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In January, heavy snow fell as Xue Wanche, who was delayed in the capital due to a foot ailment, had just emerged from Fang Yi'ai's residence. His red and black face was wrapped in a fox fur collar, and his grizzled beard gently trembled in the wind and snow. The sweet scent of wine mixed with white vapor escaped from his mouth and nose.
There was a hint of a smile in the corners of his eyes, and with a tipsy demeanor, he rode slowly along the streets of Chang'an. He gazed toward the direction of Tai Chi Palace, chuckled softly, and began to hum a little tune.
Having enjoyed too much comfort, Xue Wanche no longer possessed the robust physique he had during his years of conquest. However, within his body still resided a combative spirit.
His mind, clouded by wine and indulgence, lacked the vigilance he once had when sleeping with a weapon by his side, causing him to remain unaware of the shadow trailing behind him.
The person following Xue Wanche had stealthily emerged from Fang Yi'ai's residence. After watching Xue Wanche leave, they turned into a narrow alley and soon slipped through the back door of Xu Manor.
At the same time, another agile figure slipped out from Duke of the Right Guard Chai Lingwu's residence. Today, Consort Chai and Princess Balin had hosted Duke of the Right Guard Left Guardian General Zhi Shili, Imperial Attendant and Crown Prince's Grand Tutor Yuwen Jie, and Special Grand Minister of Taichang Prince of Jiangxia Li Daozong.
These two individuals entered Xu Manor one after another and gathered in Xu Zhen's room; they were Zuo An and Gem!
Zhang Suling and Caesar were both pregnant and about to give birth, making it inconvenient for them to move. Li Wushuang needed to take care of her son Sitang, while Xu Zhen could not personally take action. Zhou Cang was brave but not suited for stealth; thus, this important task was entrusted to Zuo An and Gem.
Before the New Year, Xu Zhen had overseen their marriage arrangements. Now they were inseparable; although she did not wish for them to personally face danger, the matter was significant enough that she had to rely on these two trusted aides.
Fortunately, they did not disappoint Xu Zhen.
After receiving their information, Xu Zhenxin was overjoyed and hurried to Li Jue's residence. They deliberated until evening before returning home to summon several ladies.
Xu Zhen rarely appeared so serious; Caesar and the others dared not joke around. Even Little Si Tang refrained from playfully hitting his father's backside and instead nestled quietly in his mother's arms, his curious eyes fixed on the pregnant bellies of the two concubines as if wondering what treasures they might be hiding.
"This is how things stand... so... I need you all to act according to plan..."
Caesar and the others were left speechless for a long time. After a while, they finally regained their composure. Xu Zhen knew they would react this way; she remained silent, giving them ample time to process.
After a long while, Caesar finally played the role of the elder sister and whispered with Li Wushuang and the others. Then, the women solemnly said to Xu Zhen, "It all depends on your wishes!"
Seeing that several ladies agreed, Xu Zhen felt immensely happy. The next day, she entered the palace early. In addition to meeting Li Mingda, she also saw Xue Rengui and Xie Anting.
Once everything was settled, she hurriedly left and rode towards Taiyi Mountain, returning to her residence only when dusk fell.
Xu Zhen returned through the snow, changed into her regular attire, and sat by the Red Clay Stove, enjoying a drink. No one accompanied her because Li Wushuang, Caesar, Zhang Suling, and others were not at home.
She had completed all necessary preparations; everything was ready, and now she just awaited the favorable winds!
In January of Year Four of Yonghui, Li Zhi made an exception to officially confer the title of Princess Guisi upon Li Mingda, marrying her to General of the Guard and Grand Minister Xu Zhen. The people celebrated joyously since Xu Zhen held a high reputation among them, and the entire city of Chang'an was in festive spirits.
The current Sovereign personally presided over the event and hosted a banquet for civil and military officials, handling all matters according to the highest royal standards!
Li Zhi felt uncertain in his heart; although Murong Hanzhu had made solemn promises, he still felt anxious and hesitant to meet Xu Zhen's gaze.
When he saw Li Mingda adorned in her phoenix crown and colorful robes, his mind finally settled. He was genuinely worried that Xu Zhen might rebel.
However, there was no reason for Xu Zhen to rebel; she simply needed a significant event to solidify her rule and redirect the people's hearts from her back to Li Zhi.
Thus, when he saw Li Mingda appear, he felt a twinge of guilt in his heart.
Before being sent into the bridal chamber, Li Mingda said two words to her emperor brother: "Thank you!"
Li Zhi almost wanted to stop her; memories of their childhood together flooded back to him.
However, he ultimately did not speak.
He gazed in the direction of the Tai Chi Palace and murmured, "Lu Gong should be about ready..."
The Lu Gong he mentioned was none other than Duke Lu Cheng Zhijie!
After Emperor Taizong's passing, Cheng Zhijie was summoned from the Emerald Palace to lead the Flying Cavalry in escorting Crown Prince Li Zhi back to court for succession, and he had been stationed outside Zuo Yanming Gate for three consecutive months.
During Princess Jinyang's mission to Tuguhun, Cheng Zhijie took over her position, serving as Left Tunwei Grand General and Inspector of the Troops.
Today, while the people celebrated, Cheng Zhijie did not participate. Following the emperor's secret orders, he commanded the troops in the northern courtyard and lay in ambush.
Due to the Sovereign's outing, the Imperial Guards in the palace were mobilized, making the palace defenses somewhat weaker. Additionally, Murong Hanzhu intentionally relaxed security, resulting in few troops stationed at Chengtian Gate.
At noon, several hundred rebels disguised as civilians indeed charged at the palace gates, and these individuals surprisingly managed to breach the entrance with ease!
Cheng Zhijie, older yet more resolute, let out a cold laugh and suddenly led his ambush troops into action!
Fang Yi'ai and Xue Wanche were at Princess Jinyang's wedding banquet; however, their minds had already flown elsewhere. They could only relax once they received a signal from within the palace.
But after waiting for a long time, they did not receive the expected news. Instead, they were met by Xue Rengui and Xie Anting along with their Imperial Guards!
"Governor of Lizhou Fang Yi'ai and his band of traitors have conspired for rebellion and organized troops to storm the palace. The evidence is irrefutable; apprehend them all!"
With a command from Xue Rengui, the soldiers of the Imperial Guards surged into action, causing chaos at the wedding banquet. Fang Yi'ai and others were taken aback; they had thought their plan was flawless and never anticipated such an outcome!
Until they saw the cold smile on Murong Hanzhu's face beside Li Zhi, they suddenly realized what was happening!
"This brat has betrayed me!" Xue Wanche shouted, pointing at Murong Hanzhu, but before he could finish, he was captured and his mouth was sealed shut!
They had originally planned to use the Xu Zhen's wedding banquet to lure all the guards in the palace to Li Mingda's Princess Residence, then occupy the court to plot great schemes. However, they did not expect that the information had been leaked by Murong Hanzhu, who was actually the mastermind behind the entire incident!
Li Zhi snorted coldly, ignoring these people and feigning a heartbroken demeanor. He then ordered that everyone be taken away. The civil and military officials were shocked; this situation had come too suddenly!
Murong Hanzhu loudly read out the charges, proclaiming the rebellion of Duke of the Right Guard Fang Yi'ai and others to the world. However, what Li Zhi was most concerned about were Xu Zhen and Li Mingda in the bridal chamber!
Under the protection of the guards, he arrived at the back courtyard of the Princess Residence. The guards had already surrounded the entire back courtyard heavily. Murong Hanzhu ordered someone to kick open the door.
His heart was filled with a sense of revenge, feeling that watching Xu Zhen's tragic end would be the happiest thing in the world!
However, when the door opened, the room was empty. Murong Hanzhu suddenly felt that something was wrong. Pushing past the guards without regard for his safety, he went around the screen. There was no one in the bridal chamber; both Li Mingda and Xu Zhen were missing, their whereabouts unknown. At the foot of the red couch, a black dog barked at Murong Hanzhu with its eyes wide open, a letter hanging from its neck.
Li Zhi entered the room surrounded by soldiers. The soldiers removed the screen, and Murong Hanzhu's face turned pale as he took down the letter from the dog's neck and handed it to Li Zhi, whose expression was darker than a pot bottom.
Li Zhi's mouth twitched slightly as he unfolded the letter and glanced at it before tucking it into his sleeve. He coldly uttered two words: "Return to the palace!"
Murong Hanzhu felt panic rising in his heart as he walked over to Li Zhi, only to hear him grit his teeth and issue an order: "Mobilize troops! Dig three feet into the ground if necessary to find him!"
Murong Hanzhu obediently agreed and prepared to go give orders. However, just as he passed through the back courtyard, a servant from the Princess Residence came forward carrying hot dishes for the wedding banquet and accidentally bumped into him!
"Damn dog slave!"
Murong Hanzhu, usually gentle and refined, couldn't help but curse. However, before his words could finish, they were abruptly cut off as a sudden pain exploded in his chest, freezing the words in his throat.
He pressed his hand tightly against the bloody wound in his chest and was about to call out loudly when the servant waved his hand, and a cold glint flashed before Murong Hanzhu's eyes. His head fell to the ground with a thud.
In his wide-open eyes filled with rage, the shadow of the servant came into view. Before Murong Hanzhu's consciousness faded, he finally remembered the face of this servant, who seemed to be a confidant of Xu Zhen, though he could no longer recall the man's name.
Zuo An didn't even glance at him; he merely sneered. The food and drink in his hands didn't spill as he continued walking nonchalantly through the chaotic crowd, quickly disappearing into the throng.
Gem had already prepared the horses. Seeing Zuo An emerge from the Princess Residence, the two mounted their steeds and rode out of Chang'an while the city gates were still open.
As they rushed toward Taiyi Mountain, Xu Zhen and Li Mingda were already on their way, while Caesar and others had gathered there days earlier.
Li Mingda shared a horse with Xu Zhen, nestled in her embrace just like on that day when Xu Zhen saved her and they fled together.
She was not an unfeeling person; however, after Emperor Taizong's death, her attachment to the imperial family had grown increasingly faint. With Tubo and Li Chengqian both passing away, she found little left to hold onto.
When Xu Zhen revealed her plan to Li Mingda, she decisively agreed.
Taiyi Mountain drew closer while they moved further away from Chang'an and the Tang Dynasty, yet the pursuers were closing in ever more rapidly!
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