Chapter 411 (2/2)

After Zhao Li departed, Pengyue's personal servant girl was choked with emotion as she asked, ”Master, why didn't you just say that you're unable to borrow the soldiers? If you tell the emperor the truth, he won't resent you so much.”

There was civil unrest in Yuzhen because the common people were having a hard time making a living. Yuzhen's royal family was in an extremely precious position, so there was no way they could afford to lend troops.

Pengyue smile and said, ”If he can't find someone to resent, then he'll resent himself. Since it's like that, he might as well resent me. At the very least, he'll feel something for me and spend time brooding over me. That would be nice too.”

The oh so high w.a.n.gyue Building, it had once been a symbol of the emperor's supreme favor towards his favorite person, but at the end, it had inexplicably become a place to imprison her.

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There were no reinforcements from Yuzhen, and although the various first-rank t.i.tled princes responded to the emperor's order, they weren't very enthusiastic. While Ning Mingjie had already led the army to the capital and was stationed outside of the capital, the troops from the other princes hadn't even left their fiefdom yet.

Zhao Li truly felt a sense of crisis. He ordered Ning Yuxuan to return and defend the capital.

Zhangjun's army had finally pressed the retreating army all the way to the capital with Zhao Zhe personally leading the army. He straightforwardly declared that the third prince was innocent and had been wrongfully executed. Zhao Li was the one that had actually killed their father, and then their brother. Nie Clan had been innocent. What right did Zhao Li have to exterminate that clan?

Ji Man had come with the army and was still wearing a red dress. Sitting inside a carriage, she had followed Zhao Zhe all way to the capital.

”Your Highness, do you remember what you promised Sangyu?” Ji Man asked.

Zhao Zhe looked at her and openly and heartily laughed. ”Of course, this prince remembers. You can pay him back for everything he did to you back then. It's only that this prince didn't expect a mere woman would be able to successfully get revenge for a blood debt.”

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The opposing army had already surrounded the capital. Ning Mingjie had surrendered to Zhangjun Prince and switched allegiances, so it was only to be expected that he would join Zhangjun's army in besieging the capital.

Zhao Li only had one useful person, Marquis Moyu. Havoc was already running amuck in the capital. The price for grain was too high, and the imperial court had been suspended due to the dowager empress and the prime minister's faction. Zhao Li's hold on his throne was like a flickering flame on a windy day.

However, Marquis Moyu had proven to be a loyal official. He saluted the emperor with his hands and said, ”As long as this subject is here, this subject will guard the capital. Even if all the other officials refuse to attend the imperial court, this subject will still be present.”

Zhao Li was so touched by Marquis Moyu's words that he immediately bestowed him the t.i.tle of Protector of the Nation. Moreover, he felt that he had been too despairingly cold-hearted in kidnapping the marquis's heir. Fortunately, Ning Yuxuan had let it slide.

”If dear subject can successfully defend the capital, the emperor can grant the beloved subject anything,” said Zhao Li.

Ning Yuxuan quietly knelt. He chuckled and said, ”This subject desires nothing. May Your Majesty live and reign for ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years.”

Where could you find such a loyal official?