Chapter 225

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Chen'er, the palace has urgently summoned you to enter the palace and face the Emperor; the people sent to fetch you are already waiting outside the mansion."

The words Shen Yao spoke made Qi Haochen and Shen Shi hurriedly rise from their chairs.

Shen Shi was fine, but Qi Haochen was directly somewhat dumbfounded.

Ah? The Emperor urgently summoned him into the palace? Why?

"Fourth sister, you and Third Brother, accompany me into the palace together."

Qi Haochen felt he should still bring his own siblings; Shen Shi and Shen Zhen exchanged a glance and nodded.

The person who came to fetch Qi Haochen was a Steward Eunuch by the Emperor's side.

Generally speaking, if this Steward Eunuch personally makes an appearance, it means the matter will be very serious.

They courteously boarded the carriage; Qi Haochen, uncharacteristically, did not probe this Steward Eunuch with the stern expression.

Seeing this, Shen Shi and Shen Zhen were somewhat unable to understand Qi Haochen's meaning.

Qi Haochen then made exaggerated facial expressions and silently mouthed a few words.

Shen Shi and Shen Zhen instantly understood; each made a gesture indicating comprehension and sat in their places without revealing anything.

The carriage went forward all the way, with no stops in between, until it pulled everyone into the palace.

The Steward Eunuch asked Qi Haochen alone to enter; Shen Shi and Shen Zhen remained in place.

Shen Shi and Shen Zhen:...

The two turned their heads to look at Qi Haochen; they had anticipated this on the carriage ride, but seeing him so determined not to yield, they were still somewhat surprised.

It was Qi Haochen who had already completely sorted out his thoughts, smiling as he told Shen Shi and Shen Zhen to wait for him at the doorway, then turned and entered with the Steward Eunuch.

The heavy palace gate opened and closed again, also lifting Shen Shi and Shen Zhen's hearts high.

"Third Brother"

Shen Zhen called out to Shen Shi, her eyes signaling them to go to the side and talk.

"What's wrong?" Shen Shi stepped forward to follow, his gaze not forgetting to observe the surroundings.

It seems that besides them entering the palace, there were no other princely heirs.

Because the number of carriages stopped at the palace gate was limited, as an elder who had followed Qi Haochen year-round, Shen Shi knew quite a bit of inside information.

"Should we notify Fourth Sister?" Eldest Brother and Second Sister live in the fiefdom; Fourth Sister rarely contacts them since marrying, but if it's a matter requiring help, Fourth Sister would also rush over at the fastest speed.

Shen Shi shook his head, "No need, Fourth Sister's side cannot be used for the time being.

Besides, Fourth Sister is already pregnant; in a few more months she will give birth."

At this time, using news to disturb a pregnant woman's state of mind has no benefit for either side.

Shen Zhen bit her lip, her gaze looking behind Shen Shi, "I'm worried this time something has happened in the palace."

If Qi Haochen truly falls into a trap in the palace, with just the two of them they fundamentally cannot fish anyone out.

At this time, the naked disparity in strength was displayed before them, making Shen Shi and Shen Zhen feel even more powerless.

What can be done? They can only comfort themselves in their hearts: it hasn't reached the worst moment yet, no need to be like this.

And on the other side, led by the Steward Eunuch into the palace interior, rushing all the way to the Imperial Study, Qi Haochen couldn't help but open his mouth to probe.

"This servant thought the Luo Wang Heir would not ask," because it was quiet all the way, causing him to not use the excuse he had already prepared.

Qi Haochen let out a "hehe," stretched out his hand and scratched his head foolishly, "Not hiding it from you, Eunuch, I was a bit afraid before; now that the person has entered, asking or not asking cannot change anything."

Even if a trap was truly set for him, Qi Haochen can only brace himself and jump in.

Once inside the palace, that is the Emperor's territory; whether dragon or tiger, one must lie low honestly.

"Luo Wang Heir need not be afraid, it is a good thing," it is also a bad thing.

The Steward Eunuch had a decent impression of Qi Haochen, briefly comforted him a couple of sentences, then told him something he would understand at a glance.

Understand at a glance?

Qi Haochen felt this Steward Eunuch spoke evasively; a good thing?

In his view, it was most likely a huge bad thing.

In his heart he sighed that a princely heir's ability to do things was limited. He only hoped his Imperial Uncle still cherished some family affection; he was, after all, Father King's only seedling of a son — if he truly didn't want him to inherit the throne, just let him return to his fiefdom.

Qi Haochen considered himself quite capable of bending and stretching; he wouldn't be like others walking a single path to the bitter end, not leaving himself even a bit of retreat.

With all sorts of muttering in his heart, his footsteps didn't stop; Qi Haochen tightly followed behind the Steward Eunuch until the two reached the heavily guarded Imperial Study.

Qi Haochen:...

What is this? Qi Haochen's first reaction in his heart was that the Emperor had an incident.

His eyes instantly swept toward the Steward Eunuch at the side, "Eunuch, you see"

The Steward Eunuch wore a strictly business attitude, no longer with the softened tone from just now, "Replying to Luoyang Heir, the Emperor is inside the Imperial Study; please enter, Heir."

As for him, he would definitely guard outside the door; the Emperor's orders, no one dares to disobey.

"Many thanks for the Eunuch's notification," Qi Haochen flicked his sleeve and strode forward.

The tightly shut door was pushed open by someone; Qi Haochen smoothed his somewhat messy thoughts and, facing the empty main hall, hurriedly performed a salute and paid respects.

After a long moment, a familiar voice came from the inner room; Qi Haochen's heart followed with a breath of relief, good, good, the Emperor is still alive.

Casually tidying his clothes, he went around the screen; Qi Haochen stepped into the inner room.

"Imperial Uncle"

"You've come, not bad; We did not misjudge you," the Emperor half-lay on the dragon bed at the very back; the bright yellow curtains hanging on both sides had been lowered, also preventing Qi Haochen from seeing clearly the situation inside.

Qi Haochen listened to the Emperor's subtext; whatever he thought in his heart, he dared not show any superfluous reaction on his face, only replying that he merely obeyed orders, and receiving such praise was truly undeserved.

"No need to be nervous; this time We summoned people into the palace, you are not a special case."

The Emperor let out a couple of light laughs, somewhat muffled, as if something were blocking his chest.

"As of now in the capital, there remain only a few princely mansions whose heirs have yet to leave.

Before you, We already sent people to invite them into the palace with the same rhetoric.

Unfortunately, until you came over, none of them managed to appear before Us."

After the Emperor finished speaking, he still felt some emotion, thinking to himself that some people, even given an opportunity, cannot seize it.

It seems the position beneath him already has a definite candidate.

Qi Haochen's heart gave a start upon hearing this; as if anticipating what the Emperor would say, he hurriedly knelt on the ground, expressing his loyalty in a solemn tone.

"Rise, and no need to be anxious; there is still one last matter to handle, handle it well for Us, and things will naturally fall into place."

"May I ask what the Emperor commands?" Qi Haochen asked.

"Command is too strong a word; We merely wish for you to capture and bring to justice those who harm the foundations of Qi State."

Capture and bring to justice?

……

The tightly shut door was pushed open again; Qi Haochen emerged from inside holding the Imperial Edict.

The Steward Eunuch waiting outside saw this and hurriedly went up to greet him with a beaming smile.

"This slave congratulates the Luo Wang Taizi, and wishes the Taizi success in advance."

Qi Haochen looked at the Steward Eunuch smiling like a flower, secured the Imperial Edict in hand, "Eunuch, you caused me bitter suffering," the information he conveyed was inaccurate, he nearly fell into a trap.

The Steward Eunuch explained, "Hope the Taizi understands; this slave was helpless."

He did not want to either, but serving the Emperor, some words were not of his own will.

Moreover, observing the Luo Wang Taizi's complexion and demeanor, his words were not wrong; it truly was a good thing.

Good thing?

"Fortunately the Imperial Uncle still cherishes some family affection; otherwise today the three of us would likely not have gotten out."

Sitting in the carriage returning to the mansion, Qi Haochen spoke with lingering fear.

Truly not his fault; don't think that after entering the palace he was entirely at the Emperor's mercy, but in reality, the confrontation in the Imperial Study was the result of him narrowly avoiding danger.

At that time in the Imperial Study, not only were he and the Emperor present, but also other hidden guards already concealed.

The Emperor half-sat on the dragon bed, body frail; even Qi Haochen could faintly smell a trace of bloody odor drifting in the air.

Based on this, Qi Haochen forcibly restrained himself, not revealing the slightest impropriety. When he left the Imperial Palace, his back was soaked through with sweat.

He told Shen Shi and Shen Zhen his speculated content; Qi Haochen reached out and wiped his forehead, indicating he must rest well when he returned; having experienced the terror of a life-and-death moment, the following matters required even better planning.

Some words, too many lead to mistakes; at this time he did not say much more, until the mansion arrived, the three dismounted and returned to the study.

"Chen'er, this matter still requires Mother and the Prince to act together. The Emperor's meaning is obvious: he wants you and those people to first determine a winner."

If both sides mutually injure each other, Shen Zhen would find it hard not to suspect the Emperor would choose to reap the benefits.

"Also need to inform Fourth Sister, and simultaneously secretly investigate the situation of the other princely heirs who have not left."

Shen Shi felt the Emperor's words were not necessarily true; moreover, the other party harbored intentions of using them.

Combining what Qi Haochen said on the road, Shen Shi boldly speculated the bloody smell was very likely left by certain people who entered earlier.

As for whether the speculation can come true, "Check their entry times into the palace, including their subsequent movements to leave the capital; finding the doubts among them is effortless."

Qi Haochen gave an "mm" and nodded, "This matter assign to unfamiliar guards.

On the surface we still must make a show of preparing to leave the capital."

Even though Qi Haochen holds the Imperial Edict specially bestowed by the Emperor, once he goes to another's fiefdom, whether the other party will acknowledge it is unknown.

In Qi Haochen's view, facing enemies who want to seize his power, striking first is the most basic quality.

And this trip of his, though on imperial orders, is more a secret operation.

"Rest assured, these matters we are long familiar with; only one point: how exactly is the Emperor now?"

Shen Shi cares about the Emperor's body, not worrying how the Emperor will fare, but worrying about Qi Haochen's side's actions.

If in the end this play benefits an outsider, they would be the ones truly losing blood.

"The Emperor should have suffered heavy injuries; though his tone tried its utmost to steady, one could still hear insufficient vital energy within."

Perhaps he deliberately demonstrated much before Qi Haochen, but Qi Haochen is sharp enough to still discern the problem.

Shen Zhen analyzed much based on this, simultaneously determining their actions must also seize time, best to complete these arrangements before the Emperor's end arrives; then holding the Imperial Edict to ascend the throne, everything will only then be justified.

Like raising the banner under the nominal claim of complying with Heaven's will; though useless, it can seize the initiative of public opinion.

"Separate actions; success or failure rests on this one move."

Qi Haochen reached out and tapped the tabletop; his heart could not help but surge with boiling blood.

Waited this long; whether Father King and Mother Consort's side or his own side, both could barely endure their impatience; fortunately in the end they still waited for this opportunity; whatever they say, they cannot miss it.

……

Qi Chen arrived at Shen Yao's small courtyard holding a letter; the first sentence upon meeting was that it was ending.

Shen Yao looked at the letter's content; although she had this System cheat and long knew the capital's situation, even the Emperor's body was clear to her, on the surface she still maintained her proper persona, smiling and congratulating Qi Chen on bitterness ending and sweetness coming.

It truly was bitterness ending and sweetness coming; heaven knows how Qi Chen endured these years.

Shen Yao stayed in the back courtyard, contacted fewer matters, unlike Qi Chen, facing all kinds of probing conspiracies, stumbling step by step to today.

Laughing heartily a few times, Qi Chen reached out and embraced Shen Yao, patting her lightly.

"Madam, Chen'er asks for our help in the letter; this time no matter what we must let Chen'er have his wish."

Qi Haochen having his wish means Qi Chen's years of effort were not in vain.

Despite some regret that he himself likely cannot sit on that position, the son is his own son, also counting as indirectly satisfying his ambition.

"How does the Prince plan to help?"

Shen Yao lay in Qi Chen's embrace, her gaze gentle, which also let Qi Chen's heated mind rapidly calm down.

Touching his chin, Qi Chen felt he could start from the surroundings of Changzhou Prefecture.

"With us here, if Chen'er wants to act, the difficulty is not great."

At least he can openly dispatch troops to hold the line, forcing those people to directly lower their heads.

They are all family brothers; Qi Chen knows each one's temper — every single one is scared to death, and years of eating, drinking, and pleasure-seeking have left them without even the courage to fight a single battle.

When the time comes, who knows — Qi Haochen might just raise the Imperial Edict and those people will lower their heads and admit they are timid.

Don't think they have any integrity; each one tops the next in ability to refresh the bottom.

Qi Haochen and Qi Chen are father and son; Qi Chen's thoughts can represent Qi Haochen to a certain extent.

Sure enough, on this end Qi Chen and Shen Yao discussed the suggestion to let Qi Haochen start by causing trouble around Changzhou Prefecture first, while on the other end, Qi Haochen, who had already set out from Jingcheng, had as his destination precisely Changzhou Prefecture where his fiefdom lies.

Of course, Qi Haochen is not returning to Changzhou Prefecture; he is going to Daming Fu on the periphery of Changzhou Prefecture, which is Duan Wang's fiefdom, and also the place most able to remind him of new grudges and old hatreds.

Hehe, to not repay a grudge is un-gentlemanly; Qi Haochen feels that with this opportunity, he must seize it.

Qi Chen's side had also long since prepared the manpower to go and gather with Qi Haochen.

The one leading the team this time was still an acquaintance; Qi Haochen looked at Shen Cheng in the distance wearing armor and riding a warhorse, and laughed heartily as he called out "Eldest Young Master."

Shen Shi also rode his horse to meet them; the two brothers had not seen each other for a segment of time, and greeted one another by clapping hands.

"With Eldest Young Master helping, this time we will surely capture them with ease."

Qi Haochen felt his birth father still doted on him; aiyah, he really is the most handsome child.

Shen Cheng carried a letter from home in his arms. "Here, the Prince specially instructed."

As for the contents of the letter, they were nothing but various instructions and expressions of care.

Shen Yao was not as clingy as Qi Chen; she only had Shen Cheng bring a few verbal messages, especially that a son of a thousand gold does not sit beneath a eaves — protecting oneself well is the best strategy.

"Mother is still so steady; no matter what she does, the primary emphasis is always safety."

Shen Zhen poked her head out to let the wind blow for a while, secretly regretting that she temporarily could not return to her fiefdom; otherwise, why suffer this hardship.