Wei Xiu stood there blankly, seemingly shocked.

After hearing Sheng's voice, he turned his head suddenly and looked over.

"Brother!" Sheng ran in, screaming, "What's wrong with you, brother?"

Wei Xiu turned his back to Sheng, helped Sheng Xing'an up, and ordered, "Go and call the doctor."

The servants responded quickly. Some went to call the doctor, some went to support Sheng Xing'an, and some went to carry the stretcher. The hall was in chaos and Sheng was left aside.

After settling Sheng Xingan down, Sheng found an opportunity, pulled Wei Xiu aside, and asked worriedly, "Brother, what happened to your father?"

"Jue'er, even if you are unhappy with your father, you shouldn't disobey him. Did you say something to anger him?" Sheng almost believed his guilt, "Your father has a bad temper, but, hey...Jue'er, how could you do this?"

Wei Xiu shook his head: "It's not me."

"Brother Jue... Hey."

Sheng pinched the handkerchief and pressed the corner of her eyes. "Even if I am willing to believe you, what about your sister? Will your sister believe you? Your sister is eager to let Sheng Yan inherit the Sheng family. Now she has a good handle on you."

Wei Xiu: “…”

"My dear Jue," Sheng's tears flowed down, "Why do you have such a miserable life? For so many years, you have suffered so much outside, and you just came back, why are you..."

Sheng wiped her tears and her voice choked.

The implication of her words seemed to be that she was certain that it was Wei Xiu who was disobedient and made Sheng Xing'an sick with anger.

She only cared about herself and didn't give Wei Xiu a chance to explain.

Finally the doctor came and interrupted the chattering.

The person who came was Doctor Gu Xiao from Baicaotang. He came hurriedly with medicine in hand, and Wei Xiu followed him into the house.

As there was no clear limit on sexual intercourse between men and women, Sheng was not able to go in and could only stand outside and watch from a distance.

She saw Doctor Gu taking Sheng Xing'an's pulse and then giving him an acupuncture. Doctor Gu's expression became more and more serious and he kept shaking his head.

After Doctor Gu came out, Sheng went up to him and asked, "Doctor, how is my elder brother?"

Doctor Gu sighed and said, "It's not good. It seems that he is angry and has a heart attack. Alas, we can only try to treat him. If it doesn't work, I'm afraid we have to prepare for his death."

As soon as these words came out, Sheng burst into tears: "Brother! My brother..."

Wei Xiu just said, "Doctor, please go and write a prescription first."

The housekeeper took Doctor Gu to write a prescription. As soon as they left, Sheng grabbed Wei Xiu's sleeve and said angrily, "Brother Jue, you are in big trouble!"

Wei Xiu was as calm as ever: "It has nothing to do with me."

"Mr. Sheng was talking to me when he suddenly fell down. I don't know what happened."

"I'm not afraid even if I tell the government about this."

"You said it has nothing to do with you, so does it have nothing to do with you?" Sheng sighed, "Just now your father was alone with you in there, and he suddenly fell down, and he was still having palpitations. Could it be that he was angry with you?"

"I didn't." Wei Xiu raised the end of his voice slightly.

"I believe you, but your sister won't."

Wei Xiu shook his head: "I will explain it to her..."

"What's the point of explaining it to her! She won't believe it."

Sheng looked very disappointed and said, "Let's take a step back. Even if she believes you, what will happen? You also heard from the doctor that your father may not live for many days. Once he dies, your sister will have to observe mourning."

"The King of Zhenbei is now in his prime. Who knows..." She raised her hand and pointed to the sky, "He will get that position. At that time, your sister will still be in mourning. Don't think that a daughter only needs to mourn for one year. After a year, I'm afraid there will be no place for her in this backyard. How can she not hate you?"

Wei Xiu didn't say anything, his mouth was straightened into a straight line.

Sheng softened her voice and continued, "Brother Jue, you are a boy, you don't understand. For a woman, after she gets married, she relies on her husband's family. Your sister has only been married for a month, and she hasn't even established herself yet, but she has to mourn for your father. How can she not hate and resent? The King of Zhenbei is already in his twenties and still has no children. Will he be willing to wait for her?"

Sheng sighed, "When the time comes, your sister will vent her anger on you. What will you do?"

"Poor Jue'er, you have suffered such an injustice. How can your mother's spirit in heaven rest in peace?"

She cried and was about to raise her arms to hug him, but Wei Xiu silently took a small step back.

Sheng's hands found nothing, and she put them down awkwardly, saying again and again: "Jue'er, the Sheng family should be yours, and you should be the one to inherit the Sheng family, not Sheng Yan or Sheng Ying. You are the legitimate son, you have to do it for yourself..."

At this time, a servant came over and reported: "The eldest aunt is back."

The eldest aunt refers to Sheng Xiyan.

"Your sister is here. Think carefully." Sheng said in a threatening tone, "Jue'er, you must remember that I am the only one who can help you now."

She looked directly at Wei Xiu and said, "Do you want to be kicked out of the family and have nothing from now on, or do you want to take this opportunity to inherit the Sheng family? Jue'er, think about it carefully."

Sheng said, "Your elder sister will be here soon."

"If your eldest sister knew that you were the one who killed your father, you would be finished. You would never be able to turn things around in your life."

Seeing that he was still unmoved, Sheng added another chip: "Brother Jue, if I tell your sister that I saw you push your father with my own eyes..."

Wei Xiu suddenly raised his head, his dark eyes gloomy.

Sheng coaxed, "Brother Jue, your aunt won't harm you."

"Great aunt."

The sound of greeting came from the corridor, and Sheng Xiyan hurried in. Seeing Wei Xiu here, she was stunned: "Xiu'er, why are you here too? Where is father? How is father?"

"Sister Yan." Sheng glanced at Wei Xiu, took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears, choking with sobs, "Your father, he and your brother..."

"No."

Wei Xiu interrupted her, "No. Aunt..."

This was the first time that Wei Xiu called her aunt. In Sheng's eyes, it meant that he had surrendered.

Sheng was relieved.

She said that she was quite good at dealing with a twelve-year-old child.

Everyone has weaknesses.

He is just a half-grown child. No matter how smart he is, he can only be this smart.

Seeing that Wei Xiu had given in, Sheng changed the subject and said, "Sister Yan, I brought your brother here. Your father has always wanted to see your brother. Just now your father suddenly collapsed. The doctor said it was due to palpitations. Hey, your father has been exhausted from the funeral of the Queen Mother recently. You should go in and take a look first."

Sheng Xiyan just asked Wei Xiu: "Xiu'er, is that so?"

Wei Xiu nodded: "Yes."

Sheng Xiyan didn't ask much, just said: "I'll go see my father first." Then she hurried in.

When Sheng Xiyan left together, Sheng said again: "Jue'er, don't worry, your aunt won't harm you, just trust your aunt."

"What do you want me to do?" Wei Xiu interrupted her and asked.

Sheng wanted to say a few more words to keep things simple, but was stopped by Wei Xiu, who said calmly, "You've said so much and done so much, you just want me to do things for you, this isn't a very clever plan."

Sheng's face looked a little embarrassed and her eyes were wandering.

Wei Xiu said: "Just because I didn't expose you doesn't mean I don't know anything."

Sheng: “…”

The guard in front of her suddenly transformed from a little white rabbit into a wolf, staring at her fiercely.

The two people's positions are completely opposite.

"Mrs. Zhao." Wei Xiu changed back to addressing her. "Why don't you tell me who told you to do this?"

Seeing Sheng's eyes slightly dilated, he said without waiting for her to answer, "It must be Zheng Zhongming."

"I don't trust Zheng Zhongming, but you are right about one thing. I have to think about myself."

"So, what exactly do you want me to do?"

"If there are benefits, I will agree to your request. If not, don't blame me for telling my sister about it."

Wei Xiu naturally used her words to threaten him and returned them.

Wei Xiu's sudden change of expression made Sheng a little flustered. She calmed herself down and said, "It's just a small matter. It will definitely be good for you... Auntie won't harm you."

Wei Xiu stood there, as if saying: You say.

Just as Sheng was about to speak, Sheng Xiyan hurried out and asked, "Xiu'er, where is the doctor? What did the doctor say? Where are the servants? Where have they gone?"

"The doctor is there." Wei Xiu said, "Sister, I'll go with you."

Before leaving, Wei Xiu glanced at Sheng. His face was expressionless, but this glance was enough to make Sheng frightened.

Because it was curfew, Sheng could only stay at her parents' home for one night. The next morning, she hurried out to meet Zheng Xintong.

"Wei Xiu agreed." She said this as soon as she saw Zheng Xintong.

Wei Xiu also stayed temporarily in Sheng Mansion yesterday.

Sheng thought about it over and over all night and only saw Wei Xiu again in the morning.

"Did he really agree?" Zheng Xintong was skeptical.

Wei Xiu has always been ignorant of the current affairs. Even though I promised him such great benefits, he remained unmoved.

Zheng Xintong thought he wouldn't be moved by anything.

Zheng Xintong's search for Sheng was actually just an attempt. She had been rejected by Wei Xiu too many times, and she couldn't help but want to see if Wei Xiu would rather bear the crime of patricide than give in to her.

Now Sheng's words surprised her a little, because Wei Xiu agreed too quickly. She thought Wei Xiu could still be stubborn.

Zheng Xintong asked: "Are you sure?"

Sheng nodded hurriedly: "Yes." Wei Xiu agreed.

Zheng Xintong hesitated for a while, then confirmed again and again: "What did you say to Wei Xiu?"

Sheng originally wanted to take all the credit for herself, but when she saw Zheng Xintong's expression, she knew that Zheng Xintong probably wouldn't believe it.

She could only honestly recount what happened, and then muttered: "... Now I have to doubt whether Wei Xiu is Sheng Jue. Our Sheng family doesn't have such a brain."

Sheng continued to talk a lot, but Zheng Xintong was not listening at all. All her attention was on the words of Wei Xiu that Sheng relayed to her.

so it is!

Zheng Xintong has always believed that there is no one in this world who cannot be tempted by benefits. If there is, it is because the benefits are not enough.

Wei Xiu was indeed the same.

Wei Xiu is very ambitious. He looks down on the concubine's daughter of the Zheng family whom he has promised to marry. He wants more.

If Zheng Xintong was skeptical about Sheng's words before, now he believes it a little more.

Sheng, this idiot, was fooled by Wei Xiu's few words.

It's not that Wei Xiu didn't care about Sheng's threats. He was also afraid of being branded as a patricide. However, while he accepted the threats, he also turned the tables and fought for his own interests.

This is what health maintenance is.

No one can refuse benefits.

Wei Xiu weighed the pros and cons in a very short time. Rather than letting the Sheng family spread rumors everywhere, letting the Zhenbei Palace and Sheng Xiyan abandon him and expel him from the capital, it would be better to take the initiative and transform himself from a controlled person to a controller.

In the past, Wei Xiu could barely be said to have a blood feud with them, and now that the feud has been avenged, it is understandable that Wei Xiu considers himself. Forget about being a father or a sister, they have only known each other for a few days. Compared with interests, they are just strangers.

Daddy said that Wei Xiu was a calm chess player, and the calmer a person was, the less likely he would be affected by worldly likes and dislikes.

Wei Xiu targeted the Wang family only because the Wang family threatened his life, and he also wanted to gain a foothold in the Zhenbei Palace in the capital, so he offered his allegiance to the Wang family.

Think about it this way.

Zheng Xintong felt that everything could be explained.

She never believed that anyone would look down upon benefits.

Zheng Xintong tapped the tabletop lightly with his fingers. Sheng asked cautiously, "Miss Zheng, can you let me go meet my daughter Rou'er?"

In the entire capital city, only Zheng Xintong had the ability to let her see Rou'er. She didn't care even if he disguised himself as a woman delivering water or vegetables.

"Wait a few days." Zheng Xintong said perfunctorily, "For now, don't go in and out of Prince Zhao's mansion too often. Once you are discovered, all your efforts will be in vain."

"For the sake of the future, it's worth it to be patient for a while." Zheng Xintong coaxed, "Just think about it, when the child born by Princess Zhao inherits the throne, you will be the grandmother of the new emperor."

"For this, what is unbearable, don't you think?"

When Sheng thought about the future she talked about, his heart was moved.

Isn't it for this future that she does all this?

"Don't worry." Zheng Xintong said, "It won't be long before you can be reunited with Princess Zhao. Believe me."

Sheng nodded and said, "I believe...I believe you!"

Wait until Sheng leaves.

Zheng Xintong curled his lips and sneered, "Stupid."

She was not a woman of nobility, so she did not need to go to mourn.

However, she had to find out what Wei Xiu really thought.

Thinking of Wei Xiu, Zheng Xintong couldn't help but pinch the handkerchief tightly, wrinkling one corner of the handkerchief.

Wei Xiu is now following Xiao Shuo, who treats him like a disciple. His status in the capital is also rising, and everything is going well. What kind of benefits should be offered to impress him?

Zheng Xintong asked someone to check whether Zheng Zhongming had returned, then got up and went to Zheng Zhongming's study and told him what had happened.

She originally wanted to ask what kind of benefits she had to offer, but after she said that, Zheng Zhongming just said, "You can agree to anything Wei Xiu wants."

"Title, career, and everything..."

"It depends on whether he has the life to get it."

Zheng Xintong's heart skipped a beat and he understood immediately.

When everything is settled, Wei Xiu's life or death will no longer be decided by him, so they can agree to any conditions.

But……

Zheng Xintong felt a little uncomfortable, but he suppressed it with difficulty.

Wei Xiu's repeated rejections made her feel extremely humiliated and she hated him to death. But now, when she knew that it was because the benefits he promised were not enough, the resentment in her heart dissipated a lot.

Zheng Zhongming said: "Tong'er, whether Wei Xiu really agreed or was just pretending, it doesn't matter to us. Don't let these little things affect your judgment."

He made a few suggestions and then went into the palace.

This is the fourth day since the Queen Mother's death.

According to the regulations of the Great Rong Dynasty, after seven days of mourning, the empress dowager's coffin needed to be kept for another forty-two days before being moved into the imperial mausoleum to be buried with the late emperor.

The first seven days must be a grand celebration, but the emperor is still staying in the garden. Even if he were to mourn for the empress dowager during these seven days, it would be outrageous if he did not return to the palace for the empress dowager's first memorial service if he was not there.

Prince Li had also been to the garden, hoping to persuade the emperor, even if it was just to come back and show his face. However, the emperor was so willful, he was really willful, and he didn't even want to see him. He just sent someone to tell him that he would not return to the palace.

Prince Li also got angry when he got to the back, and left in a rage.

However, after returning to Beijing, he felt more and more that something was not right. After sighing for a while, he went to Xiao Shuo for advice.

In his heart, he actually suspected that the emperor was unwilling to return because he had murdered his mother and was afraid that the empress dowager's ghost would haunt him.

Xiao Shuo just smiled faintly when he heard this and said, "Whether the emperor will return to the capital or not, the prince should ask Lord Zheng."

These words made Prince Li's heart beat wildly.

Xiao Shuo was smiling as usual, and Prince Li did not hear any dissatisfaction in his tone, but he still understood the meaning of the words.

Prince Li couldn't help but frown.

He never saw the emperor in the garden from beginning to end. All the emperor's words were conveyed by others, and the people who conveyed the messages were the imperial guards!

Originally, Prince Li was just a little unhappy that the Emperor did not want to see him, but now, thinking carefully, his brows couldn't help but frown.

Zheng Zhongming, what on earth does he want to do? !

"Thank you for your advice, Lord Governor. I will go ask Lord Zheng now."

Now that the court has finally calmed down, isn't Zheng Zhongming just making a fuss? !

Prince Li hurried to find Zheng Zhongming.

But Zheng Zhongming just laughed at what Prince Li said and ignored it completely, which made Prince Li so angry that he left again.

No matter how angry he is, Prince Li is the clan leader and there are some things he must take care of.

He had no choice but to calm down and go find Zheng Zhongming again.

After going there several times, he finally persuaded Zheng Zhongming to give in and say that he would persuade the emperor to return to the palace.

However...

"Master Xiao has always been the most trusted by the Emperor. Why not let Master Xiao and I go together to persuade him?"

Prince Li said awkwardly, "Master, that's what Lord Zheng said. He asked you to go to the garden with him."

Prince Li had already made up his mind that when the emperor returned, it would be best to keep him in the palace so that everyone could live in peace.

"Master." Prince Li looked at Xiao Shuo, but did not dare to persuade him.

Xiao Shuo said calmly, "How about I go there in person?"

"This Lord Zheng, he won't force the emperor to abdicate and plot a rebellion, will he?"

He said these few words lightly, but Prince Li's heart was beating wildly.

No way?!

He couldn't help thinking so.

But now, Zheng Zhongming seems to be trying to "use the emperor to command the princes". Even when Xiao Shuo was in power before, he did not imprison the emperor like this.

"Master, how about..."

Prince Li originally wanted to say, why not go, but then he changed his mind and realized that he had no choice but to go.

"Prince, have you ever seen the Emperor?"

Xiao Shuo restrained the gentle smile on his face and suddenly said this. When these words came out, Prince Li's heart was not only beating wildly, but also a strong sense of uneasiness and fear lingered.

Yes, he did not see the emperor. It should be said that he had not seen the emperor since Zheng Zhongming sent the emperor to a side hall to rest in the Imperial Temple.

Could it be that...

"Your Majesty." Xiao Shuo leaned back on the armchair and said, "I have to make a trip."

When I think about it, it is true.

He really hasn't seen the emperor for a long time, and he relied on others to pass on messages. If Zheng Zhongming really committed such a heinous crime, he must have other intentions, and the Dayong Dynasty might be in danger.

"My Lord." Prince Li gritted his teeth and said, "I will go with you."

He took the initiative to suggest: "We can bring some people from the Three Thousand Battalion."

Before Chu Yuanchen left the capital, Zheng Zhongming officially handed over the Three Thousand Camp and the Shenshu Camp to the Horse Supervisor. Now the military command is in Xiao Shuo's hands.

"I have other plans for the Three Thousand Battalions." Xiao Shuo said, "The capital still depends on them. We can't let the capital become an empty city. I will lead the Zhenbei Army."

Xiao Shuo agreed to go with Zheng Zhongming to invite the emperor back to Beijing, but he also put forward a condition that the defense of the capital city be handed over to the Three Thousand Battalions.

After a long silence, Zheng Zhongming agreed. He knew in his heart that both he and Xiao Shuo knew that the other party had ulterior motives.

He knew even more clearly that Xiao Shuo must make this trip.

Otherwise, if he allowed the emperor to remain in his hands, it would be difficult for Xiao Shuo to govern legitimately. In the long run, it would not be long before Xiao Shuo's position would be gradually replaced by him, just as Xiao Shuo replaced his position in the past.

Did Xiao Shuo think that he could compete with himself just by getting three thousand battalions and transferring one hundred thousand five-army battalions?

There was a sense of impending storm in the capital.

The atmosphere in the entire capital city was becoming more tense day by day, and many people felt it.

As for the noble ladies, they had indeed suffered a lot from crying for the dead in the past few days. Many of them had lost a lot of weight and looked sick.

Even though Sheng Xiyan had good food and drink to eat, she was still tired from walking on the road for six days, arriving early and leaving late. When the group finally left, she was so sleepy that she yawned several times.

There were many carriages parked in front of the palace, all waiting for their respective mistresses.

She walked towards her own carriage and said to Xigui who was standing beside her with a smile: "Tomorrow is finally the last day, I can rest now..."

"sister."

As soon as Sheng Xiyan stepped onto the carriage, she was stopped by Wei Xiu.

"Xiu'er." Sheng Xiyan smiled at him, "Are you going back? Let's go together."

Wei Xiu said, "Sister, I asked my uncle from the Wei family to bring my parents' tablets to the capital. I asked about the Qingjing Temple outside the city a few days ago, and I wanted to enshrine them there. My uncle has arrived today."

"Ah." Sheng Xiyan was stunned for a moment, then took the initiative to say, "I'll go with you."

She said, "I also have to thank my uncle and aunt for raising you."

She looked at the sky and said, "Hurry up and get on the carriage. Go early. Maybe you can still get back to the capital before the city gates close."

She also asked Madam Xu to go back to the palace and report to Princess Jingle.

Wei Xiu got on the carriage, and after Sheng Xiyan gave the driver an order, the carriage drove away steadily...

In front of the palace gate, Zheng Xintong opened the curtain of his carriage and looked at them from afar.