kvmb Chapter 128 The Empress's Scheme
Chapter 128 The Empress's Scheme
That afternoon, the Queen arrived at the Elite Soldiers Hall, escorted by Lu He and Blackbird on either side.
Xiao Yi, the commander of the Elite Army Hall, whose original name was Bai Yi, was originally a retainer of the Bai family. He was granted the surname Bai by his master, but later he was incorporated into the imperial family and given the surname Xiao. Among the retainers, those who dared not surrender were either killed, exiled, or secretly imprisoned. Of the five hall masters of the Elite Army Hall, two were beheaded, two were secretly imprisoned in the imperial water dungeon, and Bai Yi directly submitted to the emperor and changed his name to Xiao Yi, which was despised by the other four hall masters. But only he knew that he did this to bide his time and prevent the Elite Army Hall from falling completely into the hands of others, hoping that one day someone from the Bai family who had escaped the calamity would return.
He recognized his young mistress Bai Li at a glance, and with the Bai family ancestral seal in her possession, her identity was undoubtedly genuine.
Xiao Yi was so excited that tears streamed down his face. He was so happy to see the Bai family bloodline again in this lifetime, and he would do everything in his power to protect Miss Bai. After listening to Miss Bai Li's story, he also told Miss Bai about the situation of Bai Zheng and Bai Jin, who were still alive and currently in the water dungeon.
Bai Li is a meticulous and exceptionally intelligent woman; she devised a plan in an instant. No wonder she's Li Cen's birth mother; Li Cen's flawless strategic thinking must be inherited from her.
Bai Li ordered them to split into three groups. Blackbird was to return quietly, as if nothing had happened, and await news, without revealing anything to the other sentries. Lu He and the others secretly went to find Li Cen after nightfall, telling her the truth of what happened back then, and working with her to find out the situation of the two people in the Imperial Palace's water dungeon. Bai Li herself hid in the Elite Guard Hall, strategizing behind the scenes, while Xiao Yi remained inactive, waiting for the Thousand Machine Guards to investigate, ensuring that any trace of their presence there was flawlessly concealed.
Lu He hid the huge armored off-road vehicle in a cave in the dense forest, covered the entrance with vines, and then rode a fast horse back to the capital.
"You mean the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Noble Consort..." Li Cen covered her mouth in astonishment, unable to believe what she had just heard. "But, but the Empress Dowager did indeed miscarry. I was there when it happened, I remember it."
"Yes, Her Majesty the Empress said that it was an abortion pill she took herself because she was furious that the Emperor had killed her beloved, and she vowed never to have another child with the Emperor..."
“Father… he is such a person…” Li Cen couldn’t help but sigh. The father she used to respect had such a face.
“Then Li Guangqi…” The Crown Prince is Su Yan’s son, so wouldn’t the Empress Dowager protect him? Li Cen was a little worried when she thought of this. “Should we tell him the truth?”
"Her Majesty the Empress said that Su Yan did not want to share a room with the Emperor at first. She was...forced..." Lu He felt a pang of heartache as she spoke. Women in ancient times really couldn't even resist. That beastly Emperor ignored her cries and pain, forcibly harming her. Afterwards, he made her an Imperial Noble Consort, thinking he had given her such a great favor, displaying the despicable face of a superior offering gifts to an ant.
"Her Majesty the Empress means that Li Guangqi's life must be saved, but the throne must be yours. It's not for power, but for the sake of all the women in the world. There must be a woman to become emperor. This task is entrusted to Your Highness. Moreover, Su Yan's only wish before her death was that Li Guangqi could leave the palace and return to the merchant Su family... to live a happy life and not have to fight in this bloody storm..." Lu He relayed the Empress's words verbatim.
"Yes, I understand what Mother means." Li Cen nodded: "I will send trusted confidants to investigate the water prison. We can't touch the sentries for now. We're being watched, so we need to remain calm."
"The Empress will secretly plot to help you. First, take down the Thousand Machine Guard. The commander of the Thousand Machine Guard is currently by the Emperor's side and cannot be contacted. It will take some time. After that, Lu He said, making a throat-slitting gesture."
"What Mother means is!" Li Cen covered her mouth again.
Lu He nodded. That's right, that's exactly what she meant: "The eight-nation delegation has entered the capital, and everyone's attention is on Princess Chengde's selection of a consort. In addition, the Imperial Guard and the Imperial City Guard are tied up around the delegation, which is a good opportunity to take advantage of."
"When should we make our move?" Li Cen's expression turned serious. This matter was of utmost importance; it was a desperate measure, a battle with no way out.
"Does Your Highness still remember what I told you before, that the Crown Prince wanted to kill you?"
"I remember... the eight princes of the kingdoms, during the royal hunting grounds..."