20demayo Chapter 483 The Queen’s Decision
Chapter 483 The Queen’s Decision
After Situ Changqing and the King of Annan imprisoned all the eunuchs in the palace who were related to Guo Ziyi, Jixiang had time to sit down and write a letter to Tian Muyu. Since she learned that Tian Muyu was imprisoned in the Northwest Army Jiedushi Mansion by the King of Qiong, she has not received any news about Tian Muyu.
The candlelight burst into a flower beside her hand, and the four words "midnight" on the letter looked like blood. That was the secret code they agreed on. If they were faced with a life-and-death situation, they would write these four words at the beginning of the letter.
As she dipped the ink, she recalled the scene three months ago when Tian Muyu inserted a red sandalwood hairpin into her hair before leaving. He said it was carved from a broken arrow from the northwest battlefield, and the tip was embedded with Turkic poison. Now the hairpin was pressing against the back of her neck, so cold that it seemed to pierce through her skin.
"It's bitterly cold in the northwest, so remember to take care of yourself." The ink spread across the letter paper, and Jixiang suddenly stopped writing.
The footsteps of the patrol eunuchs could be heard from outside the window, heavier than usual. She crumpled the letter paper in her palm and watched the candlelight devour the last bit of ink.
Guo Ziyi abandoned Cui Hao and Tuoba Hong and pushed Qiong Wang Tian Muqiong to the front to shield him from the attack. Whether Qiong Wang really wanted to rebel or not, this needs to be re-evaluated.
However, Xiong Er's previous letter said that King Qiong had imprisoned Tian Muyu in the city for four days. If he really wanted to rebel and use Tian Muyu as a weapon to seize the position in the palace, he should take action now.
"Erya!" Jixiang called out.
Arya, who was on duty nearby, heard what had happened. She was sitting drowsily on a small stool nearby, but she immediately stood up and tried to wake herself up.
"Empress!" Erya took a few steps to Jixiang.
"Is Miss Cousin asleep?"
"I'll go and take a look right away." Erya said and turned away.
Jixiang thought for a moment and raised his hand to signal, "Forget it, it's late at night. When Miss Biao wakes up tomorrow, tell her to let me come over."
"Yes." Arya replied.
Jixiang waved his hand again, "You can go down and have a rest too."
"This servant will accompany the Majesty."
"Master Situ and his men are guarding outside. You don't have to stay with me all the time. Go down and look after the three little guys for me."
As soon as the two little princes and a little princess were mentioned, Arya immediately became interested. She also wanted to go and see them, but too many things happened in the palace in the past two days, and she couldn't leave the queen, so she had no chance to see them.
Now that the queen asked her to take care of the three young masters for her, she immediately missed them.
"Okay, Your Majesty, I'll go to Kunning Palace to see them now!" Erya said, bowed to Jixiang, and turned away in a hurry.
After Erya left, Jixiang quickly wrote the letter to Tian Muyu, then found a bamboo tube and sealed it with wax. Then he got up and walked around the room, frowning and thinking.
She thought for a while and seemed to have made a decision. She packed up some things and shouted outside, "Go back to Kunning Palace."
Immediately, several maids and nannies came in and accompanied Jixiang away.
The next morning, as soon as Jixiang got up, Jiang Peipei came to Jixiang's bedroom.
"So early?" Jixiang asked, with a hint of doubt in his tone.
Jiang Peipei walked up to Jixiang, handed the letter to him, and whispered, "Cousin, this is a secret letter I wrote in your tone. I think we should do it on two fronts this time. Maodan will take your secret letter to the emperor and leave first, and I will take this letter and leave Beijing for the northwest..."
Jixiang immediately understood what Jiang Peipei meant and couldn't help but smile, "You are getting smarter now."
Jixiang took the letter and felt the heavy weight of the envelope. He frowned slightly and said, "But the journey to the northwest is long and the road is not safe. It's too dangerous for you to go alone. How about I send a few guards to escort you?"
Jiang Peipei shook her head, her eyes firm: "No, the fewer people who know about this, the better. Besides, it's safer for me to travel light. Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Seeing her resolute attitude, Jixiang knew that it was useless to persuade her, so he sighed and said, "Then you must take care of yourself. If you need anything on the road, feel free to send someone to send a message back."
Jiang Peipei nodded and smiled: "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll be back as soon as I deliver the letter."
After saying that, she turned and left the palace, her steps brisk but firm. Jixiang looked at her back, feeling a little uneasy.
"Erya." Jixiang called Erya who was carrying water into the room, "Go and ask Master Situ to come to Kunning Palace to see me immediately."
Erya was stunned for a moment, but immediately obeyed the order, "Yes." She signaled the other maids and old women to serve the queen, then turned around and left in a hurry.
Soon Situ Changqing followed Erya to Kunning Palace.
Jixiang met him in the front hall, "Master Situ, immediately send someone to secretly follow Miss Cousin, and don't let him make any mistakes along the way."
Situ Changqing was stunned, not knowing what Jiang Peipei was going to do.
"Remember your people should not follow too closely. She left Beijing for the northwest this time for other purposes. Guo Ziyi and Prince Duan's men may be hiding in the dark. If they show up, arrest them immediately."
As soon as Jixiang finished speaking, Situ Changqing also understood, "Your Majesty wants Miss Cousin to personally go to the northwest to deliver a letter to the Emperor, so as to lure out those who are still hiding?"
Jixiang nodded, "Besides, I am not going to the northwest. I will stay in the capital and catch all those villains in one fell swoop to clear the obstacles for the emperor's return."
Situ Changqing laughed when he heard this. As long as the queen did not leave the capital, the Great Saint Dynasty would be stable, and he and Lord Yan and Lord Xue would not have to worry about another riot in the capital.
After all, with the queen in charge, no one can cause any big waves.
"Yes, I will make arrangements right away to ensure Miss Guardian's safety!"
At this time, Jiang Peipei returned to her room, quickly changed into casual clothes, and hid the letter close to her body. She checked the dry food, water bag and a short knife she brought with her, and after confirming that everything was correct, she quietly left the palace through the back door.
There were few pedestrians on the streets in the early morning, with only a few wisps of smoke rising. Jiang Peipei rode a horse that had been prepared long ago and galloped towards the northwest. She had only one thought in her mind: to deliver the letter to the general as soon as possible, without any delay.
Along the way, Jiang Peipei slept in the open air and traveled day and night. She avoided the official road and chose a remote path. Although it was rugged and difficult to travel, it was safe. Whenever night fell, she would rest for a while in the woods or caves, and continue on her way before dawn.
A few days later, Jiang Peipei came to a small town.
The town is not big, with a winding stone road and shops on both sides. The blue bricks and gray tiles show the traces of time. There are various signs hanging in front of the shops, and the cloth canopies sway gently in the breeze, making rustling sounds. The vendors selling candy figurines are shouting to attract customers, and the teahouse is filled with the aroma of tea, mixed with the low chatter of diners.
In this bustling street, the sign of an inn is particularly eye-catching. It is a dark brown wooden sign with the four characters "Yue Lai Inn" written in golden lacquer. The edges of the sign are carved with exquisite patterns, and small copper bells are hung on the four corners, ringing in the wind and making crisp sounds. The inn's front is spacious and bright, with two big red lanterns hanging in front of the door, painted with auspicious patterns, making it look particularly festive.
Jiang Peipei walked towards Yuelai Inn.