She had long suspected that Gu Qing was one of Lu Yunqi's people.
After all, everyone who could enter Prince Huai's mansion was someone selected by Lu Yunqi.
Though he certainly taught Jiurong very well.
Now that Lu Yunqi had already left, what arrangements could he have made?
"Lord Lu instructed to take Prince Huai and Miss Jun out at an appropriate time," Mr. Gu said in a low voice.
Leave?
Miss Jun immediately stepped back.
What does he want? Taking advantage of the woodcutters entering the city to seize the chance to eliminate Jiurong?
In the future, blaming it on the Jurchen people would indeed be logical.
Mr. Gu smiled as he looked at her expression.
The people behind him had already surrounded her silently.
Miss Jun also smiled.
"What do you think would happen if I shout out that you are traitors at this moment?" she said.
Mr. Gu shook his head.
"Miss Jun, you misunderstood," he said, "Lord Lu doesn't intend to harm Prince Huai."
Miss Jun looked at him with a blank expression.
"Then what does he want?" she asked.
.......
......
The evening sun of spring was still bright, but the room inside a deep courtyard near Taihu Lake was dim.
Perhaps because of the tightly closed doors and windows, or perhaps because the two people standing inside blocked the light.
In front of these two,
a middle-aged man dressed in a splendid robe with floral patterns, wearing a hat, raised his head.
Appearing as a rural gentleman, yet he was the emperor.
"So the Jurchen people haven't taken the city yet?" he asked, somewhat surprised.
"Yes," Lu Yunqi replied.
His answers were always simple, replying directly to whatever the emperor asked.
Although news of the capital being surrounded couldn't be transmitted out, bits and pieces were still known.
"It was Ning Yan leading the whole city defending it," Yuan Bao added from the side, "they've been defending for nearly twenty days now."
"Defending for twenty-five days, that can be called a siege," the emperor said, though still slightly nervous, his expression was somewhat joyful.
"Indeed, Your Majesty, unexpectedly, it's quite impressive," Yuan Bao said, "no wonder the Jurchen people haven't moved further south, they're held back by the capital."
Indeed, it's quite good. The capital's strong defense surely makes the Jurchens think he's still there, so they're firmly drawn towards it.
This makes the south safe.
The emperor leaned back in the chair.
As time passes and reinforcements arrive, the Jurchen people will be defeated, and the crisis can be completely resolved.
Thinking this, he frowned again.
"Why haven't the reinforcements arrived yet?" he asked, "The useless ones along Jingdong Road are unreliable, what about those from the northern lands? The south?"
As Lu Yunqi was about to say something, Yuan Bao quickly spoke up.
"The northern lands are still entangled with the woodcutters, and there are rumors that Jin Country will send another fifty thousand troops south..." he said.
The emperor's face immediately darkened.
"Useless," he said.
"But rest assured, Your Majesty, the Jinghu army has already come over," Yuan Bao hurriedly claimed credit, "the servant has made contact."
The Jinghu troops, brought up by Uncle Qinghe, are indeed elite soldiers, and although Uncle Qinghe has taken some generals to the northern lands, he must have kept enough manpower.
The emperor's brow slightly eased.
"Have them come here first," he said, "then divide the troops to the capital."
Yuan Bao responded with 'yes.'
Outside the door, Ning Yunzhao came in holding stacks of documents.
Though leaving the capital, there were some government affairs that still had to be dealt with, especially regarding troop deployments. Seeing the documents being brought in, the emperor's slightly relaxed brow furrowed again.
"How could the Jade Seal be lost?" he looked at Yuan Bao and shouted with some anger.
Yuan Bao immediately knelt down.
"Your Majesty, it was in a hurry at the time; the minister thinks it wasn't lost, it was still left in Qingzheng Hall," Ning Yunzhao said.
His voice was calm, and his tone was convincing.
"It is my fault," he continued, "though entrusted by Eunuch Yuan, I didn't check carefully, leading to the omission."
It's best to have someone take the responsibility, and indeed it was his oversight; Yuan Bao, bowing to the ground, didn't speak.
These eunuchs are best at shirking responsibilities; it must be their fault.
The emperor glared at him.
"We'll speak of this later," he said, "we'll discuss it once we return."
Whether the city falls or reinforcements repel the woodcutters, things will pass eventually, there will always be an end, as long as he remains the emperor, all matters can be resolved.
After saying this, he lowered his head to look at the documents from Ning Yunzhao, not noticing that the silent Lu Yunqi raised his head to glance at him.
"It's best if the city doesn't fall."
Stepping out of the room, Yuan Bao sighed and said.
"If it falls, it'll end sooner," Lu Yunqi said.
These words drew complex looks from both Yuan Bao and Ning Yunzhao towards him.
To be fair, the matter would indeed end faster if the city fell; once the Jurchens have plundered satisfactorily, negotiations on what to do can begin.
But such thoughts are only dared to be imagined, not deeply contemplated.
What a cold-blooded person, even if he prioritizes the emperor, he at least still cares for the hundreds of thousands of people in the capital. Does this guy not know how miserable the capital will be if it falls?
Keeping such a person around is really dangerous; Yuan Bao pursed his lips.
"I'll keep watch here, you two may rest," he said.
Lu Yunqi ignored him and turned to leave, while Ning Yunzhao smiled and exchanged a few words of gratitude before leaving.
Lu Yunqi didn't go far but stood under the corridor.
"Lord Lu," Ning Yunzhao, with a smile, approached and saluted, his expression sincere, "I've always forgotten to thank you."
This thanks sounded inexplicable, but Ning Yunzhao believed Lu Yunqi understood what it meant, as Lu Yunqi's gaze was on his cuff.
"No need for thanks," Lu Yunqi said, retracting his gaze and turning to leave, "it's not for you either."
Ning Yunzhao watched from behind.
"Not for me, then, is it for yourself?" he suddenly asked.
Lu Yunqi seemed not to hear, walked away without a word.
........
......
"Lord Lu said things can end here," Mr. Gu said.
What does that mean?
Miss Jun looked at him.
"It means that Prince Huai has done enough," Mr. Gu continued, "the reputation is sufficient, and he can leave and await."
Await?
Miss Jun looked at him, still not speaking.
"Miss Jun, the capital cannot hold on anymore, can it," Mr. Gu didn't say what they were waiting for, but said, looking towards outside the city wall.
Standing on the city wall, one could feel the trembling beneath, signaling the massive onrush of the woodcutters.
"Not necessarily," Miss Jun said, "whether it can or cannot be held, only after trying do you know."
Until the last moment, it's not settled.
"Miss Jun, it's enough, let's go," Mr. Gu said, "Lord Lu has already arranged a hiding place."
Miss Jun sneered.
"Children of the Chu Family wouldn't do this..." she said.
Before finishing her words, Mr. Gu stepped forward and interrupted her.
"Miss Jun, if the city falls, the emperor will not return," he said word by word, "the Chu family must leave a bloodline behind."
........
........
(Broke the promise again; this plot isn't finished... In addition, today's update reached six thousand words again; can I ask for monthly votes? Today is the last day of double votes, right? Thank you, everyone.)
(PS: Recommending a brother's book, "The Contemporary Celestial Master" on the main site, authored by Short Blade, an interesting story. If interested, you all can check it out.)