Li Zhi, don't be a coward

The emperor's edict came unexpectedly.

The imperial edict not only appointed Li Qinzai and Su Dingfang to be in charge of the defense of the palace and the city respectively, but also issued an emergency curfew order. From now on, no civil servants, military generals or common people are allowed in the streets and alleys of Chang'an City, except for the patrolling Marquis Wu and the city defense soldiers. Show up on the street.

The doors of the [-]th square in Chang'an City must also be closed, and no one is allowed to pass through.

The curfew is still very strict. Anyone who dares to violate the curfew tonight will not only be in prison for a few days, but it is as simple as a few boards.

Anyone with a discerning eye is aware of the sudden edict that something happened in Chang'an City tonight.

The concierge of the Duke's Mansion was terrified. The guards outside the door looked a little scary in their attitude of raiding the house and seizing people. Fortunately, Wu Shaolang was in charge of the army, otherwise the concierge really thought that the Duke's Mansion would be raided tonight.

The imperial edict was urgent, and the maid in the backyard didn't care about Li Qinzai's getting up, so she bravely lifted him out of the bed.

Before Li Qinzai could get angry, the maids rushed forward. The reason why they dared to do this was because Li Siwen and Li Cui's couple were still standing in Li Qinzai's room.

The emperor's edict, which came late at night, alarmed the entire Duke's mansion, and Li Siwen and his wife naturally couldn't turn a blind eye.

The maids were busy dressing Li Qinzai, and since they had received an order from the commander of the army, they had to put on armor for him after dressing him.

Li Siwen stood behind him with a serious expression, and asked in a deep voice: "The emperor suddenly issued an edict ordering you to be in charge of the army. What happened to Chang'an City? I haven't heard of anything unusual recently..."

But Li Cui said anxiously: "Will my son be in danger if such an edict comes suddenly in the middle of the night? Will my son be sent to fight the enemy again? Qin Zai's wounds haven't healed yet..."

Li Qinzai said: "Father and mother don't have to worry, there will be no accidents in Chang'an City, the emperor ordered the children to lead the army, it is to prevent problems before they happen."

Li Siwen frowned and said, "What do you mean?"

Li Qinzai's eyes suddenly darkened, and he sighed, "If my child is not mistaken, it should be His Royal Highness... His lifespan is nearing the end of his life."

Li Siwen was startled, and then suddenly said: "It's no wonder that such a big battle requires the transfer of troops and generals. If this is the case, it is indeed necessary."

The prince's imminent death is indeed a major event, even though he knows that it is basically impossible for someone to be so short-sighted and dare to make trouble at this time.

However, the rules of the imperial court are strict. Whenever there is a major event, the defense of the capital of Chang'an must be on the alert. That's why Li Zhi immediately issued an order to change generals and deploy troops.

Seeing the relaxed expressions of the father and son, Li Cui's heart was slightly relieved.

At this time Li Qinzai was dressed neatly, looking at the heroic and mighty son of a young general in front of him, Li Cuishi became more and more happy when he looked at it, and couldn't help but praised: "My son is indeed a dragon and phoenix among people. But Anbang Dingguo deserves to be born by me."

Li Siwen rolled his eyes beside him, but said nothing.

Li Cui looked at him in a blink of an eye: "My son is promising. How can ordinary people take on the heavy responsibility of guarding the palace, but the emperor thought of him first. It can be seen how much the emperor trusts him. What are you doing here?"

Li Siwen said sourly: "The old man is a civil servant, otherwise the emperor must first think of the old man..."

My husband wants to save face, so Li Cuishi couldn't ridicule her anymore, she just followed his example and rolled her eyes.

Li Siwen also knew that he was bragging a bit, the three generations of the Li family, apart from Li Ji, was the only one who was really up to the challenge, Li Qinzai, when it came to the trust of the emperor, Li Siwen couldn't catch up with his own son.

The old man blushed, and Li Siwen was a little annoyed: "No matter how powerful he is, he was born and raised by the old man, he is the seed of the old man! Even if he becomes king in the future, he will have to be honest and humble in front of the old man, what!"

Li Qinzai hastily smoothed things over: "Father, calm down, you will always be the father of the baby, and the baby didn't argue with you..."

Li Siwen was furious: "You beast, you've grown up..."

Before he could finish speaking, Butler Wu outside the door was already urging in a low voice, the situation is urgent, please leave the house as soon as possible to take up his post.

After Li Qinzai bid farewell to Li Siwen and his wife, he put on his armor and strode out of the mansion.

Standing outside the door was not only the eunuch and a team of imperial guards, but also two hundred members of the Li family. They were all wearing armor and holding swords.

After leaving the gate of the mansion, Li Qinzai got on his horse and led the crowd to gallop towards Tai Chi Palace.

All the way handed over the waist card and called to open the gate of the workshop. After an hour of incense burning, Li Qinzai arrived outside the gate of Taiji Palace.

The eunuch told him respectfully that the emperor and empress were not in the palace, and both of them were in the East Palace bedroom.

Li Qinzai's heart darkened, and he knew that his guess was right.

Tonight is probably Li Hong's deadline.

The East Palace is located on the west side of Taiji Palace, and the two palaces are closely adjacent to each other.

Li Qinzai turned his horse's head and soon came to the East Palace.After checking the badge and identity, Li Qinzai walked in quickly.

In the bedroom of the East Palace, many people gathered inside and outside, and the black-armored imperial guards had three floors inside and three floors outside, surrounding the bedroom firmly.

Walking inside, there are many familiar and unfamiliar faces, including the counselors of the Eastern Palace, the two prime ministers Xu Jingzong and Xu Yushi, the imperial physician such as Qin Minghe, and countless palace officials.

Everyone looked sad and stood quietly inside and outside the dormitory. Seeing Li Qinzai coming, Xu Jingzong and other acquaintances just nodded their heads in greeting.

Li Qinzai walked into the bedroom, but Li Xian and Li Xian brothers met him.

The tears on Li Xian's face were still wet, and his eyes were red. After seeing Li Qinzai, the corners of Li Xian's mouth twitched. He was about to cry, but thinking of the situation at this moment, he had to bite his lower lip tightly to avoid making a sound.

"Disciple Xian, see you sir." Li Xian whispered after saluting.

Li Xian, who looked sad on the side, also stepped forward to salute.

Li Qinzai nodded expressionlessly, glanced into the bedroom, and said in a deep voice, "His Royal Highness..."

Li Xian nodded silently with red eyes.

Li Xian sucked his nose, choked up and said: "Tonight, the crown prince suddenly vomited blood continuously, his gas flowed like a thread, his pulse was messy, and he fell into a coma. After the diagnosis, the imperial doctor said that His Royal Highness may...not survive tonight."

Li Qinzai's heart sank, he had clearly expected the result, but when he heard that Li Hongzhen's death was approaching, Li Qinzai still felt a sense of sadness from the bottom of his heart.

Those who want to leave can't stay.

Emperors, generals and ministers cannot escape life, old age, sickness and death after all.

Li Xian sobbed a few more times, and said: "Father is waiting for you inside, Brother Jingchu, hurry up to see you. Tonight... Thank you for your hard work."

Li Qinzai shook his head, and walked into the bedroom in silence.

Walking into the bedroom, there were not many people inside, there were Qin Minghe, several imperial physicians, and several palace officials. Li Zhi and Empress Wu were squatting in front of Li Hong's bed, crying uncontrollably.

It is not appropriate to be noisy on such an occasion, Li Qinzai did not salute, but stood quietly behind Li Zhi and his wife, looking at Li Hong's pale face.