December 24th of the first year of Dalong Yongping.
Today is the day that Young Master Liu, Zhang Kuang, and Song Qing agreed to enter the palace and hand over power. Young Master Liu got up early in the morning to wash up, tidy up his clothes, and prepare for entering the palace.
Qi Yun tied the python-patterned jade belt for Young Master Liu and handed the heavy cloak to her husband. The closer to the Spring Festival, the colder the weather became. If you don't pay attention to keeping warm, you will catch the wind and cold.
Qi Yun looked at her husband wearing a cloak, with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"Husband!"
"What's wrong Yun'er?"
Qi Yun hesitated for a moment: "Husband, now that sister Yan'er has some doubts about the identity of the distinguished guest living in the wing across the courtyard, should I tell the truth about the identities of Empress Jin and the others?
After all, sister Yan'er is the third princess of Dalong. If the identities of the two of them are known, I am afraid that I will cause some trouble.
If you don't tell me, sister Yan'er is one of the housewives of our family after all. If she hadn't been afraid of hurting her husband's face, she could have gone to the hospital to personally see the identity of the distinguished guest.
In the past two days, I really don’t know what method I should use to achieve consummation.”
Liu Mingzhi paused while tying his cloak, and his brows gradually deepened.
"What you are talking about is indeed a problem. Because my husband mobilized troops and horses from the Western Region without permission but was not punished by His Majesty, many people are now staring at my husband.
Now my husband is on the cusp of a storm. If anyone knows that the Emperor of Jin and the Turkic Khan are currently staying in the Liu Mansion, it will definitely cause an uproar.
When the time comes, with a little guidance, it will be a trouble that is difficult to deal with.
It’s okay not to tell Yan’er.
My husband will never doubt your feelings for your husband. My husband believes that even if Yaner knows their identities, she will not do anything detrimental to her husband.
However, it is hard to say whether she will do anything detrimental to Wanyan and her junior brother.
As you just said, she has always been the third princess of Dalong, and we have to consider some things for her."
Qi Yun'e frowned and sighed: "Then what should we do? We can't tell it, and we can't hide it. It can be said that we are in a dilemma."
Liu Mingzhi tied up his cloak and wandered around the pavilion with a calm gaze. After a long time, Young Master Liu stopped and looked at Qi Yun calmly.
"Yun'er, now that the road is blocked by heavy snow, Wanyan and my junior brother have no chance of returning home. If you are trapped on the official road in the ice and snow, you know what will happen if you don't tell your husband.
It is not impossible to let them live elsewhere, but it is a big problem for the husband to worry about their status.
Mr. Yu, if something goes wrong between the two of them in Dalong, even if the road is blocked by heavy snow, there will definitely be a bloody storm. Personally speaking, how can my husband bear to see the two of them hurt?
Therefore, they cannot leave our home for business or private purposes. Looking at Dalong, there is no place in our home that can better guarantee their safety.
My husband has just thought about it, and now I can only tell Yan'er the true situation."
Qi Yun bit her red lips tightly, grabbed her husband's palm with her beautiful hand and held it tightly.
"After telling sister Yan'er, what if something happens accidentally and your safety is involved?"
Liu Mingzhi shook his head slightly: "Yan'er will not do this, this husband still has a lot of confidence in his heart.
Let's do this. You can tell Yan'er a little bit first without making it too clear. Let's see how Yan'er reacts. We can talk about the rest after my husband enters the palace and comes back after handing over the military talisman."
Qi Yun nodded silently: "That's all we have now. Husband, please be careful on the road."
Liu Mingzhi lowered his head and kissed Qi Yun's fair forehead.
"Don't worry, my husband can't bear to leave you charming little wives alone in an empty house.
It's just a military talisman. It's not a march and there won't be any danger. My husband will go first, so you can rest assured."
"Well, I understand."
Qi Yun looked at her husband's retreating back, wandering around the living room with light steps, raising her hands to beat her palms from time to time, with a look of embarrassment on her face.
"Step on the seven stars, step on the seven stars. Is this really the destined result?"
Qi Yun murmured to herself for a moment, then turned and hurried towards the courtyard where her sister Qi Ya lived.
"Master, mount."
Liu Mingzhi smiled lightly and took the reins from Liu Song, got on his horse and galloped all the way towards the palace.
After half a stick of incense, Young Master Liu tightened the reins of his horse and stopped, looking at Zhang Kuang, Song and Qing who had been waiting outside the palace gate for a long time.
The two of them had been here for who knows how long. They were clasping their hands in their embroidered robes, hunched over and turning around to resist the cold wind that was blowing into their bodies.
"Uncle, big brother, you've been waiting for a long time!"
"The lower official is arrogant."
"Song Qing, I have met King Bingjian!"
In front of the imperial guards, the two of them bowed respectfully to Young Master Liu. There was a difference in dignity, so the two of them would naturally not let Young Master Liu lose face in front of outsiders.
When Liu Mingzhi saw this, he stopped being polite, got off his horse and walked towards the palace gate.
"Without any ceremony, I will accompany you to the palace to meet the Holy Spirit."
"Yes, Your Majesty, please."
A commander of the Forbidden Army who was somewhat unfamiliar to Young Master Liu politely searched the three of them, then put them into the palace and continued to hold their posts.
Liu Mingzhi looked around at the imperial guards standing majestically on both sides, slowed down and walked in line with the two of them.
"How about it? Have all the other generals entered the palace and handed over their power?"
Song Qing nodded silently and gestured to Zhang Kuang: "Let uncle tell you, he knows some of the things inside better than me."
Liu Mingzhi looked at Zhang Kuang, waiting for his next words.
Zhang Kuang looked around and moved slightly closer to Young Master Liu.
"Just three days after I and Qing'er came back from visiting you, your uncle Yunchong and the other four of them came to my house to meet me. What they said was almost the same as what I told you.
It's all about the military symbols.
They all have roughly the same idea, they all want to get a feel for me, and want to know what you, the marshal who stands side by side and has the army in the middle, mean.
I implicitly informed a few of them of your attitude. Although they didn't say anything explicitly, they all expressed their understanding of your attitude.
Among them, I have tried to figure out what your uncle Yunchong meant, and most likely it was the instruction of Mr. Yun.
I heard that Marshal Yun entered the palace with Marshal Nangong three days ago and handed over his tiger talisman seal. The day before yesterday, all the generals also entered the palace to hand over their military talismans to the sage."
Liu Mingzhi thought thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
"It seems that the attitude of all the generals is very clear.
Have you heard how His Majesty responded?"
The two shook their heads in unison and said in unison: "No!"
Zhang Kuang looked a little relaxed: "Although I haven't heard the result of His Majesty's response, judging from their reaction after leaving the palace, the result is quite good. I think His Majesty is extremely satisfied with the attitude of our ministers."
Liu Mingzhi nodded with a deep look.
"Satisfied! As long as you are satisfied!"
I'm afraid there are other deep meanings hidden behind the satisfaction.
Liu Mingzhi did not say this in front of the two of them, but discussed it secretly.
After returning to the court, Liu Mingzhi felt that something was not right about the atmosphere in the court hall.