30% or 40%. The people in Qinglong Village were well-informed, so perhaps they might have some information. "...Thank you, Miss Su. I know my limits. I won't stay any longer. If anyone finds out, I'm afraid you'll be in trouble."
Seeing that Lian Xin was covered in wounds, Su Zhirou hurriedly stopped him and asked, "But what about your injuries?"
"It's okay. Goodbye."
Emperor Qian Zhao, deep in the palace, hadn't heard a word of Princess Qinghe and her husband's disappearance in Qinghe County. He might have guessed the chaos outside the palace, but he could never have guessed that the person he trusted most, the one closest to him, would betray him from the very beginning.
"Your Majesty."
When Lin Zirong came to pay his respects, Emperor Gan Zhao had just taken medicine and felt a little better. He saw at a glance that Lin Zirong was not only dressed in plain clothes, but also had no pearls or jade in her hair bun, but there were many white silk flowers.
This outfit doesn't seem like the style of someone who advocates frugality. He's not dead yet, so what does she mean? "...Why are you dressed like this today?"
Lin Zirong slowly raised his head and said expressionlessly, "Your Majesty, I received news at noon that my father died suddenly in the mansion last night."
Emperor Gan Zhao was slightly stunned. Duke Lin had come to the palace to pay his respects yesterday. He saw that the man looked fine, so why did he leave so suddenly? "... Life is unpredictable. Don't be too sad. Ahem."
Without waiting for Emperor Gan Zhao to speak, Lin Zirong slowly stood up and waved her delicate hand, and the palace maids and eunuchs who were serving in the hall retreated one after another.
Her father was gone, but she could not shed a tear for him, because he was willing to die for a king who no longer valued him and even did not believe in him from the beginning.
Lin Zirong didn't know what expression he could put on facing the emperor who had one foot in the grave. "Your Majesty, my father wasn't exactly a loyal man, but he never considered betraying the emperor or the country. My brothers, though cowardly and incompetent, did their best. They simply feared death in defeat. Why, why did they all have to die?"
Under the questioning word by word, Emperor Gan Zhao was speechless for a moment: "Ahem, how dare you! Do you know who you are talking to now?"
Lin Zirong sneered, "Of course I know, Your Majesty. Although the Lin Guogong Mansion has achieved its current status thanks to the grace of our ancestors, no one has ever asked us if we are willing to do so. My father is like this, and so am I. I've had enough. Why should everything I cherish be taken away? Why should I be forced to give up what I desire?"
After saying this, Lin Zirong excitedly ripped down the draperies that fluttered in the wind. For Emperor Gan Zhao, being born into a position that ordinary people could never achieve in their lifetimes was both a blessing and a tragedy. From the moment they were born, few of them were destined to live for themselves. If she still didn't understand this, then all her years as a lady of noble birth in the Lin Guogong Mansion would have been in vain.
What she gave up brought glory to the entire Lin family and also saved her incompetent relatives. Therefore, in the eyes of Emperor Gan Zhao, Lin Zirong's actions at this moment made her look like a ridiculous and pathetic madman: "You, you are crazy, cough cough cough."
Lin Zirong threw his head back and laughed a few times before saying, "Yes, I'm crazy! Don't worry, I, Lin Zirong, am yours for life, and only yours. After you die, I will definitely be buried with you. In addition, I've prepared a great gift for you!"
With Lin Zirong's support, Emperor Gan Zhao left his palace for the first time in six months. As he slowly stepped onto the city wall, he suddenly felt scared. He wanted to escape, but his body was controlled by others and he had no control over it.
Pulled by Lin Zirong, Emperor Gan Zhao climbed up the high palace wall. The capital was still as prosperous and bustling as before.
"Look, all this prosperity will soon disappear before your eyes. When this beautiful land becomes devastated, all the lost prosperity will be buried with you. When you look down into the underworld, you can still sit on the dragon throne that symbolizes supremacy for eternity."
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