Chapter 152

I did nothing wrong!

If he knew the truth, my fate would be no better.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, do not hesitate any longer; let us fight with all our might!"

Hou Hou Junji, clad in armor, gritted his teeth and shouted angrily.

"Fine! Regardless of whether we win or lose this battle, there is no turning back for us as father and son!"

Li Li Chengqian had also come to this realization.

This final decisive battle was no longer about father-son affection, nor was it about Emperor and Crown Prince.

They were now irreconcilable enemies!

To lose meant death!

It is worth mentioning that Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji was not among this group.

At this moment, he was at the Duke Prefecture.

Besides him.

Wei Zheng, Xiao Yu, Gao Gao Shilian, and a host of other high-ranking officials were also hiding there.

After Li Li Chengqian rebelled, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji had immediately protected all these high-ranking officials.

The reason he did this was, of course, not out of a sudden burst of kindness, but to leave himself a way out.

This was the brilliance of Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji!

This old fox had not staked everything on Li Li Chengqian, but had kept one final move in reserve!

Ever since Li Li Chengqian rebelled, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji had not appeared in public, but had been manipulating everything from the shadows.

In other words.

Except for Li Li Chengqian, no one knew that Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji was also involved in this affair!

The reason for doing this was to ensure that if Li Li Chengqian's rebellion failed, he would still have a path of retreat.

When the time came for Li Er to ask, he would simply say he knew nothing and had been under house arrest from the beginning.

Both Wei Zheng and Gao Gao Shilian could testify for him.

In fact, that was indeed the case.

After Li Li Chengqian rebelled, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji had spent his days with these ministers, not even stepping one foot outside the Duke Prefecture.

Of course.

This was merely a superficial appearance.

Every deep night.

A few people would always walk out of the Duke Prefecture and silently vanish into the darkness.

It was not just Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji.

The mysterious black-robed figures who had waited in the City God Temple that night had also never appeared again.

There is a reason why these forces have remained enduring, lasting through the hundred years of the Sui and Tang dynasties!

Because they all believe in one principle!

Always prepare for two outcomes.

If Li Li Chengqian's rebellion succeeded, it would naturally be good for everyone.

If he failed, they would have already laid out everything in advance to avoid bringing disaster upon themselves.

In this way.

Whether they won or lost, they would remain in an invincible position!

Li Li Chengqian naturally understood Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji's intentions.

But he was cowardly and incompetent, and he had a fatal weakness held in Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji's hands.

Other than being a puppet on a string, what else could he do?

At the time of the rebellion, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji had issued a strict order to Li Li Chengqian.

Under no circumstances was Li Li Chengqian to tell anyone about Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji!

At that time.

Li Li Chengqian was already on the pirate ship.

He had no choice but to obey.

He feared Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji, and feared the black-robed figures behind Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji even more.

Even the fall of the Sui Dynasty and Li Er's ascension to the throne had been planned by them.

Getting rid of him would be a matter of minutes, wouldn't it?

And so.

The confused Li Li Chengqian really did not tell anyone that Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji was the mastermind.

Even Hou Hou Junji knew nothing!

"Duke of Zhao, I hear that His Majesty has already quelled the internal rebellion and the army is at the gates of Changancheng. Now that the Crown Prince is at the end of his rope, it seems his defeat is not far off," Wei Zheng said, his spirits lifted.

"Physician Wei is correct; His Majesty is currently leading troops to attack Changancheng. Perhaps before long, we will be able to escape and survive!"

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji smiled kindly.

It is said that great deception looks Wu Li Ke truth.

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji should be considered the most outstanding representative of this type of person!

"Thanks to the Duke of Zhao; if it weren't for you, our old bones might have already perished."

"Indeed! The Duke of Zhao is truly the pillar of the imperial court and the head of all officials. Today, this old man is truly convinced."

"When His Majesty quells the rebellion, we must report this matter truthfully to His Majesty; we must never forget the great kindness of the Duke of Zhao."

The other high-ranking officials expressed their gratitude to Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji one after another.

When Li Li Chengqian first rebelled, these people had been terrified day and night.

In their eyes.

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji taking the risk to bring them into his own residence required immense courage.

Even those who liked Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji's style the least had to accept his kindness at this moment.

"Hehehe, colleagues, you are too kind. I only relied on being the Crown Prince's uncle, which is why he dared not coerce me too much. Plus, with your outstanding abilities, the Crown Prince likely thought he might have use for us in the future, which is why he spared our lives."

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Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji explained with a smile.

He appeared calm and composed, but a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart.

Thank goodness!

As long as they speak for me, I can extricate myself from Li Li Chengqian's rebellion.

"Master, the Crown Prince and His Majesty have started fighting!"

A servant ran over in a hurry, saying nervously.

Hearing this.

Everyone became nervous.

Outside Changancheng, the sound of metal and horses!

The two armies were locked in fierce battle!

Li Er, disregarding his own aging bones, took the lead, fighting back and forth desperately.

The reason he did this was not because he was truly unafraid of death, but because he had no other choice.

Firstly, the outcome of this battle determined whether he could reclaim the throne;

Secondly, an Emperor personally on the battlefield is more likely to inspire the soldiers to fight bravely;

Thirdly, Li Er could use his imperial majesty to suppress the rebel army.

At this level, everything they did had countless reasons behind it!

This was true for Li Er, and it was true for Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji.

Don't look at how they were played around by Qin Mu; apart from Qin Mu, there was almost no one in this world who could compete with them!

These people were truly outstanding figures!

Sure enough.

Li Er's brave fighting greatly inspired the soldiers behind him.

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— Author's Notes —

.......Seeking flowers...0