Wandering the Heavens

The palace maids made so loud noises that they attracted Prince Jing and Meng Zhi, who were looking for Mu Nihuang everywhere, and finally alarmed Xiao Xuan.

"What? A murder occurred in Zhaoren Palace? Was Concubine Yue injured?"

Xiao Xuan's words were quite unnecessary, Gao Zhan knew nothing about them. Xiao Xuan slapped his thigh and headed straight for the harem, so anxious that a group of eunuchs carried the dragon chariot and ran along with him.

When Xiao Xuan ran to Zhaoren Palace, he found that the Queen and others had arrived, but they were blocked outside the hall by Meng Zhi.

"I, my concubine, see you, Your Majesty."

"My servant pays homage to the Emperor."

Xiao Xuan didn't have the energy to care about the people here.

"Everyone, get up and go back to your own bedrooms. It's inappropriate to crowd in here! The Queen should also go back. We can tell what happened next after we find out clearly." After Xiao Xuan said this, he pushed Gao Zhan and Meng Zhi aside and entered Zhaoren Palace.

"Your Majesty, um..."

Seeing Xiao Xuan entering the hall, Concubine Yue, who had been wiping her tears, suddenly rushed over, buried herself in Xiao Xuan's arms and cried heartbreakingly, which made Xiao Xuan very distressed.

"My dear, don't cry, I'm here!" Xiao Xuan calmed down and comforted Concubine Yue.

Concubine Yue also knew when to stop crying, and gradually stopped crying as Xiao Xuanfu touched her from behind.

"Meng Zhi, Meng Zhi!" Xiao Xuan saw that Concubine Yue had calmed down and thought it was time to get down to business.

"Your Majesty, Commander Meng Zhi is waiting for orders outside the palace." Gao Zhan explained quickly.

The emperor and his concubine were hugging each other. Is this something Meng Zhi and the imperial guards can watch? If you don't run fast, you will be castrated at best or lose your life at worst. Who dares to be in this palace?

"Hurry up and pass it on." Xiao Xuan also knew that he was in the wrong, so he quickly asked the palace maid to help Concubine Yue away.

"I am honored to see your majesty."

As soon as Yue left, Meng Zhi followed Gao Zhan into the hall.

"Meng Zhi, you guard the imperial city. What do you have to say about the murder that happened today?" Xiao Xuan said in a gloomy tone.

"I acknowledge my guilt!" Meng Zhi tactfully knelt down and pleaded guilty.

"I am asking you what you have to say, not accusing you of anything!" Xiao Xuan also knew Meng Zhi's ability.

"This...investigating cases is not my forte, I...I..." Meng Zhi was really choked.

"Your Majesty, Xia Dong from Xuan Jing Division is here." Gao Zhan hurriedly stepped forward to rescue the situation.

"Oh, what a coincidence?" Xiao Xuan was a little surprised.

"Xia Dong had just finished her imperial mission and returned to Xuan Jing Si to hand in her orders. Before she went to pay tribute to Xia Jiang, she received news that something big had happened in the palace. Xia Dong's female identity allowed her to enter and leave the Forbidden Palace, so Lord Xia Chun asked her to come and investigate." Gao Zhan explained.

"Yes, this kind of thing should be left to them. Get up!" Xiao Xuan glanced at Meng Zhi who was kneeling on the ground pretending to be dead and felt a little disappointed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Meng Zhi felt as if he had been pardoned.

"Xia Dong from Xuan Jingsi pays his respects to His Majesty." Xia Dong walked hurriedly.

"This place is handed over to your Xuan Jing Division. Commander Meng Zhi and the imperial guards here will listen to you. Get to the bottom of the matter as soon as possible and report to me." Xiao Xuan smelled blood in the room and didn't want to see the scene. After saying this, he let Gao Zhan help him out of the hall.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

Meng Zhi and Xia Dong only breathed a sigh of relief after Xiao Xuan left. They came to the door of the room where Sima Lei was killed. Meng Zhi was about to step in but was stopped by Xia Dong.

"Xia Dong, what do you mean?" Meng Zhi didn't understand.

"Commander Meng, can you investigate the case?" Xia Dong looked Meng Zhi up and down.

"You..., I'll just listen." Meng Zhi couldn't stand Xia Dong's look and turned to look away.

"Then let the imperial guards search for any traces. You're standing here, blocking the light." Xia Dong found something for Meng Zhi to do.

"Meng Zhi obeys the order!" Meng Zhi walked out of the hall helplessly.

Meng Zhi left, and the pride on Xia Dong's face instantly disappeared. He looked at Sima Lei, who had a ferocious face, with a serious face...

Mu Nihuang finally dealt with Xia Dong's questions and got the emperor's permission to return to Prince Mu's Mansion. After comforting Mu Qing, she went straight back to her room.

"Did you kill Sima Lei?"

As expected, Mu Nihuang saw that Yu Xian was already in her room.

"Princess, you need evidence to say this!" Yu Xian drank his tea slowly.

"You gave me the antidote, so you didn't have to kill anyone!" Mu Nihuang knew the answer from his attitude.

"Have you learned a lesson from what happened today?" Yu Xian saw that Mu Nihuang finally relaxed and sat on the other side of the table.

"Sir, Nihuang has something to ask you." Mu Nihuang finally made up her mind to follow Yu Xian's path.

"Princess, please speak up." Yu Xian finally waited for the day when Mu Nihuang would give in.

"What was the truth behind the Chiyan Army's treason back then?" Mu Nihuang hesitated for a long time before asking the question in her heart.

"You still don't give up!" Yu Xian teased.

"Sir, you said you would tell me everything you know." Mu Nihuang sat up straight.

"Well! Back then, the powerful northern country Yu raised an army of 200,000 to attack Liang, and the 70,000 Red Flame Army met the attack at a disadvantage. They finally repelled the attack of the Yu army, but before they could rest, they were ambushed by the army led by Xie Yu in Meilin. The commander of the Red Flame Army, Lin Xie, and a group of middle and high-level officers and soldiers were killed in the battle. Some junior officers and soldiers who escaped were left to wander around. The young marshal Lin Shu was among them, and was rescued by Langya Pavilion. After waking up, he contacted his old subordinates through Langya Pavilion. From then on, Liang lost the Red Flame Army, and the Jiangzuo League was established in the world." Yu Xian told Mu Nihuang a general idea of the matter.

"Xie Yu, why... why are you doing this?" Mu Nihuang was trembling all over at this moment.

"Of course it was Xiao Xuan's instruction. The princess is well aware of the situation in Nanjing. Xie Yu is famous for his ability to judge the situation. Otherwise, how could he have the power to mobilize the Liang army, let alone the courage to draw his sword against the Chiyan Army?" Yu Xian directly pointed out the culprit.

"The emperor..." Mu Nihuang still couldn't believe it.

“Princess, if one day, the State of Chu no longer poses a threat to the State of Liang, the fate of Lin Xie and others will be the future of your Prince Mu’s Mansion.” Yu Xian began to scare the child.

"But the State of Chu..." Mu Nihuang didn't think that there would be any problems with the State of Chu.

"Princess, don't you want to know the inside story of the Red Flame Army's rebellion?" Yu Xian asked Mu Nihuang, who had regained her senses.

"Nihuang was too rude." Mu Nihuang also knew that it would not be so easy to destroy the Red Flame Army.

"During the coup, Xiao Xuan was jointly lifted to the throne of Liang by Lin Xie and Yan Que. However, he did not expect that because of this, Xiao Xuan was afraid of the two of them. Lin Xie's sister Lin Leyao and Yan Que admired each other and were about to get married. If the two families were to marry, the power would be even greater. Xiao Xuan then issued an order to take Lin Leyao into the harem and make her the concubine. She gave birth to the eldest son of the emperor, Xiao Jingyu, and was made the Prince of Qi when she came of age."

"I never thought there was such a past. The emperor was really petty." Mu Nihuang lamented Xiao Xuan's despicableness.

"Behind Prince Qi is the famous Lin Xie and the Chiyan Army he led. Prince Qi himself was also very ambitious and was supported by many court officials. Xiao Xuan felt that the throne was threatened, so he instructed Xia Jiang to find a suitable opportunity to get rid of Lin Xie. Xia Jiang was very capable and introduced Xie Yu to Xiao Xuan. At this time, the State of Yu invaded the border, so Xiao Xuan instructed Xie Yu to seize the baggage of the Chiyan Army, leaving the Chiyan Army to fight with the 200,000 troops of the State of Yu in hunger and cold until they were exhausted. This is the truth behind the demise of the Chiyan Army."

"Xia Jiang was very good at guessing the emperor's intentions. He knew that even if he got rid of Lin Xie, the throne would still fall to Prince Qi in the future. When Prince Qi succeeded to the throne, it would be the end of Xia Jiang's life. So, he took this opportunity to turn the Chiyan Army's treason case onto Prince Qi. In the end, the Concubine Chen committed suicide at the palace gate to prove her innocence, and Prince Qi also committed suicide in prison."

It took Mu Nihuang a long time to come back to her senses.

"I never thought that the truth behind the Chiyan Army's treason case that shocked the world back then would be so absurd." Mu Nihuang said with a wry smile.

"Think about this ruthless emperor, think about this distorted imperial power, where is there anything worthy of your loyalty?" Yu Xian tried to persuade him again.

"I..." Mu Nihuang was a little confused.