Chapter 144 Dark Clouds
Tai Chi Palace.
Xiao Liefeng, a third-rank general of Huaihua who did not follow Jun Zechen to the expedition against Canglang this time, had a gloomy face and wide-open eyes, with an aggressive look in his eyes.
"Minister Su, it's been a month. Shouldn't you give us ministers an explanation as to why you secretly swallowed the letter from His Majesty?"
"We haven't heard any news about His Majesty in this month."
Xiao Liefeng took a step forward and clenched his fists, as if he was trying his best to suppress the anger in his heart.
"You didn't deliberately intercept the military intelligence, did you?"
His voice was as loud as a bell, echoing in the court and making everyone's ears buzz.
Su Hongyu's face was as calm as water, he held the tablet steadily in his hands, and his posture was upright.
He said slowly, "General Xiao, His Majesty has indeed not sent any news back to the Imperial City in the past month, and I have not concealed it."
"I just received an urgent secret report from His Majesty two days ago."
His eyes were firm, not affected by Xiao Liefeng's momentum at all.
"Your Majesty has been trapped in Yiyuan City in Canglang Yuzhou for a month. The city is surrounded by Canglang soldiers, so there is no news."
Su Hongyu's voice was steady and calm.
"Then your Majesty is in danger, isn't it? Since the Minister of State is in charge of the country, why doesn't he send troops to help your Majesty?"
Xiao Liefeng frowned, with dissatisfaction in his tone.
He was already feeling uncomfortable that His Majesty did not bring him along on this expedition. If he could send troops to aid His Majesty, wouldn't he be able to achieve great success?
Thinking of this, his eyes flashed with eagerness and desire.
This is a great achievement, and perhaps it will help me regain the trust of His Majesty.
At this time, another minister of state slowly spoke up: "General Xiao, please be patient. The general of the Zhen army has already recaptured Yuehui and is on his way north. He will come to help Your Majesty soon."
"If Your Majesty has already besieged Yiyuan City for a month and still has no food or fodder, the soldiers are probably in danger."
"Even if the soldiers can hold on, they will have no strength without food and grass. If the wolves break through the city gates and attack, Your Majesty will be in danger."
A minister spoke with a worried look on his face.
The rest of the ministers looked at each other, each with their own thoughts in their eyes.
Some people lowered their heads in deep thought, some whispered to each other, and some had flickering eyes.
Xiao Liefeng didn't like Minister Su in the first place. He glanced at Su Hongyu and made some guesses in his mind.
If something unexpected happens to His Majesty, wouldn't Minister Su be able to directly support the eldest prince to ascend the throne?
The eldest prince is young, so Minister Su and the Empress can control the government.
By then, will there be any place for him in the court?
Regardless of whether they remained neutral in the court or were once secretly ministers of the Ye family, none of them wanted to see the Su family become the only powerful family.
If something unexpected happens to His Majesty, as long as the eldest prince does not ascend the throne, everyone of them will have a chance.
Everyone had their own agenda, and the court was filled with a tense and weird atmosphere.
"Master, there is news from the master."
Miaoyun looked hurried and walked into the hall in a panic, bringing up a breeze.
Su Jingyao was lying leisurely on the rocking chair, with a relaxed posture, her eyes focused on Xingxing's homework.
To be honest, every time Su Jingyao looked at his homework, she couldn't help but frown slightly, feeling that she had to learn it all over again.
Miaoyun came to Su Jingyao and handed her the letter with both hands, her breath still a little unsteady.
Su Jingyao took the letter, opened it, and glanced at it casually.
However, his originally relaxed expression froze in an instant and turned into something extremely serious.
There has been no news about Jun Zechen for a month. At first, my father and several ministers in charge of the country tried their best to keep the matter secret.
I finally managed to send the letter back two days ago, but I received the news that Jun Zechen was under siege.
Although the court seems calm on the surface, the ministers are secretly preparing to make moves.
Su Jingyao held tightly the token given to her by Jun Zechen in her hand, rubbing it with her fingers.
His brows were furrowed, and he was lost in thought.
Does Jun Zechen have other meanings when he gave her the token?
"Miaoyun, have the leader of the Yulin Army come to see me immediately."
When the leader of the Yulin Army arrived at the main hall of Kunning Palace, Su Jingyao straightened her back and gave instructions seriously about all matters. Only then did her tense body relax a little and she felt relieved in her heart.
A few days later, the imperial city seemed to be immersed in ink, and it was cloudy and rainy for several days in a row.
The thick dark clouds were like a huge grey quilt, tightly hanging over the sky above the imperial city, making it almost impossible to breathe.
The dense rain threads intertwined into a web, blurring the hearts of everyone in the imperial city.
Today, Concubine Xian brought the third prince into Kunning Palace.
The third prince is big and strong, with a lively and funny personality.
As soon as he entered the Kunning Palace, he was like a whirlwind and couldn't wait to find his royal brother.
"Your Majesty, the eldest prince is really hardworking. If the third prince is as hardworking as the eldest prince, I don't have to worry so much."
An envious smile appeared on Concubine Xian's face.
"Yihuan is the eldest prince, and he should be a good role model for his brothers and sisters. He should be more motivated and not let down his status."
Su Jingyao sat lazily on the couch, with one hand casually resting on the armrest, looking a little nonchalant.
Concubine Xian sat on the other side, leaning forward slightly.
Then she asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, I heard that the situation in the court has become a little complicated recently."
Her voice was low and her eyes flickered.
"The fourth prince of Concubine Bai is the child of a girl from the Ye family. Concubine Bai's father is also the Minister of the Central Secretariat. In the past, there were many generals in the court who fawned on the Ye family. Although the Ye family has fallen and the remaining forces have been cleared out by His Majesty, these people are still there. What if..."
Concubine Xian hesitated to speak, with a hint of worry in her eyes.
Su Jingyao was not very nervous, as she was familiar with Jun Zechen's abilities and skills.
He left the Yulin Guards to her and let the Su family govern the country, which may have had a deeper meaning.
Moreover, they were marching high all the way, conquering dozens of Canglang cities, but when they were about to reach the imperial city, they encountered setbacks?
Su Jingyao doesn't think Jun Zechen is that easy to deal with.
But these are just Su Jingyao's guesses.
Or does Jun Zechen also want to use this opportunity to eradicate the forces that had secretly defected to the Ye family?
If something unexpected happened to Jun Zechen, she would never let the power slip away from her.
No matter who is against the Su family, she must be prepared for everything.
"The affairs of the court will be handled by others. The Fourth Prince is still young, and it is unknown whether the Bai family will do something. In addition, Your Majesty is very brave, and he may return to the court soon."
Su Jingyao took a sip of tea and narrowed her eyes slightly, with a calm expression.
She had just finished speaking when Xilu walked in hurriedly and with unsteady steps.
"Master, news has come from the previous dynasty that His Majesty has gone missing!"
Su Jingyao did not show any obvious emotion on her face when she heard this.
But his originally calm eyes suddenly turned cold, as if a cold light flashed through them.
Jun Zechen had better pretend. If he was so useless, she would...
She gritted her teeth secretly in her heart.
Concubine Xian's face was instantly filled with undisguised panic. She stood up abruptly and looked straight at Xilu.
His eyes seemed to be confirming the accuracy of the news with Xilu.
After confirming again and again that she had heard correctly, Concubine Xian looked at Su Jingyao in panic.
"My queen, this..."
"In the next few days, all the concubines must stay in their own palaces. No one is allowed to go out without my order. Guards will be assigned to guard each concubine's palace."
Su Jingyao spoke in a steady tone, giving instructions in an orderly and calm manner, with a firm and decisive look in her eyes.
Su Jingyao then chuckled, with an elusive meaning in her laughter.
"I'm afraid there will be something interesting to watch these days, Concubine Xian, you should go back first."
When Concubine Xian saw that the Queen still had a calm face, the panic in her heart miraculously subsided a lot.
She hurriedly bowed, "Yes, I'll take my leave."
Su Jingyao stood up, walked to the window, and looked out through it.
The rain has been falling for several days and there is still no sign of stopping.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, wondering if it was time for a rainstorm to completely put an end to this depressing and sultry weather.
Jun Yihuan walked in because the third prince was taken away.
"Mother, have you finished reading my homework?"
Su Jingyao, who was sitting by the window, heard the clear sound of the stars and came back to her senses from her complicated thoughts.
She turned around, a gentle smile immediately appeared on her face, and she took his little hand and walked towards the study.
"I've finished reading it. Xingxing has done a great job today."
Su Jingyao's voice was as gentle as the wind, filled with relief.
When they arrived at the study, Su Jingyao gave the homework to Xingxing.
Then she squatted in front of him, her eyes as gentle as water.
He asked softly, "If Xingxing saw a serious and tall adult, would she be scared?"
Xingxing blinked her big eyes, full of confusion, with her little head slightly tilted.
"Will he be more serious and more majestic than my father?"
Su Jingyao thought for a while, looking serious.
"It's not a serious attitude. Maybe some people's seriousness is full of malice. They will hurt the stars. Will the stars be afraid?"
"Don't be afraid! Although I am young, the Grand Tutor said that strength is not the key to victory or defeat. Moreover, I am the child of my father, the Emperor, and my mother, the Empress, so I cannot lose in terms of momentum."
Jun Yihuan raised his little chin, his face tense and full of determination.
The little hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
"Well, the stars are amazing."
Su Jingyao couldn't help but touch his head, her eyes full of admiration.
"Then...what if someone bullies your mother? Your father is not here now."
Su Jingyao asked this question deliberately to embarrass Jun Yihuan because she wanted to hear how he would answer.
Jun Yihuan's face suddenly became serious, with a stubborn light flashing in his eyes.
Without hesitation, he said, "Mother, I will protect you! Even if father is not here, I will stand in front of you like a little man and will not let anyone bully you!"
After saying this, he puffed out his small chest, as if he was ready to fight at any time.
The smile on Su Jingyao's face became even gentler, and she would protect him.
This kingdom can only belong to Xingxing, and Su Jingyao will not let anyone have the chance to covet Xingxing's kingdom.