The cool night wind hit the palace lanterns in front of the corridor, and a crescent moon floated on the willow branches, and the moonlight was like water.

Thinking of Zhu Luyun's assassination plans that were full of loopholes, Li Xuanzhen felt a deep sense of fatigue in his heart.

He rubbed his brows and asked, "Is she recruiting assassins again?"

The eunuch shook his head and said, "Recently, Princess Fukang has been in close contact with the Hu people who came to Beijing to surrender."

Everyone knew that Princess Fukang hated the Hu people.

Therefore, the princess's interaction with the Hu people was very suspicious.

The eunuch got a piece of news from the maidservant beside the princess that when the princess was talking to the Hu people, she mentioned a name: Princess Yiqing.

The previous Princess Yiqing, Zhu Luyun's aunt, was married to an old chieftain of a northwestern Turkic tribe at the age of eighteen.

A few years ago, the eldest princess's attendant risked her life to flee back to the Central Plains with her blood-written letter, begging the last emperor to bring the eldest princess back.

By that time, the last emperor had already been killed by traitors, and Guanzhong was occupied by various military governors, so no one paid any attention to his attendants.

The attendants later went to see Zhu Luyun and told her about Princess Yiqing's tragic experience.

Zhu Luyun then learned that the Hu tribe had a very barbaric and terrifying custom: when the father died, the son would inherit the stepmother, and when the elder brother died, the son would inherit the eldest sister-in-law.

The old chief died, and Princess Yiqing became the wife of the new chief.

When the new chief died, Princess Yiqing married the new chief's younger brother.

Soon the new chief's brother died in an internal struggle, and Princess Yiqing was taken as a concubine by the old chief's grandson.

In just ten years, Princess Yiqing married three generations of her ancestors.

What a humiliation this is for the eldest princess of noble birth!

Zhu Luyun felt very sympathetic towards her aunt whom she had never met before, and asked Li De to send troops to bring back Princess Yiqing.

Li De did not agree at that time.

The eunuch expressed his guess: "Your Highness, could it be that the princess wants to ally with the Hu people and then borrow troops from the saint to rescue Princess Yiqing?"

Li Xuanzhen's mouth twitched.

What kind of princess was the eldest princess of the previous dynasty?

Li De always considered the cost and reward first when doing anything. He conferred the title of Marquis on Zhu Luyun because he thought she would be useful to him.

He would not let his soldiers die in vain for a worthless noblewoman from the former dynasty.

Now that the Central Plains has just stabilized, the Northwestern foreign tribes are powerful. The Beirong, who claim to be descendants of the divine wolf, even claims to have an army of 100,000 and is sweeping across Beiting.

If it weren't for the obstruction of the eminent monk monarch of the Western Region Buddhist Kingdom, the Northern Rong would have taken over the entire northern route of the Western Region long ago.

The Northern Rong cavalry is invincible. Once the Northern Rong march south, Chang'an will surely fall.

Therefore, Li Decai used gold, silver, treasures, high positions and generous salaries to control the Hu tribes, while at the same time eliminating the scattered tribal forces in Guanzhong. He first divided the Hu people from within, making them hate each other and have no intention of invading the south, thus reducing the pressure on the Northwest Army's defense, and at the same time keeping track of the movements of each tribe at all times.

At this time, Zhu Luyun's plans would never succeed.

Li Xuanzhen paused, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Prepare the horse, I will go to the princess's mansion."

Yunniang has a stubborn temper and is bent on revenge. When she gets mad, she doesn't care about anything. We must explain the situation to her clearly.

The eunuch said in embarrassment: "Your Highness, my wife has prepared a welcoming banquet for you..."

The Crown Prince went to see Princess Fukang on the first night he returned to Beijing. If this got out, how would the Crown Princess save her face?

Li Xuanzhen had already turned around and walked away: "Tell her not to wait for me."

The eunuch sighed silently and went into the courtyard to report the news.

The candles were bright, and a sumptuous banquet was prepared in the courtyard, with delicacies from land and sea, fine wine and delicious food. The beef and mutton roasted over charcoal were fat and tender, and glossy. There was also a group of turtle musicians waiting under the corridor.

Crown Princess Zheng Biyu, dressed in gorgeous clothes, led the women of the Eastern Palace to wait for an hour.

The eunuch reported that Li Xuanzhen had gone to the princess's mansion.

Zheng Biyu said nothing.

Several concubines and ladies immediately stopped smiling, and anger, jealousy and contempt flashed across their faces.

Princess Fukang and the Crown Prince were in love with each other and they had nothing to say.

Even the Crown Princess doesn't care, so what right do these concubines have to be jealous?

But Princess Fukang just didn't want to marry the prince, even though the Crown Princess tried to persuade her well, she just refused to marry.

If she doesn’t want to marry, then don’t marry. If she doesn’t marry, they can only laugh secretly.

But Princess Fukang insisted on maintaining her relationship with Li Xuanzhen.

The servants of the princess's mansion ran to the East Palace every few days: the princess was sick, the princess was crying, the princess was angry and refused to eat, the princess quarreled with others and was humiliated...

No name, no status, no clearness.

It has become a topic of conversation among ordinary people after dinner.

"My lady, you can't go on like this!"

Liangdi couldn't help but burst into curse.

"The world has changed its name a long time ago! The emperor was merciful and conferred her the title of princess, but she has no sense of shame and has ruined the prince's reputation. If this continues, what will happen!"

Liang Di had disliked Zhu Luyun for a long time.

Either she marry down or break off relations with the prince. She is unwilling to marry, but she insists on being entangled with the prince, willingly lowering herself to a lowly status!

The other concubines also began to complain: "Madam, this has spread all over the capital, and some people even made a song about it, making a big fuss about it. This is bad for the Crown Prince's reputation."

"Your Majesty is kind, the Crown Prince is affectionate, and Your Highness is so generous. Why is she still being so hypocritical?"

"She still thinks she is a real princess! If she really doesn't want to get married, she shouldn't come to the prince!"

Zheng Biyu's expression was calm and he waved his hands.

The discussion stopped immediately.

Zheng Bi Yuhuan looked around and saw all the concubines lower their heads.

She looked calm and motioned to the maid: "If your highness doesn't come back, don't waste the good things. Let's have the banquet."

The musicians immediately started playing cheerful music.

Everyone was secretly resentful and returned to their seats in disappointment.

…

When Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen was riding out of the palace, he happened to pass by Li Zhongqian and Li Yaoying, a brother and sister, who were riding side by side.

The palace is deep and the night is slightly cold.

Li Zhongqian was afraid that Yaoying would catch a cold, so he took off his cloak and let her put it on.

Yaoying was playing with a jade box in her hands and giggled, "Brother, I'm not cold."

The brother and sister had just hidden a box of treasures in the palace, and Li Zhongqian gave her this jade box, which she was very excited about.

Li Zhongqian said, "Put it on."

The voice was very gentle, and to Li Xuanzhen, it sounded like a completely different person from his usual self.

Li Yaoying obediently put away the jade box, took the cloak and put it on.

After a while, he raised his hands, waving his wide sleeves to show Li Zhongqian, and gestured, "Brother, look, I have really grown taller! When I wore your fur coat before, the sleeves were so much longer..."

Li Zhongqian's low chuckle could be heard in the flickering firelight.

Li Xuanzhen walked past the two people with an expressionless face.

The brother and sister didn't even look at him, and walked into the narrow doorway, chatting and laughing.

Li Yaoying was wearing a veiled hat, so Li Xuanzhen couldn't see her face clearly, but he could imagine the expression on her face by hearing the cute and gentle laughter behind him.

He curled the corners of his mouth, showing sarcasm.

If Li Yaoying had seen how ruthless Li Zhongqian was on the battlefield, and knew that Li Zhongqian massacred city after city in order to win, even killing young children, would she still dare to act so intimately and coquettishly with Li Zhongqian?

Li Zhongqian's title of Little Overlord was not earned for nothing.

…

Concubine Xie's bedroom was located in the northeast corner of Taiji Palace, far away from the other concubines.

Usually, few people come to Cuifang Palace, but today the lights in the palace are bright, and a row of waiters are waiting in front of the steps, carrying a gorgeous sedan chair with a golden roof and soft curtains.

Yao Ying dismounted and frowned as she asked the eunuch who came to greet her, "Whose sedan chair is this?"

The eunuch bowed and replied, "It is Concubine Rong's sedan chair."

Yao Ying's face darkened: "Who let Concubine Rong into the palace?"

Concubine Rong was originally a maid of the Xie family. She was the most favored in recent years. After Li De ascended the throne, he named her Concubine Rong.

Most of the other concubines in the palace were daughters of aristocratic families and looked down on Concubine Rong.

Concubine Rong herself was self-conscious about her maiden family background, so she would embarrass Concubine Xie whenever she found an opportunity, in order to establish her authority by humiliating her former master.

Yao Ying would naturally not sit idly by and watch Concubine Rong bully her mother.

Concubine Rong suffered several losses at her hands and she no longer dared to act recklessly.

Yaoying quickened her pace.

Concubine Xie cannot stand any provocation. If she is not by her side, who knows what Concubine Rong will say to her?

The eunuchs apologized one after another: "In the afternoon, the Concubine woke up and said she wanted to go to the garden to see the peonies. Unexpectedly, Concubine Rong was also there. The Concubine didn't remember what happened before, so she pulled Concubine Rong to talk. I was anxious when I saw her, but I didn't dare to say anything because I was afraid of scaring Concubine Gui. Later, Concubine Rong sent the Concubine back, and she has stayed until now..."

"Don't worry, my lord. A Wei is watching. Her Royal Highness Rong will not dare to say anything nonsense."

The eunuch went in to report that Concubine Rong knew Yaoying had returned. She didn't want to show her weakness, but she didn't dare to stay any longer, so she took her leave and left.

Seeing Yaoying coming towards her, she stopped and smiled.

"I heard that the princess went to Da Ci'en Temple to ask for a doctor for the concubine? The princess is truly filial."

Said with a sigh.

"My dear concubine, you are so pitiful... Just now, my dear concubine asked me why my eldest son didn't come to see her. I didn't dare to tell you that my eldest son had been dead for eleven years..."

Yao Ying's lips curled up slightly, and she interrupted Rong Fei's crying and said, "I am not only filial, but also petty and vindictive. I hate it most when others bully my mother."

This sentence is meaningful.

The tone was gentle, yet full of cold warnings.

Concubine Rong's expression changed: "It was Concubine Gui who dragged me here..."

Yaoying smiled, her red lips gleaming brightly in the light. In the shimmering, hazy glow, her delicate face seemed to glow with a cool and cool light, as if a jade tree was in full bloom, blossoming to its fullest, with a brightness and elegance that made people dare not look closely.

Concubine Rong's momentum weakened for a moment, and she looked away guiltily.

Concubine Xie was holding her, and she could have just shaken her hands to break free, but she didn't.

The once high and mighty master has become a fool. How could she bear to miss the opportunity to watch the show?

She liked to tease Concubine Xie with her words, and looking at Concubine Xie's current appearance, she felt very happy.

Yao Ying said: "Since Concubine Rong knows that I am the most filial, she should also know what to do and what not to do."

Concubine Rong looked embarrassed and left the inner hall.

Sitting in the sedan chair, she became angrier the more she thought about it and snorted coldly.

"Let's see how long you can be so proud! Who doesn't know that the Empress Tang was forced to death by the Xie family? The prince knows it in his heart! When the prince takes the throne, you three will not have a good death!"

The palace maiden who was closest to him trembled her shoulders and dared not say a word.

…

Li Zhongqian was an adult prince, and he deliberately avoided Concubine Rong and waited until Concubine Rong's sedan chair was far away before entering Cuifang Palace.

There were people kneeling on the ground in front of the corridor.

Li Zhongqian frowned slightly and went inside.

Li Yaoying helped Concubine Xie out, "Mother, my brother is back."

Concubine Xie looked confused. She stared at Li Zhongqian for a while and said doubtfully, "He is not my brother..."

Yao Ying said patiently, "Mother, it's my second brother Hu Nu who has returned."

Hu Nu was Li Zhongqian's nickname.

Li Zhongqian stepped forward and bowed to Concubine Xie: "Mother, my child is back."

Concubine Xie stared at him blankly, bewildered, and murmured, "Where is my brother? You are not my brother. Why doesn't my brother come to see me? Is he angry with me?"

"Brother, I was wrong..." She was about to cry, "I won't get married. I will listen to you. Please don't be angry with me..."

Yao Ying sighed and signaled the palace maid to come and help Concubine Xie to go to bed in the inner room.

Li Zhongqian stood up and looked at Concubine Xie's receding back, his face expressionless.

He was sent to be raised by Xie Wuliang when he was young. By the time he was nine years old, the Xie family was prosperous.

Li De took him back to the Li family. At that time, Concubine Xie had been shocked by her brother's death and had become crazy and stupid. She could not recognize him.

He and Yao Ying depended on each other for survival, but he was not close to Concubine Xie Guifei.

Yao Ying said softly, "Brother, Mom has been like this a lot lately. Sometimes she doesn't even recognize me."

Li Zhongqian hummed calmly and looked down at Yao Ying: "When I was not in the capital, did Concubine Rong bully you?"

She has an easygoing personality and rarely dislikes someone so much.

Yao Ying said: "Empress Rong has evil intentions."

The person who forced Concubine Xie to commit suicide in the book was Concubine Rong. When Concubine Xie was alive, everyone knew that she had been a maid in the Xie family. She wanted to hide her background and please the Eastern Palace. She provoked Concubine Xie with her words every day and finally forced her to death.

Li Zhongqian said: "I will kill her."

Yao Ying was startled and shook her head: "Brother, don't be impulsive. I have already sent someone to check on her. Let's wait until all the evidence is collected before we decide."

After all, Concubine Rong was Li De's favorite concubine, and she could not be killed at will.

Li Zhongqian did not comment.

Yao Ying was afraid that he would really go and kill Concubine Rong, so she told him about Monda Deva: "Tomorrow the master will come to check A Niang's pulse."

Li Zhongqian nodded and lifted Yaoying's chin with his fingers.

During the day, she looked fine, and she could mount and dismount a horse with great agility, but she was a little thinner.

Under the night light, her cheeks were as white as first snow, and she looked a bit defeated.

He said, "Since that mage is a skilled doctor, let him check your pulse as well. Have you been taking your medicine on time these days?"

Yao Ying nodded, looking very proud: "I am in much better shape this year, I can run and jump, don't worry, brother."

Li Zhongqian did not ask any further questions.

A year ago, Yao Ying suddenly vomited blood for no apparent reason and asked her maid to keep it a secret and not tell him.

By the time he found out, she had already fainted and was unconscious.

Li Zhongqian stayed with her, watching her being tortured to death, his heart broken.

Three days later, she regained consciousness and saw him. Her haggard face immediately filled with a happy smile: "Brother is still alive!"

At that moment, Li Zhongqian almost burst into tears.

The author has something to say: Thanks to the little angels who cast mines: aini, Wenqing, linshuiyao 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated the nutrient solution: Wenqing 40 bottles; Erduomutou 10 bottles; Amei 5 bottles;