Make peace with the Lord of the Prairie

Ming Heng was so frightened that his face was bloodless at the moment. Although he had guessed all about the contents of the box before opening the box, seeing the second prince's head with his own eyes, it still appeared in such a terrifying and disgusting manner in front of him. In front of him, he still couldn't help being shocked.He looked at Emperor Qianyuan in amazement, very puzzled why he wanted to show himself the head of the second prince. You must know that he was the second prince who was secretly dealt with at the beginning. After all, if the world knew that the second prince was not the prince, it would not only be a scandal for the entire royal family. , Emperor Qianyuan himself also had a dull face.

"Father..." Ming Heng suppressed the disgusting smell of rotting corpses on the tip of his nose, pretending to be ignorant and asked, "What's going on here? How could Second Brother..."

Emperor Qianyuan glanced at him, and said to Mingheng calmly with his hands behind his back: "Remember that I said before that I would cut off the head of the murderer who killed your prince brother and put it in front of his tombstone? He kept his promise."

Ming Heng was startled, he already knew that the second prince was the real culprit who killed the prince, so he was not surprised, but he was surprised that his father would tell him.You know, the truth about the deaths of the prince and the second prince has never been told by the father, and the outside world has never known how they died.He would know that it was all based on Tuoba Hong and He Zexi's secret investigations.

Mingheng felt strange, could it be that the emperor told him these things to confess everything to him?

As soon as he finished guessing, he really heard Emperor Qianyuan say without hesitation: "To tell you the truth, the death of your second emperor's brother was my intention, but it was also because he killed the prince himself. Such wolf ambitions are not in the first place." It should stay in the world."

Ming Heng opened his mouth slightly, stared blankly at Emperor Qian Yuan, and hurriedly thought about how he should react at this time.However, Emperor Qianyuan didn't seem to notice him and continued talking.

Ming Heng stood behind him and quietly listened to what he told everything slowly.Emperor Qianyuan didn't intend to hide it from him at all, and even told him the identity of the Queen Mother's princess of the Bugui family and the fact that the second prince was not his own child.

The more Ming Heng heard it, the more frightened he became, which made him think of it—killing people to silence them.

Isn't it written like this in the scriptures, before you want to kill a person, you will show kindness and tell him everything he wants to know, which is a beautiful name-let you die more clearly.

The imperial mausoleum was quite gloomy and cold, but Mingheng's back was covered in cold sweat.

After confessing everything, Emperor Qianyuan didn't continue, turned around and looked at the prince's tombstone quietly, with obvious sorrow in his eyes.After being silent for a long time, he turned around, stared fixedly at Ming Heng, and suddenly said something surprising: "The crown prince is dead, and now the East Palace is empty, I have decided to make you the new crown prince, are you willing?"

This time Mingheng was really shocked, he stared at Emperor Qianyuan dumbfounded, his thoughts were in a mess.

What did the emperor just say?He wants to make himself the crown prince?Even if it's a joke, it's not like that.Who in the court doesn't know that the sixth prince, Ming Heng, has little talent and learning, and is the most mediocre among the six princes. Even if the prince and the second prince who are most expected to inherit the great line are gone, it is impossible for him to be the prince!Why did the emperor make such a ridiculous decision.Besides, the emperor's uncle clearly said that the father had already decided to establish the emperor's grandson, isn't this unnecessary?

Mingheng had a lot of questions in his head, but he didn't dare to ask Emperor Qianyuan face to face.Because there are still only a few ministers in the court who know about the establishment of the emperor's grandson, if he speaks about the emperor's grandson openly, he may implicate the emperor's uncle.

Seeing that he hadn't spoken out for a long time, Emperor Qianyuan became a little impatient, and asked again: "You don't want to?"

Mingheng closed his eyes, took a deep breath, suddenly knelt down, and said in a deep voice: "I don't want to, please forgive my father!"

Emperor Qianyuan didn't react violently, but looked at him calmly with downcast eyes, and asked softly, "Why don't you want to?"

"My son is mediocre, not as good as the other emperor brothers. It is really difficult to take on the big responsibility. Please think twice. Besides..." Ming Heng gritted his teeth and replied truthfully, "Besides, my son has already met with Tuoba. Hong decided to live his whole life. My son is mediocre and doesn't have much ambition, I just want to spend the rest of my life peacefully with Tuoba Hong."

Emperor Qianyuan sighed softly for a long time, with a disappointed expression on his face, he asked as if confirming: "Did you recognize Tuobahong in your life?"

"I've decided, it will be him in this life." Ming Heng said firmly.

"Okay." Emperor Qianyuan gave up, and suddenly raised his right hand slightly.

In an instant, a group of imperial guards suddenly appeared from behind the surrounding trees.Before Mingheng could react, two icy knives rested on his neck.

"Father! What do you mean?!" Ming Heng was shocked.

Emperor Qianyuan turned his back and didn't look at him, and said coldly: "King Hui Mingheng colluded with the enemy and treasoned the country, and shielded the enemy. He has committed a serious crime, and he will be punished by imprisonment in the cold palace for life."

Ming Heng was stunned.

Collaborate with the enemy and treason!Who is it?Tuck it?

Ming Heng excitedly said: "Father, my son was wronged! My son has never done anything to betray An Ling, I implore Father to investigate clearly!"

Emperor Qianyuan looked at him coldly, with sharp eyes: "So you don't know about Tuobahong's life experience? Since you have decided to spend the rest of your life with him, don't you know his secret? Mingheng, I didn't give it to you. choose."

Mingheng was dumbfounded.

It turned out that Emperor Qianyuan said that he wanted to make him the crown prince to test his own position. If he agreed to Emperor Qianyuan's proposal, it would mean that he chose Anling, so Emperor Qianyuan would not blame him for everything in the past.But he resolutely chose Tuobahong without even the slightest hesitation...

The fact that Ming Heng was imprisoned in the cold palace was very low-key and did not publicize it to the outside world.Of course, his movements were restricted, and he could only stay in the cold and quiet cold palace. Except for the eunuch who delivered three meals a day, he didn't even have a waiter around him.

Mingheng was worried and anxious, Tuobahong is still missing, life and death are uncertain.And He Zexi and Mo Jia are still in the Chong Palace, so I don't know if the emperor has taken action against them.

Father is obviously going to tear himself apart with Tuobahong and the others now. No matter whether he knows that Tuobahong in Chonghua Palace is pretended by He Zexi, as long as he is related to Tuobahong, he probably won't let him go. Pass.His father's attitude towards Tuobahong's life experience was tougher than ever, obviously he didn't want to let it go, he didn't even give him a chance to defend himself, and only relied on Musa's one-sided words to confine himself in the cold palace. How could Heng not be worried.

Today is the third day that Ming Heng was imprisoned in the cold palace.For three days, he couldn't sleep at night, worried about everything outside the cold palace, couldn't eat and sleep, and lost a lot of weight in just three days.The eunuchs guarding outside the palace didn't care about him, no matter whether he ate or not, they just brought him food on time, and if he didn't eat, he would feed it to the cats and dogs in the yard.Mingheng talked to them, but they ignored them, obviously they were the confidantes of his father, and they were only loyal to the emperor's orders.

Ming Heng leaned against a pillar under the porch, staring blankly at the sky, his eyes were dull and lifeless.

Do you really want to stay here forever?Where is Tuoba Hong now?How would he react if he found out?

With his temper, maybe he would directly lead people into the palace to rescue him.This person protects his weaknesses, always does things as he pleases, and never cares about the consequences.

Mingheng thought of Tuobahong, the corners of his mouth raised slightly unconsciously.He is not afraid of death, but regrets that he has not witnessed the birth of his two children.I don't know if there will be another chance in the future.

Ming Heng was thinking wildly when suddenly the door of Leng Palace was slowly pushed open.He froze for a moment, then glanced at the sky suspiciously—there's no food yet, and it's delivered so early today?

Ming Heng turned around, but saw that the person who came was not the little eunuch who brought him food a few days ago, but a tall man in black armor with a big knife on his waist.

Ming Heng looked at the person in surprise: "General Lu?!"

"Your Highness." The burly man saluted Ming Heng.

The visitor turned out to be Lu Fangzhi.

Since returning from the northwest, Ming Heng has not met Lu Fangzhi again, and the relationship between the two is not very close, so seeing him coming in alone, he can't help but become more curious.

"General Lu, why are you here? But what is the emperor's intention?"

Lu Fangzhi shook his head, stared at him for a while, and suddenly cupped his fists and said, "Your Highness, forgive me."

"What?" Ming Heng was puzzled when he saw Lu Fangzhi suddenly raised his hand and stabbed himself at the neck.

Then, darkness invaded.

Ming Heng woke up in a burst of pain.Before he could open his eyes, he heard a gentle and calm voice saying to him, "Heng, are you awake?"

Ming Heng only felt that this voice was extremely familiar, as if it was... Uncle Huang.

Mingheng was startled, was he hallucinating? How could he hear the voice of the emperor's uncle in the cold palace.But that voice kept calling his name, becoming clearer and more real.Ming Heng hastily opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the carved top of the bed, it was elegant and luxurious, completely different from the old bed in the Leng Palace.

"Heng, you're finally awake." Immediately afterwards, King Su's handsome face with nervous concern appeared in sight.

"Uncle Emperor." Ming Heng was still not clear-headed, "Why am I here?"

King Su helped him up, sat on the head of the bed, and explained in a warm voice: "General Lu brought you out of the cold palace."

Ming Heng was surprised: "General Lu?! He took me out of the cold palace secretly?!"

King Su nodded.

Mingheng instantly became nervous: "Does the emperor know? This is a crime of deceiving the emperor. Why did General Lu take the risk to save me?"

King Su patted him on the shoulder, told him to calm down, and continued to explain: "You don't have to worry, now there is someone from me in the Leng Palace who is disguised as the eyeliner that you hid from His Majesty, and His Majesty hasn't noticed yet. As for General Lu, Han Huanze Brother Xi and Xi had kindness to him, and he saved you to repay their kindness. Don't worry, His Majesty doesn't know about their relationship, so he won't doubt him."

Only then did Mingheng heave a sigh of relief, and then he grabbed King Su's hand and asked anxiously: "Uncle Huang, have you found Tuobahong?"

King Su's eyes dimmed, and he shook his head slightly.

Ming Heng's expression also dimmed instantly.

King Su patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "Don't worry too much. No news is good news. Tuoba Hong will be fine. Wu Meng and Mo Jia are searching day and night, and I believe there will be news soon. gone."

Ming Heng nodded in disappointment and remained silent.

King Su watched him hesitate to speak, thought for a while and told the truth: "When you were sent to me by General Lu, you were too weak, and you were in a coma for three days. A lot of things happened in these three days."

Mingheng cheered up and asked, "What happened?"

King Su said: "Your Majesty has issued an imperial decree to appoint the eldest son of the crown prince as the grandson of the emperor, and the other princes have also sealed their lands. They will leave the capital in the next year."

Ming Heng was surprised: "Father is going to drive all the princes out of the capital?!"

King Su nodded: "All civil and military officials persuaded His Majesty that this practice violated the ancestral system, but His Majesty's attitude was very tough, and he even dismissed one of the most fiercely opposed veterans and sent him back to his hometown to retire."

Ming Heng was stunned when he heard it, and he asked after a long time: "Father, is this crazy?"

King Su shook his head and smiled wryly: "Isn't he just crazy? I even wonder if he was transferred. Since the death of the crown prince and the second prince, he has changed, becoming more and more strange and crazy. Where? Still the benevolent and generous Mingjun."

Ming Heng asked suspiciously: "Uncle Huang, how did you know that I was imprisoned in the cold palace?"

King Su said with a serious expression: "Mo Jia told me. After you were called away by the emperor, Zexi suddenly had a bad feeling, so he left the palace secretly. Later they found out that you were taken out of the palace, and they felt a little uncomfortable. Don't worry, Mo Jia followed quietly, and finally saw the scene where you were captured by the imperial guards. But there are so many enemies, it's not convenient for him to come forward, so he had to come back and tell Zexi and me about the incident."

Mingheng heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the words, but fortunately Zexi was smart and escaped.Thinking of this, he asked again: "By the way, what about Zexi and the others? Why didn't you see them?"

King Su's expression changed.

Ming Heng felt bad: "What happened to them?"

King Su didn't deny it: "On the second day after you were in a coma, Brother Huang suddenly ransacked the Duke's mansion, charged with collaborating with the enemy and treason, arrested everyone in the mansion, and will soon be ransacked and executed."

Ming Heng was stunned: "The whole family is copied and cut? The father is so impulsive? What about General He? Wasn't he picked up by Wu Meng long ago?"

King Su shook his head: "Later he went back again. His Majesty threatened more than 100 people in his mansion, saying that if he didn't show up, he would kill one a day until he showed up. He took the initiative to go back, not only General He, but also Zexi..."

Ming Heng only felt his eyes go dark.In other words, General He and Zexi are now in prison, and they will be executed soon!

He threw off the quilt abruptly and was about to fall to the ground.King Su stopped him and asked, "What are you going to do?"

"I want to go back and ask my father to forgive me. The He family is full of loyalty and loyalty to Anling. We can't let them die wronged."

King Su has been busy these days trying to save He Xiao and his son. Fortunately, he usually hides well, and Emperor Qianyuan hasn't suspected him yet, which gave him the opportunity to run for the He family and his son.

He quickly comforted his nephew: "You can't protect yourself now, let alone them, you will only aggravate His Majesty's anger if you intercede for them now. You don't have to worry too much, the character of the He family father and son, civil and military officials, all depend on it." In their eyes, they don't want to believe that His Majesty has charged such an unfounded crime, and many ministers have already written letters to intercede for them."

Mingheng asked: "Then what is the attitude of the father?"

King Su said: "He didn't say anything, he just issued a Taoist decree, ordering the inspector to investigate the case of He's father and son collaborating with the enemy within ten days. But in fact, I suspect that he was actually trying to force Tuobahong to show up. It's a time limit for him, if he doesn't show up after ten days, more than 100 members of the He family will be executed."

Mingheng looked at King Su: "Father knows that Tuobahong is missing?"

King Su nodded, and said: "Those assassins were secretly bought by the fourth prince, and the fourth prince was actually just a pawn of the emperor's brother unintentionally. Musa did reach a cooperation with the fourth prince first, but soon Soon he found out that the fourth prince might not be destined for the throne, so he made a bold decision to directly cooperate with the current Holy Majesty. He used the secret of Tuoba Hong's life experience as an exchange condition, and persuaded His Majesty to join him in joining forces against Ye Ruo. They After the agreement was fulfilled, Musa ceded Yerouqin Thar Grassland to Anling, and promised never to send troops to Anling."

"Father agreed?"

King Su smiled bitterly: "Is there any reason for him not to agree, there is no emperor who does not want to expand the territory. What's more, Musa is very sincere, and the conditions he gave are indeed very attractive."

"So what if it's attractive?" Mingheng sneered, "Don't you know what kind of person Musa is? Doesn't he know how Tuobahong's two fathers died? How dare such a treacherous villain letter!"

King Su patted him on the shoulder: "That's why I said that he was crazy long ago. If he wasn't crazy, he wouldn't be able to do these things. Well, let's not talk about that, the most urgent thing is to find Tuobahong and rescue the He family father and son. "

Ming Heng nodded, obviously also understood the priorities.He thought for a moment, then suddenly got up, walked to the desk, and sat down.

King Su followed and asked, "What are you going to do?"

Ming Heng caressed a silver ring on his left index finger. The ring was lustrous and lustrous, with delicate patterns, and a wolf's head that had always been lifelike was engraved on it.It is the symbol of King Yerou's power. With this ring, all the horses in Yerou can be mobilized.

He rubbed the ring, his eyes gradually became firmer, and said: "I want to write a letter to Ye Ruo."

Three days later, when all civil and military officials were panicking over the matter of He Xiao and his son, an urgent report came from the northwest border—General Ye Ruo Ashinahan suddenly led an army to the border of Anling.

Full of uproar.

Anling is in danger, and the war is imminent.At this moment, who cares about other things, civil and military officials all wrote a letter imploring Emperor Qianyuan to send generals to resist foreign enemies immediately.

Since Anling and Yerun have been at peace for decades, the troops at the frontier have been reduced since three years ago.Although the general guarding the city in the northwest is also a famous general in Anling, he is still young and has never fought against Ye Ruan.What's more, the leader of the army is Ashinahan, the number one warrior on the grassland.The opponent is extremely skilled, and the only general in Anling who can fight against him is He Xiao.Therefore, the ministers have been persuading Emperor Qianyuan in various ways these days-General He is brave and good at fighting, and he is also loyal to Anling, and I hope His Majesty can see clearly.What's more, Anling is in dire straits now, just when it is in urgent need of employing people, He Xiao is the pinnacle of stability for the people of Anling, if he is executed at this time, I am afraid that Anling will be in chaos!

Emperor Qianyuan was unmoved, but transferred all the garrisons in the southeast and northeast to support the northwest, and ordered them to resist Ye Ruan's army with all their strength.He just didn't want He Xiao to lead the troops out.

However, Anling has a vast territory, and it will take several days for the garrisons in the southeast and northeast to go to the northwest to support them.

However, the strange thing is that Ye Ruo's army did not launch a war after entering the city, and they walked all the way shouting - they had no intention of invading Anling, but their own sweat disappeared in Anling, Anling was anxious and anxious, and had no choice but to bring Lead the troops into Anling to find their own Khan, and they will withdraw when they find someone.

The city guards looked confused, they didn't know the truth of what they said, but they didn't dare to declare war when they saw that they didn't start the war.Because Ye Ruan had twice as many troops as them, and the leader of the army was the number one warrior on the grassland. If they exchanged fire rashly, they would suffer in all likelihood.

Ye Ruo's army will repeat that passage when they pass through a city.Soon this passage was spread to the imperial court, and all civil and military officials were also puzzled, completely unaware of what kind of medicine they were selling in their gourds.

They asked Emperor Qianyuan for his opinion, but the other party waved his hand indifferently and said, "Let go."

With the emperor's edict, Ye Ruan's army moved more and more unimpeded in Anling, and within a few days, the army approached the capital.

At this time, the ten-day deadline has also arrived.Tuobahong still did not show up, and the inspector did not find evidence of the He family's father and son collaborating with the enemy and treason, so the civil and military officials once again wrote to Emperor Qianyuan to release the members of the He family.Emperor Qianyuan just smiled faintly, threw the memorial on the dragon case, and slowly uttered a word - "cut!"

Once the emperor's order was issued, it was difficult to take it back, so under the risky persuasion of civil and military officials, the father and son He Xiao and He Zexi were still pushed to the guillotine.

On the Golden Luan Hall, Emperor Qianyuan had a splitting headache when he heard the desolate remonstrances of the ministers, so he ordered that all the old ministers who threatened that His Majesty would not take back their orders and swore to kneel in front of the hall were forcibly thrown back to their respective positions. At home, sitting alone on the dragon chair waiting for the news from outside.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of light footsteps resounded in the empty hall.Emperor Qianyuan leaned on the dragon chair with his forehead propped on one hand, heard Yuanxi's footsteps, closed his eyes and asked, "Is it all over?"

Yuan Xi didn't answer, but walked cautiously to the bottom of the imperial steps, looking back from time to time, with a trembling look on his face.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Yuan Xi hesitated to speak, his voice trembling.

"What's wrong? Things are not going well?" Emperor Qianyuan opened his eyes.

At this moment, more than a dozen soldiers in tucked-in battle armor leaped in neatly with knives in their hands, and stood on both sides under the hall, with a stern look on their faces.Finally, Mingheng and Ashinahan walked in slowly.

Ming Heng walked to the front, lifted his robe, kneeled down on both knees and respectfully kowtowed: "I see my father."

Emperor Qianyuan turned cold, and asked coldly: "Mingheng, what do you mean? Are you going to kill your father and seize the throne?"

Before Mingheng could speak, Ashinahan on the side took the lead and said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, we have no choice but to do so. My Khan disappeared in your Anling territory, and now the entire grassland is in chaos. Everyone I was very worried about Da Khan's safety, so I had no choice but to bring people to Anling to look for my Da Khan. But we were not familiar with Anling's place of birth, and we didn't know where to look for it for a while, so we had to seek Anling's family. Help. Then please ask Your Highness to bring us to His Majesty the Emperor."

It's hard to tell whether Ashinahan's words are true or not, but the expression on his face is extremely sincere.

Emperor Qianyuan looked back at Ming Heng with a half-smile, and asked unhurriedly: "Ming Heng, is what General Ashinahan said true?"

Mingheng didn't deny it: "Tuobahong is my husband. Now that he is missing, I am more anxious than anyone else. Today is really helpless, please forgive me."

Emperor Qianyuan suddenly gave a sinister smile, and said in a strange voice: "What is your crime? It's just that you are worried about your sweetheart who has been missing for many days, and you can't worry about the two children in his belly. You are affectionate and righteous, and I should You are the reward."

Emperor Qianyuan suddenly revealed that Tuobahong was pregnant, so Mingheng and Ashinahan were startled.But Mingheng soon regained his composure, and said bravely, "Father, Tuobahong didn't..."

Emperor Qianyuan interrupted him: "You don't need to lie to me anymore, I already know everything. Ming Heng, you let me down so much, you are the prince of Anling, and you actually help outsiders to deceive me for the love of your children! "

Mingheng knew that he should not talk back to Emperor Qianyuan at this time, but he couldn't help but said: "Tuobahong is my husband who has worshiped heaven and earth, not an outsider."

Emperor Qianyuan was silent for a long time, and suddenly said: "Okay, okay. Since you miss him so much, then die with him."

Mingheng's heart tightened, and he asked nervously, "Father, where is Tuobahong? What have you done to him?"

Emperor Qianyuan smiled sinisterly: "Tuoba Hong is also a member of the He family after all, of course he lived and died with his father and brother."

Ming Heng only felt his heart being clenched suddenly, with a piercing pain, and asked with difficulty: "Did you kill him?"

"What's the use of keeping the traitorous traitors!" Emperor Qianyuan said disdainfully, "It's not just Tuoba Hong and He Zexi, they are the He family who colluded with the enemy and treasoned the country, and anyone who betrayed me deserves to die!"

At this moment, Mingheng was obviously very angry, but extremely calm, and slowly stood up, and questioned Emperor Qianyuan with red eyes: "Your Majesty said that the He family colluded with the enemy and treasoned the country, dare to ask which country they have colluded with the enemy, and which country they have betrayed! "

Emperor Qianyuan stared at him gloomyly, without saying a word.

Ming Heng looked at him without fear, and said sonorously: "The He family has been loyal for generations, the generals of the He family have guarded the border for decades, and have protected the stability of Anling's border for decades, and saved the people of Anling from the flames of war. They have devoted themselves to their duties and cultivated so many generals for Anling, they have never done anything wrong to Anling."

Emperor Qianyuan was irritated by him and couldn't help raising his voice: "Just because of the adultery between He Jinnian, the son of the He family, and Tuoba Rongyu, he gave birth to a pair of evil sons!"

Just as Ming Heng was about to refute, a slightly cold voice suddenly sounded from behind.

"What's wrong with father and father's sincere love? Why should the fault of the times be blamed on them. They just want to spend their lives in a normal way like ordinary people. It's you who charged them as traitors and drove them to death. Dad followed his father to the grassland just because he loved him and trusted him. Although he lived in the grassland for many years, he never forgot that he was from Anling. When my brother and I were babbling, he took the trouble to teach us to speak Chinese Tell us, Yerou is our home, but Anling is also our home. Daddy is a child of the He family, and the He family will never betray their country!"