In the late autumn of the eighth year of Yuanyou, as the weather began to get colder, Empress Dowager Gao, who had been ill for a short time, suddenly became ill. After the imperial doctor in the palace treated him, he shook his head helplessly in the face of Zhao Xu's inquiry.

As the empress dowager who has gone through three dynasties, Zhao Xu knows very well that her physical condition affects the situation in the imperial court. While instructing the imperial physician in the palace to do everything to prolong the life of the Empress Dowager Gao, he also accelerated the layout of the court.

Although Zhao Xu strictly ordered no one to be allowed, he revealed that the Empress Dowager Gao had little time to go. can be the only son, Zhao Xiaoxi's father Xu Wang, who also often entered the palace during this time to visit the mother's illness.

Looking at the palace guards of the Empress Dowager Gao, it was much stricter, and King Xu Zhao Hao also knew that this was a sign that something was about to happen. After returning from the palace visit, he sent a letter to Zhao Xiaoxi as soon as possible, asking him to hurry back to the court to see his grandmother for the last time.

Regarding Zhao Hao's approach, Zhao Xu, who has recently begun to really preside over the military and political affairs of the imperial court, also feels that it is time to talk to this cousin. If Zhao Xiaoxi's answer does not satisfy him, maybe he will show some of the emperor's authority.

As a young emperor who ascended the throne at the age of nine, a puppet emperor for eight years, he really matured a lot. Even if he knows that he has been able to sit on the emperor's throne all these years, it has a lot to do with the emperor's grandmother's curtain and obedience.

But in the same way, as he grew older and matured his mind, he gradually had the heart and ambition to be an emperor. During the period when Empress Dowager Gao was ill, he had already begun to purge Empress Dowager Gao's important confidants.

To some extent, Empress Dowager Gao's condition will never improve. For a big reason, Zhao Xu also has some faults. I think this grandson finally complained that she had chosen the national policy of the Conservative Minister to govern over the years.

Grief is greater than heart death, plus he is over sixty years old. The knot is difficult to solve, and the disease naturally recovers slowly. Over time, the imperial physician of the palace, in the face of this situation, also seemed powerless.

Compared with Xu Hao, with the help of the post station of the imperial court, he delivered the news to Zhao Xiaoxi at an expedited speed of eight hundred miles. The Beijing Buyige branch that learned of this situation. Soon the way of transmitting the carrier pigeon was activated, so that Zhao Xiaoxi received this information in advance.

saw the secret report forwarded by Bu Yige, as well as Zhao Xu's series of actions. began to adjust and suppress the generals of the forbidden army in Bianliang City, and truly grasped the military and politics, and wanted to be a veritable emperor.

felt that this cousin was still too anxious, and Zhao Xiaoxi also received an unpleasant affection in his heart. That is, after Zhao Hao sent him a letter. Zhao Xu ordered that Zhao Hao's visit to the sick be forbidden.

In addition, Zhao Xiaoxi's mother was also admitted to the palace, and in the name of serving the Empress Dowager Gao. And outside King Xu's Mansion, there are also many forbidden army spies in the palace, and the situation is very complicated.

Looking at this secret report one after another, Zhao Xiaoxi urgently found Duan Yu. didn't hide anything from him, and said very directly: "Third brother." It looks like it's time for us to leave. This time I can't return to Dali with you, I'm going back to the capital. ”

looked at Zhao Hyo-seok with a serious expression. Duan Yu looked surprised and said, "What's wrong, is something wrong?" ”

Zhao Xiaoxi shook his head and said, "I don't know, but this time I have to go back to the capital, and you must also leave Xixia with me, return to Dali as soon as possible, and don't have any lingering on the road." I'm afraid something big is going to happen!

Earlier, I received a secret report from Kyocaka. My grandmother was critically ill and was afraid that her days were numbered. My cousin, on the other hand, seemed to be wary of me. Therefore, I must ask you a few things so that I can go to Beijing with peace of mind. ”

Hear this. Duan Yu looked stunned and said, "How can this be? The Great Song official family, isn't it very important to you? ”

In response to this kind of inquiry, Zhao Xiaoxi smiled bitterly: "Third brother, you are also the one who will be the lord of Dali in the future." Don't you even understand the truth of the emperor's ruthlessness? Now I'm a threat to you, understand? ”

With these words, Duan Yu finally realized the seriousness of the matter. He quickly said, "Okay, if there's anything I need to do, just say." No matter what happens in the future, you will always be my good brother. ”

Giving such a word of support, Zhao Xiaoxi said with a smile: "Don't worry, although there are risks in entering Beijing this time, I am not easy to handle." There are some things that I haven't said, and I'm sure you know.

This time, I will return alone, and I will ask you to take care of her. You must not tell her about the imperial grandmother, she will not be worried. When I go back to Beijing this time, if I really fall out, it will be convenient for me to get out alone.

Unless Zhao Xu is really not afraid of the people's grievances, he still doesn't dare to do anything to me. What's more, you also know my martial arts. I want to escape, and I'm sure no one can keep me. But Tsuruel is different! ”

'Good! ’

Simply agreed to this condition, and then Zhao Xiaoxi said: "Wanqing and Ling'er, this trip will also return to Dali with you." When I returned to Beijing this time, I only took Zhao Da and a few of his guards back to Beijing, and the rest of them all escorted you back to Dali.

You discuss with Ba Sikong first, about to leave, I will go to the Xixia Palace and find that uncle. By the way, tell her about this and see what she means.

This time, it seems that there is no way to do a big deal. If she is willing to wait, I will agree to marry Li Qinglu, which will be beneficial to both of us. If you don't agree, then this matter will be put aside for the time being, and we will discuss it later! ”

For Zhao Xu, Zhao Xiaoxi's biggest threat is nothing more than the identity of the two horses. In addition, Zhao Xiaoxi's prestige in the army is also something that Zhao Xu is worried about. Therefore, a knock must be indispensable.

It's just that this kind of beating, for Zhao Hyo-seok, choosing to obey or confront is something worth considering. But at present, Zhao Xu's house arrest of Xu Wangfu and his cadres undoubtedly touched Zhao Xiaoxi's sensitive nerves.

Returning to the capital this time, Zhao Xiaoxi will not leave his family in the capital no matter what. For him, the little thing that Zhao Xu mastered was the most insignificant of his strength, even if he abandoned him, it didn't matter.

Knowing that the situation was tense, Duan Yu didn't say much, and quickly found Ba Tianshi. Let him command the guards of the inn and begin to pack his things and prepare to leave. As for the reason, Duan Yu didn't elaborate much, only said that it was Zhao Xiaoxi's meaning.

Zhao Xiaoxi, who left the post station, also asked Zhao Da to inform him and began to pack up and prepare to leave. In order to ensure that the news is not leaked, Zhao Xiaoxi went to see Li Qiushui this time, and asked him to help Kaicheng leave in the middle of the night.

These two nights are the fullest time of the moon, and the official roads outside the city are flat, so there is no need to worry about getting lost. Wait until tomorrow when someone finds them leaving, even if they want to pursue them, it will be too late.

And what Zhao Xiaoxi has to do is to leave with Duan Yu in two ways after leaving the city. Duan Yu naturally seized all the time to return in the direction of Dali. And what Zhao Xiaoxi has to do is to return to the capital as quickly as possible.

There are Bu Yige along the way and Wu Wei are in charge of liaison, at least Zhao Xiaoxi can believe that Duan Yu and his party have returned. Even if Zhao Xu wants to stop it, he has to consider the consequences of falling out with Dali.

As long as Duan Yu and his party return to Dali smoothly, the rest of Zhao Xiaoxi's balance is nothing more than the family in the capital. And this time when he returned to Beijing, what Zhao Xiaoxi was really determined to do was to take his family out of the capital no matter what the situation.

He didn't dare to take the character of his family to gamble on Zhao Xu's imperial heart. If Zhao Xu really doesn't believe him, then Zhao Xiaoxi will choose to realize his willingness to reach the top in another way. As for wanting to put him under house arrest, not to mention the doors, there are no windows.

Holding the pass token given by Li Qiushui, Zhao Xiaoxi soon saw Li Qiuhuo, and said in the first sentence of the meeting: "Uncle, my nephew will leave tonight, and I have come to ask Uncle Shi to resign." ”

As soon as he heard this, not to mention that Li Qiushui was stunned, even Li Qinglu was a little stunned when he heard it. But soon Li Qiushui said: "So anxious to leave? You haven't done anything with Qinglu yet? Is something wrong? ”

Regarding Li Qiushui's inquiry, Zhao Xiaoxi knew that there were some things that he couldn't hide for long. still replied: "The Huangzu line is seriously ill, and from the secret report I received, time is running out, I must rush back to the capital, and it will change later!" ”

Late will change!

This was said very seriously, and Li Qiushui also said with a look in his eyes: "In this way, the young official of the Great Song Dynasty is really starting to worry about you?" As soon as the Empress Dowager who supported you died, he couldn't wait to get ready to do it? ”

Regarding Li Qiushui's political sensitivity, Zhao Xiaoxi said directly: "Do it, I think he shouldn't be able to do it now." It's just that my mother is being taken into the palace to take care of my grandmother's body at the moment, and my father and eldest brother are restricted from walking around at will.

I came here today, firstly, to say goodbye to my uncle, and secondly, to ask the princess what she meant. I am a very direct person, if the princess really believes in Zhao, she can leave with my third brother at night, and I will give the princess an explanation sooner or later.

If the princess thinks that I am in a situation where I can't protect myself, then I can only say that we have no fate. I also wish the princess that she can find a wishful husband in the future. The matter is too urgent, please forgive me with the princess! ”

In the face of Zhao Xiaoxi's straightforward inquiry, Li Qiushui also looked at Li Qinglu. In fact, not to mention Li Qinglu, at this time, Li Qiushui even wavered a little, thinking that this bet would not be wrong.

It's just unexpected that Li Qinglu only hesitated for a short time and said, "As long as my grandmother agrees, I will leave with Yu Yan at night." I hope that the prince of the county can speak and live up to Qinglu's decision. ”

With Li Qinglu's answer, what can Li Qiushui say? What's more, she didn't expect that in just a short period of time together, Li Qinglu was impressed by Zhao Xiaoxi's charm. Was this a good thing or a bad thing for Western Xia?

No matter what, he didn't even hold a wedding, so he handed over the princess to Zhao Hyo-seok. Li Qiushui has no opinion, and the children of the rivers and lakes are simple. But the point is, what will Li Qianshun think? (To be continued......)