Chapter 201 - 199. The Beginning of the End II (1/2)
Third-person POV
The news that Huayun just reported to Hong er made Hong er couldn't stand properly. Ming Yu and Huayun swiftly grabbed Hong er and helped her sat on a nearby chair. Hong er took a deep breath and quickly gained back her composure.
Hong er: ”Explain everything to me.”
Ah Tong kneeled down and passed the letter he received not long ago.
Ah Tong: ”Senior Jian's disappearance was the start of everything, we lost all contact with him and his badge showed that he was dead.
Master and Senior Tao were suspicious of his sudden death and sent someone to inquire about Senior Jian's whereabouts but they couldn't find any trace of Senior Jian in Da Chu Royal Palace.
Later they found Senior Jian hiding deep in the forest with critical condition. He passed us a letter before he went into a coma.”
(A/N: Senior Tao is Song Tao, he is Xu family's head butler and Xu Tingfeng's former teacher. Appeared in chapter 47.)
Hong er: ”What did he write?”
Ah Tong: ”You Zei.” (There is a traitor)
Hong er clenched her hand into a fist.
Hong er: ”And?”
Ah Tong: ”Just as Master got this news, the imperial army surrounded the Xu residence and arrested Master and Madam under the decree of the DC Emperor.”
Hong er: ”Uncle Tao?”
Ah Tong: ”Also arrested, even the lowest servants were captured. It was Uncle Shu who sent us this letter, the other elite forces were hiding in Eldest Master's place, Spider Lily.”
(A/N: Uncle Shu is Shu Huatuo, Shu Zhiruo's grandfather.)
The reason Shu Huatuo wasn't captured together with the Xu family was that in front of the public eyes, his connection with the Xu family was neutral. Just a physician and his patient relationship.
Hong er: ”What did they accuse Xu family for?”
Ah Tong: ”Illegally produces weapons, illegally trained army, and an attempt to rebel against the royal family.”
Hong er: ”Where are Father and Mother captivated?”
Ah Tong: ”Imperial dungeon in Ping An.” (Ping An= the capital city of Da Chu.)
Hong er: ”How are father and Mother condition?”
Ah Tong: ”No injury but their appearance was a bit disheveled because of the unattended dungeon.”
Hong er inhaled a mouthful of cold air and slowly exhaled. She caressed her belly hoping that it could prevent herself from killing the Long family (Da Chu's royal family).
Hong er: ”Send 4 thousand of my soldiers and 10 of my elite forces to assist father.”
Huayun: ”Your Majesty Empress, please think this more thoroughly. If you send half of our elite forces to Da Chu, then who will protect you if something happens? The situation in Da Qi is also not very good.”
Ah Tong: ”This servant agrees with Huayun, Your Majesty Empress. To send three-quarters of your soldiers, Chang An will lose a quarter of its power.”
Just as what Ah Tong said, Hong er's soldiers were mainly located in Chang An and responsible to covertly protect Chang An and three cities around Chang An. By sending three-quarters of her soldiers, Hong er already lost the additional defense around Chang An. With that, it would be easier for the enemy to infiltrate Chang An.
How could Hong er not know the consequences of her own action? She would always consider the pros and cons of every decision that she made, but for this time, she had to take a big risk.
Hong er: ”Father just lost over 6 thousand of his soldiers! And the remaining soldiers were also captured, do you think that emperor would just let our Xu soldiers live?”