Cuinong handed over a three-inch-sized black lacquer luodian box to Xiao Shisan. The surprise on Xiao Shisan's face was no less than that of Ruyi standing on the side, and he asked while taking the box, "This is—"

I commanded lightly: "It's just a small crossbow for self-defense." I also ask you to send someone to catch up with Your Highness immediately and deliver it into Your Highness's hands. ”

Xiao 13 listened to the order, took it with both hands, turned around and whispered a few words to a black-armored guard behind him. The guard galloped down the gatehouse with the box in hand, leaped onto his horse, and galloped away.

From a distance, he watched the soldier ride to Shengyao's side, turned over and dismounted, and knelt on one knee. Raising his young face to report something to Sheng Yao, he raised the box above his head with both hands and offered it to him. Sheng Yao grabbed the reins, raised his left hand to stop the queue, and took the box from the soldier's hand.

He turned his head to look at Yanping Tower.

Beyond the layers of the army, over the fluttering flags, over the thick and silent battlements, his gaze accurately captured my figure.

Look at each other in pairs.

Time seemed to stand still in this moment.

Until Shengyao laughed.

He lifted the box and waved it gently in my direction from the castle tower. The wind gently rolled up the corners of his shirt.

After a few moments, Sheng Yao turned his head and ordered the army to pull out. The long queue began to march in an orderly rhythm, gradually moving away, and slowly disappearing from sight.

The days after Sheng Yao left Beijing were pale and calm.

I went to the queen's palace more often, because I could learn a little bit of news about Yuzhou and Shangyong from the queen's mouth from time to time. Unfortunately, it is only a few bits and pieces of information, and I can only roughly guess the current situation and progress of the war.

During this period, I met Wu Shanghua a few times, and I acted according to etiquette, but there was no more disputes. Although whenever I look at her handsome eyes and eyebrows, I will think about the first day, the obvious hatred she hid under the crown of Qizhai Phoenix. But on the few occasions we met, she always quickly withdrew her gaze from me, or snorted a little coldly and walked away, but she lacked even interest in verbal exchange.

Although I don't know what the reason for her sudden temper restriction, it also made me feel relieved.

On the 27th day of the first lunar month, it was as calm as ever.

In the evening, Cuinong lightly pressed the candle flame, put down the curtain and retreated. I wrapped myself in a soft futon and fell asleep in the Suhexiang that Sheng Yao was accustomed to.

In the middle of the night, there seemed to be thunder.

I thought in a daze, this year's spring thunder came so early.

But I shuddered involuntarily, it wasn't thunder!

Trinon heard the movement and had already come in with a candle. I heard my seemingly calm voice ask, "What is it?" ”

Ruyi came in neatly dressed at this time, and responded: "Don't be surprised. The servant went to find out at once. ”

I got out of bed and sat at the table waiting for news. Outside the hall, there was a noise of people. My mind grew more and more amazed.

After a while, Ruyi hurriedly came in and said, "Liangyuan, the rebels are coming to the city!"

I suddenly knocked over the hot tea cup on the table, and the azure porcelain cup swirled on the table, turning more and more slowly, and my voice was in disbelief: "How come?"

The servant went directly to Langhua Hall to inquire about the old acquaintances of Xiao Wangfu, and Langhua Hall was already in a mess. ”

"Where are the rebels? from the direction of Yuzhou, or are they the soldiers of the five princes of Shangyong?"

Ruyi was obviously hesitant: "This, it's not clear for the time being." ”

I took a deep breath, calmed down a little, and quickly ordered: "Ruyi go and wake up the people of the Huiyin Palace, and tell them to go to Ruan Liangdi, Xu Fengyi, and Mrs. Chunchun to inform and be vigilant." Cuinon accompanied me to the mother's apse. ”

Ruyi should go down.

In the blink of an eye, the lights of the Huiyin Hall gradually turned on. I took Cuinong out of the palace gate, and met Xiao Shisan, who was fully armed, and said head-on: "Liangyuan, the rebels of Yuzhou are attacking at night, attacking and attacking the city. The situation is critical, and Liangyuan is asked to close the door in the Huiyin Palace. The subordinates will definitely protect the safety of Liangyuan. ”

I rebuked, "Confused. If there is a time when the city is really broken this time, can the gate of the Huiyin Hall withstand the footsteps of the rebels?"

Xiao Shisan raised his head and said: "If the city is really broken, the subordinates will protect Liangyuan and kill him out of the city." ”

I smiled slightly: "Very good, you are really loyal to His Highness's instructions." It's just that it's too early to talk about whether the city is broken or not at this time. Come with me and go to Yongning Palace to find the queen. ”

Xiao 13 was silent, but then followed behind me and Cuinong.

Yongning Palace was already brightly lit at this time.

When the attendants outside the hall went in, I carried Cuinong into the hall. The queen sat upright as usual, but her pursed lips were pale. I chuckled in my heart - it seems that the situation is very critical today.

Sure enough, when the queen saw me coming, she immediately took my hand and subconsciously asked: "What should I do?" Yao'er led the army to the Yuzhou front, who would have expected that the Xie clan in Yuzhou would go south from Yuzhou to bypass Jiangling and then go north to Xiangzhou. intercepted and killed the sentry all the way, but it was only discovered that it was hidden twenty miles outside Kyoto City by night. ”

Her fingers were cold, trembling slightly, and her voice was panicked: "Right now, Kyoto's troops are empty, how can they have the strength to fight?"

I held her hand instead, comforting and relieving my anxiety, and said with a smile: "Don't be surprised, the queen mother, my father must have a way." ”

The queen shook her head slowly, and looked up at the people standing on either side. Ye Shangyi was very aware of the opportunity and retreated with people.

The queen sighed heavily: "The words of the right person were originally said by the palace when he heard that His Majesty had just received the emergency report. At this time, His Majesty has urgently convened the ministers to discuss the matter. But the current situation is really terrible, what can be done? This soldier is coming to stand in the way, and there is no one in Kyoto who can turn the tide at the moment!"

I was silent.

If the real city is broken, the authority of the Great Qi royal family will cease to exist. Or, it is difficult to keep the lives of Shengyao's parents.

I pondered for a long time, and said softly: "Before His Highness left Beijing, he left Xiao Shisan, the chief of the guard of Yude Palace, behind, he was originally from the Black Armor Army, and he also accompanied His Highness to the north. The queen mother can summon him into the temple to ask for ideas, and it is always good to work together at such times. ”

The queen's eyes moved slightly: "It's the head of the guard that Yao'er arranged in the Huiyin Hall before, right?"

I say yes with my jaw on my head.

The queen said: "Not only is he a cronie who follows Yao'er, but also has the battlefield experience of the Northern Expedition, let him enter the palace immediately." ”

After a while, Xiao 13 strode into the hall, and there was a sound of friction of the armor on his body, and he saluted the queen: "Xiao 13 has seen the queen's mother." ”

After the queen was exempted from the courtesy seat, I looked at Xiao Shisan and said, "The situation is pressing tonight, and the chief of the guard should know better than the women of the deep palace like me what the current situation is." I don't know if there is a solution to this dilemma?"