"Pa — —" With a crisp sound, Yuchi Yan's face was slapped to one side. Blood immediately trickled down from the corner of his cracked lips.
Yuchi Yan supported the kneeling Qin Huaiyuan with both hands. He looked up in disbelief at the angry and panting emperor. For a moment, it was as if he didn't recognize this person.
When the emperor punished the crown prince, he would reprimand and confine him. If he punished him, he would never hit his face.
A slap to the crown prince's face was equivalent to shattering all of his dignity and prestige. How could the crown prince convince the people in front of him in the future?
But the emperor, who was shocked and angry, didn't care about this at all. In the emperor's eyes, other than resentment towards the incompetence of his officials, there was only fear of the Zhou Dynasty invading the capital. What else was there?
"I think you've been the crown prince for too long. You've become arrogant! Now you dare to yell at me in front of important officials. If you become the emperor in the future, your tail will stick up to the sky! At that time, where will you put me? "
The emperor was still angry. He grabbed an inkstone and threw it at Yuchi Yan.
Fortunately, Prince Ning was a step faster. He stretched out his hand and caught the inkstone, which was the size of an adult man's palm, preventing Yuchi Yan's head from exploding on the spot. She did not dare to wipe off the ink stains on her sleeves, so she could only kowtow again with her forehead on the ground.
"Imperial brother, please calm down."
"Rebel, rebel!" The emperor pointed at Ning Wang and flew into a rage.
"Imperial brother, the crown prince was careless. Moreover, you only have one son. If you hurt his life, won't imperial brother be distressed?"
Ning Wang's advice was well-intentioned. The emperor originally didn't have many children. He only had the crown prince. If something happened to him in anger, who would inherit the throne in the future?
But when the emperor heard this, he couldn't help but think about it. He looked at Ning Wang and wondered if he was mocking his ability in a certain area.
Cao Guozhang saw that Ning Wang's words had distracted the emperor, so he brought the fire back to Qin Huaiyuan. Filled with righteous indignation, he said: "Emperor, please calm down. The crown prince has a pure and honest heart. Today, he offended the emperor. It must have been instigated and misled by a scoundrel. I hope the emperor can understand."
Instigated by scoundrels? Who was the Crown Prince close to? And who was the one who taught the Crown Prince a while ago? It went without saying who the traitor was.
The Emperor looked at Qin Huaiyuan and huffed with a dark expression. He pointed at him with a trembling finger. After a moment, he fiercely flicked his sleeve. In the end, he did not continue to scold him. He turned to look at Cao Guozhang.
"Guozhang contacted the Tatan. Did he get any news? If there is still no news, I'm afraid the Zhou Army will attack us! "The Emperor sat on the official's chair in frustration.
Cao Guozhang's face turned ugly when he was questioned. He smiled apologetically and said, "Your Majesty, this subject has already tried my best to persuade the Tatan. It's just that something has happened to the Tatan recently."
"What is it?"
"I heard that the Tatan Khan was assassinated by his only son a few days ago."
"What? His son killed his father? "When the Emperor heard this, he subconsciously looked at Yuchi Yan.
Cao Guozhang nodded and said, "Yes. It's said that the Tatan Khan took a fancy to his daughter-in-law and forced himself on her in public. His daughter-in-law was so ashamed that she committed suicide. His only son killed him in anger. Princess A Nari avenged her father and killed her brother. Now, the Tatan court is in the hands of Princess A Nari. The three factions of the Tatan court are currently fighting fiercely. This subject is worried that Princess A Nari won't have the time to send troops. "
When the Emperor heard this, his brows tightly knitted together.
"It seems that that woman may not be able to hold on to that position steadily! Guozhang, why didn't you find a good person to contact? What can a woman do? "The Emperor impatiently complained.
Cao Guozhang's face turned even uglier when he heard this.
The Emperor didn't have the ability. He didn't handle the matters of his own country well at a crucial time. He even needed to go all the way to Da Zhou to ask the Tatan for help. Now, he was complaining that the other party was a woman.
Cao Guozhang sneered and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Right now, it doesn't matter if the Tatan ruler is a man or a woman. Our first priority is to convince them to send troops. Tatan and Da Zhou have been at war for many years. This old man doesn't believe that Da Zhou's treasury can support both sides of the battlefield. Otherwise, they wouldn't have lied to us! "
"The reason why Da Zhou's Emperor can attack us so fearlessly is because they have Ji Zeyu guarding the north! Without Ji Zeyu, the Tatars will definitely invade Great Zhou, and when that happens, Great Zhou will be attacked from both front and rear. With the valiant and fierce army of Great Yan, we will definitely be able to stop those Great Zhou soldiers outside the pass, and force them back to their own territory! "
Cao Guozhang's words were impassioned. The Emperor's blood surged because of his words. It was as if he could already see Da Zhou's flag fluttering above the cities that he had abandoned.
"It seems that I will have to trouble Guozhang to continue contacting the Tatan. As long as they are willing to send troops, our crisis will be resolved. "The Emperor stroked his beard with satisfaction.
Cao Guozhang cupped his hands in acknowledgment.
Qin Huaiyuan's brows were tightly knitted as he listened. He disagreed and said, "Your Majesty, please listen to this subject's words. Although Cao Guozhang's analysis is reasonable, the Tatan has a long way to go. Distant water cannot put out a nearby fire. "
"Pang Zhixi's art of war is godly. He is good at using sly tactics. His one hundred thousand Tiger Army soldiers are all brave and skilled in battle. Now that they have occupied Xi Hua City, which is geographically close to the Capital, with Pang Zhixi's bravery, if they wait for the Tatan to send troops to divert the Zhou Dynasty's attention, the Tiger Army will probably invade!"
"Right now, our Eastern, Western, and Northern Armies have a total of three hundred thousand soldiers gathered outside the city. In addition to the five barracks, three thousand barracks, and the Godly Machine Battalion outside the city, we have a total of three hundred and fifty thousand soldiers. With our geographical advantage in the Capital, if we choose an outstanding general to lead the troops, if the Tiger Army directly attacks the city, it is not impossible for us to win with our three hundred and fifty thousand soldiers."
Without waiting for the Emperor to reply, Cao Guozhang said mockingly, "Oh? Then according to the Marquis of Anping, Pang Zhixi is the God of War who has descended to the mortal world and is indestructible? Our Dayan Dynasty has the True Dragon, the Son of Heaven, and the protection of the heavens. Why should we be afraid of a young boy? I think the Marquis of Anping treats Pang Zhixi as his son-in-law and praises him as if he is a flower! "
Qin Huaiyuan looked at Cao Guozhang with a frown. It was useless to argue with him. He only said, "If Lord Guozhang has a problem with me, you can solve it in private. In any case, I still have to call you father-in-law. You can beat me or scold me, but please do not mix your personal feelings into the court. Now is the Dayan's life and death situation. This is not a joke!"
"You …"
Cao Guozhang pointed at Qin Huaiyuan and was about to refute, but before he could say anything, he was interrupted by the Emperor.
"Stop arguing!"
Cao Guozhang and Qin Huaiyuan stopped talking and bowed.
The Emperor said angrily, "You can't handle serious matters well, but each of you is better than the other in bickering. I have raised you for so many years. Do you think I will see you fight among yourselves at critical times?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down."
Everyone bowed again.
The Emperor snorted coldly and said, "We will do as Guozhang says. Cao Guozhang, contact the Tatan as soon as possible."
"Yes." Cao Guozhang bowed and then smiled proudly at Qin Huaiyuan.
The Emperor then said to Qin Huaiyuan, "Seeing that you have been cautious and conscientious for so many years, I will spare you for now. Go back and think about your past!"
Qin Huaiyuan's face was pale. He stared at the Emperor, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed. Finally, he put his forehead on the ground and said solemnly, "This official obeys the Emperor's order."
%
Ever since most of the servants left the Marquis's Estate and everyone gathered in one place to live, no one panicked in the face of disaster. Instead, they felt that the hearts of the family were more united.
There were a total of thirty-nine servants in the inner residence, and each of them was responsible for their own master. Qin Yining did not have to do anything sooner or later. If there was anything, he could let these people make decisions on the spot. As a result, Qin Yining felt that it was much easier to manage such a "small family" than it was to manage the "great family" of the past.
Ever since Qin Huaiyuan returned from the Imperial Palace that day, he began to close his doors and not go out. He spent his days either reading in his room, admiring the flowers and scenery by the pond in the back garden, or fishing by his own pond with an umbrella. A day passed in such a leisurely manner.
In these years, Qin Huaiyuan had never been so relaxed.
This time, the war was tense and the city was in chaos. However, Qin Huaiyuan found a sense of freedom that he had not felt for many years.
Qin Yining knew that Qin Huaiyuan was full of pent-up frustrations that could not be released, so she often brought her books to Qin Huaiyuan after finishing her work. Sometimes, she would accompany him fishing, drink tea, and chat. Sometimes, she would ask Qin Huaiyuan to explain the contents of her books to her.
Qin Huaiyuan was much more knowledgeable than Qin Yining's teacher. Not only did he cite classics, but he could also often use existing matters in the imperial court as examples. Moreover, his language was witty and humorous. Qin Yining, who often listened to him, was intoxicated by his words. Father and daughter often sat under the awning in the garden pavilion or by the fish pond for an entire day.
"This year, the state is in chaos. Father is also busy. I did not manage to properly organize your birthday. For the time being, I will not be able to arrange your hairpin ceremony."
Qin Huaiyuan sat on the cross-legged chair. Wearing a silk gown and a straw hat, he held a fishing rod in his hand and spoke with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yining laughed and said, "In previous years, I did not celebrate my birthday. This year, on the fifth day of June, I ate longevity noodles. As for the hairpin ceremony, there is no hurry. In any case, before I turn 20, it will be the same no matter when I do it. "
Since ancient times, a girl could have her hairpin ceremony when she turned 15. However, it did not necessarily have to be held at 15. As long as it was held before she turned 20, it would be the same no matter when she did it.
Qin Huaiyuan laughed and said, "That's true. It will be the same when you have your engagement ceremony."
Engagement?
Suddenly, Pang Xiao's masculine and handsome face appeared in Qin Yining's mind. He smiled bitterly and shook his head.
In this situation, was it still possible for her and Pang Xiao to be together?
"Miss, Miss." Song Lan trotted over from outside.
Qin Yining and Qin Huaiyuan both smiled and looked over.
Song Lan bowed and said, "Miss, Master Zhong is here. He is in the side hall right now. This servant saw that Master Zhong's expression was not very good."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yining stood up and said, "Father, I will go and take a look. Perhaps it is about Ning Garden."
"Mm, go ahead." Qin Huaiyuan responded lazily and continued to focus on his fishing rod.
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