These were extraordinary times, and the four of them did not dare to fly with their swords blatantly. After flying with their swords at a low altitude to the official road, they bought a shabby carriage, hung a white silk ribbon on it and rushed to the imperial capital.
Along the way, Da Qin's cavalry kept galloping on the official road, stirring up dust all over the sky, and there was a sense of urgency that a storm was about to come.
In order to inquire about news along the way, Zhao Yuan and the others walked for a full day on a short journey of dozens of miles.
There were rumors that the emperor's death was caused by a sudden illness. Of course, Zhao Yuan did not believe this rumor, because just two hours before the emperor's death, Zhao Yuan saw that the emperor was in full swing.
Zhao Yuan believed that the emperor should have made a major decision after listening to his words, and this decision made some people intolerable, and finally assassinated the emperor.
The emperor's death filled the imperial capital with uncertainty.
According to the information revealed by Princess Wan'er last time, the forces behind the scenes seem to be controlled by the queen, and the queen is a cultivator. From this, it can be inferred that the queen has, to a certain extent, eclipsed the rights of the emperor, such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Although General Changkong had power over the government and the public, he was powerless over matters within the palace.
Obviously, General Changkong did not expect that the queen would dare to risk the disapproval of the world and assassinate the emperor.
In the morning, the palace should still be full of variables, but now, the losers have lost, and the winners have won.
If the empress gains power, then Zhao Yuan would undoubtedly be taking a huge risk by going to the imperial capital at this time.
However, Zhao Yuan was not optimistic about the queen because there was General Chang Kong in the imperial capital.
General Changkong was an important minister in several dynasties and had many disciples. He was deeply rooted in the Qin Empire. It was impossible to bring him down unless he could be assassinated!
It is much easier to assassinate the emperor than to assassinate General Changkong, because General Changkong is the highest-level warrior in the Qin Empire. It is said that if you take a step further, you can ascend to immortality...
After a while of random thoughts, the three of them returned to the imperial capital.
Civil and military officials rushed to the palace to express condolences and performed the ritual of "kneeling three times and knocking nine times." The officials nearby "raised their voices and cried loudly from time to time, and the sound shook the sky." During the "three kneelings and nine knockings" ceremony, the Ministry of Etiquette
The ministers poured large glasses of white wine into the ground, and at the same time burned a large number of underworld weapons and money near the back door of the palace, so that black smoke filled the sky above the North City.
The atmosphere in the city was heavy and mournful, but the order of life was not disrupted.
It seems that the victory or defeat in the palace has been decided, but we don't know who will be the final winner. Of course, there is another possibility, that is, it is a stalemate, and no one dares to act rashly.
No matter who wins or loses, Zhao Yuan is helpless. His top priority now is to find the Red Heart Sacred Tree to heal Fairy Caixia. At present, the only clue that can trace the Red Heart Sacred Tree is the He family.
Although He Zixiong is dead, it does not mean that the He family has no clues.
In fact, if He Zixiong had not died, Zhao Yuan would not have dared to show off to the He family.
The He family's residence is not in Baihua Building, but in "Fuxing Street". The people living in this street are all wealthy people with extremely wealthy families or powerful ministers. The fact that the He family can occupy a place in this street shows that they have great influence.
status in the imperial capital.
The atmosphere in the He family was heavy, with constant wailing and white silk hangings. However, it was not because of the death of the emperor, but because of the sudden death of the head of the family, He Zixiong.
There were not many people paying their respects, and the huge He family mansion seemed a bit deserted.
Zhao Yuan asked Mingli Mingyue and Wan Ling'er to meet him outside, bought some mourning items nearby, and then walked into He Zixiong's mourning hall alone. He Ling, who was dressed in plain white, knelt on one side with her head lowered, looking heartbroken.
Her fair cheeks are so pity-inducing.
Someone led Zhao Yuan to kowtow in front of the spirit. After the ceremony, Zhao Yuan stood up and He Ling also stood up.
There was no dialogue, and Zhao Yuan was silently led to the inner room.
"Why are you here? Are you here to laugh at me?" He Ling held back the tears that came from her eyes and clenched her teeth.
"I didn't expect..." Zhao Yuan felt that his words were a bit contrary to his will.
"You know, you know!" He Ling suddenly lost control and roared hysterically at Zhao Yuan.
"Yes, I know, so what can I do! Back then, hundreds of members of our Zhao family were killed in rivers of blood, with no chickens or dogs left. In your He family, only one He Zixiong died, and there are
There are incense and candles in the mourning hall, but what about our Zhao family! What do we have? It’s just a fire, and the Zhao family’s hundreds of years of foundation have been destroyed in one fell swoop. Haha, tell me, what can I do?”
"I..." He Ling looked at Zhao Yuan blankly. At this time, Zhao Yuan had a ferocious face, like a devil.
"You are my unmarried wife, have you ever done anything for me?" Zhao Yuan said with a grim smile.
"I've done it!" He Ling blurted out.
"Have you done it?" Zhao Yuan was stunned.
He Ling glanced at Zhao Yuan coldly, pushed the door open and walked out, followed closely by Zhao Yuan. The two of them arrived at a study room one after another. The study room was elegantly decorated and full of feminine beauty.
Obviously, this is He Ling's study.
He Ling found a large wooden box. The wooden box was very delicate and locked with a copper lock.
He Ling opened the wooden box and took out a lot of documents and placed them on the desk.
"I stayed in the ruins of Zhao's house for several months, and received testimonials from the neighbors next door, as well as some information from the local government."
Zhao Yuan did not look through those documents and looked silent.
"My father knew that I was investigating the Zhao family's extermination incident, and he often asked me about my progress. However, I did not reveal the secret that you are still alive."
"Are you sure I'm still alive?" Zhao Yuan looked at He Ling with deep eyes.
"I counted all the corpses and matched them one by one. Among them, there was a burnt corpse similar to yours, but I know that it was not you."
"So what!" Zhao Yuan said calmly.
"Yes...nothing can be done...I am just a weak woman with limited abilities. Apart from knowing that you are not dead, I have never found any clues. I never dreamed that my father was actually involved...I
I have been hiding the secret that you are not dead, not because I doubt my father, but because I am afraid that he will announce it and expose the secret of your life in the world. I firmly believe... firmly believe... that you will definitely come to the He family... but... I didn't expect it.
...I'm sorry...I'm sorry...Zhao Yuan..." As He Ling spoke, she was already sobbing.
"There's no point in apologizing. Our Zhao family has been wiped out, and your father is also dead. The grudge between our Zhao family and the He family has ended here." Zhao Yuan said every word.
"No, I am still your fiancée!" He Ling said firmly.
"Not anymore."
"I know, you haven't announced it in public yet."
"I can announce at any time." Zhao Yuan looked blank.
"Then...then what are you doing here?" He Ling gritted her silver teeth.
"I'm here to ask something."
"No need to ask, if you don't admit our relationship, I won't answer any of your questions." He Ling had a look of determination on his face.
"There is no relationship between us. You are just using me, Mr. Zhao, to avenge you. Although Mr. Zhao and you have a common enemy, we have severed ties with each other. Why do you have to go to great lengths to maintain the relationship that was broken long ago?
"Zhao Yuan frowned.
"You can kill me, but in short, you won't get any benefits from me." He Ling looked sad.
"You insisted on forcing me to break off the engagement in public, and now you are forcing me to do so, why are you doing this!" Zhao Yuan said coldly.
"Your Zhao family is a victim, and our He family is also a victim. You are now successful and have hope for revenge, but I, a female prostitute, what can I do? Besides relying on my own husband, who else can I rely on?" He
Ling sobbed softly.
"This imperial capital is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. You can find a husband who can help you take revenge."
"Do you think anyone would dare to marry me?" He Ling smiled sadly.
"..."
Zhao Yuan was immediately speechless.
According to the customs of the Qin Empire, it would be difficult for a woman like He Ling, who had a husband and a father-in-law, to find a well-matched husband's family. Moreover, He Ling had to observe filial piety, and during the period of filial piety, there was no talk of marriage.
"Zhao Yuan, have you ever thought that a weak woman like me can keep the He family's huge family fortune?" He Ling wiped away her tears.
"cannot."
Zhao Yuan looked sad.
There are many things that I have imagined the consequences of. He Zixiong lost his wife in his early years, so he indulged in cultivation and never married again. He only has one son and one daughter. After He Ling's death, there is a child less than ten years old. Now, after He Zixiong's death, the He family is left with only one son and one daughter.
With He Ling in charge, it is absolutely impossible to control the He family's vast wealth. Some of the He family's old enemies will definitely add insult to injury. It will only be a matter of time for the He family to follow in the footsteps of the Zhao family.
"If the entire capital knew that you, Zhao Yuan, were my He Ling's fiancé, who would dare to covet the He family?"
"It is also possible that I, Zhao Yuan, will bring undue disaster to your He family." Zhao Yuan said calmly.
"What else does our He family have to lose? As long as you, Zhao Yuan, don't die, no one will dare to touch our He family. As for what will happen after you, Zhao Yuan, die, who can control it?"
"Having said that..."
"Zhao Yuan, I know that our He family is sorry for your Zhao family, but my father has paid the price with his life, and I, as well as my young brother, are all innocent."
"I have no responsibility or obligation to help the He family."
"Zhao Yuan, according to the laws of the Qin Dynasty, after the death of our parents, neither you nor I have the right to cancel the engagement, unless..." He Ling hesitated.
"Unless what?" Zhao Yuan frowned.
"Unless you marry me first and then divorce me."
"That's fine, so why don't you worry about Mr. Zhao breaking up with you after the wedding ceremony?" Zhao Yuan was pestered by He Ling again and again, and became a little angry from embarrassment.
"I have no objection, but according to custom, I need to observe mourning for my father for three years, so our engagement must be postponed for three years."