The sound of fighting outside the Jinling Imperial City continued, and the Imperial City was also full of slaughter.

In a side hall in the palace, a group of people with solemn expressions were sitting or standing, but there was no surprise with a little anxiety and sorrow between their eyebrows. The head of the Qin family sat alone in a secluded corner and was silent. In the past, everyone would definitely gather around him to discuss opinions, but in the past few years, the Qin family has been really low-key, rarely participating in the gatherings of these families, and even if they do, they rarely say anything. So much so that everyone was a little accustomed to such a quiet and unrelenting head of the Qin family, but they forgot that he was still at the helm of the second family of Jinling that almost suppressed the Xie family a few years ago.

Xie Hou sat not far from him, and he also did not participate in the discussion of these people. Everyone is not surprised, after all, it is well known that the Xie family has never been involved in the affairs of the DPRK and China. Even if King Yan really broke through Jinling and changed the dynasty, as long as the Xie family didn't die, nothing would happen.

Several sons of the Xie family stood beside Xie Hou, their expressions solemn and respectful, and they couldn't see the slightest expression in their calmness.

The Qin family master glanced at everyone present and sighed slightly. He looked up and smiled at Xie Hou and said, "Brother Xie, why don't you move your hand and talk about a game?" ”

Xie Hou was surprised, and said with a smile: "Qin family master, please." ”

The two of them got up and walked to the side to the side of the main hall. Although it is said that he is under house arrest in the palace, after all, he is the head of each family, and Xiao Qianye doesn't want to offend them too much. As long as they don't leave this hall and don't wander around, they can be free to do so everywhere in the hall. The two got up and left without alarming too many people, only the two sons of the Xie family and one of the sons of the Qin family followed.

The two of them came to a quiet wing room on the side and sat down, and several juniors had already stepped forward to set up the chessboard. The two sides sat down, but they were not in a hurry. Listening to the sound of fighting in the distance, Xie Hou said lightly: "Listening to this voice, I'm afraid the outer city can't hold it." "It has been more than two days since the news of the broken South Gate came, and it is not easy for the defenders of the outer city to block the Youzhou army outside for two or three days. However, now that the city gate has been broken, it is even more difficult to block people back.

The head of the Qin family also sighed and said, "Xie Hou is right. ”

Xie Hou raised his eyes and glanced at the Qin family master, raised his eyebrows and smiled: "It's just someone else, why should the Qin family master be so worried?" ”

Let's not talk about others, the eldest son of the Qin family is now a capable person under Wei Junmo, once King Yan ascends the throne, the Qin family only has a place to go to the next level, where do you need to worry and sigh? The sigh of the head of the Qin family at this time, if it weren't for Xie Hou's magnanimity, others would inevitably think that he was pretending.

The head of the Qin family rubbed the chess pieces in his hand, and after a long time, he shook his head and said: "It is said that once the son of heaven was a courtier, but this... The Son of Heaven is also different from the Son of Heaven. The chess game is reopened, who knows the blessing or misfortune? "In all fairness, compared to King Yan, in fact, the major families still prefer Xiao Qianye as the emperor. After all, for the courtiers, the better the person who waits, the happier he is. Xiao Qianye was ruthless enough to his imperial uncles, but his courtiers were at least soft-hearted compared to the first emperor. And King Yan, among the many princes of the first emperor, the one who is most like the first emperor is King Yan.

It's a pity that Xiao Qianye is really not the opponent of King Yan. If the major families tried their best to help Xiao Qianye, no one would be willing. What's more, Xiao Qianye has to say two things about whether he receives their affection or not.

Xie Hou nodded, "That makes sense." ”

The head of the Qin family sighed and said, "Therefore, I envy Xie Hou in the next place." "If you don't enter the game, you naturally don't have to worry about the dangers of change. With the prestige and reputation of the Xie family, as long as the Xie family does not commit treason and does not bully the king, and there are no ridiculous descendants, the Xie family will be able to enjoy peace for a long time. It's a pity that the Qin family can't do this, and they don't have this condition. Even if the Qin family really completely overpowered the Xie family one day, it would be better than the Xie family's heritage.

Xie Hou shook his head and said, "The Qin family master thinks about this, why don't you think about whether you and I can still get out of this palace." ”

The Qin family master's expression moved slightly, he looked up at Xie Hou, and then looked at the eldest prince of the Xie family and Xie Qigong who were standing behind Xie Hou, and shook his head a little helplessly and sighed: "If life should be like this, what can you do next?" "Xiao Qianye's purpose for recruiting them into the palace is not that they don't know, but they are helpless to know it under the power.

Fortunately...

The head of the Qin family secretly rejoiced in his heart, even if he had an accident, even if the few children who followed him into the palace had any accidents, he would still be able to stabilize the situation of the Qin family after the eldest son returned to Beijing. The Qin family will not be defeated because of this.

Xie Hou is even less in a hurry, the Xie family will not be chaotic if Old Lady Xie is in charge. No matter what happened to him in the palace, when the new emperor ascended the throne in the future, he would appease the Jia Enxie family. After some thoughts, the Xie family will still slowly recover, and even avoid the purge of the family after the new emperor ascends the throne. After all, King Yan is indeed a rather powerful king.

The two glanced at each other, and they both saw calmness and calmness in each other's eyes. At the same time, obviously neither of them felt that Xiao Qianye still had the ability to turn the tide.

The two people on this side played calmly, but the side hall on the other side was already arguing. Gao Yihou sat on the side with a gloomy face, he didn't expect the emperor to act so quickly. They did think about it, but before they could act, they were all invited into the palace by the emperor. Now that he can't do anything, King Yan doesn't think about it, and now it's lucky to be able to get out safely.

"I've seen Gao Yihou, the concubine is invited." Outside the door, an attendant walked in and said respectfully.

Hearing this, the hall that was still noisy suddenly became quiet. Everyone's eyes shot at Gao Yibo, faintly hostile. They were all locked up here and couldn't go anywhere, but Gao Yibo was taken away by someone sent by his daughter, who knows if he would say anything to His Majesty that was not good for everyone.

It's just that no matter how hostile they are, these powerful family heads in this place are no different from ordinary people, so they have to watch Gao Yibo being taken away.

Gao Yihou followed the chamberlain to Concubine Zhu's palace, and Concubine Zhu was kneeling in the Buddhist hall in the apse and chanting. After hearing the attendant's advice, he got up and walked out, and said with a faint smile: "Father." ”

Gao Yihou was worried, and hurriedly asked, "Looking for my father, but what's the matter?" ”

Concubine Zhu sat down and said with a faint smile: "It's not a big deal, but I heard that His Majesty's father was in the palace, so I asked my father to come to the gathering." Is my father okay these days? ”

Gao Yihou looked at the daughter in front of him who looked gentle, but did not lose the noble spirit of the imperial concubine, and his expression was a little complicated. It has been a few days since they entered the palace, and Concubine Zhu naturally couldn't have known about it today. I didn't pay attention to it two days ago, but now I ...... Concubine Zhu played with the jade bracelet on her wrist, and said leisurely: "I heard... My father and eldest sister have a lot of correspondence these days? ”

Gao Yihou's expression changed when he heard this, and he said a little sneeringly: "Where..." Concubine Zhu is in the palace, so naturally these news will not be found out by herself.

Concubine Zhu said quietly: "I know that in my father's heart, I am definitely not as good as the eldest sister." However, my emperor also called his father grandfather. Father really can't bear to let His Majesty lose the country, so that my son will become a prisoner or even lose his life? ”

Gao Yihou hurriedly said: "Niang Niang is cautious. ”

A sneer appeared on Concubine Zhu's beautiful face, "Be cautious? Didn't my father contact the major families and wanted to join King Yan? Father must have forgotten, even if it is now... In this imperial city, His Majesty still has the final say. ”

Gao Yihou's eyes widened in horror, he didn't understand why this daughter suddenly said such a thing. Did she want to say it herself, or did she mean it? But in front of her, she must not admit that Concubine Zhu is right, even if the imperial city is already in danger, at least Xiao Qianye has the final say in this imperial city now.

"The mother misunderstood, how could a father have such a rebellious idea." In Gao Yihou's heart, there are actually no absolute two, who is more important. If Xiao Qianye had been standing, it would naturally be Zhu Chuyu who gave up. But now it is obvious that Xiao Qianye is no longer good, and the Zhu family naturally wants to go to the eldest daughter. After all, Zhu Chuyu is still the wife of the second son of King Yan. Of course, because of Zhu Chuyu's intelligence and ability, he has indeed valued this eldest daughter more over the years, but it has not reached the point where he can give up the interests of the family for her.

Concubine Zhu would not be fooled by his words, she just smiled and said, "When my father said this, I was relieved." ”

Listening to Concubine Zhu's words, Gao Yihou suddenly felt an ominous feeling rise in his heart. looked at the daughter in front of him with some vigilance, only to hear Concubine Zhu smile and say: "Father is willing to be loyal to His Majesty, and I think His Majesty is also very happy." ”

Gao Yihou smiled dryly, "This is nature. ”

Concubine Zhu nodded, "In this way, I will make the decision for my father." All the property of the Zhu family was used as military salaries to help our army defend the city. If he repels King Yan in the future, he will definitely not forget his father in terms of meritorious deeds. Hearing this, Gao Yihou was a little desperate. The entire property of the Zhu family... Is Concubine Zhu going to ruin the Zhu family? Of course, it is impossible for anyone to get all the property of the Zhu family now, because the Zhu family still has many properties outside Jinling. But the Zhu family's industry in Jinling and all the property of the Zhu family's treasury were enough to make the Zhu family collapse.

"Mother, you can't ......"

"Huh?" Concubine Zhu raised her eyebrows.

Gao Yihou gritted his teeth and rewarded his merits? Does Xiao Qianye still have the day when he will be rewarded for meritorious deeds? If this property is really donated, the meat bun and the dog will not be returned, and it will be a huge stain that cannot be washed away in front of King Yan in the future.

"Niangniang, if that's the case, the Zhu family, the Zhu family is afraid that they won't be able to hold on." Gao Yihou said.

Concubine Zhu smiled and said: "Father has always understood righteousness, isn't loyalty to the monarch and serving the country more important than the interests of a family?" ”

I know what a fart is righteous!

"Niangniang, you also have to think about the second prince. In case ...... future," Concubine Zhu smiled: "I am thinking about the emperor, and in the future, Your Majesty will definitely treat the emperor well for the sake of my father's generosity, isn't it?" ”

Gao Yihou was speechless, and Concubine Zhu said: "It seems that my father has no opinion." The daughter thanked her father on behalf of her majesty. ”

"No way!" Gao Yihou shouted.

Concubine Zhu didn't seem to hear his words, waved her hand and instructed the people around her to take Gao Yihou's seal letter to tell Xiao Qianye. Gao Yihou was alone and could not compare to the chamberlains and guards in the palace, even if he struggled, he could only watch the seal letter of the head of the Zhu family leave him.

"Why are you doing this?!" Gao Yihou finally recovered from his lost soul and shouted angrily at Concubine Zhu regardless of the rules.

Concubine Zhu hooked her lips and smiled, gentle as before, "My father gave his daughter to His Majesty because of the eldest sister's words. The father's life is difficult, and the daughter does not dare to complain. Now that her daughter has become Her Majesty's concubine, she naturally has to think about Her Majesty wholeheartedly. Even if there is something wrong with Majesty, her daughter naturally has to accompany her. But is it true that the father is now abandoning his daughter for the sake of his eldest sister? In recent years... The father also made a lot of money because of his daughter's identity as a concubine? The Zhu family was originally just the last in the family, but now it is huge. If his father can support the eldest sister with the wealth of the Zhu family, the Zhu family will definitely be able to go to the next level. It's just that... How could a daughter watch her father abandon me and the emperor so ruthlessly to pave the way for her eldest sister? Father, it's not fair. ”

Unexpectedly, Concubine Zhu actually saw through her thoughts, and Gao Yihou was a little embarrassed for a while. But it's only instantaneous, and it's more really angry and incredulous. He didn't expect that this concubine, who had always been gentle and submissive, would have so much resentment towards the Zhu family. She wants to ruin the Zhu family.

Concubine Zhu didn't care about Gao Yihou's anger, and said with a smile: "In the past few years, I have been thinking about it every day, thinking about it every day, and it was only recently that I finally figured it out. Although I am not as smart and capable as my eldest sister, but... But I don't want her to climb up on the shoulders of me and the emperor. The Zhu family has today's momentum, relying on me, the concubine. But as long as his father takes the first step to join King Yan, His Royal Highness King Yan will be grateful for his father's loyalty, and will naturally value the Zhu family more and the eldest sister more. It's just that... What if the Zhu family is left with an empty shell? Moreover, it was bankrupt in order to finance His Majesty's defense of the city. Father, what do you say, how will His Royal Highness King Yan treat the eldest sister, the daughter-in-law? What do you think of the Zhu family? ”

Gao Yihou pointed at Concubine Zhu, his fingers trembling and speechless for a long time.

Concubine Zhu smiled, and finally said leisurely: "The Zhu family is a low-end family, and the father used his daughter to get these, so he will return it to his daughter." Anyway... I probably won't live long. "Although Concubine Zhu is in the harem, she also knows that the current shape is not good for Xiao Qianye. As an imperial concubine with a prince, such a situation is even more unfavorable for her than those concubines who do not have a prince. And she doesn't want to rely on Zhu Chuyu's gifts anymore. Once the city is broken, with the character of King Yan, his majesty is only afraid... And her royal son may not be able to keep it. If the emperor is gone, what is she still alive for? Let her watch Zhu Chuyu step on her spring breeze proudly, it is better to let the Zhu family accompany her and the emperor to the funeral.

"Take Gao Yihou down to rest." Concubine Zhu glanced at Gao Yihou, whose face was white and purple, and commanded with some interest.

"Yes, sissy." Two guards entered, one left and one right, pulling the dejected Gao Yihou and walked out.

In the main hall, Concubine Zhu was silent alone for a long time. Two lines of tears silently swept down her face, and a lonely laugh sounded in the empty hall, "Eldest sister... This time, I won, right? ”

In the imperial garden, Gong Yuchen sat on the rockery and saw Gao Yihou who was being pulled by from a distance, looking listless. Raised eyebrows: "What's the matter?" ”

Gong Qi, who happened to come over, glanced over there and said, "Pavilion Master, I heard that Marquis Gao Yi dedicated all the property of the Zhu family to the emperor. ”

Gong Yuchen is a little funny, when did Gao Yihou become so generous? Looking at the dejected appearance, it was not voluntary. After thinking for a moment, Gong Yuchen also had to sigh, "Sure enough, you can't underestimate a woman's revenge." In just a moment, he had figured out what was going on. Don't look at that Concubine Zhu was inconspicuous whether she was at home or in the palace, but now this trick... Gong Yuchen could imagine Zhu Chuyu's distorted expression when he heard the news.

After thinking about it, Gong Yuchen said: "In this case, let people take away our property, don't be cheap Xiao Qianye." "Shuige has secretly cooperated with the Zhu family a lot in recent years, Gao Yihou may not know, but Zhu Chuyu does. Since Concubine Zhu sold the Zhu family to Xiao Qianye, they naturally had to withdraw, and they couldn't be sold together. Gong Yuchen secretly regretted that the Zhu family had no other skills, but the ability to make money was not bad.

"Yes, Pavilion Master." Behind him, Gong Er replied in a deep voice.

"Pavilion Master, I just received the news that Wei Gongzi and the County Lord of Star City should have entered the city. It's just that... Our people couldn't find their whereabouts for a moment. Gong Qi continued to tell that if Wei Junmo and Nangong Mo were hidden in the shadows and could not be traced, it would indeed be difficult for them to find these two people.

Hearing this, Gong Yuchen's face was slightly gloomy, and he thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry about them, they must be for that little girl." Right now... The most important thing is our plan. Besides... It doesn't hurt to give up all the rest. ”

Gong Qi's expression was also solemn, and he nodded and said, "My subordinates understand." ”

Gong Yuchen nodded, raised his eyes to look at the clear blue sky and sighed, "Soon, the imperial city should be broken." After so many years in the Central Plains, it's time to leave. ”

Gong Er and Gong Qi glanced at each other, and said in unison: "My subordinates swear to follow the pavilion master to the death." ”

Gong Yuchen was silent, but just waved his hand to signal the two to get up.

Gong Yuchen stood up, turned around and looked over the palace wall to look at the imperial city outside the palace, a smile on his lips, "After so many years, this seat has long been a little impatient. Presumably, everyone can't wait, right? Wei Junmo, let me see, how are you going to break my game this time? However, this time I won't be pestering you any more. Thinking about it carefully, Gong Yuchen also had to admit that he had really failed in the past few years. He paid too much attention to Wei Junmo and Nangong Mo, almost ignoring his own purpose. In fact, Wei Junmo should never have been his purpose. Merely... When a strong man meets another strong man, it is natural to either sympathize with each other or never die.

With that, he turned around and walked down the rockery, heading in the direction of the imperial study.

Behind them, Gong Er and Gong Qi looked at the unhurried figure in front of them, and followed with a quick step.

------Off topic------

Momda. Sorry for being late today~