When Zhao Ding returned to the palace and truthfully conveyed Zhao Yingluo's conditions to Zhao Gou, it was almost dusk. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the empty hall, reflecting Zhao Gou's gloomy face. He sat on the dragon chair, his hands clenched into fists, and his joints were faintly white, showing the anger and unwillingness in his heart.

"How dare she insult me like this!" Zhao Gou's voice echoed in the empty hall, with anger that could not be concealed, "I am the emperor, how can I be at her mercy!" ”

Zhao Ding stood aside, his head lowered, not daring to look directly into Zhao Go's eyes. He could feel Zhao Go's anger and despair, as if the entire hall was enveloped in this emotion.

He knew that Zhao Gou was already angry to the extreme at this moment, and no words could calm his anger.

As night fell, the light in the main hall became darker and darker.

Zhao Gou still sat in the chair, motionless, like a sculpture.

His heart was full of struggles and contradictions. On the one hand, he was unwilling to give up the throne like this; On the other hand, he was also aware of his situation, and knew that it would be futile to resist any longer.

At this moment, a cold wind blew, blowing the curtain in the main hall, making a rustling sound. Zhao Gou couldn't help but shudder, as if this cold wind was blowing straight into his heart. He looked up out the window and saw that the sky was already covered with dark clouds, as if to herald the coming storm.

At this moment, Qin Hui, Huang Qianshan and others also hurried over.

As soon as they entered the door, they felt the oppressive atmosphere in the main hall. When they learned of Zhao Yingluo's conditions, they were even more stunned.

"Official, this. How good is that? Qin Hui asked in a trembling voice.

He is usually clever in his tongue, but at this moment he can't hide the panic in his heart.

He knew Zhao Gou's temper very well, and knew that any persuasion at this moment would be futile.

However, he knew better that if Zhao Gou really agreed to Zhao Yingluo's conditions, then where would they, the former ministers, go?

Their power and position will cease to exist, and they may even lose their lives.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

Huang Qianshan also looked anxious. Although he was not as scheming as Qin Hui, he also knew what Zhao Gou's abdication meant to them.

Their years of hard work and dedication will come to naught, and their future fate will become uncertain.

Zhao Gou didn't answer, just looked out the window silently.

His mood was as gloomy and depressing as the sky. He knew that there was no way back.

If he doesn't agree to Zhao Yingluo's conditions, then there is only a dead end waiting for him.

Qin Hui and the others knew that Zhao Gou was in a very difficult situation at the moment, but he couldn't do anything about it. He could only silently pray that Zhao Gou would make the right decision.

There was a deathly silence in the hall. Only the occasional sound of cold wind and the rustle of the curtain broke the silence. Zhao Gou's heart was as empty as this hall, full of endless loneliness and despair.

I don't know how long it took, Zhao Gou finally spoke: "You guys go out, let me be alone for a while." His voice was hoarse and tired, as if he had suddenly aged much more.

When Qin Hui and the others heard this, they had no choice but to retreat silently.

With the departure of Qin Hui and the others, the hall fell into silence again. Zhao Gou was still sitting in his chair, motionless. His gaze was empty and confused, as if he had lost all hope and fighting spirit.

The night was getting darker, and the light in the hall was getting darker and darker. Zhao Gou's heart is getting darker and darker like this night. He felt as if he was trapped in a bottomless abyss.

Just then, a bolt of lightning pierced the night sky, followed by a deafening thunderclap. The storm is finally coming. The rain crackled against the windows, as if it were about to swallow the whole hall.

Zhao Gou walked out of the hall and let the rain wet his clothes and hair. It was as if he didn't feel anything about the outside world, just immersed in his inner world.

I don't know how long it took, but the rain gradually stopped. There was a glimmer of light in the sky, as if to herald the dawn of dawn. Zhao Gou's heart gradually brightened up like this sky.

He knew he couldn't just give up, but what could he do? Desperately fighting to the death will increase casualties, not only that, but I am afraid that I and my son will not be able to save their lives.

He decided to accept Zhao Yingluo's conditions and abdicate to make way for Xian. Although his heart was full of unwillingness and regret, he also knew that this was his only way out.

When the first rays of sunlight shone into the main hall, Zhao Gou had already made a decision. He felt as if he had been reborn, filled with hope and fighting spirit.

He summoned Zhao Ding and others and told them of his decision. Zhao Ding rode a fast horse, crossed the winding mountain road, and once again came to Zhao Yingluo's camp fifty miles away from Suzhou City.

At this time, it is early autumn, and the leaves of the trees in the mountains and forests are beginning to turn yellow, and the autumn wind blows, and the fallen leaves fall to the ground one after another, making a rustling sound.

Flags fluttered in the camp, and the soldiers lined up neatly, looking majestic and solemn.

After Zhao Ding dismounted, he was led by the soldiers to Zhao Yingluo's camp.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and then lifted the curtain and stepped inside.

In the tent, Zhao Yingluo was sitting in front of the desk, holding a book in her hand, reading intently.

Hearing someone coming in, she glanced up and saw that it was Zhao Ding, so she put down the scroll in her hand and smiled and motioned for him to sit down.

"Lord Zhao, I'm back so soon, it seems that my imperial brother has already made a decision." Zhao Yingluo's tone had a hint of banter in it.

Zhao Ding nodded and said in a deep voice: "Yes, the official family has agreed to your conditions, but he also hopes that you can keep your promise and guarantee all the honor after his abdication." ”

Zhao Yingluo sneered when she heard this, and mocked: "The imperial brother is really loyal and treacherous, and at this time, he still cares about those false names. ”

Zhao Ding frowned slightly, although the official family was really confused and favored Qin Hui and other incompetent people, he couldn't tolerate her mocking the official family like this.

He took a deep breath and continued, "Your Highness, please pay attention to your words. The reason why the official family made this decision was also to sacrifice without much bloodshed, and now the conditions are here, if His Highness agrees, everything is easy to say, if His Highness does not agree, a certain Venerable head will be taken with His Highness. ”

Zhao Yingluo pursed her lips disdainfully when she heard this, and said, "Lord Zhao, you don't have to say these high-sounding words to me. I know what you think in your hearts, aren't you afraid that it will be bad for you when I take real power? The imperial brother is my compatriot, so there is no need to embarrass him, as for Qin Hui and the others you mentioned, it is easy to say. ”

Zhao Ding couldn't help but feel a little worried when he saw Zhao Yingluo's attitude. According to her attitude before, he didn't think that Her Royal Highness the Princess would let Qin Hui and the others go so easily.

What's going on today? actually said that Qin Hui and the others would not be held accountable, could they still be entrusted with a heavy responsibility?

(End of chapter)