It's still that road or that threshold. Facing Yao Huang's bedroom, which has been in and out several times, Bai Qige's heart is full of mixed feelings.
In the past, Yi Chenjing was by his side, holding her hand tightly or walking side by side. He never let her come and go alone like this. But now he was standing quietly in the inner hall, and he could clearly see her through the open pavilion. Those eyes looked elsewhere
"I'm asking you, did you hear any noise when Concubine Jing was kidnapped? Were you so close that you didn't notice anything happened to her?" Emperor Yao couldn't wait for Eunuch Tao to report to Bai Qige, who stepped into the inner hall, and began to question her.
“When Concubine Jing’s accident happened, I was in the other hospital because I was too tired.”[
"I don't want to hear any explanation." The rare emperor Yao was so impatient and angry that he didn't even allow Bai Qige to finish his sentence. It was obvious that he was so angry that he coughed violently. It took a long time for Yao Huang to straighten his breath and his momentum was weak. Young Master: "I sent people to search all night with no results. Did you find anything in Lianchenxuan?"
Bai Qige felt dizzy. She heard Yaohuang's voice coming and going far and near, as if through millions of layers of veils. She reacted for a long time before answering: "The room of Concubine Jing has been carefully inspected. Only half of the footprints can be counted as clues. Nothing else." I can’t find out that all the servants on duty last night followed His Highness to find Surao. No one saw what happened specifically. Even the detailed time when Concubine Jing was kidnapped is unclear.”
"You don't need to tell me about this. Of course, someone has already reported it to me." Yaohuang snorted and slapped his palms on the low table. "Those footprints were identified by the treasurer and were confirmed to be from women's shoes made in the palace. Both Jing'er and I think so." It's possible that the missing Su Rao is causing trouble and calling you here for no other reason than to ask you if you know who the two sisters of the Su family are friends with in the palace and may provide a hiding place for Su Rao."
Bai Qige frowned and thought about it. No one in this palace would hide Su Rao unless...Yi Chenxuan
Su Rao once took the initiative to devote himself to Yi Chenxuan. It can be seen that the activities between the two are no less than that of Prime Minister Zuo. If there is anyone who will protect Su Rao, Prime Minister Zuo is dead. Now only Yi Chenxuan is left, maybe even pretending to be crazy and acting stupid. The purpose of being instructed by Yi Chenxuan is unknown.
Yaohuang couldn't see such a simple thing, couldn't Yi Chenjing see it either?
She raised her head to look at Yi Chenjing. There was no expression on her resolute face and she only glanced at her lightly. This glance was enough for Bai Qige to be sure that Yi Chenjing didn't see it but didn't make it clear to Yao Huang. Then she shouldn't have said anything. Use this mouth to avoid ruining Yi Chenjing’s original plan
Bai Qige shook her head and pretended to be at a loss: "I can't think of anyone. Sister Surao and Suyan are both from outside the palace and have no relatives in the palace. There shouldn't be anyone who is bold enough to hide it secretly."
"If not, forget it and continue sending people to look for it." Yao Huang waved his hand as if he didn't expect Bai Qige to give out any useful clues, "Jing'er, I will transfer half of the manpower of your imperial guard camp to Yun'er within three days." "I'll find it." Yaohuang, who was still angry just a moment ago, took a shaky and deep breath, suddenly became sluggish and his tone was much older: "Yun'er's health has been bad, I'm really afraid that I won't be able to find her in three days..."
Considering Concubine Jing's physical condition, she could barely survive without eating or drinking for three days. This was in the case of harm to others. If it was found that Su Rao was hidden by Yi Chenxuan, and Concubine Jing was forcibly taken away by Su Rao. Being afraid that one day or two will be a problem can be said to be a matter of life and death in calm conditions.
However, Bai Qige still has many things that she can't figure out. For example, she can't believe that with Su Rao's weak body, she can beat the maid to death and forcefully take the concubine away without alerting others. She can't figure out what Yi Chenxuan is planning this time if he is the mastermind behind it. Wanting to peel off the cocoon to find the truth, her drowsy head would become more painful, her ears would buzz and her ears would be buzzing, her whole body would be hot, sore, and tortured, and Bai Qige would almost collapse with all her strength.
Probably seeing that Bai Qige's face was not good, Emperor Yao did not make any further embarrassment. He looked meaningfully into Yi Chenjing's eyes and said with unclear meaning: "Jing'er, please leave the others and go down. Tao Shihai sent people to the palaces to spread the news that the seventh prince led people to search. Anyone who dares to obstruct my order will be regarded as disobeying it and no one will be exempted."
"Anyone" cancels Yi Chenxuan's special status. It seems that Emperor Yao is worried that Concubine Jing has made a real move. The follow-up investigation will be more convenient. Bai Qige feels at ease and does not look at Yi Chenjing and Eunuch Tao. They retreat together.
Bai Qige just walked out of the door. Her indifferent eyes suddenly turned deep, staring at the thin and unstable figure. She was worried and hidden. From entering the inner hall to leaving, Bai Qige's face was always pale and haggard. One glance showed that she was very weak. Yi Chenjing understood deeply the weight of her thoughts. Yesterday, scolding her like that in front of many people must have hurt her heart. Based on her cold temper, she probably stayed up all night without eating, drinking or sleeping until now.
But so what if you worry?
The most important thing now is to find my mother as soon as possible. Whether the others are happy or angry, blaming him or hating him, I have no extra energy to care.
"Princess, Princess, you are here. Come, call the doctor. The Princess has fainted." Suddenly, Eunuch Tao's panicked cry came from the open door. He suddenly turned his head and looked outside. The stubborn figure was not standing proudly as usual. He was lying quietly on the ground motionless
Yi Chenjing's heart sank and she felt an empty ache. She raised her feet and was about to run out of the palace.
"Stop," Yaohuang shouted coldly, "Leave her to die. Yun'er is your mother. Her life and death are unknown now. You still care about an important woman, Jing'er. You disappoint me so much" [
Yaohuang's words were like a huge boulder pressing on top of Yi Chenjing's head. Her steps suddenly stopped after a brief hesitation and then she returned to her original position.
"My sons and ministers know their mistakes"
The obedient answer made Yaohuang quite satisfied. He nodded and coughed twice, and his tone returned to a gentle tone: "You don't have to worry too much about Yun'er. I know it well. No matter what the purpose of the person who kidnapped her is, I don't dare to hurt her easily. Anyone who wants to use Yun'er to threaten you will be punished by death, but I will never condone this matter."
How can I figure it out if I know it in my heart? The matter may have been done by Yi Chenxuan. In the end, it will become an unsolved case. Yi Chenjing didn't care about Yaohuang's statement. The turmoil that happened after returning from the Northern Expedition made him no longer interested. Trusting his seemingly wise and just father, he would rather rely on his own strength to take back everything and destroy everything, including the already tacit relationship between father and son.
Yaohuang, who had been lying on the couch for many days, beckoned and with the help of the little eunuch, he walked to the front position, just in time to block Yi Chenjing's eyes from looking out of the palace. Yi Chenjing withdrew his eyes and lowered his head in a respectful manner, very much like Wu, who was often praised by outsiders. The prince, Yi Chenxuan, felt sad for a moment and his old body became more and more hunched: "There are things about Jing'er that you still don't understand. Although I have some regrets for you mother and son, I am by no means partial to Xuan'er as you imagine. I have known that for a long time." There is only one thing I wish for now. Can you agree first?"
"My father is the emperor, no matter what I do, my sons and ministers will try their best to do it."
"What you mean is that you obey the emperor's orders but are unwilling to do so." Yaohuang laughed twice in a low and quiet voice. "It doesn't matter if you have to take it as the emperor's order or you can just agree. I want you to swear that no matter what your fifth emperor brother does, Don't do anything to hurt his life."
Yi Chenjing was stunned for a moment and laughed angrily: "Father, do you know what this order means?"
"It means you will hate me," Yao Huang said calmly.
It's not just hatred. How many bad things have Yi Chenxuan done up to now? He has disrupted the Northern Expedition and colluded with enemy countries to fight for the throne. He secretly sent people to chase the assassin brothers... Even if he puts aside his grudges and ignores the people who died in vain, who will avenge them?
"Since Father realizes that Brother Five Emperors is guilty of a serious crime, why do you still try so hard to protect him? Am I not worthy of being your son? Or Father, do you think that only Brother Five Emperors can control this vast country?" The questions and anger accumulated in my heart can no longer be concealed. Zhuyi Chenjing clenched his fists tightly and the anger that had lasted for many years burst out: "I fought desperately for Dayao outside. How many wounds did I have on my body? Father, have you ever asked me? How many life and death dangers have I experienced over the years? Father, do you know? Yes, the Fifth Emperor Brother is." He is smarter than me and more popular than me. But in private, he kills loyal people, excludes dissidents, and even commits fratricide. Is it true that my father is willing to hand over the country he spent half his life to build to such a person? He is also your son. Why do I have to make concessions at every turn? Father, is he? Do you want to be satisfied by watching my mother and I be forced to death?"
The questioning hit the nail on the head, and every sentence he said was venomous and sounded rebellious, but he never refuted it.
Emperor Yao was not furious, but looked at his angry son quietly, then shook his body, closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
"This world should belong to Xuan'er."
There were many questions in the vague answer. However, Yi Chenjing gave up the questioning and took a step back to distance himself from Emperor Yao. There was a cold and numb expression on his face: "In this case, why did the father make his son swear an oath to never harm the five emperors' brothers?" You are the king and I am the minister. Even if you die, it will only be me."
"If the officials force the people to rebel against the monarch and force the ministers to rebel against you, then I don't know what your plans are."
A word of inverse is enough to accuse him of treason. Yi Chenjing sneered and did not defend or respond.
He knew he had no way out
Xu did not want to bring the relationship between father and son into a deadlock. Although Yaohuang revealed Yi Chenjing's intention to rebel, he did not pursue it. He turned to look at Bai Qige who was being carried by the eunuch in the courtyard. His eyes were slightly narrowed and wrinkles were squeezed at the corners: "I just thought You agreed if you wanted that woman to live."
"Father, Holy Ming" Yi Chenjing sneered and left with an anger that would never resist.
He was supposed to take care of the concubine Jing, but he missed his duty because he was sleepy and fell asleep. If Yao Huang used this as an excuse to punish Bai Qige, it was justifiable. Even though Chen Jing was angry at Bai Qige's negligence, he was not to the point where he could bear to see her die, so Yao Huang took the punishment. He had to agree to this condition
Anyway, he didn’t have to do it to kill Yi Chenxuan [
Ou Suiliang, who had to go to the palace every day to meet the emperor, walked into Emperor Yao's palace and met Yi Chenjing walking towards him in a hurry. He was about to ask about the missing person, but he didn't expect the latter to pass by with a cold face without saying a word. I don’t know who or why I was angry at. The gray-haired old general shrugged his shoulders, twirled his beard, shook his head, and stepped into the inner hall.
Yaohuang had already laid back on the couch and stared up at the roof with a self-deprecating smile on his face: "I told Jing'er about the crown prince position."
"Your Majesty is so angry that your concubine is missing." Ou Suiliang waved to others to leave and approached the couch alone. "Now that the fifth prince and the seventh prince are in a life-or-death situation, your majesty is not afraid that the seventh prince will cause trouble in anger."
Rubbing his forehead tiredly, Yaohuang lowered his head and stared at the smooth and transparent jade finger on his hand. His voice was hoarse: "If Yun'er is alive, Jing'er will not rebel. That child is more filial to me than anyone else. Now I just want to find Yun'er as soon as possible and solve the problem of the throne." Then I put aside all the distractions and stayed away from the hustle and bustle with Yun'er. After a busy life, it's time for me to be myself."
It's hard to be an emperor, but it's not easy to be yourself. Occasionally, my conscience felt emotional, and I felt slightly sad when I touched the tiger charm lying quietly in the corner of the dragon bed.
"Your Majesty's decision has not changed and he still plans to destroy that girl from the Bai family before that."