Please call me Your Majesty!

Chapter 226 Some people can't sit still

Just as everyone was cheering and celebrating, Hengyi, who had left earlier, hurried back.

She leaned close to Chu Shizhao's ear with a serious expression.

"Your Highness, someone is coming from the palace."

Chu Shizhao frowned slightly: "Who?"

"She is the maidservant beside Concubine Xiao."

Hearing this, Chu Shizhao couldn't help but frown.

Concubine Xiao suddenly sent someone to find him, but no one knew what the reason was.

He immediately ordered someone to bring the palace maid in.

"Your servant greets the Fourth Prince."

The maid bowed.

"No gift!"

Chu Shizhao said calmly, "I wonder what instructions the Imperial Concubine has?"

"Return to your highness!"

The maid replied respectfully, "Empress Xiao heard that Your Highness had been overworked recently, so she ordered me to bring you some supplements."

As she spoke, the palace maid handed over an exquisite food box.

Chu Shizhao took the food box and became even more confused.

Concubine Xiao has always been at odds with him, so why would she suddenly care about his health?
He opened the food box and saw several exquisitely shaped pastries inside.

"Your Highness,"

The maid explained, "These cakes were made by Concubine Xiao herself, and she specifically told me to watch Your Highness eat them."

He calmly picked up a piece of cake and put it to his nose and sniffed it.

"Your Highness, please use it."

The palace maid's eager gaze fell on Chu Shizhao's hand, with a subtle urging in her.

Chu Shizhao sneered in his heart. How could he not see through Concubine Xiao's tricks?
He pretended not to know and put the cake into his mouth.

"Your Highness, are you satisfied with the taste of this cake?"

The maid asked nervously.

"not bad."

Chu Shizhao commented calmly, with no sign of anything unusual on his face.

"The Queen knows that His Highness likes it, so she made some extra. It's all in the food box."

The maid seemed relieved and a smile appeared on her face.

"Thank the Queen Mother for me."

Chu Shizhao pushed the remaining cakes aside and said, "I still have military affairs to deal with. You should go back and report first."

The maid wanted to say something more, but seeing Chu Shizhao's determined expression, she had to bow and leave.

After the palace maid left, Chu Shizhao's face instantly turned gloomy.

He called Hengyi and handed him the cake: "Take it and check what's inside."

Heng Yi took the order and left. Not long after, he hurried back with a serious expression: "Your Highness, someone put a slow-acting poison in the cakes!"

Chu Shizhao nodded slightly after hearing this.

Concubine Xiao really wanted to kill him!

It seems that he still underestimated the cruelty of this woman.

"Don't make any announcement in advance."

Chu Shizhao calmly ordered, "Continue the secret investigation and make sure to find out how Concubine Xiao poisoned her."

"Yes!"

Although he escaped the disaster, Chu Shizhao became more alert.

He understood that Concubine Xiao was just testing him this time. If he had not seen through her trick, he would have probably died long ago.

The struggle in the palace is far more brutal than the fighting on the battlefield.

At the same time, the training of heavy cavalry was still going on intensively.

That night, Chu Shizhao was reviewing official documents in his study when he suddenly heard a strange noise coming from outside the window.

He stood up alertly and went to the window to check.
He was shocked and chased after him immediately.

The black shadow shuttled through the mansion with agility and speed.

Chu Shizhao chased after him relentlessly but was never able to catch him.

Finally, the black shadow climbed over the wall and disappeared into the night.

Chu Shizhao returned to the study with a gloomy face.

He knew that someone was secretly monitoring him and even wanted to take his life.

He must find out who is behind this as soon as possible, otherwise there will be endless trouble.

The next morning, Chu Shizhao gathered everyone to discuss the matter.

"Your Highness,"

Hengyi said worriedly, "Could it be that Concubine Xiao sent someone here?"

"This possibility cannot be ruled out,"

Chu Shizhao groaned, "But it may not be her. Perhaps there are other people targeting us in secret."

"So how do we respond?"

Chu Shizhao raised his eyebrows: "Since they want to play, then we will play with them. Hengyi, you arrange people to secretly investigate this matter and make sure to find out the mastermind behind it."

"Yes!"

Just when Chu Shizhao was trying his best to deal with the threats from all sides, an unexpected news came, which completely disrupted his original plan...

Emergency at the border!
The Tatar army suddenly marched south with unstoppable force, capturing several cities in succession.

This news was like a bolt from the blue, catching Chu Shizhao off guard.

He originally planned to train the heavy cavalry first and then go out to meet the enemy.

Now it seems that time does not allow him to wait any longer.

"Your Highness,"

Heng Yi said anxiously, "We must send troops as soon as possible, otherwise the border will be in danger!"

"Pass the order down, all troops assemble and prepare to go to war!"

Chu Shizhao spoke in a cold voice.

"But Your Highness..."

Hengyi looked at Chu Shizhao with concern.

"The training of the heavy cavalry has not been completed yet. If we go out now, I'm afraid..."

"I can't care so much anymore!"

Chu Shizhao said firmly, "The Tatars are coming with great force, we must stop them as soon as possible!"

"Even if the heavy cavalry is not fully formed yet, it is better than nothing!"

"Yes!"

……

In the military camp, the sound of trumpets resounded through the sky.

The soldiers quickly assembled and prepared to go to the battlefield.

Chu Shizhao, dressed in military uniform, looked down at the people below.

"Soldiers!"

He shouted loudly, "The Tatars invaded our land, burned, killed, looted, and committed all kinds of evil! Now, they are invading again. How can we sit idly by!"

"cannot!"

The soldiers roared in unison.

"Today, I will lead you to fight a decisive battle with the Tatars!"

"We will defend our homeland with our blood and lives!"

"Swear to defend our homeland to the death!"

Seeing that the morale of the soldiers was aroused, Chu Shizhao immediately jumped on his horse, drew his sword and pointed it to the north.

"set off!"

……

At the same time in the harem villa.

When Concubine Xiao learned the news that Chu Shizhao was going to the war, a smug smile finally appeared on her face, which had been gloomy for a long time.

"Finally left..."

She murmured to herself, "Without you, the position of crown prince will belong to my son..."

The nanny beside her asked cautiously: "Madam, do you want to..."

Concubine Xiao waved her hand: "No need. The war at the border is tense right now. He will be in danger if he goes there. There is no need for us to do anything."

"But……"

The nanny wanted to say something else but was interrupted by Concubine Xiao.

"No need to say more,"

Concubine Xiao sneered, "Since the poison can't kill him, let him die on the battlefield!"

……

Chu Shizhao led the army and marched day and night, and finally arrived at the border.

The scene before him was shocking.

The city walls were in ruins, the people were displaced, and there was widespread grief.

"Damned Tatars!"

Chu Shizhao gnashed his teeth in anger.

He immediately organized soldiers, strengthened the city defenses, and prepared to fight against the Tatar army.

However, the Tatar attack was more fierce than he had imagined.

Soon the border city was surrounded.

In the yellow sand, the Tatar cavalry shouted and killed, and on the city wall, the defenders were ready for battle.

Chu Shizhao, dressed in military uniform, drew his sword.

"Bang the drum!"

At his command, the dull sound of drums immediately resounded through heaven and earth.

At the same time, the Tatar cavalry below had taken the lead in launching an attack. They drew their bows and arrows, and dense rain of arrows shot towards the city wall like locusts.

The defending soldiers raised their shields to block.

"Fire arrows!"

At Chu Shizhao's command, the defending archers hiding behind their shields immediately launched a counterattack.

For a moment, arrows rained down from inside and outside the city walls, and shouts of killing shook the sky.

The Tatar cavalry launched wave after wave of attacks.

The defending soldiers fought bloody battles and resisted desperately.

However, the number of Tatars was too large and the defenders gradually felt overwhelmed.

"Your Highness,"

Hengyi shouted anxiously, "There are too many Tatars. We can't hold on any longer!"

Chu Shizhao decisively ordered: "Let the heavy cavalry attack!"

"But your highness,"

Hengyi said worriedly, "The heavy cavalry has not been fully trained yet..."

"I can't care about that now!"

Chu Shizhao spoke in a deep voice with a serious expression.

"Yes!"

The city gate slowly opened, and a team of heavily armored cavalry rushed out like a steel torrent.

The leader was Chu Shizhao!
The appearance of heavy cavalry immediately turned the tide of the battle.

They penetrated the enemy camp like sharp knives and were invincible.

The heavy armor made them fearless of enemy arrows, and the sharp spears easily pierced the enemy's bodies.

The Tatar cavalry was caught off guard by this sudden attack and their formation was thrown into chaos.

Chu Shizhao led the way and always rushed to the forefront.

"kill!"

he roared loudly.

The heavy cavalry was under his leadership.

The Tatar cavalry was defeated step by step and finally completely routed.

Chu Shizhao led the heavy cavalry in pursuit, killing countless enemy troops.

Just as victory was in sight, suddenly, an arrow shot from the side and hit Chu Shizhao in the shoulder.

He groaned, his body swayed, and he almost fell off the horse.

"Your Highness!"

Heng Yi was horrified when he saw this and hurried forward to protect Chu Shizhao.

"I'm fine..."

Chu Shizhao gritted his teeth and said, "Keep chasing!"

Perhaps Chu Shizhao's previous actions were too big.

As soon as he finished speaking, blood began to flow down the arrow shaft.

Hengyi stamped his feet in anxiety when he saw this.

"Your Highness, your injury..."

"Shut up!"

Chu Shizhao interrupted sharply: "Now is not the time to talk about this."

He stared at the fleeing Tatar cavalry in front of him, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

When the soldiers saw their commander being so brave, their morale was greatly boosted and they charged forward waving their spears.

The heavy cavalry was like a sharp knife, piercing into the enemy's formation.

The Tatar light cavalry was no match for this iron torrent and fled in panic.

Chu Shizhao did not rein in his horse until the enemy was completely driven out of the border.

However, at this moment, his face was as pale as paper due to excessive blood loss.

"Quick, call the military doctor!"

After returning to the military camp, Hengyi immediately helped Chu Shizhao back to the camp.

The military doctor came to check the injury, his face suddenly changed: "Your Highness, the arrowhead is poisonous!"

"what?"

Hengyi exclaimed.

Chu Shizhao just frowned: "How toxic is it?"

“Although it is not fatal, it requires long-term care.”

The military doctor said cautiously.

Chu Shizhao nodded and ordered: "Treat the wound first."

After saying this, he closed his eyes and let the military doctor do the work.

Heng Yi was so anxious that he kept turning around: "This arrow came from a strange place, someone must have done something bad in secret!"

Chu Shizhao opened his eyes, his gaze deep: "Don't make it public yet."

"Now that the border has just been secured, we still have a lot of things to do. The news that I was poisoned must not be spread."

……

After returning to the city, he immediately began to arrange the aftermath.

On the one hand, he sent people to repair the city walls, and on the other hand, he comforted the displaced people.

Although his injuries had not yet healed, he still insisted on inspecting the area in person and did not dare to slack off in the slightest.

At the same time, Concubine Xiao in the deep palace of the capital was secretly rejoicing.

"What. Chu Shizhao is injured?"

She asked in mock surprise.

"Yes, I heard that he was shot by an arrow while chasing the enemy."

The eunuch answered in a low voice.

Concubine Xiao covered her lips and chuckled: "This is a good opportunity."

She waved her hand to signal the eunuch to come closer, "Go find a few reliable people and find a way to sneak into the border..."

The eunuch nodded in understanding: "Don't worry, Madam, I know what to do."

Just as Concubine Xiao was plotting, Chu Shizhao also noticed something was wrong.

In the past few days, he found that some people around him were behaving suspiciously, as if they were secretly monitoring his every move.

"Heng Yi."

he whispered.

"Your Highness."

"Go check if there are any suspicious people who have infiltrated the army recently."

Hengyi took the order and left.

A few days later, he made a surprising discovery.

"Your Highness, we have discovered that several soldiers have close contacts with the capital. They often secretly write letters in the middle of the night..."

Chu Shizhao narrowed his eyes: "It seems that someone can't sit still anymore."

"Do you want to arrest him immediately?"

"Not urgent."

Chu Shizhao sneered, "Let them jump around for a few days."

A few days later, Chu Shizhao calmly gathered the suspicious soldiers and exposed their conspiracy in front of everyone.

"Do you guys know your crime?"

Chu Shizhao's voice was as cold as the north wind in winter.

The soldiers were so frightened that they fell to their knees and kowtowed, begging for mercy: "Your Highness, spare us! We were just confused for a moment!"

"Confused?"

Chu Shizhao sneered, "Collaborating with the enemy and selling out the country is also stupid?"

One of the soldiers said with a sad face: "Your Highness, I have old people to take care of and children to take care of. I am forced to do this!"

"Someone in the capital promised that as long as we ..."

"Just what?"

Chu Shizhao pressed forward step by step.

The soldier didn't dare to say anything more, he just kowtowed desperately, his forehead was broken and blood was flowing.

Chu Shizhao looked at them, a hint of disgust flashed across his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He knew that these people were just pawns and the real mastermind was still in the capital.

"Since this is your first offense, I can give you a chance to make amends for your crime."

Chu Shizhao's tone softened a little, "If you can atone for your sins, you may be able to save your life."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers felt as if they had grabbed a life-saving straw and hurriedly thanked him: "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!"

Chu Shizhao waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

Afterwards, he summoned all the soldiers, made the matter public, and issued a stern warning: "Anyone who dares to collaborate with the enemy and betray the country will not be forgiven!"

This move not only stabilized the morale of the army, but also made the soldiers more respectful and loyal to Chu Shizhao.

After dealing with internal risks, Chu Shizhao began to work on the reconstruction of the border.

He led soldiers and civilians to repair city walls, reclaim farmland, and restore commerce.

(End of this chapter)