Half an hour later, the scale of the fight expanded, and the soldiers of King Ling's son also joined the battle circle, but Zhenhuang's local picket team watched from the other side. No matter how the people in the west of the city cried and shouted, they all stopped them with a sentence of "waiting for orders from above" , stood on the outside and stood still, waiting for the fire of the two groups inside.
At this time, the big and small gangs and hooligans in Zhenhuang City took advantage of the fire to loot, and after a while, they found that no one paid attention to them, so they became more and more domineering. There was wailing in the southeast and northwest of Zhenhuang City, and the common people hid in their homes shivering, fearing that they would get burned.
Chu Qiao ordered the soldiers in the mansion to take strict precautions, shut the gate tightly and never go out.
He Xiao and Zhuge Yue's personal guard, Yue Liu, were in charge of the defense of the mansion together. After a while, the outside of the mansion was suddenly brightly lit, as if surrounded by a large number of people.
Yueliu and other guards gritted their teeth and eagerly pulled out the Wolf Saber, as if they were going to fight someone desperately. Chu Qiao found it strange and asked He Xiao to go out to find out the news.
He Xiao came back soon, smiled and told Chu Qiao that it was the government's inspector army, who was ordered to protect Sima's mansion. Soon, the clamor in all directions became much quieter, presumably the so-called inspector army played a role. However, when Chu Qiao asked about Yue Liu, the young guard scratched his head and said doubtfully that he had never heard of the Inspectorate.
At the second watch, there was a sudden commotion at the gate, Chu Qiao had just stepped out of the room when she saw Zhuge Yue hurried in in a deep purple fur, saw her and asked, "Didn't it scare you?"
Chu Qiao smiled and said, "You think I'm a piece of paper? When I was killing people and setting fire outside, you still don't know where to reincarnate as a human being."
Zhuge Yue took a sip from his teacup, forced a smile and sat down.
Chu Qiao asked: "What's going on?"
Chu Qiao seldom asked about Zhuge Yue's affairs. Firstly, her status and position are really not suitable for knowing too much, and secondly, she no longer has the energy to meddle in other people's affairs. It's just that tonight, she is really worried.
Zhuge Yue raised his head, seeing her worried look, felt a little guilty, held her cold hand, and said, "It's Mu Yun and the others who made trouble, the south gate is controlled by Zhao Yang's people, I came out from the north gate, So it's a little bit late."
"What's the benefit of making trouble for them? If there is a big trouble, the elders will drive all the frontier troops back to the territory, so won't everyone be able to take advantage of it?"
Zhuge Yue smiled coldly, and said, "That's what they came up with."
Chu Qiao frowned, and figured out the joints in a second thought, and couldn't help but sighed: "It's so dangerous, fortunately you came out quickly."
Zhuge Yue patted her on the cheek and said, "Don't be afraid, I won't be tricked by such means."
The current confrontation between Zhao Che and Zhao Yang is basically the confrontation between the Great Xia Southwest Army and the Eastern Hu Army. Zhao Yang has Prince Ling's son and Lord Mu as his arms, and Zhao Che also has Zhuge Yue's Qinghai Navy. Now Emperor Xia is critically ill, and almost all the frontier troops stayed in the capital with their masters. This is not in compliance with the rules. If something goes wrong, they will definitely be sent back to the territory. However, whether it is Zhao Che, Zhuge Yue, or Jing Han, their subordinates are all local frontier troops, and only Zhao Yang still controls the Jingji Xiaoqi Battalion. The 30,000 Xiaoqi battalion may be insignificant on the battlefield, but once all the frontier troops are repatriated, the 30,000 troops will be the most powerful force in the imperial capital. If Zhao Che does not return to the north with the Eastern Hu army, he will definitely fall into Zhao Yang's hands. hand, and once he returns to the territory, then the candidate for the next Emperor Xia will basically be determined.
During the year when Emperor Xia was critically ill, Da Xia had to stage similar competitions almost every day. Chu Qiao is a person who has led soldiers, so she naturally knows the pros and cons of this. She stepped forward to comfort Zhuge Yue and said: "Be careful, don't worry about me, the mansion has enough soldiers, even if 10,000 people attack the gate, we can defend for two hours, next time we don't need to divide our troops to protect me."
Zhuge Yue was taken aback when he heard the words, and asked, "When did I divide the troops and go back to the residence?"
Chu Qiao was stunned and said, "Just now the government's inspectors came and guarded us for more than two hours."
Zhuge Yue frowned tightly, and after thinking for a long time, he shook his head and said, "That's not mine."
Chu Qiao looked at him suspiciously, her face full of solemnity.
Zhuge Yue smiled, held her hand, and said, "It's okay, they shouldn't have any malicious intentions."
"Is it from Wei Shuye?"
"If I'm not mistaken, it should be Zhao Shisan."
Chu Qiao felt as if a handful of snow had been sprinkled on her heart, and it was instantly cold. Zhuge Yue's voice was a little low, "The emperor is critically ill. Almost all the powerful people in Zhenhuang City are in the palace. He is the only one who is not in the palace at this time and has the ability to mobilize the government."
A solemn look flashed across Zhuge Yue's eyes, and he said slowly, "It's been so long, I really forgot about him."
Incense was burning in the main hall, and it was so hot that people could only wear thin gauze. But standing there, Chu Qiao still felt the coldness spread from her fingers, all the way up her spine, and into her mind.
Zhao Shisan, Zhao Song, had an arm cut off by Yan Xun, his elder brother also died in his hands, and his mother clan was destroyed by himself and Yan Xun. Has the prince who was the most popular in Zhenhuang City back then been forgotten to such an extent now? He doesn't even have his place in the palace
He held her in his arms, seeing her pale face and green lips, he felt a little distressed, and said softly: "Xing'er, why don't I send you back to Qinghai first?"
Chu Qiao was still in a daze, as if she didn't hear clearly, until he said it again, then she quickly shook her head, grabbed his sleeve nervously, and shouted repeatedly: "I don't want it!"
She raised her head and looked at him stubbornly, like a rebellious little lion. Zhuge Yue sighed helplessly, stretched out his arms to hug her, and said in a low voice, "It will be soon."
Yes, it will be soon, every time the ministers and princes see the emperor's appearance, they will say this when they return home. Tell their subordinates and relatives, it will be soon, the time of the emperor is numbered, and the days of fear are coming to an end.
However, day after day, the emperor's mouth was crooked, the emperor lost his mind, the emperor didn't recognize people, and the emperor couldn't eat...
It sounds like the emperor is still hanging there with only one breath, and it seems that he will pass away in the next moment, and his soul will fly away. However, the cold winter is coming day by day, the door is blocked by heavy snow, the sky is full of silver clothes, and the Spring Festival is approaching, but the emperor still survives day by day. Not only did he not die, but it is said that he can occasionally utter a few complete sentences and open his eyes from time to time , Drink a few sips of ginseng soup.
No one knows what that old and damaged body is still holding on to. He seems to have some unfulfilled wish, waiting for someone, and he just drags it on day by day, refusing to close his eyes.
The atmosphere in the capital has also been tense because of him. Because no one is absolutely sure, so no one dares to take the lead in killing the king and launch an action. Zhenhuang City is as nervous as a bow and arrow drawn to the full string, and any beggar on the street shouts loudly, and it will be startled by a bright sword. , Even newborn babies dare not cry loudly at night.
This morning, Zhuge Yue had just left to go to court when someone came to visit him.
The girl was wearing a pure white fox fur cloak, standing in the snow covered in silver, her eyes were pitch black, her lips were bright red, she was as elegant and refined as a person in a painting.
The winter light is dim and far away, as if it is coming from another world, and it is icy cold when it shines on the body. Chu Qiao stood at the door facing the wind, wearing a Su Qing color cloak, suddenly froze, just stared at her, without moving for a long time.
The person who came showed a slight smile, the smiles were extremely thin, and he came forward slowly, stood in front of Chu Qiao, and said with a sweet smile, "Sixth sister, don't you recognize me? I'm Xiao Ba."
Time passed so quickly, like a river of spring water, meandering eastward, and no shadow could be seen anymore.
The little child in the past, kneeling beside him, was so small, as thin as a wolf cub that hadn't eaten milk, kowtowed in the cold moonlight, swearing to those brothers and sisters who died, Let them wait and see, while she avenges them.
In a blink of an eye, it has been fourteen years.
Chu Qiao remembered the execution that day, she hid in the crowd, listening to the child crying her name loudly, calling her to save her. However, Chu Qiao did not go out after all, but at night when the moon was covered by clouds, she snatched the broken corpse from the mouth of the wild dog, and let her sink into the cold green lake without even a straw mat among.
For fourteen years, Chu Qiao thought she was dead, and dreamed countless times of her being stubborn and crying, and blamed herself for fourteen years, and because of this, she hated Zhuge Yue for so long.
Her eyes were hot, and she was about to shed tears. Standing by the door, she stretched out her hand far away, but the corner of her mouth smiled slightly. It was so bitter, but it also carried the joy of the rest of her life, like water full of water. A little bit spilled out.
Xiao Ba held her hand, smiled very lightly, and said: "I'm amazing, I'm still alive, I didn't expect that." Her voice was very familiar, light and ethereal, always with a little bit of alienation.
They entered the room together, and Xiao Ba walked around the room very familiarly, then sat down on a corner soft couch, took a deep breath, and said with a smile: "Zhuge Si still has the habit of smoking in the room. Chen Shuixiang."
She looked around with a familiar posture, and what she said casually was Zhuge Yue's living habits, then she picked up a pomegranate and played with it in her hand.
Chu Qiao looked at her, thousands of words froze on her lips, but she didn't know where to start asking.
Xiao Ba smiled at her and said, "Sixth sister, don't be surprised. I was not the one who died that day. At the last moment before the execution, your husband replaced me and raised me for many years. I have a debt of gratitude to him." There are grievances, but I didn't come here today to force you to fulfill your promise to avenge your family, because even I myself have long since given up the idea of revenge."
A gust of wind suddenly blew up in the room, and the curtains at the corners were slightly rolled up. Through the sunlight, fine dust could be faintly seen flying in mid-air. Between Chu Qiao and Xiao Ba, the sun was so dazzling that she had to squint her eyes, but she still couldn't see Xiao Ba's face clearly.
Chu Qiao looked at her, feeling a sense of strangeness, she thought for a long time, and then asked gently: "Xiaoba, how have you been all these years?"
"So-so." Xiao Ba said casually, "Zhuge Si was nice to me, I think I may have been in your favor. He went to Mr. Wolong to learn art, and he took me there too, and I studied and practiced calligraphy along with him." , It’s just that he always restricts my freedom and doesn’t let me go. I ran a few times and was caught by him. It’s been like this for many years, until..." Speaking of this, Xiao Ba raised his eyelids and looked at Chu Qiao After one glance, he suddenly smiled, and said, "It wasn't until it was rumored that he died in Yanbei, and the Zhuge family expelled him from the family, and we people from Qingshanyuan were also expelled from the house, so I was free. Afterwards, I wandered outside , I am a girl, and I don't know any crafts to make a living, so I fell into prostitution and wandered in brothels for more than a year, and then I met His Royal Highness Thirteen. I still want to ask Sixth Sister for your blessing, because I grew up Just like you, His Highness immediately took a fancy to me, and now I am a servant of the palace. Hehe, after so many years, I am still a slave, but the treatment has been improved a little."
Hearing her casual tone, hearing her mentioning Zhao Song, remembering what she saw on Xiangzhi Mountain a few days ago, and the woman in men's clothes, Chu Qiao couldn't help frowning slowly, and asked in a deep voice: "Have you You know I'm here, Zhenhuang, why don't you come to me?"