nashuaworldcup Chapter 263 1 We must hold on
Chapter 263 1 We must hold on
Three hundred miles outside the capital, on the ancient battlefield of Luoyang, thousands of tents were pitched.
These are all troops that Lu Zhiheng has been secretly accumulating for many years.
The saying goes, "An army is raised for a thousand days to be used for one." Now, his conflict with Pei Yuanling is about to erupt, and it is precisely the time to use force.
Today is a truce, and the soldiers in the camp are resting and recuperating.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by the rapid sound of horses' hooves.
Lu Zhiheng, dressed in a green robe and silver armor, was discussing military affairs with Shen Ran in the tent when a red-clad scout rushed in, looking terrified.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, an urgent military report has arrived from the front!"
Lu Zhiheng frowned and quickly glanced at the military report.
In an instant, his expression changed drastically.
"The villa was attacked, and she...was captured?"
He muttered to himself, his voice filled with disbelief.
The scout added in a low voice, "Master, there's another piece of news... According to a reliable informant, it seems that there are rumors in the palace that Consort Qiao... Liangfei seems to be pregnant."
These words struck Lu Zhiheng's heart like a heavy hammer.
"Prepare the horses! I'm going to rescue her myself!"
He suddenly stood up and turned to rush out of the tent.
"Master, please wait!"
Shen Ran reacted quickly, stepping in front of Lu Zhiheng. "The current situation is critical. If you act rashly, you may fall into the enemy's trap!"
Lu Zhiheng frowned: "But she..."
"My lord, I understand how you feel, but please calm down and think about it."
Shen Ran said in a deep voice, "All's fair in war. If you leave now, the entire battle will be affected. The other side may be trying to lure us away from our position!"
Lu Zhiheng clenched his fist: "..."
After a moment, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "You're right..."
He slowly opened his eyes, his dark gaze regaining its usual composure. "I lost my composure."
"Your Majesty is wise."
Shen Ran breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully cupped his hands, saying, "I suggest that we first send out elite scouts to find out the enemy's situation before making further plans."
"As you say."
Lu Zhiheng nodded: "Send the order to summon General Chu and the others for a meeting."
Before long, the generals gathered inside the tent.
Chu Tianheng walked to Lu Zhiheng's side with a solemn expression and asked in a low voice, "Brother Lu, is there any news about my sister?"
Lu Zhiheng hesitated for a moment, then briefly explained the situation.
Finally, he looked ashamed and said, "It was my carelessness that led to her being kidnapped by Pei Yuanling's men."
Upon hearing this, a hint of pain flashed in Chu Tianheng's eyes.
But he quickly regained his composure.
“Pei Yuanling has been on the throne for many years, and naturally there are many capable people around him. This incident cannot be entirely blamed on you.”
Chu Tianheng said, "Now that things have happened, we must remain calm and fight back, and not fall into their trap."
Lu Zhiheng nodded in agreement: "General Chu is absolutely right."
"Alright, now that the two armies are facing off, the most urgent task is to discuss and formulate tactics."
Chu Tianheng raised his hand and patted Lu Zhiheng on the shoulder: "Come on."
As they spoke, the two walked side by side toward the sand table.
The flags on the sand table cast long shadows in the dim light. Chu Tianheng looked around, his gaze finally settling on the capital city: "Pei Yuanling is a cunning man. He deliberately spread the news of Qingyin's capture to distract you. If we rashly send troops to rescue her, we will surely fall for his provocation."
Shen Ran nodded in agreement: "The general is absolutely right."
Chu Tianheng glanced at him and continued, "My plan is to divide our forces into three groups."
“Send a team of skilled scouts to infiltrate the capital and gather intelligence on the enemy.”
"Secondly, we spread the word that we would feign an attack on the east gate while actually launching a surprise attack from the west gate."
"After the surprise attack, while the enemy is caught off guard, we will secretly contact the ambush troops inside the city and coordinate an attack from within and without."
"..."
The three of them chatted animatedly, each offering their own opinion.
The candlelight had burned out before they knew it, and the sound of a rooster crowing came from outside the tent.
As Lu Zhiheng stepped out of the military tent, he looked up at the pale, waning moon on the horizon.
The pale moonlight, like water, combined with the dim morning light, shone on his tired face, making his features appear even more profound.
Qingyin, you must hold on.
I will definitely come to save you.
***
The news that Consort Liang had been rescued and brought back to the palace naturally reached the Empress's ears.
The glazed tiles of Fengyi Palace shimmered with a bluish-gray hue in the morning light. Empress Wang leaned against a golden nanmu wood phoenix-carved armchair. When she heard that Chu Qingyin had been found and brought back to the palace and was being raised by the emperor in Zichen Palace, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
Even the teacup in his hand fell to the ground with a "crack" and shattered into pieces.
"How is this possible!"
She muttered to herself, a burning flame of jealousy raging beneath her exquisite and dignified makeup.
"Wasn't she supposed to be dead? How... how did she come back..."
"And His Majesty has kept her in the Zichen Palace without saying a word?"
The Purple Palace, that is the residence of the emperor.
Even she, the Empress, cannot stay overnight in Zichen Palace, so why should Qiao Qingyin be allowed to?
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
The personal maid beside him was so frightened that her face turned pale. She knelt on the brocade carpet, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
Empress Wang seemed not to hear, and suddenly stood up, her skirt fluttering, "I want to see what Qiao Qingyin is capable of, that she dares to bewitch His Majesty again!"
Having said that, he led a large group of palace servants and headed towards the Zichen Palace.
Before long, the group arrived at the gate of Zichen Palace.
The main gate of the sleeping quarters was tightly closed, and two rows of armored guards stood solemnly and silently at the entrance.
Empress Wang was taken aback for a moment, but quickly clenched her nails, which were painted with red nail polish, stepped forward, and shouted, "Open the door! I want to see Consort Liang!"
However, the only response she received was the respectful yet distant voice of an armored guard: "Your Majesty, please calm down. His Majesty has decreed that no one is allowed to enter the Zichen Palace without permission."
Empress Wang frowned. "I am the mistress of the six palaces, yet I am not even allowed to enter His Majesty's Zichen Palace?"
The armored guard bowed slightly, his tone still respectful, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This is His Majesty's decree, and I dare not disobey it."
Empress Wang trembled with rage. She pointed her finger at the guard's nose and said, "Very well, a mere guard, yet he dares to be so disrespectful to me, relying on His Majesty's favor! You just wait!"
Having said that, he flicked his sleeves and led the crowd away in anger.
Back at the Phoenix Palace, Empress Wang was still furious. She paced back and forth in the hall, the filigree gold hairpin inlaid with rubies in her hair swaying back and forth.
"Your Majesty, please calm down."
The head eunuch, Lin Qing, cautiously advised, "Consort Liang was brought back to the palace without a word; there must be something fishy going on. We need to discuss this further."
"Let's take a longer-term view?"
Empress Wang stopped in her tracks, a sinister glint in her eyes. "His Majesty has neglected state affairs for her sake, openly confronting the old faction of Zhang Xian and engaging in a real battle. How am I supposed to make any further plans? This Qiao Qingyin is truly a persistent ghost. If she gains power again, my days will be numbered."
"Your Majesty, His Majesty now values Consort Liang highly. Not only has he kept her in Zichen Palace, but he has also sent so many guards with swords to watch over her. Judging from that, not even a fly could get in. It would be unwise for us to act rashly."
Lin Qing frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "How about... we observe for a few more days and then look for another opportunity?"
Although Empress Wang was unwilling, she had personally witnessed the situation at Zichen Palace.
It was indeed surrounded like an iron barrel, making it difficult to make a move.
Her nails, painted with crimson nail polish, dug deeply into her palms. She gritted her teeth. "That's all we can do."
"However, you must keep a close eye on Zichen Palace for me. Report any disturbances immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lin Qing replied with a bow.