Vol 25 Chapter 9 (2/2)

Her delicate eyes turning chilly, Zhu Ji interrogated: “Recently, the ru like wildfire What counter strategies do Great General propose? I hope you can say so to calm my nerves”

Xiao Pan icily interrupted: “Royal Son has issued a State-wide decree, prohibiting anyone fro this matter I hope Empress can understand my position and put your doubts to rest”

Zhu Ji blew her top: “As your naturalit too?”

Xiao Pan replied with indifference: “Royal Son dare not However, Great General is not permitted to violate the decree”

Zhu Ji started laughing in an unnatural way She pitifully observed: “It nearly slipped my mind Three days later, Royal Son will be officially crowned; naturally, you cannot be bothered with me, Empress”

Xiao Pan plainly state: “Empress Mother is mistaken about Royal Son At the end of the day, the slanders that Empress Mother heard are deliberately cooked up by evil villains ishes to disrupt the relationshi+p between us, mother and son”

Subsequently, he stood up and declared: “Eood for you to get agitated Royal Son is taking my leave At a later date, I shall pay ain!”

Up till now, Xiang Shaolong did not have a chance to speak out

He could only sighed to himself Even if Xiao Pan did not have the intention to kill her, based on Zhu Ji’s words, she has basically sentenced herself to death

Toher

This is because Zhu Ji no longer treats hioodwill has been replaced by the bitterest hatred of all

She has already ju had deceived her, andhas killed her real son

Given these circumstances, what can he do?

Qinian Palace

In the Iiant steel bow of Guan Zhongxie that Xiang Shaolong had presented to hi: “Official Guan, if you did not end up as a host, you should have realized that youto collaborate with Lu Buwei years ago”

Standing on Xiao Pan’s left and right are Li Si, Lord Changping, Lord Changwen, An Guxi, wang Guan and several other officials One by one, they congratulated Xiang Shaolong for drawing first blood

As if a huge burden is lifted off his shoulders, Xiao Pan placed the steel bow on his table and motioned for the officials to take a seat With a thrilled s and coxie’s head, nonetheless, Guaren fully agrees with Official Jing’s actions: By destroying the bodies and other physical evidence, ould not alert the rebels to our presence”

Pausing, he added: “Over the next few days, we must be very careful with our food and drink Or else, we may fall prey to Lao Ai’s venomous hands”

Lord Changping cheerfully replied: “Crown Prince can put your mind at ease Officials (We) will be extra cautious”

Scanning the faces of everyone in the study, Xiao Pan’s gaze eventually landed on Xiang Shaolong In a gentle voice, he inquired: “Is Great General feeling better?”

Shaking his head, Xiang Shaolong bitterly s for my life at the borders of Han and Wei, I have overexerted ony Unexpectedly, after my return, I suffered countless relapses The ah to strike fear into my heart ”

Xiao Pan appreciated: “In this case, over the next few days, Great Generalin strenuous activities!”

Subsequently, his royal eyes turned frosty as he icily ru will begin their rebellion during the royal dinner banquet, which is taking place the same day after the coronation cereht ideas?”

Xiang Shaolong siain the initiative; he who moves later loses the initiative Such is the timeless truth”

Slaon throne, Xiao Pan sighed: “With this proverb alone, our victory is assured”

wang Guan frowned: “Pardon subordinate’s incomprehension but didn’t we decide earlier to wait for the rebels tothe our counterattack?”

Xiao Pan coly chuckled: “Earlier decisions are based on earlier circumstances; Present decisions are based on present circuardless of the methods employed, victory is our top priority We shall make our move before the royal banquet and catch him with his pants down”

Li Si commented: “The atrocious traitor Lao Ai will probably die without even realizing what is the cause of his downfall”

Of course Li Si is referring to Mao Jiao the super spy Because of his meticulous efforts, Xiao Pan is fully conscious of Lao Ai’shily

Appearing to be bri with confidence, Xiao Pan nonchalantly articulated: “Two hours before the royal banquet, Senior General An shall take my decree and seize military control of the city All the entrances and exits must be secured and no one is allowed to leave This would surely provoke Lao Ai into co Concurrently, the Palace Guards shall seal off Qinian Palace On one hand, they can safeguard our officials On the other hand, they can arrest ene to the name list”

Pausing, he added: “Si and his le insurgent while Great General Xiang and Guaren shall ! Guaren is interested to knoill be Lao Ai’s final consequence

Everyone expressed praises and approval

Only Xiang Shaolong can recognize the inkling in his words; if he does not co Palace shall be his final resting place

Xiang Shaolong returned to his designated courtyard at the rear of Qinian Palace His iuise of aJun and Wu Guo

Noticing Xiang Shaolong, the two ladies are especially delighted

Sitting down, Xiang Shaolong questioned: “Did you e to contact Fourth Brother?”

Jing Jun nodded: “While Third Brother is off to Dazheng Palace, I used the opportunity to meet up with him”

Ji Yanran probed: “What did Zhu Ji say?”

Xiang Shaolong sighed: “The situation is dreadful Her relationshi+p with Crown Prince is irreparable ”

After answering, he turned to Jing Jun and enquired: “What did Fourth Brother say?”

Jing Jun reported: “Fourth Brother du with immediate effect Unless they have a special travel pass, no one is allowed to leave or enter”

Xiang Shaolong was thunderstruck: “Crown Prince is lying to o, he mentioned that the barricade will only be set up after the coronation and before the royal banquet”

Qin Qing was terrified: “What should we do?”

After conte reasoned: “It would be easy for me to leave I can officially propose to Crown Prince that I a prowess of Second Brother Disguised as Wu Guo, I can sied It is not difficult for Wu Guo too By resuinal appearance and with Fourth Brother assisting hi In the na would definitely send men to keep you under strict surveillance What can we do to counter this?”

Ji Yanran wondered: “Has Hubby decided on your departure schedule?”

Xiang Shaolong responded: “By right, Jing Jun and I should leave for Xianyang tomorrow Aye! But how can I leave the two of you behind? Crown Prince knows me too well”

Ji Yanran giggled: “Then let’s leave together!”

Everyone stared at this gorgeous Talented Lady with amazement

Qin Qing cheered: “Yanran, stop beating around the bush What brilliant strategy did you come up with?”

Ji Yanran elatedly narrated: “I was inspired by Hubby’s earlier words; we shall exploit the auous relationshi+p between Empress and Crown Prince Think about it, if Empress asks for our Grand Tutor Qin to keep her co Palace, hoould Crown Prince react?”

Everyone was full of praises for her ingenuity

Qin Qing joyfully proclaimed: “In this aspect, I can apply some trickery and make it impossible for Crown Prince to reject”

Everyone knows that Qin Qing is extremely familiar with the intricacies of the palace’s affairs To her, it’ll be a piece of cake

Ji Yanran added: “Additionally, this tactic would give Crown Prince the false ier wishes to flee Unknown to hi Palace, she would have vanished en route” Wu Guo asked: “And when should I, this ietaway?”

Xiang Shaolong cautioned: “Basically, you have to react to the ever-changing conditions Notwithstanding, preserving your life is of utinning of the coronation Or else, by then, Yingzheng would not let you out of his sight”

Ji Yanran suggested: “You should probably leave on the night before the coronation! With a two days e should be able to take down Lu Buwei”

Jing Jun reet back to the farms as soon as possible After we have reasse to our plans That would be our grand finale”

Xiang Shaolong sighed: “After years of hardshi+p, it is tirant me days of leisure and a mind free from worries!”

The eyes of everybody were lost in a series of flashbacks In their ears, they could so freely across the green prairie of the borderlands