Harem Daily Life

Chapter 781 The Queen's Trust

He Linzhang, although not in the palace, knew everything there. When he heard that the rebels were forcing the palace, he sent Yingyi to gather the troops of the Dark Guard Battalion to support them.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will ensure that the Empress and the royal heirs are safe." Ying Yi took the order and went, leaving Ying Er to take care of He Linzhang.

He Linzhang's body is getting older and older. Not only has his hair turned completely white, but even his muscles are gradually atrophying. He has lost a lot of weight and looks like a man in his sixties.

He had grown increasingly frail in recent days, spending most of his days in bed, requiring the support of several people if he was to get up or move around. Always a strong man, he hated himself for not being able to protect his wife and children, nor for being able to fight this illness.

Doctor Liu came in with the prepared medicine. Since returning to the capital, he had been taking care of the emperor's health and had not seen the empress for a long time.

"Your Majesty, it's time to take your medicine." Doctor Liu handed over the medicine bowl. "A letter just arrived from Penglai Island saying that the road is almost complete. In another month, we'll be able to rappel down to the cliffs to retrieve the herbs. Your Majesty, please relax. Once the Nether Grass reaches the capital, the poison in you will be cured."

He Linzhang, however, didn't hold out much hope for the Nether Grass. Not only was the herb difficult to obtain, but its efficacy was also unknown. Furthermore, his current situation was extremely dangerous, and he wasn't sure if he could wait until the Nether Grass arrived.

Doctor Liu noticed the Emperor's melancholy demeanor, and considering Ying Yi and the others had just hurriedly left, he knew His Majesty must be worried about the Empress. So he advised, "The palace is protected by three thousand Imperial Guards; a mere two thousand rebels are nothing to fear. Furthermore, Prince Yong and General Gu are here, and Ying Yi and the others have also left. Your Majesty should relax; you will surely receive victory news."

He Linzhang lowered his eyes: "I am useless. I was not by her side at the critical moment. She must be very panicked now, right?"

Doctor Liu didn't know what to say.

Your Majesty is now trapped, unable to protect himself! As time passes, the aging brought on by the poison is like a merciless demon, gradually approaching Your Majesty's once vigorous body. He watched helplessly as he watched himself, clearly in the prime of his 35 years old, gradually being shrouded in the shadow of death, as if under a spell.

What a feeling of helplessness and despair! His Majesty's inner distress and anxiety are perhaps only truly comprehensible to him. Even those around him are distressed, but as the victim of the poison, facing this inescapable reality without an antidote, how can His Majesty maintain a positive state of mind?

In the Qinzheng Palace, Tao Yanyan was indeed a little panicked. She sent some of the Imperial Guards to guard various parts of the harem, especially the Changle Palace, which had many more guards than other places.

Eunuch Zhang acted as a messenger, and any news would be sent to the Qinzheng Palace through him.

"My Lady, good news! General Gu and Miss Shuang'er have arrived with their troops. The rebels were defeated and many were killed."

"Your Majesty, Ying Yi has brought people to rescue you. His Majesty has issued an order to surround Prince Liang's mansion and confiscate all property immediately."

"Your Majesty, Prince Yong is coming with his troops, but General Gu has stopped him outside the palace gate. The atmosphere is a little off."

Upon hearing this, Tao Yanyan hurriedly said, "Go immediately with my token and tell them that the rebels have been largely contained and that General Gu is in full control. Prince Yong's troops can be taken back first."

Eunuch Zhang didn't ask the reason. He took the token and quickly went to the front hall.

Qingfeng, standing by Tao Yanyan's side, asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, Prince Yong has arrived. With more troops, won't he be able to wipe out the rebels faster? Why did you let him lead his troops back first?"

Tao Yanyan said calmly: "The situation is too chaotic now... Prince Liang has his eyes on the throne, and Prince Yong has more advantages in competing for the throne than Prince Liang. Although I trust Prince Yong, people's hearts are unpredictable, and I dare not take risks in times of turmoil." So this is why Tao Yanyan would rather let Shuang'er ask Gu Yi to mobilize troops, bypassing Prince Yong, than go directly to Prince Yong to mobilize troops.

Qingfeng thought about it and felt that it was only natural for the Queen to be more cautious during such a special moment. However, Prince Yong was very clever and might be able to guess what the Queen was thinking. Wouldn't that make her sad?

During His Majesty's absence, Prince Yong came to the palace every day to discuss matters with the Empress, always waiting until lunch or dinner so that he could naturally accompany the Empress to eat. Qingfeng had secretly witnessed this several times. The look Prince Yong gave his own Empress was not innocent.

That was the look His Majesty had once given the Empress, a look of passion yet tenderness. It was just that Prince Yong's eyes were hidden, and he would only peek at her when the Empress wasn't looking.

Qingfeng did not ask any further questions, but stood silently by the side, accompanying the queen and waiting for news.

When Eunuch Zhang came back again, his face was covered in sweat, and Prince Yong came with him.

"Your Majesty, all the rebels have been captured. General Gu has gone to deal with the aftermath. Yingyi has gone to Prince Liang's mansion, and the people transferred by Prince Yong have also gone back." After Eunuch Zhang finished speaking, he gave Qingfeng a look, and the two of them left the imperial study, leaving Prince Yong and the queen alone in the room.

Prince Yong looked Tao Yanyan up and down, confirming that she was alright, and then said, "I am late in coming to your rescue. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "I had no idea that Prince Liang would suddenly enter the palace and take me hostage. He even gathered over 2,000 men and was approaching the palace. Your Highness was unaware of this, so what is your fault? Thank you for bringing the troops here."

Prince Yong was thinking about what Prince Jing said in front of Prince Liang yesterday, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Tao Yanyan was somewhat gloomy.

He really wanted to ask whether the Queen had anticipated Prince Liang's actions today, or whether it was the Queen who instigated Prince Liang's desperate actions.

But he also felt that if he asked, no matter how the Queen explained, it would only prove one thing, that is: when it came to the matter of Prince Liang, the Queen trusted Prince Jing and General Gu, not him, Prince Yong.

I had thought that after such a long time together, Empress Tao and I should have trusted each other. If anything serious happened, I would be the first person she would think of. I was her only support without His Majesty by her side. But today's incident with Prince Liang truly showed that the Empress didn't think that way about me.

Prince Yong felt so complicated that he didn't even know how to continue speaking.

"I'm glad that Your Majesty is okay. Then... I will take my leave first." King Yong was in a low mood. He just wanted to find a place to vent the depression in his heart.

Looking at his dejected figure, Tao Yanyan opened his mouth and said, "...Prince."

King Yong stopped, slowly turned around and looked at Tao Yanyan.

Tao Yanyan sighed softly, walked up to him, and looked up at him: "Prince Liang is your cousin after all. It would be bad if news of brothers fighting each other got out. That's why I didn't seek your help right away... Don't take it to heart."

Tao Yanyan gently pulled Prince Yong's sleeve with one hand, adding a touch of comfort.

Prince Yong's depressed mood suddenly eased a little, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Tao Yanyan was no longer so resentful.