"Caught fire? How could it catch fire? "The Empress Dowager stood up and screamed in panic.
The Empress, Li Helan, and the other womenfolk were also shocked.
They were really scared out of their wits by the palace coup. Now that they suddenly heard about it, they were all panicking.
At this time, the guards outside the hall quickly walked into the main hall of Ci 'an Palace. They knelt in front of the door and said, "Your Majesty, the Palace of Heavenly Purity caught fire. I don't know who spread the rumor that Your Majesty has … The people in the palace are restless. Coupled with the fierce fire, the situation is very chaotic."
Li Qitian's face was as calm as water. "Zhen is here. Who would spread such rumors?"
The nobles said, "Your Majesty, this is obviously a plot by someone with bad intentions. Ignorant people naturally don't know Your Majesty's whereabouts. They can't be sure that Your Majesty is safe and sound. Naturally, they will listen to the rumors. I'm afraid that the plotters are waiting for Your Majesty to come out and refute the rumors. They want to take the opportunity to assassinate you! "
"Exactly. It's possible that someone with bad intentions first spread rumors and then secretly besieged Ci 'an Palace. Your Majesty should quickly evacuate. "
Everyone was talking at once. The more they analyzed, the more serious their expressions became.
At this time, there was another clamor outside the hall. There were palace servants anxiously shouting, "Your Majesty has passed away. The inner palace is going to be chaotic!"
There were also people shouting, "Quickly run for your life. Your Majesty has passed away. The rebel army is going to attack!"
The palace servants who had experienced the coup still remembered the incident of seizing the palace. Now that the rumors spread, everyone was so sure that the palace was going to change. Who could remain calm?
The palace servants in Ci 'an Palace didn't dare to breathe loudly. They knew that Your Majesty was still sitting inside safe and sound. They wouldn't be scared by such rumors. However, if Your Majesty heard the shouts outside, would they still be alive?
The palace servants had already trembled and knelt on the ground for fear of angering Your Majesty.
Li Qitian listened to the shouts outside Ci 'an Palace and sneered, "It's really strange. Zhen has passed away and Zhen doesn't even know. Haha! "
"Your Majesty, please calm down."
Everyone stood up and bowed, trembling as they apologized, "Your subjects are incompetent."
Li Qitian waved his hand. "Take a seat. Perhaps someone is impatient and wants to rebel."
As he spoke, Li Qitian's gaze fell on Qin Yining. He suspected that Pang Xiao had heard about the Qin Yining incident and rushed back to the capital to cause such a ruckus.
If it was really Pang Xiao's rebellion and Qin Yining was still in his hands, he would have one more bargaining chip and one more chance of winning.
Some of the womenfolk were so scared that their faces turned pale. Some had already wiped away their tears. The Empress Dowager was so frightened that her entire body trembled. She had never thought that her Ci 'an Palace would become a target.
"Emperor, what should we do?"
Li Qitian just smiled faintly. "Mother, you don't have to worry."
Some of the nobles tried to persuade him. "Your Majesty should leave this place. The palace servants don't know Your Majesty's whereabouts, but the rebels might know. If a group of people really break into Ci 'an Palace, won't Your Majesty be in danger? Your Majesty should quickly hide in a safe place. "
Many people agreed with one person's suggestion.
Li Qitian looked at Ji Zeyu, who had remained silent and expressionless. "Duke Ding, what do you think?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, this subject thinks that it's not a good time to move." Ji Zeyu's words were concise and comprehensive.
Li Qitian asked, "Why do you say that?"
Ji Zeyu said calmly, "If there really are bandits who intend to harm Ci 'an Palace, the best thing to do is to guard this place and wait for rescue. If we move around carelessly, we'll be easily targeted and the danger will be greater."
Li Qitian smiled and nodded. "My beloved subject's words are reasonable."
"Your Majesty. Your safety is still the most important thing! "Someone was still unwilling to give up.
Li Qitian stubbornly sat up straight and said resolutely, "We won't leave. We want to see what kind of rebels dare to set fire to the Palace of Heavenly Purity and come to Ci 'an Palace to arrest us!"
Li Qitian's words were powerful and resonant. It was obvious that he didn't panic in the face of such a situation.
Ji Zeyu stood up and said, "This subject is willing to lead people to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to arrest the bandits and share Your Majesty's worries!"
Li Qitian nodded in agreement. "Arresting the bandits is important, but if you stay here, there will be others who will go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity."
Ji Zeyu was a talented commander and was also highly skilled in martial arts. With him by his side, it would be an additional layer of protection. Only a fool would let him go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to arrest the bandits. At this time, the best plan was to wait and see.
Ji Zeyu immediately understood Li Qitian's meaning. He cupped his hands and said, "This subject swears to protect Your Majesty's safety with my life."
"Very good." Li Qitian nodded with a smile.
Ji Zeyu was like a stabilizing force. Hearing that he wouldn't leave, everyone secretly sighed in relief. It was as if as long as he was here, nothing would happen to Ci 'an Palace.
Li Qitian ordered people to go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to check the situation. He also had Ji Zeyu command the guards to strictly guard Ci 'an Palace.
The rest of the people stayed where they were and quietly listened to the movements outside.
The noise was louder than before. According to the palace servants, Li Qitian, the Emperor, had already passed away and the country was about to change dynasties.
Everyone present was nervous, especially the Empress.
Brother Hao was still in the Palace of Heavenly Purity! If something were to happen to the prince, how could she, as his mother, live on?
The women and nobles' family members all frowned with worry. If there really was a rebellion in the palace, then staying by Li Qitian's side would be the most dangerous place. Once the rebels really broke in, wouldn't they all become targets?
Although they thought this, no one dared to leave at this time. If they really left, wouldn't it be telling Li Qitian that they didn't want to accompany him and that they could die by themselves?
Qin Yining's beautiful eyes turned and saw everyone's reaction. He admired Li Qitian's calmness in the face of trouble. Perhaps most of the founding monarchs who had gone through many years of war were not lacking in courage like Li Qitian?
The atmosphere in Ci 'an Palace was oppressive. After sitting for an hour, Ji Zeyu came back quickly to report.
"Your Majesty, the guards have investigated the situation and are coming to report."
"Speak."
"Yes." The guards came forward and kowtowed, saying, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the fire in the Palace of Heavenly Purity has been controlled. Fortunately, the fire was controlled in time and the damage was not great. However, several palace servants of the Palace of Heavenly Purity lost their lives in the fire. After investigation, it was confirmed that the fire started in the south side of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, a small side room near the imperial study. Moreover, there were no traces of kerosene being used there."
Li Qitian nodded, "It seems that someone deliberately set the fire."
"That's right. In addition, the source of the rumor has not been found. Fortunately, the palace has controlled it."
Li Qitian's tense sitting posture relaxed. Everyone in the hall sighed in relief.
Li Qitian muttered, "If we can't find the source of the matter, peace will be short-lived. Investigate, investigate thoroughly! "
"Yes!"
The guards saluted and respectfully retreated.
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
In any case, the situation was now stable. Their lives could be saved.
Qin Yining's heart sank.
This was because she thought of Jiang Yuan, who helped her pass the news a while ago. He was serving tea in the imperial study. She was not sure if the fire today had anything to do with Jiang Yuan. She was also not sure if this person was still alive.
She wanted to know about Jiang Yuan's situation because he was someone arranged by Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu. They wanted to arrange for him to be in the imperial study and personally handle Li Qitian's matters. This was a rare nail. However, at this moment, it was unknown whether he was alive or dead.
Qin Yining's complexion was not good to begin with. She was suppressing something in her heart. Her slightly furrowed brows made her look even weaker.
Bing Tang and Ji Yun were afraid that Qin Yining would faint and be accused of being rude in front of the emperor. They nervously held her shoulders on both sides, as if they were afraid that Qin Yining would slip off her chair.
At this moment, the imperial guards had already completely controlled the situation in the palace.
Li Qitian also ordered people to tidy up the palace and pacify the chaotic palace servants before continuing to investigate the source of the rumors.
"In the end, it was scary but not dangerous." Li Qitian smiled and said to the people around him, "I didn't expect that such a thing would happen when I called everyone into the palace. However, today's matter can be considered complete. Prince Zhongshun's consort has been cleared of the charges. This is also a good thing. "
"Your Majesty is wise."
Everyone stood up and bowed. Qin Yining also stood up and bowed.
Li Qitian looked at Qin Yining. His smile was as warm as the winter sun, but the words he said made Qin Yining feel uncomfortable.
"This time, I've really wronged you. In any case, you are a person of status and have the power of the Qingtian Alliance in your hands. It's only because you are a woman. If you were a man, I would have kept you by my side and put you in an important position. "
Li Qitian's words made all the nobles present laugh heartily. The atmosphere was lively.
Li Qitian nodded with satisfaction and said, "Fortunately, you are Pang Zhixi's wife, so you are part of our family. This matter has wronged you, but we are all family. You don't mind, right?"
What could Qin Yining say? Li Qitian could shamelessly say "I don't mind, right?" Could she say "I mind very much" in front of everyone?
She was already very lucky to be able to escape with her life today. She didn't know why Li Qitian changed his attitude after hearing one sentence and gave her a chance to defend herself. Right now, she couldn't cause any more trouble. She still understood the principle of stopping while she was ahead.
Seeing that Qin Yining didn't say anything, Li Qitian nodded with satisfaction and said, "You can go back to your residence in Chuxiu Palace and rest."
Things had already developed to this point, but he still didn't allow her to leave the palace?
Qin Yining originally thought that Li Qitian might directly let her go back to her residence, but now, her hopes were dashed. She understood in her heart that Li Qitian was afraid that she would act too freely outside and do something that would affect his plans. Perhaps he was also concerned about the Qingtian Alliance in her hands. Otherwise, Li Qitian wouldn't have mentioned it in front of everyone.
Everyone present was also surprised by Li Qitian's instructions. The nobles couldn't help but exchange glances.
However, no one dared to open their mouth to ask, let alone show the slightest bit of surprise or bewilderment.
The situation was more important than the person. Qin Yining could only stand and salute, "This subject's wife thanks Your Majesty."
Li Qitian nodded and told everyone to disperse. He also called Princess Tana and said, "Consort Shun, arrange for people to serve your guest."
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