Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

The meeting dispersed.

Empress Dowager Dong, dressed in a black phoenix robe, left Chongde Hall accompanied by Jian Shuo.

Empress Dowager Dong, riding in her phoenix palanquin, kept Liu Xie by her side.

"Jian Shuo, how is the Empress now? Is she still safe and sound?"

Empress Dowager Dong asked a question seemingly casually.

Jian Shuo, who was following beside the phoenix carriage that Empress Dowager Dong was riding in, nodded and said, "Your Majesty, although the Empress tried to leave Changqiu Palace several times, she was stopped by the imperial guards stationed there."

"The Empress also requested to see His Majesty, but without the Empress Dowager's decree, this humble general did not allow the Empress to pass."

Upon hearing Jian Shuo's words, Empress Dowager Dong nodded in satisfaction.

Then he reached out and gently stroked Liu Xie's long hair.

“The Crown Prince is pitiful. His mother was poisoned by the vicious woman He Lingsi when he was just born.”

"For so many years, she has been tyrannical in the harem. How many of His Majesty's children have died tragically at her hands? Does she really think I know nothing about these things?"

"If it weren't for His Majesty's indulgence, how could she have remained so smug until now?" Empress Dowager Dong said coldly.

Everyone in the palace knew that Empress He Lingsi and Empress Dowager Dong were at odds.

The main reason is still because of Liu Xie, the Marquis of Dong.

Before Consort Wang was born to Emperor Liu Xie, Empress He Lingsi had already planned to poison her.

However, they didn't succeed in the end.

However, not long after Consort Wang gave birth to Liu Xie, she was poisoned by Empress He Lingsi.

When the emperor learned of this, he almost deposed He Lingsi from her position as empress.

Later, Liu Xie stayed with Empress Dowager Dong and was raised there.

Since the emperor only has two sons, the future throne will inevitably be passed down between the two sons.

Liu Xie was a thorn in He Lingsi's side, but he was always well protected by Empress Dowager Dong.

Therefore, He Lingsi also harbored resentment towards Empress Dowager Dong.

Empress Dowager Dong herself was well aware of this.

He Lingsi harbors a grudge against her, and once He Lingsi takes power, her fate is predictable.

Both princes, one named Shi Hou and the other Dong Hou, were the emperor's children.

It doesn't matter who succeeds to the throne.

However, if Marquis Liu Bian succeeds to the throne, it means that the He family, his maternal relatives, will soon seize power.

He Lingsi will become Empress Dowager, and General He Jin will become like Liang Ji.

As the Empress Dowager, she would naturally face retaliation from He Lingsi.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Dong had no choice but to strike first.

Fortunately, it was Jian Shuo who controlled the palace and the imperial guards, not Zhang Rang and others who were loyal to the He family.

"Keep a close eye on her. Don't let her leave Changqiu Palace, and no one should be allowed inside. Just maintain the basic needs of Changqiu Palace." Empress Dowager Dong said coldly, "Let her reflect on the immoral things she has done over the years in Changqiu Palace."

"We also need to send people to keep an eye on Lord Shi; we absolutely cannot allow any mistakes to happen."

Jian Shuo nodded upon hearing this: "This humble general will obey the Empress Dowager's orders."

.............

Changqiu Palace.

Although only two days had passed, He Lingsi looked noticeably thinner.

Her face no longer had the exquisite makeup it once had.

He looked extremely haggard.

He sat behind the table with chopsticks in his hand, not touching the food laid out in front of him.

"Your Highness, please eat something. Your health is important," Green Willow gently advised from the side. "If you ruin your health, wouldn't that make those outsiders happy?"

He Lingsi's expression did not change because of Green Willow's words.

Putting down her chopsticks, He Lingsi sighed and said, "Take everything away. I have no appetite. Go and get me some plum juice."

Green Willow nodded with a pained expression, then had the other palace maids remove the food and fetched a bowl of plum juice for herself.

Looking at the plum juice in the golden bowl, He Lingsi's beautiful eyes were filled with sorrow.

Changqiu Palace has been sealed off.

News from the outside can't get in.

News from inside the palace couldn't get out either.

I wonder what happened to the news that she was sent out of the palace.

I have no idea what the situation is like outside right now.

Her biggest worry right now is that the emperor will suddenly die, the crown prince will be deposed, and then she might be banished to the cold palace.

Just as He Lingsi was worrying, a palace maid suddenly came to report.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Eunuch Zuo Feng has arrived."

Upon hearing that Zuo Feng had arrived, He Lingsi immediately perked up and had someone invite Zuo Feng in.

A moment later, the cautious Zuo Feng arrived at He Lingsi's bedroom.

"Your Majesty the Empress." Zuo Feng immediately bowed and greeted He Lingsi upon seeing her.

"No need for formalities," He Lingsi quickly said. "What's the situation outside?"

Zuo Feng sighed and said, "Your Majesty, it took me a lot of effort to get in."

"Soon after the court session, the Empress Dowager ordered the Changqiu Palace to be sealed off, and no one is allowed to enter."

"I risked my life to come in here just to deliver a message to Your Majesty, to warn you to be careful."

He Lingsi nodded quickly and winked at her personal maid, Lvliu, saying, "Go and fetch a box of my jewelry."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Feng quickly waved his hand: "Your Majesty, there's no need for that. I... I was only entrusted by Marquis Ji."

Duan Yu?

He Lingsi was taken aback.

"Your Majesty has no time to say more, so let me tell you the important things."

He Lingsi nodded immediately.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has just summoned the ministers for a court meeting and has confirmed that Marquis Dong will be the Crown Prince."

"What!" He Lingsi's expression changed and she suddenly stood up from her seat in shock.

"Your Majesty, please do not be agitated. The General did not enter the palace today, so he must be out there trying to find a solution."

"Your Majesty should just be careful in the palace."

"Everything...everything must be done carefully."

"Now... now unless His Majesty recovers, everything will depend on Marquis Ji."

"Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself. I'll be leaving now."

After saying that, Zuo Feng didn't dare to linger any longer and quickly left Changqiu Palace.

At this point, Changqiu Palace was no different from the Cold Palace.

Once the emperor dies and a new emperor ascends the throne, He Lingsi's fate and destiny are already sealed.

After Zuo Feng left, He Lingsi seemed to be in a daze.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, didn't the Left Attendant say that the General is trying to find a way? Although the Empress Dowager has established Dong Hou as the Crown Prince, he may not dare to harm Your Majesty."

"If we are careful, the General may already be inviting Marquis Ji to Luoyang to take charge of the overall situation."

"As long as Marquis Ji comes, His Highness will surely be safe and sound."

He Lingsi, who had been in a daze, came to her senses.

Duan Yu...

Will he... will he come?

............

After the court assembly ended, news of Liu Xie, the Marquis of Dong, being established as the crown prince spread throughout Luoyang.

Meanwhile, several imperial edicts issued by Empress Dowager Dong were sent from several directions to Luoyang.

This included inviting Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, who were still in Nanyang, to lead troops into Luoyang.

Some were sent to Bingzhou to request the governor of Bingzhou, Ding Yuan, to lead troops to blockade the Hangu Pass area.

The news also reached the garrison camp outside Luoyang.

When He Jin learned that Liu Xie had been made crown prince, he was almost scared out of his wits.

Liu Xie's appointment as crown prince signifies the imminent end of the He family.

Upon learning this news, He Jin sent several more orders, urging Duan Yu to immediately lead his troops to Luoyang.

He Jin hesitated at first.

But now, He Jin couldn't wait for Duan Yu to appear in Luoyang immediately.

...........

Ji County.

After the New Year, the entire Liangzhou seemed to start operating like a huge yet sophisticated machine.

After months of preparation, the million migrants who moved from Jizhou last year have begun their planned migration to various counties.

Last autumn, after Duan Yu wiped out all ten clans and eight families, he obtained most of the land. Coupled with the deterrent effect, the reform of the chieftain system was implemented with great success in Liangzhou.

However, at this moment, news that Duan Yu never expected reached the governor's mansion.

Liu Hong is actually going to die!

And it was all because of his father-in-law, Dong Zhuo!