I don’t know when, the sky became cloudy again. The black clouds rolled like ink, getting lower and lower, making the heavy people unable to breathe.
There are almost no pedestrians on the street, and there are not even a few birds. Only the howling cold wind mixed with snow particles blows by. The strange "woo-woo" sound is like a ghost crying.
The driver drove the horse very fast, and the carriage rushed toward the palace gate with lightning speed. But there were still more than ten feet away from the Meridian Gate, when someone suddenly heard shouting: "Stop, dismount, and change the driver!"
The driver said loudly: "This is the official driving of Sikong..."
"Shut up!"
When he shouted, Gao Zhao had already jumped off the carriage.
The palace gate was tightly closed, and the city was densely packed with countless guards. Although there were only a dozen or so standing under the city, when he saw a man standing next to the captain at the city gate, wearing a black armor with gold trim, Gao Zhao
Pupils shrink.
The dark man...appeared in broad daylight?
What happened?
Gao Zhao walked forward quickly and asked urgently: "Where can I change driving?"
"Inside the door!"
The man in black armor had an expressionless face, and seemed unwilling to say more than half a word, not to mention his official title.
Gao Zhao was surprised and doubtful, and quickly stepped towards the door.
The driver was still a dark man, as if he was afraid that he would run away. In addition to the driver, there were four black-armored sergeants standing at the shaft and rear of the vehicle, almost as if they were escorting him.
Every time they passed a palace gate, the carriage would stop, and a soldier would shout: "This is Gao Sikong!"
Then, someone opened the car curtain, looked at Gao Zhao carefully, then glanced around the car, and then leaned down, as if he was checking the bottom of the car.
Seeing that the investigation was so strict and he still had to prove his true identity, Gao Zhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
At least it means that he is not the only one who entered the palace, and it is not that the emperor suddenly wanted to question him about his crime.
Something big must have happened in the palace...
In an uneasy moment, the carriage passed three gates and stopped. Then the soldier called out: "Sikong, please get out of the car!"
Someone opened the curtain, and before Gao Zhao even touched the ground, he saw the queen, Yuan Yi, Yu Zhong, Liu Fang, Cui Guang and others standing in front of the palace gate.
The queen lives in the palace, and the rest are all attendants who are on duty at Shiqian Hall every day, so they came a step early.
Seeing Gao Zhao, she seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw. The queen called out urgently: "Uncle..."
As soon as he called out, a black-robed soldier stepped forward and stood in front of Gao Ying, saying in a cold voice: "Queen, please be silent..."
As a queen, no matter how ignorant and ignorant she is, Gao Ying is still aware that the dark man suddenly appears in front of everyone, and even she, the queen, cannot ask him what the sudden change means.
The color of the sky and the earth changes, the sun and the moon hang upside down...
She covered her mouth tightly, but she didn't dare to cry.
Gao Zhao's hair stood on end, and he used all his strength to control his trembling, and swept it across the faces of Yuan Yi and others.
Everyone is trembling with fear, as if they were mourning their heirs...
Gao Zhao's eyes darkened: Is it over?
When he was about to faint, he accidentally saw Yuan Yan standing next to the black-shirted soldier, and Gao Zhao suddenly burst out with a burst of energy.
His eyes were as bright as lanterns, piercing Yuan Yan like swords.
Yuan Yan's eyes turned sharply, his teeth moved slightly, and the corners of his mouth moved up and down, as if he was shaking his head...
Not His Majesty?
Or should I say, His Majesty is not dead yet?
Gao Zhao felt relieved, and a slight phlegm rang out from his chest. He took two steps back. If it weren't for the sharp eyesight and quick hands of the soldier, he would have almost fallen over.
When I opened my eyes, I realized that I should be outside Qingquan Palace at this time.
Could it be that something happened to Hu Chonghua?
It's like I've been given a shot of cardiotonic. What was just like a thunderbolt hit me, but in the blink of an eye my face is radiant.
Gao Zhao replied hoarsely: "Thank you!"
Not long after, several more carriages arrived in front of the palace gate, followed by Yuan Yong, Yuan Yue, Yuan Jia, and You Zhao. In addition, there was also Yuancheng, the king of Rencheng who had resigned from Ding You for two years because of his mother's filial piety.
Gao Zhao was relieved again: If there was a sudden change between Hu Chonghua and the prince in his belly, why would he need to call Yuan Cheng here?
Although Yuan Cheng is not trusted by the emperor and has been criticized many times, he is now living at home. But he was one of the six assistants when Yuan Ke came to the throne...
Just as he was wondering, Gao Zhao quickly raised his head when he heard the strange sound of "clucking".
The palace door is open!
The black-shirted soldier waved his hand: "Everyone, please come in!"
A dozen or so uniformed soldiers gathered around to protect everyone in the middle.
It's said to be a protector, but more like a custody...
All the ministers were silent and stepped into the palace gate. As soon as they stepped over the threshold, every one of them was startled and shivered all over.
Just where Chonghua lived, Qingquan Palace was not big, covering only fifty or sixty paces. The bedroom was in the middle, closer to the palace gate, so he could see very clearly: under the steps of the palace, three dead bodies suddenly lay buried. For two days and two nights, the snow was extremely thick, and everything you saw was black or white. But the three large pools of bright red blood stains were the most shocking.
A monk had a big hole in his neck, and the rotten flesh was sticking out, resembling a donkey's lip.
Another monk fell to the ground, his back had been chopped to pieces and was bloody, but could you see the organs exposed outside the bones?
There is also a female crown. The head is obviously still connected to the neck, but it is as soft as cotton wool. The huge head is actually placed on the shoulders?
Seven or eight eunuchs knelt on the steps, scrubbing the steps vigorously. Streams of blood flowed down the stone steps. Looking at the dark red blood, and then looking at the two monks and a nun crouching at the foot of the steps, they seemed to be
A favorable arrow pierces the heart, and all the ministers tremble.
Your Majesty... was assassinated?
Among the ten people, at least nine people's faces changed wildly and turned as white as snow, but some people secretly rejoiced and shouted to God to open their eyes.
Just like Yuan Yong, he was secretly happy in his heart, but his face was filled with grief, as if his own mother had died: "Your Majesty..."
"Oops!"
A flash of cold light lit up, as if someone was holding his neck, his voice suddenly stopped, and Yuan Yong's face suddenly turned pale.
The tip of the knife stretched out by the black-shirted soldier was less than a foot away from his neck.
"Your Majesty has an order: Anyone who makes noises will be captured and ambushed on the spot. If you disobey orders, you will be killed..."
As if frozen into an ice sculpture, Yuan Yong froze: The emperor... is not dead?
It wasn't until the armored man retracted his saber and the ministers stepped onto the steps and were about to enter the palace that he came back to his senses.
Yuan Yong lowered his voice and responded urgently: "I obey the order...", and then he chased after him as if there was a ghost chasing him from behind.
There are more armored soldiers standing at the door of the palace. Although there are also dark men wearing black armor, most of them are tigers. It is like an iron wall, blocking the door of the palace tightly.
"Everyone, I'm offended!"
Yuan Yuan cupped his fists and waved his hand, "Search me!"
Immediately, the dark men and Huben rushed up, forming a group of three and surrounding them in front of the ministers.
Well, why are they all young people?
Taking a closer look, Gao Zhao was secretly surprised: They are all under Li Chengzhi's command?
But why was the commander replaced by Yuan Yuan, and what about Li Chengzhi?
Thinking that outside Qingquan Palace, it was like this time, most of them seemed to be tigers, and it was General Yuan Yan who had always been close to Li Chengzhi. Gao Zhao thought: Those three assassins in the courtyard were not the work of Li Chengzhi, were they?
/p>
Otherwise, Hu Ben, who is usually like a vassal of Yu Lin, like a shadow, suddenly wields a halberd and goes to the palace today, and half of Yu Lin is missing?
Looking at Yu Zhong again, his face was dark and tinged with blue, and he didn't know whether he was afraid or angry.
Suspicious in his heart, he allowed the dark man and Hu Ben to search his body. In an emergency, no one dared to complain. Regardless of whether he was a Taiwei or the father of Yuan Yuan, Yuan Jia didn't have the least bit of trouble at all?
As soon as they arrived outside the palace gate, several people smelled a familiar smell. For example, the queen, Gao Zhao, Liu Fang, Cui Guang, Yuan Yue, etc.
These few people have either been treated by Li Chengzhi, or they have asked Li Chengzhi for his special wound medicine, so they will naturally know it as soon as they hear it.
Huben opened the door of the palace, and there were many people kneeling in the palace: Princess Chen Liu, Sima Xianzi, Jieyu Li, Hu Chonghua and other noble ladies and concubines, as well as Liu Teng, Yu Wenfu, Yuan Xi and other close ministers, as well as a group of bodyguards.
, medical officer...
The emperor leaned on the couch slantingly, looking at everyone lazily. He was wrapped in a quilt, and it was impossible to see the extent of his injuries. Even though his face was a little sallow, he didn't know whether he was bleeding too much or was frightened.
Only Wang Xian was standing by, holding a bowl of wine in his hand, as if waiting for the emperor to drink it.
Later, Xu Jian and his nephew disciples seemed to be treating someone. Those with sharp eyes had already guessed from the attire and body shape that it should be Li Chengzhi...
Gao Yingru was struck by lightning.
It was this hand that had treated her injuries, applied medicine to her, touched every inch of her body, and even slapped her hard.
But at this moment, he was hanging limply under the case, as if he were dead...
The queen felt a pain in her heart, as if a sharp knife had been inserted into her. Her mind was like watching a lantern, and every scene related to Li Chengzhi appeared in her mind:
Protect her behind you and block the knife with your body...
Cut her sores, suck out the pus, and apply medicine...
She denounced Hu Chonghua and foiled his treacherous plan, and she protected her in every possible way...
Gao Zhao was so angry that he wanted to tear her into pieces, but Li Chengzhi protected her behind him again...
She never knew that Li Chengzhi held such a heavy weight in her heart. It was clear that only *** was good, but it was unforgettable... Is it just because you saved me twice?
Unconsciously, Yuan Ke has changed into a symbol in her heart, and Li Chengzhi has become a pillar?
What should I do if you die?
Her heart was in great pain, her energy and blood surged up, her mind was empty, and the Queen fell straight back like a broken pillar.
Gao Zhao quickly supported her and saw that the queen's eyes were wide open, and tears were pouring out like spring water. Her eyes were red, her teeth were clenched, and blood was visible under her lips.
Your Majesty is not dead yet, why are you doing this... Just when a thought came to his mind, when he saw the queen's lips moving slightly, as if she was reading Li Chengzhi's name, Gao Zhao's face changed drastically, and his heart jumped into his throat.
It’s really crazy...
"Your Highness... Your Highness..."
Gao Zhao yelled twice, pinched Gao Ying's fingers hard, and shouted in her ear urgently: "Your Majesty is safe and sound, why did you scare yourself?"
Is it because of His Majesty?
Feeling the stinging pain on his fingertips, Gao Ying smiled miserably: Yes, his uncle is reminding himself: Yuan Ke is his husband...
Even if he treats me like a piece of shit and hates me like shit?
Even though he allowed Hu Chonghua to plot and frame himself as the queen, he turned a blind eye and protected him in every possible way?
Husband?
Hehehe...
Seeing that Li Chengzhi had his eyes closed tightly, not knowing whether he was alive or dead, Gao Ying cried out in pain: "Your Majesty..."
Like a cuckoo dripping blood, it hurts to the core.
Yuan Ke was moved by this, and he couldn't help but think of the scene when Hu Chonghua flew away when the disaster was approaching, and he glanced down again.
A face that was originally extremely beautiful now seemed distorted. Hu Chonghua's eyes were like arrows, staring at the queen coldly, with a vicious look on his face.
Looking at the queen again, she was grief-stricken and burst into tears. She seemed to be unable to stand firmly and was making a judgment...
The emperor waved,
Looking at Gao Ying being supported by Gao Zhao in front of the couch, and then looking at the pair of blood-filled phoenix eyes, the emperor secretly sighed: At least he's not acting.
But Hu Chonghua, who knows how to howl, but can't even squeeze out a tear, is extremely ridiculous...
Yuan Ke grabbed Gao Ying's hand and said with a warm smile: "Don't cry, am I not doing well?"
It was okay if she didn't persuade her, but once she persuaded her, the queen cried even harder. Choking with sobs, she asked: "Your Majesty...how could this happen?"
The emperor smiled bitterly and said: "I came here to listen to the lectures by the eminent monks from the White Horse Temple, but I didn't know that the assassin was among them..."
The assassin was among the monks... Aren't these monks invited by Hu Chonghua?
Old and new hatreds welled up in his heart. Gao Ying rushed towards Hu Chonghua like a madman: "Bitch, I'll kill you alone..."
The queen suddenly got angry, and she was not aware of it for a moment, and even Gao Zhao beside her had no time to stop her.
Seeing Gao Ying's face full of murderous intent, Hu Chonghua was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he was helpless. But the general rushed down the palace steps, just like emerging from the ground, and several black figures rushed out with a "swish" and stood up.
The wall blocks the Queen's way.
The dark man neither dared to push nor hug, so he could only let the queen bump into him. With a "boom", the queen fell to the ground. When he got up again, Hu Chonghua had been helped into the cabinet by Gong E...
Why is Gu's life so miserable?
With a "Wow" sound, Gao Ying cried like a child.
In the past, the emperor had long been impatient when he saw the queen acting wildly and crying. But now, his heart felt warm.
If the queen wasn't worried about me, how could she be so rude in front of all the ministers?
Just as he was about to feel relieved, he heard that the queen seemed to have stopped crying. She got up awkwardly and stumbled back to the collapse.
"Your Majesty, this concubine has behaved inappropriately..."
"Knowing that you care about me, how can I blame you?"
The emperor sighed leisurely and thought about the queen's kindness again: although she was more willful, she was more sincere and more virtuous than Hu Chonghua.
What a pity, why is the one who is pregnant with the prince not the queen?
While sighing, he saw Gao Zhao looking left and right again, looking at his face from time to time, and glancing to one side. Yuan Ke replied warmly: "I am fine for the time being. Li Chengzhi was poisoned by curare, but the poison was not serious.
And with timely treatment, everything will be fine..."
Gao Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. But he didn't know if he had an auditory hallucination. Yuan Ke seemed to hear an echo.
But when she turned around, everything was as usual, and the queen was still crying.
Gao Zhao was so frightened that he almost flew out of his head. He quickly raised his voice and asked urgently: "Your Majesty... what should I do?"
"Step back and listen to my announcement! Ying'er will also go down..."
The two of them retreated as instructed and knelt down at the foot of the steps. The emperor shouted Liu Teng again, and the old eunuch quickly stood up, spread out paper and ink on the emperor's side, and acted as a temporary secretary.
The emperor sighed slightly: "I inherited the precious experience at a young age, and I feel guilty for the hardships. I have been in power for eleven years, and the righteous alliance is new. Every day, every hour, every moment, I walk on thin ice, fearing to live up to the expectations of the late emperor...<
/p>
Every time I wake up in the middle of the night, I have to ask myself: am I diligent in governing and fair in my affairs? Have I established a entrepreneurship and established a system of peace and stability for the people? Have I proclaimed the three etiquettes and worshiped the four arts of the Ming Dynasty? Have I appointed virtuous people and governed wisely, and have promoted the style of service.
People will be converted according to the unheard-of customs, and the people at the frontier will be converted by the Wuji leader...
Looking back at this time, I have upheld the past for eleven years. There have been many misfortunes in government and punishment, and the virtues have not been fulfilled, and the lessons have not been learned far. Taoism is ashamed of the common people, education is ashamed of the criminal law... I am truly ashamed of our ancestors.
..."
All the ministers in the hall turned pale with horror: The emperor clearly wanted to leave a legacy edict?
Didn’t you just say to Gao Zhao: You’re okay for the time being?
Yuan Ke paused for a moment, then scanned the faces of everyone at the foot of the stairs one by one, and said in a leisurely voice: "I have been weak since childhood. In recent years, I have been getting worse and worse. I know that my time is running out, so I have already put life and death aside. I thought
, still able to survive for several years, how could he know that disasters would come from the sky and great changes would occur suddenly...
To prevent any unexpected events, I have left a legacy edict and placed it in the three halls of the Jinzhong Hall, the Zhongshu, the Gate, and the Secretaries of the Three Provinces. If anything happens, you can ask for the edict to be sent to the court to make it known to the world..."
It was Yuan Yong again, and he burst into tears: "Your Majesty..."
"I can't die yet...don't make any noise, it will make me upset..."
Yuan Ke waved his hand impatiently, "Today, the affairs of the court will be taken by seven people including the three princes, the front, left, and right attendants, and the city king. They will be presented daily for my reading. But there are
If you are undecided, you can come in and discuss it with me before making a decision... The rest need to be fully assisted..."
All the ministers respectfully said that they obeyed the decree, but their thoughts were different.
If there is a sudden change, it is a rule that the three princes temporarily take charge of government affairs. It is not surprising to add more front and left attendants. After all, Liu Fang and Cui Guangxian are well-known, and they have students all over the world. You Zhao is the emperor's teacher, the emperor's confidant, and a great scholar in the world.
The name of loyalty is unparalleled.
But Yuan Cheng, who has always been disliked, is the only one among the four servants to exclude Liu Teng, which is very intriguing.
And this minister who is assisting the government is an odd number?
Unprecedented in ancient and modern times...
Yuan Yong was so regretful that his intestines were blue, but he still couldn't complain.
If he had known this day, he should not have given up the post of Taiwei to others...
While he was feeling annoyed, he heard the emperor say: "Today, all affairs in the harem will be handed over to the queen, and Liu Teng will no longer take over temporarily. There are also several appointments and dismissals, and the order will be sent immediately:
Today's changes are all due to the lax palace confinement and lax inspections by the Imperial Guards. Yu Zhongwei, Wei Qing, and the leader of the army were immediately removed from their posts, and Yuan Yi and Gao Zhao temporarily took their place.
General Yu Wenfu, the general of the Zuowei Guard, was deprived of his title, and General Yuan Xi, the general of the Wuwei Guard, accepted his title and was handed over to the Third Division for trial... In addition, Yuan Yuan was promoted to the rank of General of the Zuowei Guard, and Yuan Yan was promoted to the rank of General of the Tiger Guard..."
Yuan Jia was overjoyed: Is it really true that people sit at home and officials come from heaven?
If this is the position of a Taiwei, what is the same with the eldest son’s position of the Left Guard General?
Not surprisingly, he must have been influenced by Li Chengzhi...
Gao Zhao was also overjoyed: In times of emergency, the emperor not only maintained his trust in him, but also granted him the position of internal guard that he had never had before?
Yuan Yi had mixed feelings: he had no military talent, so the emperor ordered him to concurrently serve as a guard in order to check and balance Gao Zhao. But the problem was that Gao Zhao was already leading the central army, and now that he was added to the leadership, wouldn't his military power be even greater? Moreover, at a glance, it is obvious that it was Li Chengzhi who risked his life to save His Majesty from disaster today. Otherwise, the emperor would not suddenly promote Yuan Yuan, Yuan Yan and other people who are close to Li Chengzhi?
The position of general general left vacant due to Yuan Yan's sudden move was most likely reserved for Li Chengzhi...
It is conceivable that Li Chengzhi will be more trusted by the emperor in the future. With Gao Zhao's help, wouldn't it be even more powerful?
After thinking about it, the emperor waved his hand again: "The three princes will stay for now, and the rest can leave..."
It is speculated that the emperor should have other instructions for these four people, and maybe the meeting will involve matters related to the foundation of the country, such as compilation (succession). Everyone in the hall was either suspicious or unwilling, but they all respectfully resigned.<
/p>
Sure enough, after everyone had left, the emperor waved back and said bluntly: "I know very well that today's matter cannot be kept secret for a long time, otherwise it will surely lead to disaster, so I urgently summoned you to the palace. I am afraid that you will be suspicious.
Simply state:
If the Hu family gives birth to a son, it will be up to him to compile and control the treasure calendar. If An Zong is destined, he will naturally choose a son from among the descendants of the Zong family to inherit. I have already determined the family, and it is all stated in the imperial edict. You can no longer criticize...
”
How dare you ask such nonsense?
The three of them said they dare not.
As soon as the conversation changed, the emperor smiled again, looked at Yuan Jia and said: "I have a happy event, I wonder if the captain is willing to accept it?"
This turn was so fast that Yuan Jia's waist almost broke.
"However, no veteran dares to disobey your orders. Please give me your instructions!"
In response, Yuan Jia's thoughts turned quickly: Could it be that the emperor wanted to grant Yuan Yuan a marriage?
Yuan Ke pondered and said: "Now there is a female Wenjun of the Gao family who has been in the palace for seven years. She has worked diligently and fulfilled her duties. I think of her loyalty and want to marry her and give her the surname Yuan. I wonder if I can ask the Taiwei to accept her as my daughter-in-law.
..."
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The three people suddenly raised their heads.
Gao Zhao's face turned pale at first, and then turned red. His face was full of anger, and his eyebrows were raised.
He was not angry at Yuan Ke, but at Li Chengzhi.
The emperor wants to grant Gao Wenjun a marriage, can he also grant it to others?
And the honor is so great that you still need to give the surname Yuan?
It's nonsense to say that Gao Wenjun is loyal. This is clearly an indirect honorary award to Li Chengzhi.
But since Gao Wenjun is already a princess, can he still be Li Chengzhi’s concubine?
The Li family and the Wei family were also engaged, and were about to marry the Zhang family. The emperor could not do the absurd act of forcing her to regret the marriage. Then there was only one possibility: the two were equal wives?
Except for Jia Chong in the Jin Dynasty, there is no old precedent to follow. There is also no precedent for a princess to serve the same husband with the dignity of a princess. How could the emperor agree so easily?
This was obviously obtained by Li Chengzhi in exchange for his rescue efforts...
But for the merit of being made a duke, you actually exchanged it for an ordinary wife?
Gao Zhao had no choice but to drag Li Chengzhi out and beat him up...
Yuan Yi's face was filled with joy.
Just now I thought that Li Chengzhi would be reused, wouldn't Gao Zhao be even more powerful? In the blink of an eye, the emperor actually had a countermeasure?
Your Majesty is wise!
Yuan Jia's eyes flashed, and he nodded with a smile: "How can I not respond to such a happy event?"
Does it mean that Yuan Jia has a son-in-law who is deeply trusted by His Majesty for no reason?
Moreover, Li Chengzhi and Yuan Yuan are incompatible with each other and complement each other. They will definitely help each other in the future...
Isn’t this a great joy?
"Then get it done as soon as possible!"
The emperor nodded with satisfaction and said leisurely: "I believe that the ancestral system cannot be taken lightly. Therefore, I have decided that if the Hu family gives birth to an heir, the old rules should be followed. What does Sikong think?
Not to be taken lightly?
This old rule is not that old rule, and it is definitely not the one that has been abolished by the emperor, but... But if there is a prince, the queen must be the legitimate mother...
A flush crept up Gao Zhao's cheeks, as if he was drunk.