Chapter 45 Revenge 5

  Luò Tiān, Dì Dū, Huáng Gōng.

  Translation:

  Luo Tian, Imperial Capital, Imperial Palace.

  The palace of the empress dowager was in a state of solemn silence.

  Nangong Yan was unconscious due to excessive blood loss, the imperial physicians knelt on the ground, a large patch of red stained the bed sheet, Nangong Yan's wound continued to seep out blood.

  Her face was extremely pale, and for three days and nights, the entire hospital was at a loss.

  Those imperial physicians only knew how to apply medicine and stop bleeding, but with their naked eye, they couldn't see the silver thread still embedded in Nangong Yan's shoulder. The fine silver thread, as thin as a hair, was extremely sharp and was cutting into Nangong Yan's wound.

  The empress's face was pale as she leaned back in her recliner, her brow furrowed. She was afraid to see such a scene, many years ago, she had also been helpless as her daughter bled profusely.

  That feeling of powerlessness and despair hit her again. And this time, a sense of unprecedented crisis made her nervous, which she had never felt before no matter how fiercely the two parties fought.

  Perhaps because they had been fighting for too long and had let their guard down, Nalan Xianyu appeared at the most critical moment, and in just a few days, he would put an end to the years of struggle between the two parties.

  What a wonderful talent for divination, such a person is the greatest blessing for Luo Tian, but also the greatest threat.

  At this time, Zhao Song walked into the hall, he quickly walked to the side of the Empress Dowager, and whispered in her ear: "Reporting to Your Majesty, it has been investigated clearly that the princess was injured after entering Nalan Xianyu's courtyard, but no one saw anyone else enter the courtyard."

  Murong Taohou's face turned another shade paler. "What are you implying? That Yan'er's injury was caused by Nalan Xianyu?"

  "I dare not make a rash judgment, but it must have something to do with him." Zhao Song pretended to lower his head, putting on an air of being loyal to the imperial family and not privately forming cliques.

  "What about the matter I entrusted you with? How come there's still no news until now?!" The Empress Dowager Mu Rong was getting anxious.

  What Zhao Song said earlier, although she was worried, was still half-believing and half-doubting. After all, if it were Nan Lan Xian's ability, he could have overthrown Luo Tian by now, but why did she leave?

  She had a glimmer of hope in her heart, but unexpectedly, Yan Er's injury was also inflicted by him.

  Zhao Song retreated half a step and made a gesture towards the gate of the palace, whereupon a man in black hastily rushed into the palace.

  "Something terrible has happened!"

  "What's going on?!!" Murong Taifei suddenly stood up.

  "Nalan Xixi has joined forces with the Qiang bandits and trapped Wang Shang on Mount Qilin!"

  "What!!" Empress Murong was shocked, she took two steps back and fell onto the couch, Nangong Jin was Luo Tian's only pillar, he had fallen into Nalan Xianyu's hands, that meant they had already lost...... Her whole body trembling, she stretched out her hand to grope wildly in the air, "That... Quick! Zhao Song! Zhao Song!"

  Zhao Song hastily stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager. "Your humble servant is here, Your Majesty, don't worry..."

  "Immediately find someone to save my son, hurry!!" Empress Murong burst into tears.

  "Your Majesty, calm down!" Zhao Song supported Empress Murong, his voice choked with sobs, and immediately gave a signal to the people below.

  That man understood and continued to report: "General He and General Quan have led their troops to surround Qilin Mountain!"

  Murong Taohou heard this, her whole body trembling, but gradually calmed down. Her eyes revealed undisguised fear and helplessness, she had spent half her life in war, and should have been accustomed to it, yet always had an instinctive fear of these things.

  "Your Majesty, you must immediately display the imperial seal and summon the two generals back!" At this time, Zhao Song knelt down to beg for mercy.

  "Recall?! Why?!"

  "Your Highness, don't you think that Nalan Xixi has such ability, why would she still want to escape? And why would she want to trap the king in a place like Qilin Mountain?"

  Seeing Murong Taohou's confusion, Zhao Song continued: "It's because our imperial capital has a large army guarding it! General He and General Quan are also loyal ministers, they must not be willing to collude with them, so she hastily escaped. Now, the imperial capital's troops have all been dispatched to rescue Wang Shang, leaving the imperial capital empty, isn't this giving the enemy an opportunity to take advantage of the situation?"

  Murong Taihou almost cried out again, Zhao Song added: "Your Majesty, they dare not kill the king for the time being, but if they are allowed to attack the imperial capital and rush into this palace first..."

  Murong Taohou's face turned deathly pale, she was so frightened that she waved her hand vigorously, not allowing Zhao Song to continue speaking. Many years ago, the former Luotian had been breached and the capital city had fallen, the palace attendants from top to bottom were either killed or subjected to all sorts of...

  A scene like purgatory on earth, just thinking about it is enough to suffocate.

  "What should I do... what can I do!!"

  "Your Majesty, please display the imperial seal and immediately recall the two generals and the Imperial City Garrison to return to the city and strengthen its defense!"

  Qilin Mountain outside, He Xian and Quan Long stared unblinkingly at the entrance.

  It's getting dark, and once it gets dark, the Qiang people will have the upper hand. They have been hiding out for a long time and are familiar with the terrain here, so when the time comes, they can take on ten of us alone if needed.

  Just as they were getting anxious, the sound of horseshoes came galloping from afar, and all the generals turned their heads to look. They saw a few people wearing eunuch attire rushing towards them, He Xian and Quan Long exchanged a glance, both expressions gradually becoming solemn.

  A group of people rushed to He Xian's front on horseback, with the leader taking down a bamboo tube wrapped in red silk from his back, which was an urgent imperial decree. He Xian took it over, opened the tube and pulled out the silk scroll.

  He Xian's face changed greatly after finishing reading, Quan Long snatched the silk volume and was also furious after finishing reading.

  "Go back now? The king is still inside, in a life-or-death situation. Now you want me to go back and wait? Are we supposed to abandon the king's life and not care?!?" He Xian threw the scroll at the eunuch.

  The eunuch smiled upon seeing this. "General He, this is the treacherous plan of that thief Nalan Xianyu, intending to lure the tiger away from its mountain and seize the imperial capital in the meantime. I advise you to hurry back with me, or else the Empress Dowager will have your head!"

  "Damn it!" He spat at him, grabbed his collar and punched him. "I'll be damned, you thief?! That old Zhao Song is the real thief! Prince Nalan works day and night for me, Luo Tian, and now you repay kindness with enmity, calling her a thief?! I'll kill you first, you dog slave!"

  He said, He Xian drew his sword to kill him and then be satisfied, but the man had already been frightened out of his wits, his head spinning and he fainted. Quan Long stepped forward to stop him, shaking his head slightly at He Xian, indicating that he should not act impulsively.

  At this time, several eunuchs who followed began to slowly retreat backwards, still muttering in their mouths. "How dare you! You actually spoke wildly and insulted the imperial court officials! You... what crime should you be guilty of!"

  "Get out of my sight!" He Xian rushed up and kicked the man ten meters away. "You bunch of dog trash, what qualifications do you have to bark at me? You come and go with just these few words, my knife is going to feed on the blood of corrupt officials, whoever doesn't obey can come find me!"

  He had completely abandoned his own identity and could no longer tolerate these servile dogs saying anything against his master.

  At this time, Quan Long pulled him over, he turned back and looked at Quan Long's gaze. At the entrance, a figure flew out alone, it was Huo Zhi!

  He threw down his sword and rushed towards Huo Zi.

  He rushed in like a madman. "Quick! Quick, bring the troops in! The princess...!"

  "General He." Behind him, there were noble guests arriving.

  Huo raised his eyes and looked at Zhao Song, who was dismounting from his horse in front of him. A faint smile hung on Zhao's face, and he, who was usually stern and serious, now looked like Yanluo, the god of death, coming to take his life with a chain lock.

  All three of them were stunned and couldn't think of why Zhao Song would come in person.

  Zhao Song glanced at them and pulled out a jade token from his bosom, holding it in front of him.

  On the jade plaque, a phoenix spreads its wings and soars. Although it does not have the majestic power of a dragon, it carries an air of inviolable sacredness.

  Everyone saw this and immediately knelt down on the ground, seeing Feng Xi as if they were seeing a true lord!

  "The Empress has given an order, instructing Generals He Xian and Quan Long to lead the troops back to the city and guard the imperial capital!" Zhao Song's tone was full of schadenfreude, he was intentionally showing off in front of them.

  However, He Xian did not buy into this. He suddenly stood up and angrily said: "The king is still in the hands of the Qiang people! How can we return to the city now?! Please ask Lord Zhao to go back and report to the empress dowager, we swear to die to rescue the king! Please reassure her!"

  "General He, this is a sacred decree issued by the Empress Dowager with the imperial seal of the phoenix, it cannot be disobeyed."

  "I will not accept your orders! I beg of you, sir, do not give me any more commands!" He turned his face away and refused to look at him again.

  Zhao Song smiled and nodded, saying: "General He, now that Nalan Xianyu has colluded with the Qiang people to plot against Luo Tian, you should prioritize the overall situation. Return and, in the name of the Empress Dowager, jointly deliberate on a plan to rescue...".

  "Despicable old thief! I knew it was you spreading rumors and trying to frame the young master!" Before Zhao Song could finish speaking, He Xian pounced on him, grabbing his throat, and a commotion erupted all around.

  "Let go!" At this moment, Huo Zhi rushed up from behind and forcibly pulled He Xian away.

  Zhao Song's face turned iron-green, and Huo Zhi hurriedly apologized: "General Zhao, please calm down. General He has been in the military camp for many years, and his temper is inevitably fiery. If he has offended you, I hope you can forgive him!"

  "How dare you, you actually tried to kill me! You must be in cahoots with that traitor! Wanting to conspire against me, Luo Tian!"

  The surrounding soldiers heard a commotion and discussion, He Xian was furious again and wanted to rush up and fight, but Quan Long held him back tightly.

  "Huo hastily said: 'Your Excellency, please calm down, General He had no intention of offending you. Please go ahead and mount your horse first, the two generals will take stock of the soldiers and follow afterwards.'"

  "Ho Zhi!" He Xian was the first to hear this and looked at Ho Zhi in disbelief.

  Huo turned his head around and gave him a signal with his eyes, telling him to calm down.

  Zhao Song thought for a moment, nodded, and agreed. Quan Long pulled He Xian to mount their horses, each battalion counted their soldiers, and returned to the city in formation.

  Zhao Song mounted his horse and glanced at He Xian with a pleased expression, his eyes then fell on Huo Zhe.

  "Oh, I almost forgot. The princess is seriously injured and the imperial physician can't do anything about it. The empress dowager has urgently summoned you, sir, and hopes that you will hurry back on horseback as soon as possible." As he spoke, someone led over a fast horse.

  Huo's heart cooled down a lot, he originally wanted to deal with it first and then think of another way out, but unexpectedly this old Zhao Song was so meticulous, without any loopholes.

  He took over the reins of the fast horse and cupped his hands in a salute: "I obey, I'll go ahead first."