Chapter 781: Intense Emotions

Longyan Jinghua.

Imperial Palace.

"Gone?"

Xie Tianyao nearly jumped off the Dragon Throne upon hearing this news.

The civil and military officials in the court were all stunned, one by one.

This sudden moment.

Prince Wei, Prince Yong, and Vice Minister Liu—all gone just like that?

Xiao Qian's letters had already flown in.

And it was several letters in a row; they still hadn't been found.

Where did they go?

Dead?

: rg

Missing?

Or did they enter the tomb?

The scene was silent as a grave.

If these people were truly gone, then for the Longyan Dynasty, it would absolutely be a massive loss!

Each one of them was a pillar of the state!

People from the other factions were both delighted and worried.

What they were happy about was that if this group of people were truly gone, they would have no competitors.

What a great void it would be!

Even Zhu Zhen found it hard to imagine.

Admittedly, the rise of the New Aristocracy had a great impact on the Old Aristocrats and the Scholar-Official Group.

But what they were worried about was that if they were truly dead, the Longyan Dynasty would really lose at least half of its territory!

Saying "half of its territory" was not an exaggeration at all.

Vice Minister Liu currently led the entire economy and industrial development of Longyan; his influence on the Longyan economy was already deep-rooted. It was hard for anyone to imagine what would happen to Longyan's economic development if Vice Minister Liu were suddenly gone.

Flourishing.

They fought for power and influence, but what they wanted was a flourishing Longyan, not a Longyan in ruins everywhere.

"Emperor, this humble official believes that the Liaodong Rebel Army and the remnants of the former Tang, a grand army of five hundred thousand, pose a great threat to our Longyan territory; we should send reinforcements to aid Liaodong!"

But one had to admit that the emergence of the New Aristocracy brought a powerful and undeniable vitality to the Longyan Dynasty.

Fiscal revenue had increased, and the public mood had improved.

The entire Longyan Dynasty had stronger cohesion and a more intense sense of national self-confidence.

"This official seconds the motion!"

"Emperor, this matter has already spread throughout Longyan; the public's sentiment for conquering Liaodong is intense! The imperial court must consider it."

A group of people followed with suggestions.

Zhu Zhen stood out and took the initiative to speak.

The Prince of Qin glanced at him with surprise and remained silent.

"Emperor, it should be so!"

Many people were even willing to donate money and supplies.

Liangzhou was like this.

Shuzhou was like this.

A subtle, obscure glint flashed in Xie Tianyao's eyes.

These days, the voices among the people were indeed very loud.

People all over Longyan were shouting to save Vice Minister Liu!

Many scholars and writers also began to denounce them with their pens. All kinds of articles resisting the war drifted out like snowflakes.

Everyone was afraid.

Everyone was worried about the loss of Vice Minister Liu.

Hanzhong was like this.

The Western Regions were like this.

The sentiment for resisting the war was intense.

But since the situation was already like this, Xie Tianyao stood up and shouted: "Mobilize another three hundred thousand troops; you must bring Liaodong back for me!"

"And also,"

"Vice Minister Liu!"

Was this a good thing?

Xie Tianyao naturally had his own considerations.

"Good!"

The Inner Palace.

Xie Chan was learning inner palace etiquette under the supervision of several palace maids.

She could not help but look annoyed.

"The Emperor is wise!"

"The Emperor is wise!"

Her gaze was no longer as sharp as it had been before.

With the loss of Xie Ling and the rise of Dong Guifei.

She finally understood that she had begun to formally withdraw from the stage of political struggle in the Longyan Dynasty.

How could someone who had grown up like a wild child endure this?

Zheng Fu watched patiently from the side.

This Empress of the current Longyan Dynasty seemed to have aged over a dozen years in a short span of time.

But the inner palace was just like this.

Fortunately, she had taken the fastest opportunity to adopt Xie Chan, the daughter of her greatest romantic rival, as her goddaughter.

She could still survive.

What she should be considering now is how to survive.

Survive.

How desolate.

Zheng Fu finally spoke.

A group of palace maids bowed and left.

Xie Chan pouted coquettishly: "Empress, is it not possible to not learn these?"

She still had a chance to rise to prominence.

She still had a chance to become the Empress Dowager.

"Let's rest for a while."

Just at this moment, someone suddenly came running in a panic.

"What's wrong?"

The eunuch trembled and shook, unable to say a word.

Zheng Fu chuckled: "That won't do; you are a girl who will soon be married, how can you be so ignorant of the rules?"

"Oh, that is still a long way off!"

Xie Chan looked shy and bashful.

The expressions of Zheng Fu and Xie Chan changed simultaneously.

Xie Chan's pretty face changed even more drastically.

"Quick, stop her!"

Zheng Fu shouted: "Speak!"

The eunuch cried: "Vice Minister Liu has gone missing!"

"What?"

"Your Highness."

A group of people came over to block the way.

Xie Chan's face was cold: "All of you, move aside! Liu Zheng is my man, Xie Chan; he has gone missing, and I must go find him!"

Zheng Fu said suddenly.

But it was already too late; Xie Chan had already rushed out. Returning to her room, she quickly changed into military attire.

"Princess!"

Soon, he also came over personally to block her.

Facing the obstruction of the Imperial Guard, Xie Chan placed her long sword against her neck: "Let's see who dares to come closer!"

The group of people were all terrified.

"Your Highness."

"Absolutely not!"

This matter soon alarmed even Xie Tianyao.

"Move aside!"

Xie Tianyao's face was cold.

Who did not know Xie Chan's personality?

"Chan'er."

Xie Tianyao nearly fainted.

Xie Chan's eyes were blurred with tears: "I don't care, I must go this time! If he is alive, I must see the person; if he is dead, I must see the corpse!"

Finally, Xie Chan requested a horse and galloped out of the palace.

"Quick, quick, quick, follow her for me!"

"Follow them!"

She had always been one to never go back on her word.

If they truly blocked her, there was no telling what might happen.

The Imperial Guard did not dare to move either.

Drip, drop.

It seemed to be ice water of some unknown flavor, dripping onto his face.

Where is this?

Xie Tianyao shouted angrily.

Liu Zheng did not even know how he had woken up.

Liu Zheng rolled over and got up.

"Ah!"

A delicate cry rang out.

Liu Zheng opened his eyes.

Before him, it was pitch dark.

"Who is it?"

The three of them did not know where they had appeared at this moment.

Was it a passageway?

"Pei Qianyun!"

Li Xuanya?

Slowly, he began to grow accustomed to the light here; Li Xuanya was struggling in pain beside him.

On his left side was Pei Qianyun, pinned down by stones.

"What are you doing, who is it!"

Clatter, clatter.

Pei Qianyun flipped up, and the stones he had been carrying fell all over the ground.

Liu Zheng called out worriedly.

Pei Qianyun did not wake up.

He was startled and slapped Pei Qianyun across the face.

"Young Master, Young Master?!"

Pei Qianyun hurriedly helped Liu Zheng up.

Several large stones were on Liu Zheng's body, pinning him down so he could not get up at all.

His eyes, as large as copper bells, were filled with killing intent.

Liu Zheng did not know whether to laugh or cry.

So it turns out there was nothing wrong at all?

He had almost been unable to catch his breath!

After taking a few deep breaths, he finally steadied himself.

Then he looked toward Li Xuanya at his side.

Blah, blah, blah.

Only then did Liu Zheng heave a sigh of relief.

Pain!

At this look, his heart immediately sank.

Li Xuanya's condition was somewhat dangerous!