Emperor Yuanfeng had only taken off half of his clothes, and his face changed immediately when he heard this. It had been more than two months since Xiao Heng went to Yunnan, and the news sent back before had always been that he was safe, but recently there had been no news for a while. He had always been worried about him, and now the news had been sent back, but when he heard the three words "something happened", even though he did not show his emotions on his face, his heart skipped a beat and he felt a little overwhelmed.
But he had been through a lot, so he reacted immediately. Seeing that Concubine Pang was also shocked and started to help him put on his clothes, he immediately said to Eunuch Xia: "Bring the memorial to me! Also, call the cabinet to discuss the matter!"
Eunuch Xia hurriedly agreed, holding the memorial in both hands, walked forward and handed it to him respectfully, then went out immediately to inform everyone in the cabinet to discuss the matter.
Emperor Yuanfeng read the memorial from Zhaoluo Mansion at a glance, then threw it on the ground with a grim face.
Concubine Pang immediately shuddered. She knew that something must have happened for Emperor Yuanfeng to behave like this. However, this matter concerned state affairs, and she was the fifth prince's biological mother. If she asked too many questions, it would be easy to appear to have ulterior motives. So she had no choice but to lower her head, pick up the memorial, and whispered, "Your Majesty, please calm down..."
Emperor Yuanfeng couldn't calm down. He snorted, stopped caring about what was happening here, and strode to the study in front.
Everyone in the cabinet had received the news and rushed over, especially Yang Canzhi, who was on duty in the classroom. He arrived the fastest. When he saw Emperor Yuanfeng, he immediately bowed and greeted him, and asked without hesitation: "Your Majesty, I heard that there was news from Zhaotong. What happened to the Crown Prince?"
Emperor Yuanfeng threw the memorial away, his face as gloomy as water: "You guys take a look!"
Yang Canzhi bent down to pick up the memorial and saw at a glance that the Zhaotong Palace said in the memorial that the Crown Prince and his entourage of more than 500 people were assassinated and set on fire by assassins sent by Mu Tong in the post station in Zhaotong. The entire army was wiped out, with countless casualties, and the Crown Prince himself had died in the fire.
There was silence in the study for a while. After reading the memorial, everyone's expressions became solemn.
I thought this trip to Yunnan would be difficult and not smooth, but it was still unexpected that we encountered such a tragedy before reaching the front line and just entering Yunnan.
The attitude of confession in Zhao's memorial to the government was very sincere, and panic and despair could be seen in every word.
But the mistake had already been made.
Thinking that the Crown Prince had actually died, Yang Bo felt that the matter was too absurd and could not help asking, "More than 500 people, is it possible that not a single one survived? The group also included the Earl of Yongding and the Princess Yongning's husband, but none of them survived? If that is the case, how could the Zhaozhi Palace determine that the Crown Prince had died?"
He had a stern face, and at this point he no longer had any intention of protecting himself, and said directly: "Your Majesty, we should send an imperial envoy to investigate thoroughly!"
The Crown Prince died in Zhaotong. Even if it was said that Mu Tong sent the assassin, all officials in Zhaotong would be unforgivable!
Emperor Yuanfeng's face turned pale. Although he usually did not show his emotions, when the emperor was angry today, everyone could see how furious he was. Yang Canzhi was now ranked second in the cabinet. It was his turn to speak. After careful consideration, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to Zhaotong in person and investigate this matter!"
Important cabinet ministers, the country's most important assets, should show their abilities in times of crisis.
Emperor Yuanfeng looked around at everyone in the cabinet, nodded slowly and said two words: "Approved!"
He was also assigned more than 30 Jinyiwei to serve as his personal attendants, and the rest of the imperial envoy's ceremonial guards were discussed and planned by the Ministry of Rites.
The news of the Crown Prince's accident could not be concealed and soon spread throughout the entire enclosure.
Li Jiamin, who was beaten to death, forced herself to raise her eyelids. When she heard that Xiao Heng had an accident in Yunnan and was burned beyond recognition, she couldn't help laughing out loud.
He was indeed unlucky, but at least he was still alive.
If he had really gone to Yunnan as Princess Mingchang had planned, not even his body would be left now.
So what if you have the ability
Man cannot fight against fate. Xiao Heng is destined to be a short-lived ghost just like his father who died early.
Princess Mingchang finally woke up after the full rescue efforts of Doctor Hu and Wang Gongfeng. As soon as she woke up, Madam Li, who was taking care of her, couldn't help crying for joy. Although she hated her mother-in-law's partiality, she also knew that her mother-in-law was the support of the entire family. If Princess Mingchang died this time, their good days would be over.
But Princess Mingchang was obviously not so happy. Seeing Madam Li busying herself with joy, she lowered her eyes and shook her head: "You go out and let Aunt Zheng come in."
Madam Li was stunned.
She already knew that the reason why Princess Mingchang got into trouble this time was entirely because of the unfilial son Li Jiamin. This idiot not only disobeyed the order and escaped, but also chased to the enclosure, did the stupid thing of poisoning the Ferghana horse, and even wanted to rob Su Yao.
In comparison, although the eldest wife has no ability, she thinks that her children at least don't cause trouble.
Especially the eldest son, who has always been gentle and well-mannered, with good character. Now even Emperor Yuanfeng looks up to him.
Princess Mingchang's heart disease relapsed, and it was she and her children who had been busy taking care of her by her side. But now that Princess Mingchang has woken up, they didn't say a word and didn't even bother to say a nice word to them.
Her face darkened: "Mother..."
"Let Aunt Zheng in!" Princess Mingchang had no strength left, her lips were frighteningly pale, and seeing that Madam Li was still motionless, she said in an even worse tone, "Hurry up!"
Mrs. Li's joy was doused with a bucket of cold water. She bit her lip, bowed, turned around and ran out of the tent to glance at Aunt Zheng: "Mother asked you to go in."
Aunt Zheng was not surprised either, and she quickly agreed and went in.
Madam Li was standing alone outside the tent, and suddenly she felt her heart growing colder.
Princess Mingchang didn't care what her daughter-in-law was thinking. As soon as Aunt Zheng came in, she forced herself to ask, "What's going on?"
Aunt Zheng hurried forward and sat on the edge of the bed to support her. She wiped her tears and gently reassured her, "You fainted. The emperor specially invited a royal doctor to see you. He did not investigate further and only sent the young master back to the Li family's hometown. He also ordered the local government to keep a good lookout for him and told the head of the Li family not to let him leave the ancestral hall again. He said that if he runs away again, the lives of the entire Li family will be taken."
Princess Mingchang felt a dull pain in her heart and she exhaled slowly. When the heartache subsided, she squinted her eyes tiredly.