Wealth and glory seek stability

Zhang Cen'er had the amulet and warrant that Zhang Qiao had secretly given her, so the army had a smooth journey.

The entire imperial capital is under martial law.

A large number of troops could only set up camp outside the city.

Zhang Cen'er proposed to meet Qi Mingtong, the current head of the Qi family.

Qi Mingtong is currently the Minister of Works and President of the Imperial College. He is a veteran of two dynasties, and even Zhang Qiao has to be courteous to him when he meets him.

Zhang Cen'er disguised himself, took Jian Xi and the magic treasure with him, and rushed to the Qi family.

Lingbao is born with the ability to distinguish between good and evil. She followed on this trip for two reasons: one was to deal with Wu Zhan, and the other was that Zhang Cen'er had promised Lingbao that after she came to power, he would give her the position of the imperial teacher of the Xuanwu Dynasty in exchange.

Lingbao wants to restore his master, and if he can get the help of a country, it can be regarded as living up to Mo Shoujian's last trust.

Jian Xi did not say anything about this. This was Ling Bao's own choice.

Qi Mansion.

Zhang Cen'er was wearing a black fox cloak and a purple gold crown inlaid with tourmaline. She was no longer wearing heavy makeup. She had a plain white face and sat in the hall, not in a hurry.

"Lord Qi, you are a veteran minister of two dynasties. Do you know the situation in the palace?"

Qi Mingtong frowned, his dark blue robe swaying naturally as he saluted, "Sixth Princess, now you are allowed to enter the royal court but not leave. The empress hasn't summoned the emperor to court for more than a month. I really don't know."

Zhang Cen'er ignored him, resting one hand on the back of the chair, thinking for a moment, and then she put on a sad look, "When I left the imperial capital, my mother had already asked someone to wait on her in bed. Your son has made a lot of good friends in the palace with Qi Cejun, and even my father always praises him. But Qi Cejun has no children, and I don't know what he will do after my mother is gone?"

As she spoke, she picked up the handkerchief and tears flowed from the corners of her eyes. Against the backdrop of her gorgeous clothes and golden crown, she looked even paler and weaker.

Jian Xi stood beside Zhang Cen'er in a white cloak, watching her performance quietly.

Thinking back to the time when Zhang Cen'er also tearfully told her about his difficulties in front of her, he was also a character.

Until now, Jian Xi has come to feel that acting is an art.

From the moment she saw Qi Mingtong for the first time, she knew that this man was waiting for a reason, but this reason could only come to him on his own.

The Ruan family has always been at odds with the Qi family. This has to do with Zhang Qiao's ability to control people. He placed the Qi family, which had the most capital to rebel and had a large population, in the Ministry of Works, which was both tiring and stressful, while he placed the Ruan family, which made its fortune in the horse business, in the Ministry of Revenue. Over time, the Qi family was suppressed by the Ruan family and had long been full of resentment.

It not only dispersed power, but also intensified the conflict between the two families. At this time, the empress who held the power to decide on appointments and dismissals became particularly important.

Lingbao was wearing the same small cloak as Jian Xi and stood quietly behind her without saying a word.

They had already agreed on a secret code when they came. As long as Lingbao remained silent, it would prove that Qi Mingtong was a useful person.

Zhang Cen'er burst into tears, "Lord Qi, Prime Minister Ruan is powerful and his methods are even more cruel. Although my eldest sister appears to be tolerant, she actually violated the ancestral system and colluded with the high priest. If she ascends to the throne, there will be no place for me and my father. My fourth brother's child is less than two years old. Please save him, Lord Qi."

Zhang Cen'er knelt on the ground, crying and begging.

Qi Mingtong was shocked and hurriedly stepped forward to support her, "No, no, the princess is a noble lady, how can you bow to a humble servant?"

Zhang Cen'er did not move, with a stubborn look on her face, "If you don't agree, I will kneel here. Anyway, without Lord Qi's help, I will die anyway. I don't want to die at the hands of the Ruan family."

Qi Mingtong's mind moved. Zhang Cen'er's action meant that she and the Ruan family were irreconcilable.

As long as the Qi family is willing to take action, once she takes power, they will definitely take action to deal with the Ruan family.

Thinking about how he had been suppressed by that old bastard Ruan Zhiyin for so many years, Qi Mingtong's heart had already leaned towards Zhang Cen'er, but he still looked embarrassed, "This... Even if I am willing to help, the eldest princess is the eldest daughter of the empress, and we are not legitimate, so we have no reason to be so unjustified."

Zhang Cen'er cursed him inwardly, and took out the tiger talisman that Zhang Qiao had given her before he left, as well as a seal. "This was given to me by my mother herself. With this, I can borrow the royal guards and the army."

Qi Mingtong's pupils shrank, and he knelt on the ground with a plop. "Princess, why didn't you take out this thing earlier? Since it is the Empress's wish, the Qi family will go through fire and water, enter the royal court, and clear the emperor's side. It's all up to the princess to order."

Zhang Cen'er stood up and personally helped Qi Mingtong up, "Please stand up quickly, but I have a private matter that is very important. The emperor's husband has detained my father, and my brother's family and Concubine Qi have also been placed under house arrest by my eldest sister. To be honest with Lord Qi, hundreds of thousands of troops are ready to go outside the city, but I am afraid to act rashly..." After he finished speaking, his face was full of worry and it didn't seem fake.

Qi Mingtong nodded and praised, "Your Highness is truly a man of character, loyal and wise. The Queen's vision is indeed excellent. In the future, the Xuanwu Dynasty will surely prosper under Your Highness's leadership."

Jian Xi nodded secretly. This was exactly where Zhang Cen'er was smart. No matter whether she was marrying for the country, seeking marriage for her brother, or worrying about her family now, no matter how talented she was, such a benevolent and righteous monarch was what the ministers hoped for.

On the other hand, Zhang Lan'er, in order to achieve her goals, did not hesitate to have an affair with Wu Zhan and even wanted to kill her mother and sister. Ruan Zhiyin was all-powerful in the court and regarded human lives as ants. Such a person was so cruel even without being an emperor. I dare not imagine what he would be like after becoming an emperor.

Got support from the Qi family.

Zhang Cen'er returned to the tent at night, took the tiger talisman and went to the city defense camp to take over the troops. The general leading the troops was Qi Yu, the eldest son of the second branch of the Qi family and Qi Wen's biological brother.

Seeing that it was Zhang Cen'er and there was Qi Mingtong's handwriting, Qi Yu was very cooperative.

Every wrong step will lead to disastrous consequences.

The night in the imperial capital was freezing cold. The molten ice and snow fell to the ground and instantly turned into rain and flowed into the roadside gutters.

The palaces in the royal court were like dormant giant beasts, falling into a deep sleep in the silent and deserted snowy night.

Such weather is very common in the imperial capital.

Zhang Cen'er put on a suit of armor, held a spear in his hand, and had a bowstring on his horse's back. He looked silently at the royal court in front of him.

Before leaving, Gao Yunhuai gently hugged Jian Xi and whispered, "Conscienceless woman, no matter what the outcome, you must live."

Jian Xi cried out in pain, "Why did you bite me?" The ear that was exposed was bitten.

Gao Yunhuai turned his head and glanced at Mo Chuan who was silently following behind Jian Xi, and said earnestly: "Please protect her. This is the first time I ask someone for help."

Mo Chuan had a silent expression, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry. He looked at Gao Yunhuai's pleading eyes and said, "You don't have to say anything."

Zhang Cen'er took out the map of the royal court and handed it to Qi Yu, "We must send heavy troops to guard all the exits of the royal court. Tonight is a matter of life and death, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes."

Qi Yu looked at the densely packed exits on the map, which even included dog holes and corridors, and bowed, "Don't worry, Your Highness."