It was the twenty-fifth day of the eighth month in the tenth year of Yuan Sui. Late autumn was approaching, withered leaves falling. The north wind suddenly picked up, and the ground was frozen with frost.
Qi Ziyin knew that he had already had a falling out with his uncle on Hailing Island, and the other party would definitely rush back to Mulu City in a preemptive strike. However, the ship he was riding was not part of the Ye Guo Boat Division, although all the crew members on the ship had been removed. Although the white whale horn flag was hoisted everywhere, it was still unable to sail directly into Baisha Camp. It could only berth at a merchant ship dock thirty miles south of the city.
As soon as they landed, the anxious people got on the fast horses that Xiang Baili had prepared and continued on their way day and night. But even so, a lot of time was wasted. After entering the city, General Qingyi wanted to kill the injured He sent Yan and Ning Yue back to Zheliuxuan and handed them over to Leng Jiayun's care, but Qi Ziyin didn't want to wait any longer. He hurried towards the palace without even changing his clothes, wanting to hurry up. Report the incident on Hailing Island to my father.
Unexpectedly, Qi Shouyu didn't seem to have returned at this moment. The young man entered the palace with Xiang Baili's token, but he was still able to pass without hindrance and ran straight towards his father's bedroom.
However, after entering Shoucheng Palace, the young man still clearly noticed an unusual and strange aura. Although the palace servants and maids usually had a lukewarm attitude towards him, but now in this indifference, But it was obviously more chilling. When he reached the front of the dormitory, he realized that the Mo Ling guards who had been on duty in front of the palace all year round had been replaced by unfamiliar faces wearing Zhoushi Xuanjia.
"The king went to bed and saw no one!"
The guard shook his sword in his hand and pushed the young man away a few steps arrogantly. He seemed to be wondering how this wild boy, who was covered in the fishy smell of the sea, was able to move around the palace unimpeded.
Qi Ziyin felt more and more that something big must have happened in the palace during the days he left, but he didn't want to alert others because of his recklessness, so he did not continue to entangle with the other party. At the same time, he saw a familiar figure passing by in the corridor from a distance. , immediately beamed with joy, stepped forward to catch up, and slapped the opponent on the back:
"Brother Shitou, what happened in the palace these days when I left? Why does everything feel weird?"
Wan Shi did not expect that someone would appear behind him, and was immediately frightened. But when he turned around and saw that the young master standing behind him was the young master who had returned from the sea, he did not show the slightest surprise, but hurriedly pulled him away. After going to a hidden corner in the corridor, he nervously lowered his voice and said:
"I knew you were still alive, young master! The palace received a letter a few days ago, saying that the fleet on the expedition to the Peng Kingdom was lost in heavy fog in the Tianwu Strait. Everyone thought that the young master was no longer alive!"
Qi Ziyin's heart suddenly thumped, fearing that this news was spread by Qi Shouyu who rushed back to the palace first. Then he thought about it again, but felt that so many days had passed since the attack on the fleet. Even if Xie Xun died for his country, there would be no hope in the army. Someone must have reported this to the police and asked, "Uncle Wang, he hasn't come back yet, has he?"
"Oh, young master, do you still care about the Marquis' affairs at this time? Did you know that something big happened in the palace on the night of the Moon Festival? Now all the palaces and palaces are under martial law, and all the guards on duty have been replaced. The elites from the Qianyuan camp of the boat division will be on guard."
"What happened on Yuexi Festival? Is Father okay?" The young man felt that the development of the matter had far exceeded his imagination, and he was eager to ask what happened.
However, Wan Shi just shook his head and refused to say more: "This matter is difficult to explain. At the moment, young master, it is better not to ask more questions and protect yourself. It is best to leave the palace - no, go out of the city to hide for a while. Right now.
If you have any doubts, I will find an opportunity to tell you through Brother Parrot's message."
Seeing that the other party actually begged him to leave, Qi Ziyin became increasingly uneasy. However, before he could continue to ask, he heard a rush of footsteps rushing towards his location along the corridor.
"Young Master, you are indeed back alive! When the maid told you that you had returned to the palace, I thought I had heard wrongly!"
Qi Ziyin turned around and saw that the person who came was the eunuch who had been sleeping beside his father all year round. He immediately saluted him and said, "Mr. Ma, I have something important to report to my father. Please make it easier for me!"
The other party raised his hand to return the salute, but did not pay any attention to Qi Ziyin. Instead, he scanned Wan Shi's body several times with his eyes, as if looking at a bereaved dog: "Wan Shi - why are you here?"
"Subordinate, I happened to be passing by here. I saw that the young master was returning. He must have been tired from traveling and traveling, so he wanted to accompany him back to Hongyuan to wash up and rest." Wan Shi looked very nervous and secretly tugged on the young man's sleeve.
It's a pity that the young man failed to understand the meaning of Wan Shi's words, and still wanted to see his father as soon as possible: "What I want to say is extremely urgent. I can postpone the washing, but it is more important to meet my father first!"
Hearing what the young master said, Eunuch Ma immediately nodded in agreement:
"Yes, yes, there have been so many accidents this time, so the young master should go and report to the king first that he is safe."
"Since you are meeting the King of the Kingdom, it is really inappropriate to look like this. I dare you to return to Hongyuan to rest for a while, so as not to make the King of the Kingdom feel distressed."
Wan Shi hurriedly stretched out his hand to stop Qi Ziyin, but what he received was a fierce look in the eyes of Eunuch Ma across from him. However, even so, he still stood in front of the inner prison and bowed, refusing to leave.
"When can a mere guard make arrangements for his master? Did you know that just now when the king woke up and heard that the young master returned to the palace safely, he asked the old slave to take the young master to the palace for a little talk. There was no delay.
No!"
Eunuch Ma seemed to be irritated. He pushed away the stones blocking his eyes, took the young man's hand, turned around and left.
When Qi Ziyin heard that his father wanted to see him, he no longer cared about it. Although Wan Shi could not help but wink, the strong impulse in his heart finally overcame his reason, and he immediately comforted his guards with a few words, and then
He cupped his hands and thanked the old slave, then hurriedly followed him towards the bedroom again.
A moment later, in front of the Shoucheng Palace's dormitory, Eunuch Ma pushed open the red lacquer door to a narrow gap that could only allow one person to pass through. However, he did not enter, but made an invitation gesture to the young man behind him:
"The king is waiting inside. Young master, just go in."
"Don't my father-in-law need to continue to take care of my father?"
Qi Zi vaguely felt that the other party's behavior was a bit strange and did not take a step.
"The king ordered me to come here to find the young master. There must be something important to discuss. As a servant, how can I listen on the sidelines? The old slave is waiting outside the palace. If the young master needs something, just call me!"
Eunuch Ma couldn't help but couldn't help but pushed the young man through the door. The red door quickly closed behind Qi Ziyin, leaving no room for maneuver.
The young master suddenly remembered Wan Shi's several hidden or explicit hints before, and realized that the situation was much more complicated than he had imagined. However, at this point, he could only resort to tricks.
Thick curtains were drawn up in the dormitory, covering all the doors and windows quite tightly. There were no lights in the hall, and you could only see a little dim light seeping into the hall through the texture of the curtains. There was also a faint glow in the air.
There was an unpleasant smell, like the moldy and polluted air in a tomb that had been closed for many years, or like the stench emitted by an old man who had not been clean for months and was incontinent.
"Father? Father, where are you?"
Qi Ziyin cautiously groped forward, calling softly as he walked. However, there was no response from the empty dormitory, not even the slightest gasp.
"Father, Uncle Wang secretly built a fortress on Hailing Island and conspired to usurp the throne. Previously, he also sent Na Yuli to lead a ship to attack our expedition fleet, intending to kill his son. In addition, he also has a kind of power in his hands.
A powerful weapon that can breathe fire, shoot iron pellets, and kill people in an instant. If you are here, please immediately issue an order to put these two people in jail and interrogate them strictly!"
"Cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough cough what did you say?"
Finally, a hoarse voice came from the depths of the darkness. The voice was like a goose whose throat was strangled, and it was also like the moans of a ghost in hell, which was creepy.
Along with the staggering footsteps, a shadow gradually entered Qi Ziyin's sight. In front of him, Duke Ye, with his hair disheveled, was as thin as a bone. He was no longer what he remembered as a young man. His originally sparkling eyes,
Now it is covered by a thick layer of white, and the skin is also covered with protruding veins, and is also covered with large and small ulcers. It is so pale that no blood can be seen.
Right now, Qi Heyin was only wearing a stained robe, and the unpleasant smell in the palace was emanating from his body!
"Father - how could you end up like this? How dare those palace people outside treat the king with such neglect!"
Qi Ziyin was shocked and angry, but he was not afraid. Instead, he quickened his pace and ran to his father, tears streaming down his face. However, to his surprise, the half-human, half-ghost, half-human, half-ghost, and dying Ye Guo was in front of him.
Gong, with lightning speed, he stretched out his hands and stuck the young man's throat!
"Father--what are you--going to do?!"
Qi Ziyin, who had his vitals restrained, was caught off guard and was immediately pushed to the ground by the opponent. The king's body also jumped down with him, and his ten fingers were like ten rough ones, entangled more and more around the young man's neck.
tight.
"Kill - no - pardon!"
Qi and Yin chanted three words over and over like crazy, their whole bodies filled with evil and sinister murderous aura. The saliva from their mouths dripped on the young man's face, and the stench was unbearable.
Qi Ziyin didn't know what happened to his kind father in just one month, so that he could lose his mind to such an extent. He could only hold the hands that were about to strangle him to death, and his vision completely fell into darkness.
Before that, I cried with all my strength and shouted the last words to the other party:
"Father - it's me - it's Yin'er!"
"Yin'er—Yin'er?"
Qi Heyin, who was as ferocious as a beast, seemed to understand the nickname of his youngest son, and murmured it several times. Then, as if possessed by an evil spirit, he suddenly woke up, his hands gradually relaxed, and the white clouds in his eyes soon disappeared.
It dissipated a lot, revealing its original light brown color again.
Qi Ziyin took the opportunity to take a few deep breaths and coughed violently. However, just when he thought the crisis was over, he saw the ferocious and terrifying expression on his father's face again, and among the bulging blood veins,
It seemed as if something was stirring and expanding inside his body, and then pounced towards him again!
The young man who had no way to escape was desperate and just allowed the other party to squeeze out the last breath of air in his throat. The strong dizziness eroded his consciousness faster and faster. He knew that maybe he was doomed this time.
.
In a daze, Qi Ziyin suddenly felt that one of his father's hands suddenly let go completely, and then an inexplicable warmth came from his chest. The warmth was like melted honey, and like hot wax oil, penetrating through his clothes and reaching his chest.
Skin. The young man didn't have time to think about it, so he hurriedly seized the opportunity and rolled to the side, once again putting some distance between him and Duke Ye, who had fallen into madness.
However, what he saw next was his father taking a few steps back, leaning on the pillar and slowly sitting on the ground. There was also a sharp dagger stabbed on his chest!
That was the sword that Duke Ye Guo carried with him. At this moment, his right hand was firmly holding on to the hilt of the sword!
"Father!"
Qi Ziyin immediately forgot that his father had almost killed him a moment ago, and rushed back towards the opponent with all his strength. However, he saw that the weak Qi and Yin actually raised their left hands and slapped them hard on the hilt of the sword!
"No--!"
Following the young man's sad cry, the sharp blade penetrated Qi Heyin's back, and the blood stained on the blade was as black as ink, dripping onto the ground.
Because of the blood loss and pain, Qi Heyin's body trembled violently, but he took his last breath in his chest to support himself and not die immediately:
"Yin'er, don't cry. Only in this way can my father save you. You must know that before - it was not my father's original intention!"
Qi Ziyin burst into tears, and immediately shouted loudly at the door: "Are everyone outside deaf? Why don't you come and save me? Come and save me!"
Qi and Yin, who were seriously injured, held down their youngest son's hand: "There's no need to shout. They set up this situation in this hall just to use the help of a few people to get rid of you without any blood. You quickly take me with you."
Use my father's sword to kill - remember - you must - work hard to live! For my Qi family, and even more for the country of Ye!"
While he was speaking, a large amount of blood foam suddenly poured out of Duke Ye's mouth and nose. Under the gaze of his youngest son, the man who was posthumously named Duke Zhaolie by later generations reluctantly took his last breath. Until this moment.
, his eyes were always looking at the young son beside him, his eyes full of tenderness and reluctance as a father.
Qi Ziyin knelt beside his father and cried heartbreakingly. Now he could only make a "hissing" breath in his throat, and in vain he pressed his hands tightly on Ye Guogong's bloody chest, as if like this
In this way, I can retain the last trace of warmth in my father's body and the endless love he had for me at the cost of his life.
However, Qi and Yin's bodies gradually became colder. After a while, the door of Shoucheng Palace was reopened, and a short and fat figure led more than a hundred warriors armed to the teeth and filed in, surrounding the young man on the ground.
The water is blocked.
"Unexpectedly, I am a step too late! The rebellious minister Qi Ziyin conspired to usurp the throne, and together with the witch, he cast a spell to make the king seriously ill. Today, he sneaked into the palace and drew his sword to assassinate him. The crime is unpardonable! All generals, listen to the order,
Immediately throw this rebellious traitor into prison, and he will be executed on the streets tomorrow afternoon to appease the spirit of the king!"
Marquis Jinghai's voice floated intermittently into Qi Ziyin's ears, which brought him back to his senses after his thoughts were in a trance. He suddenly realized that from the moment he returned to Mulu City, he had completely fallen into the trap set by the other party.
.In the blur of tears, the young man suddenly pulled out the dagger stuck in his father's body, and stabbed the short, fat prince with a fleshy face in the heart!
However, contrary to expectations, this move failed to catch the opponent off guard. Instead of dodging, Qi Shouyu began to mutter something. In an instant, the young master suddenly felt a dazzling white light flash in front of his eyes, and the dagger suddenly lost its accuracy.
By the time he could see the other party clearly again, he had already lost the opportunity.
Countless spears swept over the young man's legs from all directions and knocked him to the ground. Then seven or eight more soldiers held down his limbs and took away the weapons in his hands. After receiving a hard blow on the back of the head,
, the grief-stricken Qi Ziyin's vision went dark and he completely lost consciousness.
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