Half of the thousand vassal princes' personal soldiers were left to guard the Shu palace. The other half set off with Sheng Hong and his wife. Five thousand vassal garrison followed them, led by Lian Fuzi, and rushed to the capital together.
The 50,000 private soldiers who were raised in private could not be exposed to the public, and were all left in Shu. These 5,000 elite soldiers who could be displayed openly were all the power that Sheng Hong could use.
Xie Mingxi also brought most of the secret guards he raised with him.
This rush on the road was completely different from the joyful and leisurely experience when I came to Sichuan to seek vassal status.
I was in a good mood when I arrived and spent more than two months on the road.
Returning to the capital this time, I was extremely anxious, and the sooner the better. Everyone only slept for three hours a day, and apart from eating and drinking, the rest of the time was spent on horseback.
For several days, even the strong soldiers felt tired. On the other hand, His Highness the King of Shu did not show any sign of fatigue.
The Princess of Shu, who rarely shows off her skills, is really impressive this time. She rides on horseback every day, and even the seven-foot-tall men can't stand it. Looking at the beautiful and delicate Princess of Shu, they are actually not even in the same place.
back.
However, Sheng Hong felt extremely distressed. When he was resting at night, he took the good ointment and carefully applied a layer of ointment to Xie Mingxi's red and swollen inner thighs.
Men have rough skin and thick flesh, so it's okay to suffer a little. Xie Mingxi's skin is delicate, and no matter how strong her physical strength and perseverance are, she can't help but suffer like this.
In front of Sheng Hong, Xie Mingxi lost her ambition to be brave and frowned and whispered: "It hurts!"
It really hurts!
The delicate sides of her legs were rubbed red, and over the past few days, they had become red and swollen. During the day, she kept her expression unchanged, but at night, when she was alone with Sheng Hong, she felt even more aggrieved and self-pitying...
It can be seen from this that her invincible coldness and strength in her previous life were all because no one cared for her and she was forced out of her.
Someone loves her and cares for her wholeheartedly, and she becomes extra delicate.
Sheng Hong's eyes were full of pity, and he leaned over and kissed Xie Mingxi gently on the cheek: "It's really hard to travel. Otherwise, I'll go first, and you can take a carriage. It doesn't matter if you arrive in the capital in a few days."
Xie Mingxi's frown calmed down: "No need, let's go back to the capital together."
"But……"
"I can hold on."
Xie Mingxi interrupted Sheng Hong softly: "The information we know was all collected by secret spies in Beijing. There may be many omissions. We don't know what the situation is at this time. The queen mother specially called me back to Beijing with her for the purpose
Why, I don’t know now. It’s not appropriate for the two of us to separate.”
They really shouldn't be separated.
Sheng Hong didn't say anything more, he just squeezed Xie Mingxi's hand tightly.
His hands are strong and warm, which is extremely reassuring.
Xie Mingxi pursed her lips and held Sheng Hong's hand.
No matter what the road ahead is, as long as the couple joins hands and works together, they will not be afraid of wind and rain.
…
A few days later, Sheng Hong, Xie Mingxi and his party finally arrived in the capital.
Five thousand troops were stationed in Shu. Because they were carrying provisions and weapons, their marching speed was a little slow. It would take another five or six days to reach the capital. Sheng Hong and Xie Mingxi would not stop waiting for others, so they led a group of soldiers back to the Prince of Shu's Mansion first.
The two of them had just stepped into the mansion they had not seen for more than two years. Before they could sit down and drink hot tea, someone from the palace had already arrived.
It was Zhilan who came to the Prince of Shu's Mansion.
Zhilan, who is already in her thirties, is still charming and charming. Only the corners of her eyes have a few fine lines.
Time was urgent, and there was no time to say more in response to polite greetings. Zhi Lan hurriedly saluted, and then opened her mouth and said: "The Queen Mother ordered a servant to deliver the oral message, and please invite His Royal Highness the King of Shu and the Princess of Shu to come to the palace together to have an audience."
Sheng Hong and Xie Mingxi looked at each other and nodded together.
The two entered the palace in a carriage.
As usual, the carriage stopped outside Donghua Gate.
Standing outside Donghua Gate, Xie Mingxi suddenly understood for a moment.
More than two years have slipped away inadvertently. Now that I am back and standing outside the palace gate again, the memories of the past suddenly come to mind.
The moment the vermilion palace door slowly opened, Xie Mingxi had an extremely subtle premonition in her heart. It seemed like there was an invisible large cloud hanging over her head.
It seems that after returning this time, it will be difficult to escape from this prison...
"Mingxi, what's wrong?" Sheng Hong asked in a low voice.
Xie Mingxi calmed down and twitched her lips casually: "It's nothing. The Queen Mother is anxious to see us. Let's move faster and don't keep the Queen Mother waiting."
Sheng Hong looked at her deeply and held her hand tightly.
The two of them joined hands and entered the Jiaofang Hall together.
At this time, the sun was high, and the blazing sunshine shone on the majestic Jiaofang Hall. But in Xie Mingxi's eyes, the Jiaofang Hall already showed the desolation of an old man and the sunset in the west.
Just like Queen Mother Yu.
After not seeing her for more than two years, Empress Dowager Yu was already covered with white hair and wrinkles. Her deep eyes were no longer as sharp and indestructible as before, revealing weakness and exhaustion.
"My daughter-in-law has met my mother."
Sheng Hong and Xie Mingxi knelt down together and performed a full salute.
Queen Mother Yu twitched the corners of her mouth and her voice was a little dry: "You are finally back. Get up, sit down and talk!"
The two stood up in response and sat down next to each other.
Sitting opposite them were the thin and emaciated Xiao Yuhan, and the equally pale and emaciated Zhao Changqing, Li Xiang and Yin Xiaoxiao.
The emperor and the vassal princes had all fallen into the hands of the traitors. Xiao Yuhan and others were worried and anxious. They had been unable to eat and sleep for days and nights. How could they not be haggard? Even Yin Xiaoxiao, who was in the strongest health, also lost some weight.
Big circle.
In comparison, Xie Mingxi's fatigue caused by the rush was not worth mentioning at all.
"Seventh brother, just come back."
Xiao Yuhan's voice was dry and hoarse, and he didn't know how many times he had cried in these days: "The emperor and several vassal princes have been captured, and now there is no backbone in the palace. It would be nice if you came back."
Empress Dowager Yu didn't care about the offensive words such as "There is no backbone in the palace" and took over the words: "You two, please stay in the palace and try your best to rescue the emperor and his family."
Xie Mingxi's eyes flashed slightly and she looked over calmly.
Queen Mother Yu is really old.
It's not because of wrinkles or gray hair. It's because Empress Dowager Yu, who had been going smoothly for many years, panicked when faced with a shocking change beyond her control.
It has been nearly a month since the incident occurred. Empress Dowager Yu has still not been able to come up with a solution. This burden has fallen on Sheng Hong.
Of course, the only concubine who is safe and sound now is Sheng Hong, except for Prince An, who was young and did not do anything. Empress Dowager Yu recalled Sheng Hong to the capital to take charge. It was only natural and natural.
Sheng Hong did not shirk at all, his eyes were firm and his voice was cold: "Don't worry, mother, I will definitely rescue the imperial brothers." After a pause, he continued: "Mother must be the most aware of this matter. I implore my mother to take care of this matter.
