Accusing? The other party will definitely deny it, and it will only make people laugh in the end. After all, when a duke faces the prince of a country, the status disparity between the two sides is still too great.
"Huh? Even so, you don't have to go, Tie Long, you come and drive the car." Shen Ao ignored Shi Lei's advice at all, but glanced at him with a cold gaze, and called out to another guard. Team leader Tie Long comes over.
"No, I'll drive the cart for you." Shi Lei quickly admitted his mistake and sat at the head of the cart without waiting for Shen Ao's instructions.
Shen Ao didn't say anything in the end, but just took the monkey onto the ox cart. Then the ox cart went straight to the East Palace under the strict protection of a group of guards.
Shi Lei, who was driving the carriage, waved his horsewhip and waved to call a guard, "Go, go to the palace quickly, don't be afraid of spending money, take care of things, and think of a way to tell Concubine Zhao what happened here."
Following Shen Ao for such a long time, Shi Lei knew very well who was really good to his master. Outside the palace, Marquis Zhongcheng, and in the palace, Concubine Zhao, these two were the ones who did their duty. Now that Marquis Zhongcheng was injured and his life or death was uncertain, he would just Now I can go to Concubine Zhao for help. I hope Concubine Zhao can find the emperor and save her master from his reckless behavior.
Not only Shi Lei, but also the other guards thought that Shen Ao's actions were reckless. But no one backed down.
Since everyone followed Shen Ao, they ate the best, wore the best, used the best, were fully trusted, and had hope in life. This is the kindness of knowing and meeting, and it is worth their lives to repay it. .
Now is the time to repay, and naturally there will be no flinching. Some guards even touched the steel knives on their waists involuntarily. They have decided that no matter what order the master gives, they will execute it 100%. As for what the consequences will be. , the worst that can happen is that a man dies and a bird falls in the air, but he will be a good man again after eighteen years.
The group headed straight to the East Palace in a mighty manner. At this moment, the time was approaching and it was time for the curfew. On the streets of Daliang City, groups of patrolling Silver Armored Guards soldiers had already appeared.
Shen Ao and his group were so large that they naturally attracted the attention of the Silver Armored Guards. Coincidentally, Qin Qi was on duty today, and when the Silver Armored Guards saw dozens of people walking through the street ignoring the ban, At that time, someone reported the matter to Qin Qi. Qin Qi, who was riding a war horse and leading a small group of ten silver-armored guards, blocked Shen Ao's path first.
"Is this Duke Zhongguo coming?" War horses were crossing the street, and Qin Qi's shouts echoed far away in the dark night.
"Huh!" Shi Lei, who was driving the bullock cart, had to stop. With joy in his heart, he jumped out of the carriage and clasped his fists and said, "Yes, it is the bullock cart of Duke Zhongguo, and Lord Guo is also in the cart. .”
Qin Qi breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that it was indeed a team from the Duke of Zhongguo. At least it proved that he was not a bad person. Thinking that the two had a close friendship and that the other party was the favorite nephew of Marquis Zhongcheng, Qin Qi had no intention of punishing him immediately. , but reminded aloud, "It turns out that it's Duke Zhongguo, and Deputy Qin Qi is here to be polite. It's just that the curfew is already in place at this moment, but I don't know where Duke Zhongguo is going."
The bullock cart was stopped, and Shen Ao secretly said something bad. But after hearing that the person was Qin Qi, he couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that this person had a very good relationship with his uncle, and he was also a junior that his uncle liked, so he knew Things have taken a turn for the better.
Shi Lei, who got off the oxcart, was even more happy. In his opinion, this was a good opportunity to stop the young master, so he wanted to tell Qin Qi to turn around immediately. This way the young master would have time to think carefully, instead of It's as impulsive as it is right now.
Before Shi Lei could say anything, Shen Ao's voice from inside the oxcart was the first to speak, "It turns out to be General Qin Qi. I was ordered by the prince to discuss important matters, but he forgot that the whole city was already here at this moment. curfew, but the prince may have waited too long, so he asked General Qin Qi to be accommodating. Well, in order not to embarrass the general, how about the prince withdraw all his guards now?"
Shen Ao wanted to withdraw his guard to show that he had no intention of causing trouble. He really had to go because the prince summoned him. So, it was just an ox cart, what else could happen?
The reason for the curfew is to prevent people from causing trouble at night. This policy was introduced because it was dark and it was impossible to stop it in time. Shen Ao was summoned by the prince and willing to remove all the guards. He had already expressed that he had no intention of causing trouble. This is considered to have given Qin Qi enough face. If he still refuses to obey, he will not only offend Shen Ao, but also the Marquis Zhongcheng behind him, and even the prince will be offended.
Considering that they are all people who have received favor from the emperor, Shen Ao will not do anything detrimental to Da Gan. Especially the battle with the Western Barbarian warriors in the center of Xianwei has already proved that Shen Ao's heart is towards Da Gan. What's wrong with such a person?
After just thinking for a moment, Qin Qi, who was riding on the horse, agreed, "Even if Duke Zhongguo is summoned by the prince, there must be important matters to discuss, and it is not easy for this thousand households to stop him. But the curfew is an order from the emperor, so If you don’t want to break the law, please ask Duke Zhongguo to send the escort back, and I will be responsible for the safety along the way."
"That's very good, but I have to trouble General Qin Qi." Shen Ao in the oxcart was naturally very happy. Originally, he was worried that he would not be able to see the prince after going to the East Palace, but with Qin Qi here, he felt a little more hopeful.
After agreeing, Shen Ao said to Shi Lei: "Let all the other guards return home."
"Master, you can't." When Shi Lei heard that Shen Ao wanted to break into the East Palace alone, he quickly tried to comfort him, "Master, how about we go back first and discuss it in the long run?"
"Where does all this nonsense come from? Just obey the order. Otherwise, you will be driven back." Shen Ao's voice sounded again, already a bit harsh.
At this moment, Shi Lei knew that a piece of cake was not built into a boat. If he was blocked, he would not be able to follow his master and protect his safety. So he had no choice but to agree and said: "Promise."
Shi Lei gave the order. Although the guards like Tie Long did not agree, the Duke's order was here and they retreated to the Zhongguo Duke's Mansion. An ox cart was protected by Qin Qi and ten silver-armored guards. Go straight to the East Palace.
...
Juhe Palace.
Concubine Zhao had already been taken care of and fell asleep.
Urgent footsteps sounded, and the female official Cai Yue suddenly appeared in front of Concubine Zhao's jade bed, "My concubine, someone outside the palace has sent a letter. Marquis Zhongcheng was ambushed and seriously injured. His life or death is uncertain. The young master has already taken him with him. People went towards the East Palace."
Just like Concubine Zhao, who was restless in sleep, she woke up instantly because of these words. She suddenly stood up from the bed, and then her eyes widened, "What on earth is going on?"
"Your Majesty, the news sent by people outside the palace is limited, and this servant only knows this. It sounds like the person who sent the message wants to ask your Majesty to see the emperor immediately, and ask the emperor to intervene to stop it. Otherwise, I am afraid that the matter will cause a big problem. Little Duke You will suffer a loss." Caiyue said anxiously.
The prince is the crown prince of a country. Anyone who wants to target him without a holy order is tantamount to being an enemy of the entire Daqian. Shen Ao can make money and is talented, but after all, he is just a prince. If he really does something against It is conceivable how the prince's unfavorable affairs will end.
Concubine Zhao had obviously thought of this. She didn't even care about anything else. She didn't even put on makeup and just hurriedly put on her coat. After learning that the emperor was staying at Concubine Yuan's Yongchun Palace tonight, she took a group of palace maids and eunuchs with her. Go away in a hurry.
Emperor Qianwen will rest in Yongchun Palace tonight.
In terms of the beauty of the concubines, Concubine Yuan Guifei is said to be the second, and no one dares to call her the first. This is also where Emperor Qianwen often rests. The chief eunuch, Yan Fu, was standing outside the palace at this time, standing there gesturing. Sleepy.
Suddenly, several black shadows came from far away. Yan Fu's eyes widened out of instinct. With a gentle wave of his hand, several figures appeared around the darkness. These were responsible for protecting the emperor's safety. of palace guards.
"Who is coming!" Yan Fu exclaimed, and his aura was constantly rising to ensure that he could strike at his peak state at any time.
"But Eunuch Yan, I, Concubine Zhao, have an urgent matter and need to see the emperor." This inquiry was met with a soft voice.
Yan Fu's ears were very good, and when he heard that it was Concubine Zhao, he felt relieved, but a look of suspicion appeared on his face. According to the rules of the palace, unless summoned by the emperor, the concubines were not allowed to see the emperor without orders. , let alone running to other concubines’ palaces to meet the emperor.
He strode forward to greet her, and Yan Fu was ready to comfort her. After all, Concubine Zhao usually treated people very well, and never treated eunuchs like them as human beings. With this respect, she would still help if she could help. All at once.
"I saw Concubine Zhao, but I don't know what made her so anxious. You must know that the emperor has already rested under the care of Concubine Yuan Guifei." Yan Fu stepped forward, bowed first, and then half He said as a reminder.
This is Yan Fu's best interest for Concubine Zhao and a kind reminder to her to go back. If there is anything, you can talk about it tomorrow, he will just give the notification.
If it wasn't an urgent matter, Concubine Zhao would naturally not come here late at night. But whenever she came, it proved that the matter was extremely urgent.
"Eunuch Yan, I know the rules. This matter is really serious and cannot be stopped except by the emperor." Concubine Zhao said anxiously.
"But I don't know what made Concubine Zhao so anxious." Yan Fu was also curious. Could it be that the sixth prince or fifth princess was seriously ill and couldn't wait even one night?
Originally there were some things that were not necessary to be told to Yan Fu, but at this time it would be impossible if he could not get past him. Concubine Zhao took a deep breath and said: "I have just received the news that Marquis Zhongcheng was attacked. I don’t know, Duke Zhongguo has already taken his guards to the East Palace in anger, and they should be arriving soon."
"Wha... what?" Yan Fu, who had always been calm and composed, changed his face. He was obviously really frightened. He didn't know whether it was because the matter involved Marquis Zhongcheng, Dong Palace or Duke Zhong Guo.
Yan Fu stood there blankly, as if he was still thinking about something. Concubine Zhao on the side spoke and urged: "Eunuch Yan, the matter is really too big, so I came to see the emperor in order to minimize the impact of the matter.
At the very least, do you think you should inform the emperor and ask for permission?"
"Huh? Oh. Yes, I want to ask for instructions. Please wait a moment, Concubine Zhao, and we will inform the emperor immediately." Yan Fu agreed, then turned around hurriedly, and it seemed that he was in a good mood.