Smoke filled the sky over Miyagi.

Queen Yao was busy ordering people to put out the fire, everyone panicked, and Chu Ning took the opportunity to jump off the sedan chair.

She tore off the heavy phoenix crown, threw it at her feet, and ran in the direction of Chengqian Palace.

The bridal chamberlain exclaimed, "Your Royal Highness! ”

At this time, there was a mess in the palace, and the palace people rushed to put out the fire in a panic, and the concubines and courtiers had already dispersed.

The chamberlain led people to chase after him, but he was dispersed by the crowd after not chasing a few steps.

Chu Ning's figure quickly disappeared into the crowd.

The side hall of the Chengqian Palace caught fire, the fire was very strong, the walls were burned black, and the beams of the house were also crumbling.

The palace people ran around with buckets, and there was constantly the sound of cold water pouring on the scorched wood and the chaotic footsteps.

"Quick, this way, this way!"

"Oh no, the beams are about to collapse!"

"Damn! Is there no water in the tank? ”

When Chu Ning broke into Chengqian Palace, no one in the palace noticed her.

She wore a wedding dress like fire, ran in the fire, looking for traces of Han Tang everywhere.

Suddenly, the old eunuch screamed, beat his chest and shouted, "Help! Hurry up and save the driver! ”

As soon as his words fell, the beams of the side hall collapsed.

The beams of the burning house fell to the ground with a clatter, and the fire suddenly grew a lot, and it was about to spread to the main hall.

The palace people woke up like a dream, rushed up, and rushed to the door of the main hall.

But the smoke from the side hall choked everyone and couldn't breathe.

The heat was blowing in his face, and as soon as he got closer, his eyebrows were instantly burned.

The palace maids and eunuchs screamed again and again, and the guards of the Chengqian Palace were about to try to get in, when they were suddenly pushed away.

They watched as a young girl in a wedding dress broke into the main hall.

"The third princess?" The sharp-eyed palace people recognized her.

His exclamation was quickly drowned out by the crackling sound of tongues of fire licking the wood.

The old eunuch was so anxious that he cried: "Go in and save people, the saint is still inside!" ”

The guards rushed inside, but as soon as they entered, they knocked down the burning screen and almost crushed the fire.

As soon as the screen fell, sparks fell on the carpet, and a wall of fire suddenly ignited in the doorway.

Han Tang snatched a bucket of water, drenched himself from head to toe, and jumped into the fire.

He tore off a wet sleeve to cover his mouth and nose, and his body shook and completely disappeared into the fire.

Empress Yao, King Xin and others arrived, and most of the main hall had been burned down.

The fire was finally brought under control, and King Shin ordered the guards to go in and save the people.

At this time, I only heard someone shouting excitedly: "Come out!" They're out! ”

I saw Han Tang holding a girl in a wedding dress and walking out of the charred palace.

"Ning'er!" King Xin was shocked, and Chu Ning turned his head from Han Tang's arms to look at him.

The guards were about to search inside, but Chu Ning shook his head and said, "No need, wait until the fire is completely extinguished before going in." ”

However, the emperor is still inside!

Everyone was shocked and looked at Chu Ning one after another.

She stretched out her hand to wrap her arms around Han Tang's neck, and slowly straightened up with her strength, but her eyes looked at Empress Yao, "Father is not here." ”

The fire in Chengqian Palace burned out a big secret.

It turned out that the emperor had died a few days ago.

In order to stabilize the overall situation, Empress Yao concealed the news of the death of the first emperor.

Now, she personally led everyone to the coffin of the first emperor.

The ministers finally saw the corpse of the first emperor with their own eyes.

Empress Yao burst into tears, gritted her teeth, and raised her head adorned with gold ornaments.

"Your Majesty, you're dead."

As soon as the emperor died, the whole country valued filial piety, and Chu Ning's marriage naturally had to be postponed.

The guards of the Chengqian Palace were negligent in their duties, and all of them were implicated and imprisoned because the palace was flooded.

The first emperor was newly mourned, and the palace was busy with funerals, so there was no way to send this cadre for the time being.

Chu Ning's wedding dress was changed into filial piety clothes, and he went to the prison in a vegetarian dress.

Xiao Youzi bought off the jailer for her, got a good relationship, and let her go in to visit the prison.

But as soon as Chu Ning stepped into the prison, he was politely led by the jailer to the innermost cell.

The man sitting peacefully in the prison shook the folding fan and sighed, "Actually, this king has already arranged it for you. ”

Although it is a prison cell, the tables and chairs are clean, and the environment is private, so you don't have to worry about the walls and ears when you talk here.

"This king has planted people in the family sending team, and when you get to Mobei, someone will help you escape."

It is said that the northern barbarians regard livestock as more important than women, and women are like mare standing up and walking in their eyes.

Although no one in the court objected, King Xin always felt unbearable.

"Uncle Xiaohuang," Chu Ning was angry and amused, "In the realm of the Jingshuo Khanate, can I still escape?" ”

Mobei, where there is only the vast expanse of yellow sand and grassland.

Even if she was lucky enough to escape from the family delivery procession, where could she escape with these legs?

King Xin's peach blossom eyes were full of pity, and he persuaded: "Then flee at the border and flee all the way back to Houzhao." ”

"Uncle Xiaohuang, what if the Northern Barbarians use this as an excuse to start a war against Hou Zhao?"

King Xin's face was a little hesitant, and the folding fan in his hand froze, "This king can't save tens of millions of people." ”

"This palace can be saved."

King Xin looked at her deeply and asked slowly, "Do you have a plan?" ”

"Yes." Chu Ning replied simply, "If Uncle Xiaohuang is willing to help me, he will naturally get twice the result with half the effort." ”

After a while, King Xin asked, "Is this matter risky?" ”

Chu Ning's expression was calm, "Anyone who wants to benefit has to take some risks, doesn't it?" ”

"But this palace assures Uncle Xiao Huang that neither you nor I will be in danger. As for the benefits......"

Speaking of this, she paused deliberately and stared into King Xin's eyes, "You, a lifetime of glory, will never be suspicious." ”

King Xin shook the folding fan, magnificent, and said with a smile: "When will Ning'er be able to promise this king?" ”

Chu Ning's eyes lit up, and he sneered: "This is not what this palace refers to. ”

King Shin clutched the folding fan in his hand, tapped his palm gently, and asked, "Then what are you talking about?" ”

The corners of Chu Ning's lips hooked, and he said slowly: "Uncle Little Emperor might as well ask first, what Ning'er wants." ”

"Huh?" King Shin's eyebrows frowned in shallow Sichuan characters.

Chu Ning Zhengse said: "Ninety-five Supreme." ”

King Xin's eyes widened suddenly, and he asked in disbelief, "Ning'er, are you joking with this king?" ”

Chu Ning's smile became even more gorgeous, "The palace hasn't finished yet." ”

Shin Wang's expression had changed, and he stared at her blankly.

"This palace is still going to be ashamed," her heart was very happy, "let the kingdoms come to court!" ”

Syllable!

The folding fan accidentally fell to the ground, and the fan of the plum blossom folding moon spread out on the ground.

Chu Ning leaned over and picked up the folding fan, closed it in the palm of his hand, and handed the other end to King Xin.

King Shin stretched out his hand to take it, his fingers trembled slightly, and he touched it a few times but didn't touch the handle of the fan.

Chu Ning grabbed his wrist, handed the folding fan to his palm, hooked his lips and smiled, "Uncle Xiaohuang, believe me once, okay?" ”

King Shin clenched the folding fan in his hand hard, sighed lowly, and asked, "What if you lose?" ”

"Simple," Chu Ning replied simply, "You go, I'll die." ”

The jailers of the Heavenly Prison locked the people of the Chengqian Palace in various cells.

Han Tang was locked up in a dark prison, and there was a dead silence around him, with the occasional rat stepping on the straw mat and making a rustling sound.

He could only judge the date by the number of times the jailer delivered the meal.

Han Tang sat cross-legged on the straw mat, and was about to exhale and practice as usual, when a glimmer of light suddenly appeared in front of him.

The eyes are a little stinging because they haven't seen light for a long time.

A lantern, dressed in white.

The jailer came over with a lantern to open the cell door, and after letting Chu Ning in, he left the lantern and left.

Chu Ning picked up the lamp and walked in front of him, Han Tang couldn't stand such a light, his eyes were sour and painful.

He rubbed his eyes quickly, Chu Ning sighed, took off the lampshade and blew out the candle.

It was dark in the cell, and only the sound of each other's breathing could be heard clearly.

"Han Tang," Chu Ning's voice was very soft, "Eyes, do they hurt?" ”

Han Tang shook his head, but suddenly remembered that she couldn't see it when he shook his head.

He was about to speak, but a cool, soft hand came to his cheek.

The hand slowly went up, tentatively, gently caressing the corners of his eyes, then his eyebrows.

He only felt the heat in the depths, and longed for the hand to rest on his forehead between his brows for a few more moments.

But I was afraid that the hand would move down, and I would find that his cheeks were hot.

Chu Ning traced his eyebrows with his fingertips, moved to the center of his eyebrows, withdrew his hand, and said with a smile: "This palace thought that your eyebrows were burned by fire." ”

"Huh?" Han Tang's eyebrows were empty, and he couldn't help frowning, "Cai, Cai." ”

He heard the slight sound of his dress rubbing against the ground, and Chu Ning seemed to sit down next to him leaning against the wall.

The two began to talk about the North.

"Judging from the recent defense situation that the palace has learned, just the deployment of defenses on the entire northern border has tightened the strength of the whole country."

Han Tang replied: "In addition, the supply of military supplies is not systematic, and the follow-up supply is insufficient, so it is difficult to have the strength of a decisive battle." ”

"Hou Zhao has been poor and weak for many years," Chu Ning sighed, "This is definitely not the opportunity to raise troops. ”

Han Tang's heart tightened, "Do you still want to be close?" ”

He heard Chu Ning snort and laughed, "This palace is willing to marry, but King Khan may not be willing to marry." ”

"How not?"

As soon as the words came out, Han Tang's face suddenly turned red.

Fortunately, in the dark, Chu Ning couldn't see the embarrassment on his face.

"I mean," Han Tang explained with a blushing face, "as far as the Jingshuo Khanate is concerned, it is beneficial and harmless to be close to the Later Showa. ”

Chu Ning said with a smile: "Indeed, firstly, the princess has a rich dowry, and secondly, there are hostages who threaten Hou Zhao. ”

"However, what the Jingshuo Khanate wants may not be in-law at all."

He thought for a moment and said, "The Jingshuo Khanate had a bitter cold environment, relying on agriculture and animal husbandry, and could not be self-sufficient. ”

"Over the years, the Jingshuo Khanate has traveled to the Showa Lantai Kingdom, and has always only grabbed materials and not occupied territory."

Han Tang remembered what he had learned from his father and brother, and said: "The Jingshuo Khanate is vast and sparsely populated, and it is unable to take care of the stolen territory, and there is no way to educate the people of the foreign countries. ”

"Moreover, the Jingshuo Khanate was undersupplied and could not support long-term warfare, so it could only rely on wandering around to maintain the supply of the army."

Chu Ning had a soft smile in his voice, "So what? ”

Han Tang suddenly thought of something, "Could it be that they want a long-term source of materials?" ”

Chu Ning's voice added a bit of certainty, "So, what they want is definitely not a princess." ”

Han Tang was curious in his heart, Chu Ning had never even been out of the palace, let alone been to the northern border.

But when she talked about the North, she could talk about it as easily as if she had been there.

Chu Ning slowly stood up against the wall and took out a night pearl from his arms.

The pearl of the night the size of a pigeon's egg glowed softly on her fingertips.

Her bright face reflected a cold light, and she saw that the light in her eyes was flowing, not all bewitching.

Han Tang was stunned for a moment, Chu Ning smiled and handed him the Night Pearl, "Oh, it's done." ”

He answered and took the night pearl, and Chu Ning laughed: "I wanted to send you a fire fold, but I was afraid that you would really burn your eyebrows." ”

"Yes," Han Tang shrugged helplessly, "The first time I set a fire, I overindulged it." ”

Chu Ning's smile narrowed, "Well, I almost burned myself to death." ”

At that time, the two were trapped by the burning curtains, and Chu Ning almost didn't avoid the fallen beam.

It was Han Tang who picked her up......

Han Tang also remembered that incident, and snorted lowly, the voice seemed to come from his chest, buzzing with a slight echo.

Chu Ning's heart was suddenly confused, so he hurriedly turned around and opened the door to leave.

Han Tang's somewhat annoyed voice sounded behind her, "Don't take it as an example." ”

He was angry that she was risking her life.

Chu Ning turned his back to him, thoughts surging in his heart, and said word by word: "Wait for me, this palace will pick you up soon." ”

One by one, the people she had sworn to protect, left her.

Little Pendant, Mama Ji, she still remembers their deaths.

But this time, she must protect Han Tang and Zhouquan.

There was a big funeral in the palace, and Queen Yao used the excuse of being too sad and physically exhausted, so she lay in the dormitory all day long.

Yao Xingyuan had to come to see Queen Yao, saying that he had something important to discuss.

No matter what Qiu Mo said, Yao Xingyuan refused to leave.

Empress Yao was afraid that she would lose her dignity by being seen, so she had to order Qiu Mo to put this unsuccessful younger brother into the palace.

As soon as Yao Xingyuan entered the palace, he was immediately excited, stepped forward, and shouted, "There is a way!" ”

The Yao family originally wanted to find a child of the clan to be the new emperor, and Empress Yao listened to the government, and the Yao family assisted the government.

The truth of the death of the first emperor was leaked in advance, disrupting the Yao family's previous plans.

Empress Yao knew his intention, and mocked: "How can an ignorant child who was born in a clan and whose parents died be so easy to find? ”

At first, the Yao family was afraid that the new emperor's father and brother would interfere in politics, and they were afraid that the childish son would not recognize his mother, so they picked and chose but did not find a suitable candidate.

Yao Xingyuan pretended not to hear the ridicule in her words, nodded and smiled: "That's that." ”

"But this great country can't just be sat by Chu Xue'er, right?"

Chu Xue is more than 20 years old, and he has been away for ten years, and he is not from Empress Yao, if he is allowed to return to China and become emperor, the Yao family will definitely not be pleased.

Empress Yao sneered, looked at him with her forehead propped up, and asked, "Isn't there still King Xin?" ”

She said this is also angry, and King Xin has the support of Wang Qitang and others in the court, and he can't handle it by the Yao family.

Yao Xingyuan sneered: "Niangniang, this kind of joke is better to say less." ”

"Then how about you want Hongu?" Empress Yao sneered, "Change the flag and help you become the emperor?" ”

Yao Xingyuan knelt down with a thud, kowtowed again and again, and said: "Niangniang is angry, it's all bad for the ministers, and I didn't make it clear." ”

Empress Yao glanced at him in disgust, coldly, and did not speak.

Yao Xingyuan knelt on the ground and hurriedly said: "Daddy, his old man has thought of a good way, he just needs his mother to send an edict." ”

The Yao family wanted to hold a baby from the people, falsely claimed to be the illegitimate son of the first emperor, and then forged an edict to make this son the emperor.

The more he spoke, the more proud he became, he got up from the ground, and said with a fluttering eyebrow: "This plan can be described as foolproof. ”

He gestured: "As long as Niangniang says that it is His Majesty's widow, who dares to say half a word?" ”

"Moreover, all the parents and relatives of the baby will be dealt with, and no one will expose it when the new emperor ascends the throne."

He talked eloquently, not realizing at all that Empress Yao's face had already changed.

"Sister, what do you say about our father's method?"

Empress Yao said angrily: "Wishful thinking! ”

Yao Xing was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth, and said with a reluctant smile: "Yes, there are many mistakes in this matter, and I have to ask my mother for advice." ”

"Hehe," Empress Yao sneered, her red lips pulled together, and her mouth turned into a wild laugh, "Hahahaha." ”

Yao Xingyuan had never seen his sister lose her temper, so she didn't know why, so she had to laugh a few times.

Empress Yao laughed so hard that her head was full of pearls and jade, and a few tears came out of the corners of her eyes.

Qiu Mo hurried to Empress Yao's side and skillfully stroked her back.

The shrill laughter gradually stopped, and Empress Yao motioned for Qiu Mo to help her get up and tidy up her appearance.

Yao Xingyuan hurriedly chased after him and asked, "Niangniang, how can the minister go back and reply to his father?" ”

Empress Yao sat in front of the dressing table, looked at the dead-like face in the bronze mirror, and asked slowly, "What is the answer?" ”

"Sister......

Before he could say anything, he was coldly interrupted.

Empress Yao smiled back, her eyes were cold, "You want to use wild seeds to pretend to be royal blood?" ”

Yao Xingyuan looked left and right, hurriedly put his fingers on his mouth and said, "Shhh My good sister, don't say it. ”

"What can't be said?" Empress Yao waved away the autumn ink, got up to look at Yao Xingyuan, and sneered, "Go back and tell your father." ”

"Hmm!" Yao Xingyuan was confused by Empress Yao's unusual behavior.

Empress Yao smiled gently, but her voice was terrifyingly cold, "Don't think! ”

Yao Xingyuan's face also changed, "Niangniang, at such a critical juncture, how can you abandon the Yao family?" ”

"It's the Yao family who abandons the palace and ignores it!" Empress Yao shouted angrily.

"You let me marry into the deep palace, let me respect him as a king, let me persuade him and urge him, but you didn't teach me to love him as a husband!"

"That person is my husband!" Empress Yao's voice trembled, and two lines of clear tears fell.

Yao Xingyuan was so frightened that he sat on the ground and looked at the angry Empress Yao blankly.

Empress Yao reprimanded angrily: "You let my mother honor the world, rule the harem, and smile to see other women in my husband's arms." ”

"Now you still want to force me to recognize my son, and force me to help Ye Chong sit on the throne of my husband, you even ......"

She said excitedly, dizzy, grabbed the powder box on the makeup table and smashed it at Yao Xingyuan's head.

The powder box smashed into Yao Xingyuan's head impartially.

The lid of the box had already flown away, and a box of white flower incense powder sprinkled his head and face.

"Do you want me to tell the world that my husband is having an affair with another woman among the people?"

As she spoke, she grabbed the jade bracelet and gold hairpin, smashed it heavily on the bronze mirror, and screamed: "Don't you think! ”

She slowly slid to the ground, looked at the crack on the bronze mirror, tears rained down, and murmured, "He is my husband......"

Yao Xingyuan, like when he was a child, was afraid that his sister would be terribly scared, and he didn't dare to move with a head of incense powder.

Qiu Mo saw that Queen Yao was tired of venting, so he persuaded Yao Xingyuan to leave.

The bronze mirror was split into four or five pieces, each of which reflected the mournful face of a middle-aged beautiful woman.

But the mournful expression gradually turned fierce.

Empress Yao made up her mind and said to Qiu Mo: "Hou Zhao can only be the Hou Zhao of the Chu clan. ”

Qiu Mo helped her up, she regained her usual dignified grace, and said in a low voice: "The palace people on duty tonight have all been dealt with." ”

"Yes."

Empress Yao half-closed her eyes, thinking in her heart that it was time to plan for herself.

The next day, there were rumors everywhere in the palace that the first emperor was haunted in front of the spirit.

The eunuchs and palace maids gathered together in twos and threes, talking to each other, and talking eloquently.

Xiao Youzi also told Chu Ning everything he had heard.

"Master, last night, there were frequent visions in front of the first emperor's spirit."

Xiao Youzi said mysteriously: "The palace maid saw it with her own eyes, and at night, the white candles lit in the mourning hall extinguished without wind. ”

"The ghost fire next to the corpse is glowing, blue and faint, flickering, and it looks very much like ...... Like the eyes of a monster and a demon. ”

Xiao Youzi deliberately dragged out his voice and said, "Some people say that the ghost sent a lantern to ......"

Chu Ning casually flipped through the book and drank tea, and said casually: "The first emperor controlled the dragon Bintian, why did you say that the ghost sent the soul to hook the soul?" ”

Xiao Youzi hurriedly smiled and said: "That's it, these strange things, Your Highness will listen to them as gossip." ”

Chu Ning nodded and motioned for him to continue.

"There are also people who hear the hundred ghosts crying in the middle of the night, and they see the white flags in the temple flying up and down, as if they are summoning spirits."

Xiao Youzi spoke up, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and peeked at Chu Ning's reaction.

"And there was a scratching sound in the coffin! Many palace people were frightened. ”

"The palace maids and eunuchs are all with long tongues, and they all say that they are ......."

Chu Ning put down the book in his hand, sighed and said, "Okay, the rest is unspeakable." ”

Xiao Youzi said yes again and again, Chu Ning rewarded him with another plate of snacks and sent him down.

"Why can't you say that?" Behind the screen came a clear wind-like sound.

Chu Ning smiled: "I'm afraid that I will be entangled by evil ghosts if I talk too much." ”

A handsome man with silver hair and blue robe stepped forward, "It's okay, this seat is here to exorcise ghosts for His Highness." ”

Chu Ning smiled slyly and asked, "I'm afraid those 'ghosts' were all released by the young national master, right?" ”

Liu Tingchuan saw that Chu Ning saw through his intentions, and he didn't refute it, and said lightly: "Where are the ghosts in the world, they are all people." ”

"Why don't even the young national teachers believe in ghosts and gods?" Chu Ning quipped with a smile.

Liu Tingchuan said lightly: "The ghost is also me, the god is also me, and everyone in the world who believes in ghosts and gods believes in me, so why not believe it." ”

He always spoke to the point.

Chu Ning guessed that he managed to make a move in the Spirit Hall, but he didn't know what his purpose was.

Seeing that Liu Tingchuan refused to say more, she didn't ask again, picked up the book and looked at it again.

Liu Tingchuan drank tea quietly next to her, until the scroll she was holding was half thinner, and then said, "I have something to ask Your Highness." ”

"Huh?"

"That fire in the Chengqian Palace that day," his voice was clear and cold, "Han Tang is in your plan?" ”

It was she who let Han Tang set the fire, and Han Tang was naturally in her plan.

Thinking so, she nodded and said, "Yes." ”

Liu Tingchuan didn't say anything more.

Chu Ning looked up at him, his long silver-white hair was flowing down his shoulders, and there was no snow or sunshine between his eyebrows.

Liu Tingchuan's expression seemed to change slightly, but as if the water surface was wrinkled by the wind, he quickly returned to calm.

The brief shattering seemed to be just an illusion.

What Liu Tingchuan wanted to ask was different from what Chu Ning thought.

But he didn't know if it was really different.

"Got it."

At this time, he didn't know that Empress Yao personally went to the Qingjing Temple for the sake of haunting.

But he wasn't looking for him.