The next day, the emperor also fell ill.
After all, he is old and cannot stand the shock. If Huo Wuyou had not rescued him this time, he would have died.
Because of this incident, this year's hunting had to end hastily and the emperor had to return home early.
A few days later, Huo Wuyou received a summons from the emperor before his injury healed.
In the Hall of Eternal Life, Consort An was combing the emperor's hair with a comb, her soft fingertips gently pressing the emperor's temples: "Your Majesty, are you feeling better?"
The emperor closed his eyes and rested, then slowly took her hand and said, "My beloved concubine, your touch is gentle, and your fingers are fragrant. I feel much more comfortable."
An Zhaoyi leaned lightly on his shoulder from behind and said, "I heard from the imperial physician that sandalwood can calm the mind and focus the spirit, so I had someone make a comb out of ebony to massage your Majesty's head. I hope your Majesty likes it."
As they were talking, Peng Hui came to report, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Lin'an has arrived."
Huo Wuyou was summoned into the palace, and An Zhaoyi was also ordered to leave.
As the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall retreated outside, only Huo Wuyou and the emperor were left in the huge Changsheng Hall.
The emperor asked Huo Wuyou to sit closer. Looking at his slightly haggard face, the emperor asked with concern, "How is your injury?"
Huo Wuyou showed no sign of guilt and simply replied, "Uncle, I'm fine now. I wonder how your condition is improving?"
"I'm fine," the emperor said. "I'm here to see you today on official business. Don't keep referring to me as your uncle. Address me as Your Majesty when we're discussing official matters. Got it?"
Huo Wuyou obeyed the order: "I wonder what official business Your Majesty has summoned me for?"
The emperor simply said, "I want to ask you, has the murderer of the hunting ground assassination been caught?"
Upon hearing this, Huo Wuyou lowered his voice, covering his mouth with his hand, and spoke mysteriously, "The assassin was very stubborn. I used 72 tortures until he finally gave in. But he still boasted that it was Duke Dingguo who ordered him to do it. Your Majesty, who would believe that? Duke Dingguo is the uncle of my cousin Prince Gong. How could an uncle harm his nephew?"
When he got excited, he sneered: "I think someone is just trying to sow discord and treat everyone else as fools. So I continued to punish him severely. Who would have thought that even after breaking several fire sticks, the assassin would still refuse to change his words. Your Majesty, please give me a few more days..."
"That's enough." The emperor rubbed his forehead, as if his headache had returned: "I understand."
Huo Wuyou was stunned: "Uncle, do you believe it?"
Seeing his bewildered look, the emperor felt a little regretful. Why had he summoned this man, who was completely ignorant of the politics of the court? But then he thought, the simpler the person, the more reliable he would be in employing him.
Clearing his throat, the emperor said, "I asked you to come here today because I was thinking of your mother. She is my biological sister, born of the same mother. You are the eldest of all the children she left behind. There are some things I feel you should know."
Huo Wuyou's face was moved. He sat up straight, but because his wound was pulled, he had to bend back.
The emperor sighed and said, "I will deal with the Ge family."
Huo Wuyou was stunned. "Because they assassinated Prince Gong's cousin and nearly hurt my uncle? In that case, it really is not too much to die."
"Things are not as simple as you think." The emperor shook his head and said, "The Ge family has always been Chong'er's biggest supporter. Although Chong'er has his shortcomings, I still value him very much. However, the Ge family has always been ambitious and must be eliminated, otherwise they will bring disaster to Dayong. Therefore, I promised Chong'er the position of crown prince and asked him to help me get rid of the Ge family."
Huo Wuyou understood: "So that's why Duke Dingguo wanted to assassinate Prince Gong's cousin?"
"Your thinking is still too naive." The emperor shook his head again. "Did you know that someone orchestrated this hunt to get me into that fir forest? Can you guess who it was?"
Huo Wuyou gasped, "Uncle, are you saying that Duke Dingguo is trying to lure you into the forest to assassinate you?"
But the emperor's face suddenly turned cold: "You are wrong. It was your cousin Prince Gong who asked me to enter the forest."
Upon hearing this, Huo Wuyou was so stunned he was speechless. It was as if he was hearing this news for the first time. His mouth was open for a long time before closing: "How...how could this be? Is there some misunderstanding?"
The emperor sneered: "Misunderstanding? I hope it is a misunderstanding."
He stroked his graying temples. "I'm afraid that in his heart, compared to my promise, he trusts the Ge family as his helper more. He openly agrees to my promise, but secretly he's colluding with the Ge family and wants to take my life."
"But..." Huo Wuyou was stunned: "If that's the case, why was my cousin Prince Gong injured?"
The emperor narrowed his eyes. "It's precisely because some people think like you that this wicked boy has also thought of this. Even if the assassination fails, as long as he himself is injured, I won't suspect him. If he succeeds, he can ascend the throne after killing me. If he fails, he can escape unscathed and put the blame on the Ge family."
Having achieved his goal, Huo Wuyou breathed a sigh of relief, but on the surface he only expressed sadness: "It is really unexpected that my cousin, Prince Gong, would act like this."
Suddenly, he seemed to realize something: "But uncle, are these words something I should listen to?"
The emperor gave an irrelevant answer and sighed to the heavens, "I hope my princes can be more intelligent so that they can protect this country. But now, I am also worried that they are too scheming and even plotting against their own father. But you are different."
Huo Wuyou didn't understand what was going on and pointed at himself: "Uncle, are you saying I'm stupid? Actually, uncle, I think I'm quite smart..."
"I'm saying you're not a prince and won't seek my throne." He then added, "Of course, your thoughts are simpler than theirs. Most importantly, you're loyal and willing to risk your own life for me. Only then can I rest assured."
"rest assured?"
The emperor didn't respond to his confusion, only saying, "You know, the crime the Ge family committed this time is enough to execute all nine generations of their clan. The reason I didn't do so is because the Ge family holds military power. Although Duke Dingguo is in the capital, his sons are still guarding Yueling Pass. Even the Xiaoqi Battalion guarding Huajing is secretly colluding with the Ge family. Now is not the time to move against them. I can only take my time."
At this point, the emperor's cloudy eyes grew even colder. "Other matters are fine, but the Cavalry Battalion is the gateway to Huajing. If I were to kill the Ge family, I'm afraid the Cavalry Battalion would have to join forces with the Ge family."
Seeing that Huo Wuyou still didn't understand, the emperor said bluntly, "The captain of the Cavalry Battalion was negligent in supervising the hunt. I will transfer him from his original post. I want you to fill this vacancy."
Hearing this, Huo Wuyou almost lost his balance: "Uncle...how can I?!"
"You can," the emperor said seriously. "For someone in this position, absolute loyalty is more important than experience and talent. Furthermore, although you're not dedicated to your work, your father is a strict person. He's forced you to practice martial arts with an iron rod since you were a child. How bad can your skills be?"
Huo Wuyou wanted to refuse, but the emperor slapped his thigh and scolded him: "Just treat it as you did that day. For the sake of my life, what's wrong with serving me as a captain?"
Without further ado, he pointed at Huo Wuyou's nose and said, "If you refuse again, you will be disobeying my order. I will punish you now!"
Huo Wuyou finally stopped stirring and replied dejectedly, "I obey your order..."
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