The veins on Shangguan Yaohua's forehead bulged as he listened. He couldn't help but interrupt, "Hey, my little sister is already weird enough. Don't give her these nonsensical ideas."
Cheng Jiaxuan said, "No matter what, Sister-in-law, you've already succeeded. In the future, don't forget to give your little sister some pointers."
Ping Ruoyu laughed and said, "Of course. I'm very familiar with that person. When we meet in the future, I'll put in a few good words for you. The two of us need to help each other. You also need to help me keep an eye on your brother. He's a very active person. I'm afraid that some young lady won't be tactful enough and will try to seduce him again. After all, I, Ping Ruoyu, have never thought of two women serving the same husband. Even if the other party's status is a prince, even if he becomes the emperor in the future, I still won't allow it. I don't care about other people, but I'm afraid that one day an old love who can't get him will suddenly have a conscience and come back to throw him a coquettish glance and say a few sweet words. He won't be able to take it … "
Shangguan Yaohua angrily said, "Ping Ruoyu, what do you mean by that? Fine, don't be so suspicious. I promise you, from now on, I won't see Nangong Xue's face. I'll completely cut off all contact with her! In the future, I'll only have you as my wife. I won't take any more concubines. Are you satisfied? Then don't be so sarcastic in front of me. I feel disgusted just by looking at you! "
Cheng Jiaxuan giggled and said, "Wow, Sister-in-law, you're really capable. Even a cold-mouthed and cold-faced person like my brother can be subdued by you. You even forced him to swear an oath to be faithful to you until death … Ay, I'm so happy I could die. " Ping Ruoyu smiled sweetly and gently looked at Shangguan Yaohua. No matter how angry he was, he couldn't vent it for a while.
The three of them were strangely maintaining their relationship on the spot. Suddenly, a guard rushed in. As soon as he entered the door, he panicked and called out softly, "Young Prince … So you haven't rested yet. That's great, that's great!" After saying this, his eyes flashed with an extremely excited light. The Shangguan Yaohua shouted, "You unruly thing! If you dare to barge in again, I will take your head!"
This sentence did not reduce the guard's good mood. He hurriedly bowed a few times and said, "His Highness wanted me to pass on the message. His Highness asked me to immediately reorganize the army and gather in the courtyard. We will enter the palace together with his Highness."
Ping Ruoyu said unhappily, "It's already so late. What matter do you have to rush into the palace? Can't you go tomorrow morning? "The Imperial Bodyguard smiled awkwardly and said," This … this is the Prince's order. As servants, we can't ask for details. Please understand, Little Prince and Fujin. "
Surprise flashed across the Shangguan Yaohua's face, but it immediately returned to an ice-cold expression. There was not the slightest trace of joy or anger on his face. He replied, "Hmm, I know what it is. You may withdraw first and report to Yifu that I will be there shortly. "The Imperial Bodyguard replied," Yes, yes. Many thanks, Young Prince. "It was as if he had been granted amnesty. It was as if he was afraid that Shangguan Yaohua would go back on his word. He immediately turned around and left the fu.
The Shangguan Yaohua did not say anything and directly returned to his room. He took out his official robe from his wardrobe and put it on. Ping Ruoyu took one of his sleeves and helped him put on the other arm. He said in a low voice, "What, is it because of that …"
The Shangguan Yaohua sneered, "Nonsense. Otherwise, if he brought me into the palace in the middle of the night not because of that matter, don't tell me it was just a spur of the moment thing to invite me to tea? "Ping Ruoyu could not help but worry. He repeatedly warned," This matter is not small. You must be careful. Even if it is for me and Xiao Xuan, you must take care of yourself. "
The Shangguan Yaohua coldly said, "Wrong. The risk is not only not small, I could lose my life at any time. From the moment I stepped onto this path, my head has always been on my waist. However, you don't need to be nervous. My life and death is not for anyone else's sake. When the time comes, I won't be the leader. Feel free to follow behind me. With so many shields, what is there to be nervous about? "
Cheng Jiaxuan also followed behind him. On the contrary, he was not flustered at all. On the contrary, he appeared to be very interested. He said, "Gege, let me go with you, okay? This kind of forced abdication is something I've never seen in my entire life. "
The Shangguan Yaohua impatiently said, "You're talking nonsense again. How can a girl participate in this kind of matter? If you don't want to die, then restrain yourself. "Cheng Jiaxuan pursed his lips and said," I can be like you and hide behind someone else. If a girl isn't suitable, then I'll dress up as a man and pretend to be your personal bodyguard. Is that okay? "
The Shangguan Yaohua smoothly ridiculed, "Have you ever seen an assassin bring along a personal bodyguard for an assassination? Ruoyu, look after her for me. The two of you stay in the residence obediently. "As he said this, he put on his official's hat and left hurriedly without looking at the two girls. In the blink of an eye, he was already out of the room.
Although this was not the first time Cheng Jiaxuan saw him in his official's robes, his heroic aura made him unable to shift his gaze away. Ping Ruoyu looked at the Shangguan Yaohua's back and sighed. It was as if he could only stand in the same place forever and stare blankly at his back as he left. However, he was unable to close the distance between the two of them. He and Cheng Jiaxuan looked at each other and smiled bitterly. Their arms trembled slightly as they leaned against the door frame.
By the time the Shangguan Yaohua had finished organizing the troops, he led the troops and generals to the courtyard. By the time they arrived, it was already time to eat a meal. Prince Fu was already dressed in full military uniform. With his hands clasped behind his back, he paced back and forth with an angry look on his face. None of the high-ranking officers dared to talk to him.
The Shangguan Yaohua was the first one who did not know what was good for him. "Yifu," he said indifferently, "It's about time." His tone was especially indifferent, as if his arrival was a matter of course. The rest of the troops saw that he had ignited Prince Fu's anger, they were somewhat rejoicing in his misfortune.
Sure enough, the Prince Fu's anger instantly intensified. "Why did you take so long to prepare?" He shouted, "What are you dawdling for?"
The Shangguan Yaohua unhurriedly said, "This kind of matter cannot be rushed. Yifu, haven't you heard the old saying, 'the latecomer will surpass the senior'? We don't need to participate in the initial chaotic battle, let the people in front divide the situation, lose soldiers and generals, and exhaust our military strength. When the time comes, we can effortlessly accept the results. If we really can't, we can decide our position accordingly. Wasn't the Noble Consort Yun's intention in the beginning exactly the same? Rather than throwing away our lives early, we might as well train our own military strength first, and wait for the opportunity to take advantage of the situation. "
This was indeed a good idea. If they appeared later, they would be able to observe the overall situation. If the Emperor gained the upper hand, they would immediately betray their comrades and pretend to be loyal and devoted to protect the Emperor. Their hatred toward the traitor was a hundred times greater than the person who killed their father. They would immediately draw their sword and behead that person on the spot. The first step would be to demonstrate their loyalty to the Emperor. The second step would be to kill them as soon as possible to prevent future trouble. At most, they would bear the crime of 'coming late to protect the Emperor', but their loyalty would be commendable. Not only they would not be at fault, they would have rendered meritorious service.
If they could really push the Emperor down from the throne, the alliance they had formed would immediately collapse, and all sides would fight over the Imperial Jade Seal. Either one side would emerge victorious, or both sides would suffer heavy losses in the chaotic battle. When the time came, the enemy would only have one troop whose strength was greatly reduced, or perhaps a room full of defeated soldiers and generals. Without too much effort, they would be able to sweep them away in one fell swoop.
But Prince Fu was unwilling to agree with Shangguan Yaohua. "If you have your own plan," he said, "At least you should report it to ben Wang first. Don't forget that I am the one leading the operation this time. You disobeyed orders without permission, how should you be punished? "
"Yifu," Shangguan Yaohua said indifferently, "Child has told you, the time is almost up. Should we hurry to the Imperial Palace to fight over the Imperial Jade Seal, or should we let you waste more time scolding me, and then discuss the reward and punishment plan? When the time comes, we won't be arriving first even if we set out later. I am afraid other people will obtain the Imperial Jade Seal and announce their ascension to the throne. If you rush over, you will be going to pay your respects to the new Emperor. "
Although Prince Fu was angry, he would not let the cooked duck fly away. Raising his hand, he shouted, "Alright, we have to consider the overall situation. Let's go! "
The troops trotted forward. Shangguan Yaohua followed behind Prince Fu. "According to Noble Consort Yun," he said, "The most important thing in this plan is the process. If we want to carry it out, we will have to wait for a period of time, so we must have enough patience. Why did you suddenly bring it forward, leaving us completely unprepared? "
Prince Fu said, "We were caught unprepared, won't His Majesty be even more alarmed?" "Oh?" Shangguan Yaohua said, "What? Is that so? Isn't that a bit too risky? If by any chance we are not fully prepared and rashly make our move, won't it be like striking a rock with an egg? "
Prince Fu said in a low voice, "Logically speaking, we shouldn't be in such a hurry. It's all because there are several good-for-nothings who can't keep their cool … I'll tell you on the way, hurry up! "Shangguan Yaohua pursed his lips. Under the dim light of the night, he could not see clearly, but he also followed them.
Sure enough, the situation outside the Palace of Heavenly Purity was tense. A large number of Imperial Bodyguards surrounded the three inner and three outer layers of the Palace, so that not even a sliver of gap could be seen. The torches in their hands were burning fiercely, the light from the fire illuminated the dark night as if it was daytime, but it also illuminated the bloodthirsty faces, which looked particularly sinister.
Sabers and swords collided, gongs and drums sounded together. It was the first time that the Palace of Heavenly Purity, which had always been quiet and peaceful, was filled with endless clamor. The Imperial Bodyguards were shouting and yelling together, so that nobody could tell what they were saying.
Several princes, dukes, and nobles were standing in front of the troops; they were the leaders of this operation. Each one of them was staring at the Palace gate, from time to time they would look at each other, but they did not say anything. Only they themselves knew what was going on in their minds. Through the thick paper window, they could only see the dim light inside the room. As for the specific situation, or what His Majesty was going to do, nobody could see.
These people had been government officials for a long time, they were afraid of the Palace of Heavenly Purity's prestige, so they did not dare to burn and kill their way in. But looking around the outside of the Palace, they could also see the corpses of many Imperial Bodyguards lying on the ground. Fresh blood meandered under everyone's feet, seemingly indicating that this operation was destined to set them on a path of no return.
All the soldiers clenched the weapons in their hands tightly, as if only by doing so could they provide themselves with some courage, but also remind themselves that once the bow is shot, there is no turning back. They did not want to be too nervous and turn around to run away halfway, becoming a traitor.
The fidgety and uneasy noise continued for a long time. Suddenly, a deafening gong sounded, immediately returning the surroundings to silence. An old official with grizzled hair and beard took a step forward, moving closer to the Palace gate. He deliberately used a negotiating tone, but his voice was quite loud, so that everyone present could hear him clearly. Patiently and patiently, he said, "Your Majesty, you still don't believe me? You already have no way to escape. For the sake of the late Emperor, and also for the sake of our relationship as monarch and subject, this old official can't harden my heart to take your life. I ask that you carefully consider our conditions. As long as you agree, all the promises we made before will be counted. Isn't that much better than the current deadlock? We can take more drastic measures. Right now, both sides are taking a step back, and this calamity will disappear into nothingness. Isn't this in line with Your Majesty's desire to cherish the common people? "
Shunzhi stood alone in the Palace Hall, his feet stopping at a calligraphy book in the corner. His raised finger, intentionally or unintentionally, traced the strokes of the calligraphy. No matter how much noise was going on outside the Palace Hall, it was as if it had nothing to do with him. Outside the Palace Hall, the voice of an old official said, "Why are you talking so much with him? Just drag him out and behead him. Don't tell me we can't find him ourselves? "
The person from before seemed to make a hand gesture to stop him from speaking. Then, he said in a good-natured voice, "Your Majesty, a wise man knows better than to fight when the odds are against him. It's not that you'll be fine if you don't speak. If we have no other choice, we can only make both sides unhappy. Alright, I'll repeat the conditions again. As long as you hand over the Imperial Jade Seal, this old official will immediately open the door and let you go. In the future, if you're willing, we can treat you as the Retired Emperor. You can still enjoy all the privileges you had before. What's wrong with that? For the sake of the long term, it's best if you carefully consider it and agree! "After waiting for a while, the Palace Hall was still silent.
Yuren finally lost his patience. Another leader angrily said, "It seems like he's chosen to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! There's no need to negotiate with him anymore. Let's just charge in! "
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