Fear of palace coup
The floating clouds in the distance were as heavy as cotton wool soaked in ink, pressing down the eaves of Yu'an Imperial City.
In the room, Fuyao was half-sitting on a soft pillow, thinking about the scene when Song Chenyu left yesterday.
Her fingertips twisted the handkerchief unconsciously, and the jade bracelet on her wrist hit the gilded candlestick, making a clanging sound that was so frightening.
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, but because of the wars breaking out everywhere, everyone is unable to rest in peace.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried horse hooves was heard outside the yard, coming from far away and then stopping abruptly.
Fuyao straightened up suddenly, and the handkerchief slipped from her knees.
Just as Aunt Xu was about to go out to check, the palace door was pushed open, bringing in a strong smell of blood mixed with the coolness of the night dew.
"Who is it?" Fuyao's voice trembled as she looked at the figure standing at the steps.
The man was wearing a black military uniform with narrow sleeves. There were dark brown blood stains on his shoulder armor, but the jade plate on his waist was polished to a shine.
Xu Jing raised his eyes and saw that it was her. His tense jawline relaxed.
"The Crown Princess is well."
The call of "Crown Princess" made Fuyao's eyes hot.
She originally thought that Xu Jing should follow the prince to fight in Xindong.
After all, ever since he followed the prince, he has been the prince's trusted captain. His archery skills can shoot two eagles, he has never been defeated in close combat, and his swordsmanship is also first-class.
But why did he appear in the East Palace at this moment?
"Where's the prince?"
Fuyao stood up with the help of Qingning's hand, her steps were unsteady due to her pregnancy.
"I heard that the rebels have reached Suzaku Gate, and General Yang is leading his men to defend it.
Do you know what the prince is like at this moment..."
Xu Jing took a step forward to steady her.
"Don't worry, Princess.
Before His Highness left, he specifically sent me to stay in Beijing.
He lowered his voice and glanced at the seven or eight sword-wielding eunuchs in the hall.
"He said that the most precious thing in this backyard is you."
Because Song Chenyu knew that if an emergency occurred in this palace, His Majesty would be the one to be protected by everyone.
As for Donggong, his Fuyao, although she is good at martial arts, she is pregnant after all, and he is not at all at ease with her.
Fuyao dug her fingers into Xujing's arm armor, her nails almost sinking into the flesh.
"Before leaving for the battle, the prince held my hand and said, 'Wait for me.'
If he believed you could protect me, why didn't he tell me himself...
Besides, Ma Chong has gone to quell the rebellion, and Wang Qingsheng has taken leave, so the Crown Prince has no one close to him."
Xu Jing looked at the red corners of her eyes and suddenly remembered the side hall with the flickering candlelight that night.
The prince took off his sword and slapped it into his hand. The scabbard still had the inlaid gold and silver patterns bestowed by the emperor.
"Xu Jing, I believe you.
It’s not that I believe you can protect Donggong, it’s that I believe you can protect Fuyao.
If I can't come back, please take her away from here safely.
Even if the mountains are high and the waters are far away, there is still the freedom she loves!
His Adam's apple moved.
"Your Highness has rushed for eight hundred miles and ordered Wang Qingsheng to bring five hundred soldiers to reunite with them within two days."
Fuyao suddenly lost her temper and leaned against Xu Jing.
She smelled the agarwood fragrance on his armor, which was the incense the prince usually used.
Xu Jing always said, "Being in the presence of His Highness gives me more courage in battle."
It turned out that the prince had already calculated this day and even planned a retreat.
"Crown Princess, do you know that there was a message from the palace gate just now?"
Xu Jing helped her sit on the couch.
"General Yang has led 3,000 imperial guards to retreat to Xuanwu Gate. Although the rebels are numerous, they are stuck in front of Jinshui Bridge.
I guess Ma Chong should have gotten behind the rebels by now..."
Before he finished speaking, a gong sounded from the corner tower of the East Palace, signaling the start of the night watch.
Suddenly, flames shot up into the sky outside the courtyard, and someone screamed.
"The rebels are attacking Donghua Gate!"
Fuyao held Xu Jing's hand tightly, and the sweat on his palm made his palm lines hurt.
He smiled, took out a small celadon bottle from his bosom and gave it to her.
"His Highness said this is a perilla drink for pregnancy protection. If the Crown Princess panics, she can drink it."
The sound of killing was deafening outside the window, but he was in this small palace, guarding the baby in her womb and keeping the prince's instructions.
Fuyao looked at the blood on his armor and suddenly remembered what the prince had said.
"I will protect this world, and I will protect the child you are going to have even more."
"Xujing,"
She whispered,
"You go ahead.
I believe the prince, and so I believe you."
Xu Jing knelt on one knee and nodded heavily.
He took one last look at the Crown Princess clutching a handkerchief on the couch, then turned and strode into the night.
Xu Jing failed to keep his beloved in the past, but today he will not let the prince down and will keep the one he loves most for the prince.
The sound of armor clashing gradually faded away. Fuyao looked at the eternal lamp on the desk. The wick crackled and exploded, illuminating the word "peace" written by the prince himself, flickering in the candlelight.
In De Shou Palace, the emperor, who had been sleeping for most of the day, opened his eyes.
"What's that noise outside?"
Han Qing stood respectfully beside the bed.
"It's almost New Year's Eve. I guess it's the sounds of gongs, drums, and firecrackers."
I was afraid that the government would become suspicious, but I didn't expect to get away with it like this.
After a long silence, the official spoke again.
"Why didn't I see Chen Yu come today, and only Fu Yao came?"
In the past, every morning the prince would first go to De Shou Palace to talk with the emperor, and then go to the main hall to handle official business.
“The prince had something to do this morning, so he came to see you earlier than usual.
Because His Majesty was still asleep at the time, the Crown Prince took a look and told him not to be disturbed."
Han Qing lowered his head and made up an excuse.
The official lying on the bed looked at the ceiling thoughtfully.
"I just dreamt of the seal. He really raised a good son for me."
He couldn't help but think of the former crown prince Song Cangyuan who was imprisoned in the Sky Prison.
Although he colluded with outsiders to kill his important ministers, he still spared his life because of their past father-son relationship.
Gradually, he thought of Queen Fan again. She was just a poor person.
They were all victims of political marriage under imperial power.
Who can be blamed for everything that happened before?
"Han Qing."
The official suddenly wanted to sit up, and Han Qing hurried forward to help him.
"Go get some pen, ink, paper, and inkstone."
Han Qing had just packed up his things when Qi Zhaoyi came in with a food box.
"Go down, I will have a private chat with His Majesty."
Seeing this, Han Qing turned and went to the outer room.
"Your Majesty, how are you these days? I haven't seen you in two days. I brought your favorite snacks."
Qi Zhaoyi placed the food box on the table and walked towards the bed.
"Um."
The official responded lightly.
Qi Zhaoyi was originally a palace maid in the Shangshi Bureau. Later, when His Majesty had a quarrel with Concubine Feng and visited her while drunk, she was then conferred the title of Beauty.
Later, she became pregnant, and the emperor was so happy that he promoted her to Zhaoyi.
But since her miscarriage, the emperor never visited her again.
She also stays at home every day without fighting or competing.
When he had nothing to do, he would go to Feiwei Palace to visit the imperial concubine and never caused trouble.
Although the official did not like her, he did not hate her either.
Seeing that the emperor was indifferent to her, Qi Zhaoyi was not angry, but sat quietly by the bed.
Suddenly there was a loud noise outside the palace, and she was so scared that she ran straight into the official's arms.
"Who is setting off firecrackers in the palace at this time?"
The official leaned against the pillow and glanced at the window.
"Officials, these are not firecrackers, they are the rebels' guns and cannons."
Qi Zhaoyi pursed her lips.
“Rebels?
What rebels did you say?
The official suddenly straightened up and stared.
"The governor and military governor of Jiangzhou have rebelled and are stationed not far from the capital. They will begin their siege at the end of today."
Qi Zhaoyi's face turned pale.
"But fortunately, Yang Yide has been holding on."
"What did you say?
Zhou retreated, Zhao Yan rebelled?"
The official suddenly covered his chest and started coughing violently.
Qi Zhaoyi glanced at him,
“Not only that, but Xingdong and the others are here too.
That's why Your Highness led the troops to attack them personally."
She spoke with tears in her eyes.
"What Chenyu, Chenyu!"
The official was so anxious that he couldn't even breathe.
Han Qing hurried in upon hearing the noise, only to see the emperor lying on the bed with Concubine Qi crying beside him.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty."
Han Qing hurried forward and shouted,
"Imperial Physician, call the Imperial Physician."
In the East Palace, Fuyao was holding a book and reading it to calm her mind.
Suddenly, Aunt Xu came running in.
"Crown Princess, news has come from Deoksugung Palace that His Majesty has suddenly fainted. The imperial physician has been summoned."
"faint?"
Fuyao quickly put down the book in her hand. She was in good spirits when she went to see the official today, so how could she suddenly faint?
"To Deoksugung Palace."
She frowned.
"Qing Ning, quickly go to Donghua Gate and tell Captain Xu to come see me at De Shou Palace."
When Donghuamen was attacked, Xu Jing led people to help. Fortunately, the rebels had stopped attacking and retreated.
As she spoke, she was supported by Aunt Xu and left the Eastern Palace.
As soon as I arrived at the gate of Deoksugung Palace, I saw Li Yishang and his guards guarding outside.
Fuyao did not dare to delay and entered the palace. Han Qing, the imperial concubine, Chao Yue, Qi Zhaoyi and others were standing beside the bed, while the imperial physician was lying beside the bed, taking the emperor's pulse.
Fuyao didn't say a word, just stood there silently.
She knew that Chen Yu was far away at this time, and now the rebels were attacking. If something happened to His Majesty, there might be a coup in De Shou Palace.
Although Yang Yide is loyal, he is unable to spare any time at this moment.
He is desperately trying to secure the perimeter and must not let the rebels break through.
Although Li Yishang is also loyal to this palace, he was transferred from the Eastern Palace by the prince not long ago and does not fully understand everyone in the Palace Front Office.
If someone interferes, the consequences will be unimaginable.
That's why Fuyao just hurriedly asked someone to call Xu Jing to De Shou Palace. If anything goes wrong, he will be able to take charge at the critical moment.
Just as Fuyao lowered her head in thought, Nanny Xu raised her hand and pointed outside the hall. She heard the voices of Xu Jing and Li Yishang talking.
This voice made her heart, which had just been hanging in the air, fall at ease.
The prince is not around, and as the crown princess, she must protect this last home for him.
The imperial concubine turned to look at Qi Zhaoyi. Her voice was soft but full of majesty.
"Why did you tell His Majesty about the rebels attacking the city and the Crown Prince's expedition?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Zhaoyi lowered her head and said in a tearful voice,
"Please forgive me, Madam. I was just frightened, so I blurted it out."
The imperial concubine glanced at her calmly.
"Go back and rest, we are here."
Qi Zhaoyi wanted to say something more, but seeing the indifferent expression of the imperial concubine, she stopped talking.
The atmosphere in Deoksugung Palace was so heavy that it was hard to breathe. It was already midnight.
In the inner hall, ambergris, which can calm the mind and spirit, was burning in the Boshan furnace, but it could not dispel the cold breath of death that permeated the air.
Lying on the bed, the current emperor had his eyes closed and his face was pale. He was barely hanging on to his breath thanks to acupuncture from the imperial physician.
Every weak breath feels like a gossamer that may break at any time.
Fuyao sat upright on a wooden chair in the side hall with her bulging belly. Her slender fingers unconsciously tightened on the armrest, revealing the light blue veins underneath.
Behind her, Xu Jing and a dozen nimble guards held their breath and stood guard inside and outside the palace gate like statues.
The imperial concubine on the other side was sitting on the couch. Although she looked tired, she was trying to stay alert.
"Noble Concubine."
Han Qing whispered
"Qi Zhaoyi is waiting outside the palace. She just sent people to ask about my well-being several times."
The imperial concubine did not even raise her eyelids, her voice was as cold as ice.
“Tell her that His Majesty is recuperating and will not see anyone.
If she truly misses you, then let her pray for Your Majesty in the Buddhist temple and stop walking around, lest she disturb the Holy Emperor's peace."
This is a polite way of putting it, but it is an outright order of expulsion.
Fuyao thought that Concubine Qi was very close to the Imperial Concubine on a daily basis and they seemed to have a good relationship.
Why did she reveal the current situation in front of the government today? Was she doing it intentionally or unintentionally?
I remembered that the prince had read the border newspaper before and it said there was an insider.
However, Fan Zhong and his party are currently being dealt with secretly by Zhao Shumi. Why did the rebels who were originally stationed there not long after the crown prince went on the expedition suddenly attack the city directly?
It seemed like they knew the situation in the palace very well.
She suddenly looked up, and there was no sadness in her eyes, only a chill that penetrated her bones.
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