Chu Taizhen returned to the hospital and found someone to inform Chu Lianruo of Xū Róng's pulse condition. Qīng also received news from Wèi Qǔ, saying that they had finally found Xū Yáng. When Xū Yáng first came out of the forest, he was a bit disoriented, but fortunately met his trusted aide who had come to find him. The man saw that Xū Yáng was unharmed and burst into tears, saying it was all thanks to the blessing of Meng Taigui Fei. After Xū Yáng inquired about the current situation, he decided to continue hiding for a while longer, waiting until the conspiracy on the part of the prime minister was exposed before returning to the capital.

  Xu Yang returned to the border city and secretly entered General Li's camp. General Li and Xu Yang were like old friends, and after their conversation, they became even more intimate with each other. Xu Yang told General Li that he wanted to continue hiding, but at first, the general did not agree. Later, Xu Yang said that this was the only way to catch the enemy off guard, and the general finally agreed, letting Xu Yang hide in his camp. In fact, he deeply understood Xu Yang's thoughts, after all, when they left the capital, the emperor's hint was so obvious, and there were many right and wrong things in the imperial family, so he could pretend to be ignorant.

  The second day after Xuyang's return, the enemy launched another attack. The rainy season was approaching, and the repeated attacks had made no progress. Now there was no food or grass left, and they could only fight with their backs to the water. Perhaps it was the stimulation of the tribal chief that took effect, today's attack was particularly fierce, and finally reached the city wall.

  The enemy troops carried their homemade cloud ladders, planning to climb up the city wall. The soldiers inside the city poured a lot of oil and fat on the city wall and set it on fire, instantly turning the top and bottom of the city wall into a sea of flames. Several tribal leaders ordered people to carry a huge wooden log to prepare for a strong attack on the city gate. The soldiers inside the gate gritted their teeth and held on tight. General Li saw that the situation was critical and became somewhat anxious.

  Xu Rong proposed a plan, and General Li listened and smiled.

  Not to mention how Biancheng turned danger into safety, the atmosphere in the palace became increasingly heavy day by day. Xurong's temper became more and more violent, sometimes just because the tea was delivered a little late, Xurong would order people to drag the palace maid away and behead her, making everyone in the palace feel insecure.

  Everyone in the Chu Lian Palace was killed by Xu Rong, and Yuan Mengdie was beaten with thirty big boards for unknowingly offending Xu Rong while serving him at night. Yuan Mengdie, who had been pampered since childhood, almost died from the beating. After the punishment, Yuan Mengdie was carried back to the palace by several palace maids to rest. When the prime minister found out, he hoped that Xu Rong's matter would become even bigger, and when the time came, he would definitely help his daughter get revenge.

  Xu Rong also knew that his temper was not right, and after changing several imperial physicians, there was no solution. In a fit of rage, he killed half of the people in the Imperial Hospital. Fortunately, Chu Taishi was not in the Imperial Hospital on that day.

  All sorts of rumors began to spread wildly in the capital, saying that the current emperor was comparable to King Zhou of Shang, and that the emperor had loved Empress Zhen deeply, and after her death, the emperor's temperament changed greatly. There were also rumors that the emperor was becoming increasingly incompetent and could no longer hold the position of a great ruler.

  After learning of the rumors, Xi Yong seized many ordinary people and beheaded them in the market to intimidate the world, but unexpectedly confirmed the rumors of his changed temperament, which led to public resentment and made the entire capital city fearful day by day, fearing that they would be the next unfortunate ones.

  Xu Rong became weaker day by day, one day he went to the Imperial Garden to bestow favors on a palace maid, but unexpectedly caught a chill from an evil wind. From then on, Xu Rong fell ill and did not get up, lying in bed every day. Xu Rong refused to see anyone except for Yuan Mengdie. Chu Lian knew that the prime minister had already taken action.

  Yuán Méng Dié held the imperial edict and declared that Xū Róng had appointed himself as a vassal state, causing an uproar inside and outside the palace. The entire court was filled with demands to see the emperor, but Yuán Méng Dié took out another imperial edict, ordering the prime minister to act as regent and handle all important matters during the emperor's severe illness.

  This move made the petitions to see the emperor fly everywhere.

  The battle of Biancheng has finally come to an end. After withstanding the new round of attacks, Xurong ordered his men to throw wine sacks at the enemy army and shoot them with fire arrows, using fire to attack and causing the enemy to fall into chaos. The enemy army retreated again. With the arrival of the rainy season, the nomadic people had no food and could only surrender, bowing their heads to Xurong and offering dozens of beautiful women as tribute, requesting to enter the capital to meet with the emperor.

  After Xū Yáng received the news from the capital, he also knew it was time to return. The army marched back to the court, and along the way, they heard rumors about how cruel Xū Róng was and how wise the Regent was. Xū Yáng and General Lǐ furrowed their brows, guessing that these rumors were spread by the Prime Minister's people. At this time, the imperial harem had been controlled by Yuàn Mèng Dié, and Chǔ Lián Ruò was being held under house arrest in the palace. News could only be passed through Qīng Qīng during midnight, and Chǔ Lián Ruò couldn't even leave the palace gates, as the entire Xī Yàn Palace was guarded by imperial guards. The old ministers in the court all knew that a change of dynasty was imminent.

  Xu Rong lay in bed, ill. The documents from the imperial court were all carefully selected by the prime minister before being presented to him. Everyone in the harem had been severely threatened by Yuan Mengdie. Li Gonggong was somewhat loyal to Xu Rong and, although he appeared to have defected to Yuan Mengdie's side, secretly informed Xu Rong of the current situation. Upon learning this, Xu Rong became enraged but unfortunately his body was not cooperating. At this time, Xu Rong also realized that his illness was probably caused by the prime minister and his daughter's machinations. He instructed Li Gonggong to discreetly collect the jade pendant sent by Yuan Mengdie and any suspicious items from Bie Lian Palace, and if an opportunity arose, to send these things to Xi Yan Palace.

  Chu Lianruo will definitely think of a way to contact others for help, this is what Xū Róng firmly believes, because he thinks Chu Lianruo has deep feelings for him, and he has always treated Chu Lianruo with kindness. Moreover, once Yuán Mèngtiān's father and daughter gain power, Chu Lianruo will also be in trouble.

  After receiving the instructions from Xiurong, Li Gonggong gradually gained the trust of Yuan Mengdie. Once, when Yuan Mengdie sent Li Gonggong to Xiyang Palace to inquire about Chu Lianruo's news, he took the opportunity to tell Chu Lianruo about Xiurong's plan. After receiving the item, Chu Lianruo repeatedly inquired about Xiurong's news with a worried expression. Li Gonggong saw that she was indeed sincere towards the emperor and felt relieved. Xiurong heard this and became even more at ease. Chu Lianruo handed the item to Qingqing to deliver to Wei Qu, while Xiyang walked step by step on the road back to the capital. Along the way, he found that the common people were still very happy, after all, they had won a victory and could now live in peace. The common people's demands were actually simple: three meals a day with a place to settle down, a warm kang for their wives and children. Xiyang saw many things on his journey that he couldn't see in the capital city. Li Lao Jiangjun also knew about the current situation at court, so he had a long conversation with Xiyang. In his heart, Li Lao Jiangjun had already made up his mind: if Xiurong was harmed by evil people, he would definitely support Xiyang to ascend to the throne.

  Only if Xuyang ascends to the throne can he truly bring blessings to the people, and Xuyang is not like Xurong. He has suffered a lot since childhood, and during his days of fighting in the border city, he also saw many things about the livelihood of the people. If Xuyang can sit on the emperor's throne, the people will be blessed.

  Time passed day by day, and Xū Róng's body became weaker and weaker. He knew that the prime minister would not give himself a way out. One day, taking advantage of Yuàn Mèng Dié's inattention, he took out the tiger tally that he had always carried with him and asked Li Gōnggōng to find an opportunity to hand it over to Chǔ Liǎn Ruò. With this tiger tally, one could mobilize the 300,000-strong army within twenty miles of the capital. At that time, he would definitely be able to escape from danger. However, he didn't know what kind of poison Yuàn Mèng Dié had given him, and his body became weaker day by day. The time he was awake every day also became shorter and shorter.

  Yu Mengdie wouldn't let Imperial Physician see him. Every day, when she saw him, he would only coldly mock her. Even if he died, he would drag his father and daughter down with him.

  Xu Rong thought resentfully, but soon fell into a daze again. Li Gonggong's eyes were filled with tears as he looked deeply at Xu Rong before turning to leave for Xiyang Palace.

  He carefully observed that there was no one else in the room, gestured to Qingqing to close the palace door, and then knelt down on the ground crying.

  "Your Majesty, please, you must think of a way to save the Emperor."

  Chu Lian was greatly shocked and thought Xi Rong had already passed away.

  "Mr. Li, hurry up, what's wrong with His Majesty?"

  "Your Majesty is now in a critical condition, with no other choice but to worsen. Today, Your Majesty handed the Tiger Symbol to me, ordering me to deliver it into your hands personally. Now, only you can save His Majesty within the palace."

  Li Gonggong cried so sadly that Xiurong thought that in this life, only this humble slave was truly loyal.

  Chu Lian took the tiger tally, solemnly promising to help Li Gonggong avenge the emperor. She spoke of avenging him, but Li Gonggong was too grief-stricken to notice anything amiss. He adjusted his clothes and expression before leaving.

  The prime minister has been unusually satisfied with his position as regent lately. Although the officials and military officers in the court have been seeking an audience with the emperor to no avail, they all show a flattering attitude towards him on the surface. Even the few old ministers who often opposed him have begun to welcome him with smiles. This is what it means to be regent. How great it would be if he could really climb to that position.

  Your Majesty has been unable to get out of bed recently, what method should be used to force the palace? At this time, it was still someone by his side who said a word, and the prime minister suddenly had an idea, that is, if you want to add crime, why worry about no words.

  The emperor, though bedridden with illness, was not well-known to many people. If he happened to see a memorial during his great anger, the words on it would make him even more furious, and in a fit of rage, he would order the execution of that high-ranking official. After the official's death, the emperor would recall the contents of the memorial and become uncontrollably angry, ordering the confiscation of several other people's homes, and then issuing an order to execute their entire families. At this point, he could take advantage of the situation to rise up in rebellion.

  The prime minister thought for a moment and indeed it was a good idea, so he nodded in agreement, thinking in his heart which ministers to get rid of.

  Xu Yang exchanged messages with Wei Qu on the way, learned about the current situation in the imperial palace and the intentions of the prime minister, and rushed back to the capital on a fast horse. The prime minister's side did not know that Xu Yang had been found yet, if he knew, he would probably be more cautious, after all, Xu Yang had just returned with a great victory, and his reputation among the people was extremely high.

  Even though Xiuyang has been indulging in sensual pleasures all these years, he has won two battles with great victories. People with discerning eyes can see that he is not a simple character, but the prime minister is still unaware of all this and is plotting to execute those stubborn ones who have not surrendered to him.

  Chu Lian learned from her husband's mouth about the prime minister's plan and found an opportunity to let someone inform Li Gonggong.

  Yu Mengdie has been in high spirits lately, having all the concubines and consorts in the palace under her control. She has been bullying those she didn't like before. Originally, she also wanted to deal with Chu Lianruo, but she had already thought of a way to get rid of her, so there was no need to rush.

  (

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