Traveling through the emperor, overthrowing the empress dowager at the beginning

When Ye Chen hurried to Kunning Palace.

In the courtyard of Kunning Palace, Su Mengjiao was leisurely admiring the flowers.

She was dressed in a golden dress, the exquisite embroidery on the fabric sparkled in the sunlight. She had a graceful figure and a beautiful face, and every move she made exuded a noble and domineering temperament.

Since the advent of paper, her efficiency in handling government affairs has greatly improved, and she has more free time.

Therefore, she liked to stroll in this courtyard and listen to Shen Qiu telling interesting stories outside, which allowed her to free herself from the complicated affairs of the palace.

A palace maid came to report quickly.

"Queen Mother, Your Majesty is here."

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao didn't care too much. She just sat in the pavilion in the courtyard and waited calmly.

Ye Chen strode into the garden courtyard. The palace maids and eunuchs around him lowered their heads and dared not look at him directly.

He walked straight towards the pavilion without any intention of greeting, and sat down at the stone table in a casual manner.

Su Mengjiao was not unhappy when she saw this. She had long been accustomed to Ye Chen's casualness.

She raised her eyes slightly and looked at Ye Chen with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

She opened her red lips slightly and said calmly, "What brings the Emperor here today?"

Ye Chen's face was serious as he slowly said, "Empress Dowager, a fleet has appeared on the Yellow River. The merchants on these ships have entered the capital. At first, everyone thought they were just ordinary merchant ships, but my people discovered that they were carrying weapons hidden among the goods they were carrying."

After Su Mengjiao heard this, her originally calm expression changed instantly.

She frowned slightly, her slender eyebrows slightly curved like willow leaves, and a hint of worry flashed in her eyes.

She knew that there might be a huge crisis hidden behind this matter, and this situation should not be underestimated.

She looked directly at Ye Chen, her eyes filled with inquiry and doubt. She asked with her red lips slightly parted, "Emperor, do you suspect that there are soldiers disguised as merchants entering the capital area? Could these be the private soldiers of those aristocratic families?"

Su Mengjiao guessed that these soldiers were private soldiers of wealthy families.

After all, the mobilization of Dayu's regular army requires an order from the imperial court.

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen snorted and said, "Queen Dowager, if it's just the private soldiers of a powerful family sneaking into the capital area, there's no need to worry too much. Just send people to arrest them, search them, and interrogate them."

"But the problem is, they didn't stay in the capital for long, but went straight to Guanzhong. Moreover, they actually had passes issued by the Secretariat, which allowed them to enter Guanzhong directly through Tongguan."

Ye Chen's voice was low and powerful.

After hearing this, Su Mengjiao's face darkened.

Her fair face seemed to be covered by a layer of dark clouds at this moment, and her beautiful lips were slightly pursed.

She whispered, "The only person who could issue the order from the Secretariat is Yang Dechang. Since he's the one who took action, there must be a big conspiracy behind this."

A trace of solemnity flashed across Su Mengjiao's face. Having dealt with Yang Dechang too many times, she knew very well the methods of this old fox.

Ye Chen nodded slightly, his expression becoming more serious.

He looked at Su Mengjiao with a hint of determination in his eyes and said, "Queen Dowager, this caravan was just discovered. I have received accurate information that ten fleets have arrived at the ferry before this. Therefore, a total of ten groups of merchants have entered Guanzhong."

"They're probably all in disguise."

When Su Mengjiao heard this, her mood became complicated.

It is even clear how many caravans have gone there.

Su Mengjiao herself had no way of knowing this information.

It is obvious that Ye Chen's influence outside the capital has far surpassed hers, and has obviously expanded to the banks of the Yellow River.

This has completely encompassed the entire capital area.

Su Mengjiao has already felt that the power in Ye Chen's hands is rapidly expanding.

This made her feel quite helpless.

I was used to being strong in the past.

But now he has to rely on Ye Chen again.

Such a change made Su Mengjiao a little uncomfortable.

Ye Chen continued, "Queen Dowager, do you know what these guys disguised as merchants want to do after entering Guanzhong?"

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao's star-like eyes flickered slightly, and she reacted almost immediately.

She opened her red lips slightly, her tone firm, "Emperor, are these people planning to attack the envoys from Dayuan?"

"Yes, after thinking about it, this is the only possibility."

Ye Chen nodded slowly, his expression darkening. His voice was filled with annoyance as he spoke, "Yang Dechang, that old thief, is incredibly cunning. Even if he doesn't know why I sent the Dayuan envoys to the capital, he's already made plans to sabotage my plans."

"Of course, it's not ruled out that he guessed what I was going to do. In short, this matter is very tricky."

After hearing what Ye Chen said, Su Mengjiao understood the seriousness of the matter.

Her pretty face was full of worry and her eyes were flashing with anxiety.

She asked anxiously, "What should we do now? Those people have already gone to Guanzhong. Should we quickly send someone to notify the Dayuan envoy, or should we send Di Gui with more troops to protect them?"

Ye Chen narrowed his eyes.

At this moment, his eyes were like a deep pool, with a ray of brilliance flashing through them.

He looked straight at Su Mengjiao and said, "Queen Dowager, I am worried about relying on others alone. I want to go to Guanzhong myself!"

Ye Chen's words were firm and powerful, his tone was calm and domineering.

He knew that the marriage with Dayuan was of great importance, but others might not be able to see through Yang Dechang's plan, so he had to do it himself to ensure that everything would go smoothly.

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao was slightly stunned after hearing Ye Chen's words.

She really didn't expect that Ye Chen would go there in person.

"Emperor, it's really dangerous for you to go in person."

Hearing this, Ye Chen smiled slightly.

He waved his hand, his tone domineering and firm.

"I am the ruler of a country. If I am afraid of even this little danger, how can I shoulder the responsibility of this country?"

"Queen Mother, for Dayu's sake, and to deal with the powerful ministers, there are some things I must do personally."

"Moreover, many of these powerful families in Longxi and Guanzhong have roots dating back hundreds of years. Without me, no one else would be able to suppress them."

At this moment, the aura emanating from Ye Chen was breathtaking.

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao was also convinced.

"Then your Majesty, you must bring more soldiers with you. Let Di Gui lead the army with you."

Ye Chen waved his hand and said, "No need. The nobles in Guanzhong cannot afford to support too many soldiers. Most of their forces are stationed at the border. I will bring a hundred imperial guards and ask Di Gui for two thousand more. That will be enough."

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao finally nodded, but looked at Shen Qiu beside her worriedly.

"Qiu'er, you must protect the emperor."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiu looked at Ye Chen and respectfully clasped his fists and accepted the order: "Don't worry, Queen Mother, I will do my best."

"Then your Majesty, go ahead. I have no objection."

Su Mengjiao finally nodded to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen immediately stood up and walked out of Kunning Palace.

He is now about to leave the palace, leave the capital, and lead his troops to Guanzhong!