Grandma and grandson slept comfortably in the house.
But those who stayed in the palace could not sleep.
The first is Liu E.
Liu E thought that after escaping back to the palace, Zhao Zhen and Kou Zhun would help her block Zhao Yuanzuo.
But I didn't expect it.
Neither Zhao Zhen nor Kou Zhun took action to stop Zhao Yuanzuo, allowing Zhao Yuanzuo to kill her in the palace.
After Zhao Yuanzuo reached the door of her dormitory, he set fire to several other palaces around her dormitory, which really shocked her.
A raging fire.
Rolling smoke.
She clearly felt the approach of death.
What made her feel even more desperate was that she found out when she wanted to discuss it with someone.
When Zhao Yuanzuo killed her in the palace, Yan Shu was trembling all over and could not utter a complete sentence.
As for Xia Song, he disappeared on the way to the palace with her.
The eunuchs and concubines fell to their knees one by one, trembling all over, but none of them could help her.
She could only sit in the palace, feeling the torment rising in her heart, which kept getting bigger and bigger.
Death is not the most terrifying thing.
The most terrifying thing is waiting for death to approach step by step.
That kind of suffering.
That kind of fear.
It's unbearable.
Liu E waited in the palace for a long time, but did not wait for Zhao Yuanzuo to light her palace.
She drove Gong'e out to test her.
He drove the eunuchs out to test him.
Every palace concubine and every eunuch never came back after leaving.
The bedroom seemed to have become her cage, and she had become the lamb in the cage, waiting to be slaughtered.
When there were less than forty maids and eunuchs left in the palace, she no longer dared to drive people out to test.
She, Gong'e, the eunuch, and Yan Shu sat alone in the main hall of the palace, unable to sleep all night.
No one dares to sleep.
Because they were afraid that if they fell asleep, Zhao Yuanzuo would light the palace on fire and let them die silently in the fire.
They were also afraid that after they fell asleep, Zhao Yuanzuo would silently appear behind them with a blood-stained sword and cut off their heads bit by bit.
Zhao Yuanzuo, who was at the door of the palace, was also not sleeping.
There was raging anger burning in his chest, his head was sober as never before, and he couldn't sleep at all.
Today, all the memories of the past are constantly lingering in his mind.
It was like sticks of firewood filling my heart, causing the anger in my heart to burn even brighter.
previous years.
His imperial grandmother, his imperial uncle, his imperial father, his imperial uncle, his cousins, his brothers and sisters, the whole family, were happily enjoying a banquet in the palace.
The kind imperial grandmother likes to hold the hands of him and his cousin, let them sit on both sides, give them the best food, and kindly tell them that brothers must be harmonious and affectionate when they are together.
Get along well with each other.
His imperial uncle, his imperial father, his imperial uncle, and brothers gathered together, mingling cups and cups, and hearty laughter spread throughout Daqing Hall.
The young cousins and younger siblings were jubilant, jumping, chasing, and playing in the Daqing Hall, and were very happy.
At that time.
The whole family is really happy together.
But all the happiness changed after the death of his royal grandmother.
His imperial uncle died in the palace for no apparent reason.
His father inexplicably replaced his cousin on the throne.
Someone told him that his father ascended the throne because he murdered his uncle.
He angrily went to his father to question him, but received no response.
Immediately afterwards.
His cousin went to war with his father and mutinied.
After returning to Beijing.
His cousin hanged himself to prove his innocence.
Someone also told him that the reason why his cousin hanged himself was a play arranged by his father to force his cousin to death so that he would not wait for an opportunity to usurp the throne.
He found his father again and asked about the matter.
Still didn't get any response, and even got slapped.
Immediately afterwards.
His cousin died suddenly.
Because his uncle conspired to rebel, his family was sent to Fangzhou.
The originally happy family has since fallen apart.
He didn't need anyone to tell him, he understood what was going on.
After questioning his father to no avail.
He set fire to the East Palace where he lived.
This was a demonstration to his father.
I also take this opportunity to tell all the royal children that the throne is really not as important as family ties.
Because he was deposed as the prince, he became a commoner.
But he has no regrets.
Because after he burned down the East Palace, the royal family never lost their lives fighting for the throne.
He originally thought.
The bloody battle for the throne will be wiped out because he burned down the East Palace.
But I didn't expect it.
This happened before his eyes again.
His biological brother lost his life fighting for the throne with his nephew.
The anger in his chest that had been calmed for many years was ignited again.
It burned more fiercely than before.
Last time.
He only punished himself by burning down the East Palace and throwing away the crown prince's position without killing anyone.
He had a kind heart, but he couldn't stop something like this from happening again.
This time.
He is ready to use the cruelest means to warn everyone again.
Holding a long sword, he stood at the door of Liu E's palace.
Whether they were those who escaped from the palace to beg for mercy, or those who were sent by Zhao Zhen to say good things, they all became dead souls under his sword.
He killed him until no one in the palace dared to escape.
He killed until no one dared to persuade him to punish Liu E.
Inside the Chui Gong Hall.
Zhao Zhen was sitting on a chair without a dragon head carved on it, staring ahead blankly.
Beside him, Queen Cao was lamenting in a low voice.
in front of him.
Concubine Yang and Concubine Li all interceded for Liu E and asked him to rescue Liu E.
Not far from him.
The imperial daughter Guo was being held up by two eunuchs. Chen Lin took her old hand and slapped Guo hard on the face.
Guo's cheeks were red and swollen, she was vomiting blood and wailing in a low voice.
But no one paid attention.
Just now, Concubine Yang and Concubine Li rushed over to plead for Liu E.
Guo broke into Chui Gong Hall arrogantly.
In front of everyone, she loudly complained to Zhao Zhen that the sound of fighting outside the palace had disturbed her little pet, and she wanted Zhao Zhen to help her find a better one to reassure her.
Don't wait for Zhao Zhen to speak.
Concubine Li ordered, slap her mouth thirty times.
Concubine Yang ordered to add thirty more.
Hence the current scene.
Zhao Zhen, who used to be extremely fond of Guo, did not plead for Guo this time.
Under the royal steps.
The civil and military ministers stood in two groups, with their heads lowered like quails, without saying a word.
Among the civil and military ministers, except for Kou Zhun's ancestors and grandsons who had escaped long ago.
Liu Heng, Zhu Neng, Di Qing, and Zhu You are not there either.
Liu Heng went to prepare for arresting the rebels and ransacking their homes.
Zhu Neng, Di Qing, Zhu You and others followed their own accusations and went out to deal with the aftermath of the war.
besides.
The other civil and military ministers are all in Chui Gong Hall, no one is missing.
They are not like Kou Zhun, who has the right to slip out of Chui Gong Hall without Zhao Zhen's permission.
Zhao Zhen did not allow them to leave.
They can only stay in Chui Gong Hall.
Even if he is going to die, he will die in Chui Gong Hall.
Facing Concubine Yang, Concubine Li and Concubine Li begged hard. Zhao Zhen rubbed the center of his eyebrows and said plaintively: "Little empress, empress, you just asked me to save the eldest empress, but how can I save her?
The eldest uncle blocked the entrance to the eldest lady's palace and refused to give an inch.
How can I save people?"
Concubine Li said solemnly: "If a minister blocks the current Queen Mother, how can that be done? The officials should punish him."
Zhao Zhen said helplessly: "How to cure him? Send someone to arrest him, or send someone to kill him? If he dies in the palace, how do you want me to continue to be the emperor?"
After I die, how will I face my father, Emperor Taizong?
If this spreads out, how will the people in the world look at me?
The Eighth Emperor's Uncle died in rebellion, and the First Emperor's Uncle was forced to death by me?
What am I doing?
Eliminate dissidents?
All the people in the world will regard me as a ruthless emperor.
How can they respect me?
How can I be superior to them?
Let them be convinced and let me take care of them?
Furthermore, the grand master just helped me handle government affairs and has already ceased to be the empress dowager.
Now the status of the eldest empress is under that of the King of Chu.
And how to deal with it according to the rules of king and minister.
Do you want me to lose faith with everyone in the world?"
After hearing what Zhao Zhen said, Mrs. Li was confused and said, "Then... what should we do?"
She came from a humble background. After entering the palace, she first served Liu E and then lived in seclusion in the palace for many years.
She doesn't have much knowledge, and she doesn't have much strategizing. She knows the many ways in the government and the public, but is not familiar with them.
She only cares about Zhao Zhen in her heart.
Asking Zhao Zhen to save Liu E is also for the sake of friendship.
But she was unwilling to save Liu E if it would affect Zhao Zhen's reputation.
So I got into trouble.
Concubine Yang was smarter than her. After entering the Chui Gong Hall, she never asked Zhao Zhen to take Zhao Yuanzuo by force.
Instead, he warned in a low voice, "Now the King of Chu is only close to you as an official. Go and beg the King of Chu. Even if you can't let him let go of my sister, you can make him relax and let us send some food and water."
.”
Concubine Yang also knew it in her heart.
When things have reached this stage, it will be very difficult for Liu E to appear in front of others.
The only thing that can be done now is to find a way to save Liu E's life from Zhao Yuanzuo.
As long as Liu E's life can be saved, that's enough.
As for whether Zhao Yuanzuo would block Liu E and prevent her from leaving the palace for the rest of her life.
Then you can only admit it.
When Zhao Zhen heard this, he lamented, "I sent more than a dozen people to talk to the great uncle, but they were all killed by his sword. I also wanted to go there by myself, but I was afraid that if the great uncle saw me, he would
Do something extreme.
Just now, the eldest uncle told me that if I really dare to bring water and food to the eldest lady's palace, he will burn her palace on fire and burn her to death."
Princess Yang gritted her teeth and whispered: "Have the officials thought of any other ways?"
Zhao Zhen sat on the chair and pondered for a long time.
"I'm afraid the only one who can solve this matter now is Master Kou... But Master Kou knows that this is a troublesome matter and has already escaped. It will be difficult to invite him back again."
Seeing that Concubine Li was about to open her mouth, Zhao Zhen quickly added, "Master Kou is a veteran of three dynasties. He has assisted me for many years. He retired with great success and became a sage. If he doesn't come, I can't force him to invite him."
Zhao Zhen knew that his mother was too outspoken and too quick to talk.
In order to protect him and help him relieve his worries, I dared to say anything.
"What should we do?"
Concubine Li grimaced and rubbed her hands anxiously.
Concubine Yang gritted her teeth and said sadly: "If my sister is forced to die in the palace, my heart will never be at peace for the rest of my life, and the officials' hearts will not be at peace either."
"That's all..."
Zhao Zhen stood up.
"I will go and invite you myself!"
Concubine Yang and Concubine Li were both stunned when they heard this.
Concubine Li muttered: "You are a current official. How can you personally invite a minister?"
Zhao Zhen sighed and said, "If I don't go in person, he won't enter the palace."
Concubine Li was about to open her mouth.
Concubine Yang whispered: "I am the only living sage who is qualified to be invited by the officials in person. If this matter spreads, it will become a good story."
Concubine Li decisively shut her mouth.
Inside the Chui Gong Hall.
When the civil and military ministers heard that Zhao Zhen wanted to go to Kou Zhun personally, they were granted amnesty.
They all bowed and shouted.
"The officials are wise!"
They had said nothing before because they were afraid that Zhao Zhen would name them and ask them to test the sword in front of Zhao Yuanzuo.
Now Zhao Zhen is going to invite Kou Zhun.
The worries in their hearts will naturally be solved.
The civil and military ministers all praised Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen looked at them as if they were a group of sticks.
"Nearly a hundred ministers combined are not as good as one Kou Zhun. I have really raised a bunch of 'good officials'..."
Zhao Zhen muttered in his heart.
Someone prepared the carriage frame, spread out the ceremonial guard and left the palace.
Since the rebellion had just been put down, there were still some sporadic rebels wandering around Bianjing City.
Therefore, the team escorting Zhao Zhen out of the palace was very large.
In addition to the original Yu Longzhi, there are also Imperial Guards, Golden Armor Guards, 3,000 Imperial Guards, and 4,000 Tiger Army Rocket Troopers.
The group of people arrived at Ma Xing Street and instantly blocked Ma Xing Street.
After Zhao Zhen arrived at the gate of the Kou Mansion, the officers and soldiers of the Tiger Character Army who were guarding the gate of the Kou Mansion hurriedly saluted.
They were about to shout one by one, but Zhao Zhen raised his hand to stop them.
Zhao Zhen asked someone to knock on the door of Kou's mansion.
Under the astonished eyes of the few servants in the Kou Mansion, they stepped into the Kou Mansion.
The lantern held by Yu Longzhi instantly illuminated the front yard of Kou Mansion.
Zhao Zhen looked at the front yard of Kou Mansion, feeling a little confused.
The empty front yard of Kou Mansion was cleaner than a dog licking it.
"The grand master sold his belongings in order to run a school?"
Zhao Zhen suddenly felt a trace of sadness in his heart.
However, this sadness had not lasted long in his heart when he heard Chen Lin whisper in his ear: "I'm afraid the official family has forgotten that the various businesses in the hands of the Ministry of Industry are making tens of thousands of dollars a day..."
Zhao Zhen was stunned for a moment, and the sadness in his heart slowly faded away. He pointed to the front yard of Kou Mansion with a question on his face.
Chen Lin hurriedly explained: "Since Taishi Kou became a sage, there has been an endless stream of people going to the Kou Mansion to seek an audience. Taishi Kou and the Kou Gongbu hid in Ruian Town outside the city."
"Hurry up and help me search to see if the Grand Master is in the mansion."
"Slave, I'll send someone to look for you right now."
"If the Grand Master is asleep, don't disturb the Grand Master."
"My slave understands."
"..."
Facts prove.
Some things cannot be avoided.
Even if I can hide for a while, I will find you sooner or later.