Su Li, covered with stars and wearing the moon, rode quickly back to Biandu City and went straight to the palace. Although Yang Xiao is a prince, it is not a trivial matter to disobey the holy orders. Emperor Bian was so angry that he didn't know how to punish him.
As soon as he stepped into the palace gate of Qinzheng Palace, Su Li suddenly stopped and the palace door behind him closed with a creak. She slowly raised her eyes and saw a group of guards with light helmets and iron armor, holding sharp blades, rushing up from her left and right sides. The leader was tall and mighty, with a stern expression. He had an exquisite gold medal hung around his waist, with the word "yu" carved in the middle.
Su Li's expression remained unchanged, but her heart sank. In the old days, I heard Yang Xiao mention that in addition to the Saintess Cult as a secret force, Emperor Bian also had a brave Yulin Guard in his hands. Only elites who have received special training and been rigorously screened can be selected. The guards in front of them all have a majestic aura, and their eyes are shining brightly. There is no doubt that they are all top masters.
The leader of the Yulin Army waved his arm and gave the order without expression: "Take it!"
Su Li's eyes turned cold and he was about to speak. Someone suddenly shouted loudly: "Everyone, get out!" This sound made everyone's eardrums buzz. A fiery red figure was as fast as a shooting star, arriving in an instant. His brows were stern, and only when he looked at Su Li did his brows light up with joy.
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Seeing Yang Xiao's sudden appearance, the commander of the Yulin Army hesitated for a moment, but still said coldly: "General, I'm meeting the fourth prince! I'm following the emperor's order to capture the traitor, please don't stop him!"
Yang Xiao sneered: "Miss Ah Li is a distinguished guest invited by this prince. I will greet you on my own, so I don't have to worry about Commander Chen!" As soon as Su Li entered the city, he got the news. It's a long way from Tianmen to Biandu. I didn't expect that she would come back so soon. She should still be worried about him being punished by his father, right? Thinking of this, the feeling of disappointment that she had originally felt when she went to see Dongfang Ze off in person immediately dissipated.
Commander Chen frowned and was a little undecided for a moment. Everyone in the Yulin Guards saw that he was silent and did not dare to move for a moment. Yang Xiao's face immediately darkened, "You still won't retreat? Do you want me to see you off in person?"
Commander Chen lowered his head and said: "I don't dare! It's just that the sacred orders cannot be violated. I hope the Fourth Prince will forgive me!" As he said that, he waved his hand and two people immediately came forward. They pulled out their steel knives with a swipe and tried to attack Su. Li grabbed it. Yang Xiao became angry, his body shape suddenly changed, and he fired both palms together. He only heard a crisp "bang" sound, and the knives that the two men had just pulled out were all broken. Yang Xiao shouted sharply: "Who dares to take action?"
Everyone was shocked and retreated. The emperor's only beloved son usually has a playful face and always seems to be ungrateful, but once someone annoys him, he shows no mercy. Sooner or later, he will decide the country of Bian. Who dares to offend the future lord? ! Everyone fell to their knees for a while, and no one dared to come forward. Yang Xiao glanced at him coldly. Commander Chen's face turned blue, his hand holding the handle of the knife was almost sweating, and he didn't dare to say a word. The surroundings were eerily quiet. Su Li thought over and over again, and was about to speak out to persuade him, but suddenly he saw a man walking into the hall, bowed his head and smiled: "Old slave Xu Chang, I have met the fourth prince."
Yang Xiao sneered and said: "You are here just in time to report to the emperor that these slaves do not obey my orders and should all be dismissed and investigated!"
Xu Chang said: "Fourth prince, please calm down. The emperor ordered the fourth prince to think about his faults in front of the wall in the East Palace. He is not allowed to leave without being summoned. Why are the fourth princes here?"
Yang Xiao's face darkened and he said impatiently: "This prince has something important to see my father, so go and report it quickly."
Xu Chang sighed: "The emperor has decreed that the fourth prince should return to the East Palace."
Yang Xiao's face darkened, and he suddenly said: "Go if you are told, and don't let me tell you a second time!"
Xu Chang's face was stern. When he was in a dilemma, Su Li sighed and said: "Since it is the emperor's will, the fourth prince cannot disobey it. You can go back. Su Li dared to enter the palace today just to meet the emperor and be a prince." Explain." She raised her head slightly, calmly, and looked beyond the wall of people. In front of the majestic and solemn Qinzheng Hall, the vermilion door was open, and the light and shadow in the hall were floating, making it difficult to see what was going on.
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Yang Xiao couldn't help but look at her, with a bit of confusion in his eyes: "Ah Li, you come with me to see the father. I will take care of myself in front of the father."
Su Li smiled slightly, "You have done enough, I will take care of the rest. Trust me."
Yang Xiao frowned, stared at her and said, "No, you have to go see your father, and I have to go with you."
Su Li felt warm in her heart, knowing that he was worried about her safety, fearing that Emperor Bian would be angry and punish her, so he couldn't help but stepped forward and said with a smile: "Don't worry, I will be fine."
Yang Xiao was about to speak but stopped when he suddenly saw a young eunuch coming to Xu Chang's side and saying a few words. His expression changed and he immediately shouted: "The emperor has a decree that the fourth prince and Miss A Li appear together."
In the Qinzheng Hall, the doors and windows on all sides were wide open. After the Emperor Bian was sitting on the Dragon Case, he was looking through the book. Su Li and Yang Xiao came into the hall together and came forward to prostrate themselves: "Su Li kowtows to the Emperor."
Emperor Bian seemed to turn a deaf ear and approved one memorial after another. After a long while, Yang Xiao couldn't hold himself any longer. He walked to Emperor Bian and said with a cautious smile: "Father, Ah Li is back, you..."
After a pause, Emperor Bian raised his eyelids slightly and glanced at him with a cold and sharp gaze: "Who asked you to come? Get down!"
Yang Xiaotan smiled and said: "Father! You blame Erchen for letting Ah Li go. Erchen said long ago that she will definitely come back. Now that she is in front of you, why is father still so angry?!"
"Kneel down!" Emperor Bian stood up with a roar, his face as cold as stone. Yang Xiao still had a smile on his face, but his heart suddenly sank. He had not seen his father look like this for many years. It seems... It is not easy for the two of them to ask for forgiveness today. He had no choice but to retreat to the palace and kneel down.
Emperor Bian's cold gaze shifted from Yang Xiao to Su Li, without any expression on his face. Throwing away the ink pen in his hand, he said coldly: "You have not only disappointed me, but you have also betrayed my trust in you! Tell yourself, how should you be punished?" There was a cold and cruel tone in his words, and if you don't do it anymore, I saw kindness and peace again for the first time.
Su Li raised her eyes, met Emperor Bian's sullen eyes, and said calmly: "Su Li knows that he has insulted the emperor's order and is not worthy of the position of saint. Please choose another wise man to avoid missing important events."
Emperor Bian's eyes suddenly changed. As a saint, it was a grave sin to openly resist the emperor's orders. She dared to let the emperor of an enemy country go privately. It was simply audacious.
! When she entered the palace today, instead of taking the initiative to plead guilty, she even used this matter to resign as a saint. It seemed that she didn't take any of this seriously!
She thought she could do whatever she wanted with that bit of blood and family ties as a basis? No one has ever dared to ignore the power of the emperor like this! Emperor Bian suddenly became angry, "Why, you have achieved great success in martial arts and achieved your goal, so you no longer care about the status of a saint?"
"Su Li doesn't dare." She lowered her head lightly, her eyes still calm, "Su Li just feels that it is difficult to shoulder the heavy responsibility."
Emperor Bian slapped the case angrily and said: "Don't forget, it was you who took the initiative to become this saint, not me who forced you to do so! I think back then, when the emperor's sister rebelled and ran away, she was never as bold as you. Whenever I send you, No matter how difficult the task is, she will try her best to complete it! As her daughter, you don't have even five points of loyalty to me!"
Hearing him suddenly mention his mother and concubine, Su Li's heart suddenly ached. Aunt Jingwan said before she died that in order to complete her mission, her mother and concubine had to pay an unknown price and experience many dangers. And how much did the Emperor Bian know? Perhaps, he has never cared about all this. As long as the goal can be achieved, even if the mother-in-law dies, it is a worthy death in his eyes! She was the one who took the initiative to take up the position of Saintess, but why didn't it mean that he had repeatedly hinted at it in his words and was determined to promote it
Emperor Bian said angrily: "I know that you and Dongfang Ze had a white-headed agreement, but since you chose to succeed the saint and took the Heartless Pill, why can't you end your love? In your heart, it has always been Never considered Bian Country your home?!"
As soon as these words came out, Yang Xiao was startled. He was about to open his mouth to defend her, but Su Li replied calmly: "The emperor's words are serious. Su Li let him go, not out of personal feelings. Dongfang Ze is How could the emperor not know what kind of person he is? This person never does anything without a plan. If something happens to him in the Bian Kingdom this time, the 300,000 troops of the Sheng Kingdom who have been guarding Tianmen on the border will invade Bian again. Kingdom! The Sheng Kingdom has a strong military force and its real strength is immeasurable. Dongfangze has just ascended the throne and is ambitious. The new hussar general Yuan Xiang and the regent Li Fengxian are both good generals. Most of the generals in the court were promoted by Dongfangze. They We will use this as an excuse to use all our strength to conquer Biandu! That is the biggest problem for our country!"
Emperor Bian's heart trembled, and his face turned mostly blue. Although Su Li's words didn't sound good, they made sense. The new young emperor of the Sheng Kingdom was well known to the world for his deep and unpredictable thoughts. On that day, Dongfangze suddenly sent troops to attack Bian, with an army of 300,000 men approaching fiercely. If the soldiers of Bian State were not born to be extremely brave and familiar with the local terrain, Huerdu took advantage of this advantage to fight in many roundabout ways. The two sides were in a stalemate. I am afraid that the 300,000-strong army of Sheng State would have been overthrown and approached the capital!
There was no wind in the palace, but Xu Chang felt a chill running down his spine. He suddenly thought that a smart woman like Princess Zhaohua, relying on her well-planned plans, eventually fell into Dongfang Ze's situation and had no good ending.
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Emperor Bian's face changed several times, and he said angrily: "Am I afraid of a mere Sheng Kingdom?" After saying that, he snorted contemptuously, as if he didn't care about Dongfang Ze at all.
An imperceptible smile flashed across Su Li's eyes, and she slowly added: "It may not be difficult for the emperor to use the power of the Bian Kingdom to deal with a Sheng Kingdom, but... what if Ding Kingdom is added to the mix?" She said brightly and calmly. There was no fear in his eyes, and he had already understood the situation in the world.
Bian State once sent the Saintess Cult to assassinate Emperor Dingguo. How could Dingguo know nothing about this? The two countries have such deep grievances that they have not yet started a war, but the time has not come yet. Some time ago, when the two countries Bian and Sheng were fighting fiercely, the Dingguo border suddenly mobilized troops and generals to step up patrols. Who can guarantee that the other party does not have other motives? And this was the reason why Emperor Bian thought about it repeatedly and was most concerned about it after Sheng Guo proposed peace.
In one sentence, the pros and cons have been clearly stated.
Emperor Bian's anger gradually faded and his eyes became cold. He stared closely at Su Li's eyes, as if he wanted to look deeper and further, right into her bones.
When the Saintess Sect was handed over to her, the sect was already torn apart. The two elders only knew how to fight for power and refused to give in to each other; the eight major rudders worked on their own affairs, like a piece of loose sand. She originally thought that she would not be able to conquer those people within three to five years. But unexpectedly, in just a short period of time, the two elders died and escaped, and no one of the eight helmsmen was dissatisfied!
She is just a girl of seventeen or eighteen years old, about the same age as Xiaoer, but she can assess the situation, have a long-term vision, and her methods of action far exceed her expectations. Emperor Bian's heart was divided between joy and sorrow. If such a person could be used by him, he would definitely be able to help him achieve great things in the future, but... if he had two minds, he would become a serious problem! Although she has royal blood from the Bian Kingdom, she was born in the Sheng Kingdom and grew up in the Sheng Kingdom. The regent Li Fengxian was kind to her in raising her, and the Sheng Emperor Dongfang Ze was her former lover. In Bian Kingdom, apart from Xiao Wang Yangzhen who has a close relationship with her, only Xiaoer is the closest to her, but how much weight he holds in her heart is impossible to guess. How can I completely subjugate her for my own use
Emperor Bian narrowed his eyes, stood up slowly, walked around the imperial case, and stopped five steps in front of her. After a long silence, he finally said, "I admit that what you said makes some sense."
Yang Xiao stood aside, not daring to express his anger, and kept staring at Emperor Bian's expression. After hearing this, his tense nerves relaxed slightly.
"But, this is not an excuse for you to disobey me!" Emperor Bian suddenly changed the topic and shouted sternly: "As a saint, your duty is to do your best to carry out the tasks assigned by me! But you openly disobeyed the holy order and secretly let go Going after the enemy, no matter what the reason, is unforgivable
! I will never let you off lightly! Someone come! "
Two guards immediately walked in outside the palace. Emperor Bian flicked his sleeves, turned around and sat back behind the imperial desk, and said coldly: "Take him down, put him in the sky prison, and behead him at noon tomorrow." The guards accepted the order and walked up to arrest him. Live in Suli.
Yang Xiao was immediately shocked. Just now he saw that his father's expression had softened a bit. Why did he suddenly change his mind? In his desperation, he didn't care much. He rushed over with a single arrow, and with a strike like lightning, he waved away the guards and protected Su Li behind him. He turned around and shouted urgently: "Father, calm down! Although Ah Li was wrong, he finally ordered the firing." The one who releases people at the city gate is a son-in-law!"
"How presumptuous! You two are the same as each other. No one can be spared! Get out of here!" Emperor Bian's face was full of anger.
Yang Xiao fell to his knees with a "pop" sound, and with a sad face, he pleaded pitifully: "Father is absolutely right. I know this is wrong, but Ah Li can't die for his crime." Right? Besides, she is the only flesh and blood of Aunt Huang in this world... "
"No matter what her identity is, disobeying the imperial edict will lead to death!" Emperor Bian was indifferent, his cold words were cruel and ruthless.
"No!" Seeing that Emperor Bian was unmoved, Yang Xiao yelled anxiously, "Ali is a relative of Erchen and a very important person to Erchen. Erchen will never watch her die!"
"No?!" Emperor Bian stared at him and gasped, then laughed angrily, "How dare you say no to me? It seems that I have really spoiled you!"
Yang Xiao's face paused, knowing that he had made a mistake, but he still insisted: "Father, this matter really needs to be explained, and I am willing to bear it! Please spare Ah Li."
"Are you willing to take the blame for her? Why?" Emperor Bian's eyes flashed and he pressed further.
Su Li's heart was slightly shaken, knowing that Yang Xiao never concealed his affection for her, he was always close to her, and he always thought about her. She knew very well the affection hidden in his heart. But he had a flippant temperament, and his words were never serious, and she never thought deeply about how sincere he was to her. Unexpectedly, at the critical moment of life and death, he would risk everything and break the rules for her repeatedly. He couldn't help but have ups and downs in his heart, and it was difficult to control himself.
The hall was silent for a moment, and Su Li clearly heard Yang Xiao's rapid breathing in front of him, and paused suddenly. She raised her head involuntarily, and saw his tall back kneeling in front of her. His back slowly straightened, he looked up at Emperor Bian above him, and said every word with great solemnity: "Because, I like her." His voice was not loud, but it was clear and powerful, and everyone could hear him clearly.
Emperor Bian was shocked. Yang Xiao's serious look at this moment was something he had never seen before.
. It seemed that in just an instant, his beloved little son had grown up. He glared at Yang Xiao for a moment and reminded angrily: "The person in her heart is Dongfang Ze! Not you!"
Yang Xiao slowly turned around, his handsome face no longer had the usual playful look, and he was looking directly at Su Li with dark and bright eyes, with affection flowing deep in his pupils.
"My son, I know." He said softly, seeming to be answering but also talking to himself. The bright rays of the afternoon sun passed through the clouds and came straight in from outside the palace, coating the handsome face with a breathtaking light golden color.
Su Li was shocked. The persistence in his eyes was so firm. He was definitely not talking nonsense. He was serious!
"Er Chen likes her and knows that the person in her heart is not Er Chen. But Er Chen believes that with Er Chen's outstanding appearance, she will definitely fall in love with him in the future!" Su Li was speechless as he looked at her. With a look on his face, Yang Xiao's eyes flashed with a hint of confidence, the corner of his lips suddenly curled up, and a sinister smile appeared, just like the first time he saw her, he said loudly: "In this life, I will never marry anyone other than her!"
"You won't marry her unless you marry her? She is a saint. After taking the Heartless Pill, she has broken off love! How can you marry her?" Emperor Bian snorted coldly.
Yang Xiao curled his lips indifferently and muttered: "It's just the Heartless Pill. Father, just ask them to find a way to make an antidote."
"Presumptuous!" Emperor Bian was so angry that his hands trembled.
"Father! I speak from the bottom of my heart. If the Heartless Pill cannot be cured, I am willing to stay with Ah Li for the rest of my life and not marry him!" Yang Xiao raised his head and said loudly.
"You!" Emperor Bian's expression suddenly changed and he stood up angrily. He was choked by Yang Xiao's categorical oath and was speechless.
Everyone in the palace changed their expressions when they heard this. The fourth prince was the most beloved son of Emperor Bian, and he would definitely inherit the throne in the future. He actually said that he would guard a woman who could not marry. How could this happen? !
Emperor Bian was furious. With a wave of his arm, the tea cup on the imperial desk was immediately swept to the ground. The porcelain immediately shattered on the ground. Tea splashed all over Yang Xiao's head and face. His body immediately tensed up, stubbornly refusing to show weakness. , letting the tea trickle down the black braids all over his body.
"Come here, take Su Li down and kill him!"
"If my father must kill her, I won't be alive! I will accompany her to the underworld to be a companion."
! " Before he finished speaking, Yang Xiao jumped up suddenly. With a flash of cold light, he quickly pulled out the knife from the guard's waist and placed it across his neck!
"Fourth Prince!" The guard suddenly turned pale with fear and shouted in shock.
Su Li stood up in shock and said, "Yang Xiao, put down the knife!"
"Ah Li, don't come here!" He shouted at Su Li flatly, slowly looking around at everyone with his decisive eyes, and said coldly: "Who dares to take a step forward? My prince will be bloodied on the spot!" As if to show his determination, he The sharp blade in his hand gently slid towards his neck, and blood droplets immediately spattered and rolled down the bright blade.
Everyone gasped. The guard who was about to step forward to grab the knife was so frightened that he had to stop and did not dare to move.
Yang Xiao's move was really beyond Su Li's expectation. She never expected that in order to save her, he would threaten Emperor Bian with his own life!
"H-Hello..." Emperor Bian was very shocked and angry. He couldn't believe it, and said in a trembling voice: "What a good son of mine! Why don't others learn how to blackmail me? You are really getting more and more promising!" His heart suddenly burst. Feeling the pain, he clutched his front tightly and coughed violently.
Yang Xiao's complexion changed drastically. He wanted to step forward but held back forcefully. The hand holding the knife tightened again and again. From childhood to adulthood, he was his father's favorite child. He had a perverse temperament and acted without scruples, but Emperor Bian always loved him and never punished him lightly. Because of this tolerance and love, Yang Xiao has always acted in a measured manner, respecting his father very much and never disobeying him. However, he did not hesitate to risk his life for Su Li. The father and son were at loggerheads and almost fell into hostility.
Yang Xiao's expression was changing, and mist appeared in his eyes. Su Li saw it and knew that he was struggling in pain at this moment, which was unspeakable. She couldn't help but persuade him softly, "Yang Xiao, you don't have to be like this for me..."
Yang Xiao interrupted her, "I said I would protect you! How can I just watch you die?! If you die, I will never live alone!" He looked over with determination and stubbornness that would never back down. Stubborn and slightly desperate.
Su Li was shocked. The unhesitating determination in his words hit her instantly! Her heart softened, but she did not forget that he did say these words in that sunny valley with fragrant flowers and grass, but she never really took it to heart and only thought he was joking. However, this joke was actually fulfilled by him as seriously as an oath today! Her eyes suddenly felt warm.
Emperor Bian steadied his breath and suddenly said coldly: "Are you really willing to risk your life for her?"