As night deepened, a procession of over a thousand people, carrying torches, was steadily approaching from three miles away.
Outside the capital city, the three leaders of the Crown Prince's guards, Yu Xiao, Zhen He, and Jing Tian, who had retreated from Wanliu Town with their men, clashed with Ning Hongxi's men countless times. Each time, they were stopped and forced to retreat, unable to enter the capital city and suffering heavy casualties.
They had too few men, while the Prime Minister had far too many. They intercepted and attacked them from all directions, not giving them a single opening to sneak into the capital or blend into the crowd!
Ning Hongxi's style this time is: better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free!
To date, they have not made any definitive contact with Prince Yu, Pan Yuanzhou, General Lan, and others who are in the capital.
Two people had managed to sneak in earlier, but they haven't received any news yet, and the others have no idea what happened to them. Yu Xiao and the others think that the two people are probably in grave danger.
Upon learning that Ning Hongxi was leading a large force to Dafeng Village to capture the Crown Princess, the three of them led their men to attempt to enter the capital from three directions, but were once again blocked.
It is evident that even after leaving the capital, Ning Hongxi remained vigilant, not only deploying manpower at various entrances and exits but also assigning other personnel to hunt them down.
The three men watched their brothers fall one after another before their eyes, their hearts aching with extreme pain, and their anger rising rapidly.
Tonight is their last chance. If Ning Hongxi captures the Crown Princess and they fail to break into the capital and expose Ning Hongxi and Liu Qinghe's evil deeds, everything will be over.
So, although the three of them did not meet up at the moment, they all thought the same thing: to do their best in one last gamble!
The night was deep, and they were filled with murderous intent, ready to storm into the capital city. But then, someone found them.
...
Even though it was late at night, Zhao Chengping, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, was still busy. The case of missing boys and girls had no results yet, and parents came to the gate of the Court of Judicial Review day and night to cry and plead. It was a heartbreaking story that brought tears to the eyes of all who heard it.
He was so anxious about this matter that he couldn't even care about the Crown Prince's death, the Crown Prince's rebellion, or the Emperor's order to arrest the Crown Princess!
Just when the case seemed hopeless, and he was filled with grief and unbearable anger, someone outside approached him, saying they could provide him with clues about the case involving young boys and girls.
In the dead of night? Zhao Chengping was shocked and bewildered. Someone could give him a clue? At this hour?
He suspected someone was playing a trick on him, but he still left the Dali Temple to see that person. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he returned and quickly gathered his men to head towards Wanliu Town.
At the same time, send your men to inform the parents who have lost their children to hurry to Wanliu Town to look for them!
...
The emperor was still awake, and the Zichen Palace was brightly lit, because Prince Yu, Pan Yuanzhou, General Lan and others were kneeling there, pleading for Ye Qingxue.
The emperor sat on his high throne, looking down at them with anger and impatience, and said, "If you want to kneel, then kneel. No one will care even if you kneel until your knees are worn out! Huaifu, prepare to return to the palace. I want to retire for the night!"
Not long ago, Liu Qinghe sent word that he had successfully refined a new Longevity Pill, which would prolong life and was more effective than the previous pills.
Moreover, his abilities in that area could be restored to those of a twenty-year-old young man... He already wanted to try out the effects of the drug.
I don't want to stay here any longer and waste my time with them!
General Lan quickly crawled forward on his knees and grabbed the emperor's leg: "Your Majesty! I beg you to rescind your order and spare the Crown Princess's life. I am willing to swear on my life that she and His Highness the Crown Prince have absolutely no intention of treason!"
The emperor tried to kick him away, but General Lan was strong and rough, and the emperor's strength was no match for him!
The emperor's temples throbbed with anger as he roared, "Guards, drag him away from me!"
Prince Yu and Pan Yuanzhou rushed over and blocked the emperor's path: "Your Majesty, I am willing to guarantee with my life that the Crown Prince and his wife have absolutely no intention of treason."
Pan Yuanzhou continued, "Does Your Majesty still remember that last year you wronged His Highness the Crown Prince once? That time, His Highness the Crown Prince almost died and was nearly unable to return. Fortunately, Heaven intervened and Your Majesty was wise, and His Highness the Crown Prince was exonerated!"
"He is already the crown prince, the heir apparent of the country. What need does he have to rebel? Moreover, during the construction of the Grand Canal, he worked diligently and lived and ate with the workers. He never made the slightest exception."
"Having such a crown prince is a blessing for the Great Zhou! Now that the crown prince is in trouble, it must be because someone with ulterior motives wants to get rid of the crown princess, so they deliberately framed the crown prince and his wife for treason! I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"
Prince Yu added hoarsely, “Your Majesty, what Lord Pan said is very true. Moreover, the Crown Princess is currently pregnant. If the Crown Prince has an accident, that child will be the Crown Prince’s posthumous child. Your Majesty cannot disregard the royal bloodline!”
The emperor sneered inwardly. How could he allow Ye Qingxue to live after discovering such a serious matter?
Their children cannot be spared either. If a child is left alive, will he grow up and seek revenge on his imperial grandfather for his parents?
Yun Zhuo is already dead, and Ye Qingxue is pregnant. Ning Hongxi will surely be able to easily execute her this time.
With the couple dead, their men will be a disorganized mess and no threat whatsoever!
General Lan, having gone all out, said, "What about His Majesty's benevolent rule over the years? Does he only have the name of a benevolent ruler, but no benevolent actions?"
In an instant, the emperor lowered his gaze and stared directly at General Lan in front of him, a cold and fierce glint flashing in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
"I merely sent the Prime Minister to bring the Crown Princess back so she can rest and prepare for childbirth. What are you all so anxious about?" the Emperor said.
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