Chapter 418: Chapter 414: When I Return, I Will Make You Empress

When entering Liluo Palace again, the sky was already pitch black.

The deep winter night was thick, even the lights seemed to be shrouded in a layer of gauze mist, the halo like fireflies, vague and indistinct.

Zhen Su sat in the main hall, dressed in plain clothes with black hair, as if made of ice and snow, cold with not a hint of human warmth.

She faced the door, without any screen to shield her, just quietly watching Tang Xiaobai approach.

After Tang Xiaobai entered the hall, she paused and watched her from afar.

“The palace there received a secret report from the Capital City, stating that the Crown Prince has already rebelled.”

Zhen Su’s lips moved slightly, revealing a faint, ambiguous smile: “The Eastern Palace is also well-informed.”

Considering the timing, it’s likely that the palace there hasn’t even devised a strategy yet, but the news has already spread back to the Capital City.

“Who instructed you?” Tang Xiaobai asked.

Mo Ji indeed intercepted the letter.

Not long after the interception, news came from the palace there—

A secret report from the Capital City, the Crown Prince has already rebelled.

The letter was indeed a flawless one.

The problem was with the messenger.

She had always known that Zhen Su was hiding something, but because of Xue Shaoqin, she had always believed that Zhen Su bore no ill will toward the Eastern Palace, but unexpectedly…

“I have no ill will toward the Eastern Palace, nor toward you,” Zhen Su said, her eyes looking more sincere and emotional than ever before, “Seventh Son often mentions you, and often appreciates the Eastern Palace’s recognition and support, I won’t harm you—”

“Whether or not you would harm me, or have harmed me, isn’t up to you,” Tang Xiaobai interrupted her coldly, “I am not a puppet arranged by you, nor will the Eastern Palace take orders from you; just because you think you bear no malice doesn’t mean you won’t cause harm to others!”

The world is full of people who inflict harm in the name of love, not to mention that Zhen Su doesn’t even have “love”.

Zhen Su was choked for a moment by her severe gaze, and said softly: “I’m sorry…”

The apology came too quickly, ironically making Tang Xiaobai feel stuffy and uncomfortable.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard Zhen Su say: “When the two armies confront each other, I am willing to be a hostage in front of the army.”

Tang Xiaobai was startled and widened her eyes, looking her up and down.

Zhen Su seemed a bit uneasy under her gaze, avoided her eyes, and said: “Have you ever thought, between the throne and you, how would the Crown Prince choose?”

Tang Xiaobai smiled: “So, you want to know?”

Zhen Su lowered her head and said nothing.

Tang Xiaobai laughed again, saying: “I don’t know if you really want to know, but I don’t want to know—”

She didn’t want to know how Li Mu would choose, nor how the Emperor would choose.

Even if they truly intended to rebel, it’s unlikely they would use a weak woman like Zhen Su as a hostage, simply ridiculous!

“You deceived me once; now I don’t believe a word you say. Keep your secrets and plans; I won’t ask anymore!”

Having said all this, Tang Xiaobai had no need to say more.

When leaving Liluo Palace, a ghostly shadow floated behind her, whispering in her ear: “Just a letter, she says the Crown Prince is rebelling, so he is? The Emperor believes her too? Can’t you write a letter to explain? Why does she get to decide?”

Zhong Chuchu perched on the eaves listening for a long time, utterly puzzled.

Tang Xiaobai paused in her steps, and looked back at Liluo Palace.

Outside the hall, there were still many Imperial Guards standing, but no longer the batch left by the Emperor.

“If there are any intruders, kill them without mercy.”

How could Zhen Su be so sure she could successfully frame the Crown Prince?

She was merely exposing all the enmity between the Emperor and the Crown Prince!

…

“Judging the Crown Prince’s rebellion based on a mere secret letter from the Capital City, and then mobilizing troops, isn’t that too hasty?”

Inside the palace hall, Prime Minister Wei Du expressed a doubt similar to Zhong Chuchu’s.

The Emperor sat silently, eyes deeply pondering.

Duke Yan, Tang Shigong, also asked: “Do we know who authored this secret letter?”

“This letter, I can trust,” the Emperor suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze fierce as he looked at Tang Shigong, “This morning, the Left Brave Guard entered the Capital City, hasn’t returned yet; what does Tang Qing think?”

The Left Brave Guard entered the Capital to investigate the Crown Prince’s return without a decree, but they disappeared once they went in.

This in itself was very suspicious.

Tang Shigong smiled mildly, made a salute, and said: “If Your Majesty has concerns, I am willing to lead the troops back to the Capital to investigate.”

Wei Du’s eyelids twitched.

If the Crown Prince truly rebelled, could anyone really let the Crown Prince’s father-in-law suppress him? Wouldn’t that be sending a tiger back to the mountain?

“Duke Yan has just laid down his armor, and with weak wife and children at home, how dare we bother you?” It was Yan Yuebin who interrupted, not only blocking Tang Shigong but also proposing, “I recommend Left Martial Guard General Liu Tai!”

The Emperor looked at Tang Shigong.

Tang Shigong smiled: “General Liu is a good choice.”

…

When the ministers dispersed, it was already late at night and the waterways had stopped flowing.

The palace gates were long closed, palace maids led the senior officials to rest in side halls of the outer court.

This was a usual practice.

Tang Shigong showed no abnormality, his expression remained gentle and calm, even joking with the palace attendants leading the way.

Just a wall away, the Emperor listened inside the hall to Tang Shigong’s deep, calm laughter, his expression inscrutable.

“Mobilizing troops was indeed hasty—”

Not all the senior ministers summoned to the palace went to rest; by the Imperial Court remained Zheng Shidao and Yan Yuebin.

Zheng Shidao had spoken little before, but now he finally opened his mouth slowly: “Doesn’t Your Majesty have anyone’s secret letter that you trust so blindly, dare to use troops rashly?” His tone was calm but with a hint of blame.

The Emperor coldly said: “The Crown Prince already knows.”

Zheng Shidao paused: “Knows what?”

The Emperor didn’t answer, instead looked at Yan Yuebin.

Yan Yuebin’s face instantly changed dramatically.

Zheng Shidao saw this, and his expression changed too.

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

The corridor was built along the mountain, in the deep, silent night, even light footsteps sounded clear in the empty corridor, tapping like a wooden hammer on the heart.

Soon, someone reported from outside the hall: “Your Majesty, the Qinzhou Army has entered the Capital City without a decree, already reached the west bank of Ba River!”

Silence suddenly engulfed the hall.

The Qinzhou Army was the western defending wall of the Capital City.

The Emperor’s fingers lightly tapped on the armrest, breaking the silence: “The Qinzhou Army… Li Mu, this boy…”

…

West Bank of Ba River, the camps were scattered like stars.

Outside the gate, Qinzhou Army generals stood solemnly in armor, waiting.

Crown Prince Li Mu sat high on horseback, looking down, his brows like sharp swords, eyes like cold stars.

Beneath his cool, smooth jawline was a tightly secured dark neck guard.

When Tang Xiaobai saw this scene, she felt overwhelmed.

Cold, ascetic, yet with a touch of vulnerability due to excessive beauty, the youth, from atop, looked down at the thousands of troops, dangerously lethal.

But when he felt her gaze and turned around, amidst the night mist and frost, he seemed like a different person.

“Were you at Liluo Palace again?” Li Mu approached and asked.

“Hmm.”

“Don’t mind her; focusing too much on others’ actions will make you passive instead.”

Tang Xiaobai nodded.

“I’ve brought someone for you.”

Beneath the cloak and hat, there was a luxurious woman’s dress.

She removed her hat, revealing an extremely emaciated face.

“When I return, I will make you my empress!”

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