Chapter 39
In the second year of the Chengde reign, Yuwen Ting was demoted from the capital for conspiring with the concubines to frame the Empress. Resentful, he rebelled three months later.
Subsequently, apart from Prince Cheng, Yuwen Zhe, who was in the capital, and Prince Qin, Yuwen Qing, who was indifferent to all affairs, the other three major warlords responded one after another. Under the pretext of purging the court of corrupt officials, they joined forces to attack the capital.
Upon learning of his brother's rebellion, Emperor Yuwen Jing was both shocked and enraged. In his emotional turmoil, he vomited blood and fell into a coma, plunging the court into chaos. Upon receiving the news, the Empress immediately ordered a meeting in place of the Emperor, summoning all officials to discuss how to quell the rebellion and promptly confront the treacherous ministers.
General Guan Xiao volunteered to lead troops to suppress the rebels.
Obstructed.
The prime minister's student was appointed commander-in-chief and led the troops out, but they suffered repeated defeats and lost three cities, which severely damaged the army's strength.
Left with no other option, the prime minister agreed to let Guan Xiao lead the troops into battle and personally led them to the front lines, thus halting the defeat. However, due to an empty treasury and insufficient provisions, there were no extra supplies to retake the lost cities.
Therefore, the prime minister ordered an increase in domestic corvée labor and taxes to replenish the national treasury. Immediately, public resentment boiled over, the people suffered greatly, and cries of sorrow filled the air.
Subsequently, the Huai River flooded, destroying countless farmlands, causing heavy casualties, and leaving many people homeless, unable to find shelter even after fleeing the disaster area. They then rose up in rebellion, directly challenging the imperial court.
Guan Shengran was appointed to a critical mission. He led his personal guards to suppress the rebellious populace.
In an instant, war broke out everywhere, and the Great Yan Dynasty was in turmoil.
In the late summer and early autumn, the morning breeze is slightly cool.
After quickly finishing up his business in Fengyunxu, Lin Qiang changed into his commander's uniform and headed out.
Yuan Liu Niang, who was in the courtyard, saw the agile man and immediately ran over to block his way.
"Boss, are you going to the palace?"
Having regained her memories, she now knows that Wang Yao is none other than the current Empress, Yuan Qiong, the eldest daughter of the Yuan family!
Yuan Liuniang could no longer be as peaceful as before; she felt boundless jealousy and resentment in her heart.
Why? Why is Yuan Qiong so lucky? She was unhappy in her previous life, and she is unhappy in this life, so why is Yuan Qiong so happy?
In his previous life, Guan Shengran was utterly loyal to Yuan Qiong, willing to risk his life for her. In this life, she also has the head of the gang, wholeheartedly protecting her. Why?!
"Yes." Lin Qiang walked around her and tried to leave.
Upon hearing the answer, her eyes darkened slightly, but she quickly broke into a bright smile, grabbed Lin Qiang's sleeve, and said in her usual carefree manner, "Can I come with you? I've never seen what the palace looks like in so long, I want to go inside and take a look."
"What did you go to the palace to see during this period?"
Lin Qiang disliked being touched by others. He pulled out the corner of his clothes, glanced at Yuan Liu Niang who had recently become noticeably thinner, and then strode out.
"The situation is unstable lately. You stay here and help Lao Si and Feng Zhi. Don't wander off."
After saying that, he disappeared from her sight in a flash, giving her no chance to speak again.
"The boss..." She suppressed her sadness and got up to walk outside.
After coming out of the house, the fourth brother casually asked, "Sixth Sister, where are you going?"
"I'm not in a good mood, I want to go for a walk."
Yuan Liu Niang didn't say much before leaving the Lin residence. After circling around a few times to make sure there were no spies from Fengyunxu, she finally arrived at the Prince Cheng's residence. This time, she came with a purpose, and instead of using the main gate, she went straight in through a side gate.
When Yuwen Zhe heard that Yuan Liuniang had arrived, he was overjoyed and went out to greet her. This was the first time in his life that Liuniang had taken the initiative to seek him out!
"Sixth Miss..."
Looking at the handsome man in the wheelchair, Yuan Liuniang felt little emotion.
She sensed something different about this man and guessed that he might have been reborn. But in this life, she wanted nothing more to do with the man who had betrayed her!
So, just as before she regained her memory, she smiled and bowed, saying, "This humble subject greets Prince Cheng."
In her previous life, after marrying him, she had felt a stirring of attraction and considered accepting Yuwen Zhe. However, because she was unable to have children, Yuwen Zhe, in order to have a child, went to sleep with other women and shamelessly told her that it was only for the sake of the child and that he did not love the other woman.
However, she also saw this as a betrayal! She couldn't bear the thought of the man who claimed to love her sleeping with another woman; she found it disgusting! This disgusted Yuan Liu Niang immensely!
"Sixth Miss, there's no need for such formalities." Yuwen Zhe led her into the mansion, tentatively asking, "I had no idea that Sixth Miss could dance?"
And she danced so well, almost exactly like Wenluo...
"I've only learned a little bit." Not wanting to get into unrelated topics, she said directly, "Your Highness, I've come to discuss a deal with you."
"A deal?" Yuwen Zhe raised an eyebrow. "What kind of deal?"
"If Your Highness could take me to the palace to meet Yuan Zhen, the illegitimate daughter of the Yuan family, this humble subject will surely present Your Highness with a great gift. For example..." She paused before continuing, "...the secret of the treasure hidden in Black Cloud Mountain..."
The word "treasure" immediately jolted Yuwen Zhe's nerves. He looked up abruptly: "Treasure? The big black beard told you about it?"
"Your Highness need not worry about this. Since it is a transaction, I would never deceive you."
If there's anyone in this world who understands Yuwen Zhe best, it's undoubtedly Yuan Liuniang. She knows perfectly well how greedy this man is. For the throne, this man directly revealed the fact that Yuan Su was Yuwen Jing's mother's killer, causing the death of his beloved elder brother.
After doing this, he still acted completely innocent, pinning all the blame on Yuan Su Hui. Using the pretext of avenging Yuwen Jing to attack Yuan Su Hui—utterly hypocritical!
"Yuanzhen offended the Empress some time ago and has been banished to the Cold Palace. What do you want to see her for?"
"Of course I have my own things to do."
Yuwen Zhe hesitated. It wasn't that he was afraid of what Yuan Liuniang might do, but rather that he was worried about whether the bearded man was instigating things behind her back...
Seeing his hesitation, Yuan Liuniang said directly, "If you're not willing to do this deal, I can go see Prime Minister Yuan right now. I'm sure the Prime Minister is very interested in this matter..."
“Alright, I agree!” Yuwen Zhe replied.
**
When Lin Qiang arrived at the palace, Yuan Qiong was frowning as she carefully read a memorial. The red teardrop beads on her forehead reflected her fair skin, making her look quite beautiful.
"Still having a headache over the rebel army?"
Lin Qiang took her hand and looked at the red marks on her knuckles from reviewing too many memorials. He felt extremely distressed.
Why do you have to do these stressful and tiring things when your body is so delicate?
"Girl, stop looking."
He forcefully pressed down the memorial in Yuan Qiong's hand, ignoring her resistance, and picked her up, carrying her towards the inner palace.
"How dare you! This is Zhaoyang Palace!"
A faint blush crept onto her face, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell. Lin Qiang sighed, his hands continuing their work without pause. The light weight in his arms told him just how thin the little girl was.
"With me here, you don't have to work so hard. Trust me, I will give you everything you want."
Since I said it, I will definitely do it. Whatever you want, I will get it for you.
"you?"
Although Yuan Qiong didn't believe it on the surface, she stopped struggling and let the man put her on the couch and squat down to take off her shoes.
She kicked him lightly, the usually strong and aloof woman now acting like an anxious little girl, her voice tinged with helplessness. This was a side of her that she only showed to him.
"Big Beard, Yuwen Jing is dying..."
The physician said the emperor had become so weak that, without any stimulation, he would live no more than three years. Any excessive emotional distress could very well...
"Right now, my power is not yet consolidated, and there is no heir in the harem to succeed me. Once the emperor passes away, his brother will inevitably take the throne, and then my situation..."
Even more difficult!
After Lin Qiang took off her shoes, he placed her legs on the couch, covered her with a blanket, and gently pinched her chubby earlobe with a warm smile.
"Relax and get some rest. I won't let that happen."
From now on, I will be the knife in your hand, the sword in your sheath, clearing away obstacles for you and protecting you for a lifetime.
If you desire this vast land, then wherever your gaze falls will be the ground beneath my iron hooves.
"good."
Her slender, fox-like eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled, and her anxious heart gradually calmed down...
Actually, she had always trusted him.
Author's Note: Lin Qiang: Do you believe me?
Yuan Qiong: Letter
Lin Qiang: Close your eyes, give me your hand, and I'll lead you away.
Yuan Qiong: Okay
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