Painting Doctor Jinhua

Gao Changgong scolded repeatedly with a strong tone. Having stayed at the frontier fortress for several years, he exuded an extremely sharp and majestic aura.

Intimidated by his power and fame in recent years, these guards lowered their heads in shame and dared not look at him.

Liu Taozhi remained expressionless: "Whether the Left Prime Minister is guilty or not, I have no right to ask, I only follow the orders of His Majesty! But Your Highness Lanling Prince..."

Before he could finish his words, he felt a pain in his right wrist, as if something sharp had pierced into his bone marrow. Then, the same thing happened to his left wrist, left leg, and right leg. Liu Taozhi felt a piercing pain all over his body, and he fell down weakly.

Xiao Jinyu stepped forward and said, "Chang Gong, he is not a man who can distinguish right from wrong. He is just a sword in the hands of the emperor. It is useless to reason with him. Otherwise, several wise kings would not have died at his hands!"

Gao Changgong nodded, then turned his gaze to Hulugu. Hulugu was now nearly sixty years old. Although he did not have the haggard look of Duan Shao, after this incident, he seemed to have aged ten years in an instant, and there was a hint of self-mockery and sadness in his eyes.

"I, Hulu Mingyue, have spent my entire life expanding the territory for the Great Qi, and have fought for decades. I have never had any selfish motives, and my family has no private wealth. I never thought that Your Majesty would want to kill me in this way!"

Gao Changgong felt even more sad and heartbroken.

"Left Prime Minister, please go back quickly! His Majesty ordered Liu Taozhi to kill you because there is not enough evidence to prove that the Left Prime Minister is plotting a rebellion. Otherwise, the Dali Temple would investigate. If you go back now, it will be as if you have never entered the palace!"

After Gao Changgong said this, Hulugu shook his head and sneered.

"Chang Gong, do you know that if you want to accuse someone, you can always find a pretext? With villains like Mu Ti Po, He Hong Zhen, and Zu Ting around, what kind of crime can't they make up?"

After that, he asked again: "Aren't you in the frontier area? Why did you come to the palace?"

"His Majesty ordered the messenger to deliver the imperial edict as fast as possible, asking us to return to offer condolences to the Empress Dowager!"

Hulugu sneered again: "You can even come up with such a reason. The Empress Dowager passed away more than half a month ago. Even if you rush back as fast as you can, how can you catch up with her funeral?

How foolish! His Majesty actually wants to settle accounts with us, the prestigious old ministers. Does he think that by killing us, he can keep the Great Qi strong just by relying on those villains?

If this continues, the country will be ruined!"

After a moment of silence and worry, he turned to Gao Changgong:

"Chang Gong, don't go see him, let's go!"

But Gao Changgong obviously had no intention of leaving. At this time, Xiao Jinyu stepped forward and said, "Left Prime Minister, I know that your Hulu family has always disliked interfering in government affairs, and has never taken bribes or sought personal gain. It is just that you are afraid that your high position and power will bring disaster. But you also said that if you want to accuse someone, you can always find a pretext. There are some things that you can't escape just because you want to.

And we can’t just leave whenever we want!”

"So what good ideas does Right Prime Minister Xie have?"

Hulugu had also heard of the talent of "Xie Zhen", and had also heard of the virtuous reputation of Princess Lanling from Duan Shao. Originally, he looked down on women serving as officials, but when he learned that she often delivered medicine and food to the soldiers on the border, and had assisted Dugu Yongye in defending Luoyang City for nearly a month, and had wholeheartedly helped Prince Lanling to repel the pseudo-Zhou enemy army time and time again in the border areas, he could not help but admire her.

This thank you to the Right Prime Minister was a recognition of her talent and a sign of respect.

Xiao Jinyu raised her hand and saluted: "I also ask the Left Prime Minister to help us purge the emperor's entourage, discipline the court, and make the emperor issue an edict of self-blame. Otherwise, the people will be filled with resentment, and those who rise up in rebellion will be like loaches crossing the river. By then, there will be internal and external troubles, and the empire will collapse. Zhou, the Turks, Goguryeo, and Southern Chen will surely come to grab a piece of the pie. I think this is not what the Left Prime Minister wants to see!"

Hulugu's face darkened, but he seemed to have thought of the scene of the country's destruction and the family's ruin in his mind.

Seeing him hesitate, Xiao Jinyu said again: "If the Left Prime Minister still wants to stay out of the world and be a loyal and honest minister, I will not force you. Please go back! You can pretend that I never said anything. Of course, you can also report me to the emperor!"

Hulugu suddenly raised his head and looked at Xiao Jinyu in disbelief for a long time. She was obviously just a gorgeous and even somewhat delicate woman, but she had such courage and execution ability.

Doesn't she know what the consequences will be if she fails in her attempt to depose and enthrone?

Gao Guiyan was beheaded and thrown into the streets, and his entire family was exterminated. He is a lesson for us!

"Right Prime Minister Xie is indeed a man of courage and has acted with swiftness and vigor. I am ashamed of myself. You can go now! I will go back first!"

Xiao Jinyu nodded and watched him leave without stopping him.

When Hulugu walked out of Liangfeng Hall, he found that the guards here seemed to have been replaced. They didn't care about his departure at all, and no one chased him.

He walked straight out of Zhuming Gate as if he was in an empty space. No one came to stop him, not even a word of greeting.

It was not until he walked out of the car door that Hulugu saw an extremely handsome young man standing in front of the door with a group of soldiers. He stood there sternly, holding a bowstring and arrow in his hands, slightly pursing his lips, with a hint of ruthlessness and coldness in his eyes.

"Is the Left Prime Minister leaving like this?" Seeing Hulugu coming out, Fenghuang went up to him and asked indifferently.

"This time, the Left Prime Minister was tricked into the palace by His Majesty, who intended to have Liu Taozhi kill him, then charge him with treason, and finally execute his entire family!" After a pause, Fenghuang looked into his eyes again and said, "It was my brother Qing who saved you, right?"

Hulugu's face changed in horror.

"How do you know what His Majesty is thinking?"

"What's so strange about this? Liu Taozhi, the killer of the king, killed Prime Minister Gao Dezheng, Shangdang King Gao Huan, and Yong'an King Gao Jun. He was just trying to clear obstacles for the emperor. Since ancient times, those who have achieved more than their masters have had the same fate. My Murong clan has also gone through this old path."

"So you are bringing your troops here today to follow your father's example and rebel?"

Fenghuang smiled disdainfully: "I am here to protect Prince Lanling and Princess Lanling on the orders of Grand Commander Duan, but if Your Majesty really disregards the will of the people and wants to kill the meritorious officials, or hurt my brother Qing in the slightest, then I don't mind rebelling!"

Hulugu couldn't bear to hear him talk about rebellion so casually, so he advised:

"Murong Jue, you are still young, don't ruin your future!"

Phoenix still smiled nonchalantly.

"I'm here to restore order. If you insist on calling it a rebellion, then I don't mind!"

"I'm very sorry, but if the Left Prime Minister is still wavering, I can only keep you here for one more day!"

"Five of you stay here to accompany the Left Prime Minister, and the rest of you follow me to Qianqiu Gate!"

Following Fenghuang's order, thousands of Baibao Xianbei soldiers poured into the palace gate in an orderly manner and ran towards the Qianqiu Gate.

……

There was still singing and dancing in the Zhaoyang Palace. Gao Wei held Mu Xieli in his arms and listened complacently to the boasting of his favorite ministers.

"As long as Hulugu dies, Your Majesty will exterminate Hulugu's entire family, depose Queen Hulugu, and then kill Lanling Prince Gao Changgong. The world of Daqi will be firmly in Your Majesty's hands. Who will dare to go against Your Majesty in the future?"

Mu Ti Po was talking on the side, but Zu Ting's eyes showed disdain.

"The reason for killing the Left Prime Minister is that when he returned to the capital from the Western Expedition, Your Majesty ordered the soldiers to be dispersed, but Hulugu ordered his soldiers to approach the capital. He wanted to commit a crime and kill Lanling King. What reason can you give?

He and Princess Lanling were stationed at the frontier for four years, but he never made any mistakes and was not greedy for a penny. Princess Lanling even used her own dowry to collect food and wages for the soldiers. With such a good reputation, what reason do you have to kill him?

Killing them will surely arouse public anger and make people the enemy of the world?"

Mu Ti Po was unhappy and shouted, "Minister Zu, whose side are you on? Are you a subject of His Majesty or a subject of Prince Lanling?"

Zu Ting immediately knelt down and explained, "Your Majesty, I just think that if we don't find enough evidence, we can consider killing Lanling King later!"

Gao Wei sounded a little impatient, and at this moment, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he stared straight out of Zhaoyang Palace.

At this time, Prince Lanling and Xiao Jinyu walked into the Zhaoyang Palace.

As soon as he took the first step into Zhaoyang Palace, Gao Changgong frowned.

Although the Empress Dowager had been buried, according to the rules, all the people inside and outside the palace had to gather together for at least two months and cry for her three times a day.

But what he didn't expect was that even during the mourning period for the Empress Dowager, the young emperor was still indulging in lust with his concubines!

There are three flattering ministers around him, who can decide the life and death of ministers in the court at will!

"His Majesty!"

Gao Changgong called out. This was the first time he saw the grown-up Gao Wei. The impression of him in his mind was still stuck on the moment when he was a child and was timid and shy. He did not expect that although the boy's face was still a little immature after growing up, his eyes were filled with desire and were turbid.

Gao Wei seemed not to hear his whispered call, but completely ignored his existence and strode straight towards Xiao Jinyu.

"What a beauty! She has the purity and beauty of a young girl, the seductive charm of a woman, and her figure is really beautiful. If she takes off her clothes, I wonder what her body would be like..."

Gao Changgong couldn't bear to listen any longer, so he stood in front of Xiao Jinyu and grabbed Gao Wei's hand that was about to be extended.

"What are you doing?" he shouted, his eyes filled with disappointment, almost breaking.

Mu Ti Bo's eyes suddenly lit up, revealing a crazy look of joy. He glanced at Zu Ting, as if saying: Look, who said there was no reason to kill him? Now is the reason!

"Prince Lanling, you dare to be disrespectful to His Majesty. Are you trying to kill the king?"

"Somebody come!"

Now he is in charge of the imperial guards. Except for Kudifulian, the guard of Qianqiu Gate, at least half of the imperial guards in other parts of the palace are under his control. As long as Prince Lanling enters the Zhaoyang Palace, he will be unable to escape.

But just after he gave the order, Gao Wei actually raised his hand to stop him, saying, "No! Let them go first. There are so many of us and there are only two of them. Why are you making such a big scene? Don't scare my brother and sister-in-law!"

After he said that, he burst into laughter, but his eyes kept rolling around looking at Xiao Jinyu.

Gao Changgong was so angry that his eyes widened, looking at the face that looked like Gao Zhan in disbelief.

"Brother, don't be angry! You've gotten tanned and thinner in these years at the frontier. I feel really bad for you when I see you!"

"But you are a woman of extraordinary beauty. Why do you hide such a beauty? No one else knows it. It is better to share happiness with others than to enjoy it alone. Don't you agree, my dear ministers?"

At this moment, in Zhaoyang Palace, apart from the palace maids, eunuchs and dozens of imperial guards on duty, there were only Zu Ting, He Hongzhen and Mu Ti Po.

Zu Ting and He Hongzhen lowered their heads and didn't dare to respond at all. Only Mu Tipo smiled smugly as if he was watching a good show.

With a "pop", the next moment, Mu Ti Po stopped laughing, but Gao Wei looked at Gao Changgong in disbelief as if he was stunned!

"How dare you hit me?"

"How could you become so ignorant and shameless?"

"You still dare to scold me?"

"Someone come! Kill him for me!"

Gao Wei screamed wildly and even pulled out the sword of one of the palace guards and stabbed at Gao Changgong. However, before his sword touched the corner of Gao Changgong's clothes, he was kicked away by him, and the sword actually fell into his hands.

Gao Changgong turned around and put his sword on Gao Wei's neck, scaring Gao Wei so much that his face turned pale and he couldn't move at all.

"Brother, what do you want to do? Are you really going to rebel?"

"This is the imperial palace, this is Zhaoyang Palace. Do you think you and your princess can escape if you kill me?"

Gao Changgong ignored what he said and just shouted at the imperial guards who were ready to make a move:

"Don't even move!"

"Your Majesty, I just want to ask you, did you allow the villains around you to withhold the food and wages of the border soldiers?"

"Did you give the order to send Liu Taozhi to kill the left prime minister?"

"How many cruel and brutal things have you done to harm the people?"

"Do you know what has become of the State of Qi because of you?"

Gao Wei was trembling and dared not move. He only pleaded in a trembling voice: "Brother, don't get excited, don't get excited, everything can be said, everything can be said, I was just joking with you just now, just a joke..."

"Don't move! Don't move, all of you!"

When Mu Ti Po saw this, his mind was spinning rapidly, and he thought to himself: If Gao Wei really died at the hands of Gao Changgong, wouldn't that confirm his crime of regicide? How could he miss such a good opportunity?

So, he shouted loudly to the outside of the palace: "Come here, Lanling Wang wants to assassinate Your Majesty, come quickly, kill him..."

Before he could finish his words, a flash of light appeared before his eyes, and it seemed as if a hidden arrow had pierced straight into his throat.

Mu Ti Po's eyes widened as he looked in disbelief at Xiao Jinyu who had shot the arrow at him. He then fell to the ground with a thud, holding his throat.

Gao Wei looked at Mu Ti Po's eyes, which were open and bulging with pupils, and was so frightened that he became speechless for a moment!

At this time, some soldiers rushed in from outside the palace. Gao Wei was overjoyed, thinking that the imperial guards had come to rescue him. However, these soldiers pointed their weapons at the imperial guards in the palace. A handsome young man walked in and shouted coldly, "Surrender or die?"

The Sima governors who were guarding Gao Wei in the palace usually only cared about having fun with Gao Wei and had long lost their wits. When they saw the rebels entering the palace with knives in their hands, they instantly lost their courage and knelt down in surrender.

Suddenly seeing this scene, even Gao Changgong and Xiao Jinyu were a little surprised. They just asked Fenghuang to wait outside the palace, but they didn't expect that he had already led his troops into the palace!

Five heads rolled in front of Gao Wei, frightening him so much that his face turned pale!

"Don't think that anyone will come to rescue you. Half of the guards in various parts of Yenan City have surrendered. I will spare their lives, but the rest of their heads are here!"

"Don't be surprised why I was able to attack the Imperial City and get here without any effort. That's because most of your guards have been trained by you to be like two-legged sheep, and they have no fighting power at all! I can sweep across the Imperial City with only 2,000 soldiers!"

Gao Wei looked at the young man in white robe who had a beautiful appearance but was as tall and graceful as a god of death.

"Are you trying to say that you still have all the garrisons in the capital area, and those are the Xianbei soldiers from the former six towns, and your brother, Langya King Gao Yan, has just taken up the post of Grand Commander of the Capital Area, and he will lead the troops to rescue you, right?"

"You would never have thought that your brother has wanted to kill you for a long time!"

Gao Wei's face turned pale again, and he asked in extreme fear and at a loss: "You, what do you want to do?"