roccoschili Chapter 389 Listen to my advice one last time
Chapter 389 Listen to my advice one last time
King Qi saw Chang An frozen in place as if struck by lightning, his face extremely pale.
He felt terrible, but he was powerless to change the outcome.
Chang'an had followed him for nearly ten years and was the person he trusted most besides his mother.
The two brothers lost their parents at a young age and grew up relying on each other, developing a very close relationship.
If he were to deal with Chang Yuan, Chang An would definitely become estranged from him and would no longer serve him.
King Qi said, "I ask my mother to plead with my father to do everything in her power to save Changyuan's life."
Chang An knew very well that he couldn't protect Chang Yuan. He had been stirring up trouble by following the Prince of Qi and had long since figured out the Northern Qi Emperor's thoughts, so he held no hope in his heart.
His mind was in a daze, his thoughts unclear, and he stared fixedly at the King of Qi, at his master whom he had followed for many years.
From the moment he stepped into the Qi King's residence, he foresaw his fate. Either he would help the Qi King ascend the throne, thus gaining merit and a future of great success; or he would fail in his attempt to help the Qi King ascend the throne and be buried in the wilderness.
He was heartbroken by his brother's death, but it was fate, and he could not hold a grudge against the King of Qi.
But the life of his younger brother stood between them, and the King of Qi would never trust him as he once did.
“Your Highness, if you are willing to believe me, please heed my advice one last time.” Chang An knelt on the ground: “Please do not target the Prince of Guangling, but help him return to the Great Zhou. If you do this, that position will eventually be yours.”
Even if it doesn't belong to you, you can still save your life.
Chang An didn't say the last sentence.
Looking at Chang An's tearful eyes and his earnest admonition, King Qi couldn't help but think of how Chang An had treated him wholeheartedly all these years, never having a second thought.
He was deeply moved and realized that this was the last time Chang An would plan for him.
“Chang’an, although you are my advisor, you are more like my mentor.” Prince Qi said solemnly, “My father and mother sent you to my side and told me to listen to you. I have always kept that in mind. I will naturally listen to whatever you say.”
Chang An smiled with satisfaction upon receiving the King of Qi's words, his loyalty not in vain. He slowly stood up, bowed respectfully to the King of Qi, and walked out of the room.
King Qi stared intently at Chang An, watching as his once straight back bent and he walked with heavy steps, gradually disappearing from his sight and fading into the light and shadow.
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Meanwhile, the Empress heard that the King of Qi had sent people to the State Temple to steal Yi Zhen's remains. In the end, the deed was exposed and the King of Northern Qi punished her.
The Empress frowned slightly. Prince Qi was not a steady person. If it weren't for Chang An keeping an eye on him, he would have caused a lot of trouble.
"His Majesty abandoned the envoys of the Great Zhou and went to the State Temple in person." Green Branch muttered, "Anyone who doesn't know the situation would think that His Majesty has feelings for the Consort."
The Empress's eyes held a hint of mockery. The Northern Qi Emperor was selfish, arrogant, and loved only himself.
Back then, he was not only attracted by Yizhen's proud spirit, but also by an extremely strong desire to conquer her. Because among all the powerful and wealthy young men in the capital, no one could make Yizhen bow her head.
He obtained Yizhen, plucked this flower from the highest peak, and it brought him immense satisfaction.
However, after obtaining the person, he was not satisfied with that; he also wanted to win Yi Zhen's heart.
Unfortunately, the Northern Qi emperor was born into a noble and extraordinary family. He was never short of women and was always surrounded by admirers wherever he went. How could he possibly understand the principle of exchanging sincerity for sincerity?
He witnessed those powerful and wealthy young men bullying Yizhen and using her brother to force her to compromise, so he followed suit and used Yizhen's weaknesses to force her to submit.
In the end, for the sake of his pitiful pride and ridiculous dignity, he drove Yizhen to her death.
It was precisely because of this that Yi Zhen entered the arena, fulfilling his promise and withdrawing his troops. He did not take advantage of the internal and external troubles of the Great Zhou to attack it.
Instead, they waited until Emperor Jing'an ascended the throne before launching an attack on the Great Zhou.
A cold smile appeared on the Empress's lips. The Northern Qi Emperor did not take the Jing'an Emperor seriously, still regarding him as a hostage whom everyone could bully, which was why he withdrew his troops so decisively.
Now the situation has reversed; the Northern Qi is no match for the Great Zhou and has suffered a defeat.
I wonder if he regrets it?
"He was afraid that if he lost Yizhen's remains, he would have nothing to threaten Emperor Jing'an with," the Empress said sarcastically. "Unfortunately, he miscalculated."
Green Branch thought of the woman who used to call her "Zhizhi" with her arched eyebrows, and her eyes reddened slightly.
She felt that Princess Yizhen was too pitiful. In life, everyone used her brother to coerce her and break her pride. After death, she could not be laid to rest, and people used her remains to hinder her closest relatives.
The atmosphere inside the hall was heavy, and neither the master nor the servant spoke.
At this moment, Ranqiu rushed in from outside the palace. "Your Highness, Prince Qi said that His Majesty intends to execute Changyuan. He begs you to spare Changyuan's life."
The Empress paused for a moment, then stroked her hair and said, "Green Branch, do my hair."
Green Branch helped the Empress to the inner palace to do her makeup, and then brought a slightly thicker cloak to wrap the Empress in before ordering someone to prepare a palanquin to carry the Empress to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
When Eunuch Liu, who was guarding outside the palace, saw the Empress arrive, he was taken aback.
This was the first time the Empress had taken the initiative to come to His Majesty's side.
Eunuch Liu hurriedly greeted the Empress, and then said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is resting today. If you have any important matters to discuss, this servant can convey them to His Majesty on your behalf."
Fearing the Empress might misunderstand, he added, "Ever since the Lin family was wiped out, Your Majesty has been unable to rest day or night. Today, you finally managed to fall asleep, and this servant dared not disturb Your Majesty."
"It's nothing serious," the Empress said, explaining her purpose: "I've come to ask His Majesty for someone."
Eunuch Liu was taken aback: "Which palace maid do you want?"
Chang Yuan.
Eunuch Liu's expression changed, and he waved his hands, saying, "You absolutely must not mention this name in front of His Majesty." He added, "His Majesty has mistaken Chang Yuan for Chang Yuan..."
The Empress's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately understood.
The Northern Qi emperor was so afraid of the remnants of the previous dynasty that he could not eat or sleep.
"Very well, I won't make things difficult for you." After saying this, the Empress handed her hand to Green Branch: "Go back."
Green Branch helped the Empress onto the palanquin, and the entourage returned to Chang Le Palace in a grand procession.
Contrary to her usual behavior, the Empress did not remove her makeup to rest, but instead indulged in some refined pleasures, personally preparing and lighting incense.
That night, the Emperor of Northern Qi came to Chang Le Palace.