Chapter 705 - 211: Hidden Within the Palace, Two Fires Merge with Withered Fire

Chapter 705: Chapter 211: Hidden Within the Palace, Two Fires Merge with Withered Fire

"But the master’s protection is heartfelt, loyal and clear as the sun and the moon. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness!"

After saying these words, Dugu Qiu supported himself on the ground with both hands and heavily kowtowed to Li Yuan.

"You, when has my Xie Family ever been as you say!"

The fire in Xie Wei’s eyes almost set this Grand General ablaze.

But she also knew in her heart that the current situation was like swords drawn; they were at daggers drawn, and no one could yield.

Internal strife, perhaps now, is on the verge of breaking out!

At this moment, Li Yuan weakly said: "General Dugu..."

"I am here!"

"The Xie Family... is not as you claim.

I, see clearly."

As the words fell, Dugu Qiu remained silent, but the meaning was obvious: ’What good is it that you see clearly, what good is it that the Xie Family truly means well for you? What we want, you have not given, so you haven’t truly seen clearly! You are the Emperor, you should understand our meaning! Now, tell us, what should be done?’

"I am only weak, not dead." Li Yuan said in a deep voice.

Dugu Qiu’s voice was sharp as a blade: "The entire palace is full of the Xie Clan, does Your Majesty truly not consider for yourself?!"

Li Yuan coughed slightly and suddenly said: "General Gao..."

As the words fell, there came a sound of urgent and rapid hoofbeats from outside the door, approaching swiftly.

In a moment, a grand general clad in silver armor, holding a red spear, entered the room, and stood by Li Yuan’s side under Xie Wei’s astonished gaze.

The long spear was planted with a "thud," resonating heavily like a drum on people’s hearts.

"Willing to die for Your Majesty!" Gao Kaiping said in a muffled voice.

And outside the door, the horse continued to snort "whinny."

Dugu Qiu looked up, his gaze clashing with Gao Kaiping’s.

Who is Gao Kaiping?

He is a loyal spirit, invincible in life, and even more powerful in death, the strongest among the Fourth Grade, capable of easily slaying even a Half-Step Third Grade like Qing Hancheng.

Such a person alone is worth eight thousand Flying Bear Army.

He looked down upon Dugu Qiu.

Dugu Qiu, though battle-hardened, felt as if a heavy mountain pressed on his shoulders and did not dare to breathe loudly.

He mustered his courage again and sneaked a glance, only to see Gao Kaiping also coldly looking at Xie Wei... Xie Wei was clearly oppressed and involuntarily stepped back two paces.

At this moment, Li Yuan spoke in a deep voice: "Stand down."

Gao Kaiping lowered his head and stepped aside.

Dugu Qiu immediately felt the pressure decrease significantly.

He could also feel Xie Wei beside him breathing a little easier.

Li Yuan fixed his gaze on Dugu Qiu and calmly asked: "Is the palace truly full of the Xie Clan?"

Dugu Qiu hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, forgive me..."

Li Yuan then looked at Xie Wei and asked: "Is the palace truly full of the Xie Clan?"

Xie Wei quickly knelt and respectfully said: "The Imperial Palace forever belongs to Your Majesty, and the Xie Family will forever be Your Majesty’s subjects!"

"Did you hear that! Did you hear that!!" Li Yuan angrily pointed at Dugu Qiu’s nose and said: "Now that the Lotus Thieves have just been extinguished, the nation is just recovering, with all to rebuild, and you... you are thinking of seizing power and position! I am not dead yet!"

Dugu Qiu repeatedly apologized.

Li Yuan spoke all these words in one breath and then began to cough violently.

After a long while, he gasped for air as if his entire strength had been drained, and said weakly: "All... rise."

Only then did Dugu Qiu and Xie Wei stand up.

Li Yuan said: "The Nine Path Commanders who have come to support the king will all be rewarded, as long as I am here, you can all rest assured..."

Dugu Qiu said: "I understand, but... about those paintings?"

Li Yuan coughed and said: "When I recover, I will pick them again!"

After saying this, he waved his hand, and Dugu Qiu glanced at Gao Kaiping before slowly retreating.

After he left, Gao Kaiping looked deeply at Li Yuan, then paid Xie Wei a salute, before leaving with his spear on horseback.

In the room, only the Emperor and the Empress were left.

Xie Wei rushed to Li Yuan, full of delight. This scene was too pleasant a surprise.

Li Yuan smiled and said: "I just spoke with General Gao beforehand and said if such a thing happened, it could be handled in such and such a way... I didn’t expect it would be used."

Xie Wei lowered her eyes, her cheeks flushed, and she softly said: "You’ve helped Wei’Er a great deal...

Wei’Er was always called the mistress by General Gao, but never thought that General Gao could stand in opposition to me.

This way, General Gao represents the emperor’s strength, balancing against my Xie family, and the Eight Path Commanders needn’t worry about my Xie family’s dominance anymore...

How did I not think of this?"

Li Yuan laughed and said: "The Empress is meticulous yet overlooked; she thinks of too many things, unlike me, someone with too much idle time."

Xie Wei, moved, softly called: "Your Majesty..."

Li Yuan said: "In the future, I will often reside in the Deep Palace, arrange some trusted aides, and do not allow others to enter.

As for the court affairs, you, as the Empress, will need to take care of them with Hu’Er.

Hu’Er is only two years old, understanding nothing.

Xie Feng commands the army and is in no position to help you.

As for your father-in-law, he might assist you in court.

But... this court struggle is not just on the court, but about the strength of each region.

Your Xie family is still the Xie family, and the Commanders of each path are still the Commanders of each path.

Sitting on the Dragon Throne will surely have loyal souls for protection, but even they seem to face an unknown enemy.

Empress, be cautious as if on the brink of a deep abyss or treading on thin ice, do not grow arrogant."

His words were earnest beyond measure.

Xie Wei nodded but suddenly showed a hint of worry.

Li Yuan asked: "What is it?"

Xie Wei said: "Xiaoyu’Er is still in Mingyue Prefecture, she is waiting for her husband, yet refuses to come to the Imperial Palace."

As she spoke, she held tightly onto Li Yuan’s hand, then suddenly her legs clamped together, softly saying, "Your Majesty, I... I have been thinking."

Outside, the sky gradually darkened.

The Empress suddenly lifted her Phoenix Robe, silently kicked off her Phoenix Shoes, and ridiculously crawled into the bedding...