The Gilded Cage

More than a dozen military men with bright yellow flower juice on their quotas came out, and immediately took them down.

"What are you doing!" Xiao Yu was shocked, backing back and forth, waving at the guards beside him.

The guards were naturally not ambiguous, and as soon as they embraced, they protected the prince in the middle and raised their swords to the soldiers.

"Who are you? Where is General Zhao? Why didn't he come to welcome him? At such a critical juncture, he, the commander-in-chief, would allow the soldiers under him to make such mischief!" Xiao Yu's face was full of anger, and his heart was very anxious, but what he said was nothing. He didn't dare to show his timidity, and his eyes patrolled quietly.

"Huh, I'm the Emperor Zhaowu, Wang Guan, you are looking for General Zhao, why?" The knife in the hand of the strong man fell suddenly and plunged into the yellow ground, raising a burst of dust, "In front of everyone Say clearly!"

More and more fierce and reckless men in the camp quickly stepped out to surround Xiao Yu and the others, making them unable to move and even more difficult to escape.

Xu Rong was sweating profusely, and he leaned into Xiao Yu's ear and whispered: "His Royal Highness, they probably still doubt our identity..."

Xiao Yu paused, calmed down, and said solemnly: "I am the prince of the court. Zhao Lun, the general of Zhenguo, will enter Gyeonggi under the command of the Bozhou army. You should listen to my dispatch!"

After all, he took out the seal of the East Palace he was carrying and held it high in front of everyone.

But Wang Guan didn't buy it, he just sneered: "Everyone heard it. The prince colluded with Zhao Lun and transferred his troops to Gyeonggi privately with the intention of rebelling. Let's catch them and send them back to Chang'an!"

When the voice fell, the nearest soldiers rushed forward and directly rushed through the guards with brute force, and detained them three or two times.

"Who, are you guys!?" Xiao Yu was firmly suppressed, unable to move, his face pale, and he trembled, "Where did Zhao Lun go!"

Wang Guan ordered someone to pull him up and said coldly: "Zhao Lun rebels, in collusion with Nanzhao privately. Half a month ago, he was dismissed from his post and investigated and dealt with. Now the general of Zhen Guo Wang Su is investigating the matter in Bozhou. Entering Beijing is to act as the general to the saint. I have heard the words of the prince just now, so I will send your highness to the front of the saint!"

Zhao Lun had already been taken down by the king's destiny, and his contacts with Xiao Yu and others during these days were all an illusion arranged by Xiao Ke.

Only then did Xiao Yu fully understand that he was already in Xiao Kezhi's plan. His plan was already in the hands of others. Today, these people, hearing what he said just now, I am afraid they will all become alive. Person card!

Just thinking about how to deal with it, there was a rush of horseshoes and ruts on the Huangsha Road in the distance. Hundreds of thousands of guards from Qianniuwei and Jinwuwei rushed around the emperor and several courtiers. Come.

Jin Jiang, who took the lead in the forefront, took a closer look and shouted, "It's the prince!"

The veteran officials in the carriage hurriedly squinted their eyes. At this look, it was true that the prince, who had always been elegant, gentle and modest, was firmly suppressed by several military men. He looked terribly embarrassed and lacked the demeanor of the prince of the Eastern Palace.

Seeing the people hurriedly chasing over, Xiao Yu's complexion had sunk to the extreme, and he couldn't say a word.

But Xu Rong, who was also messed up with his clothes on the side, glanced at the prince, his heart slammed, thumped to his knees, and shouted: "Your Majesty, these gangsters of unknown origin gather here, kidnapping the prince, and want to slander the prince, please, your majesty Observe!"

The chasing people stopped close, Xiao Kezhi looked at the nephew who described the embarrassment and had not spoken yet, but was an veteran who followed him. He covered his eyebrows unbearably, and said angrily: "Xu Shidu! The crown prince is really caught." Hijacking, how can the guards of the East Palace stay here! In the world, how many people dare to kidnap the prince? Besides, the prince has already taken the initiative to confess, what else do you have to say?"

In any case, it is a fact that the prince escaped from Beijing privately. They just supported the prince from the bottom of their hearts before. At this time, they had to admit that the emperor had done nothing but the prince had acted in this way.

"So, I'm ashamed of my ancestors, I don't deserve to be a prince!"

As soon as Xu Rong heard this, struggling to be almost chilled, he wanted to quibble again, but Xiao Yu suddenly said: "Study, that's all."

So many people have heard what he said just now, what else can he argue with? At this point, there is no more room for change.

"It's me who lost that life."

He murmured for a while, stood up slowly, and raised his face and shouted: "I admit it, it is true that I have the intention to fight with the Zhao family. How can I lose it! But you, you, you seize my throne and take my wife, not benevolent. Righteousness, I don't deserve to be a monarch!"

Speaking of the emperor's succession to the throne and the appointment of the queen, the courtiers who followed couldn't help but look at each other, not knowing how to react.

It is an indisputable fact that the emperor's private virtue is controversial.

Xiao Kezhi did not look unhappy because of his public exposure. He just asked Qianniuwei's people to detain the prince and others, and then said lightly: "Whether you are worthy to be a monarch, when do you want to see his wife? The ancestors will get it right away. In the world, at least I will not betray the people and collude with foreign enemies and bandits for personal gain."

To be the emperor, be able to rule the world and protect the peace of the people, not just on personal gains and losses.

This is a truth that everyone understands, but few people would say it bluntly, and many of the courtiers demanded that they be kings, and they should not lose their personal virtues, thinking that the world is unpredictable. Over time, someone will forget the priority.

Over the years, the prince’s effort has been in the wrong place. He only pays attention to his own reputation, but forgets what he really should do as a prince.

After Xiao Ke's reminder, everyone reacted immediately and didn't dare to put their beaks anymore.

After a while, the team set off again and returned to the Tai Chi Palace.

The matter was serious. Xiao Kezhi immediately ordered the three judges of Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and Yushitai to try the case together. Xiao Yu, Zhao Yu'e, Xu Rong and others were detained and awaiting interrogation.

…

In response to a matter, Xiao Kezhi was busy until the setting sun went down and when the night fell, he was only slightly free.

The heat of the day gradually dissipated, and the breeze brought a burst of coolness.

He put down the official document in his hand, picked up the bow and arrow on the side, and while there was still a bit of sunset, shot two arrows at the target hanging on the tree. After moving his muscles and bones, he wandered towards the Temple of Ganlu.

In the Temple of Ganlu, most of the ice placed in the four corners has melted, and the whole bedroom is cool and cozy.

Chu Ning lighted the lamp, and was holding a piece of smoked clothes on the shelf. When the maid said that the emperor was coming, she stopped her movements and turned her head to laugh.

"Your Majesty is back."

Xiao Kezhi approached and saw that the clothes she had on hand were for him, and his lips couldn't help but raised: "Yes, I'm back, Aning, everything is fine..."

The Donggong matter has been settled, and then, just wait for the three divisions to find out the matter and make it public.

Chu Ning paused, did not speak, as if he was choked in his throat, he could only gently nod his head.

A few feet apart between the two, the dim light intertwined with the afterglow of the setting sun, magnificent and brilliant, casting a hazy halo between the two.

The maids all retired consciously. The room was quiet, no one spoke, but an atmosphere of tension gradually loosening permeated, which made people feel peaceful.

Chu Ning suddenly chuckled, lowered his head and approached, stretched out his hand to untie the belt for Xiao Kezhi, and took off his robe.

"Does it feel uncomfortable in the day?" He simply hugged her, just about to tighten his arms, and suddenly remembered that she was coming to Guishui, so he stopped his movements and turned to touch her lower abdomen.

"Drinking your majesty's **** tea and decoction, where can you still feel uncomfortable?" Chu Ning remembered the bowl of **** tea that made her sweat in the morning, and couldn't help but smile again. "Besides, the aunt and Guoer are also in the same day. After I have been here, I don’t feel uncomfortable even more when I meet them."

"'Aunt'? You called this'aunt' well." He was very satisfied when he heard it. "From now on, my relatives will be your relatives, and your relatives will also be my relatives."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for transferring my cousin away for me, and bringing my two younger brothers back safely." Chu Ning knew that Zhao Yanzhou and Chuzhou's cousins ​​were all safe and sound because of Xiao Kezhi's arrangements. Very grateful.

"They are your relatives and your father's relatives. Your father is my benefactor, so I should be so." Xiao Kezhi shook his head, "Besides, you treat your uncle's family well from the beginning. I see it all... "

"They are all simple, diligent, honest and kind people, and they deserve to be treated better by others. Speaking of which, Guoer, this child, has been in Beijing for more than half a year. Not only has his head grown taller, his mind has also become much more dexterous. What happened to your Majesty is long ago. A foolproof plan, but if she hadn't found out the clue in time, and Mrs. Xu sent someone back to inform it, I am afraid it would not go so smoothly."

Hearing from the servants and court people, Guoer not only discovered Zhao Yu'e's abnormality, but even urged her to take the initiative to confess, which was quite different from the usual timid and reticent appearance.

"That child, uncle and aunt will also feel very pleased." Xiao Kezhi patted her on the head, and after washing, he took her to sit on the couch for dinner.

At night, when the moon was good, the two walked for a while under the porch, then went back to the house and read together at night, except that one read the official documents of the Korean government and the other the archives of the palace.

She would add tea for him, and he would knead her arms for her, and the two of them were tired of being in one place, and even the person who served him could be saved.

Liu Kang was idle for a while, only to feel that he had no use for it, so he asked someone to make a bowl of butter ice and sent it in himself.

The crystal crushed ice is poured with white cheese, and a few jasper-like grapes are inlaid, which seems to make the index finger move.

Chu Ning looked eagerly, rarely showing a look of yearning.

Xiao Kezhi's heart moved slightly when he saw it, and he couldn't help coughing, pretending to hold the bowl to him, and said solemnly: "This thing is cold, you can't eat it."

After all, in front of her, she scooped up a spoonful of ice cream, put it in the mouth, and nodded in satisfaction: "Sweet and sour, cool and refreshing, it tastes very good."

Chu Ning glanced at him twice, but knew that he really couldn't eat, so he had to pursed his lips and turned around, simply not seeing him completely: "Your Majesty will use it soon, lest it turn into water and the taste will not be good."

Xiao Kezhi let out a "hmm" and delivered another spoonful in his mouth, but his eyes fell on her back, showing a clear smile.

"The taste is indeed good. It is a pity that Aning can't taste it." He said regretfully. Seeing her back collapsed, he suddenly reached out and pulled her over and lowered his head to cover her lips.

"Is it sweet?"

The remaining sweet and sour taste penetrated a little bit, and Chu Ning blinked, couldn't help sticking out the tip of his tongue to lick his lips, and nodded gently.

"sweet."

"Then eat more."