It turns out that even if the emperor is terminally ill, he is still the emperor. The emperor is angry, and millions of corpses are ambushed, which is not just an empty word.

After the failure of the prince's rebellion, the sick emperor once again showed his thunderous methods, and the Praetorian Guards surrounded the homes of people who had a little way up and down the capital, searched and liquidated one by one, and even those family members who went out to escape the summer were all arrested.

Everyone knows very well that at this time, what the emperor wants to investigate is no longer a matter of rebellion, but to clean up all the forces in the capital so that they can be left to his son. The emperor, who was not particularly wise and martial in his life, seemed to suddenly open his mind when the lamp ran out.

So things have come to this point, and the contradictions between the Fu Wangfu and the emperor have long become irreconcilable.

Even if there are no previous things, even if Yuan Ziqing's health is not good, on this day, whether the emperor can still tolerate the Fu Wangfu is two words.

However, his arrangement fell through. Surrounded by the Praetorian Guards, there was an empty mansion, only the subordinates were still there, and the master had long since lost all of them to where they had gone. As for the people sent out to arrest their families, they didn't bring back the people of the Fuwang Mansion. However, this is not very conspicuous, because there was an accident in the capital, and when the news was loud, many people hid out.

At that time, the emperor didn't care, because even if those people were hiding, there was a way to get them out on their own. After all, the head of the house is still in the city.

But there is no one in the Fu Palace, and the idea of using them to force the family to show up is naturally in vain.

It was only at this time that the emperor realized that he had been fooled, maybe his plan had already been known to the Fu Wangfu, so he had precautions early to arrange it so meticulously and thoughtfully. This was like a slap in the face to the emperor, and it also made him even more jealous of Fuwangfu.

Even the emperor dares to calculate, what is it if he is not a chaotic minister and a thief?

Because he couldn't find anyone, he didn't buckle the hat of King Fu's mansion, but sent someone to raid the entire mansion, and all his subordinates were unofficial. Immediately afterwards, it was announced that King Fu was seriously ill, so that even if they came back, they would not change anything.

At this time, King Fu and Yuan Ziqing were living in an inconspicuous family. This is the residence arranged by Yuan Ziqing, and King Fu did not ask. But the people who came and went to check walked in a few waves, but no one came in to ask, which couldn't help but surprise King Fu.

Yuan Ziqing explained, "This is the house of Zifang's colleagues. Everyone knew that he was the leader of the Praetorian Guard, and no one would come and inspect his house without long eyes. ”

"But if you can't find anyone, it's always going to spread to this place." King Fu said with some concern.

After that night, the number of soldiers patrolling the streets decreased, and the capital seemed to be back to normal, but in fact it was loose on the outside and tight on the inside, waiting to catch all those who were hiding. -- It was not only the Fu Wangfu family that escaped.

Yuan Ziqing said, "At that time, let's go back to the house and live." ”

King Fu was a little surprised, "But the mansion has been raided, so there must be nothing left." ”

Thinking of this, King Rao Shifu was cheerful, and he couldn't help frowning a little. The Fuwang Mansion has a prominent status, and of course the family background is also very rich, and many things are made inside, all of which are rewarded by the emperor or the queen mother, and they can't be found outside.

That's all there is to it, the key is that the dowries of the female dependents are all left in the house, so they are copied, and I don't know if they will be returned in the future, even if they are returned, who knows if the people who copied the house have one or two pieces of greedy ink, and then can't find them back?

But at this time, life is at stake, and of course it is not the time to care about these, so this thought was suppressed as soon as the thought turned in my father's mind.

Yuan Ziqing said, "There will always be a way." It has been raided several times, and no one will go again. Just right for hiding. After a pause, he said, "The third prince must be in Beijing soon." ”

Although he got the news early, it is obviously impossible for the third prince to come back too early, otherwise he is catching up with the prince's rebellion and being treated as a chaotic party. Now several princes in the capital, the emperor is afraid that they are all sending people to watch it!

The reason why I had to get the news in advance and prepare was that I was worried that something would happen to the emperor before anyone came. Now the emperor doesn't seem to have much literature and art for a while, so of course he can deal with it calmly.

This battle, coming back from the third prince, is actually the real beginning. The previous ones were all hors d'oeuvres.

King Fu was right, and sure enough, after another two days, the search intensified. The two took advantage of the cover of night to quietly leave this place and hide in King Fu's mansion. And Yuan Ziqing was right, after they arrived here, the search on the street relaxed a lot.

Because the Queen Mother died, the palace still had to handle the funeral, and there had to be someone to do the work, so many ministers who were surrounded were finally released. The Praetorian Guards that can be seen everywhere in the capital have also suddenly decreased a lot.

Yuan Ziqing led King Fu and turned into the Hidden Bamboo Garden. This place has also been raided, and everything that can be taken away has been taken away, and some of the things that cannot be taken away have also been smashed. King Fu was very distressed when he saw it, and his anger towards the emperor became heavier and heavier. I knew that he would die soon, and I had a little emotion and sympathy, but now it seems that it is too redundant. Even if he is terminally ill, the emperor is still the emperor, and he will not be soft-hearted and become an ordinary person again.

"I don't even have a quilt, how are we going to live here?" Father asked.

Yuan Ziqing walked directly to the bed, opened the dark compartment, and took out the things he had prepared in advance from it. -- Large items such as beds and cabinets could not be taken away or destroyed, so they were spared. Naturally, all the things he hid here were still there.

At that time, it was just a whim, and I put these things away, but I didn't expect them to be useful.

Yuan Ziqing took out a pocket and handed it to King Fu, "It's time to return to Zhao." ”

When King Fu opened it, he couldn't help but smile.

Yuan Ziqing had asked King Fu to hand over important things such as seals to him for safekeeping, and King Fu was still a little worried, but now seeing him take it out from here, his colleagues who felt interesting in his heart couldn't help but be very happy.

The emperor's raid was huge, but was it really for a few things? No, such an important item as the seal letter is his goal. Yuanzi Qingzang is good, but he has not found it at all, and maybe the emperor will be angry and his illness will worsen a few points.

In addition, there is a thin quilt, which is enough for this summer, as well as dry food, water and two sets of clothes, and it is not difficult to think about it for three or five days. Although the conditions were more difficult, King Fu was in a better mood at this time. He asked, "You made this?" ”

Yuan Ziqing shook his head, "It's their woman's business, saying that there is this secret grid, and you can put some personal things." I also stumbled upon it. ”

King Fu was very interested, and said with a smile, "I didn't know that there was such an exquisite mechanism, I don't know if there is one in the princess." Let's go over and see. ”

As a result, it is not only the princess, but also Zhou Yingyue and the concubine.

The concubine hid something memorable, and that's it. Zhou Yingyue hid a lot of medicinal herbs and house title deeds, Yuan Ziqing sifted through them, and really found a house that had no connection with King Fu's Mansion, maybe you can go over and have a look. As for the princess, there is a lot of gold and silver jewelry hidden. When the wind is not so tight, the two of them go out for a walk, and they always have to use money, but now they don't have to worry about it.

The next day, Yuan Ziqing changed into an inconspicuous set of clothes and went to the street. He is not in good health, he rarely went out to walk before, and the people who knew him in the capital, except for those in the clan, I am afraid that he can be counted in two slaps, and he is not worried about being recognized at this time. Especially when he held his hands and bent his straight back slightly, he was just an ordinary person running around the capital to make a living. Even King Fu, after he changed his clothes, was a little afraid to recognize it.

Zhou Yingyue's house is very remote, it looks like a deserted house from the outside, and most of the surrounding houses are like this, and the door is closed, no one can say whether there is anyone living in it. This also satisfies Yuan Ziqing's requirements, so as not to know his neighbors, or let people know that he is a newcomer, which will arouse suspicion.

Because there is only a deed, no key, the prince will inevitably be a gentleman on the beam, go over the wall to look inside, the house is quite neat, although no one lives, a thin layer of ash has fallen, but the furniture is complete. Yuan Ziqing opened the cabinet and looked at it, even the futon and the like.

It is really a house that is prepared just in case, and Yuan Ziqing can't help but admire his younger siblings. Although he also thought about buying it, after all, his identity is special, and he will inevitably be noticed as soon as he makes a move, and he can't meet the requirements at all. It seems that Zhou Yingyue's own connections are also very impressive.

Thinking like this, I couldn't help but worry about the people who left Beijing. They should still be on the boat now, and they don't know what the situation is. As for the pursuers, he checked and did not send a few people, but after arriving in Haizhou, he had to be careful not to be served by others.

As everyone knows, the person he was thinking about was already about to arrive in the capital at this time.

Because Zhou Yingyue knew the whereabouts of the three princes, it was easy to find people, and after settling the concubine and the princess, and leaving the people who were basically waiting, the three of them rushed back for two days, and then caught up with the team of the three princes.

Mei was still a little worried, not knowing if the three princes would accept them. After all, they don't look like they're here to help, but like lost dogs, who come to drag them back. Unexpectedly, after the third prince heard what Yuan Zifang said, his face did not change at all, and he only nodded and said, "In this case, follow me first." After entering Beijing, I tried to get in touch again. ”

So they joined the group, and no one else expressed surprise at their appearance. Only then did Mei Bi begin to feel that the three princes were worthy of being the ones they would choose, and they really had their own uniqueness. At least this steady and indifferent place is very eye-catching.

In the following days, the three princes did not avoid suspicion, and often called them over for discussion. Because Meibian and Zhou Yingyue were wearing men's clothes, they didn't cause any commotion. In addition to Yuan Ziqing and them, the three princes also have other sources. But these sources, of course, are not as good as Fuwangfu, he started to prepare half a year ago, and now he can deal with it calmly. But now that the Fuwang Mansion has cut off contact, these news can still come intermittently.

So for the movements in the capital, they can still grasp it. Knowing that the focus had shifted to the queen mother's funeral at this time, the three princes simply decided not to rest, and hurried back day and night.

When they arrived in the capital, everyone was covered in dust, as if they had suffered a great sin.

When the three princes entered the city, they did not avoid people, and the people guarding the city gate heard that the three princes had returned, and they were a little incredulous at first. But soon, the news spread throughout the capital. At this time when the slightest movement would attract huge attention, Yuan Ke's high-profile appearance immediately added three points of turmoil to the already muddy waters of the capital.

No matter what, the emperor in the Taiji Palace is quite happy about the appearance of this son. I heard that he got the news of the prince's rebellion and rushed back in the starry night, and he showed an old and relieved expression.

As for what he thought in his heart, it is unknown.

The emperor himself lingered on the sickbed, and there was such chaos in the capital, but he did not show the slightest intention of establishing a prince, and even the government was only watched by a few ministers, and the prince was not designated to supervise the country.

So what exactly he planned to do, no one can say at this time.

Everyone discussed it and felt that it was best to respond to all changes at this time, so they all held it for the time being, and only the three princes entered the palace every day to serve the sick, and they were very dedicated.

King Fu and Yuan Ziqing did not contact the three princes for the time being. He has just returned, and it is the time when everyone is paying attention, and any small movement may lead to uncontrollable consequences. If the identities of King Fu and Yuan Ziqing are discovered, the three princes will also be affected.

But they also have special contact details. It's just that there was a lot of noise before, so it hasn't been used, but now it's time.

When they reconnected, they knew that King Fu and Yuan Ziqing were fine, and nothing happened, and they were relieved here. Although we can't meet for the time being, my mood is much more relaxed.

On this day, when the three princes returned from the palace, they gathered everyone to discuss, "Today, my father asked me how I would treat my brothers if I ascended to the Great Treasure in the future. ”

His voice was steady, and it was clear that this was just a temptation on the part of the emperor, and it did not mean that the throne was really going to be passed on to him. But there must be an idea. I just don't know what the answer he wants, and ...... How many people have asked this question?

Of course, the three princes can't take care of other people's things now, and the most important thing at the moment is to give the answer first. The emperor told him not to be in a hurry and to think slowly. But the third prince can't really not be in a hurry, in case someone says the answer in the emperor's heart first, it is difficult to say what the situation is.

This question is a bit difficult. First of all, when the emperor asked this kind of question, he definitely didn't want to listen to the standard answer of that kind of brother, friend and brother, but wanted to use it to judge whether the third prince was suitable to become the emperor. If he is too brotherly and brotherly, maybe the emperor still dislikes him for not being able to sit on the throne. But if you show that you are ruthless, it will inevitably make people frown - you are like this to your brother, but you are not to your father?

How to grasp the degree and which side to lean towards is more challenging. After some discussion, everyone finally insisted on their own opinions and did not reach a unified opinion. In the end, the three princes had no choice but to wave their hands and let everyone go down and continue to think.

The three of them inevitably got together to discuss this matter, and Yuan Zifang said, "Your Majesty has already used such a thunderous method, and Brother and Brother Gong are definitely not what he wants to see, right?" ”

"Not necessarily. You must know that there is a thing called double standard in this world. The emperor himself used such means against his brothers, but he would not want one of his sons to use such means against another. Zhou Yingyue said.

Otherwise, the princes would not have to do any brotherly and brotherly performances in front of people.

"At least it's not okay to be a brother and a friend, otherwise Da Chu will probably be in chaos a long time ago." Yuan Zifang said, "Since this is the time to ask, the test is obviously the way of the king." ”

He also nodded, "Yes, but even if you know this, it is difficult to give a suitable answer." No one knows what the emperor thinks. What if I get it wrong? ”

Unable to help in finding the answer, Yuan Zifang simply threw away this head and turned to find out how many sons the emperor had asked. When I asked this, only the father and son must have been alone, and it was impossible for outsiders to know. But after all, there are still clues to be found.

For example, which sons did the emperor talk to alone, how long did it take, etc., compared horizontally, even if he didn't ask this question, it is worth paying attention to if he can talk to the emperor alone for a long time.

This check really found some problems.

Now those who have the ability to compete for that position are the second prince, the third prince and the fifth prince. The second prince has been suppressed by the crown prince, and now he has finally turned over, but he is not enough, and the emperor knows very well that most likely it will not be him. As for the five princes, they are from a higher background, and now the prince is bad, he is the best among the princes, with the support of outsiders, and he is the most high-spirited.

However, Yuan Zifang's investigation found that the silent fourth prince was the best when serving the emperor, and the emperor seemed to be closer to him. Although it seems that he has no connections now, even if the emperor supports him, he may not be able to sit firmly in that position.

But just like the Fu Wangfu secretly supported the three princes, maybe there were also people who secretly supported the four princes. If the open fire insists on fighting, he may not be able to fight others. But if the emperor chooses him, then a large number of neutral courtiers will stand behind him. At that time, it will be impossible to move him again.

It is also thanks to Yuan Zifang's very extensive connections in the Praetorian Guard, and all the news can be combined to see such clues. Otherwise, it may be ignored.

The third prince listened to his report and knew that there was such an enemy hidden under his nose that he had not discovered, and his face was a little unsightly. If you neglect this person, you may really be able to capsize in the gutter in the future.

Fortunately, he has a calm temperament, even if there is such an accident, he can deal with it calmly, and after praising Yuan Zifang, he began to ponder this problem.

And at this time, from a special channel, Yuan Ziqing's advice about the emperor's last question had also been sent. The third prince opened the note and saw that there was a sentence written on it: Know yourself and know your opponent, and you will not be defeated in a hundred battles.

He was stunned for a moment, then pondered for a moment, and soon unearthed the hidden meaning.

Then the third prince couldn't help but smile slightly. Because he found that this question can also be used in the affairs of the four princes.

put the note on the fire and burned it, and the third prince entered the palace with great ambition.

The Emperor was now on bed rest, and it seemed that his energy was almost exhausted, and the situation was getting worse and worse every day. However, even so, he persevered for so long, and it seems that he will continue to survive.

Because the emperor is already dying, there must be a prime minister and a few courtiers on duty in the room. In case the emperor has any edicts, they can also record them at any time and announce them to the public. Of course, if the emperor wants to talk to his son alone, it is also possible to retreat from everyone.

The third prince greeted the ministers, then sorted out his expressions before stepping into the house.

There was already a person in the house, it was the fourth prince who had just caught the attention of the third prince. He was sitting in front of the bed, whispering to the Emperor. Seeing this, the three princes' eyes flashed slightly. Why didn't you find out in the past that the fourth brother was actually quite interested in court politics?

In the past, he had no foundation, so he could only send love poems and articles, bury his head in hard reading, and make people laugh that there was a nerd among the princes. Even if the third prince would not underestimate anyone, he would almost ignore him.

However, now that I think about it, I send love poems and books, and the people who come and go are literati. And these literati are the foundation of the imperial court. Give him ten or eight years and work hard to develop, wouldn't it be possible to achieve a full foundation? Even if there is no support from outsiders, I am afraid that this power will not be underestimated at that time.

If it weren't for the emperor's physical problems and giving him time to continue to hibernate, it would be really difficult to predict who would die in the future.

The third prince smiled slightly, adjusted his expression again, and then walked over to greet the emperor. When he turned his head to look at the fourth prince, there was already a gentle rather than intimate expression on his face, "The fourth brother came early. ”