late Qing Dynasty

Chapter 25
October 1861, 9 Light Rain

Early this morning, I heard that Prince Gong had arrived in Rehe. It was said that as soon as he entered the Rehe Palace, he began to cry and chanted plausibly.

I know that Prince Gong came this time to discuss big plans, and everything he did was to paralyze Sushun.

In the morning, I wrote a letter to Rong Lu, asking him to arrange for his cronies on the way back to the capital.

If my judgment is not wrong, Sushun should attack us on the way back to Beijing. After all, he has no better chance except this time.

Last night, Linger called me over in a hurry, it turned out that something incredible happened.

At that time, what I thought in my mind was never expected, and I also admired my own humor.

"Empress Dowager, this servant only saw Xiaodie leave the bedroom alone, not long after she left, Su came over by the way."

Linger stood in front of us, lowered her head and reported.

"When did Xiaodie come back?"

Suspicion flashed across Lan'er's eyes, and she still seemed a little unconvinced by Ling'er's words.

However, I was glad in my heart, fortunately I stopped Lan'er at that time, otherwise, we would probably be decapitated now.

"If you go back to the queen mother, the servant only saw Xiaodie go out, but didn't see Xiaodie come back." Ling'er reported the truth.

"This Xiaodie has been with me for many years, and the person who betrayed me is actually her. I can't believe it..."

Lan'er frowned tightly, shaking her head vigorously.

"Ling'er, go and see if Xiaodie is back. If she comes back, call her over."

I understand Lan'er's doubts, but it's very simple to find out about this matter, as long as I call Xiaodie to confront her, the truth will be revealed.

The two of us waited for a while before Ling'er hurried back.

"Queen Mother, Master Tang, Xiaodie hasn't come back yet." Ling'er said respectfully.

I looked at the sky outside, and it was past midnight. If Xiaodie had gone to report the news, she should have come back a long time ago. Things seem to be going a little abnormally.

……

This morning, I heard three pieces of news, one is that Prince Gong has arrived, the other is that the six-headed son-in-law Jingshou is going back to Beijing to prepare for the former emperor's palace, and the other is that Xiaodie has died.

This morning, someone found Xiaodie's body near Lan'er's bedroom. It is said that Xiaodie's throat was sealed with a sword, and the opponent's technique was very precise and skilled.

During breakfast, the Empress Dowager Ci'an had already sent someone to invite Lan'er to Yanbo Zhishuang Hall. If I guessed correctly, she should have gone to see Prince Gong.

Yanbo Zhishuang Hall is the sleeping palace of the first emperor, and it is also the first scene of the 36 scenes of Kangxi. It is said that it is surrounded by beautiful mountains and ten miles of Chenghu Lake, which is refreshing, so it got its name.

When Lan'er went to Yanbo Zhishuang Palace, I went to look for the six-headed son-in-law Jingshou, and now, he has become our only life-saving straw.

When I passed by, Jing Shou was packing his things, and when he saw me go in, his expression suddenly became tense.

"Master Tang, if you come here at this time, could it be that the queen mother has some orders?"

I shook my head, walked to Jing Shou's side, and secretly stuffed the letter into his hand, "Be sure to hand it to Master Rong Lu."

Regarding Rong Lu, my understanding is limited to history books, but since Lan Er said that I am Rong Lu's confidant, it should be right to ask him for help.

In fact, apart from him, I can't think of anyone to ask for help.

Jing Shou put the letter away and put it in his sleeve, "Don't worry, I will definitely hand it over to Rong Lu."

I didn't stay in Jingshou's residence for a long time, so as not to arouse Sushun's suspicion.

Leaving Jing Shou's place, I deliberately headed towards Yanbo Zhishuang Palace. At this time, a big coup was brewing among the three of them.

I know that this coup is the famous Xinyou coup in history. I know the result, but I didn't expect the process to be so tortuous.

There are guards guarding the entrance of Yanbo Zhishuang Hall. After all, the former emperor's Zi Palace is inside, and ordinary people cannot enter.

I circled around outside, and found that besides the guards, there were quite a few little eunuchs here, all of whom had weird expressions.

If I'm not mistaken, it should be Sushun who sent to monitor Prince Gong Yiyi.

I know a little more about Prince Gong Yiyi. After all, he was a very outstanding politician in the late Qing Dynasty. He also launched the Westernization Movement and promoted the industrialization of modern Chinese society.

As for Yichun, I once used two idioms to describe him, one is that he was born at the wrong time, and the other is that he was born at the wrong time.

His talent is extremely high, but because of this, he was jealous of Emperor Xianfeng, and he was greatly excluded in the court, so that as the emperor's younger brother, he was trampled under by Sushun.

Another one, during Cixi's reign, his Westernization Movement was still in the developing stage, so it was strangled in the cradle, and the entire army of the Beiyang Navy was destroyed, which dealt him a fatal blow.

As a result, he was abandoned by Cixi in his later years, and ended up in poverty. He was a slave all his life, but he cared about the world, and he was a generation of virtuous kings.

If possible, I must get acquainted with him, and we can save our motherland together.

After leaving Yanbo Zhishuang Palace, I went back to Lan'er's bedroom. It is said that Xiaodie's body has been sent out of the palace, probably thrown in a mass grave.

Xiaodie's death made me feel very surprised. Logically speaking, no one should know about Lan'er and I's plan, and Sushun shouldn't kill Xiaodie to silence it.

But she really died.

Now, whether it's Xiaodie's death or the little eunuch who wants to kill me, it's like a stone sinks into the sea, with no clues or clues at all.

I was sitting in my room, lost in thought, when Mei Shuang walked in suddenly, and seeing her, she was still a little weak.

I got up immediately and helped her to sit on the chair, "I'm not well yet, why don't you take a good rest in the room!"

"My lord, I heard that Xiaodie died." Mei Shuang looked at me, as if confirming the authenticity of the news.

I nodded, "It's true, besides, she might be a spy sent by Sushun."

"Impossible! Xiaodie will definitely not be a spy!" Mei Shuang looked at me with certainty and said.

(End of this chapter)