The sudden changes in the royal family of Liang Kingdom spread quickly.
Anyone with a discerning eye knows that this is Situ Xie seeking power and usurping the throne. It seems that only one Situ Han has died now, but his sons will not end well. The first one to be operated on was Situ Jing.
However, it was reasonable for Situ Xie to issue such a killing order to his nominal grand-nephew Situ Jing, because Situ Jing had betrayed the Liang Kingdom, changed his name to Qiu Jing, and became the commander-in-chief of the Qian Kingdom’s Northern Army. Who could be charged with treason? Can you bear it?
When news enters Qian Kingdom, the first place to arrive is Xuanbei City.
When Qiu Cong learned about it, he had just bought roast chicken from outside, took out a jar of wine sent by Su Liang during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and planned to have a few drinks with Qiu Jing and his grandson.
Hearing the spies rushing over and saying that there was news from the Liang Kingdom, Qiu Cong pulled off a big chicken leg and snorted, "News from the Liang Kingdom? Has it been called? Or was Situ Han killed by lightning?"
Qiu Jing knew that Qiu Cong hated Situ Han the most, so it was completely normal for him to say such things.
The spy quickly talked about the changes in the royal family of Liang Kingdom. Qiu Jing stared at it, and Qiu Cong stopped halfway through eating the chicken drumsticks.
"Tiger poison does not eat its seeds. Situ Xie actually killed Situ Han for the throne?" Although Qiu Cong hoped that Situ Han would die a good death, he never thought it would be such a result.
The spy then mentioned something directly related to them, "The new Emperor Liang has offered a reward of one hundred thousand taels of gold for General Qiu's head."
Qiu Jing's expression became calmer. If Situ Xie and even Situ Han could be eliminated, it meant that he had completely stopped pretending after his two-year plan failed, and revealed his true colors of cruelty and ruthlessness. How could he let him go? Qiu Jing, the person who ruined his life and rubbed his face on the ground?
Qiu Cong instantly became furious, "I know that bitch Situ Xie! One hundred thousand taels of gold? Okay, let's see who has the guts to kill my grandson! I've been itchy for a long time!"
The last sentence was true. The main reason why Qiu Cong had to follow Qiu Jing to Xuanbeicheng and stay here with him was to prevent him from being assassinated by the Liang royal family. He waited and saw no action from the Liang royal family. Qiu Jing said no. When the time comes, sure enough, now the time has come!
"Grandpa, hurry up and eat the meat. It will get cold soon." Qiu Jing pulled Qiu Cong and asked him to sit back. Then he asked the spy to rest and called someone over.
Soon, the eight hundred miles urgent news left Xuanbei City and rushed to the capital.
After doing this, Qiu Jing picked up the wine Qiu Cong poured for him and drank it all in one gulp, "This wine is good."
"The gift from Xiaoliang is of course the best." Qiu Cong frowned and looked at Qiu Jing, "I will live in the same room with you, and you are not allowed to leave my sight."
"This... I don't mind, but if there is a reward of one hundred thousand taels of gold, I'm afraid even some old guys who have lived in seclusion will be tempted." Qiu Jing's face was calm, but he knew in his heart that he was now at great risk. This time the trouble was not easy to solve. He asked Duanmu Chen for instructions on who would take charge of the overall situation in Xuanbeicheng if something happened to him, and asked Duanmu Chen to make a decision as soon as possible.
Qiu Cong used to be a reclusive old guy. Hearing this, he hummed, "Let them come here!"
"It shouldn't be so soon." Qiu Jing sighed, and suddenly smiled after saying this, "It's okay, with grandpa's protection, I just took this opportunity to practice my skills, otherwise it will always be difficult to improve. Next time we meet, I will have to talk to Gu Ling Let’s fight again.”
"That's right. We did the thing, and we will bear the consequences. What are you afraid of? Situ Xie was originally your biggest enemy. Now that he has become the emperor, he wants to make clouds and rain with his hands, just dream! Qiu Cong's eyes were cold, "Eat the chicken legs and let's practice again!"
…
The capital of Qian Kingdom.
The rumors from Liang Kingdom have not reached the capital yet, but urgent news from Xuanbei City has arrived.
Su Liang and Gu Ling were invited into the palace by Chang'an. When they saw Duanmu Chen, he looked pretty good and shared the news he had just received with them.
"He finally stopped pretending." Su Liang was a little surprised, but only a little. Situ Xie would take this step sooner or later, because there was only one dragon chair, and if he let others sit on it, he would not be able to control the situation. And Situ Xie had the power of Liang Guo With absolute strength and power, even if Situ Han has been the emperor for many years, he is still essentially a puppet.
Situ Xie did not want to be emperor, but refused to give up his supreme power. This can only show that he is an arrogant and control freak at heart. He is too conceited and has a strong desire to control. He thinks that even if he does not sit on the throne, he can have everything under control. .This was indeed the case in the past, but many things in the past two years have exceeded his expectations, and his plan no longer works.
In short, before usurping the throne, Situ Xie was both responsible and established. He wanted power, but did not want to bear the infamy of seeking power and usurping the throne.
"When Situ Xie comes to power, there is no fundamental difference between Situ Xie and Situ Han. Maybe the Liang royal family will be tougher in the future." Duanmu Chen originally regarded Situ Xie and Situ Han as one. It was just that they were originally "uncle and nephew". "Coexistence and intrigue are more in line with the interests of the state of Qian. Now the situation has changed, but it is not at all to the extent that Duanmu Chen is afraid.
"It's just," Duanmu Chen continued, "the most urgent task is to resolve Situ Xie's reward for Qiu Jing."
It is the time for Qian State to hire people, and Qiu Jing is currently the best among the generals of Qian State. If something happens to him, it will be a great loss to Qian State and also affect the morale of the army. He took the risk to betray Liang State and be loyal to Qian State. If, as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Army, he was beheaded by the Liang Kingdom, the Qian Kingdom would also be very embarrassed.
Su Liang said in a faint tone, "On the condition of sending Situ Yao back to Liang Kingdom, let Situ Xie cancel the reward order for Qiu Jing?" There is a difference between assassination and obvious reward. Assassination can only be done by Situ Xie's people, obviously. Huge bounties will attract experts from all walks of life, and the latter are even more uncontrollable.
Duanmu Chen's face darkened when he heard this, "Su Liang, don't tell me that you are serious! Situ Yao is my woman, isn't this the same as asking me to sell my own woman in exchange for profits?"
Su Liang coughed lightly, "Your Majesty, calm down, I'm just raising a possibility."
"She's pregnant." Duanmu Chen snorted coldly.
Su Liang was surprised, "Congratulations to the Emperor and Concubine Liang."
"Tell me something serious and feasible!" Duanmu Chen was actually not really angry. At this moment, he even felt that his reaction just now seemed a bit excessive. Would it make Su Liang and Gu Ling think that he valued Situ Yao very much?
"It's actually simple." Su Liang said, "As for the reward, just use money to solve the problem. Since the new emperor of Liang Kingdom is so determined, we can just give him a big gift in return. Our country of Qian is offering a reward of one hundred and one tael. For gold, I want the head of Situ Xie’s eldest grandson, Situ Jing.”
Duanmu Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, "What's the reason?"
"We can spend money as long as we are happy with it. What's the reason?" Su Liang snorted, "I just told Situ Xie that Qiu Jing is a member of my country, and he can't do it if he wants. He wants Qiu Jing to die. , let his precious eldest grandson be buried with him. If he doesn’t want Situ Jing’s safety to be threatened, he should quickly cancel the reward order!”
Treat the other person with his own way. As for Situ Xie who wants to say that Qiu Jing is a traitor to the Liang Kingdom and wants the Qian Kingdom to be handed over to the Liang Kingdom for disposal, then he needs to explain why Qiu Jing is the chief of Xuanbei City. Big, the source of the matter is that Situ Xie secretly sent Qiu Jing to Qianguo for detailed investigation. This account can also be settled.
Duanmu Chen thought this method was very good, "The national treasury is tight, how about you two rich men paying for the bounty?"
Su Liang smiled and shook his head, "It's not that we can't afford it, but if it gets out, it might make the emperor lose face."
Duanmu Chen is also joking, because there is a high probability that he will not actually need to pay in the end, but just express an attitude.
When Su Liang and Gu Ling left the palace, the reward order from the Qian Kingdom was officially announced: the head of Situ Jing, the grandson of the emperor of the Liang Kingdom, would be rewarded with a bounty of one hundred and one taels of gold.
This fraction is very interesting, it is obviously for Situ Xie to see.
But when it comes to showing off, Situ Xie really dares to bet that the one who is in danger is his grandson. Because the masters who want to offer bounties don't care about the twists and turns. As long as they believe in the bounty order issued by the royal family, they will not give up for the sake of face. If you admit your debt, you may be able to complete the reward mission.
…
At nightfall, Duanmu Chen went to the Queen Mother Xiao's place and saw that Queen Xing Yuyan and Liang Guifei Situ Yao were both there.
They are all pregnant, and Mrs. Xiao hopes that they will be harmonious and the most important thing is to give birth to the child safely.
Xing Yuyan deliberately showed off her high status in front of Situ Yao, and Duanmu Chen did not refuse her approach, but secretly observed Situ Yao's expression.
Situ Yao behaved very grandly, as gentle as ever, but occasionally she narrowed her eyes, showing a bit of disappointment.
Duanmu Chen didn't notice it himself, but he was a little happy to see that Situ Yao seemed jealous.
After dinner, Mrs. Xiao asked Duanmu Chen to send Xing Yuyan back first.
Duanmu Chen stood up in response, and Xing Yuyan couldn't hide her smile when she heard Duanmu Chen say, "I will send the queen back to Yao'er."
Situ Yao's eyes lit up, Duanmu Chen didn't pay attention to Xing Yuyan's expression that changed instantly, and walked out on his own.
When Mrs. Xiao saw this, she couldn't help but frowned. Onlookers knew that she had recently felt that Duanmu Chen was really different from Situ Yao, and it was not like he said it at the beginning just to test.
Duanmu Chen didn't talk to Xing Yuyan along the way, he was just thinking about whether to tell Situ Yao the news he got today. Such a big thing cannot be hidden.
After sending Xing Yuyan back, Duanmu Chen turned around and left without even taking a seat.
Xing Yuyan was so angry that she called Situ Yao a fox and cried again.
By the time Duanmu Chen arrived at Situ Yao's palace, she had already changed her clothes and had a midnight snack ready.
After talking about the conversation, Situ Yao was as considerate as ever, "The emperor seems to have something on his mind?"
Duanmu Chen sighed, "There is indeed something, I think I should tell you."
Situ Yao nodded, "Your Majesty, please speak."
"This is the news that just came from the north today." Duanmu Chen told Situ Yao about the changes in the royal family of Liang Kingdom.
Situ Yao looked surprised at first, and then showed sadness, "Uncle Huang always loves me very much."
Duanmu Chen looked at Situ Yao's sad look and felt it was a bit fake. Did she really not know that Situ Han was killed by Situ Xie? Is this really naive, or is she pretending?
But Duanmu Chen didn't care much about this. He liked smart people, and Situ Yao's current behavior was very normal. She couldn't be happy to say that her grandfather finally became the emperor.
Duanmu Chen held Situ Yao's hand, "I am also shocked that such a thing happened. However, there is one more thing. After your grandfather ascended the throne, he issued a reward order of one hundred thousand taels of gold for Qiu Jing's head."
Situ Yao was stunned for a moment, "This... my grandfather had no choice but to do this. General Qiu was the most respected by my grandfather. As the prince of the Liang Kingdom, he betrayed the Liang Kingdom. If my grandfather did not do this, he would not be able to do so." Let me explain to the people. I believe that my grandfather’s move was never an attempt to antagonize the country of Qian.”
Duanmu Chen's face paled a little, "Then what do you think I should do?"
Situ Yao sighed, "I just feel that General Qiu is capricious and not a trustworthy person. The emperor has entrusted him with an important task, so he must not ruin the big things."
"Because he once ruined your grandfather's important affairs, otherwise you wouldn't marry him?" Duanmu Chen's sudden change of expression shocked Situ Yao, and his face instantly turned pale.
"Your Majesty, I definitely didn't mean that. After all, I grew up in Liang Kingdom and just got married not long ago. I can't forget my relatives. If I said something wrong, please forgive me." Situ Yao stood up and knelt down. He was frightened, his face was pale, and only his eyes were red, which really made me feel pity for him.
"Qiu Jing is a spy arranged by your grandfather to deal with the Qian Kingdom. I haven't settled this account with him yet. Now that he has offered a reward to kill the commander-in-chief of the Northern Army of the Qian Kingdom, you actually told me not to do anything? Let your grandfather do it. Killed?" Duanmu Chen looked at Situ Yao with a disappointed expression, "Actually, there is a way to resolve the conflict. If you care about your mother's family so much, I will send you back and ask your grandfather to cancel the reward order. Do you think he will agree? "
Situ Yao's expression froze, "I am pregnant with the emperor's child..."
Duanmu Chen hummed, "So if I'm not pregnant, do you really want to go back?"
Situ Yao grabbed Duanmu Chen's clothes, "I really didn't mean that, the emperor misunderstood..."
Duanmu Chen's face was expressionless, "Actually, what I really want to tell you when I come here tonight is that I have issued the same reward order during the day for your eldest brother's head. The reward is one or two more than what your grandfather gave."
Hearing this, Situ Yao was stunned at first, and then kowtowed to beg Duanmu Chen to take back his life, "I know it was my grandfather who was at fault first. But that is my eldest brother. If the emperor has any sympathy for me, please don't do that." .”
"I have more than half a pity for you, but now it seems that you are not worth it." Duanmu Chen shook off Situ Yao, turned around and walked away.
Chang An, who was waiting outside, saw Duanmu Chen's sullen face. He didn't know what was going on and didn't dare to ask. He just followed him silently to the imperial garden.
There is a pavilion in the Imperial Garden. Ever since he was a child, Duanmu Chen liked to sit in a certain position to calm down when he was troubled.
On the night when Ji Yueyan stabbed her with a hairpin, Su Liang and Gu Ling came to see Duanmu Chen, and he was sitting here looking at the moon.
Seeing that Duanmu Chen was going to his old place, Chang'an also stopped at his old place. He could see Duanmu Chen but would not disturb him.
Duanmu Chen sat down and looked up, only to see that there was no moon in the sky tonight, only a few sparse stars, and the starlight was much dimmer than in the past, just like Duanmu Chen's mood at the moment.
The moment he was disappointed with Situ Yao, he realized that he seemed to be really attracted to this woman. Because Situ Yao really suited his liking, and being with her made him feel very comfortable and relaxed.
But now Duanmu Chen is awake. He has always wanted to test Situ Yao, and what happened tonight finally gave him the answer.
In the final analysis, what disappointed Duanmu Chen was not the fact that Situ Yao cared about her natal relatives. Because Duanmu Chen would not like a cold-blooded woman.
The key is that Duanmu Chen discovered that Situ Yao was stupid.
Born in the royal family, Situ Yao should know that love is a luxury. When she was sent to the Qian Kingdom by her grandfather in exchange for Situ Jing's chess piece, when Situ Jing said he felt sorry for her, he allowed her to marry into the Qian Kingdom. When she was in the harem, she should have understood that if she wanted to settle down and live in the future, she would rely on Duanmu Chen, not those family members who didn't really care about her.
Originally a princess, Situ Yao is now a real princess in the Liang Kingdom. However, she is pregnant with Duanmu Chen's child, but she still stupidly defends the Liang Kingdom's royal family in front of Duanmu Chen. She still doesn't understand why. This is her home for the rest of her life, which is simply ridiculous.
Situ Yao is good at playing music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and being considerate. But she is obviously Situ Xie's good granddaughter, and she still is, and she has revealed that she wants to use her emotions to influence Duanmu Chen's decision-making and thus help Situ Xie. Probably It was Duanmu Chen who gave Situ Yao an illusion recently, making her really feel that she was the most special one in the harem.
In fact, this might not have been an illusion, as long as she chose the right position.
Unfortunately, Duanmu Chen was a little obsessed, and Situ Yao was also confused at the same time.
Duanmu Chen didn't have such high requirements for women, but he thought Situ Yao was smart. He liked smart people.
From this point of view, Ji Yueyan is much smarter than Situ Yao. At least she has clearly seen the nature of the royal family and has no nostalgia after leaving. The previous plan was actually not bad, but it was a pity that Su Liang was found out, but She has goals, has the courage to do it, and is willing to fight for her love even if it is dangerous.
Duanmu Chen's request for Situ Yao is just that he hopes that she will wake up and plan for herself instead of thinking about things for some unworthy people.
From this perspective, Xing Yuyan is also stupid, but at least she is simple and Duanmu Chen can see through her thoughts at a glance.
Not to mention Su Liang, there was another very smart woman in Duanmu Chen's life, and that was his mother, Queen Mother Xiao. She took advantage of her natal family while avoiding being controlled by her natal family. She always kept a clear head and became a loyal friend to Duanmu Yi. The most lovely concubine also protected her son and is still helping Duanmu Chen manage the harem to avoid conflicts and disputes among the concubines.
"Chang'an." Duanmu Chen suddenly said.
Chang'an immediately responded and ran over, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"I want to eat the sauced pork buns made by Su Liang." Duanmu Chen said.
Chang'an was stunned for a moment and said weakly, "It's too late now. Mrs. Gu must have gone to bed early because she is pregnant. And now Gu Hou is the one doing the cooking."
Duanmu Chen nodded, "Gu Ling can do it too."
Chang'an: ...If he dares to ask Gu Ling to get up and steam buns, he is very likely to be beaten, and he feels that he deserves it...
"Subordinate, go right away..." Chang An said bravely.
Duanmu Chen stood up and walked over, "What are you doing at this late hour? I didn't say I wanted to eat now. Tomorrow I plan to pay a private visit to the Su Mansion incognito to see my godson." By the way, I chatted with Su Liang. His little annoyance, after all, is his best friend.