The night was dark, and it was difficult to see clearly. There was no village or shop in sight, and there were no pedestrians on the post road.
A tired bird returns to its nest after flying for a long time, how much more so a traveler?
There are no stars or moon, and the sky is like ink stain.
There was no light on the road, and it was difficult to move even with good eyesight. Mei Yuanchen had no choice but to rein in his horse and build a bonfire under a big tree.
The howls of wolves in the mountains are long and cold, one after another, and the whole world has become their hunting ground.
Mei Yuanchen was not weak in martial arts, so he was naturally not afraid of these wild animals, but he was also worried that his mount might make a mistake, so he did not dare to let it go far away to graze, so he tied the reins to a tree branch.
Although the horse was strong and strong, it was extremely tired after a day's driving. It lay down next to the fire and panted heavily.
There was a cloth bag in the bag, which contained muffins that Yi Qingxin had packed for Mei Yuanchen when Yufeng Escort left before leaving. At one count, there were twenty.
Mei Yuanchen kept two of them, and took out the rest one by one, forming a pile near the horse's head.
One person and one horse gathered around the fire and began to eat their dinner.
Although he was on the road all day, Mei Yuanchen always remembered that today is the third day of July, Xia Chengyi's sixteenth birthday.
"Yiyi, I broke my promise again..." Mei Yuanchen looked at the dancing flames and murmured softly.
... ...
Sixteen exquisite dishes were placed on the dining table, but there were only three people sitting on the table, and there was no one waiting in the hall.
Xia Chengyi was the birthday boy, but he was wearing a plain robe and skirt, and there was no hint of joy on his face.
"Yiyi!" Xia Chengxuan came over and said to his sister with a smile, "I asked someone to make a pair of 'dragon and phoenix puppets' for you at the 'Clay King'. Do you like it or not?"
After saying that, he picked up a brocade box more than two feet high from the seat beside him and gently placed it in front of her.
The right side of his face was swollen so high that only a slit was exposed over his right eye. The smile just now touched the corners of his lips and eyes, and he endured a burst of tearing pain.
"Who hurt you like this?" Xia Chengyi sobbed softly.
Although it had been bandaged, there was still blood seeping out of the cotton gauze, and the wound could not be more obvious.
The brother and sister have been noisy since they were children, and fighting is common. However, their relationship has always been very good. Seeing that his brother was injured in such a vital place, Xia Chengyi couldn't help but feel angry and hurt. His tears fell to the ground like dropped beads, and he shouted loudly, "When did our family let others bully us so much!"
"I don't have to worry about it. The person who hurt me is ten times and a hundred times worse than me!" Xia Chengxuan waved his hands and smiled, "Yiyi, the craftsmanship of the 'Clay Man King' is really good, and this 'Dragon and Phoenix Puppet' is so lifelike that I also like it. If If it weren't for your birthday, I wouldn't be willing to give it to you, so just open it and take a look!"
Xia Chengyi knew that he was deliberately joking with her to make herself happy. She lowered her head to wipe away her tears, found the brocade ribbon on the brocade box, and gently pulled it open.
"Open it and take a look!" Xia Chengxuan stroked his face with one hand and pointed at the brocade box with the other.
Ran Jingru on the side was very pleased to see their brother and sister loving each other so much, but there seemed to be a deep reluctance hidden in her smile.
"ah!"
As soon as the brocade box was opened, Xia Chengyi screamed unconsciously: what came into her eyes were two cute baby faces.
Two dolls, a boy and a girl.
"I'll help you take it out." Xia Chengxuan smiled.
The two dolls have the same base, are about two feet tall, and weigh more than twenty kilograms. It is really difficult for Xia Chengyi, a girl, to take them out. As an older brother, of course he has to volunteer at this time.
The clay doll was placed on the table, and Xia Chengyi could finally take a closer look.
"Mei Dafa, what is Mei Daya?"
There were six words on the base. The boy's name was "Mei Da Pang" and the girl's name was "Mei Daya". Xia Chengyi was pointing at those words and asked with a puzzled look on his face.
Hearing his sister ask this question, Xia Chengxuan had a bad smile on his face and replied: "When you and Yuan Chen get married and have a boy, you will call him 'Mei Big Fat'. If you give birth to a girl, then call her 'Mei Daya'." '!"
Xia Chengyi's face turned dark immediately, and he punched him in the chest, making him scream in pain.
Normally, Xia Chengxuan's screams like this were mostly just pretending, but today it was really painful. Xia Chenghuan kicked him there, and it was already a purple bruise.
Seeing his brother cry out in pain, Xia Chengyi also regretted a little and said to him softly: "What name did you choose? It's so difficult and unpleasant to hear!"
Thinking of what happened at Yuqiong Langyuan six days ago, I couldn't help but blush on my pink face.
"Chengxuan and Yiyi have grown up and will soon have a family. What else can I be reluctant to part with?" Ran Jingru shed tears as she looked at the pair of children.
"Okay, the food is getting cold, let's eat!"
After saying that, he brought a bowl of rice and placed it on the main table. He put a few of Xia Muchao's favorite dishes into it and murmured: "Your Majesty, today is Yiyi's birthday, you have to eat more! "
When she said this, her face was full of tenderness and tranquility, without the sadness and sorrow of the previous few days.
Seeing her children looking over, Ran Jingru smiled and said to the two of them: "In the future, when I am no longer here, you must remember to provide me with a bowl of food three times a day."
... ...
"Taoist Priest, the palace door is closed. We cannot let you out of the palace. Please go back!" A palace guard blocked Zhan Wei's path and said with an apologetic expression.
For the past ten years, Zhan Wei has been preaching to Emperor Yonghua in the palace. Although he has not held an official position, his status is more noble than the first rank in the dynasty. Gongfang Baifu was just a lowly official from the sixth rank, and he had no confidence standing in front of Zhan Wei.
"What time is it now?" Zhan Wei asked coldly.
The hundred men bowed and lowered their heads, and replied softly: "About the beginning of the Xu period."
Not long ago, Luohufang reported the Xu hour, and this was the first moment of the Xu hour.
"When will the palace gate close?" Zhan Wei asked again coldly.
Baifu raised his head slightly and mumbled: "This..."
Zhan Wei shouted loudly: "I ask you, according to the Dahua Palace's defense, when should the palace gate be closed?"
"On ordinary days, the gate is closed at three o'clock in the morning. However, the current situation in the capital is unclear. Lord Hu has ordered that from today on, the palace gates will be closed, and no unauthorized entry or exit is allowed." Bai Fu replied seriously.
This morning, he was ordered to take over the defense of the west gate of the palace city with his more than 300 elite city defense battalions. Hu Xiu'an issued a strict order, but if someone came in or out through the door he was guarding, he would be charged with dereliction of duty and severely punished according to military law.
According to military law, the severe penalty for dereliction of duty is to be executed by execution.
Zhan Wei's face became increasingly ugly, and he pointed at the centurion and said, "Humph, the emperor is still in the palace, how dare Hu Xiu'an blockade the palace? He is so bold! Are you going to let him cause chaos?"
He was about to check Emperor Yonghua's pulse when he discovered that there were guards with swords standing inside and outside Emperor Yonghua's residence. Even though he explained his intention, they refused to let him in.
In this battle, the intention couldn't be more obvious.
"Go out and find King Duan!" Zhan Wei immediately thought of King Duan.
When we got here, we discovered that the palace gate was also sealed.
"Get out of the way! The emperor's condition has improved, and he is in urgent need of rare medicinal materials from Sanwei. The Imperial Hospital does not have any in stock. I have to rush to Zhenwu Temple to get it. Don't get entangled, or you will miss important events, or be careful of involving the nine tribes!" Zhan Wei had to make up. This is a cover to see if I can scare the centurion in front of me.
Get life-saving medicinal materials for the emperor?
Sure enough, Bai Fu began to sweat on his forehead and face. This matter was no small matter. How could he, a little man, afford it?
"Still don't get out of the way!" Zhan Wei shouted sharply.
Unexpectedly, Zhan Wei's cold shout woke up the hundred men. He wiped his sweat and replied seriously: "Taoist priest, I have been ordered to guard the palace gate and must not let anyone in or out. If you want to get medicine for the emperor, The city defense camp is willing to do it for you and make a trip to the Zhenwu Temple for the Taoist Priest!"
He climbed up step by step, so he naturally understands the meaning of military orders. If he releases the person now, once the incident occurs, the only thing waiting for him will be death.
Therefore, no matter what, he could not let Zhan Wei leave the palace, even to get life-saving medicine for the emperor.
Seeing that the centurion still refused to give in, Zhan Wei said: "Huoshan Dendrobium and Blood Ganoderma! Hurry to Zhenwu Temple and ask for it from my senior brother, Taoist Master Zhan Ming!"
Dendrobium Huoshanensis and Ganoderma lucidum are both rare nourishing medicines, but they are by no means suitable for people who have just woken up from a long illness.
"I hope senior brother can notice something strange here... I don't know what happened to Mr. Ni." Zhan Wei thought silently in his heart. He didn't see Ni Juzheng for a whole day. At such a critical time, the palace's top officials were nowhere to be seen.
... ...
At dinner, Ran Jingru frequently served dishes to her children, but she never touched her chopsticks.
Both brother and sister couldn't help but think: "I guess my mother feels that our father is no longer here, so she wants to love us even more."
After dinner, she accompanied Xia Chengyi to the boudoir, where mother and daughter sat on the bed and chatted for more than an hour.
After being busy all day, Xia Chengyi was already exhausted and fell into a deep sleep.
Ran Jingru tucked her daughter into bed and arranged her hair on her forehead. She looked at her deeply and refused to look away for a long time, "Yiyi, Yuan Chen is a good boy. You and him will be happy..."
She thought about Zhang Suiguang's words, sighed sadly, turned off the lights and closed the door and left.
"Mother called me?"
Xia Chengxuan looked at Ran Jingru's personal maid and asked softly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The princess asked you to go to the prince's study." The maid replied.
Something must have happened if his mother still called him after calling someone so late. Xia Chengxuan did not dare to delay and immediately followed the little maid to Xia Muchao's study.
Ran Jingru was looking through Xia Muchao's daily records. The most recent chapter was written by him on the eve of going to Anxian:
"In the Anxian Incident, Shatuo committed a crime. My father was worried and could not cope with it alone, so he sent Mu Chao to Jinzhou to supervise the dispatch. On the night before leaving, I chatted with Yiyi while walking. I know that the girl I love has love in her heart, and Mu Chao is happy I'm worried. As a father, I prayed that Yiyi would love me alone, but it didn't work out. Yuanchen Zhai has a kind heart, and Haitang is also considerate. I wish the three of them to be happy and have a good relationship for a lifetime. In this way, Mu Chao will have no regrets. "
Closing the diary, Ran Jingru squinted her eyes and chuckled, murmuring like she was dreaming: "Your Majesty, Chengxuan and Yiyi are both fine. Are you lonely down there?"
There was a sound of footsteps outside the door. It was the little maid holding a lantern to attract Xia Chengxuan.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" There was a knock on the door.
"Chengxuan, come in." Ran Jingru called out softly.
After saying that, he stood up and put the books on the desk back into place.
"Mother." Xia Chengxuan walked in, stood in front of the desk, and said softly, "Mother is not well yet, so it is best to rest early."
He had a vague feeling that what mother and son were going to talk about might be related to Zhang Suiguang's visit today.
"Chengxuan, was your injury caused by Xia Chenghuan?" Ran Jingru asked softly, her face full of compassion.
Xia Chengxuan told her before going out that he was going to visit the white military camps at Yiwang's Mansion and Duanwang's Mansion. Among these three families, only Yiwangfu had reason to beat him.
"Yeah." Knowing that he couldn't hide it from his mother, Xia Chengxuan could only respond softly.
"That's fine!" Ran Jingru nodded and sighed, "If you have revenge, if you have complaints, you deserve this beating."
She sighed and added: "There is no right or wrong in seizing the crown prince, and you don't need to feel guilty anymore. After Xia Chenghuan beat you, your anger should be almost gone. Have you agreed to work together to deal with Prince Yun's house?" "
"Yes, he agreed." Xia Chengxuan nodded.
"Is the city gate really sealed?" Ran Jingru asked again.
"Yes, Hu Xiu'an has sealed the city gates and palace gates." Xia Chengxuan replied.
Once the city gate is locked, no one from outside can get in. Hu Xiu'an's more than 40,000 gold guards are all in the city, which is a big advantage.
Once the palace gate was closed, the palace was isolated. Only Hu Xiu'an and Prince Yun's family knew what was going on with the emperor. This was another great opportunity.
Right now, Prince Yun's Mansion has the upper hand.
Ran Jingru looked at him and said seriously: "To deal with Prince Yun's Mansion, our two families alone cannot make the decision."
"My child has already been to Prince Duan's Mansion, and they will also help." Xia Chengxuan explained.
Ran Jingru shook her head and frowned: "Prince Duan's Mansion is trying its best, but I'm afraid it won't do its best."
"The Children's Club sent a letter to Binan five days ago. Chengcan will definitely come back after reading the letter." Xia Chengxuan added.
The day after receiving Xia Muchao's obituary, he wrote three secret letters and sent them out of the city. One was sent to the Anxian Salt Transportation Bureau to Mei Siyuan, and the other was sent to Baima General's Mansion in Baoguo County. Second uncle Ran Jiangong sent one letter to General Zhilin's Mansion to Bu Sheyi, and the remaining letter was sent to Binan Post to Xia Chengcan.
"Even if Prince Zhi's Mansion is added, it is not enough." Ran Jingru said solemnly, "To deal with Prince Yun's Mansion, we must involve the powerful ministers in the court."
After listening to his mother's words, Xia Chengxuan looked a little sad and said with a look of reluctance: "None of the ministers who are really in power want to participate in this dispute. My son sent secret letters to them, but no one sent a reply."
Liu Yannian, Zhao Qingfeng, and Gu Baishun were all elders of the dynasty. Not only did they have great prestige in the dynasty, but they also had disciples all over the prefectures. If they could come to help them, why worry about the big thing happening?
Ran Jingru chuckled and said: "Silly boy, they are all loyal ministers, how can they easily join the party? What's more, this is a fight between princes, how can they agree to help you? If you want them to get involved, there is only one way .”
"Mother, what can I do?" Xia Chengxuanqi asked.
Ran Jingru smiled but did not answer him. Instead, she asked: "Is there any clear evidence that the death of your father, King Yi, and King Zhi was caused by Prince Yun's palace?"
"Xia Muyan, this thief, acts secretly, but there is no clear evidence. If there is clear evidence, how can King Duan allow him to follow up on these many actions?" Xia Chengxuan said bitterly. He had already asked Chu Zhong and Du Chong to investigate, but they could not find any supporting evidence.
"Without clear evidence, King Duan will never touch a prince." Ran Jingru shook her head and said, "Previously, Jue State sent people to attack the homes of important ministers and nobles at night. The court believed that the murder of the three kings was the fault of Jue State. Not a few.”
Xia Chengxuan nodded helplessly and said bitterly: "This is the brilliance of Xia Muyan. In the past, there were two incidents of Jue Guo assassinating ministers and Shatuo's invasion of Anxian. Many courtiers attributed the murder of the three kings to Shatuo. Tuo and Jue are so stupid!"
"If there is clear evidence that the three kings' affairs were committed by Prince Yun's Palace, the courtiers will definitely not stand idly by." Ran Jingru said seriously, "What's more, Xia Muyan didn't just do this?"
Xia Chengxuan's face tightened and he asked urgently: "Mother, what else do you know? Did Zhang Suiguang tell you?"
Ran Jingru didn't answer him, she just blinked and said slowly: "Of course you know how King Yi died. Do you know how King Zhi died? Do you know how your father died?" She didn't wait for him. He replied, then continued to himself, "Over the years, Duanmuyu has secretly supported Xia Muyan, giving him money to bribe his courtiers, training his dead soldiers with masters, and helping him connect with Shatuo. They have been a team for a long time. "
Xia Chengxuan's eyes had already widened, with a look of disbelief on his face.
Ran Jingru ignored it and continued: "When King Zhi went north to the capital and passed through the Yingxiao Gorge in Bozhou, why were there ambushes from the Jue Kingdom? Haha, those ambushes were Xia Muyan who bribed the defenders along the way and opened the country's gates. Let Mu Danqing's Qingqi sneak into the depths of Dahua without any hindrance, where they set up an ambush and sniped King Zhi."
Having said this, she sneered one after another, not knowing whether she was laughing at Xia Muyan, the defenders, or Xia Muchao.
A generation of King Wu was murdered by his own brother in this way.
"Do you know how your father died?" Ran Jingru looked at Xia Chengxuan and said softly, "My lord... My lord, you have been so clever all your life. I didn't expect that you were tricked by Xia Muyan."
At this time, Xia Chengxuan had already stood up with clenched fists. His eyes were red, especially the swollen right side of his face, which looked even more ferocious. He gritted his teeth and asked, "Mother, how did my father die?"
Ran Jingru shook her head, and two lines of tears fell silently.
"Xia Muyan asked Azig of Shatuo to pretend to negotiate border issues and lure your father to Tianmen City. At the same time, he wrote to Zhao Qianming, saying that your father was planning to capture him, and asked him to take a preemptive strike to prevent your father from surrendering again. Shatuo. Your father is just a letter of surrender to Shatuo."
These words were spoken calmly, with almost no ups and downs. It was more like telling someone else's story.
Her eyes were dull, but seemed to be filled with hatred.
"I must kill Xia Muyan! Kill Zhao Qianming! Kill Azige!" Xia Chengxuan's whole body was trembling, but his teeth were clenched tightly.
"What are you using to kill them?" Ran Jingru asked softly with her eyes trembling slightly.
Xia Chengxuan hesitated for a while and then said: "I want to find these evidences. I want to be the emperor of Dahua. Once I become the emperor, I can kill them."
"Those things are in Zhang Suiguang's hands." Ran Jingru blinked her eyes and said with a crazy smile.
