After the Qi state's high-ranking officials tacitly concealed the news of Meng Qingqian's "death" for a day, it could no longer be kept secret.
This news caused a sensation throughout the entire capital city of Yin, sparking numerous conspiracy theories and disturbances, and also leading to many bizarre incidents. For example, a scholar hanged himself on the spot, hoping to die alongside the Princess. One wonders what his expression would be upon arriving in the underworld and discovering that Meng Qingqian was actually alive, and that his own death was in vain. (Biquge)
There are many bizarre things happening among the common people, but Yin Jing's court and his officials remain very calm.
Apart from a small number of "loyal supporters" of the eldest princess, most of the officials under the Meng family either used their connections to get into the prime minister's protection or switched to neutrality to observe the situation.
Knowing about the "fake death plan," Meng Qingqian's key subordinates naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to stir up trouble.
As a staunch member of the Li clan and a member of the Jiangnan Li clan, the maternal clan of Empress Dowager Li Xuanzi, Minister of Rites Li Gongqin naturally still stood on the side of the Meng clan.
Yang Xingguang, the Minister of Works, was a neutral representative of the vast majority of Meng officials. He neither stayed with the Meng family nor went to serve under Prime Minister Han, choosing instead to observe the situation quietly.
Huang Qinghe, the Minister of Justice, was a representative of the pro-Han faction, frantically encouraging others to join Prime Minister Han's ranks. However, he himself did not take any obvious actions and was even seen drinking and chatting with Meng's officials frequently.
The Qi court, which was already in an uproar because of Meng Qingqian's death, became even more lively two days later.
Luoyue Pass is about 1,500 li away from Yinjing City. Even with fast horses running day and night, it would take two days and nights to send a message. On this day, the Qi court finally received the battle report from the front: Luoyue Pass has fallen! More than 200,000 defending soldiers have been killed or wounded.
Before everyone could be shocked, bad news also came from Yushan Pass, a thousand miles to the east: Yushan Pass had fallen! Three hundred thousand Yan troops had entered the pass!
The only good news is that the Central Pass, which is closest to Yin Jing, has repeatedly repelled the enemy at the North Pass and is firmly in his grasp.
News of the fall of Yushan Pass and Luoyue Pass spread rapidly throughout the capital, and some shrewd merchants began packing their valuables to flee. Officials at all levels were filled with anxiety.
At the time of the princess's death, only Grand Chancellor Han Wenxin was capable of taking charge of the Qi court. He displayed remarkable political acumen, simultaneously mobilizing the Qi army at the front to repel the Yan army, constructing fortifications for Yinjing, and diverting troops and supplies from surrounding counties to prepare for the city's defense. At the same time, he dispatched messengers to urge the generals guarding the western, southwestern, southern, and southeastern borders to return to the capital.
Qi is stronger than Yan. If the two countries go to war, Yan's strength cannot withstand Qi's attrition and it will inevitably collapse first.
The current situation is a race against time. If the Yan army makes a long-distance raid and captures Yinjing, the Yan state will win. Apart from this possibility, the Qi state will win.
Time is on Qi's side, yet it is not on Qi's side either.
It would take time for the border troops to return to the capital, at least a month, and at most two months. Even the He family army stationed in the neighboring prefecture would need about fifteen to twenty days to regroup and return to Yinjing.
After the Yan army breached Luoyue Pass, the journey, though a thousand miles long, was relatively smooth. Furthermore, Yan had a large cavalry force, and the vanguard would reach the vicinity of Yinjing within five or six days to establish a blockade and control. The remaining Yan infantry would arrive within fifteen days.
The intelligence was already delayed by two days. By the time the intelligence reached Yin Jing, the Yan army was already on its way!
In such a situation, no matter who comes, it will be a defeat. Meng Qingqian had calculated this point, which is why she was not afraid that Han Wenxin would use this opportunity to gain merit and rebuild his prestige.
With Luoyue Pass breached, the defense of Yinjing City will undoubtedly be a battle. Han Wenxin's dismal performance against the Yan army's repeated defeats will provide Meng Qingqian with the perfect excuse to attack him and seize his military power!
...
The side hall of Fenghua Palace in the morning.
When the sun was shining obliquely on her backside, Meng Qingqian slowly woke up.
The little hand instinctively reached out to its side, only to find it empty, and a sense of disappointment welled up inside.
After lingering in bed for a while, Meng Qingqian reluctantly and slowly propped herself up with her arms. Just as she was about to get dressed, she heard a teasing voice beside her: "Mengbao's awake! Why did you sleep so long?"
Meng Qingqian blushed and quickly pulled the blanket over her body. At the same time, she looked at He Yunxiao not far away with embarrassment and vigilance.
He Yunxiao rose from beside the tea table, knelt on one knee on the couch, leaned forward, and reached out to lift Mengbao's chin.
He smiled at her with an ambiguous expression.
Meng Qingqian's pretty face was flushed pink, her tender red lips were gently pursed, and her teeth were almost bitten to pieces.
Why can't I get up in the morning? It's because someone didn't sleep last night!
He Yunxiao clicked his tongue as he looked at Mengbao's charmingly angry yet embarrassed expression.
The Soul-Devouring Pill is really useful.
It's more invigorating than coffee.
Take one before playing duo queue with friends all night, and you'll be full of energy until the morning.
Not only am I not sleepy, but I also don't have any standby mode at all.
Ignoring Mengbao's resistance, He Yunxiao lowered his head and forcefully sought her lips, silently exercising his power.
...
It was almost noon before Meng Qingqian finally ate breakfast.
She sat on the couch, draped in her clothes, and glared at He Yunxiao.
He Yunxiao seemed oblivious to Mengbao's eye roll, and scooped up a spoonful of meat porridge, blowing away the heat before feeding it to Mengbao.
Watching He Yunxiao carefully blow away the heat from the meat porridge in the spoon, Meng Qingqian's resentment began to subside.
Regardless, this guy still has a conscience.
After feeding her one bowl of porridge, He Yunxiao wanted to feed her another bowl, but Meng Qingqian shook her head repeatedly, saying she couldn't eat anymore.
He Yunxiao smacked his lips again. Looking at Mengbao's ample bosom, he couldn't help but wonder, how did she grow so much weight from eating so little?
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