The eldest son was Emperor Xianzong, and the second son was the first Prince Jian.
After the fire at Qingning Palace, Prince Jian, who was enfeoffed in Runing, repeatedly requested to return to the capital to serve his elderly mother, but was ultimately refused by Lady Zhou.
That was the time when the relationship between the Zhou family and the late emperor was at its most tense.
Whether Prince Jian's desire to return to the capital stems from a genuine wish to care for his elderly mother or from a desire for the throne is a matter worth pondering.
The current Prince Jian, Lu Youmi, was Zhou's grandson, around thirty years old, and passed away last October.
Prince Jian is only eleven years old this year, which does not seem like an age where he would be capable of rebelling.
"Has the governor of Henan been aware of this matter?"
Gu Ziyu nodded: "Governor Deng Zhang has already gone to Runing and is currently staying at Prince Jian's residence."
"The bandits then panicked and launched a massive attack on Henan Prefecture, attempting to relieve the siege of Wei by attacking Zhao."
In the end, this catastrophe was caused by the selfishness of people within the royal family.
The throne is so tempting, who wouldn't covet it?
"We'd better leave Henan as soon as possible to avoid falling into enemy hands."
Looking at the unconscious Prince Rong, Su Wanwan shook her head: "He saved my life, I can't abandon him."
"See if you can find a doctor and medicine. Saving Prince Rong is the most important thing."
The Prince of Anhua is a case of rebellion, while the Prince of Rong is a positive example that can be appeased.
For over a hundred years, the Liang Dynasty had a large number of vassal kings.
The combination of kindness and severity, along with setting a good example, was of great significance in deterring and warning the regional princes.
If one repents in time, the imperial court may treat him leniently.
After all, we are all of the same bloodline, we are all family.
Gu Ziyu led a group to find a doctor.
Two days later, he rushed back with a doctor, but his complexion was unusually pale.
"Deputy Commander-in-Chief Feng Zhen died in battle outside Henan Prefecture, and the situation in Henan became even more chaotic!"
We need to get out of here as soon as possible!
Feng Zhen was originally a combat-ready general who rose through the ranks in the border town of Yansui. He had rendered meritorious service in the rebellion of the Prince of Anhua in Ningxia, and his loyalty and ability to the court were beyond question.
Su Wanwan nodded.
However.
The doctor's words, however, dampened their spirits.
"Prince Rong has injured his spine and must rest. He must not be moved without authorization, or the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Gu Ziyu's attitude was firm: "Let him stay here to recuperate, let's leave!"
Su Wanwan was silent for a few seconds, then shook her head: "You guys go, I'll stay here."
Gu Ziyu's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Are you crazy? If you fall into the hands of bandits, how will they humiliate you? Don't you have any idea?"
"Did you know nothing about the tragic situation of the imperial princess being captured by the enemy during the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song?!"
Su Wanwan remained calm as she pulled a dagger from her sleeve. "I will commit suicide."
"Besides, I have nowhere else to go, and following you would only be a burden to you."
"Ziyu, go back and take good care of him and the child for me."
Gu Ziyu delivered a karate chop to the back of Su Wanwan's neck, and Su Wanwan immediately lost consciousness.
Gu Ziyu picked her up and mounted his horse: "Let's go, back to the capital!"
Lu Xingjian ordered him to protect Wanwan's safety at all costs; he had to bring her back to the capital no matter what!
Henan is now rife with bandits, making this journey back to Beijing extremely arduous.
Gu Ziyu led only a few hundred men, and as they raced along the way, they encountered bandits who blocked their path and fought their way out, and their numbers dwindled.
The bandits besieged Henan Prefecture for three days without gaining any advantage. However, after killing Deputy Commander-in-Chief Feng Zhen, their morale soared, and they began to pursue and kill the imperial army.
The group had left Xiping County, but before they even reached Xinzheng, they had already lost most of their men.
When we were almost at the Yellow River ferry crossing, there wasn't a single boat in sight.
A dark mass of cavalry appeared from the west, their clothing varied and their demeanor arrogant.
Gu Ziyu's heart sank further down.
Not far to the west lies Luoyang, the capital of Henan.
Could it be that the bandits who besieged Henan Prefecture have come over?
Su Wanwan had already woken up. She told Gu Ziyu to hold back to avoid further losses of manpower and to have someone shout a warning.
"Where is your prince? Would you like to speak with him?"
The bandit leader angrily retorted, "What prince? Surrender and we'll spare your lives!"
...
Lu Xingjian was busy in the palace when someone came to report: "Her Majesty the Empress has fallen into the hands of bandits!"
Lu Xingjian stood up abruptly, only to feel a ringing in his ears and his blood freeze instantly.
"What?"
The messenger's face was filled with sorrow: "General Gu was escorting the Empress back to the capital when he was surrounded by bandits at the Yellow River ferry and his whereabouts are unknown!"
Lu Xingjian wanted to speak, but suddenly couldn't find his voice.
He raised his hand, his fingers trembling uncontrollably. "Report again!"
"I'll use my life to save my enemy!"
...
The Su Residence.
Sunan was also extremely anxious.
The Su family's roots were in Luoyang. When news of the siege of Henan Prefecture arrived, southern Jiangsu could no longer remain passive.
My father is getting old and I'm afraid he won't be able to withstand the ravages of war.
They are the Empress's maternal family. Although she is now a deposed empress, I'm afraid the bandits will use her family as a target!
Xiao Bin came to bid farewell to Su Nan.
"Xiao's injuries have healed, and it's time for him to return to the battlefield."
Su Nan tried to persuade him to stay, saying, "Nonsense! The imperial physician said your injury requires rest and recuperation. How can you push yourself?!"
Xiao Bin's eyes were complex yet resolute: "Wanwan's whereabouts are unknown, I must go find her."
"Lord Su, this journey is fraught with peril, we shall meet again!"
Su Nan opened her mouth, then stomped her foot in anger: "You're going to your death! Foolish!"
They've all gone completely mad; they're treating their lives like a joke.
...
When Su Wanwan woke up, there was only a dim oil lamp in front of her, and a man in his thirties was sitting in front of the lamp.
His face was covered, only his eyes were visible, staring at Su Wanwan like a hawk.
Su Wanwan paused for a moment, then pondered for a while before saying, "Your Highness Prince Jian?"
A strong killing intent flashed in the man's eyes.
After a long while, Han Qinqin smiled.
How did you recognize me?
Most people would never guess that the bandit leader was actually a deceased prince.
Su Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief: "When Your Highness was young, Empress Dowager Xiaosu would send a portrait of Your Highness to the capital every year to ease her longing for you."
“I have served Empress Dowager Xiaosu for many years, so I have naturally seen Your Highness’s portrait.”
The portrait is very lifelike.
Prince Jian's eyes looked exactly like Zhou's, so she recognized him by his eyes alone.
Prince Jian Lu Youmi said: "Now that you have recognized me, there is no reason for me to live any longer."
He had never met Zhou Shi, and although he had feelings for this imperial grandmother he remembered, they weren't strong.
His grandmother once wanted to summon his father to the capital to serve him, but the late emperor prevented it.
Before his death, my father was always planning to one day have the opportunity to ascend the throne.
But when the late emperor passed away and Lu Xingjian ascended the throne, his father died of anger, and he never lived to see this day.
With the world in chaos right now, he might as well take advantage of the confusion to fish.
Su Wanwan smiled calmly.
"The prince has gone to great lengths to protect his family."
Prince Jian, Lu Youmi, coldly swept his gaze across Su Wanwan's neck.
This woman is too smart.
I saw right through his thoughts.
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