The lamp in the bedroom suddenly appeared, and the flame was faintly visible. It was just lit, and it was still a bit dark. Behind the curtain, there were layers of hemlines and corners of skirts that were trembling slightly. From the faint scent of cold fragrance, the experienced palace maid already knew that tonight was Mei Pin's turn to serve in bed.

  The emperor, however, showed no mercy or sympathy. He gazed intently at the sweating Prefect of the Imperial Capital, his pupils seeming to hold a boundless and profound depth, dark and unfathomable.

  "Who would have thought that a great general, without dying on the battlefield, would actually fall at the hands of an assassin!"

  Yuan Qi picked up the "Tai Ah" sword and took a deep breath. The Jingzhao Yin was shocked and trembled.

  "Rest assured, I don't want your life - even if I kill you, Liu Yin can't come back to life!"

  The emperor smiled slightly in mockery, and after a moment of silence, he handed his sword over to Qin Xi.

  "Put away your sword!"

  Qin Xi's hands and feet moved quickly, wrapping the sword body with a yellow silk red belt. Yuan Qi didn't even look at him, stood up, walked to the window, closed his eyes and remained still.

  Jingying General Liu Yin was the most knowledgeable and strategic among young military officers. The Emperor entrusted him with a large army to protect the Son of Heaven, which showed extreme trust. Such a trusted arm, who had fought bravely on the battlefield and repelled the Tatars with his clever tactics in the past, ended up dying at the hands of an assassin today!

  The Metropolitan Governor pondered and said: "The Tiele assassin has committed a heinous crime, killing General Liu in the capital. We cannot let them escape - I have already informed the Nine Gates Garrison Commander, who is dispatching troops to be on guard. Taking advantage of this dark night, I dare to request an imperial edict from Your Majesty. At dawn, seal off the city gates and conduct a thorough search within the city. The Tiele assassin and our people from the Central Plains look very different, so if we search carefully, they will definitely reveal some clues."

  What he said was indeed wise and sincere words, but seeing that the emperor did not respond, his face turned even darker, and he couldn't help but feel more surprised.

  Yuanyi wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent. He gazed at his puzzled ministers and listened to their repeated mentions of "Tartar assassins", filled with indignation, yet unable to speak.

  Genki!!

  The emperor gritted his teeth and sneered coldly, thinking of the innocent and elegant smile of Jing Wang, hating that he couldn't stab him with a sword and end this great trouble in his heart.

  He eventually calmed down after a moment, forcing himself to be calm and collected.

  "Seal up my Ta'a sword and offer it to General Liu's spirit, hold a memorial service for three days. After the sky brightens, you cannot make a big search, but secretly investigate..."

  Yuan Qi glanced at the solemnly standing Jingzhao Yin and continued: "The Tartar Khan has always been cunning, his subordinates must also like to create illusions. They are facing a city-wide manhunt, they will definitely hide in the blind spots of the officials and soldiers - therefore, the mansions and villas of the powerful people in the city, you must pay special attention!"

  The Governor of Beijing heard this and his scalp went numb, thinking that he would offend so many high-ranking officials. His heart sank, but when it came to the crunch, the emperor's thunderous anger was even more terrifying, so he could only nod in agreement.

  Yuanyi looked at him, silently sighing. He knew that Jing Wang's cunning was like a fox and would not leave too many flaws. This arrangement was just a case of locking the stable door after the sheep had escaped, picking up the leftovers to make up for what was lacking.

  He said a few words in a low voice, and then let the Jingzhao Yin retire. The latter had not yet caught his breath, and hastily left the palace to make arrangements.

  Yuan Qi stood by the window, still seething with anger. Last time, he had planned and schemed to strangle the rumors in their infancy, and even used the pretext of a Tartar assassin to eliminate many treacherous officials. But he hadn't expected the King's counterattack to come so soon, and to use his own methods against him!

  At this time, a suppressed low hum came from behind the curtain, as if breathing was somewhat hindered. Yuan Qi was taken aback for a moment before remembering that the beauty was still on the bed. He asked in some surprise: "What's wrong with you?"

  "Your servant's voice was somewhat weak: 'I am a little short of breath, presumably because I heard such bloody things and was startled...'"

  Yuanyuan helped her up, and under the support of the people around her, Mei Gui came to the front hall. Her face was pale, almost without any blood color, looking weak and powerless.

  Yuan Qi let her go ahead and rest in the warm pavilion on the west side, and sent someone to invite the imperial physician to come to Qianqing Palace for emergency treatment. He himself was still pacing back and forth in the palace.

  In the quiet hall, there was only his anxious footsteps, which finally stopped abruptly in front of the door, and then there was no movement.

  The sound was even more startling in the silent night, this deep palace night seemed to be dyed with ink, becoming even darker and deeper. It was already the third watch of the night.

  The eunuch outside the palace came in to report: "Shang Yi has arrived!"

  A girl who slowly entered from outside the palace, with a face as cold and beautiful as ice and snow jade, her eyes shining brightly, fascinating people.

  "Your Majesty, there is a commotion over here, what major event has occurred?"

  She asked softly.

  The emperor sighed: "This time, I have truly lifted a rock and crushed my own foot!"

  He said this, but saw the girl in front of him, and she actually smiled back at him.

  "Jing Wang's move is indeed ingenious, but Your Majesty can also counter it in the same way, making him speechless."

  Chenlu smiled and said a few words in a low voice. Yuanqi's eyes shone with an unusual light, and he nodded slightly, saying: "This plan is excellent!"

  He thought carefully, and then hesitated: "Let Qu Ying do it, I have some people in secret who are under his command. If you participate personally, there will inevitably be danger."

  "Your Majesty seems to have forgotten that I also came from a humble background in Jianghu, and these dangers are nothing but a normal meal for me."

  Yuandi gazed at her, his eyes locked onto hers, a sentence "I've always been worried about you" reached the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed it back.

  He suppressed the melancholy in his heart and smiled: "I have made a mistake this time, but I really troubled you."

  "Your Majesty, don't think like this..."

  Chenlu gazed at him, in the darkness of night, she was not as calm as usual, her eyes showed a few points of worry, but it made Yuanqi's heart feel relieved.

  "This is not your fault, but Jing Wang is too arrogant. Under the emperor's feet, he dares to be so unscrupulous, it's really suspicious..."

  The girl's voice came faintly...

  "I pondered and thought that perhaps he has some backing, which is why he dares to act in such a manner, without any regard for Your Majesty's wrath."

  Chenlu slightly emphasized on the sentence "what to rely on", she lowered her head and covered the cold smile at the corner of her lips.

  The seeds of suspicion have already sprouted and grown, now all that's left is for them to bloom and bear fruit...

  He pondered her words, as if he had thought of something, his eyes flashing like lightning, startling and moving.

  "Could it be...the Empress Dowager?"

  He was somewhat incredulous, shaking his head and saying: "The Empress Dowager loved Yuan Yi and remembered the kindness he showed in saving her life, wanting to give him a better fief; all of this I know... but as for further plans..."

  He was startled and frightened, and he himself was also scared by this "further thought".

  "Your Majesty, don't forget... In ancient books, there was also Zheng Zhuang Gong's mother, who favored the younger son..."

  The girl's voice was like cold jade, crisp and pleasant to the ear.

  Yuan Qi listened to her, compared with the historical fact of "Zheng Boke Duan Yu Yanyu", his heart was even more thumping. He looked at the dark and endless night outside the window, his heart full of surprise and doubt.

  "Could it be the Empress Dowager?!"

  He was momentarily distracted by his emotions when someone outside the palace reported...

  "The imperial physician has finished examining..."

  Yuanyu Zheng was already annoyed and furious, hearing this he angrily said: "After the examination is finished let Mei Guiren go back to rest, what is she reporting to me for?!"

  The eunuchs outside the palace were even more panicked: "But... but Imperial Physician said..."

  "What did you say?!"

  "Mei Niangniang... She's pregnant!!"

  This brief sentence was like a thunderclap, resounding throughout the palace.

  ****

  On the second day, early in the morning, all officials were about to enter through Zhengyang Gate when they were stopped by the officer on duty: "Today's court is cancelled. The Emperor gave orders early this morning that everyone should return."

  "Today is the Grand Court, but it was cancelled so quietly, did something happen?"

  Everyone was discussing it, and those who were well-informed mysteriously told their colleagues: "When you return home, it's best to close the door and refuse visitors, today is really inauspicious."

  "Why did you ask?"

  "This man smiled and said: 'On the way home, just take a look at each street corner and you'll know!'"

  On this day, the people of Beijing and officials were all immersed in terror and curiosity, as the news of the mysterious Tatar assassin, who had secretly killed a high-ranking general in the capital, spread like wildfire among the crowd.

  By nightfall, the streets were deserted. Even ordinary people feared that the assassin would go on a rampage and start killing anyone from the imperial court, so they didn't dare to venture out.

  The residence of He Fei, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was located deep in Yuandian Street. This was not a place where high-ranking officials resided. The mansion was small and hidden at the corner of the street, but inside it was fragrant with flowers. It was now the time when "the red apricot blossoms were noisy with spring spirit". Although it was already early summer, they showed no signs of wilting, only being blown by the wind, flying about in red pieces.

  A group of people in black clothes were quietly waiting by the wall, without making a sound.

  Ji Yun and Chen Lu were also dressed in black, entering the street corner. Although it was a dark night where one couldn't see their own fingers, they relied on the divine light in their eyes to spot the "Dark Envoys" at a glance.

  They were affiliated with the Yu Yun Tong Dai, but did not belong to the Imperial Guard, they had no identity, yet in secret they ran errands for the Emperor like shadows.

  The previous dynasty had the Wei's fierce Imperial Guards, but in this dynasty, Taizu once issued an edict that forever abolished the creation of "Imperial Guards" like them. However, secretly, it was just old wine in a new bottle.

  "News came from Qingmin's side, 'Chenlou' has confirmed that their informant is here!"

  Chenlu said in a low voice, and Qu Yun's spirit was lifted upon hearing this.

  Recommend Xun Ye Yu's book number 135927

  It's really a good book, the characters and atmosphere of the early Tang Dynasty are written very well.