Priceless: A widow with a baby asks the prince to marry again

King Kang's faction and a few centrists boycotted the court, and the court of several hundred people suddenly became less than thirty or forty people.

If the number of people seems to be insufficient, it is not too many, but three of the six ministers are missing, and one of the three officials is missing!

There are rules for positions in the court. If one has not been dismissed but is just temporarily absent, the position will remain vacant and cannot be filled by later generations at will.

If you take a closer look at this time, you will find that nearly half of the ministers in key positions in the front are missing!

When the old prime minister and others escorted the eighth prince back to the court, what they saw was this mixed picture!

The old prime minister frowned immediately! The lack of officials and the Minister of Revenue was not surprising, but the Dali Temple and the Minister of Rites were not expected! With so many important officials missing all of a sudden, it would be difficult for him to succeed even if he ascended the throne!

"These traitors! Where are the imperial guards? Go and bring them back!" Chu Shiqi was furious!

The guards on duty in the palace didn't know whether they should listen or not. They stood there and looked at their immediate superior, the commander of the Imperial Guards.

The commander of the Imperial Guards bowed to the man on the throne and said, "The Imperial Guards are responsible for staying within the palace and beside His Majesty. We cannot leave His Majesty's presence. Please forgive us."

"you…"

Chu Shiqi pointed at the commander and wanted to scold him, but suddenly he remembered that the Imperial Guards were indeed only responsible for the safety of the emperor. On weekdays, when his father was in the palace, they would guard the palace. When his father went out occasionally, they would follow him like a shadow.

"Your Highness, I have something to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not..." The old voice of the Grand Tutor sighed.

The old prime minister frowned after a moment of silence. The eighth prince was already sitting on the dragon throne, but the tutor still addressed him as His Royal Highness Chu Shiqi...

Chu Shiqi didn't care, he suppressed his anger and said modestly, "Master, please speak."

"National affairs cannot be treated lightly. The late emperor's coffin has not yet been placed in the mausoleum. If we arrest the ministers of the country at this time and blood is shed, it would be an offense to the late emperor..." The Taifu couldn't stop sighing.

Chu Shiqi felt a little guilty after hearing this and looked at the old prime minister undecidedly.

"The late emperor's funeral should be treated with great care. Today's matter can be left unpunished for the time being. However, after four days, when the seventh day has passed, if there are still those who are short-sighted, how about the emperor punishing them?"

Chu Shiqi, sitting on the dragon chair, thought about it and remembered the key...

The reason why those ministers who had quit court dared to act was that they were waiting for Chu Shikun to return to Beijing. However, if after a few days they found that they were leaderless, they would naturally have no choice but to submit to him!

...

At midnight on the seventh night, according to ancestral rules, the emperor's coffin would be moved a few hours later.

There were some hurried footsteps. Chu Shihuan, who was still keeping vigil, turned around and saw that it was the palace maid beside his mother.

He immediately stood up and asked, "How is mother now?"

The maid had a complicated look on her face, but she said hastily, "We can talk about this behind the scenes later! Your Highness Huan, please leave the palace!"

"Tell me clearly first! Why did you suddenly leave the palace?!" Chu Shihuan asked anxiously.

Seeing that His Highness Huan refused to leave, the maid bit her lip and explained in a sad voice: "Both Concubine Shu and Concubine De have been sent to the cold palace. Today, Concubine Xian issued an imperial decree to grant Concubine De a white silk scarf and asked her to be buried with her. There is no news about Concubine Shu, but I'm afraid she is in danger..."

"what?!"

Chu Shihuan couldn't maintain the composure he had forced himself to maintain over the past few days! He immediately ran towards the harem!

"Your Highness Huan! Going in will be like walking into a trap! Your Highness Xuan is already waiting for you at the palace gate. The Queen is definitely hoping that you will take good care of her brother!" The palace maid hurriedly shouted behind him!

Chu Shihuan's running steps gradually slowed down...

How could he not know that he could not save his mother, and his younger brother Chu Shixuan was as innocent as his mother. How could he ignore him in such a precarious situation...

...

After changing into the clothes of an imperial guard, Chu Shihuan followed the palace maid and hurried to a side door of the palace that he had never been to before. This was where the servants walked and was also used to transport goods.

Next to the carriage full of broken things, Chu Shihuan saw his brother crying with red eyes...

"Brother... doesn't Mother have us? Why should she be buried with us?"

Chu Shihuan was speechless...

His provocation to Chu Shiqi did not work, and he threatened Chu Shiqi with his mother, asking him to persuade the Minister of Rites to "return to the right path"...

But the Minister of Rites had already sided with the Kang Wang faction, and tactfully told him that it was too late to reverse what had been done...

Chu Shihuan understood that the Minister of Rites would not turn back for his mother, an insignificant woman.

What's more, even if the Minister of Rites returned to the court, Concubine Xian might not let my mother go!

In the harem, what Concubine Xian hated the most was Concubine De who was secretly competing with her, but she also despised her mother for being "hypocritical". Now that she is in power, getting rid of a few women whom she disliked on weekdays is probably what Concubine Xian wants to do most!

If Prince Kang returns, these difficulties will naturally be solved, but now it has been seven days since my father passed away, and Prince Kang, who should have returned to the capital long ago, has not yet arrived...

...

The palace was heavily guarded; even the side doors used by servants had checkpoints and were subject to several rounds of inspection.

The two princes, dressed in guard uniforms, lowered their heads and walked out nervously along the cargo carriage. Fortunately, the guards guarding the palace gate let them pass after seeing the badge given by the palace maid.

After leaving the palace, the two walked towards the carriage and guards waiting outside.

"Brother...what should we do in the future?" Chu Shixuan was confused in his grief.

Chu Shihuan was also a little hesitant: "Let's go to my house first..."

However, at this moment, a group of people dressed in official uniforms surrounded their carriage and guards!

"The Ministry of Justice is investigating a case. Could you please come over for a while?" The officers spoke in a kind tone, as if they were discussing something with someone.

The guards who were squatting and chatting together in the two palaces all looked puzzled! They had the emblems of the Fifth and Ninth Princes' palaces on their bodies and carriages. No matter whether the two princes were powerful or not, they were still precious dragon sons!

Even if these subordinate guards have committed any crime, they have to ask their master's opinion first. It is not the turn of the Ministry of Justice to come!

However, the officials were kind and the guards did not want to offend anyone, so they just replied nonchalantly: "We need to wait for our master here. If there is anything important, please ask the officials in the Ministry of Justice to report to His Royal Highness the Fifth Prince."

"This... the new emperor has ordered the Ministry of Justice to arrest and detain several princes who plotted treason... we have no choice but to obey..." the officer stammered.

Hearing this, the guards stood up with serious expressions. This matter was too serious for them to discuss, but they were guards under the Fifth and Ninth Princes, they received the Fifth and Ninth Princes' salaries, and they only obeyed the Fifth and Ninth Princes! If the emperor's orders threatened their masters, they would also confront him!

"We cannot leave our post without permission!" The guards have their hands on their swords!

"No, no! Well...can we just go through the motions, how about that?" The officers waved their hands in panic, signaling not to use their swords.

The guards looked at each other for a long time before they understood each other's meaning!

When the officer saw that the guards had understood what he meant, he stepped forward and reached out to grab the guards’ arms…

After a fierce fight, the officers wailed and screamed, picked up the wounded who were rolling on the ground, and withdrew with great fanfare, their faces bruised...

The two princes watched the whole process. Chu Shixuan's tears were still on his face, but he couldn't help but look puzzled: "Brother, how did we commit treason?"

"It's just a random excuse!" Chu Shihuan whispered with hatred!

Although the criminal police performed a funny show, it was also a sign that Chu Shiqi or the prime minister was eliminating dissidents! It was just that the criminal police under the criminal department were unwilling to work hard and were just pretending to obey! If they found that the criminal department was not doing its job well, they would probably send more vicious minions!

"What should we do then?" Chu Shixuan was worried and frightened.

Chu Shihuan made up his mind: "Go back to the mansion, take everyone in the mansion, and leave the capital as soon as possible to avoid disaster!"

With life and death at stake, both brothers acted quickly.

Chu Shixuan was even faster. He had just turned fifteen and had no wife or concubines. When he returned, he just ordered everyone to gather. In less than two minutes, he took his people to his brother's house next door to wait.

"Don't pack these! If you die, you won't be able to wear them!"

Chu Shihuan scolded anxiously, raised his hand to close the box of packed things, and ordered the maid in Shen Yuqin's room: "Take the prince's wife to take the carriage!"

Shen Yuqin retorted in dissatisfaction: "You are a prince, but you have fallen to the point of having to escape for your life. Can't you even let me take a few sets of clothes with me?!"

The increasingly strong feeling of powerlessness these days was touched! Chu Shihuan immediately raised his hand!

"Snapped!"

The slap was merciless!

"If you don't want to leave, stay here!" Chu Shihuan turned around and was about to leave.

As soon as he walked out of the room, a guard came to report anxiously: "Master! Hundreds of masters are coming here! They claim to be the Jinyiwei under the new emperor!"

"There is no such thing as Jinyiwei. They are clearly Chu Shiqi's own men! Surrendering means death! Prepare to break out!"

Chu Shihuan's steps became faster, he turned his head slightly to glance at Shen Yuqin, and was about to tell the guards something...

"Hurry! Take me to the car!" Shen Yuqin finally realized the urgency of the situation and immediately ignored the frustration of being slapped in the face.

"Assign some people to follow closely and make sure to protect the princess." Chu Shihuan's original order changed. As long as Shen Yuqin was alive, the Shen family of the Ministry of Rites had an inseparable relationship with him, and perhaps he could still use her...

Every prince can have his own guards, which are allowed to be used for self-protection, but the number is limited to three hundred to ensure that they will not pose a threat to the emperor. If a prince is granted the title of prince, he can raise another thousand personal soldiers outside the capital.

All the princes will train these guards and personal soldiers with great care, after all, this is the force they can use directly.

The princes in Beijing had not been crowned as kings yet, but when Chu Shihuan rushed out of the palace with his brother and a group of guards, he found that the other side actually had more people than his own! They were the guards of two princes, plus the number of ordinary servants!

This proves that Chu Shiqi had crossed the line early on and employed several times more people than the limit!

But knowing this now is useless!

Unlike the previous criminal police who just went through the motions! As soon as the two sides came into contact, shouts of killing shook the sky, and blood was spilled on the spot!

Hand-to-hand combat! Someone dies every few steps!

Chu Shihuan and Chu Shixuan also drew their swords. Even under the protection of the guards, they could not avoid fighting! Chu Shihuan ordered the guards to maintain the basic formation while everyone rushed to the nearest city gate!

Blood spilled down the long streets! Corpses were scattered everywhere!

Occasionally, people who had locked their doors and windows would look out and see this tragic scene!

When they approached the city gate, nearly half of the guards around the Chu Shihuan brothers had been killed!

"The new emperor has issued an order to kill the traitors! The city guards, quickly assist the Royal Guards! Close the city gates!"

Chu Shihuan immediately felt like he was facing a formidable enemy! These so-called Jinyiwei were not many in number, and they were on par with them at the moment! But if the city defenders got involved! They would definitely be defeated!

However, the city guards dodged to the side, watching the fierce fighting, as if they could not see it! The city gate was still wide open!

Chu Shihuan felt relieved! Fortunately, it seemed that Chu Shiqi was unpopular and even the capital city guards could not control him!

However, to break out of the city gate, Chu Shihuan also had to make a decision. If the fight continued, Chu Shiqi could have summoned more helpers, but they didn't! They had to get out of the battle and hide their whereabouts as soon as possible!

"Divide in half and cover the rear!"

Chu Shihuan's order made the guards, who were already blood-thirsty, look serious! It was almost certain that they would die if they were left behind, but they spontaneously separated a part of their people!

These people have long been destined to work for their masters and are usually treated generously. If they die, their families and nephews will receive generous pensions, and these are only available if their masters are alive!

Nearly a hundred people blocked the city gate like crazy! They temporarily stopped the pursuit!

They fled into a forest and traveled back and forth for half an hour until they were almost exhausted and there was no sign of pursuers. Chu Shihuan and his party stopped to catch their breath...

The carriage that was in the way had long been abandoned in favor of escape. Along the way, everyone was scratched by many small wounds from branches and thorns, their hair was disheveled, and their clothes were dirty and torn.

Shen Yuqin, who had never suffered such hardship before, couldn't help crying: "If I had known I would have to endure this, I wouldn't have married you!"

The guards and Chu Shixuan couldn't help but frown, and Chu Shihuan's pent-up anger erupted again! He raised his foot and kicked Shen Yuqin in the stomach!

"Ah!" Shen Yuqin's face turned pale with pain, and she curled up on the ground...

Chu Shihuan seemed to have found an outlet for his anger, and he started punching and kicking continuously, pouring out his anger in violence!

Although Chu Shixuan felt that the emperor's sister-in-law should be taught a lesson for her rude words, he felt a little reluctant to see this, so he stepped forward and advised: "Brother, let's think about what to do first..."

Chu Shihuan was a little exhausted after letting out a sigh of relief. Where could they go? After rushing out of the capital, there were less than a hundred guards left. They could not stay in the vicinity of the capital for long. Otherwise, once their whereabouts were discovered, they would probably have no chance of escaping...

"Master, this is Miaofeng Mountain." The guard who went to check the surroundings to confirm the location reported.

Chu Shixuan suddenly remembered and suggested, "We have a manor not far from here, where should we stay?"

"No! I'm afraid Chu Shiqi knows about our residences around the capital. We can't take the risk!" Chu Shihuan rejected it immediately.

The guards of the Fifth Prince's mansion suffered heavy casualties, but many servants survived and did not fall behind. At this time, a steward said, "Your Highness... I remember that the training ground of the Prince of Changtai is less than ten miles away from Miaofeng Mountain."

Chu Shihuan paused slightly...*** Taihua, or the Qin family army, has always been a special existence. It has a hundred thousand elite soldiers that cannot be ignored, but it is not a competitor for the throne. He had intended to make friends with Qin Tao before.

Even if we don't consider the long term, Qin Tao, as the Prince of Changtai, can afford 150 guards and 800 personal soldiers, who can be stationed in the nearby training ground, which is just enough to solve their urgent needs...

However, Chu Shihuan couldn't help but feel a little worried at this moment. When the wall falls, everyone pushes it down and everyone beats it. They are in trouble now. What if Qin Tao hands them over to Chu Shiqi to seek credit and curry favor with him? Wouldn't they be walking into a trap?

"Miss!"

A maidservant who was following Shen Yuqin and was protected and survived said in panic: "Your Highness... Your Highness... The prince's wife has seen blood..."