Drunk Bamboo

Qingning Palace was deserted. Apart from a few familiar faces from the inner palace, there was no one else.

Eunuch Dong has retired to his hometown to recuperate because he was hit by a palm strike from Prince Jing in the Golden Steps Palace.

The personal attendant is He Qing, the apprentice of Eunuch Dong.

The door of the main hall of Qingning Palace was opened. In this huge palace, only the emperor was sitting on the high seat, with an empty space under his feet.

As soon as Xie Yuzhu entered the room, she saw clearly that there was an eunuch standing in the corner.

At He Qing's glance, the eunuch respectfully left the hall.

"Yuzhu pays respect to father."

Xie Yuzhu walked up to the emperor and bowed.

"You're here." The emperor heard the voice, opened his half-closed eyes, and waved at her, "Come, come closer, let me take a good look."

Xie Yuzhu didn't dare to disobey.

Take two steps forward.

The emperor had aged a lot, his hair was all gray, he was no longer dignified and solemn, leaning on the dragon throne, he looked like an old country man, not an emperor high above.

Xie Yuzhu smiled slightly.

"If father misses you, Yuzhu can come and pay his respects to him every day."

This is what she means.

Because the emperor looked quite pitiful.

We are old now, so there is no need to dwell on the past.

There's nothing to hate.

She hoped that the emperor could enjoy his old age and live quietly.

Xie Yuzhu suggested, "Now that the chaos in Zhongdu has been resolved, Father should go out for a walk. It would be boring to stay in Qingning Palace all day."

The old eyes stared at Xie Yuzhu for a long time.

The smile on his lips gradually faded.

"I heard that the Xie family came to deliver food. The Xie family, who never entered the government, actually sent all their members to Zhongdu for you. I have requested you many times, but the Xie family has never wavered for many years. When you were in Zhongdu, they were worried that you would be affected by the disaster, that you would be injured, and that you would not be able to eat."

The emperor looked at Xie Yuzhu as he spoke.

"The Xie family really loves you."

He sighed and his eyes suddenly became gloomy.

"How much food is needed to feed the people of Zhongdu for two months?"

The smile on Xie Yuzhu's face suddenly disappeared.

I have a bad feeling in my heart.

He took a step back respectfully and bowed his head.

"These grains were collected by the county magistrates of several counties in Nanmi. They were not collected for individuals, but for the people of Zhongdu City. It is the understanding of the people for the people, and it is also a token of the people's love for the people."

Xie Yuzhu's explanation obviously did not satisfy the emperor, nor did it dispel the emperor's doubts.

The emperor narrowed his eyes. "With just one word from the Xie family, the county magistrates of several counties were mobilized to handle this matter together. It is more useful than the words of a monarch, and more useful than an imperial edict."

Xie Yuzhu was stunned.

Fearfully, Yuzhu said, "I don't know what father means by this."

The emperor suddenly sat up, looking energetic and with sharp eyes.

"Yuzhu, I have always favored you. Ever since you married into Zhongdu, you have been well-behaved and obedient, and I love you very much."

"But how many things have you been hiding from me?"

In the end, he could not escape the emperor's suspicion.

Xie Yuzhu slowly stood up and sneered.

"My father summoned me to the palace. It turns out that he didn't miss me, but was worried about me."

The emperor's eyes trembled, "I am afraid."

"After going through so much, I am really scared."

Perhaps it was because he knew she was going to die that the emperor dared to show his true expression.

Only then do I dare to say the word "afraid".

This is his dignity. He is the emperor. Only others are afraid of him. He is not afraid of anyone or anything!

The emperor lowered his head and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"During this time, I have been thinking about so many people and so many things. Who are the untrustworthy people around me? I want to find them out and solve them all."

Gao Yin, Imperial Concubine, Prince Jing...

Flatter him for ten or even twenty years.

In the blink of an eye, betrayal happened.

His dignity, his face, his self-esteem, everything he had was torn into pieces and trampled underfoot as worthless.

From the highest place, falling into the lowest dust.

That is a thousand times more painful than death.

He suddenly raised his head with a fierce look in his eyes, "I can't let those people show up again to insult me ​​and covet my kingdom!"

Xie Yuzhu felt ridiculous for her compassion for him just now.

He is not pitiful, he is hateful.

Being stubborn and deeply rooted, he is destined to die alone.

She smiled coldly, "Your Majesty, do you suspect me or the prince?"

"The wind will not covet power." The emperor did not hesitate.

Xie Yuzhu was surprised.

What virtue and ability did she have to make the emperor worry about her?

The emperor looked at her with cold eyes.

"But you are by her side, and the Xie family is by his side. There is no guarantee that you will not have such thoughts. Perhaps in ten or twenty years, Feng'er will be like those traitors, pointing a sword at his royal brother."

"Not only for myself, but also for the future of the Crown Prince, I will not allow such a threat to stay around!"

The emperor spoke with confidence. At first glance, he seemed to be a good emperor and a good father.

Xie Yuzhu exposed his hypocritical face.

"Your Majesty always kills people with such righteousness, all for justice and for the country."

"It's not for my own selfishness, nor is it for my own suspicion."

"As expected, you are not simple." The emperor's eyes were alert. "You have noticed my headache a long time ago. I should have discovered that you have medical skills."

On the most unbearable day in the Golden Hall, he seemed to hear her voice.

I don't want to recall, my memory is messed up.

But the emperor still speculated, "Did you discover the plague in Zhongdu a long time ago? Did you also prepare the antidote for the plague?"

"Your Majesty, I don't have that ability. You didn't see it with your own eyes. It was Qi Fengyu who prepared the antidote."

Xie Yuzhu would never admit it.

But she also tells the truth.

"I do know some medical skills. Your Majesty can find out by asking around in Zhongdu City. I am studying medicine at Renji Hall in the west of the city. Hall Master Zhao said that I have a talent for medicine. In the past six months, I have been studying and sitting in the hall whenever I have time. Is this also a reason for Your Majesty to suspect me?"

"Can't women have their own ideals and ambitions? Is it unjust that I know medical skills?"

Xie Yuzhu can only save himself or delay time as much as possible.

Maybe someone will show up and save her.

The emperor became more determined to kill her.

"You are always good at talking. Besides saying nice things, you are also good at making excuses."

Xie Yuzhu caught the murderous look in his eyes.

She knew that the possibility of saving herself was slim.

Then just throw the jar into the ground.

"Not even one ten-thousandth of your majesty."

Xie Yuzhu straightened his back, raised his head and looked into the emperor's eyes.

"Your Majesty, have you ever thought about these days why those people you were once close to left you one by one, and why your brothers and your bedmates hate you so much? Have you ever thought that this is your fault, and perhaps not their ambition?"

The emperor became furious instantly and his eyes turned red.

He roared at her, “Xie Yuzhu, you are so bold!”

"I am bold." Xie Yuzhu curled the corners of her mouth, "Because I know Your Majesty will not let me go. Your Majesty, if you are determined, I will not walk out of Qingning Palace alive."

"Really? Your Majesty?"