Shangguan Wan Ning saw that the lamp in her father's study was still on, so she went to make a cup of ginseng tea and brought it over.
"Ning'er, why are you still up so late?"
Shangguan Yue put down the official document in his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly. "As a girl, you can't stay up late."
"I'm fine." Shangguan Wan Ning said while looking at the official documents.
Shangguan Yue chuckled and said, "Want to know the news about Jingrui?"
"I'm not surprised." Shangguan Wan Ning's cheeks were slightly red and she hurriedly denied.
"He has retreated into the pass, and the Turkic troops are pursuing him. Three cities have been lost. The emperor will soon hold him accountable."
Shangguan Wan Ning lowered her head and said nothing, sighing deeply.
"The Queen Mother and the Queen have been running around for Ling Yuwen in the past few days, and there is no peace in the court. Ning'er, try to go out as little as possible, and don't go into the palace to pay respects. Do you understand?"
"Dad, my daughter knows."
"It's time."
Shangguan Yue walked to the window and looked at the bright moonlight in the night sky, his eyes full of melancholy.
The next morning at court, some courtiers impeached Ling Ruiying for colluding with the enemy and treason, secretly colluding with the Turks to invade the border, and produced an alliance treaty signed by Ling Ruiying and the Turkic prince.
Ling Ruiying was shocked. He immediately thought of Shangguan Wan Ning who had returned to the capital from the southeastern capital.
He looked towards Shangguan Yue. The old fox stood on the ground without changing his expression, calm and calm. It was obvious that he knew about it in advance.
"Your Majesty, I have been wronged." Ling Ruiying quickly knelt down, and the moment he lowered his head, fine beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.
After the emperor read the alliance treaty, Long Yan was furious and immediately ordered the removal of all Ling Ruiying's official positions, put him in a prison, and immediately sent people to search the Ling Mansion.
Suddenly, the capital was in chaos.
Ling Ruiying has been moving up and down these days for his son's affairs, and has long been pushed to the edge of the cliff. Now that he is behind bars, if he doesn't fight back, he will be dead.
Late at night, Ling Ruiying killed the jailers and imperial guards guarding the heavenly prison and escaped. He quickly summoned his close secret guards, notified the troops stationed outside the city and his own troops, and prepared to attack the palace, kill the emperor and replace him.
Ling Ruiying surrounded the capital with lightning speed. When the emperor learned about it, he was so angry that stars appeared in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, there are only a few defenders in the capital now. It will take some time to mobilize the surrounding troops. If Ling Ruiying attacks the city at this time, I'm afraid..."
The emperor had a headache. He glanced around and asked, "Who is willing to defend the city?"
There was silence in the main hall.
The capital was the core of the imperial court, which was dominated by civilian officials. The military attachés were basically left to guard local areas. Even those who were waiting for orders in the capital were minor players.
Who dares to fight against the famous Ling Ruiying?
"Your Majesty, I recommend someone who can temporarily guard the capital and ensure the safety of the people." Shangguan Yue stood up and said, "You should not avoid relatives when promoting talents, so please take a closer look. I believe that there is someone in the capital who can compete with Ling Ruiying.
The only one left is the Prince Consort."
The emperor's eyes lit up.
A famous general of the Zheng family for generations, if Zheng Binghong had not married the eldest princess and could not enter the government, he would definitely be a famous general who could make great achievements.
The emperor made a decisive decision and asked Zheng Binghong to take charge of all the troops in the capital, confronting Ling Ruiying to stall for time.
Both sides are waiting.
Waiting for their respective support.
Ling Ruiying captured the people around the capital and threatened the emperor to release Ling Yuwen.
"Dear ladies, what do you think should be done?"
The emperor did not want anything to happen to the people of the entire town, but it would be difficult to explain to the wealthy businessmen in the city if Ling Yuwen was released.
"Your Majesty, if letting Ling Yuwen go can save thousands of lives, it's okay to let him go temporarily. It's just..."
Shangguan Yue frowned deeply and raised other concerns.
"We were afraid that Ling Ruiying would go back on his word, so we let Ling Yuwen go, but he still wouldn't let those people go. It would be best...to send someone to negotiate with him and ask him to retreat thirty miles and leave the town."
"I'm just afraid that he...may not agree." The emperor was worried.
"The emperor can find someone to negotiate with him."
"Who does Shangguan Aiqing think can take on this important task?"
Shangguan Yue smiled slightly and said, "Xiao Yujue."
Xiao Yujue was once a prince, but now he was demoted to a commoner. But it is undeniable that he is the emperor's biological son.
In fact, everyone can see that Shangguan Yue wants Xiao Yujue to take this opportunity to re-establish his prestige and pave the way for him to return to the court.
"Your Majesty, since it has been proven that the murderer of the girl is Ling Yuwen, then he is innocent. In any case, his ability is obvious to all. Now that the country is facing a national crisis, everyone is responsible. Your Majesty might as well give him another chance."
The emperor glanced at the court and saw that no one raised any objections. After careful consideration, he issued an order to restore Xiao Yujue's innocence and return to the court as the crown prince.
Xiao Yujue left Mo Zhulin and, as the prince, took Ling Yuwen and Ling Ruiying to negotiate.
When he arrived at the city gate, the family members of the victimized girls blocked the way.
"Your Highness, this beast has committed such a heinous crime. If the court lets him go easily, how can you let the common people and others believe in the king's law again?"
Xiao Yujue stepped down from the sedan chair, and he could understand the mood of these family members at this moment.
He bowed his hands to everyone, which made everyone present tremble with fear.
"Everyone, I know that this is unfair to you. However, we have to save those who are alive. I promise you that I will avenge your daughter. Ling Yuwen, he will be punished."
Xiao Yujue pulled out the dagger from her waist and cut her palm, and blood fell drop by drop.
"I swear on my blood, if I can't do it, I will die to apologize and have thousands of arrows pierce my heart."
Now that Xiao Yujue has spoken out, no one can stop her.
What's more, this is the court's decision after all.
They were unwilling, but still gave way.
"Thank you."
Xiao Yujue took Ling Yuwen out of the city and arrived at Ling Ruiying's camp.
He saw that the open space was full of innocent people such as old, weak, women and children kneeling. He secretly clenched his fists and followed the guidance of the soldiers to Ling Ruiying's military tent.
As soon as he entered, Ling Ruiying slapped Xiao Yujue on the chest.
Xiao Yujue took a few steps back and reluctantly swallowed a mouthful of blood.
"You really don't like your emperor father. When you were rich and powerful, you were made to endure poverty, but now that the court is in trouble, they push you out to die?"
Facing Ling Ruiying's ridicule, Xiao Yujue straightened her chest and said with a smile: "This is our Xiao family's business. I brought your son, can you let those people go?"