The edict not only appointed Li Qinzai and Su Dingfang to be in charge of the palace and city defense respectively, but also issued an emergency curfew. From this moment on, no civil servants, generals, generals or civilians were allowed in the streets and alleys of Chang'an City except for patrolling Wuhou and city defense soldiers.
appear on the street.
The gates of the 108th square of Chang'an City must also be closed, and no one is allowed to pass.
The curfew is still very strict. If anyone dares to violate the curfew tonight, what awaits him will be more than just a few days in jail and a few slaps on his face. At the least, he will be exiled thousands of miles away, and at the most serious, he will be beheaded.
The sudden edict made it clear to anyone with a discerning eye that something happened in Chang'an City tonight.
The concierge of the Duke's Mansion was frightened. The guard outside the door looked like he was ransacking the house and seizing people. Fortunately, he had his fifth young master in command, otherwise the concierge really thought that the Duke's Mansion was going to be ransacked tonight.
The edict was urgent, so the maid in the backyard didn't care about Li Qinzai's anger when he got out of bed, and had the courage to lift him out of bed.
Before Li Qinzai could get angry, the maids rushed towards him. The reason why they dared to do this was because Li Siwen and Li Cui's wife were still standing in Li Qinzai's room.
The emperor's edict came late at night, alarming the entire Duke's palace. Naturally, Li Siwen and his wife could not turn a blind eye.
The maids were busy dressing Li Qinzai. Since they had received an order from the commander of the army, after the maids dressed him, they also had to put on his armor.
Li Siwen stood behind him with a serious look on his face and asked in a deep voice: "The emperor suddenly issued an edict asking you to take charge of the army. Did something happen to Chang'an City? I haven't heard of anything unusual recently..."
But Li Cui said uneasily: "Such an order came suddenly in the middle of the night. Will my son be in danger? I won't let my son go into battle to kill the enemy again. Qin Zai's injuries haven't healed yet..."
Li Qinzai said: "Mom and dad, don't worry, nothing will happen to Chang'an City. The emperor ordered the children to take charge of the army to nip problems in the bud."
Li Siwen frowned and said, "What do you mean?"
Li Qinzai's eyes suddenly darkened, and he sighed: "If the child is not mistaken, he should be His Royal Highness... His life is about to end."
Li Siwen was startled, and then suddenly said: "No wonder the troops and generals are changed in such a big battle. If this is true, it is indeed necessary."
The prince is about to pass away, which is indeed a major event, even though he knows that it is unlikely that anyone would be so short-sighted and dare to cause trouble at this time.
However, the rules of the imperial court were strict. Whenever there was a major incident, the defense of the capital of Chang'an must be on standby, so Li Zhi immediately issued an order to change generals and mobilize troops.
Seeing the relaxed expressions of the father and son, Li Cui felt relieved a little.
At this time, Li Qinzai was neatly dressed. Looking at his heroic and majestic young general-looking son in front of him, Mrs. Li Cui became more and more happy as she looked at him. She couldn't help but praise: "My son is indeed a dragon and a phoenix among men. Wen can know the world, and the martial arts can
But the peace and stability of the country is worthy of being born to me."
Li Siwen rolled his eyes and said nothing.
Mrs. Li Cui looked at him in a flash: "My son has made his mark. How can ordinary people take on the important task of guarding the palace, but the emperor thought of him first. It shows how much the emperor trusts him. What are you doing here?"
Li Siwen said sourly: "I am a civil servant, otherwise the emperor would think of me first..."
Her husband wanted to save face, so Mrs. Li Cui couldn't ridicule him any more, so she just followed his example and rolled her eyes.
Li Siwen also knew that he was bragging a bit. Among the three generations of the Li family, apart from Li Ji, the only one who was really successful was Li Qinzai. When it came to the emperor's trust, Li Siwen couldn't even catch up with his own son.
The old man's face turned red, and Li Siwen suddenly became a little angry: "No matter how powerful he is, he was born and raised by me, and he is my seed! Even if he is crowned king in the future, he will have to be humble and submissive in front of me, what!"
Li Qinzai hurriedly smoothed things over: "Dad, calm down, you will always be my child's father, and my child will not argue with you..."
Li Siwen was furious: "You evil beast, you have grown up..."
Before he finished speaking, Butler Wu outside the door was already urging him in a low voice. The situation was urgent and Wu Shaolang was asked to leave the house as soon as possible to take up his post.
After Li Qinzai said goodbye to Li Siwen and his wife, he put on his armor and strode out of the house with dignity.
In addition to the eunuchs and a group of imperial guards, there were also two hundred members of the Li family standing outside the door. They were all wearing armor and holding swords. Outside the gate of the Duke's Mansion, there was a dark atmosphere of armored men, and the atmosphere was particularly solemn.
After leaving the mansion, Li Qinzai got on his horse and led everyone to gallop towards Tai Chi Palace.
He handed over waist badges along the way and called for the gate to be opened. An hour later, Li Qinzai arrived at the gate of Tai Chi Palace.
The eunuch respectfully told him that the emperor and the queen were not in the palace, but were in the East Palace.
Li Qinzai's heart suddenly darkened, and he suddenly knew that his guess was correct.
Tonight is probably Li Hong's deadline.
The East Palace is located on the west side of Taiji Palace, and the two palaces are closely adjacent to each other.
Li Qinzai turned the horse's head and quickly arrived at the East Palace. After checking his badge and identity, Li Qinzai quickly stepped inside.
Many people gathered inside and outside the East Palace dormitory, and the black-armored guards were on three levels inside and three outside, surrounding the dormitory tightly.
Walking inside, there were many familiar and unfamiliar faces, including the counselors of the East Palace, the two prime ministers Xu Jingzong and Xu Yushi, Qin Minghe and other imperial doctors, and countless palace people.
Everyone had sad expressions and stood quietly inside and outside the dormitory. When they saw Li Qinzai arriving, Xu Jingzong and other acquaintances just nodded lightly to greet him.
When Li Qinzai walked into the dormitory, he was met by brothers Li Xian and Li Xian.
The tears on Li Xian's face were not dry and his eyes were red. After seeing Li Qinzai, Li Xian's mouth tightened and he was about to cry. Thinking of the situation at this moment, he had to bite his lower lip and dare not make a sound.
"Disciple Xian, meet you sir." Li Xian said in a low voice after saluting.
Li Xian, who was looking sad at the side, also came forward to pay his respects.
Li Qinzai nodded expressionlessly, glanced into the dormitory, and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness the Crown Prince..."
Li Xian nodded silently with red eyes.
Li Xian sniffed and choked with sobs: "Tonight, the prince suddenly vomited blood, his breath was as thin as a thread, his pulse was chaotic, and he fell into a coma. After diagnosis, the imperial doctor said that the prince may...not be able to survive tonight."
Li Qinzai's heart sank. He had obviously expected the result, but when he heard that Li Hongzhen's end was approaching, Li Qinzai still felt a surge of sadness from the bottom of his heart.
You can't keep people who want to leave.
Emperors, generals and ministers cannot escape birth, old age, illness and death.
Li Xian sobbed a few more times and said, "Father is waiting for you inside. Brother Jingchu is going to see you soon. Tonight...thank you for your hard work."
Li Qinzai shook his head and walked into the dormitory in silence.
Walking into the dormitory, there were not many people inside. There were Qin Minghe, several imperial doctors, and several palace servants. Li Zhi and Empress Wu and his wife were squatting in front of Li Hong's bed, crying uncontrollably.
It was not appropriate to make noise on such an occasion, so Li Qinzai did not even salute, but stood quietly behind Li Zhi and his wife, looking at Li Hong's face as pale as paper.