Lu Heng looked at Qin Yining's clear eyes. He was no longer as helpless and weak as he was before the incident. He liked Qin Yining even more when he was this strong.
What did Pang Xiao do to deserve this? How could he have such a woman as his wife?
If Pang Xiao could let Qin Yining live a peaceful life, it would be fine and he wouldn't feel so distressed. But what did Pang Xiao bring to Qin Yining's life? Whether before or after marriage, Qin Yining had to go through trials and hardships with Pang Xiao, and each time he had a narrow escape. The reason he could survive was not because Pang Xiao protected him well, but because Qin Yining was smart.
Why should such a good woman be mistreated by Pang Xiao, that boorish man?
Lu Heng's thoughts flashed like lightning, but unwillingness sprouted in his heart.
At this time, Qin Yining was watching the soldiers escorting the surviving officials or ordering people to carry the corpses down the mountain. He didn't notice the strange look that flashed through Lu Heng's eyes.
%
At this time, the palace was like a black cloud pressing down on the city. The palace servants had to tiptoe as they walked, afraid that the slightest movement would disturb their master who was in a bad mood and bring disaster to themselves.
— Ever since the incident at the Imperial Mausoleum on Mount Chongshan, two of the Empress Dowager's palace maids had been dragged out and beaten to death.
At this time, in Ci 'an Palace, the Empress Dowager was sitting at the head of the table with a gloomy face.
The Empress's face was pale, and she cried helplessly.
The clan relatives brought their womenfolk and accompanied the Empress Dowager like Princess Royal of Anyang, quietly waiting for the news.
The Empress Dowager was upset and worried about Li Qitian's situation. She was so anxious that she couldn't eat.
Seeing the Empress still crying, the Empress Dowager said irritably, "Okay, don't cry. You're pregnant, so you should pay more attention to the imperial heir in your womb. "
There was no need for the Empress Dowager to elaborate. Everyone understood. If Your Majesty really met with misfortune and the Empress gave birth to a prince, he would be the only candidate for the Crown Prince.
The clan relatives all maintained their silence, each with their own thoughts.
The Empress was moved. She wiped her tears and nodded, "Imperial Mother is right. I will definitely take good care of myself. "
"Yes.
That's right. This time, Your Majesty encountered danger in Mount Zao because of the note sent by the monk named Tian Jizi. On the day of the Holy Birthday Banquet, I felt that the content of the note was unusual. However, Your Majesty was concerned about the people and was worried that the Tatan would attack. The treasury was also tight, so you could only think of a way to get the treasure. "
"Your Majesty has worked hard for the country. We are ashamed." The clan relatives had all been conferred titles of nobility, and there were also some who held idle positions in the imperial court. However, no one held any real power. At this moment, all they could do was go along.
The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "We're all family, Aijia won't say such polite words. Now that Your Majesty is missing and the Tatan is ready to make a move, we don't know what kind of storm Da Zhou's imperial court will face. The officials in the imperial court have also suffered many casualties because of this matter. This is the time when Da Zhou is in chaos and is at its most tense. During this period of time, we still have to rely on our clan relatives. In any case, we have to help our own people. "
The Empress Dowager wasn't very educated, so her words were very straightforward. However, everyone knew what she meant.
The reason why the clan relatives were able to live a carefree life was because Li Qitian was the Emperor.
If something really happened to Li Qitian, he didn't have a male heir who could immediately shoulder the burden of being the Crown Prince. At that time, not to mention the Tatan, even if there was a traitor in the imperial court, it would be enough for the clan relatives to suffer.
If they wanted to protect their glory and wealth, they had to stabilize Da Zhou's country. If Da Zhou's country was surnamed Li, then they would have an endless supply of gold and silver.
Thus, everyone stood up at this time and bowed to the Empress Dowager. "The Empress Dowager is wise and wise."
The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "Tomorrow morning at the morning court, all fourth rank officials who are still alive in the capital, regardless of civil or military, will come to Fengtian Palace to discuss politics. Although Aijia is a woman, Aijia can't ignore the country. When the time comes, Aijia will discuss with this subject how to deal with the situation. "
The Empress was shocked when she heard this.
The Emperor wasn't here, so the Empress Dowager wanted to monopolize power!
The Empress Dowager, who usually seemed very easy to talk to, was actually so valiant at this critical moment. She actually thought of this method and even had the courage to carry it out. It was truly shocking.
The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table. She held the teacup and played with the lid.
Li Helan saw the Empress' shocked expression and asked provocatively, "Does Imperial Sister-In-Law have any ideas? Right now, our family is talking behind closed doors. If you have any ideas, just say it. Imperial Mother won't stop you. "
The Empress's maternal family wasn't strong, and her personality was kind and gentle. She was a diligent and thrifty housekeeper. However, as the mother of the country, her personality was too soft. She really couldn't handle it. Her husband was missing, and she was a pregnant woman. Now that the Empress Dowager had clearly revealed her intentions, if she had any intentions of stopping her, she was afraid that the child in her belly wouldn't be able to be born safely.
Thinking of this, the Empress hurriedly shook her head and said, "Eldest Princess is joking. How could I have any ideas? Right now, I don't have any backbone.
Everything will be done according to Imperial Mother's arrangements. "
Li Helan raised the corner of her mouth in satisfaction. She thought to herself, You wouldn't dare!
Everyone present could see everything clearly. They had already estimated their own positions and had an idea of what to do next.
%
Qin Yining stayed on the mountain and didn't return home for a full three days. She didn't eat or use anything.
The Jingji Guards took turns digging day and night. Finally, they opened the second tomb. However, other than the corpses of a few imperial bodyguards, there was no trace of Li Qitian, Pang Xiao, or Li Guanwen. When they went inside, an even harder rock fell down, separating the second tomb from the inside of the underground palace.
"What should we do? It's already been three days. The people who did the geological survey found that this place is full of hard rock. It's not easy to dig. There are also large rocks blocking the way … "
Qin Yining closed her eyes. She was now certain that Pang Xiao didn't die when the bomb ignited the tomb and caused it to collapse. He must have gone into the underground palace. However, it's been three days. There's no food or drink inside. She didn't know if the air circulation was good or bad. In this situation, she was even more anxious than before.
Ji Zeyu hadn't slept well for three days. His eyes were bloodshot, his chin was full of stubble, his hair was messy, and his face was dirty. However, he still calmly commanded the people. "Continue digging."
One of the attendants persuaded Ji Zeyu, "Prince Consort, you should rest first. Have a good sleep and wash up. Your body can't take it! "
Ji Zeyu stared expressionlessly in the direction of the underground palace. His hoarse voice was still cold, "Don't worry about me. As long as Your Majesty is in the underground palace, I will not go down Chongshan."
These days, thanks to Ji Zeyu's care, Qin Yining's impression of him had changed. As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Whether Ji Zeyu was loyal to Your Majesty, out of friendship with Pang Xiao, or out of the importance of saving people, Qin Yining was very grateful to him.
Seeing Ji Zeyu's ugly expression, Qin Yining also advised him, "Prince Consort Ji, you should rest. Even if your body is made of iron, you won't be able to withstand working without sleep or rest. If you fall, who will take charge of this place? I'm just a woman. I definitely can't control the overall situation. "
Ji Zeyu rubbed the space between his eyebrows. He knew that Qin Yining was right. He said helplessly, "Alright. Then I'll rest for a while. "
Qin Yining said, "Prince Consort Ji, go back to the city and wash up. It won't be too late to come back after you've slept enough. You can ride a horse back and forth."
"There's no need for that." He cupped his hands towards Qin Yining, "Thank you for your kindness."
After he finished speaking, he turned around and found a mattress on the floor. He lay down flat and crossed his arms over his chest. Ignoring the noise around him, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Qin Yining shook his head. He knew that Ji Zeyu was extremely tired, so he didn't disturb him any further. Instead, he focused on looking in the direction of the excavation.
At this moment, Ji Zeyu's trusted aide suddenly came up the mountain with Jing Zhe.
Qin Yining looked at Jing Zhe in shock and worry as he approached. He asked, "Did something happen at home?"
"Nothing happened at home. Master ordered me to come up the mountain to pass a message to the Princess Consort. "
Qin Yining immediately understood that something big must have happened. Otherwise, Qin Huaiyuan wouldn't have hurriedly sent someone up the mountain.
Qin Yining stood up and was supported by Bing Tang and Ji Yun. He followed Jing Zhe to a place that was far away from the crowd.
After they stood still, he didn't immediately ask questions. He waited for Jing Zhe to make sure that there was no one around before he said, "Early this morning, the Empress Dowager presided over the morning court. The ministers requested that Prince Li be the regent and that Your Majesty be changed from red to blue. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager will hold court behind a curtain. The Empress Dowager nodded and the loyal ministers all agreed."
Qin Yining's eyebrows twitched, "Who is Prince Li? I don't remember Your Majesty having a biological brother. He also doesn't have any children. "
"It's no wonder that the Princess Consort doesn't know. Prince Li has just returned to the capital. He is Wang Ye's younger cousin. He is 27 years old and only has one daughter. Master said that Prince Li has a gentle temperament. If Prince Li is the regent, he can be reduced in prison. "
Qin Yining immediately understood Qin Huaiyuan's meaning.
A gentle prince was easy to manipulate for the ministers and the Empress Dowager. Furthermore, he only had one daughter. If something happened to Li Qitian, Prince Li would be conferred the title of Emperor's younger brother. In the future, if the Empress gave birth to a son, the throne would continue to be passed on to Li Qitian's son.
The Empress Dowager looked like an ordinary village woman. Who would have thought that she would show her claws at such a critical moment. It was true that one couldn't judge a book by its cover.
However, did the current Da Zhou really need a puppet regent who was as easy to manipulate as cotton?
Qin Yining had been worried about Pang Xiao these days and didn't have time to think about the situation in the imperial court.
However, since the Tian Jizi had laid out such a big game of chess, it was impossible for them not to seize the time to make a plan. At this time, the Tatan might have already decided to mobilize their troops.
Could a weak and indecisive regent be a deterrent to the country's war?
Thinking of this, Qin Yining even felt that Li Qitian was better than them as the Emperor.
Qin Yining's thoughts turned in an instant. Jing Zhe's following words stunned Qin Yining even more.
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