C207

Chapter 207 - The War of the Emperor's Present harem

Finally, at noon, he arrived at a seemingly bustling little town. After running for an entire night, Hong Zhong was also feeling hungry, and after calculating the time, he arrived at the Xiangyang's Peach Forest which was five kilometers away. There were still about three hours left.

In that case, it shouldn't be a problem to make it in the evening.

This was a small town, and there was only one street in the entire town. Hong Zhong led her horse and walked on the only street in the town. The town was small, but it was bustling with noise and excitement.

Hong Zhong led her horse and asked around along the way, preparing to go to the only inn in town to replenish his strength. As she looked around, suddenly, a youth of around thirteen to fourteen years of age passed by Hong Zhong.

When the youth saw Hong Zhong's panicked appearance, she lowered her head, said "sorry," then ran away in a hurry with an expression on her face.

Why was this scene so familiar?

Hong Zhong touched her own heart that was beating so fast that it went cold. She suddenly quivered and subconsciously reached for her purse.

Indeed!

There was nothing inside!

With a turn of his head, the youth had already run more than ten meters away.

"Stop right there." Hong Zhong bellowed, and chased after the young man. It wasn't because she cared about those few coins, but because such a young child had already learned how to steal money.

Hearing Hong Zhong's voice, the young man knew that she had been seen through. Her expression changed and she ran away quickly without even looking back.

Seeing that, Hong Zhong threw her horse and chased after them.

Thus, a youth ran in front and a man in male clothing chased after him.

The two of them were moving around in the crowd and were quite agile!

The young man had an extremely good physique. Even after running for a long time, Hong Zhong was unable to catch him, but luckily, Hong Zhong knew martial arts, and after chasing for a while, seeing that she was unable to catch up, she considered using her Qi to catch up.

As Hong Zhong ran, she shouted, "Thief, you're not allowed to run."

Such a voice also attracted the attention of some people on the street. Everyone turned their heads to look. But in the end, because Hong Zhong was dressed in men's clothes, in the eyes of others, it was impossible for such an adult male to not catch up to a thirteen or fourteen-year-old youth.

As for that youth, after being chased for a distance by Hong Zhong, shsherealized that she was being watched by more and more people, and her heart became flustered. With a flip of her body, he flew up, and then disappeared from everyone's line of sight.

Seeing that, Hong Zhong snorted in her heart, she did not expect that the little brat actually knew Qing Gong, and that it was not weak either!

Fortunately, she had also learned Qing Gong. Furthermore, with the foundation of Master of Pure Wisdom's inner force skill of 50 years, Qing Gong's improvement was godly fast. In the martial arts world, there were very few who could easily surpass her.

The youth flew all the way, and Hong Zhong chased after him.

Hong Zhong thought as she chased after him that she couldn't do anything about it either. She still had to go to the Peach Blossom Forest and had no time to waste with him. She took a glance in front and discovered that they were about to leave the town's main street.

As for the tall building on the street in front, it was the only way out for him to get in and out of the town. Hong Zhong made a plan in his mind, then with a leap, he went to a corner of the roof and hid himself well.

He was the number one thief in the martial arts world, the last disciple of the Thousand Hand Guan Yin. Although his skill in stealing things was not as good as his master's, his qinggong had already reached the acme of perfection.

After stopping, he took Hong Zhong's money bag out and weighed it in his hand, then nodded in satisfaction. This time, he would have enough money!

Not long after, he carefully touched his way back and hid behind the memorial archway. Looking at the scene on the street in front of him, he still could not find any trace of Hong Zhong, which allowed him to relax.

He only entered an abandoned hut after he had walked through the alley.

What he did not know was that all that he had done, had fallen into the eyes of the hidden Hong Zhong.

Hong Zhong watched from the darkness as the youth entered the small cottage, and then she jumped off the roof. Just as she landed, a strong medicinal smell wafted into her nose, and then, she heard a few coughs faintly, before coming out from the small cottage.

Is anyone sick?

Hong Zhong frowned, and walked into the house.

Just as he walked to the door, he heard the sound of a heavy object falling on the ground. Then, a woman's angry voice rang out, "Where did you get this money from? Did you steal it again? Cough cough … Mother has said it so many times, if we want to live, even if we starve to death we can't steal other people's things! You are … You want me to die from anger … "Cough cough …" In just one sentence, he had split it into several segments and had to cough until he fainted!

"Mom, I'm not!" This was the guilty voice of the youth: "This is a kind big sister that looked pitifully at me. She also knew mother was sick for a long time, so she lent it to me."

Hong Zhong looked in from the window and saw that the small cottage was completely dark, without even a proper bed. There was only a worn-out quilt at the corner and a middle-aged woman lying on it, her face pale white.

She pointed at the young man kneeling in front of her and scolded him, "You still dare to lie? What kind big sister and what kind person are you? Can they give you that much money?" We have been in this town for half a month, when have we ever met such a rich person! "Cough cough …"

The youth saw that the woman was gasping for breath and explained, "She came from a foreign land!" After she finished speaking, she wanted to go forward and pat the woman's back and stroke her breath, but she was slapped away by the woman.

Seeing that his mother was coughing so heavily, the youth advised again, "Mother, please don't be angry anymore. We have money now. If you really want to teach me a lesson, then you have to cure the illness and teach me another lesson. "

"Cough cough …" If you don't tell me where this money came from today, I'll beat you to death! " The woman stubbornly waved away the youth's hand and started to cough violently.

Seeing that, Hong Zhong pushed the door open and walked in.

The moment the young man saw Hong Zhong, his expression changed, and he thought to himself: Oh no, how did she catch up to me!

Hong Zhong walked into the dilapidated thatched hut and meaningfully swept her gaze over the youth. After that, he looked at the woman and spoke up, "My lady, don't worry.

The young man originally thought that Hong Zhong had come to him to ask for the money purse, but did not expect Hong Zhong to say it like that. After hearing what Hong Zhong had said, he looked at Hong Zhong with his bright eyes, and an obvious gratitude filled his eyes.

Hearing that, the woman also raised her head to look at Hong Zhong with suspicion. Only then did she see clearly that her pale face was slightly startled, and her unwittingly opened her mouth with a trace of uncertainty: "You are … Red … Red Third Miss? "

"You … Do you know me? " had never expected that she would run into someone who knew her in this small mountain village that she had never been to before, even though she was clearly dressed in men's clothes.

"Cough cough …" The woman coughed out a few more mouthfuls of fresh blood. Seeing this, the youth walked forward to support her. He gently caressed her back to ease her. "Mother, slow down."

After quite a while, she could barely hold it in and panted for breath as she looked at Hong Zhong, "This servant had once seen Miss from afar in the general's estate. This servant's daughter was once Miss's serving maid, she is called Xiao Su! "

Xiao Su?!

After Hong Zhong heard the woman's words, she was stunned for a moment. Then, she remembered that in the National Temple, Xiao Su had framed him and forced him to commit suicide, and also remembered what Xiao Su had said before. She also had a mother and a little brother.

However, she clearly remembered having her second brother bring them to the general's estate to settle down. Why were they in such a sorry state?

"You are the relatives of Xiao Su? Why didn't you stay in the General's Estate? " According to her, they had been to the general's manor before, so why were they here?

"Grand Princess captured both mother and son, and forced Xiao Su to frame you. Although Xiao Su was forced to do so, it was the truth. "Miss, to be able to disregard the past grudges, this humble woman is already deeply grateful to both of us for saving her life. How could I possibly implicate the General's House again?" Therefore, after Xiao Su's matter had calmed down, she took her son Xiao Lie and left the General's Estate, and prepared to return to her hometown.

Hong Zhong asked softly: "Then why did you become like this?"

Xiao Su's mother coughed a few more times before opening her mouth slowly, "This commoner took Xiao Lie and wanted to return to her hometown, but did not expect to run into a group of robbers midway and snatch away all the things that the young general had given us. I was careless and got seriously ill, so I could only temporarily stay here."

"Then... Since your health is more important, let's go to the doctor first. " Hong Zhong said, then prepared to help Xiao Lie, sending his mother to the hospital.

Unexpectedly, the woman slowly shook her head and grabbed Hong Zhong's hand. She spoke weakly: "Young miss, I know that I can't take this woman's body anymore. Miss, you are a good person. If I were to go, the only person who would not be at ease would be my fourteen year old son, Xiao Lie. I beg the Miss to take him in, not for him to become a talent, but to grow up safe and sound. "

"Mother …" Hearing that, Xiao Lie's face was filled with pain as he cried out.

Hong Zhong frowned as she looked at the skinny hand that was grabbing him, and comforted her: "Madam, don't say it like that, you'll be fine, let's go see a doctor first."

"Promise me, promise me, promise me!" The woman completely disregarded Hong Zhong's words, her face deathly pale and her eyes lifeless. She tightly grabbed onto Hong Zhong's hand and continued to mutter those three words.

Hong Zhong was hurt from her pinching, in order to soothe her emotions, she anxiously said: "Alright, I promise you, I promise you, let me go first, we will go see a doctor right now!"

Hearing Hong Zhong's words, the woman calmed down, and her pale face blossomed into a relaxed smile. "Xiao Lie, from now on, you will be a good person with the Third Miss, worthy of the heaven and earth, understand?" In the end, the lifeless eyes closed in satisfaction. The hand that was holding Hong Zhong, also slowly loosened, and powerlessly drooped down.

Hong Zhong was startled, her mind buzzing, only hearing Xiao Lie's heart wrenching screams: "Mother!"

Xiao Lie threw himself in front of his mother's corpse and cried. Seeing that, Hong Zhong's nose turned sour, he got up and hugged Xiao Lie, consoling him softly: "Xiao Lie, don't be like this, your mother is already gone, don't be sad!"

"Mother!" Xiao Lie did not listen to Hong Zhong's advice, and broke down crying.

Seeing that, Hong Zhong could not do anything.

Initially, they had wanted to stay and help Xiao Lie settle his mother's affairs, but after thinking about the matter of hurrying back to the Ten Li Peach Forest, they did not stay any longer. Instead, they went to find a coffin shop and handed over all the matters concerning Xiao Lie's mother to them.

He gave the owner of the inn some money and asked him to temporarily take care of Xiao Lie. He also left a letter for Lv Luo and the others, telling them to wait for him here.

… ….

early dynasty

In the Southern Qi's imperial court, kneeling officials were all over the floor.

Today was the first day that the emperor was going to step down from the throne three days later. The ministers and ministers all reported on the important matters that had happened recently. This included the Regent's approval to distribute a large amount of the casting factory's liquid funds from the national treasury, as well as approval to support Baili Yi Chen in burying Hong Zhong into the Royal Tomb.

Hearing those words, Baili Yi Chen looked at the seat exclusive to the His Majesty the Regent above. That place was where he would sit every day at the Hundred Miles City. However, today, that place was completely empty.

Baili Mingyue had always been very concerned about the affairs of the Southern Qi, but he actually didn't come today. Based on his feelings for Hong Zhong, he probably wouldn't feel well about something happening to Hong Zhong.

They were originally very close uncles and nieces, but since then, their two uncles and nieces had gradually drifted further and further away, no longer appearing as they had in the past … But now, because of Hong Zhong's departure, Baili Yi felt a trace of closeness towards Baili Mingyue that he hadn't felt in a long time.

After so many years, it was really difficult for Uncle Wang!

Sighing lightly, he raised his hand towards Xiao Shunzi, who left to understand the situation. Swinging the horsetail whisk in his hand, he shouted loudly: "This is for music, there is no reason to retreat!"

The Minister of the Left, Bei Chenhong, stepped forward, "This official has this piece!"

"Prime Minister, please speak." Baili Yi Chen looked at Bei Chenhong and said indifferently.

Bei Chenhong had always been a core member of the Royal Party, and ever since he fell, he had become a wind vane existence in the Southern Qi's imperial court.

Baili Yi Chen had some respect for him.

"Your majesty, this subject received a report that the water calamity in the three provinces of Southern Qi has been controlled in time, and that all the relief and food payments, as well as the post-disaster reconstruction are being carried out in an orderly manner. The entire province is also in a state of peace, and the Emperor should, for the sake of the nation of Southern Qi, give an early favor to the empress dowager and help the Imperial Family expand their branches and scatter her leaves."

Xi Ling took a step forward at the right time and added: "That's right, although Your Majesty is from the Heavenly Book of Nations, and is my Southern Qi's blessing, we should hurry to the imperial harem and give birth to a prince to protect my Southern Qi's Heavenly Book for generations to come!"

Hearing this, the color in Baili Yi Chen's eyes deepened.

Right now, although Nangong Yimeng was the empress, the Nan Gong Family had already fallen, and the remaining members of the Nan Gong Family could be killed as well. Even if the officials were to be dismissed, they would not be able to cause anymore trouble for their unfilial son, thus, although Nangong Yimeng had the support of the empress dowager, she did not have the qualifications to be the first prince to be born.

The direct daughter of the Bei Chenhong family, Bei Chenyue, had been conferred with a first rank imperial concubine after entering the palace. Currently, the Beichen family was like a sun in the sky above the imperial court, she looked like Bei Chenyue was the best choice.

As for the daughter of the Six Division's President, Xi Ling Hai, Xi Xiangxue, he had also entered the palace and was also conferred the title of a first rank Imperial Consort.

The rest of the ministers also added something, suggesting that Baili Yi Chen should pamper the harem as soon as possible. After all, one of their daughters had been chosen to serve in the harem as well.

Only when the Emperor favored the harem would their daughter have the chance to give birth to an heir!

On the other hand, Imperial Advisor Xue Zhiyuan stood at the side and did not speak up. He had watched Baili Yi Chen grow up, and after Baili Yi Chen was sealed, he had stayed in the imperial study and did not receive any news regarding him being favoured by the imperial harem.

So at this moment, although he knew that the Prime Minister and the Six Division Chiefs all had their own selfish motives and that Baili Yi Chen was not willing, he still supported Bei Chenhong and Xi Ling Hai's actions. After all, as an Emperor, not liking the harem was not a good thing!

When Baili Yi Chen saw this, he didn't have the heart to directly refute the two High Ministers' pride. He thought for a moment, then his clear and bright voice slowly flowed out, "Your beloved concubine is right, but right now in the imperial harem, there is an empress and a noble person. I wonder which imperial concubine is the most suitable to be the first to give birth to a prince?"

Bei Chenhong stepped forward before him. "From what this subject has seen, it's naturally the position of the later wife." Since no one supported Nangong Yimeng, there was definitely no chance for him to win. In that case, Yue'er and Xi Xiang Xue would be the only ones with a high position.

Baili Yi Chen nodded, "Since that's the case, I shall do as my beloved one says. Today, we will head to the Lucky Moon Flower Hall."

"Your majesty the Emperor!" All the ministers cried out in unison.

Xi Ling who was half a beat slower, although he was unhappy, but because of his pride, it was not good to show it. He could only silently remember it in his heart, Bei Chenhong, you old fool, today I will let you be proud of it, we will see!