The prince is very cruel

He first asked Xiao Shouzi to help him take a letter to Pei Nanyin, asking her to help prepare two fast horses and some hot water and clothes to keep warm.

Then, followed by Yuwen Hongdu, he secretly placed some black gunpowder on the route they had to take to escape.

Finally, he returned to the palace and waited for the opportunity.

It was snowing heavily that night, New Year's Eve.

This year's New Year's Eve was not as lively as in previous years. There were no programs or celebrations in the palace, and it was even immersed in a dead atmosphere. This was all because the Xiliang rebels had swept across the entire southwest.

Gear, gear, gear!

A fast horse rushed into the palace, but instead of going to meet the emperor, it first found Zhenfei who was far away in the harem.

The palace, which was originally as calm as water, suddenly stirred up a thousand waves!

"Okay, okay, I knew that little bastard Guan Ning was lying!"

"I think you'll survive this time!"

"Come here, prepare the way. I want to see His Majesty!" Zhen Fei's voice was filled with excitement. For many reasons, she could not kill Guan Ning, and this became a source of worry for her.

"Yes!"

Torches were lit everywhere, and Concubine Zhen drove to the imperial study late at night, setting off the sequence of a volcanic eruption.

the other side.

Guan Ning changed into a new black suit and approached Yuwen Hongdu with a smile: "Brother Yuwen, today is New Year's Eve, why don't you have a few drinks with me?"

Yuwen Hongdu stood there, tall as a sculpture. Hearing this, he finally realized that it was New Year's Eve...

He looked at the lifeless night, which had no New Year's Eve atmosphere at all, and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"I have a mission and cannot drink."

"Master Guan, drink it yourself."

Guan Ning uncorked the bottle: "How can we miss this great wine festival?"

"With so many imperial guards here, are you afraid I'll run away?"

Yuwen Hongdu shook his head: "No..."

"What is that?" Guan Ning raised his eyebrows.

Yuwen Hongdu hesitated for a long time, looked around, and finally gave in: "Okay."

He patted the wind and snow on his shoulders and went into the house with Guan Ning.

Guan Ning personally poured the wine and had someone bring some side dishes. With the burning stove, it was quite comfortable in this cold winter.

"Brother Yuwen!"

"Master Guan."

The two of them drank together, and their throats made a hissing sound.

The drinks were very strong.

Guan Ning laughed and said, "Aren't you afraid that I will poison you?"

Yuwen Hongdu said: "Although you and I have different paths, I know you are not that kind of person, and there is no reason for you to do that."

Guan Ning smiled and drank the whole glass directly. He even showed him the bottom of the glass to show that it was full.

Yuwen Hongdu thought he was worried about something, and frowned slightly. He said, "When the people from Zhaoling come back and successfully find the mold, you can be free again."

"Your Majesty has made a promise, and I believe he will not break it."

Guan Ning still smiled: "I hope so."

"By the way, how's the war going lately?"

Yuwen Hongdu frowned, his eyes clearly showing worry.

"Because of the heavy snow blocking the border, the Xiliang rebels' cavalry offensive was restricted."

"This is a chance to catch your breath." Guan Ning nodded. This was something he had expected. Fighting in winter in the era of cold weapons was very troublesome.

"But the situation is still not good. The princes of various regions are disloyal, and even the imperial army is not united. Add to that the corruption in the treasury and the army, and it will take time to rectify the situation."

"Today, I heard that many people in the capital have died of freezing and starvation. Some ministers requested permission to open the granaries and release grain, but Your Majesty refused."

"Alas, I wonder if the capital will recover?" He sighed, perhaps out of melancholy, and drank another glass of wine.

Guan Ning was not sad at all, but just felt sympathy for the dead people.

"Have you ever thought about yourself?" he changed the subject.

"Own?"

"Are you talking about me?" Yuwen Hong was stunned.

Guan Ning nodded.

Yuwen Hongdu frowned: "In life, I am your Majesty's subject, and in death, I am your Majesty's ghost!"

Guan Ning then asked, "Have you ever thought about who is the culprit behind all this?"

Yuwen Hongdu frowned, a little unhappy: "What exactly do you want to say?"