When Xue Shao and his entourage crossed the Beiya School Yard and entered the Daming Palace, it was already dark. The palace was heavily guarded with five steps, one post, and ten steps and one sentry, and teams of guards of the forbidden army could be seen everywhere holding torches on patrol.

With Li Duozuo, the general of Yulinwei, opening the way, Xue Shao and his entourage went unimpeded. It's just that Li Duozuo, a dignified general of the third rank and a hot figure in the current Tang Dynasty military circles, actually insisted on leading Xue Shao to lead the horse, and he really stunned a lot of guards of the forbidden army along the way.

I walked all the way to the Penglai Palace, which was already the territory of the thousand horsemen and guards. After the death of Gaozong and Wu Zetian took sole control of the Middle Palace, Qianqi became the main force guarding the Middle Palace. Even the role of Feng Chenwei has been somewhat marginalized, and it is limited to maintaining order above the court.

Qianqi used to be the direct subordinates led by Xue Shao, and many of them were diehards. But its current top general is already Wu Yougui, and the candidates for the generals from top to bottom have basically been eliminated and replaced by Wu's henchmen. Even if some of the old pawns still care about and respect Xue Shao's old boss, it can't change the reality that Qianqi is already Xue Shao's opponent.

Xue Shao and his entourage of three horsemen had just appeared near the Penglai Palace, and there was immediately a lot of saber rattling. Countless bows and arrows were wound, and a group of thousand-horse guards surrounded the three of them with swords and spears.

"The forbidden place of the palace, the trespasser is dead!!" The leading junior colonel scolded in a deep voice.

"I'm General Zuo Yu Lin Wei, Li Duozuo." Li Duozuo stepped forward and said, "I want to have something, I want to see the Queen Mother!" ”

"I know you're General Li!" Xiao Xiao shouted politely, "At this moment, no matter who dares to appear in Penglai Hall without being edicted, it is a capital crime to break into the palace!" If you don't retreat, Hugh will turn your face ruthlessly! ”

Li Duozuo sighed on his back, his expression stiff and speechless. As a general of the Imperial Forest Army, he certainly understands the iron rules of capital crimes in the palace. It is even more pointless to argue with this kind of small school that can't be the master and admits dead reason.

Brother Li stepped back. I'll do it! Xue Shao got off the horse, stepped forward and patted Li Duozuo's arm, and said with a smile: "Send me all the way here, you have done your duty." The Queen Mother, I will do my best to ensure that you are safe. Now you go back first, and we'll catch up on the wine another day. ”

"Alright! …… It is not profitable for the last to linger any longer. Li Duozuo also said a lot, hugged his fists and bowed to Xue Shao and Cheng Wuting, turned around and strode away.

At least half of these Thousand Cavalry Guards knew Xue Shao. At this time, they were either surprised, delighted or overwhelmed, in short, they were all stunned.

The scene was unusually quiet for a while, except for the sound of torches burning in the air.

"I'm Xue Shao, the commander of the horses." Xue Shao stepped forward and said calmly to the sergeants: "My wife, Princess Taiping, now lives in the Penglai Palace. The Queen Mother once allowed me the right to enter the palace at any time. You may wish to make it easier for me. ”

Many of the sergeants looked at each other and began to hesitate. Whether it is the old feelings or the persuasiveness in Xue Shao's words, there seems to be no reason to stop him anymore.

The leading junior colonel gritted his teeth and stepped forward, almost stubbornly facing Xue Shao, and said in a deep voice: "Since the horse is a member of the royal family, he should know the rules of the inner court. If it weren't for the edict, no male dependents were allowed to step into the middle palace half a step in the middle of the night. Otherwise, if it is spread out, it will ruin the reputation of the royal family! -- The Queen Mother blames it, and no one can afford to bear it! ”

Xue Shao squinted at the little colonel who picked up chicken feathers as arrows, and couldn't help but smile.

Don't ask, this person in front of him must be an iron-clad henchman.

"Please go back, donkey, you want to see the Queen Mother, it's not too late tomorrow." Xiao Xiao seemed to respectfully clasp his fists and worship, "Don't make it difficult for the villain." ”

"Then I'll just stand here and wait." Xue Shao didn't argue with him in a hurry, cut his hands behind his back, walked to the side indifferently and turned his back to the little school, and said, "After the Queen Mother and her old man get up, I will ask to see her." ”

"This! ......" The school was depressed.

"It doesn't work, it doesn't work either." Xue Shao's tone sank, "Could it be that you are deliberately making things difficult for me?" ”

"The villain doesn't dare!" Xiao Xiao hurriedly clasped his fists and bowed, and said urgently, "You idiots are still stunned? Quickly take a seat for the colt and serve it carefully! ”

"Yes!"

A group of thousand-horse guards immediately got busy. Especially some of Xue Shao's old departments are the most busy, and it feels like they are back under Xue Shao's command again.

Not long after, Xue Shao pulled Cheng Wuting and sat under a tree. There is never a shortage of good things in the palace, even if it is a temporary table of supper, it is also carved a few brocade couches and rare wine and delicacies in the world.

"Young Marshal Xue, this is too hard. Why don't you come back tomorrow? Cheng Wuting asked puzzled while drinking wine, "The rules in this palace are strict......

"You're still saying such things after this has come to this?" Xue Shao interrupted. Obviously, Cheng Wuting is not afraid of being punished for breaking the palace rules, but afraid of affecting himself.

Cheng Wuting smiled apologetically and bitterly, glanced at the Qianqi Colonel not far away, and said, "That should be the person who returned to Wuyou." ”

Xue Shao nodded, "That's why we can't leave now." If the news of your return to Beijing is leaked, one night is enough time for a lot of accidents to happen. We must meet the Queen Mother before she meets any of the ministers! ”

"Which ministers?" Cheng Wu was puzzled and said, "Above the court, who else wants me to die?" ”

Xue Shao said softly: "Most of the nephews of the martial arts family want you to die." ”

"That's weird. I don't think I've offended the samurai? Cheng Wu was a little puzzled.

"You're wrong, it's not a member of the martial arts family, it's a dog of the martial family!" Xue Shao smiled, leaned closer and said in a low voice: "You made the head of the martial family unhappy, so the dogs of the martial family are all vying to bite you to death!" ”

"Hahaha!" Cheng Wuting laughed loudly, "As soon as you say that, I understand!" ”

Cheng Wuting's laughter was rough and unrestrained, which shocked a group of people to look sideways. The Qianqi Colonel hurriedly trotted over and bowed his hand, "Two commanders, the villain has made an exception to make an exception and wait for the Queen Mother here." Then please be quiet, don't let the villain lose his head, okay? ”

"Got it, get out of the way!" Cheng Wuting shook his hand impatiently, "Don't disturb Lao Tzu's wine!" ”

The little colonel had no choice but to retreat in a reluctant.

Xue Shao smiled, "Come, have another drink!" ”

Just then, the gates of the palace were opened. Xue Shao looked from afar, as if two palace maids walked out side by side.

"There are people who are making a loud noise here in the middle of the night!" The woman's voice was clear and beautiful, and there was a majesty in it, "Don't you take it down to the Fa-rectification, don't you even want your own head?!" ”

The middle palace sent someone out to give an order, and a group of thousands of cavalry sergeants were willing or not, so they could only move and raise their swords and guns to get people.

Cheng Wuting suddenly stood up and saw that he was about to have a seizure, Xue Shao hurriedly grabbed him and shouted at the two palace maids-"Linlang!" ”

……

Half an hour later, Xue Shao and Cheng Wuting entered the study room of the Penglai side hall, ready to meet the Empress Dowager Wu.

In front, Linlang and eunuchs led the way, and behind him, more than a dozen soldiers followed closely as if escorted. Xue Shao and Cheng Wuting walked into the deep palace side by side, feeling as if they were really going to go up to the Yama Hall to listen to the judgment of life and death.

"Now you know, what does Hades mean to be a difficult little ghost, right?" Xue Shaotan laughed, "If it weren't for Linlang who came out to give the order, I'm afraid that today we would all be unjust souls who broke into the palace for capital crimes." ”

Cheng Wuting sneered disapprelicly, "Just this group of little ghosts behind me, my old Cheng slapped ten to death!" ”

The neat movements of the group of thousand cavalry guards froze, and the scabbards of their armor and armor cracked.

Xue Shao smiled, "Look, you're scaring them again." ”

"Bad goods!" Cheng Wuting also laughed, "The bad general leads the soldiers, it's true!" ”

"Stop!"

Linlang stopped and turned around together, and bowed with a rather professional and neat fist with an expressionless face, "General Cheng, don't make noise in the palace." Just wait here for a moment. Concubine, the Queen Mother is waiting for you in the study. ”

"Okay." Xue Shao nodded, turned back to Cheng Wuting and said, "Remember, don't be impatient." Don't make any more branches. ”

Cheng Wuting glanced back at the group of angry Thousand Cavalry Guards, and smiled, "Okay, listen to you!" ”

Xue Shao and Linlang walked inside, and in a short interval, Xue Shao hurriedly asked, "How is the princess?" ”

"Your Highness is having a seizure, I'm afraid it's about to give birth!" Lin'er replied, with a hint of nervousness and uneasiness in her voice, "That's why I can't stand the noise outside the palace, and I sent the two of us out to punish people!" ”

Xue Shao couldn't help but feel nervous.

"The husband should visit the ......princess first," Lang'er interjected cautiously.

Sister Lin'er immediately reprimanded: "How can you talk too much about your husband's affairs?" ”

"How dare I sway my husband's wishes?" Lang'er defended in a low voice, "It's just that the princess looks like she is now, it's really miserable and pitiful!" If her husband can show up, she will be much more relieved! ”

Xue Shao was really a little hesitant to say this. When his first son was born, he was not able to accompany Princess Taiping, and he felt guilty for a while. Later, he also made a promise himself......

Lin'er has always been careful, and then whispered: "My sister is reasonable, why don't you think about it?" If you want to see the Queen Mother, it will not be later than this hour and a half. Even if she shirks it now, she will not blame the old man if she is excusable. ”

"Ready to fly, I have to send it!" Xue Shao's eyebrows sank, "Go, see the Queen Mother first!" ”

"Yes!"

When he arrived at the study, Wu Zetian was sitting alone, just like when he was in the court.

Xue Shao stepped forward and saluted.

"You're back." Wu Zetian's voice was surprisingly indifferent, and there seemed to be no trace of emotion in it.

"Yes, the minister is back." Xue Shao also replied calmly.

Xue Shao's heart was vaguely tense, and the atmosphere didn't seem to be very harmonious.

"Do you know what you're going to do right now?" Wu Zetian asked, his posture and tone were a little condescending.

"The minister knows." Xue Shao sighed lightly and nodded.

"She needs you now more than ever." Wu Zetian's voice finally revealed a trace of obvious dissatisfaction, and he almost shouted-"I thought you risked your life to break into the palace late at night for her." But unexpectedly, it was for a damned man who dared to act recklessly! ”