Lock and secure

"The Emperor knows that we are returning to the capital today. The Prince was kept in the palace by the Emperor after the morning court session. The Gang Leader does not recommend that we return to the palace."

Luo Yao looked at the coded words on the letter and didn't understand a single word.

Luo Yao had no idea what the fish-patterned man was signaling, so he threw the letter to Li Xian.

"In that case, let's just go straight into the palace openly!"

When Luo Yao said this, everyone was shocked.

But Luo Yao was not joking.

"Sixth, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, the four of you secret guards will stay here to protect Divine Doctor Ye. There are eight of you left." Luo Yao looked around at the guards and designated eight people, "Responsibilities of staying behind to enforce martial law and provide follow-up support."

"The rest of the secret guards will sneak into the city first to ensure that Zhuzhi Street is unobstructed. After your two teams of guards enter the city, one team will go to the palace to meet them, and the other team will stay at the city gate. Xiao Qi, Li Xian, and the remaining guards will come with me to the capital."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The success or failure of this trip is uncertain. Regardless of whether we can return safely or not, we need someone to support us from outside.

The secret guards and imperial guards disguised themselves as ordinary people and entered the city smoothly with passes in hand. Luo Yao and his party rode on tall horses and were not stopped.

The group swaggered into the capital.

"Little fairy!"

"The princess is back!"

I don’t know who did the publicity, but Luo Yao and his party were recognized by the people as soon as they arrived in Beijing.

The people spontaneously made way, allowing Luo Yao and his party to pass unimpeded.

"Princess, do you feel something is wrong?" Xiao Qi asked Luo Yao in a low voice.

Seeing two plain green sedans parked at the fork in the road, those shops that were both unfamiliar and familiar, and the enthusiastic people on the roadside from afar, Luo Yao nodded first, then shook his head.

Someone was secretly helping them, many people were secretly helping them. Perhaps it was Chen Yu, perhaps it was his business friends, perhaps it was an old friend of his grandfather, perhaps it was the millions of people watching him from the sidelines!

Luo Yao opened his mouth slightly, and felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe.

The galloping horses slowed down, and Luo Yao caught the sound of storytelling after the noise.

"Everyone here, the national sacrifice two years ago was truly thrilling."

The crowd on the street was concentrating on watching the little immortal Luo Yao return to the capital, and was not listening to the storyteller's story at all.

Luo Yao looked in the direction of the sound and saw the sign of the teahouse, "Fan Yun Teahouse".

Even though no one was listening, Luo Dabiao continued to speak with all his might.

"How did His Majesty manage to return safely to the palace after being assassinated and missing? It's said... he received assistance from a certain master... This master is eight feet tall, possesses exceptional martial arts skills, and with a single somersault he could..."

Luo Dabiao's voice faded away. Luo Yao came back to his senses, looked down at the object hanging around his waist, then kicked his horse's belly and the group quickened their pace.

At the gate of Zhumen, the imperial guards were stationed on both sides, looking majestic and imposing.

"Stop! This is a strategic area in the capital. Officials below the second rank are strictly prohibited from riding horses!"

"How dare you! You dare to stop Princess Yong'an's carriage!" The guards drew their swords from their waists.

Luo Yao signaled everyone to calm down, dismounted, and the commander of the imperial guards guarding the gate hurried over to meet him.

"Greetings to Princess Yong'an. I was blind and failed to recognize you in time. Your Majesty has been waiting for you in the Golden Palace for a long time."

After a quick body search, Luo Yao took off his sword and took out a peculiarly shaped wooden object from his arms.

The imperial guards put away their swords and looked at each other in bewilderment as they saw Luo Yao take out a strange-looking wooden lump from his arms.

The commander of the imperial guards was curious, but couldn't figure out what it was. "Princess, what is this?"

"Boom~"

Luo Yao made a gesture.

嘣？

The imperial guards looked bewildered.

Luo Yao took the gun from the imperial guard and chuckled, "It's just a toy. Can I come in, sir?"

"Please." The commander of the imperial guards made a gesture of invitation.

Luo Yao stepped into the palace gate. Li Xian and Xiao Qi were about to follow him, but were stopped by the imperial guards.

"His Majesty has decreed that only the princess is allowed to enter the palace. The rest of you must wait outside."

Li Xian and Xiao Qi were eager to try, but Luo Yao turned around and shook his head gently: "Just wait for me outside, I'll be back soon."

After saying that, Luo Yao walked into the palace gate.

Xiao Qi paced back and forth anxiously at the door. Li Xian squatted in the corner, plucking a piece of grass from somewhere and holding it in his mouth.

"Ye Xiaoqi, the princess will have to wait for a while. Stop shaking. It's making my eyes dizzy." Li Xian complained.

Xiao Qi stopped and Li Xian winked at him, then stood up and said, "I'm hungry all the way. I'm going to go eat something first. You guys stay here."

"Brother Xian, please bring some for us. We have been eating dry food all the way and our mouths are almost dry." The guards looked expectant.

Li Xian waved his hand and walked away unsteadily.

"Boss, aren't you going to send someone to follow that guy?" asked a guard.

The commander of the imperial guards said: "Go over and keep an eye on him."

So, Li Xian started to wander around the city with a small group of imperial guards.

At three quarters past noon, the emperor received Luo Yao in the Golden Palace.

At this time, the morning court had already ended, and Bei Zhenting, who was left behind, was nowhere to be found.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Luo Yao saluted.

The emperor raised his hand to indicate that he was excused, and Luo Yao stood up.

The emperor rubbed his brows and remained silent, while Luo Yao didn't know what to say and could only stand there stupidly.

After a long moment, the emperor sat up straight and asked, "My dear minister, do you know why I summoned you?"

Luo Yao shook his head. Even if he knew about this kind of thing, he couldn't say it. Moreover, after hearing what Luo Dabiao said, he was sure what the emperor wanted.

"I don't know?" Bei Zhenming raised his eyebrows and then laughed, "Then, my dear, do you know that you are a big worry for me?"

"I know. Your Majesty has long intended to get rid of me." Luo Yao answered with extraordinary calmness.

"Yes, I have no choice. You know, the little immortal's reputation is too great. Even if I take back the Yong'an Temple, the people will still remember you when you come back. It really gives me a headache."

"I did think about killing you, but I was also worried that killing a god would violate taboos, and some time ago I suddenly didn't want to kill anyone."

Luo Yao remained silent.

The emperor continued to rub his brows and said, "There is something that can save your life. It is said that this thing was given to the Luo family by the founding emperor. I want to take it back."

"I wonder what Your Majesty is referring to?" Luo Yao immediately responded.

He was like a piece of tough wood, with no expression on his face, and no reaction to Bei Zhenming's words.

Bei Zhenming didn't say anything. Since the emperor didn't speak, no one in the court spoke.

After a moment of silence, Bei Zhenming lowered his voice.

"You know, I could just kidnap you and take your things. I could say the Luo family is plotting a rebellion. I could even kill you right now. I'm going to explain this to you, but..."

A light laugh from below the hall interrupted Bei Zhenming's words.

"Those people in the northwest always want to get close to me and take advantage of me. It turns out it was your majesty's doing."

Bei Zhenming had an ugly expression on his face.

He did send people to do it, but he didn't know that those people in the northwest used this method.

Luo Yao looked indifferent, gazing at Bei Zhenming with a contemptuous, unreasonable, and provocative expression. He launched into treasonous words: "If you want to accuse someone of a crime, you can always find a pretext. If Your Majesty wants to convict my Luo family, you can just accuse me of anything. I, Luo Yao, am powerless to resist. My life is worthless. If Your Majesty wants to take my life, you can do so at will. What can I say?"