Ouyang Lin couldn't help being surprised when he heard this.
He had already recognized this voice. It was Cheng Nan who had just been appointed as the commander-in-chief of the White Tiger Army by the queen and was about to leave the imperial capital and go to Luoyi to take up his post.
Cheng Nan happened to be on duty in the palace tonight. As soon as he heard that there was a situation in Fengyi Palace, he immediately rushed there on horseback. He happened to meet his sister Cheng Wen who sent someone to snatch Li Bing. Without saying a word, Cheng Nan immediately led his men and ran here.
While talking, Cheng Nan walked out of the crowd and walked into the side hall.
Ouyang Lin met his eyes and said in a deep voice: "General Cheng, when you see the emperor, why don't you kneel down and salute!"
Cheng Nan glanced at his brother-in-law first, and then smiled faintly: "The emperor fell into the hands of traitors like you and has become helpless. How can I kneel down? Should I kneel down to you?"
"Strong words!" Ouyang Lin supported the weak Li Bing and said angrily: "His Majesty was obviously murdered by the Demon Queen and his life was hanging by a thread, but you actually have the nerve to complain first! Soldiers of Jinwu Guard, please open your eyes and see Let’s take a look, who was your emperor kidnapped? Who is the shameful rebel?!”
At this time, the sound of fighting outside the palace completely subsided. It was obvious that Ouyang Lin's men were in danger. The people standing in the main hall were either Jinwu Guards or the Forbidden Army under Cheng Nan.
Ouyang Lin's question echoed slightly in the hall, but no one answered.
The entire space was as silent as death.
Ouyang Lin's heart continued to sink. He knew that the inner court was now completely controlled by the Cheng family. Even if Cheng Nan humiliated the emperor so openly, no one would dare to stand up and defend the imperial power.
For him, Ouyang Lin, there may be only one ending left tonight.
The most tragic ending.
"Cheng Nan..." Suddenly, Li Bing slowly opened his eyes and stared directly at the Imperial Guard standing not far away: "Go...call your...sister over, I...have something to say to her." speak……"
Cheng Nan was stunned for a moment, then responded: "Your Majesty, the Queen was attacked by a rebel assassin just now and was frightened..."
"Go -" Li Bing tried his best, roaring angrily like a crazed beast.
Cheng Nan's face suddenly became a little uncertain. After waiting for a while, he reluctantly ordered behind him: "Go and ask the queen to come over."
In a moment, Cheng Wen, dressed in a gorgeous uniform and crown, appeared in front of everyone, surrounded by guards.
Li Bing supported Ouyang Lin's arms with his hands, straightened up hard, and then stared at his wife with an expression on her face, without saying a word for a long time.
Likewise, Cheng Wen didn't speak and just looked at Li Bing quietly.
The two looked at each other wordlessly, and even the air around them seemed to be frozen, oppressive and cold.
For a long time, Li Bing coughed violently several times, and then said in a hoarse voice: "Queen, promise me something."
"Your Majesty, please speak." Cheng Wen responded softly, without any waves in her tone.
"Let... let Ouyang Lin go, I let you... let you arrange it." Li Bing's hand tightly grasped Ouyang Lin's arm, trembling uncontrollably: "His behavior tonight... is understandable, he just... does his best. Just some duties."
Cheng Wen smiled when he heard this, first glanced at Ouyang Lin, who had an angry look on his face, and then said: "Your Majesty, if these villains who broke into the palace and violated the prohibition are not severely punished, how should I explain to the outside world? ?”
Li Bing also smiled and gasped: "With your intelligence, of course... of course you can find... a good reason. Cheng Wen, my life is good for you... but if you... don't agree Let go...let Ouyang Lin go, I...I'm afraid I won't survive tonight."
As soon as these words were spoken, not only everyone around was shocked, but even Queen Cheng Wen herself had a flash of anger in her eyes.
As long as the emperor is alive, she can still act according to the imperial edict and monopolize power; but once Li Bing dies, the Shengtang Dynasty must choose a new emperor to succeed him, and no matter how it turns, it will not be her turn as a queen with a foreign surname to make the decision.
At that time, everyone in the world will immediately stand up against her, including the newly acquired Forbidden Army, White Tiger Army and Long Sword Army.
Therefore, Li Bing's threat is very fatal to her now. Because the living emperor can be put under house arrest and isolated in the inner court, outsiders have nothing to say for a while. But the news of the emperor's death could not be concealed no matter what.
Cheng Wen gritted her teeth and glared at Li Bing, and said in a deep voice: "Why did your majesty ask me to let Ouyang Lin go? Are you relieved to let him go out so simply? Are you not afraid that the imperial army will intercept him halfway?"
Li Bing smiled sadly and coughed: "You and I... issued a decree at the same time to give him two more divine horses and open the city to release people. After Ouyang Lin escaped... within three days... I sent someone to return the horses I gave him. Password. If you don’t see me for three days...if you don’t see the password, I will...put myself out of this!"
After saying this, Li Bing took a few breaths and added: "Cheng Wen, Ouyang Lin is just... just a small official. Without... without me, he can't do anything... and... threaten... He cannot threaten you. Let him go! Let me feel at ease!"
Cheng Wen glared at Ouyang Lin fiercely and ordered: "Go and get the Golden Piling Arrow to Ouyang Lin. No one is allowed to stop him without the will of His Majesty and this palace!"
Hearing her finally nodding in agreement, Li Bing showed a smile on his pale face, turned to Ouyang Lin and said: "Come, come closer, I will tell you the secret code to report that you are safe."
Ouyang Lin was slightly startled, and quickly put his ear to Li Bing's mouth, only to hear Li Bing say four words in an extremely weak voice: "Suppress Xinjiang and put down the rebellion."
Suppress the rebellion.
Ouyang Lin instantly understood what Li Bing meant: go find Li Jiangyao, use my blood book to tell him everything that happened here, use my blood book to help him rally the world and save Shengtang!
Although Li Bing was tortured to death by Cheng Wen with poison, his mind still maintained the last trace of clarity. Cheng Wen, under the guise of imperial power, can manipulate the Qinglong, White Tiger, Suzaku, and Xuanwu legions, turn her hands into clouds, turn her hands into rain, and disrupt the entire court, but she can never control the Xinjiang Army.
This powerful force, independent of the imperial system, will be the last hope of the dynasty.
Ouyang Lin nodded solemnly: "Your Majesty, I have remembered the secret code. Please take it very seriously, and wait..."
Li Bing gently waved his hand and interrupted what he was saying: "No, you don't have to think about me... I have wasted half my life and achieved nothing. I am ashamed... I am ashamed of my ancestors, and I am ashamed of... Shengtang." People. Go, go where you should go, go!"
After that, Li Bing used his remaining strength and pushed him hard. Ouyang Lin stood up and staggered out.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Nan suddenly moved two steps to the side, blocking his way.
Ouyang Lin was startled and was about to speak when Cheng Wen next to him said coldly: "Ouyang Lin, for the sake of His Majesty, I will spare your life today. I hope you will behave yourself and be strict with your mouth. How many Go as far away as you can. Otherwise, I will settle old and new accounts with you! Do you understand?"
Ouyang Lin smiled sadly, first looked back at the emperor Li Bing who fell back on the bed, then stepped in and bowed to Cheng Wen: "Ouyang Lin dare not forget a word of what the empress said, he will keep it all in his heart!"
After that, he pushed Cheng Nan out of the way and walked out of the hall without looking back.
-
The turmoil in Fengyi Palace came unexpectedly and went away quietly. The next day, except for a few well-informed dignitaries, the entire imperial capital was completely unaware of the fight in the palace city the night before, which almost caused the Holy Tang Dynasty to change again.
The sky was bright, the city gates were open, and the people of Gyeonggi were still busy and busy as usual, each busy with their own business.
At this time, outside the city gate on the east side of the imperial capital, an old man and a young man walked up. Judging from their clothes, they should be the kind of peddlers who travel from village to town to treat people. The two of them passed the interrogation and inspection by the gatekeepers, and Shi Shiran entered the imperial capital. He wandered around Zhuque Street for a while, then turned around and entered Chengenfang next to it.
The old doctor took his young apprentice for a large circle along the alleys in the square. Then he looked around and no one was paying attention. Suddenly he turned over and flew into a large house to the west of Cheng'en Square. The apprentice's skills were equally impressive, and he followed the master and jumped over the wall.
If people saw this at night, they would definitely think that they were thieves who broke into people's houses at night.
"Mr. Hu, you are fine."
Facing these two uninvited guests who suddenly appeared, Hu Yufei was slightly startled at first, and then he recognized each other's voices and quickly stood up to greet them: "Oh, it turns out to be Brother Shen, a rare visitor."
Shen Lie, who turned into a charlatan, cupped his hands and said with a smile: "I know Mr. Hu didn't like me very much before, but the current situation is difficult, so I have no choice but to shamelessly harass me, hahaha."
Yuan Bin, who was beside him, also saluted respectfully: "Master Hu, my humble position is Yuan Bin of the Xinjiang Army. Under the orders of the Great Protector, I came here to say hello to you."
"It's easy to talk. Let's talk in my study. It's quiet over there." Hu Yufei took Shen Lie's hand and said with a helpless smile: "To be honest, as an official in the court, who can not hate you? But, I I also admire you from the bottom of my heart. Today’s Shengtang is so lacking in people like you, Brother Shen.”
Shen Lie felt his heart heat up after hearing this. He held Hu Yufei's hand tightly and said as he walked: "Shen has a special status. If he appears here now, I'm afraid it will cause unnecessary trouble for you, Mr. Hu."
Hu Yufei rolled his eyes at him: "Look at what you said, am I someone who is afraid of trouble? Princess Fenyang or Dong Shangshu, which one of them won't trouble me? It's too late for me to be happy. Alas, when it comes to these two, I’m really worried.”
Yuan Bin asked curiously from behind: "What? Are the princess and Lord Dong in trouble?"
Hu Yufei nodded: "It's not just a trouble. If I look at it, your life may be in danger at any time. Come on, go to the study, and I'll tell you carefully."
