The moment he hit the ground, a sharp pain shot through his chest, and Jing Zhao struggled to swallow the mouthful of blood.
"It's not good to start touching each other as soon as we meet after so long."
Jing Zhao glanced around. Since Gu Lin could say that he had been waiting for him for a long time, it meant that... Gu Lin had already guessed that the exit might be in the Princess's residence.
So today, he came here on purpose.
Thinking of this, Jing Zhao smiled foolishly, blood trickling down the corner of his mouth. Was he going to lose to Gu Lin again?
"Gu Lin, you must really want to kill me right now, right?"
Jing Zhao's eyes filled with a deep, dark light. "Because I caused Gu Heng's empress to fall off a cliff and die."
With just one sentence, Gu Lin immediately flew into a rage, his white hair flying wildly as he gritted his teeth and said, "Jing Zhao, you're asking for death."
"But Jiang Yu is Gu Heng's wife, the empress whom Gu Heng married with great pomp and circumstance."
Before she could finish speaking, Jing Zhao's neck was gripped tightly, and her face turned bright red. "And even if Gu Heng... Gu Heng is incompetent, didn't you... didn't you fail to protect him either?"
Jing Zhao had known Gu Lin's temperament for many years, and every word she said was like rubbing salt into Gu Lin's wounds.
"You are so...so pitiful."
Jing Zhao curled the corners of her lips into a smile. "If I die, the Princess's residence will also be destroyed."
You're a piece of trash who can't even protect his mother and wife.
Jing Zhao stared intently at Gu Lin's face, as if she could see into the deepest part of Gu Lin's heart, and the air gradually became unable to enter Jing Zhao's body.
Half an incense stick later, Jing Zhao closed his eyes completely.
Ling Hai stood silently in the corner. This rebellious king, who had committed so many evil deeds for so long, was killed by his lord just like that.
"All of the rebel king's men have been killed."
As soon as Gu Lin finished speaking, a fragrant aroma of wine filled the air. Ling Hai and Ling Ku reacted simultaneously, shouting to the hidden guards lying in ambush:
"Run!"
While covering Gu Lin, Gu Lin didn't move an inch.
Gu Lin's eyes were bloodshot. So this was what Jing Zhao meant by destroying the Princess's residence.
"My lord, let's go quickly, we can't stay here any longer." Ling Hai stayed behind and tugged at Gu Lin's sleeve, while Ling Ku quickly ran out to evacuate the people outside the mansion.
It wasn't until they smelled the smoke that Gu Lin was pulled outside by Ling Hai.
They watched helplessly as flames engulfed the Princess's residence.
The fire was extinguished quickly, but the walls were still blackened and unrecognizable.
Previously, Jing Zhao blocked Jiang Yu's escape route; today, Gu Lin has also blocked Jing Zhao's escape route ahead of time.
Before falling off the cliff, Jiang Yu delivered a fatal blow to Ling Zhenhou.
Today, Jing Zhao also dealt Gu Lin a fatal blow—the ruins of the Princess's mansion.
For a moment, Gu Lin felt it was absurd.
......
Everyone was sent away, and Gu Lin sat alone on the ground.
His white robe was covered in charcoal ash, but Gu Lin seemed completely unaware.
"Mother, I killed Jing Zhao."
Gu Lin forced a bitter smile. "I thought killing Jing Zhao would make me feel a little better, but it didn't. Not only did I fail to find A Yu, but I also failed to protect the place where you grew up."
"I'm so useless."
Gu Lin hugged his knees and curled up, as if only this posture could give him a sense of security.
Despite being in his prime, he had a full head of white hair, and the leaves on the old tree were falling sparsely.
It landed on Gu Lin.
Mother, this tree was here before you were born. You said you loved playing under this old tree when you were little.
Now the leaves are falling on the child; has it been you who came to see the child?
......
Gu Lin completely suppressed the news of Jing Zhao's death, simply because he received a letter from Jiang He at the same time yesterday.
The publicly released statement said that the rebel King Jing Zhao was found at the Princess's residence, but he was allowed to escape, and before leaving, he set fire to the Princess's residence.
Gu Lin's already frail health deteriorated further as a result, and he even had to be accompanied by a royal physician when he returned to the palace.
For a time, the people of Daning were filled with anxiety.
The next day, when Gu Lin woke up, his heart skipped a beat, "Ling Hai."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Spread the word that Jing Zhao has escaped from the capital."
Gu Lin reached out and touched the amulet under his pillow. As for what happened next, that was up to Jiang He and Bai Qian.
After Ling Hai left, Gu Lin slowly got up and sat down at the table.
Gu Lin stared at the blank imperial edict in front of him for a long time before picking up his pen.
"Edict of Abdication".
The four characters leap off the page.
When Ling Hai returned, Gu Lin was nowhere to be seen in the main hall; only the paper, still bearing the ink stains, lay quietly.
Ling Hai was momentarily stunned. Did the master even abandon Lingxiao Pavilion?
Daqing Imperial Palace.
"Report—"
The soldiers' anxious voices rang out, and Gu Qingyan immediately put down the vermilion brush in his hand. "What is it?"
"Your Majesty, the rebel King Jing Zhao of Da Ning has fled to our Da Qing territory. General Bai has ordered me to return to the capital to inform Your Majesty to be extremely careful."
Jing Zhao's purpose in coming to Daqing was obvious: to kill Gu Qingyan.
"But I have already decided to pray for the Empress Dowager at the Temple of Heaven the day after tomorrow."
Gu Qingyan's expression was resolute. "Even if it means risking my life, I will go to pray for her! My mother's fate is currently unknown, and I cannot eat or sleep in peace."
After the soldiers left, Qin Wei's face was full of worry.
"Your Majesty, I've heard that the rebel King Jing Zhao is a ruthless man. Since the Emperor destroyed his stronghold, he must be plotting revenge against you. Perhaps we should offer prayers for the Empress another day?"
Qin Weixu was too worried to notice Gu Qingyan's eyes turning cold in an instant.
"My mind is made up."
"Just have Chang Qing lead troops to guard the area when the time comes."
Seeing that Qin Wei still had something to say, Gu Qingyan frowned and waved his hand, "I want to review the memorials for a while longer."
Qin Wei felt extremely uncomfortable as he walked outside the main hall. A young eunuch noticed this and stepped forward to ask softly, "Eunuch Qin, are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine."
Qin Wei's face was pale, and his lips were bloodless. For some reason, he had a bad feeling about the blessing ceremony the day after tomorrow.
I have a feeling that something big is about to happen.
“You look terrible. Why don’t you go down and have some tea and rest, Eunuch Qin? I’ll keep watch over things here for you.”
Qin Wei took a deep breath upon hearing this, "Alright."
The young eunuch before them was Yingzhi.
“You’ve been by my side for quite some time now, and I’ve told you about the Emperor’s preferences. With you here to protect me, I feel at ease.”
After saying that, Qin Wei slowly left the main hall, his back inexplicably hunched over.
He really wanted to rest.
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