June 13th, the fourth year of Jianwen's reign, was an ordinary summer day. The sky was clear and blue, and it was a bit hot in the morning, but the cicadas were still chirping on the trees.
Zhu Yunwen went to court, Lianhua went to Tianxi Temple, and the queen returned to Jiaotai Palace after worshiping at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and Fengtian Hall. The eldest princess of Ning State invited the queen mother to the eldest princess's mansion to taste the bundles brought back by the Prince Consort from Huai'an. Hoof and tea steamed buns.
Xu Huizu came down from the morning court and rode back to the Duke of Wei's mansion from Fengtian Palace. He was already sweating after just a short journey, and he couldn't help but feel a little irritable. He jumped off his horse at the gate, threw it to the servant, and walked inside.
Someone rushed out in a hurry and bumped into him. When Xu Huizu saw it, he saw that it was his younger brother Xu Zengshou. He was dressed in armor and military uniform, with a long sword on his waist. His face was full of excitement. When he saw Xu Huizu, he was surprised and hurriedly shouted: "Brother is back?" and continued to walk out.
Xu Huizu grabbed him and said lovingly: "Why are you still in such a panic?" He took off a leaf from his silver armor and asked casually: "Are you going to the Yamen or the Gate Tower today?"
Xu Zengshou was a little anxious: "Go to the city tower, oh, no, go to the Yamen."
Seeing his panic, Xu Huizu couldn't help but stop and looked at his brother carefully. Xu Zengshou became increasingly confused, avoiding his brother's gaze and looking at the ground.
Xu Huizu was confused: "Where are you going?"
Xu Zengshou lowered his head and said, "Go to the Yamen."
Xu Huizu asked: "What's going on in the Yamen today?"
Xu Zengshou shook his head: "It's nothing."
Xu Huizu said with a smile: "Then don't go. I'm a little tired, so I'll have a drink with you."
Xu Zengshou was anxious and looked at the sky: "Brother, I have something to do. I'll go out for a while. Can I come back and drink with you?" Xu Huizu saw that his younger brother was acting weird today, so he guessed that he had made an appointment with some friends, and he might have played some tricks. He persuaded patiently: "Zengshou! You are not young anymore, don't just play."
Xu Zengshou said anxiously: "Who is kidding? I'm going to Jinchuan Gate. It's already agreed." As soon as the words came out, he knew he had said too much, so he hurriedly covered his mouth and looked at his brother uneasily.
Xu Huizu was stunned: "Who did you agree with?" Xu Zengshou lowered his head and said nothing. Sweat oozed from his forehead, and soon it flowed down his cheeks.
Xu Huizu grabbed his younger brother, ignored his struggle, and dragged him towards the mansion. There is a quiet room in the east wing of the palace, where the memorial tablet of King Zhongshan is enshrined, together with the iron coupon given by Taizu to avoid death.
As soon as he entered the door, Xu Huizu threw his younger brother away: "Kneel down! In front of my father, tell me clearly what you are going to do?"
Xu Zengshou was so frightened that he knelt in front of the case: "I am going to pick up my brother-in-law! The three of us have agreed to open the Jinchuan Gate to welcome the Yan army into the city."
Xu Huizu's face turned green: "You, how dare you be so rebellious!"
Xu Zengshou said anxiously: "Brother! My brother-in-law's hundreds of thousands of troops will attack the city sooner or later. If we attack by force, how can the people be blamed? Any dispute between my brother-in-law and your majesty is the matter of their uncle and nephew. Can't we just talk about it?"
Xu Huizu was furious: "You still dare to quibble!" Looking at the sky, it was almost time and he had to rush to Jinchuan Gate. Xu Huizu stamped his feet and strode out.
Xu Zengshou hugged his brother's thigh: "Brother! You can't go!"
Xu Huizu shook his legs vigorously to shake his brother off: "Get out of the way!"
Xu Zengshou hugged him tightly: "Brother! If you have anything to say, let's talk about it together when my sister and brother-in-law come! I will apologize to my eldest brother again!" Xu Huizu leaned over and tried to open his brother's arms, but Xu Zengshou came up with all his strength and refused to let go. The two brothers were stunned for a moment. Can't argue.
Xu Huizu looked at the sky, anxious. He glanced at Xu Zengshou's waist knife. He suddenly pulled out the long knife with a "whoosh" sound and shouted, "Zengshou, let go!" The blade was sharp and shone with a cold light.
Xu Zengshou did not let go: "The way of heaven cannot be violated, and the Buddha bless Yanxing. God's will is like this, and I cannot go against it!" Xu Huizu was anxious and angry, and Yun Li slashed with his sword!
Xu Zengshou's whole body trembled, blood spurted out like arrows, and he looked at his brother in disbelief. His arms were still holding him tightly, but finally he slowly relaxed: "Brother! Brother-in-law, it's a pity that I can't see him anymore...Sister, sister..." He gradually died away.
Xu Huizu's heart was cut by a knife, and tears burst into his eyes as he stared at his younger brother's young face. With a hard heart, he opened his arms and shouted: "Ready the horse!" He hurried out of the house, jumped on the horse and galloped towards Jinchuan Gate! There was a cry of exclamation in the palace behind him, apparently Xu Zengshou's body was found.
Jinchuan Gate is located in the north of Yingtianfu city and is named after the Jinchuan River flowing out of the city. Xu Huizu's body and face were covered with blood, sweat dripped down, and the blood was fainted and scattered along the way. Xu Huizu couldn't care less, occasionally reaching out to wipe his eyes, whipping his whip repeatedly, clamping the horse's belly tightly, and walked through the streets and alleys of Yingtian Mansion.
Finally, the Jinchuan Gate is ahead! Xu Huizu took a breath, waved his riding whip, and rushed forward.
Wait! Why are there groups of neat troops coming slowly? Cavalry, shield soldiers, crossbowmen and pikemen, with bright armor and neat steps, flags flying, it's a big "Yan" character!
Xu Huizu's whole body was cold and his mind was numb, unable to think. He stared blankly at the densely packed Yan army on the road ahead.
Following a banner that read "Fengtian Jingnan", a tall horse slowly walked into the city. The man on the horse was tall and tall, wearing an old purple tang robe. He waved to the people in the street with a smile on his face. It is none other than King Zhu Di of Yan!
Xu Huizu's blood rushed upward, he shouted "Rebel!" He slapped his horse and ran forward. Zhu Di came over when he heard the shout, the smile on his face not changing. Ma Sanbao faced Wei Guogong's horse head and pulled the reins. The white horse stood up high and stopped with a long neigh.
Xu Huizu cursed fiercely, "Rebellious ministers and traitors!" and continued to rush forward. Zhu Di turned to Zhu Quan behind him and asked with a smile: "Where is the little emperor?"
Xu Huizu was shocked, Your Majesty! Yes, how is your majesty? Turn the horse's head and gallop towards the palace. Zhu Di gave a slight signal, Ma Sanbao lifted the reins, and Xiao Hei followed.
Two horses, one white and one black, galloped across Jinchuan Bridge, Xuanwu Gate, and finally arrived at Bei'an Gate. At this time, looking at the palace from a distance, there was a fire shooting into the sky! Xu Hui, Zuma, Sanbao, both turned pale with fright, hit their horses and galloped away. The fire grew bigger and bigger, turning half of the sky red, and puffs of green smoke swirled up, thick and choking. The two looked at each other and felt anxious. They covered their mouths and noses with smoke and continued to run. When they arrived in front of Bei'an Gate, they saw a group of guards and eunuchs running around in panic.
The two of them got off their horses and ran at full speed. After passing the Chunhe Hall of the Imperial Garden at Beishangmen, and arriving at the three major palaces of Kunning, Jiaotai and Qianqing, my eyes were already filled with a sea of fire. The fire was fierce and the voices were chaotic. It seemed that someone was commanding to put out the fire. Xu Huizu recognized it as Ge Ren, the admiral and eunuch beside the Queen Mother, and quickly grabbed him: "Where is your Majesty?"
Ge Ren was covered in sweat and soot, and his face was red and black. When he saw Xu Huizu, he was overjoyed: "Wei Guogong! It's great that you are here! The fire has burned from Fengtian Palace to Jiaotai Palace. The fire is too strong and cannot be saved."
Xu Huizu asked anxiously: "Where is your Majesty?"
Ge Ren wiped his sweat and said, "I didn't see it. Anyway, if it's not in the Qianqing Palace, it's in the Provincial Gong Palace." He thought about it and said, "How about handing it over to the Tai Palace and the Fengxian Palace."
Xu Huizu stamped his feet: "Where on earth are you?"
Ge Ren was also anxious: "Your Majesty, Zhang Yuanheng is following you. Zhang Yuanheng is also missing. They may be trapped together somewhere."
At this time, a guard hurried in: "Eunuch Ge! Where is your Majesty? There is also a fire at Tianxi Temple outside! Li Cairen is there, what should I do?"
When Ma Sanbao heard this, he ran away. Xu Huizu stopped him: "No! Come with me to find His Majesty!"
There was a crackling sound, and the beams in the Jiaotai Hall began to collapse amid the raging fire. Ma Sanbao was anxious and looked towards the fire. The emperor is looking for her, but Princess Yining...
****************
Lianhua arrived at Tianxi Temple early in the morning, greeted Xuanxin Xuanzhi as usual, then entered the Guanyin Hall, sat cross-legged and chanted sutras with her eyes closed. Since the heart-to-heart talk with Zhu Yunwen that night, both of them have calmed down a lot. After all, it was just a matter of defeat and death, so there was nothing to worry about.
There were bursts of Sanskrit sounds, and the spiritual platform was completely empty.
Suddenly, Hai Shou and Zhi En ran in in panic: "Princess! Something's wrong! There's a fire in the palace!"
Lianhua opened her eyes in surprise: "How could that happen?"
Hai Shou said: "I don't know what happened, but I saw the fire shooting into the sky first. How about I go take a look?"
Lianhua nodded: "Okay, go quickly." She looked at Hai Shou and said, "The most important thing is to see if His Majesty is okay?" Hai Shou agreed and ran out of the door.
Tianxi Temple is located to the south of the Jubao Gate of Yingtianfu capital, and to the north of the Jinchuan Gate. The news that Cao Guo opened the city gate to welcome the Yan army to enter the city has not yet spread here. It was obvious at a glance that the palace in the city was on fire.
Lian Hua stood up uneasily and stared at Hai Shou's running back, dazed.
Zhien consoled him: "There are so many people in the palace, the fire will be out in a short while. With so many imperial guards protecting us, everything will be fine."
Lianhua shook her head: "There are not enough people to defend the city these days. The Holy Emperor has sent all the twelve guards from the Royal Forest Army to defend the city. There are not many people around."
Zhien smiled and said: "The Holy One is always the Holy One, and the Emperor will not be burned if he burns anyone." Lianhua thought about it and it made sense, so he sat down and said nothing.
Zhien smiled and said: "Princess, do you think King Yan will come in?"
Lianhua was startled, then shook her head: "I don't know."
Zhien put his hands on his shoulders, looking a little melancholy: "I haven't seen Brother Jinghong for so long, I miss him so much."
Lotus was stunned.
Yes, he and Yunlang were determined to destroy the city and die for the country, but what about Zhien and Haishou
Lianhua looked at Zhien. The original two servant girls had changed their hair and had hairpins. Zhien was also over fifteen years old, and she was in the age of hairpins.
The shining hairpin in her black hair is exactly the original Shanxi's hairpin.
Lian Hua calmed down: "Do you want to see Wang Jinghong?"
Zhien sighed: "Of course I want to see you. But I know that King Yan and His Majesty are quarreling, and we can't ignore them."
Lianhua smiled: "It doesn't matter to you, you are a little girl, it doesn't matter if you quarrel with them. Wang Jinghong is just outside the city, do you want to go see him?"
Zhien was overjoyed: "Is it really possible?"
Lianhua nodded slightly: "I just have a letter for you to send to King Yan. The northern city gates Jinchuan Gate and Zhongfu Gate are now accessible but not in. If you follow the fleeing people out of the city, you will see King Yan's army. Go directly to King Yan."
Zhien seemed to understand, "Oh."
Lotus picked up the pen and thought for a while, "I'll never see you again. But please be kind to Zhien Haishou and be compassionate to all living beings. May your happiness and longevity be boundless." He scrawled a lotus flower in the lower corner. He carefully folded it and sealed it, and handed it to Zhien: "Go! Wang Jinghong must have missed you too."
Zhien looked at Lotus with dark eyes: "Princess, but you are here alone..."
Lianhua said with a smile: "There are several guards outside, and the abbot is also there. It's okay. This letter is very important. Remember to hand it to King Yan personally."
Zhien believed it was true: "Okay, I'll go first. After sending the letter and reading Brother Jinghong, I will find a way to come back."
Lianhua stood up, touched Zhien's cheek, and said with infinite affection, "Okay."
Zhien skipped away, thinking that she was really happy to see Wang Jinghong. Lianhua looked at her back through the window and waved silently: Farewell, Zhien! Live well! The mist in his eyes came up one after another, and before he realized it, it was all blurry. Zhien turned the corner and was out of sight.
Lianhua turned around slowly and wiped her tears. A cold voice said: "Quite sentimental!"
Lotus was startled and looked up. The face is gloomy, the chest is protruding and the belly is protruding, it is Wang Shi!
Lotus said blankly: "Maharaja!"
Wang Shi snorted: "You have been very prosperous in recent years! You must be very comfortable living in the tower!"
Lianhua was puzzled: "In the tower..."
A little eunuch came out from behind Wang Shi. He was thin, with a small nose and small eyes. He looked at the lotus with a smile, but his eyes were filled with resentment, hatred and coldness.
Lianhua hesitated and said: "You are, Agui..." In a flash of thought, he remembered that it was the Fengxian Hall he rushed to call her to, "It was you who poisoned me!"
Agui said proudly: "Yes, it was me who poisoned you! I expected that if I poisoned you or the old emperor, China and North Korea would turn against each other and start a war, but I didn't expect the old emperor to be cunning, but he didn't fall for it!"
Facing Lianhua's gaze, Agui continued: "That's right! It's me who spread the rumors. I've always read the memorials from the Provincial Gong Palace."
Lianhua's voice trembled: "There is a fire in the palace..."
Agui sneered: "We did it too! The Imperial Guards all went to defend the city, and there was no one in the palace. It was just a good time to light a fire and make everyone lively! Don't you like the excitement? Confess the king of Korea! Give the gold seal! Red Zhai clothes!" Lotus Flower! Looking at Agui's face twisted with hatred, he gradually understood: "You are, you are..."
Agui puffed up her chest and said, "My surname is Wang!"
Wang Xi laughed: "You didn't expect it, did you? My son is quite impressive, right?" Lianhua said nothing. It turns out that Agui poisoned and spread rumors just for the sake of Goryeo...
Agui rubbed his hands: "You will be able to see the Holy Spirit later."
Lianhua asked in shock: "What did you do to him?"
Agui smiled proudly: "It's nothing, I just gave him your veil to lead him to Tianxi Temple. It's almost time to arrive."
Wang Shi smiled confidently: "Isn't it right that King Yan cares more about you or him? I'll talk to you two, right? At least let him return Gaoli to me."
Lianhua said anxiously: "Your Majesty! North Korea has just stabilized, there can be no more wars!"
Wang Shi said coldly: "If Korea is stable, what does it have to do with me, Goryeo? It's just that you are attached to Thief Li, and you want to be crowned the king of Joseon! Do you think that the Wang family of Goryeo is dead?"
Lotus sweated: "Maharaja!" I want to say it again.
Agui suddenly shouted: "Here we come!"
Lianhua was startled: "Yunlang! Don't come here!" Halfway through the shouting, her mouth was covered, she received a heavy blow on her head and fell to the ground.
I don’t know how long it took, but Lotus woke up leisurely. It was dark and unclear, and waves of familiar cold air hit my face. It was in the Holy Sense Tower! Lianhua was a little dumbfounded: Why is it here again? Wang Shi, can you be creative
His hands and feet were tied, and his mouth was stuffed with a cloth. The lotus flower moved and turned around to find a person lying down not far away. The bright yellow dragon robe was still eye-catching in the dim tower. It was Zhu Yunwen!
Lotus was startled and moved forward hard, inch by inch, slowly getting closer. The short distance seemed extremely far away at this time. Lianhua was sweating all over and finally got to Zhu Yunwen's side. His hands and feet were also tied, his forehead was stained with blood, and he was unconscious.
Lianhua hit him repeatedly with his body, but Zhu Yunwen didn't move. Lianhua couldn't help but leaned down and rubbed Zhu Yunwen's face with her cheek. His cheeks gradually became hot, and finally, Zhu Yunwen slowly opened his eyes!
Lotus was overjoyed, whining repeatedly and staring at her husband excitedly.
Zhu Yunwen was obviously knocked unconscious. He stared at Lianhua for a long time, and then he smiled crookedly, seeming to laugh at Lianhua's strange appearance.
Lianhua was a little annoyed, whined again and shook her head. Zhu Yunwen held back his laughter, put his face to his face, opened his mouth and took out the cloth head from Lianhua's mouth, shook his head and threw it to the ground.
Lian Hua saw that it was the hem of a eunuch's robe and remembered A Gui's hateful appearance. She couldn't help but feel nauseated and took a few sips.
Zhu Yunwen watched with interest but said nothing.
Lianhua blushed, annoyed that her ladylike image was completely ruined, and said anxiously: "Why are you so stupid? What are you doing here?"
Zhu Yunwen shrugged: "The city is broken, and I'm just looking for you." He changed his usual gentle and solemn tone and became a little bit relaxed and playful.
Lotus was shocked: "Why did it break?"
Zhu Yunwen didn't seem sad, and said casually: "Cao Guogong and King Gu opened the Jinchuan Gate. It's good, so as not to harm the people, and the Ming Dynasty will also save money." Looking at Lianhua's surprised face, he said: "I saw it on the way. There was a fire in the palace, so Zhang Yuanheng took people back. I hope the queen and Wen Kui Wen Gui are okay." It turned out that he came to Tianxi Temple alone.
Lotus comforted him: "It's auspicious and heavenly. Your Majesty is so good. She must be fine."
Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly: "I hope so." He turned to the side and asked, "What's going on here? I was knocked unconscious as soon as I entered the Guanyin Hall."
Lianhua sighed: "It turns out that the young eunuch Agui in the palace is Wang Shi's son. He was responsible for poisoning and spreading rumors. They were also responsible for the fire in the palace today. They have arrested us now because they want to threaten King Yan to restore Korea. country." He stared at Zhu Yunwen and said, "I'm sorry for causing trouble for you."
Zhu Yunwen was a little surprised at first, but then smiled: "North Korea was originally the eastern border of China. Goryeo had surrendered to the Yuan Dynasty for nearly a hundred years. After the Ming Dynasty drove away the Tartars, it was wavering and even wanted to fight with each other. It is ridiculous! Even without your father. The emperor's grandfather would never let Goryeo do whatever he wanted, nor would he ignore the Korean Peninsula." He paused and said, "I won't do it, and neither will King Yan."
Lianhua was moved and asked softly: "Then will you accompany me home?"
Zhu Yunwen joked: "It's okay to visit relatives and friends, but it's not appropriate to stay here for a long time. Otherwise, your brother Wang will be impoverished." Zhu Yunwen originally had the intention of martyrdom for his country and was willing to die. But the city was really broken, and after galloping all the way here, I suddenly felt more relaxed than ever before. The responsibilities since childhood, the pressure from being crowned the emperor's grandson, and the anxiety after becoming emperor have all disappeared. Growing up to this age, it was the first time I tasted the feeling of freedom and freedom. Lianhua saw the change in his mood, and it was certainly better to live together than to die together.
At this time, there were faint and noisy shouts outside: "Fire! Fire!" More and more shouts sounded, the crackling of sparks, the whistling of the wind, mixed with the rapid footsteps of people, the sound of splashing water, A cry for help. Wisps of green smoke choked in.
Lianhua was startled: "Why are they setting fire here?" After thinking for a while, she shook her head, feeling that these people's thoughts were intricate, intricate and unpredictable.
Zhu Yunwen comforted him: "Since they want to threaten King Yan with us two, they won't kill us." Before he finished speaking, there was a loud bang above his head, the tower shook, and several burning giant trees fell in front of the door. , the wooden door slowly burned.
Lianhua raised her voice and shouted: "Maharaja! Agui! Abbot!" The voice was drowned in the sound of wind and fire, Lianhua slumped and stopped talking.
Zhu Yunwen moved towards Lianhua with difficulty, leaning back to back and leaning his hands together, trying to help her untie the rope from her hands. But the rope was tied very tightly, and even after working for a long time, it was not loosened. Lianhua turned around and saw the sweat on his forehead, and said softly: "Just forget it if you can't untie it." Zhu Yunwen ignored him and continued to work hard to untie the rope.
The fire on the wooden door is getting bigger and bigger, and the tower body may also be on fire. The cold air in the tower has long since disappeared. Waves of heat waves blow in from the door, and the top of the tower is gradually heating up.
There was a burst of thick smoke, and the two of them choked and coughed violently. Gradually, the rope on Lotus's hand gradually loosened.
Suddenly, there were shouts from outside: "Princess! Princess!" It was Li Tianqi! And Sister-in-law Li!
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" It's Zhang Yuanheng!
They are together! Did they work together to defeat Wang Shi and A Gui
Lotus shouted loudly: "Ennie! Ennie! I'm here!" Zhu Yunwen also shouted: "I'm here!"
With a bang, the wooden door fell down, and thick fire and smoke hit the tower directly.
Lianhua's hand suddenly felt loose, and the rope finally fell away. Lianhua didn't care that her feet were tied, turned around and hurriedly untied the rope for Zhu Yunzhen. Soon, the two men's hands and feet were freed. Zhu Yunwen took Lotus and hurriedly ran outside the tower.
Li Tianqi and Li's sister-in-law Zhang Yuanheng cheered in unison: "Princess!" "Your Majesty!"
The entire Tianxi Temple became a sea of fire, and the raging fire rushed into the sky, burning the entire Changganli sky.