Sang Yan's expression immediately changed: "What did you say?"
"The city gates are closed. The general of the Imperial Guards guarding the gates said there are rebels fleeing from the city, and they're closing the gates to catch them."
The rebels fled?
Sang Yan's letter was sent back to Beijing a few days ago. During the past few days, he would send pigeons back to Beijing every few hours to report his location.
Now the city gates were not closed early or late, but were closed just when they were about to reach the city gates.
"Third Prince, can we still enter the city gate today?" Qian Fanji asked.
Sang Yan's expression grew even uglier. After a few seconds of silence, he turned around and said solemnly, "Rest assured, everyone. I will definitely give you an explanation on this matter."
"Since the Third Prince said so, we believe it."
Explain, I'm afraid he hasn't figured out who ordered this.
Sang Yan looked at the guard who had returned the report: "Pass on my order. The city gates must be opened within one hour."
"yes."
The guards received the order, mounted their horses, turned around and quickly headed for the capital.
Xiang Minghou, Qianfanqie, and Gu Shuo were silent. Sang Yan was full of thoughts and remained silent all the way.
In the car, Ye Qianning and Old Chen looked at each other, both shook their heads and chuckled. After all, the Third Prince still couldn't see the situation clearly.
How could anyone in Kyoto not know whether there were any rebels? Everyone knew that closing the city gates was to give them a warning.
The sun gradually set in the middle of the sky.
The high city gates of Beili were closed, and the city walls were full of people, watching from afar a team of carriages and horses approaching.
"Master Fang, you see it." The soldier guarding the city pointed to the carriages and horses in the distance.
Fang Xiao, dressed in armored military uniform, raised his hand to block out the sunset light, squinting his eyes and looking into the distance: "Have you arranged everyone?"
"Sir, everything has been arranged. If they come near, they will be punished."
Fang Xiao nodded, slightly satisfied.
Almost all the noble families in the capital had received the news and gathered on the city wall to watch the show. Of course, many people were also interested in the resurrected Ye Qianning.
Zhan Yi, Madam Zhan, and Zhan Chi have all arrived, as have the Gu family members.
Many people who admired Old Chen also arrived. The people above were all dignitaries and prominent figures from all sides, and only a few ordinary people squeezed onto the city wall.
On normal days, ordinary people are not allowed to go up to the city wall privately, but now no one stops them, resulting in the city wall being full of people.
Sang Yan looked at the closed city gate from afar with a dark face. Although Xiang Minghou, Qian Fanji and Gu Shuo were talking, the closed city gate was like a slap in the face.
Ye Qianning leaned against the car window and looked into the distance: "Hey, why are there so many people on the city wall?"
Her voice was not loud, and it was just heard by the carriages and horses that were following.
"Third Prince."
Yu Shengyou caught up on his tall horse, and when he passed by Ye Qianning, he glanced at her with a slightly mocking look.
Sang Yan turned his head and said, "Prince."
"The Third Prince's car is really fast. Fortunately, we caught up with him." Yu Shengyou rode forward.
"Has the news of the Crown Prince entering the city today been reported back to the capital?"
"I received a letter this morning saying I was going to enter the city tomorrow, but I ran into the Third Prince and suddenly changed my mind and went to the city tonight." Yu Shengyou said, glancing at the city gate: "Why is it closed?"
"A message came a while ago saying that there were rebels in the city, and the city gates were closed to arrest them."
"A rebel? I don't think so."
Sang Yan didn't say anything, with a gloomy look between his brows.
After waiting for a while and walking a little closer, Yu Shengyou laughed out loud: "We are not arresting the rebels, just look at all the people on the city wall."
If the city gates were closed to capture the rebels, martial law would definitely be imposed in the city. The city walls are full of people, so it doesn't look like martial law at all.
How could Sang Yan not know?
Xiang Minghou snorted coldly, waiting to see what tricks he could come up with.
Ye Qianning had been leaning against the car window. She had an excellent vision. Most of the people crowded on the city wall were dressed in rich clothes. Her gaze was fixed on the position just in front of their mouths, and her gaze paused for a few seconds.
"Sit down." said Mr. Chen.
"Master, the capital is really lively." Ye Qianning said as he retracted his head into the car.
Chen Lao sighed softly: "You will be sitting in the car later and don't show up."
"I know." Ye Qianning nodded.
The people on the city gate looked at the people who had arrived at the foot of the city gate and talked in a low voice. Many people in the city recognized Qian Fanji, Gu Shuo and Xiang Minghou.
Looking at the person riding a horse in front of them, many people recognized that it was the Third Prince. Behind him seemed to be the former Minister Qian and the young master of the Gu family.
"Didn't they say there was also Xiang Minghou? Why didn't I see him?"
“I don’t think I saw it either.”
"There are several carriages behind. Could he be in the carriage?"
The crowd was talking at once and for a moment they did not recognize Xiang Minghou.
Xiang Minghou has changed a lot since ten years ago. His skin is darker than before and the scars on his face are very deep. Ye Qianning prepared a scar removal ointment for him, but he refused to use it no matter what.
Appearance is not important to him at all, he prefers this intimidating face.
Zhan Yi and Madam Zhan recognized Xiang Minghou at a glance. When they saw Xiang Minghou, they knew that the girl had really returned.
"Master." Madam Zhan looked at the carriage behind her, her body trembling.
Zhan Yi stretched out his hand to hold her in his arms: "Madam, calm down."
"Is it true that she can't enter the city today?"
The person is right in front of her, but she can't recognize him. How can she stay calm?
Zhan Yi shook his head: "Today, just be a spectator, don't do anything else."
Madam Zhan twisted her handkerchief and looked at the carriage. She felt as if her heart was being pinched and she was almost suffocated by the pain.
When the Gu family saw Gu Shuo, their eyes lit up, especially the third and fourth branches, who looked as if they saw the God of Wealth slowly approaching.
"No matter how rich Gu Shuo is, he may not be able to give it to the Gu family." Gao Yunyue snorted coldly.
Gu Yuan glared at her when he heard this: "As long as his last name is Gu, the Gu family is inseparable from him."
"Gu Shuo has such a good relationship with that little bitch. Have you forgotten what that little bitch did to us in the past?" Gao Yunyue is considered the most sober one among the two branches of the Gu family.
"No matter how good the relationship is, it can never be better than blood ties. Second Uncle still sides with the Gu family. No matter how cruel Gu Shuo is, he wouldn't be so cruel as to not even recognize his biological father."
Dai Gu Yuan couldn't guarantee it, but his second uncle would definitely put the livelihood of the Gu family first.
Gao Yunyue didn't think so: "Be careful, it will be a waste of time."
Gu Yuan frowned, too lazy to talk nonsense with her. After ten years, their relationship no longer had the passion it once had. Their life was full of trivialities, and the days were becoming more and more boring.
However, if the Gu family could regain its former glory, he would at least be able to hold his head high in front of Gao Yunyue and not be suppressed by the Prime Minister's Mansion.
"The Third Prince is back in Beijing, open the city gates immediately." The guards stepped forward from the tower.
Song Xiao, who was wearing military uniform and armor on the city wall, looked down and shouted, "Third Prince, there are rebels causing trouble in the city. The city is under strict search. If we open the city gates at this time, I'm afraid the rebels will take advantage of the chaos to escape."
"Whose order did Lord Fang convey?" Sang Yanchen asked.
"Your Highness, the rebels killed people and fled. As the governor of the city's patrol camp, I have to take it as my responsibility to ensure the safety of the capital. I hope Your Highness the Third Prince will forgive me." Fang Xiao saluted from the city wall.
"So, Lord Fang closed the city gates on his own initiative?"
"This humble official is also concerned about the safety of the capital."
"Open the city gate." Sang Yan said sternly.
Fang Xiao was a little embarrassed. He turned his head and looked towards a certain place. Then he thought for a moment, "Your Highness, only Your Highness can enter the city once the city gates are open. Others must wait until the rebels are arrested before they can enter."
Sang Yan's face turned ashen.
"What did you say? You want us to wait? Who do you think you are?" Yu Shengyou shouted in displeasure.
Fang Xiao looked at the man below, who was dressed wildly and looked burly. He thought he was a member of Xiang Minghou's faction and said, "It's not your business to question how I act."
"Stop talking nonsense and open the city gate quickly."
"I said there are rebels causing trouble in the city..."
"What a mess! There are so many people on the city wall and you tell me there are rebels? Who are you kidding?" Yu Shengyou interrupted the person above impatiently.
Fang Xiao was so furious that he completely ignored the other party's address. "As long as I say there are rebels, there are rebels. If you don't obey the law, you are an accomplice of the rebels and will be arrested and handed over to the authorities for strict trial."
"What a traitor! He hasn't been to the capital for several years. I didn't expect that the capital would be controlled by a small official. This prince has really opened his eyes today." Yu Shengyou was angry and sarcastic.
Sang Yan looked upwards and said, "I will say it again: open the city gate."
"Your Highness can only enter the city alone. If other people come with so many carriages and horses, it will confuse the view and help the rebels escape." Fang Xiao insisted.
"Bullshit! You're just a small inspection team, but you're so arrogant." Yu Shengyou rode forward and said, "We've reached the city gate, but you're not letting us in. Who is the emperor trying to intimidate?"
"If the treacherous ministers and rebels are not punished, the capital will have trouble in peace. We are also doing this for the safety of the people." Fang Xiao stood on the city wall and emphasized the words "punish the rebels".
Yu Shengyou's face wrinkled with anger, his fists tightly gripping the reins. Traitorous ministers and traitors? What my father said was indeed right. The emperor has his eyes on the four great princes.
Beili's current financial resources are not strong, and its military strength has been weakened. On the other hand, the four major vassal clans are growing stronger, and jade mines have been discovered in the cities under their jurisdiction, so money is rolling in.
For four consecutive years, they had been sending large amounts of money to Beili for the sake of safety. Now, without any sign, the emperor ordered the princes of each vassal state to come to the capital.
His father had given him the worst-case scenario, which was that he would be detained in Beijing as a hostage so that he could control the princes in various places.
He had originally blamed his father for being too suspicious, but now the city gates were closed and every word he said was about the rebels. It seemed that they were not just hostages, but were warning them that if they showed any sign of disobedience, they would be killed without mercy.
"May I have a decree, sir?"
An elegant voice sounded, and Qian Fanji rode forward on his horse.
Fang Xiao had already recognized him, and seeing him approach, his aura grew even stronger: "The Emperor has already issued a decree that anyone connected to the rebels must be killed, leaving no one behind."
"Your Excellency is devoted to your duties, and I admire you." Qian Fanji glanced at the crowd of people above and said, "The rebels are inside the city. We are entering the city, not leaving. How can the rebels be confused?"
How to obfuscate?
Yes, how to confuse?
Entering and leaving the city are completely different directions. Could it be that the rebels have lost their minds? Others are entering the city while he is leaving? I'm afraid he must be conspicuous!
"That's right, is there something wrong with the rebels' brains?" Yu Shengyou agreed in a loud voice.
Fang Xiao was stunned for a few seconds: "Regardless of whether we are entering or leaving the city, with so many people entering the city, the rebels will definitely take the opportunity to sneak in. You should wait until the rebels in the city are captured before entering the city."
"There are only a few of us in our group, but there are so many people on the city wall. Why aren't you worried that there are rebels mixed in among them? To be honest, you can't go up to the city wall privately. If this wasn't the capital, I would have thought that a large army was approaching and the city was about to be broken." Qian Fanji said slowly.
Yu Shengyou raised his eyelids and glanced at Qian Fanji several times, his eyes full of approval, and he felt that this person was his substitute. He turned his eyes to look at the city wall and nodded heavily, uttering a word with great momentum: "Yes."
"Qian Fanji, how dare you say such outrageous words." Fang Xiao scolded angrily.
"I am just telling the truth. I have also served as an official in the capital for several years. Looking at the scene on the city wall, the tower will only be opened unless the emperor goes to war and the city is about to be breached. On the one hand, the Lord threatens to arrest the rebels, and on the other hand, he allows so many people to go up to the tower. From what I see, the people on the city wall don't seem to be in a panic. They seem to be here to watch a show." Qian Fan said calmly.
"You... are talking nonsense." Fang Xiao scolded.
"Could it be that Your Excellency is using the reputation of being a rebel to intentionally keep us out of the city and give a warning to someone? We are the ones who have been invited here by the Emperor of Beili himself. No one should have the courage to stop the emperor's guests in public. The warning is not for us, but for-" Qian Fanji said, looking at Yu Shengyou who was watching from the side.
It’s who it is, no need to say more.
Yu Shengyou's face turned pale. As expected, the emperor came for their vassal king.
He glanced at the city wall with a fierce look in his eyes. Sure enough, most of the people there were wealthy women, daughters, young men, many elegant young men, and even some officials.
Some people in the crowd were pointing and saying something to the people below them, with mocking and sarcastic expressions on their faces, and their words were definitely not nice.
"Third Prince, is this the treatment we get when the royal family summons the four great princes to come to Beijing?" Yu Shengyou turned around and said angrily.
"Sir, there is another reason for this."
Qian Fan said calmly, "If the prince can enter the city, we will have to wait again. If this isn't targeting you, what is it?"
"I will give you an explanation on this matter." Sang Yan saw that things were getting worse and worse. Even if he wanted to explain, he couldn't argue under the current circumstances. "Fang Xiao, open the city gates. I want to see my father."
The only way to resolve this situation is to enter the city first and obtain the emperor's oral order.
"Come here, open the city gate and let the Third Prince enter the city." Fang Xiao ordered.
Sang Yan rode forward on horseback.
The huge city gate slowly opened.
Yu Shengyou frowned.
"Prince, please don't cause trouble. Let's wait and see what happens." Yu Bo walked down from the horse and reminded in a low voice.
Yu Shengyou looked at the sarcastic gaze on the city wall, as if he was pricked by a thorn.
"Who is the emperor suppressing with this move?" Qian Fanji said lightly.
"It won't be us anyway." Gu Shuo sneered.
Yu Shengyou's face turned even uglier when he heard this. Seeing the Third Prince entering the city, he squeezed his legs against the horse's belly and the horse galloped towards the city gate.
"Prince." Yu Bo exclaimed.
Seeing this, Xiao on the tower had a cunning look in his eyes. He was very proud and was afraid that you would not break in. "The things are ready."
"It's all right to tell you, sir. As long as he gets close to the city gate, I will make him learn his lesson."
"Okay, but don't let anyone get killed, otherwise it will be difficult to explain to my superiors." Fang Xiao said.
"Don't worry, sir." (End of this chapter)
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