Chapter 146 Bai Xiao Returns to the Capital Severely Injured
Three days later, inside the Sizheng Hall.
Yuwen Che was reviewing memorials, while Li Dehai stood quietly to the side.
Suddenly, a strange sound came from the roof of the palace. A white figure, carrying a heavy smell of blood, fell heavily to the ground like a kite with a broken string. The long sword in his hand clattered to the ground, barely supporting his body so that he did not fall completely.
Startled by this sudden turn of events, Yuwen Che stood up abruptly, his sharp gaze fixed on the blood-stained figure.
Li Dehai was terrified and rushed forward to shield Yuwen Che, shouting in a shrill voice, "Guards! Protect him—"
"Shut up!" Yuwen Che shouted sharply, his eyes fixed on the man on the ground. He then yelled at the Dragon Guards who rushed in after hearing the commotion, "All of you, get out! No one is allowed to enter without my order!"
The Longxiang Guards exchanged glances, but dared not disobey, and quickly retreated.
Li Dehai, still shaken, looked at Yuwen Che with a puzzled expression.
Yuwen Che urgently ordered, "Quickly summon the imperial physician! Be quick!"
"Yes! Yes!" Li Dehai didn't dare to ask any more questions and scrambled out.
Yuwen Che then strode forward, bent down, grabbed the man's arm, and lifted his face. When he saw the pale, blood-stained, yet still familiar, handsome face, his pupils contracted: "Bai Xiao?!"
A gruesome wound was visible on Bai Xiao's chest, the flesh torn open, blood almost soaking through his white clothes. Blood still clung to the corner of his mouth, and his breathing was erratic and weak.
Yuwen Che quickly helped him up and sat him down in a chair. He then rapidly examined his injuries, his voice filled with suppressed anger and urgency: "What happened?! Who injured you like this?! Was it the King of Nanzhao?"
Bai Xiao coughed up blood, forcing himself to say, "He not only... had the antidote, but he also laid an ambush... just waiting for us to walk right into his trap..."
He gasped for breath, his eyes filled with pain and resentment: "Twenty top-tier shadow guards... all perished there... In the end, if it weren't for the two remaining brothers risking their lives to hold them off... I... I would have died there too..."
Yuwen Che's eyes instantly turned icy cold: "So... the Gu poison I was afflicted with was indeed the work of Nanzhao?"
Bai Xiao nodded with difficulty: "Yes... but they don't know that Her Majesty the Empress took the 'Soul-Guarding Gu' and used it to cure you. They thought... that you were the one dying from the poison now!"
He took a few quick breaths and continued, "They anticipated that we would eventually find out about them, so... they laid a trap long ago, waiting for us to steal the antidote so they could wipe us out in one fell swoop!"
Bai Xiao grabbed Yuwen Che's arm, his tone grave: "Now they think you're on your deathbed and the court is about to descend into chaos... I'm afraid their next step... will be to try and unite with the King of Xiliang to take a share of the spoils from the Great Zhou!"
Just then, Li Dehai rushed in with the imperial physician: "Your Majesty, the imperial physician has arrived!"
Yuwen Che immediately ordered Li Dehai: "Help him to the side hall, carefully treat his wounds, and use the best medicine! You must save his life for me!"
"This old servant understands!" Li Dehai hurriedly beckoned the eunuch to come forward and carefully help the seriously injured Bai Xiao up, then send him to the side hall.
The imperial physicians quickly followed.
Yuwen Che stood alone in the center of the Sizheng Hall, staring at the still-dry bloodstain on the ground, his eyes so gloomy they seemed to drip water.
Nanzhao... What a Nanzhao!
They dared to lay their hands on him, plotting to kill him, and now they even want to take advantage of his misfortune and seize his empire!
He slowly clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking.
Since you all think I'm about to die, then I'll play along with your act!
He called out in a deep voice, "Li Dehai!"
Li Dehai, who had just settled Bai Xiao, hurriedly ran back: "This old servant is here."
Yuwen Che's gaze sharpened, and he lowered his voice to order, "Issue my secret decree to seal off the news of Bai Xiao's serious injury and return to the palace. To the outside world, say that I am worried about the Empress's health and have suspended the morning court for three days. In addition, strengthen the security in the palace, especially Guanju Palace and the residences of the two princes and Princess Yongning. Double the number of shadow guards to protect them secretly. There must be no mistakes!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Li Dehai's heart skipped a beat, knowing that a storm was brewing, and he quickly accepted the order and left.
Yuwen Che walked to the window, looked at the southern sky, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
Do they want to take advantage of his illness and kill him? And they want to divide up the Great Zhou?
Let's see who's going to take whose life!
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