Hearing Li Rong calling him, Li Chuan hurriedly threw away his sword and ran towards Li Rong.
"Sister," Li Chuan's eyes were full of anxiety and excitement, "Why are you here?"
"Rong 'er?"
Shanghai Yue was also at a loss, "Why are you …"
"Su Yongqing is waiting outside the city with his troops, waiting for Chuan'er to kill the Emperor." Li Rong's voice was calm, "Mother, you and Chuan'er should leave the palace quickly. I'm here."
"Su Yongqing is outside the city?"
Li Chuan couldn't understand, "He … why is he involved so much?"
"Don't worry about this. Mother, let's leave quickly. "
"What about you?" Shanghai Yue reacted quickly, "Are you alone in the palace?"
"That won't do."
Li Chuan decisively rejected.
"Then let's go together."
Li Rong smiled. Hearing this, Li Chuan finally agreed. He was happy, "Okay, let's go together."
As he spoke, he went to pull Li Rong.
His hand holding Li Rong's was trembling. Li Rong looked at him quietly.
He was actually much taller than her, but in front of her, he always seemed like a child.
He pulled Li Rong out of the palace. Before leaving, Li Ming called out to him, "Li Chuan."
Li Chuan stopped. Li Ming's voice was cold, "The opportunity I gave you still counts. As long as you're willing to destroy the Shangguan Clan, I can give you the imperial guards. "
Li Ming said and coughed lightly.
He didn't seem to be in a good state, but he still stared at Li Chuan, "If Su Yongqing joins forces with the other aristocratic families, you can't win against them. Since you are not willing to kill zhen, zhen can still treat you as a son. Come back, "Li Ming stretched out his hand," zhen will give you this country. "
Shangguan Yue's eyes flashed with fear when she heard this. Li Rong looked up at Li Chuan and waited for his decision.
Li Chuan looked at the world outside the palace gates. After thinking for a long time, he said softly, "No."
"Li Chuan!"
Li Ming was so anxious that he coughed and said, "You're crazy!"
"Imperial Father, I don't want to kill you, nor do I want to hand over my sister and Imperial Mother for the sake of my own life."
Li Chuan said with difficulty. Li Rong stood beside him. She didn't deliberately suppress her emotions. She looked up at Li Chuan and looked at her younger brother.
In the past, she would treat Li Chuan's disregard for personal gains and losses as a woman's benevolence. But when she cast aside those deliberate calculations and looked at Li Chuan as an older sister, she suddenly felt that her younger brother was a very, very good person.
He was still young and didn't understand what was right and what was wrong.
Li Rong stretched out her hand and grabbed Li Chuan. Li Chuan suddenly froze and turned to look at Li Rong. Li Rong smiled, "Continue."
"I …" Li Chuan said with difficulty, "I may not be a qualified Crown Prince, and I may not be a qualified monarch."
He looked into Li Rong's eyes and couldn't help but redden.
"But, I don't want to be like you."
"I want," Li Chuan took a deep breath, "I want to be a good person. I want to protect my family. I want to find someone I like to be with. I want to do what I like. I don't want to hurt anyone's life."
"I want to be indecisive. I want to be naive. I want to be kind. I want to not care about gains and losses."
"Li Chuan, you idiot!"
Li Ming scolded loudly. Li Chuan took a deep breath, "You can scold me all you want. It doesn't matter. You've never liked me anyway. But whether you like me or not, Imperial Father, "Li Chuan looked at him one last time," I don't want to kill you. You'll dirty my heart. "
After Li Chuan finished speaking, he pulled Li Rong.
He felt like a bird that had been untied.
He was clearly rushing towards life and death, but he had never felt so happy before.
He held onto Li Rong tightly and leaned on her as they walked out.
When they walked out of the corridor, Li Rong stopped.
There were soldiers everywhere. The closest ones were Li Rong's shadow guards.
Li Rong stopped. Li Chuan felt a little confused, "Sister?"
"Chuan'er," Li Rong looked at him, "are you willing to give me the world?"
"Sister?" Li Chuan didn't understand what she was talking about. Li Rong folded her hands in her sleeves and smiled, "I don't like to work for others. If this time, I protect Huajing for you, will you give me the world?"
"Sister," Li Chuan looked at Li Rong and smiled, "I know you don't believe me, but I still have to say it."
"I'm the Crown Prince for Imperial Mother. If Sister wants the world, I'll give it to you. I'm not suitable for this place. In this place, I'll destroy myself and perhaps harm others. "
"Then," Li Rong looked at him, "if one day, I'm the Emperor and you're the subject, is that okay?"
"Why not?" Li Chuan seemed to find it funny. Shanghai Yue frowned, "What are you talking about? Hurry up and leave."
"Yes," Li Chuan suddenly remembered, "Sister, I'll protect you and Imperial Mother …"
Before Li Chuan could finish his sentence, the Imperial Bodyguard struck him from behind and knocked him unconscious. The Imperial Bodyguard supported Li Chuan. Shangguan Yue was shocked and asked anxiously, "What are you doing?!"
"Imperial Mother, I can't leave."
Li Rong's voice was calm, "I have to pretend to be Chuan'er and stay in the palace. I can't arouse Su Yongqing's suspicion. Take the Chuan'er and leave. "
"But you're a girl …"
"I can." Li Rong interrupted her. She stared at Shanghai Yue, "If you don't leave now, no one will be able to leave. Imperial Mother, let's go."
Shanghai Yue stared at Li Rong. She didn't reply, but Li Rong already knew her answer.
Li Rong turned around and walked all the way to the bedroom. When she pushed the door open, she saw Li Ming panting on the dragon bed.
He seemed to be in great pain and was panting. Li Rong bent down and picked up her sword. Li Ming looked at Li Rong with panic in his eyes. Li Rong approached Li Ming with her sword. Li Ming clenched his fists and pretended to be calm.
Li Rong pointed her sword at Li Ming's face and looked at him.
After a while, she felt strange, "You're afraid of me."
"I'm not."
"You're not afraid of the Chuan'er, but you're afraid of me. Why?" Li Rong looked at him. She saw fear in his eyes. She lowered her head and smiled. She kept her sword and threw it aside.
"You think I'll kill you, but he won't."
"Isn't that the case?" Li Ming said coldly, "You're different from him."
Li Rong sat by the bed. Li Rong didn't speak. Li Ming rested for a while. He seemed to be better. Li Rong got up and went to the side to get some water. She handed it to Li Ming.
Li Ming didn't dare to drink. Li Rong knew what he meant. She comforted him, "Don't worry, it's easy for me to kill you now. There's no need to poison you."
Li Ming stiffened for a moment. Li Rong sat down and fed him water.
Li Ming felt much better after drinking the water. Li Rong helped him lie down and covered him with a quilt.
"What do you want to do?" Li Ming stared at her. Li Rong thought for a while, "Nothing. It's the last minute. I don't want to argue with you. I've never taken care of you before. I'll take care of you one last time. Don't be too grateful. "
Li Ming didn't speak. He looked at Li Rong, who covered him with a quilt. Li Rong thought for a while, "Where's Consort Rou?"
"I let her escape with Prince Su."
Li Rong nodded. She didn't get angry. She sat at the bottom of the stairs. Li Chuan lay on the bed. After a long time, he whispered, "Didn't you leave the palace? Why did you come back? You want to die for Li Chuan?"
"It's not really death. I'm quite smart. I'm here. My chances of survival are higher than his."
"You didn't kill me because you were afraid that Su Yongqing would use regicide as an excuse to harm you?"
"Is there a big difference between attacking the imperial city and regicide?" Li Rong felt that Li Ming was a little bored at this moment. She leaned on the bed. After a while, she chatted aimlessly, "Actually, I don't understand. What are you fighting for?"
"You want to suppress the aristocratic families and the Shangguan Clan. But can't you see that Chuan 'er and you have the same intention? What's the point of trying to cripple him? Moreover, the Li Cheng in Consort Rou's hands is fake. Are you willing to pass the throne to a fake? "
"You don't have to slander Cheng 'er." Li Ming's face was cold. "I won't believe you."
"I know you won't believe me. If I die, you can go out and test it yourself this time."
After Li Rong finished speaking, she felt that the floor was a little cold. She got up and found a stool. She moved it over and sat next to Li Cheng.
She moved a small table and put tea on it. She hugged the stove and sat down comfortably.
Li Ming watched her busying herself. When she sat down, Li Rong continued, "You haven't answered my question just now."
"He's a child of the Shangguan Clan." Li Ming said coldly, "It's impossible for him to really leave you. He can't even do anything to you now. In the future, when I'm no longer here, do you still expect him to do anything? "
Hearing this, Li Rong couldn't help but laugh.
Li Chuan didn't just do anything. He was much more ruthless than Li Ming.
When Li Ming said this, he seemed to be angry. "I have two sons. Li Chuan is fine, but you've spoiled him. And you, I love you so much, but you … "
"But what about me?" Li Rong turned to look at him. "I love and respect you so much." Li Rong looked at him. "But you want to marry me to the worst husband. You don't want me to interfere with your interests. You want me to step aside for everything."
"Hua Le loves you dearly, but what about me?"
"Do you think I don't love you enough?!" Li Ming shouted angrily.
"Then do I love and respect you less than Hua Le?"
She had never questioned Li Ming like this.
She was like an ordinary daughter.
Li Ming couldn't help but be stunned. Li Rong looked at him. "I'm the daughter of the Shangguan Clan. Am I not your daughter?"
Li Ming didn't say anything. Such a question seemed to make him feel embarrassed.
Li Rong calmed down for a moment and smiled. "Forget it. Let's not talk about these unhappy things. Let's talk about something happy. Anyway, tomorrow, either I die, or … "
Li Rong didn't continue. She shrugged. "It's not important. Father, "she raised her hand and put it on her belly, as if she thought of something happy." I have a child. You're going to be a grandfather soon. "
Hearing this, the word "bastard" almost came out of his mouth, but seeing Li Rong's happy expression, he stopped himself.
He stared at Li Rong. Li Rong looked at him with a smile. "Father, this is my first child in more than 50 years."
"50 years?"
Li Ming frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Li Rong smiled. "I'll tell you a secret. In fact, I've lived two lives."
"You're crazy!" Li Ming looked shocked. Li Rong didn't find it strange. She said slowly, "I know you don't believe me. I'm just casually telling you a few words. I said you were confused because you don't understand Chuan'er at all. Do you think he's a coward? Doesn't he want to destroy the aristocratic families? No, he's much more ruthless than you. "
Li Rong calmly talked about everything Li Chuan did. Li Ming listened quietly.
At first, he showed disgust, thinking that Li Rong was lying to him. But as he talked, he also began to ask questions. The details were all there. There were no flaws.
The two of them asked and answered. The lights in the palace were lit.
Pei Wenxuan followed Zhao Chongjiu and galloped in the suburbs. It didn't take long for him to realize that something was wrong.
He gave a look to the guard next to him. The guard suddenly sped up and stopped in front of Zhao Chongjiu. Zhao Chongjiu was surprised. "Daren?"
Pei Wenxuan pulled the reins behind him and said coldly, "Where are you trying to trick me?"
Zhao Chongjiu was surprised. He didn't expect Pei Wenxuan to react so quickly. Pei Wenxuan was worried about Li Rong. He shouted, "Where's Her Highness?"
Zhao Chongjiu pursed his lips. After a long time, he said, "In the palace."
"Why did she go back?"
Pei Wenxuan was stunned. Zhao Chongjiu dismounted and presented a letter with both hands.
"Su Yongqing might have a total of thirty thousand soldiers lying in ambush in Huajing. Her Highness is stalling for time in the palace to send His Highness the Crown Prince out. She was afraid that you would also be in prison, so she asked this subordinate to coax you out. "
When Pei Wenxuan heard this, he tightened his grip on the reins and stared at the letter in Zhao Chongjiu's hands. "What is this?"
"Her Highness said that she would give you a letter when she arrived at the inn."
Pei Wenxuan took the letter and opened it. He saw Li Rong's handwriting.
Her words carried the skeleton of his words. After they got married, she wrote his words for a year.
In this life, she seemed to have picked up this habit again.
There was only a short line of words. Just like Li Rong's usual habits, it was concise and comprehensive.
But this time, she didn't tell him about her plans or the situation of the war.
In the last and most important letter, she only gave him one sentence.
"Langjun loves me more than his life. I also love you. I am willing."
"Leave: Li Rong."
Pei Wenxuan held the letter. In an instant, he felt tears welling up in his eyes.
He lowered his head, as if he didn't know how to adjust his emotions. Zhao Chongjiu cautiously said, "Daren, Her Highness is also thinking about the overall situation …"
"Who did Su Yongqing contact?"
Pei Wenxuan folded the letter and put it in his sleeve. Zhao Chongjiu was stunned for a moment before he reported the names.
After Su Yongqing passed the message to Shangguan Ya, Shangguan Ya had already conveyed it to him. Pei Wenxuan nodded. He called out to the person next to him, "Dong Ye."
"Young Master."
"Find the families of these people. If they leave the city, hunt them down directly. If they are in Huajing, place people around their manors. Tomorrow morning, they will lead soldiers to surround the palace. The number of soldiers guarding the manors will be reduced. Bring people to capture them. "
"The Wang Clan and Su Clan will bear the brunt of the attack. As for the others, find as many as you can and capture them all."
"No, Young Master." Dong Ye was a little anxious when he heard this. "If you do this, you will be cursed in the future."
"Do as I say."
As Pei Wenxuan spoke, he spurred his horse to return.
Li Rong's letter was still in his arms. It was like a piece of coal burning in his chest.
She rarely expressed her feelings in her life. She almost never said anything to him. He was always worried about gains and losses. He was always apprehensive.
But when she expressed her feelings in front of him, he couldn't wait for her to always be high and mighty.
He didn't need her to say these things.
Because when other people said they loved him, it was just words of love.
Only this silly girl, if she said she loved you more than her life, she would really use her life to exchange for yours.
Pei Wenxuan rode his horse all the way to the city.
Huajing City was in complete chaos. The people were frantically fleeing outside the city. Pei Wenxuan couldn't ride his horse in at all. He could only squeeze into the crowd and try his best to rush in.
When he squeezed through the crowd and entered, he saw Shangguan Ya disguised as a peasant woman and squeezing out of the city with Su Ronghua. There was also a young man beside them, carrying an unconscious woman on his back. He led his "mother" and tried his best to squeeze out.
Shangguan Ya, Su Ronghua, Lin Feibai, Li Chuan, Shangguan Yue. They were all here, except for Li Rong.
They looked at each other in the air and seemed to have entrusted everything to each other.
Shangguan Ya and the crowd squeezed out of Huajing. Pei Wenxuan struggled to enter Huajing. Not long after the two crossed paths, Huajing's gate slowly closed. Pei Wenxuan heard the cries of the people all day long. He walked on the long street and looked up at the dark sky.
Snowflakes fell from the sky. Pei Wenxuan looked up at the Northern Yan Tower in the distance. He raised his hand to cover his heart, took a deep breath, and then rushed to the princess's residence.
After squeezing out of the city, Su Ronghua immediately wiped the dust on his face and said anxiously, "I'll go stop my cousin and tell him the situation. Don't worry and don't try to be brave."
"I know."
Shangguan Ya nodded. "Thank you."
Su Ronghua responded. He wanted to say something else when he saw Lin Feibai standing behind Shangguan Ya.
He paused for a moment. A moment later, he smiled and raised his hand. "Take care."
After speaking, he hurriedly turned around and left on his horse without waiting for Shangguan Ya's response.
Shangguan Ya watched Su Ronghua leave and Lin Feibai walked behind him.
"You can't bear to?"
"Hmm?"
Shangguan Ya turned around and hurriedly said, "Settle the Crown Prince down first. Get someone to contact Xun Chuan and see where Xun Chuan is." "Count the troops outside. I can't accompany His Highness," Shangguan Ya said calmly, "but I have to save him."
While Huajing was in chaos, Li Rong and Li Ming were chatting leisurely.
The attendant knocked on the door from time to time to report the situation to Li Rong, and Li Rong deployed the army.
She transferred all the available city guards into the palace. Li Ming listened to her actions and understood what she meant. "It seems that you plan to fight to the death in the palace."
"That's not it."
Li Rong smiled. "If we must lose, we should just surrender."
"Women have no backbone."
Li Ming mocked. Li Rong didn't care. "Where were we just now? Oh, the aristocratic families failed to reform. Why? There are too many local tyrants. It's easy to deal with the Su Clan and the Shangguan Clan, but it's much harder to deal with the local squires. They're too small and too many. It's not worth fighting. If you don't fight, what will you do with them? "
"So Chuan 'er's decree is not only too urgent, but also very difficult to execute."
"He wants to uproot them." Li Ming pondered. "But the aristocratic families have been entrenched for so many years. If he wants to uproot them in such a short time, he's just digging his own grave. However, if the Da Xia is tormented to death by him, he can fight for a few more years and wipe out the aristocratic families. Maybe the next dynasty will be different. "
Li Rong chuckled. "I always feel that it's too cruel."
"Cruel?" Li Ming sneered. "I'm afraid it's because he's afraid of death. You and I don't want the Da Xia to be destroyed. This is the human heart. "
"Imperial Father is right." Li Rong thought for a while and asked, "But I don't understand. What is the human heart?"
Li Ming fell silent. When Li Rong talked about that person, he couldn't help but smile. "Pei Wenxuan always told me that after power comes the human heart. He said that I don't understand the human heart. If I understand it, I'll be a good leader. "
"You really don't understand." Li Ming's eyes were bleak.
"If what you said in the previous life was true, if you understood the human heart, you wouldn't force the Chuan 'er, and you wouldn't force yourself. This palace is to force a person to become a ghost. The ghost will think that this is how the world is and then force others. "
"In fact, you had two paths in the past. You could either fight with the Chuan 'er and change the rules. But this path was too difficult, so you didn't choose it. You would rather sink into the swamp and drag those who didn't go in with you. "
"Rongrong, ordinary people follow the rules. Regardless of the reason, they only look at the result."
"But for a leader, his rules aren't meant to be followed, they're meant to be used."
"So, he needs to look at the result as well as the reason. As a leader, you can only use tools to restrain people if you know why they made the mistake. Just like Pei Wenxuan and the Chuan 'er's expedition to the North. "Li Ming laughed." If torture can prevent people from being greedy, then their expedition to the North wouldn't have failed. Only by understanding under what circumstances a person will be greedy for money and under what circumstances a person will be a good person will you have effective rules. "
"Pei Wenxuan is right. After power comes the human heart." Li Ming chuckled. "The human heart." Li Ming sighed. "It's too late."
Li Rong looked at Li Ming quietly. An attendant outside reminded him, "Your Highness, it's almost time for morning court."
Li Rong heard this and nodded.
Li Ming looked at her. "Are you really going to put on a show? You want to go to court in his place? "
"I've never sat on that golden luan chair." Li Rong smiled. "Sitting on it once is also a kind of experience."
Li Rong stood up. "You should sleep for a while. I'll leave first."
Li Ming didn't say anything. Li Rong turned around and walked out. Li Ming stared at her back. Before she left, he suddenly asked, "How do you know that Li Cheng is a fake?"
"Su Yongqing told me." Li Rong answered frankly. "Also, has Imperial Father seen the doctor who examined him? Consort Rou contacted Su Yongqing and the other aristocratic families. If Li Cheng is real, why is she in such a hurry? Those aristocratic families, which one of them isn't a jackal, wolf, tiger, or leopard? Can't they be ordered around without great benefits? "
Li Ming was silent. Li Rong walked out of the bedroom and went to her original palace.
She burned incense and took a bath. She put on a red ceremonial robe with golden edges and combed her hair into a high bun. Then, she walked to the main hall.
At this time, the sky was still dark. Fu Lai held a lantern for her and led her to the main hall.
The main hall was empty. Li Rong had never seen it so empty. She looked up at the high seat in front of her. Fu Lai respectfully handed her an imperial edict. "Your Highness, this was written by His Majesty just now. It's for Your Highness."
Li Rong turned around and looked at the imperial edict in front of her. She took the imperial edict and opened it to read the content.
The words "Regent Princess" fell into her eyes. She stared at the content. After a long time, she lowered her head and smiled. "What is he doing? He believes my words? "
"If it was a normal day, naturally, he wouldn't believe it." Fu Lai smiled. "But today, Your Highness, His Majesty may be willing to believe it. Moreover, His Majesty's life is in your hands now. It's not worthwhile for you to lie to him. "
Hearing Li Rong's words, she looked at Fu Lai. "Who exactly do you work for?"
"This old servant is naturally loyal to Eldest Young Master."
Fu Lai didn't avoid it. "But there are some words that, if it's good for Your Highness, will naturally be said."
Li Rong didn't speak. She thought for a while, took the imperial edict, and said gently, "Go back and take good care of him. I'll sit here alone for a while."
Fu Lai respectfully bowed and then retreated.
Li Rong was the only one left in the hall. She looked up at the golden throne and slowly walked up.
She walked across the imperial path and stepped on the soft cushion. She raised her hand and stroked the smooth armrest of the golden throne.
The armrest was as cold as jade, making people feel an indescribable nostalgia.
Then she turned around and sat down gently.
This was the first time she sat here. Then she realized.
This place was really high and really cold.
It was almost time for the morning court. Pei Wenxuan also arranged people in front of the Wang Family and Gu Family's door.
He didn't know the situation outside. Now he only knew the situation inside Huajing. Li Rong withdrew the guards at the city gate in advance. Su Ronghua took over the city gate tower and closed Huajing.
The Su Clan had all evacuated. The Wang Family and Gu Family felt that Huajing was safer and didn't withdraw. They left people to guard it.
However, Huajing had already been closed. They figured that Li Chuan's men were all in the palace, so they relaxed the security of their own home.
Su Yongqing didn't sleep the whole night. Everyone else stayed up with him.
"Cousin will arrive at dawn." Su Yongqing's voice was calm. "Including everyone's people, we have a total of thirty thousand people at our disposal. Now the inner palace has been sealed, but the news keeps coming out. The morning court hasn't been canceled yet. Li Chuan will probably announce the ascension at the morning court. If he dares to announce it, His Majesty will … "
Su Yongqing looked at everyone. "We are also legitimate. It can't be considered a rebellion."
"However, before my cousin and Lord Wang's guards arrived, there were only ten thousand soldiers in the city. I hope everyone won't hide anything. Otherwise, it will be difficult to attack the palace. If we go to the morning court, I'm afraid we will be controlled. "
"Don't worry," Gu Zichun immediately said. "Since we are allies with Lord Su, we won't hide anything. This is a matter of life and death. Nothing will happen."
Everyone agreed. Su Yongqing nodded.
When it was almost time for the morning court, everyone went to the palace together. Pei Wenxuan watched as they moved the family soldiers away. He waved his hand. "Go."
At five in the morning, the palace was brightly lit. The officials, dressed in black and red, entered the palace one by one. It seemed no different than usual.
It was snowing in the night. When they stepped on the snow, it made a crunching sound, making the palace seem particularly quiet. These officials had also lost their usual habit of speaking, so the sound of the snow being stepped on became even more obvious.
They stood at the door of the main hall, listening to the sound of the wind and snow.
Today, the Emperor didn't come out from the inner palace. He seemed to have been waiting in the main hall for a long time. The officials didn't find it strange.
Following the eunuch's high-pitched voice, "Enter the hall — —" resounded through the square. The main hall's palace doors opened layer by layer.
Su Yongqing stood at the head of the officials. He held the ceremonial tablet in his hand. As the palace doors creaked, he slowly raised his head.
Then he saw that behind the palace doors, two rows of bronze lanterns with vermilion birds holding pearls went to the top of the main hall. At the end of the main hall, a woman dressed in a red and gold dress sat on a golden seat. She looked calmly at him.
They looked at each other across the main hall. After a long time, Li Rong's red lips opened slightly. She coldly and arrogantly spat out two words.
"Kneel."
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