The copper coins made a muffled sound of "buzzing, buzzing" as the tortoise shell shook.
Prince Jiang Xia's eyes were slightly closed, his expression was pious, and he was mumbling something.
Xiao Yu was a little surprised. He had never seen his father do divination before, and he couldn't help but feel curious and nervous.
He stood there quietly, waiting for the results of the divination.
Inadvertently, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of Zhu Yi turning to look at him frequently, and he turned to look at Zhu Yi as well.
When their eyes met, Xiao Yu could see that Zhu Yi's brows were furrowed and there was a heavy look of anxiety in his eyes.
When he saw Xiao Yu turning to look at him, he quickly winked at Xiao Yu, probably saying: The situation is urgent, don't stay here for too long, it is best to take the two princes out of the palace quickly.
Xiao Yu understood, and he also glanced at Zhu Yi, which meant that he should calm down and see how the hexagram goes.
Seeing that Xiao Yu was not in a hurry, Zhu Yi had no choice but to shake his head in anxiety.
Xiao Yu smiled calmly, and he suddenly realized that he and Zhu Yi, the "great traitor", seemed to have formed some kind of unexplainable tacit understanding intentionally or unintentionally. Through eye contact, he could tell what the other person was thinking.
Just as Xiao Yu was thinking about this, he heard a few crisp sounds and a few copper coins fell from the tortoise shell on the table.
The three people onlookers didn't know the art of divination, but they all poked their heads to take a look.
But Xiao Ziqian opened his eyes slowly at this time.
Prince Xiao Ziqi of Jiujiang seemed to be the most impatient and asked first, "Brother, what do you say about the hexagram?"
Xiao Ziqian squinted his eyes and took a closer look, touched a few copper coins, and thought for a moment before saying: "Seventh brother, you only asked about the divination, but you don't want to know why I just made the divination?"
Xiao Ziqi frowned: "Isn't it because of Azhu?"
Xiao Ziqian put away the tortoise shell copper coins for divination and said calmly: "It's not for my son."
Xiao Yu was surprised. He originally thought that his father was fortune-telling for him just now, but the two people beside him were even more surprised, and they all looked at him.
Xiao Yu asked: "Father, if it's not for the children, then who is it for?"
"The current emperor."
When Xiao Ziqian said this, he looked up at the three people present. They were all surprised. Xiao Yu and Zhu Yi looked at each other with puzzled faces.
Xiao Ziqi said again: "Brother, didn't Shizhong Zhu just say that His Majesty just passed away, how can anyone predict good or bad luck for Emperor Daxing?"
Xiao Ziqian did not answer his brother's question, but still looked suspicious. He pinched his fingers again, and then raised his head after a moment: "That's not right... Azhu, have you seen the emperor's funeral with your own eyes?"
"I haven't seen you. The child was talking to Princess Yongning outside His Majesty's bedroom. Your Majesty was summoning King Huainan. During this period, it was King Huainan who broke the news of His Majesty's death."
Xiao Ziqian nodded and looked at Zhu Yi again.
Zhu Yi hurriedly bent down and raised his hands, and said tremblingly: "Wei Chen also could not see Tianyan again. At that time, Wei Chen was waiting outside the palace. When the whip was sounded in the hall, all the ministers bowed their heads and knelt down, heartbroken..."
"Okay, okay, Zhu Shizhong, there is no need to say anything more, I understand everything." Xiao Ziqian said this, but there seemed to be doubt on his face.
At this time, Zhu Yi suddenly knelt down and spoke sincerely: "My lord, what are you doubting? There is already chaos in the palace, and the Su Wei army has rebelled. The situation is about to get out of control, and the country has no master. It is necessary for the prince to come out, take charge of the overall situation, and turn the tide." .”
Xiao Ziqian remained calm and nodded absently, as if he didn't care about the situation outside at all. He only cared about his own hexagram, and repeatedly asked Xiao Yu for evidence.
Xiao Yu answered honestly, but he always felt that his father was a little nervous, and he couldn't help but feel uneasy in his heart.
Zhu Yi spoke fiercely and walked forward on his knees: "My lord, what are you still hesitating about?"
Xiao Ziqian still looked incomprehensible and absent-minded. He said casually: "Why is Zhu Shizhong so excited? My son is young and has never experienced major events before he is like you. But Zhu Shizhong, you are a veteran of three dynasties. I have never seen such a situation." After all, do you still care about this mere Su Wei army?"
"My lord, this is one moment and another. In normal times, the Suwei army is not something to be afraid of. But now that your majesty has passed away and the courtiers are left without a master, King Huainan takes advantage of the situation. If he stabilizes the situation, the consequences will be terrible for the young prince and the two of them." It’s not good for the prince!”
Xiao Ziqian raised his head and glanced meaningfully at Jiujiang King Xiao Ziqi. Xiao Ziqi stroked his beard and smiled with disdain on his face, as if both of them had a plan in mind.
Xiao Yu and Zhu Yi both came from outside and knew that it was dangerous outside, so they could understand Zhu Yi's excitement at this time.
He said: "Father, uncle, on the way here, Xiao Yu saw Su Wei soldiers massacring palace people, and the child was almost assassinated by King Huainan in the palace."
"Xiao Wei wants to kill you, Azhu. Is this serious?" Xiao Ziqi asked.
"Seriously." Xiao Yu said.
The King of Jiujiang said angrily: "This ineffective thing has not learned how to kill brothers and relatives, but it has learned a lot from Xiao Yuheng."
Xiao Ziqian did not react too strongly to Xiao Yu's words. He seemed to understand everything and comforted his younger brother: "Seventh brother, don't be impatient. Everything has its destiny. Azhu should suffer this disaster. Who can It can’t change destiny.”
But the King of Jiujiang was still angry. He sat aside angrily and became sulky.
Zhu Yi knelt down in front of Xiao Ziqian, cupped his hands and said, "Two princes, the country and the country of Qi are in danger. Don't let thieves rule the country."
Xiao Ziqian glanced at him and sighed: "Zhu Shizhong, I am a prisoner, Zhu Shizhong is a high official of the imperial court, Zhu Shizhong is like this... it is not in line with etiquette, please get up quickly!"
"Your Majesty..."
Zhu Yi was still kneeling. Xiao Ziqian's persuasion was fruitless, so he just let him go. He turned around and pretended not to see him, but looked at his eldest son.
"Azhu, my father is asking you, if you didn't see it in person, how did you know that His Majesty was buried?"
"The situation at that time..." Xiao Yuzheng hesitated again and again.
Xiao Ziqian waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to say anything: "You are still young, and your father told you, if you don't see it with your own eyes, don't believe it."
Xiao Yu thought for a moment: "What my father means is... His Majesty is not dead..."
A meaningful smile appeared on Xiao Ziqian's round face: "I haven't seen my father in person yet, so I don't dare to judge at will. But the strange thing is... my father just made a divination for him, and there are predictions."
Xiao Yu then remembered that his father had never announced the hexagram, so he hurriedly asked: "Father, how is the hexagram?"
"Good luck." Xiao Ziqian said.
Xiao Yu was shocked and his heart sank.
Zhu Yi was reluctant to get up, and he raised his hands to persuade: "Your Majesty, how can the art of hexagrams be completely taken seriously!"
"Brother's divination has always been very accurate." Xiao Ziqi interjected.
"Shizhong Zhu, I have told you to stand up and speak. How is it appropriate to do this?"
Xiao Ziqian finally got up at this time, walked around the desk, and went over to help Zhu Yi up, with a meaningful smile on his face: "No wonder Zhu Yi, I think the matter is still unclear, and I still have some concerns in my heart. Wait and see..."
Zhu Yi became more and more anxious: "My lord, what are you waiting for? The rebels outside have already seen blood and there is no one to restrain them. If they break in here, it will be detrimental to the two princes... If that happens, the foundation of our country will be broken, and the country will be destroyed." Destroyed."
"Zhu Shizhong's words must be serious! I have great Qi Qi in the clan, among the ministers in the court, among the officials in the frontiers, and among the thousands of people. How can I be the only two brothers!" the King of Jiujiang said coldly.
Zhu Yi didn't realize it at first, but he gradually found that the Prince of Jiujiang was arguing with him. He was angry, but he didn't dare to vent, and he lowered his eyebrows and refused to be like the impatient prince.
"Hey, Seventh Brother, Shizhong Zhu is very loyal, don't say those things that are so cold-blooded." Xiao Ziqian scolded.
He looked at Zhu Yi again: "I appreciate Shizhong Zhu's good intentions, but my temper has long since dissipated. I only ask Huang Lao how to live forever. Shizhong Zhu has turned the tide, which makes us and the whole clan feel ashamed. If Zhu Shicheng has great ambitions, and I have no intention of retaining him."
Zhu Yi was a little angry: "Your Majesty, Da Qi's surname is Xiao, and Wei Chen is a loyal minister. He dedicated his whole life to Da Qi, but what did he get in exchange... None of the clan members had any intention of turning the tide, so Wei Chen had no choice but to become an official and leave. Go back to the mountains and forests."
The expressions of the two princes were indifferent, as if they had not changed at all because of Zhu Yi's impassioned spirit and hard work for the country.
Xiao Yu was at a loss in his heart. He made his own calculations. If the emperor really died, the princes and princes from all over the country would be unable to catch up. Now the most powerful and prestigious royal family in Jiankang City are only the three kings, the King of Jiangxia, the King of Jiujiang, and the King of Huainan. He Xiao Yu really can't be counted, he can only be regarded as the prince of Jiangxia.
If the two kings don't care about the throne, do they really want to give the throne to Huainan King Xiao Wei for nothing?
The Daqi Empire had really collapsed, but the reactions of both his father and his uncle so far were beyond his expectations, showing extremely indifference to the throne and the future of the empire.
So abnormal, why is this? The more Xiao Yu thought about it, the less he understood.
At this time, Xiao Ziqian issued an order to expel the guests: "I know that Zhu Shizhong is a man of great loyalty, courage, and great supernatural powers. It is Zhu Shizhong and all the important ministers who help the building to collapse."
Zhu Yi was speechless. He blinked. It seemed that the safety of the Daqi Empire had nothing to do with the prince in front of him, but had become his own business.
He had no choice but to look at Xiao Yu, but when he saw that the young prince also had a confused look on his face, his eyes moved slightly, he felt relieved.
He had already made a plan in his mind. He needed a royal family member to pull the tiger skin as a banner for him.
The old guy is cunning and refuses to fall for the trick. Naturally, they are like a mirror in their hearts. He doesn't have high hopes, but the young prince is full of blood and has the courage and responsibility to do anything else. This is what he wants to find.
Zhu Yi sneered, cupped his hands and said: "If the two princes have no intention of going out, then I should leave with the young prince first! Wait for the young prince to accomplish something, and then come back to welcome the two princes out of the palace."
Xiao Yu's thoughts were in confusion when he heard that Zhu Yi had forcibly tied him to him. He was secretly displeased, but at this critical moment, he had no reason to distance himself from this "big traitor".
"Azhu can't leave! Shizhong Zhu can leave on his own!" King Jiujiang's tone was strong and stern, and he stood up to object.
Xiao Ziqian remained calm, but there was a hint of coldness in his eyes.
He suddenly looked at Xiao Yu and asked: "What does my son think? My father wants to hear my son's plan."
"Little prince, the massacre of the palace has begun outside, do you and I want to sit here and wait for death?" King Huainan can't spare anyone but you! The humble minister will risk his life to keep the young prince safe, and the Five Guards will follow the young prince's lead. " Zhu Yi pleaded.
Xiao Yu closed his eyes slightly, no need to be complicated.
On one side was the leisurely calmness of his father and uncle, on the other was Zhu Yi's fierce plea. At the same time, he was also worried about Xiao Wei's revenge. He even saw the pale and sad face of Princess Jincheng Xiao Yurong. , she persuaded herself to stay away from this right and wrong.
Xiao Yu suddenly opened his eyes.
"What do you think, my son?"
"I want to fight." Xiao Yu said.
The King of Jiujiang was furious and stared at his distressed nephew.
Zhu Yi was secretly proud there.
Xiao Ziqian slowly stood up and walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his hands. He suddenly raised his head and said, "I really want to fight? Is this my sincerity?"
Although Xiao Ziqian was as fat as a rich man, his eyes were still sharp and he could see into people's hearts with every move he made.
Xiao Yu didn't dare to look into his father's eyes and nodded lightly.
Zhu Yi said: "My lord doesn't know that the relationship between the young prince and the King of Huainan has reached a fight to the death. Everyone in the world, including me, Zhu Yi, has a way out, but the young prince does not. He must fight. If the two princes..."
"Stop it, Shizhong Zhu, you are so eloquent, I don't want to hear it." The King of Jiujiang said bitterly.
Zhu Yi pretended to be respectful and stood aside with his head bowed, feeling even more proud.
Xiao Ziqian ignored Zhu Yi and stepped forward to pat Xiao Yu on the shoulder: "Is there any palpitating in my son's heart?"
Xiao Yu knew it well and nodded: "I had an idea."
"How much does my son covet that cold, cold position?"
Xiao Yu looked back and thought about it, he couldn't explain clearly. After all, he had never tasted the taste of imperial power. The final source was imagination and other people's demonic descriptions.
"Azhu, do you also want to be a prisoner on the throne?"
Xiao Yu was silent for a moment: "A'Zhu once had a brief delusion, but in the end he felt that he was not qualified."
"Then what are you thinking about?"
"The child has no talent, and everything has happened against the force of the times. The child does not want to sit back and wait for death, and does not want to resist without resistance. He must fight against fate to the end!"
A smile suddenly appeared on Xiao Ziqian's face, and there seemed to be a kind of relief and pride in the smile.
"My son has good ideas. If he takes advantage of the situation, he will achieve success."
"If my father...if my father had the opportunity to sit in that position, what would my father do?"
The smile on Xiao Ziqian's face faded slightly, he smoothed his beard and remained silent.
Zhu Yi on the side seemed unable to sit still. The proud look in his eyes gradually disappeared, and he paid attention to Xiao Yu's every move.
"Your father will be a good emperor." King Jiujiang interjected, "With my brother's broad mind, I dare not compare with the ancient sages and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, but I will certainly not be inferior to Han Xuan and Guangwu."
Xiao Ziqian suddenly shouted angrily at the King of Jiujiang: "Seventh brother, don't talk nonsense! When has this king ever coveted the throne!"
"If you become emperor, why are we, Da Qi, so weak?" The King of Jiujiang was a little unconvinced.
"That's nonsense!"
Xiao Yu looked at the King of Jiujiang at this moment: "Uncle... If my father becomes the emperor, he will really..."
"Comparable to Yao and Shun." The King of Jiujiang gave an affirmative answer.
"That's good..."
After Xiao Yu said that, he picked up the long gun and turned around to walk out of the house.
Xiao Ziqian looked at Xiao Yu's back silently, but couldn't say anything.
But the King of Jiujiang couldn't hold back his anger: "Azhu, what are you doing!"
Xiao Yu paused for a moment and turned his head: "My nephew will not do stupid things. My uncle just said that if my father becomes an emperor, he will definitely be a good emperor. The child also wants to find peace for all people..."
After Xiao Yu said that, he walked straight outside into the rain.
Zhu Yi's face was uncertain. He put his hands in his hands and left in a hurry after Xiao Yu.
At this time, only two brothers, Xiao Ziqian and Xiao Ziqi, were left in the room.
Xiao Ziqian's face was as sinking as water. He sat in front of the desk and remained silent for a long time.
The King of Jiujiang walked back and forth in front of the desk countless times with his hands behind his back.
He stopped abruptly, with an angry look on his face.
"Brother, Azhu is your biological son. Why don't you stop him from doing what he wants to do? The road ahead is difficult and he will fight to the death. He fights for you, but we stay here and sit back. I'm so angry... Look at Zhu Yi, he doesn’t hide his ambition in front of us, and he clearly doesn’t take the prince of our clan seriously?”
"Alas... destiny is like this." Xiao Ziqian sighed, "A'zhu has a bad fate. I have predicted for him a long time ago that he will have a great disaster in his life. He will have a rough life and danger will always be with him... In the evening, he will be better than you and me. Have a good death.”
"Fourth brother, whether the hexagrams are accurate or not, don't indulge in this anymore. Do you know what Azhu is going to do? Azhu goes to charge into battle for you, how can you bear it?"
"It's destiny, who can go against it?"
"I don't believe in destiny!" King Jiujiang's eyes widened.
"Seventh brother, please be patient and let him go. If it doesn't work, we two old guys will have to clean up his mess."
The King of Jiujiang smashed his hand on the desk and sat on the side of the desk angrily.
There is a solitary lamp in the night shadow, and the sound of rain outside.
The two were silent for a long time, and Xiao Ziqian suddenly asked: "Hey, seventh brother, do you really think that your brother can become an emperor?"
As soon as this issue was mentioned, the King of Jiujiang became angry.
"It is my brother who should be the emperor! When Yuzhou raised troops, my brother was deceived by Xiao Ziming! It was my brother who charged at the front, it was his brother who conquered Jiankang City, and it was his brother who quelled the chaos in various places. How could he, Xiao Ziming, be so virtuous? Yes, he only knows how to play politics. We don't reward our merits, but he reuses some of Donghun Hou's old ministers to check and balance us, stumbling against us in every possible way! The most annoying thing is that when my brother was in charge of Jingxiang, he let Xiao Yan, a lowly person, check and balance us. Brother. Brother, think about it, if it weren’t for you, he would only be the King of Xiyang until he dies!
"Later, Xiao Ziming died, and his bullshit son became the emperor, and he became even more aggressive towards our clan princes! Look at the chaos in the court, the refugees from all over the country rebelled, and he had to rely on his sister to support important matters in the court. He It's best to die! As my brother becomes the emperor, it's time to straighten out the affairs of the court. When the time comes, I will teach Azhu how to box and so on. Then it will be enough to give me the false title of Taifu."
Xiao Ziqian didn't care that his seventh brother said so many treacherous words, and smiled: "Brother, when I saw that position and said my true feelings, my heart was really trembling!"
"Then do you want to sit in that position? If you want, take this opportunity to hit the ground. There are also many ministers in the DPRK who want to get close to us secretly."
Xiao Ziqian thought for a while: "Today, there is something I didn't say to Azhu. The main reason is that Zhu Yi is here."
"Brother, which sentence? Have I heard it?"
Xiao Ziqian smiled calmly: "Those who achieve great things must be slow."
"Those who achieve great things... must be slow... Brother, you told me in the past... it's just..."
"Seventh brother, you are a kind-hearted person, but your temper is too hasty. You need to be slow and steady." Xiao Ziqian raised his head and looked at the cobweb-covered beams, pondering for a moment, "Azhu's temper is too hasty and needs to be polished. After tonight, Things will definitely teach him a lot, and it’s time to let him know the cruelty of palace struggle..."
The King of Jiujiang snorted coldly: "Then who is Xiao Wei, who can compare with Azhu? He is just like his father who cannot hold up the south wall. He is not qualified to carry my shoes."
"I'm not talking about Xiao Wei. Xiao Wei is nothing to be afraid of."
"Then who are you worried about? What about the Lu family of Wu County? Since Sun Wu, the Lu family has produced famous generals like Lu Xun and Lu Kang. It was the former Jin Dynasty where the noble family was extremely prosperous. What kind of splash has the Lu family caused?"
"For hundreds of years, Gu, Lu and Zhu Zhang have been intertwined with each other and connected with each other. It is a force that cannot be underestimated. The Lu family of Wu County should not underestimate it... But I am still worried about Xiao Yuheng..."
"I'm worried about him...it's such a chaos outside. I heard people shouting and killing outside even in the house. If Xiao Yuheng hadn't died, would there still be such chaos outside?"
Xiao Ziqian smiled bitterly and said: "Have we suffered too much from Xiao Yuheng since the death of the late emperor? How many clan members died at his hands? It is estimated that the Lu family participated in Xiao Wei's rebellion. Maybe the Lu family wanted to take this opportunity. Return to the center of the court, but don't forget how tragic the death of King Luling was. Xiao Yuheng also asked Concubine Lu to eat the heart and liver of King Luling herself, saying that this was retaliation. In the end, Concubine Lu went crazy and fell into the lake to her death. But when you think about it, which mother would eat the heart and liver of her own child? Seventh brother, do you think the Lu family of Wu County can swallow such hatred?"
The King of Jiujiang couldn't help but swallow when he thought about it. That was one of the past events that he didn't want to recall.
Xiao Ziqian sighed: "Xiao Yuheng is even more ruthless than the previous Liu Ziye, and the bad things he has done are shocking... But I am worried that Azhu's biggest enemy is still Xiao Yuheng."
Xiao Ziqian had a look of doubt on his face, and slowly uttered a sentence: "Don't forget the divination of my brother... Maybe Xiao Yuheng is not dead after all."
"Brother, it's true!" King Jiujiang's face turned pale. "It's been a long time since he's been tortured by the guards in black. I guess he must have been sick a long time ago, and God is going to take him away!"
"Good luck..." Xiao Ziqian picked up the divination tool again, "The dead will not be lucky."
Xiao Ziqian began to prepare for divination again. As soon as he shook the tortoise shell, the King of Jiujiang dissuaded him: "Brother, today's three lessons have passed. If I continue to pry into the secrets of heaven, I may lose my life!"
Xiao Ziqian ignored the words of King Jiujiang and shook the tortoise shell in his hand faster and faster.
Suddenly, three copper coins fell again.
Xiao Ziqian lay down and hurriedly took a look.
"Brother, what's wrong?" asked the King of Jiujiang.
Xiao Ziqian suddenly collapsed on the couch.
"Good luck..."
The King of Jiujiang was stunned for a long time, then stood up quickly and said hurriedly: "I...I will chase Azhu, and I must bring him back!"
"No need!" Xiao Ziqian stopped him, "This is Xiao Yu's fate, he can live with it."
"What if I can't get through?"
Xiao Ziqian's eyes were cold: "If someone stands to make it difficult for Azhu... As a father, I will change my life to keep him safe. I will not let go of anyone who has anything to do with it... including Xiao Yuheng!"
…
The rain outside started to patter again.
On both sides of a corridor, there were crowds of Su Guard soldiers wearing bright armor. A forest of guns pointed across the front, surrounding two dripping figures.
One person stood alone in the rain with a gun raised, while the other person was already scared out of his wits and leaned against the wall.
The guard soldiers on both sides were like stone sculptures, and they must not move in the rain. Unknowingly, the gloomy sky turned slightly white.
The night is leaving and a new dawn is coming.
Suddenly, the Su Guard soldiers on one side flashed out of an aisle.
A middle-aged man wearing Mingguang armor walked out of the aisle, with his right hand on the ring-headed sword at his waist. He looked majestic and majestic.
He cupped his fists and raised his hands to the young man in front of him who raised the gun: "Young prince, Zhu Shizhong, why are you in such a hurry? Go to the side hall to rest for a while, King Huainan... No, His Majesty the Emperor wants to summon you for a while."
Xiao Yu sneered, with no fear on his face. He mocked: "Before I even sit on the throne, I have already changed my name to Your Majesty."
