Thinking of this, he spurred his horse to Gu Linchao's side and said dejectedly, "Hengzhi, your uncle has given up his huge family business for you this time. You must take good care of your uncle in the future. Your uncle's later years will depend on you."
Gu Linchao glanced at him, but this time he didn't rub salt into his wounds. Instead, he nodded and said, "Don't worry, from now on, the Prince Xiang's residence will be your home."
Xiao Yan was deeply moved and reached out to put his hand on Hengzhi's shoulder. "Hengzhi, you really are a filial son. Your uncle was right about you... Eh!" Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly exclaimed and touched his chest.
Just then, a mocking voice came from the side, "Your Highness, don't listen to his nonsense. He has already planned his escape route. Even if you don't support him, he can still live a good life. With so many silver notes, he couldn't spend them all in two lifetimes."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan realized what was happening, gasped, and turned to look. Sure enough, he saw his gleaming silver notes in the other person's hand.
"You brat, give me back my belongings!" he said angrily, almost leaping off his horse.
Wen Tingyun slapped the money back into his hand and said disdainfully, "It's just a few silver notes. You act like you care about them." Thinking back to when he went to the Duke of Jingguo's mansion to rescue this guy, he was still thinking about how he was desperately stuffing silver notes into his pocket, so he couldn't help but despise him in his heart.
The Duke of Jingguo's love of money is just as much a match for Nong Nong.
Xiao Yan stuffed the silver note back into his pocket, patted it preciously, and then said with conviction, "What do you know? I've been saving this silver note for a long time to get married in the future, so of course I cherish it very much."
Upon hearing this, Wen Tingyun thought to himself, "This guy is really desperate to get married."
He quickly rode his horse away from him.
Although Gu Linchao successfully rescued the Empress Dowager and Atuo Jianghua, Wen Tingyun's rescue of Xiao Yan alarmed the Imperial Guards. Gu Heng would probably react soon and send troops to pursue them. Therefore, Gu Linchao decided to split his forces into two groups to return to Xiangzhou.
For safety reasons, he instructed Wen Tingyun, Si Yi, and Xiao Yan to escort the Empress Dowager, A Tuo Jianghua, and others to Tunzhou, and then disguised himself as a merchant to ask Chiyu Tower for escort.
He himself, accompanied by eight generals, took the main road with great fanfare, intending to expose his whereabouts and attract the imperial army.
"Chao'er, you must be careful," the Empress Dowager said with concern.
"Don't worry, Mother, I'll be fine," Gu Linchao said gently, then said to Xiao Yan and the others, "Make sure to protect my mother."
"Don't worry, we will safely deliver the Empress Dowager to Xiangzhou," Xiao Yan assured him.
"That's good." Gu Linchao didn't say much to them. After sending them to Tunzhou, he led his men along another road.
...
Just as Gu Linchao had predicted, Gu Heng soon learned that Xiao Yan had been rescued.
He was furious and shocked.
"Even with so many guards, you still managed to kidnap someone. You bunch of good-for-nothings, what use are you to me?"
The imperial guards knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. The most urgent task is to send someone to bring back the Duke of Jingguo," Si Luo reminded him from the side.
Gu Heng narrowed his eyes, nodded, and said coldly, "You must immediately gather your men and bring Xiao Yan back. If there is any resistance, execute him on the spot." He couldn't let Xiao Yan take the imperial edict to Xiangzhou. Since he wanted to die, he would grant his wish.
"Yes." Si Luo replied respectfully and hurriedly led his men out.
Gu Heng suddenly remembered something and quickly called him back, "Wait a minute."
Si Luo turned around and asked, "Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"
Gu Heng's expression was extremely unpleasant. He said with a gloomy face, "Prepare the carriage for Jingci Palace."
Those below were all startled upon seeing this.
Gu Heng was the first to leave the Imperial Study and hurried to Jingci Palace.
Si Luo quickly followed.
Upon arriving at Jingci Palace, Gu Heng went straight to the Empress Dowager's bedroom.
Looking at the deserted palace, Gu Heng suppressed his anger and asked the palace servant beside him, "Where is the Empress Dowager?"
The palace servants of Jingci Palace were already pale with fright when they saw him barge in with such a grand entrance. When he asked them questions, they hurriedly replied, "The Empress Dowager has not been feeling well these past two days and is resting in her room. Granny Zeng instructed us not to disturb her..."
Gu Heng laughed in anger, pointing to the empty bedchamber, "Then tell me, where is the Empress Dowager?"
The palace servant glanced at the empty bedchamber and knelt down in fright. "This servant...this servant didn't know! The Empress Dowager was here yesterday..."
Gu Heng kicked him to the ground, yelling, "Useless!"
He felt that Xiao Yan would not abandon the Empress Dowager and leave directly, and sure enough, the Empress Dowager was also gone.
Gu Linchao didn't show up at yesterday's wedding. He thought Gu Linchao had seen through his plan and was too scared to go to the capital. He never expected that Gu Linchao would pull such a stunt on him behind his back.
Xiao Yan was kidnapped, and the Empress Dowager disappeared from the palace. This must be related to Gu Linchao.
Taking advantage of the busy wedding preparations, they quietly took the Empress Dowager away.
Thinking of this, Gu Heng's face turned ashen.
Gu Linchao, you are truly skilled!
Upon seeing this, Si Luo thought for a moment and understood.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is old and in poor health. They can't have gone far with her. I will take men to chase after her."
"Hmm, bring more men." Gu Heng came back to his senses and ordered, "It would be best if we could intercept them. If not, I will send troops directly to Xiangzhou."
Si Luo shuddered and nodded, "Your subject obeys."
After Si Luo and his men left, Gu Heng was about to return to the Imperial Study when Qing Lian hurriedly came over.
"emperor……"
"What is it?" Seeing her, Gu Heng asked impatiently, "What's wrong with Mother again?"
Qinglian knelt down on the ground, her face pale, and sobbed, "The Empress Dowager has passed away..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Heng swayed slightly. "What did you say?"
Qinglian knelt on the ground and had to repeat herself, "The Empress Dowager has passed away."
Gu Heng's expression was extremely unpleasant.
Why do all these things pile up and erupt at once?
"Your Majesty must take care of your health," Hao Fulu said hastily when he saw that the emperor's face was frighteningly pale.
"Send an order to the Ministry of Rites to properly arrange the funeral for my mother." After saying this, Gu Heng went directly to the Imperial Study.
Hao Fulu and Qinglian were both somewhat surprised.
They thought he would go to Xianghe Palace to see Empress Dowager Guo, but unexpectedly...
Empress Dowager Guo died, but that did not deter Gu Heng's determination to march on Xiangzhou.
Ignoring the advice of his court officials, he insisted on sending troops to Xiangzhou.
For a time, the people in the imperial court were filled with unease.
...
Xiangzhou.
Since Gu Linchao left Xiangzhou, Wen Nongnong has felt restless and often couldn't sleep.
That night, she woke up in the middle of the night covered in sweat.
She stared blankly at the top of the tent for a while, then slowly sat up.
Since becoming pregnant, she has been particularly sensitive to heat. Even though it is already winter, as her belly grows bigger every day, she often wakes up in the middle of the night because of the heat.
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