Chapter 290 His Majesty said the general is weak and cannot withstand the strain.
"You bitch..."
The old woman's face was gloomy, and her eyes revealed a hint of hatred.
She also had the opportunity to be with the emperor's brother-in-law back then, but this woman interfered and actually persuaded the emperor's brother-in-law to marry her off to a stable boy...
Thinking of this, a vicious glint flashed in the old woman's eyes, and she took the needle and stuck it directly into her fingernail.
"You vile woman! I am the matriarch of the Lan family, and my granddaughter is the future Crown Princess! How dare you!" The matriarch of the Lan family screamed in pain, her teeth clenched.
This lowly servant actually dared to treat me like this. Does she really think she's someone to be bullied?
Once she recovers, she will definitely kill that old man's whole family!
"Future Crown Princess? Hmph, we'll see if she's destined for that!"
The old woman said something and then stabbed him even harder.
"You dared to seduce the Emperor's brother-in-law? I'd like to see how long you can hold out!" The old woman took a needle and plunged it deep between her fingers once more...
The pain made Old Madam Lan tremble all over, and sweat dripped down her face.
At this moment, she no longer possessed any of the dignified demeanor of the old lady of the Lan family; all that remained was her utterly disheveled state.
And a pained, contorted expression!
"The Empress Dowager has arrived!" a voice announced, and the old nanny hurriedly knelt down, her eyes filled with fear.
The Empress Dowager entered the room and smelled a foul odor in the air.
She lowered her eyes and frowned as she looked at Old Madam Lan.
Back then, Madam Lan was quite a beauty in the capital. She came to the capital with her father and became quite famous.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!"
Everyone knelt down and bowed to the Empress Dowager.
Madam Lan did not move. She leaned against the ground, her face gloomy and her eyes filled with hatred.
She used to have a very good relationship with the Empress Dowager. If the Empress Dowager hadn't schemed against her and made her become Old Man Lan's second wife, how could she have ruined her prime years in the Lan family?
Everyone thought she had a good relationship with the Empress Dowager, but it was just because there was something between them that couldn't be made public.
"You may all leave!"
The Empress Dowager wore a long purple dress, and her brows exuded the majesty of a person in a high position.
Old Madam Lan, panting heavily, stared at her with hatred in her eyes.
The Empress Dowager left only two trusted confidants behind. She sat in a chair, looking at the old lady Lan lying on the ground, barely alive.
"When did you and Zhao'er get together?" The Empress Dowager frowned, her voice carrying a hint of coldness.
The guards, Ling and Tang Bugui, who were hiding on the roof, immediately perked up their ears...
Tang Bugui originally didn't want to come, but...
However, Guard Ling insisted on dragging him out, saying he wanted to watch a show...
Tang Bugui lay half-reclined on the roof, looking into the house through the tiles. He had to admit, it was quite a show!
The Empress Dowager still maintained her aloof and superior demeanor, while Old Madam Lan glared at her with hatred.
"Your Majesty, what good will it do you ask these questions? You can't kill me. Once I'm dead, your affairs will be known to the whole world. You must protect me. Only if I live well can you live well..."
The old lady Lan, lying on the ground, spoke with a trembling voice, yet it carried an inexplicable confidence.
Empress Dowager Cao looked at Old Madam Lan, her eyes filled with an unfathomable darkness.
"This is the last time. You and Zhao'er must break up. If you affect Zhao'er, I will make your entire Lan family pay with your lives..."
"By the way, Lan Shuyu married Tang Bugui. You should know better than me what kind of person Tang Bugui is... You'd better watch yourself."
The Empress Dowager was haughty and aloof. She stared at Old Madam Lan as if she were staring at a disgusting maggot.
She couldn't understand why her younger brother would like such a two-faced woman.
She disliked Madam Lan; she had disliked her from the very first time they met.
"If you use this matter to threaten me again, I won't hesitate to have your own son and grandson buried with you!" the Empress Dowager said calmly.
"By the way, did you know that Madam Lan and Lan Xin'er have gone missing?" The Empress Dowager looked at Old Madam Lan, her voice carrying a hint of something unusual.
The old lady Lan, who had been confident of victory, suddenly raised her head and stared intently at the Empress Dowager.
"Why did you do this? Lan Xin'er is the Crown Princess. You'll ruin her reputation if you do this..." Old Madam Lan's voice suddenly stopped, and she froze for a moment.
She stared at the Empress Dowager!
"You...you did this on purpose!" Old Madam Lan said through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with hatred.
Her Lan Xin'er is so well-behaved, she's destined to be the Crown Princess and then the Empress!
How could the Empress Dowager do such a thing!
and……
She took a deep breath...
"So what if he is? How could that little bastard be worthy of the Crown Prince..." The Empress Dowager turned to Old Madam Lan and said sarcastically.
The latter was so angry that he tried to stand up, but unfortunately he couldn't move at all...
"What good will this do you? You..."
Before Madam Lan could say anything more, a figure suddenly rushed in from outside.
Tang Bugui raised an eyebrow and looked over. This person was indeed Cao Zhao, the Empress Dowager's closest younger brother, who was usually spoiled by the Cao family!
"Elder sister, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please don't hurt her, it's all my fault..."
Cao Zhao suddenly pushed open the door, his face extremely grim.
Tang Bugui watched this scene with a hint of mockery in his eyes.
After all, Cao Zhao was a well-known romantic in the capital, and he and his wife were a perfect match...
Human nature!
The way it looks now is disgusting.
Seeing his general lost in thought, the guard Ling reached out and nudged him.
Tang Bugui then continued looking over.
The room was bustling with activity.
"Zhao'er, you can have any woman you want, why does it have to be her!"
The Empress Dowager's face was cold, her eyes filled with incomprehension and disdain.
After all, her brother is so good, what is this woman compared to him?
"Elder sister, I only love her. Please, don't hurt her. This is my fault. It has nothing to do with her..." Cao Zhao cried and sobbed, giving the Empress Dowager a headache.
She glared at Cao Zhao, then turned her gaze to Old Madam Lan, who was not far away.
"She's just an old, faded woman. What woman can't you have..." The Empress Dowager looked at her brother with disappointment and frustration.
"Your Majesty, elder sister, I have only ever loved one person in my life. Even if she wanted my life, I would give it to her. This is what I owe her!" Cao Zhao looked at Old Madam Lan with deep affection.
Old Madam Lan also looked at him. At this moment, the Empress Dowager seemed to have become the most wicked person in the world.
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath: "I will handle this matter, but... the two of you must never have anything to do with each other again!"
"Okay, as long as she's alright, I'm willing!"
Cao Zhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fearing that the Empress Dowager would not agree, he even kowtowed to her several times.
Old Madam Lan's expression changed slightly, and a hint of reluctance flashed deep in her eyes...
But it was quickly covered by coldness.
Tang Bugui looked at them, his eyes gleaming.
It seems there's some secret between them...
Tang Bugui raised an eyebrow at them. Seeing that the matter was resolved, he was about to leave when he suddenly paused.
"Your Majesty, I need you to protect Lan Xin'er and her daughter. If anything happens to them, you will be held accountable for what you did to Tang..."
Despite the pain, Old Madam Lan spoke with difficulty, but the Empress Dowager interrupted her before she could finish.
"Enough!" the Empress Dowager shouted sternly.
"They'll be fine. Watch your mouth. If I find out anything leaks out, I won't let you off!" The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Tang Dynasty...
Tang Bugui was unaware that he was being too sensitive, but the name Tang made him think of the Tang family!
More than fifty years ago, the Tang family was quite prosperous, but...
By the time it came to his generation, he was the only one left in the Tang family!
Come to think of it, I was actually brought out of a beggar's den!
There were no more words spoken, only Old Madam Lan and Cao Zhao embracing and weeping bitterly.
Tang Bugui did not stay any longer and went straight back to the General's Mansion.
That night, he slept so well for the first time, without being plagued by nightmares, and surprisingly slept until noon.
The entire general's mansion was draped in white mourning clothes. Tang Bugui changed into a black robe and went directly to the palace to express his gratitude.
He had just arrived at the palace gate when he encountered the Empress Dowager and her entourage returning home.
His expression was indifferent, and there was little emotion in his eyes.
The old nanny spoke to the Empress Dowager, who then lifted the curtain and looked outside.
Her gaze fell on Tang Bugui, who stood to the side with his hands behind his back. Their eyes met, and the Empress Dowager's eyes revealed a coldness.
If Tang Bugui hadn't saved the emperor back then, how could he have ruined his plans...?
She simply didn't like this man surnamed Tang...
"General Tang, you have quite the nerve. Don't you need to bow to me?" The Empress Dowager's voice was cold and stern.
Tang Bugui's face suddenly turned pale, and he clutched his chest.
"I feel so awful... I think I'm about to faint..."
After saying that, he fainted in the arms of the guard standing nearby.
guard……
He looked completely bewildered and seemed rather depressed.
At this moment, Steward Su hurriedly ran out from inside. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager's sedan chair, he immediately bowed and paid his respects.
But it was only for a moment. When he saw Tang Bugui, his heart almost jumped out of his chest!
"Your Majesty, this servant greets Your Majesty. His Majesty has summoned General Tang. His Majesty said that the general is in poor health and cannot withstand any more exertion. Your Majesty, please forgive him!"
Although Steward Su appeared humble, his words were quite clear.
Tang Bugui was the emperor's man and was usually pampered by the emperor. An empress dowager who was not favored by the emperor was not as good as a general!
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and pulled down the curtain.
The Empress Dowager's palanquin entered the palace, and Chief Eunuch Su rushed over to help Tang Bugui up.
He felt helpless; the Empress, the Emperor, and this great general all disliked the Empress Dowager.
If it weren't for the imperial edict left by the late emperor, she probably wouldn't even have been able to hold onto the position of empress dowager!
"The General is unconscious! Someone, quickly fetch the imperial physician!" Chief Steward Su said to the eunuch behind him.
"Yes!" The eunuch accepted the order and left, while Chief Steward Su had Tang Bugui carried directly to the emperor's side hall.
The emperor and the emperor also heard that Tang Bugui was in a coma. Neither of them were worried; on the contrary, they felt a little helpless!
"This kid is really..." the emperor said helplessly, but his eyes were not very lively and even had a hint of a smile.
The queen ignored the man and walked outside.
Seeing the emperor grinning foolishly behind him, he felt helpless and couldn't help but say, "You're just like me!"
The emperor touched his nose, his eyes filled with doting affection!
That kid is interesting!
But thinking of the Empress Dowager...
Why did you come back from Huguo Temple in the first place?
I wonder what kind of trouble they'll cause this time...
While the emperor was pondering this matter, Chief Steward Su had already brought Tang Bugui over.
Everyone else withdrew, leaving only Tang Bugui, the Emperor and Empress, and Steward Su.
"Alright, stop pretending!" The emperor couldn't help but speak up as he looked at Tang Bugui, who was lying comfortably asleep on the bed.
Tang Bugui still wouldn't open his eyes...
emperor……
"You brat, do you want us to beat you up?!" The emperor slapped him on the head, but the force was so great that it wouldn't even kill a mosquito.
Tang Bugui has become too thin lately, and his temples are graying...
The emperor looked at the young man and realized he appeared older than himself...
"Ouch, that hurts!"
Tang Bugui slowly woke up, clutching his chest and pretending to be in pain from being hit.
"Alright, stop fooling around!" The Empress looked at Tang Bugui and couldn't help but laugh.
This kid...
"This humble general pays his respects to Your Majesty and Your Highness!" Tang Bugui said with a smile.
The emperor looked at Tang Bugui warily. What was this guy up to now?
That smile is so creepy!
His fake smile gave the emperor a toothache!
"If you can't laugh, then don't laugh!" The emperor waved his hand and looked at him irritably.
Tang Bugui touched his face. Was his smile really that ugly?
One or two of them are looking down on themselves...
"Yes!" he replied obediently, which was quite rare.
"Tell me today, what brings you here?" The emperor looked at him, already having a vague idea in his mind.
Tang Bugui sat up, his expression becoming more serious.
"Your Majesty, I am not feeling well and would like to return to my hometown to recuperate!" Tang Bugui said, clasping his hands in a fist salute to the emperor.
"Why go back to your hometown? If you're not feeling well, stay in the capital. I'll send all the imperial physicians to your residence. I don't believe they can't cure your illness!" the emperor said domineeringly.
The Empress stood aside without saying a word, but carefully examined Tang Bugui.
The latter looked serious and said, "Your Majesty, I want to go back. I've heard that there might be news of Little Su Bao over there. Even if it's false, I still want to go and see!"
"If you won't let me go, I'll go secretly!" Tang Bugui said to the emperor, somewhat willfully.
Since he became a general, he has lived for the country and for the world.
Now that the country is peaceful and prosperous, he just wants to live a good life with his wife and daughter!
and……
Only by leaving could he hide in the shadows and see who had stolen Lan Shuyu's body!
Otherwise, this matter will become a thorn in his side!
The emperor and empress exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with heartache and helplessness.
"Sigh, if you want to leave, I won't stop you. But if you're in a better mood and feeling better, come back soon and don't worry us!"
The empress stepped forward, took out a stack of silver notes from her bosom, and handed them to him.
Tang Bugui was stunned...
"Your poor general's mansion is practically a place where people beg for a living. Even if you're poor, you should take more money with you when you leave!" the emperor teased from the side.
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