"Returning to court? Who gave him the guts! Zhen's imperial envoy hasn't arrived yet and hasn't given him a decree. He actually dares to come back like this! "
Li Qitian was shocked and angry. He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. Only the sound of his footsteps and heavy breathing could be heard in the imperial study.
After a while, Li Qitian immediately issued a decree: "Northern cities, use all your strength to intercept Pang Xiao's group! Whoever can capture Pang Xiao alive, zhen will grant that person the title of Duke, hereditary! "
One had to know that for hundreds of years, there had been a rule in Beiji that all titles of nobility were nobility. That was to say, the title of nobility was inferior and hereditary. There were very few hereditary titles. Now that the Son of Heaven was willing to open his golden mouth, it was clear how much he feared Prince Zhongshun returning to court.
Pang Xiao had outstanding military achievements. Now that he and Ji Zeyu had defeated the Tatan together, his status in the hearts of the people had already risen to another level. Even though Li Qitian tried to slander and obstruct him, the prince of the previous dynasty had repeatedly opposed him. Every time, it was with great momentum and was impossible to guard against. This made all of Li Qitian's actions serve as a foil, which made Pang Xiao's image even greater.
Li Qitian was well aware of this point, which was why he was so worried and urgently needed to control Pang Xiao.
However, man proposes, God disposes. Unexpectedly, things had turned out like this.
The person who delivered the decree quickly headed to the northern cities.
Li Qitian anxiously waited for news.
In the imperial harem, which concubine and concubine did not hope for the Son of Heaven's personal arrival? However, ever since the Tatan war broke out, the Son of Heaven had not stepped into the imperial harem for several months. The concubines and concubines had nowhere to vent their worries, so they all tried to find out Li Qitian's itinerary openly or secretly, hoping to meet him by chance.
However, they did not have the opportunity.
Today, several concubines and concubines were gathered in Qiankun Palace and were discussing this matter with the Empress. Sun mama, who served the Empress, quickly walked in from outside and whispered a few words into the Empress's ear with a grave expression.
When the Empress heard that "Prince Zhongshun is returning to court, perhaps he will encounter the Imperial Envoy sent by the Son of Heaven along the way," her eyes could not help but widen. The color of blood immediately receded from her proud face.
The concubines examined the Empress's expression and knew that something major must have happened. Otherwise, this person who handled matters so calmly would not have such an expression.
"Niang niang, is something troubling you? If you tell us, we can help you share your worries. "
"Yes, Your Highness. Is something the matter?"
The Empress's heart was thumping, but there were some things that could not be said casually. The harem was not allowed to interfere with politics. Moreover, she knew her husband's personality too well. Even if his skills were not as good as others, he would not allow anyone to say anything wrong. If she said anything here and these people in front of her spread it to the Emperor's ears, wouldn't it become her fault?
The Empress brushed it off, saying that she was tired, and dismissed everyone.
After everyone left, Sun mama moved closer to the Empress and said in a low voice: "Niang niang, what do you think should be done? Your Majesty arranged for someone to deliver the edict, but before the edict arrived, Prince Zhongshun dares to return to court. This is clearly a sign that something is not right. "
The Empress nodded and asked: "Where is Hao ge 'er?"
Sun mama said: "His Highness is studying with his master. Does Your Highness want to summon him?"
"No, let him study well. It's just that these days … "She moved closer to Sun mama's ear and also lowered her voice," Prepare Hao ge 'er's clothes. If the situation is not right, immediately send the child out. "
"Niang niang, you!" Sun mama turned pale with fright.
The Empress's eyes were red and filled with tears, "This is something that can't be helped. Although being a prince is precious, if things go wrong, I'm afraid that being a prince will become Hao ge 'er's death symbol! He's only five years old, what does he know? Why should he be dragged down by others? This Empress has lived for so many years, it's enough. I only have Hao ge 'er in my life. Even if I have to risk universal condemnation, I must let Hao ge' er live. "
Sun mama's nose turned sour and tears fell down, "Niang niang, it's not necessary. It's not necessary to be like this. You are the mother of the country, and His Little Highness is Your Majesty's only son. No matter what, it's not necessary … "
"It's because of this that we have to prepare for both sides." The Empress held back her tears and whispered: "I don't expect Hao ge 'er to be a famous ruler. I only hope that he can be an ordinary and healthy child. He can live every day happily and peacefully until he's old. This way, the child's journey in this world will not be in vain."
The Empress stood up and her body couldn't help but sway. Sun mama hurriedly supported her.
"Niang niang, this servant understands your meaning. But if something really happens, His Highness can't go alone. This servant will think of a way to arrange everything. If it doesn't work, you can take His Highness with you. "
"Me?" The Empress smiled self-deprecatingly. She didn't pretend to be the Empress anymore. She just shook her head and said: "I can't go. Just like when the Emperor dealt with Pang Xiao, he didn't even let the Qin Clan go. Think about it, anyone who opposes the Emperor, when it really comes to that point, won't they not let me go? "
Sun mama was speechless for a moment and couldn't find the words to explain.
The Empress sighed: "I know your intentions and your loyalty. We are master and servant. For so many years, I have always treated you as my family. Now the situation is urgent. Your Majesty and Prince Zhongshun must fight. In the end, it's unknown who will live to the end. I just want to ask you, when there is no other choice, immediately take Hao ge away and live an ordinary life outside. At that time, he is no longer a prince, no longer Li Hao. He is just a child of an ordinary family, and you are his grandmother. I will prepare money and a house for you. I just want you to raise Hao ge as your grandson and let him be a proper person. "
At this point, the Empress choked with sobs.
Granny Sun almost started sobbing.
The master and servant looked at each other and cried, but because of the rules of the palace, they had to restrain their tears.
"As a woman, why is it so difficult? I don't see much good fortune. Even as the Empress, this servant has never seen you truly happy. But when it comes to danger, you have to be dragged down. Why bother? "
The Empress smiled bitterly, "This is fate. Aren't all women like this? "
The Empress couldn't help but think of the bits and pieces of Pang Xiao and Qin Yining's time together. When she thought of the experience at Wanfo Temple that day, she still felt a little sweet and a little bitter.
Qin Yining was in the same situation as her. They were bound together for good or ill. He had also been dragged down by Pang Xiao several times. But Qin Yining had Pang Xiao's sincere love and care. Even if she died for such a man, she should be willing, right?
What about her? Her husband was no longer the same person. He had no patience for her, no love, and even no affection for her. The reason why she was still sitting on the Empress's seat was because the Emperor wanted to show his loyalty, so he didn't let his wife go.
She was cautious and didn't expect any love. She just wanted her son to grow up safely. But now it seemed that a storm was coming. Her husband couldn't even give her this. She had to be prepared to be buried with him.
Was it fair?
Where was the fairness in this world?
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Lei Guoneng and Song Deqiu were ordered to lead three thousand battalions to the north to announce the imperial edict. Not long after they set out, they heard that Your Majesty had ordered the officials in the north to capture Pang Xiao and that there would be a great reward.
The scouts they sent out found out that Pang Xiao had already led troops in the direction of the capital before they could issue the imperial edict to capture him.
Lei Guoneng and Song Deqiu panicked.
"Prince Zhongshun and Duke Dingguo came together with at least three hundred thousand soldiers and horses. We said that we brought three thousand battalions, but we have more than a thousand people in total. How can we capture Prince Zhongshun?"
"Capture? I knew we couldn't capture him from the beginning. " Song Deqiu shook his head, "This matter is really not easy to handle. We can't win in martial arts, so it's impossible to capture him. But if we don't go, we'll be defying the imperial edict."
"But if we go, I'm afraid we won't be able to keep our lives."
The two ordered the thousand or so soldiers to stay where they were and were not in a hurry to move forward.
At this time, the further they went forward, the closer they were to Pang Xiao. They all felt fear in their hearts.
And Pang Xiao had indeed heard that Li Qitian had ordered the officials in the north to capture him and that there would be a great reward. He originally thought that he would have to go through a lot of trouble just to pass by a city.
He didn't expect that the first city they passed by after leaving the four passes at the border would have the city gates open wide and let them pass before they could even make a move.
"Wang Ye is our savior. If it weren't for Wang Ye, would we still be able to return to our hometown to farm?"
"Wang Ye and Duke Dingguo repelled the Tatars. No Tatars will be able to charge in from now on. We will never forget Wang Ye's great kindness for the rest of our lives. We just opened the gates and let you pass by. How much trouble can it be? "
Pang Xiao's army's journey was extremely smooth. The places he led the troops to were all the same as when they chased the Tatan out. It was the same as going back the same way they came.
Although the Emperor's decree was posted on the notice board, the people all saw it. The mountain was high and the Emperor was far away, so they acted like they didn't know and directly opened the gates to let them pass. There were even people who stuffed food and clothes into the hands of the Tiger Army and the Southern Peace Army.
Such a smooth and unobstructed scene was truly surprising.
When Li Qitian heard the news, he was so angry that his eyes turned red. He immediately flew into a rage during the court assembly.
"These people are neglecting their duties! They didn't even stop the enemy from invading. Instead, they opened the gates for them. What kind of logic is this? While eating my salary, I even raised an outsider! "
The officials in the court assembly didn't dare to say much.
What could they do now?
The enemy had the advantage in numbers. In order to fight the Tatars, the Emperor sent all the troops that could go to the Northern Frontier. Only the Jingji Guard and the Three Thousand Battalion were left in the capital.
The scary thing about Pang Xiao was that he had too much prestige in the army. Li Qitian was even worried that Pang Xiao would have a smooth journey in the remaining territories. When he reached the capital, would he bring people to attack?
If he really attacked, how would they be able to stop him?
Seeing that everyone was silent, Li Qitian became more and more irritable.
He didn't know when he would be unable to bear it and go crazy.
When Pang Xiao returned with his troops, he definitely wouldn't let him off easily! How could he fight against him?
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