kingnovel Chapter 544 The Queen Mother accompanied him on a private visit to Chang'an!
Chapter 544 The Queen Mother accompanied him on a private visit to Chang'an!
In the big tent, the atmosphere was as solemn as the depressing sky before a storm.
Ye Chen sat high in the main seat, wearing a gorgeous dragon robe and with eyes as bright as lightning.
Below, Dong Yu and Zhang Qi knelt on the ground, trembling.
Ye Chen frowned, his eyes like knives sweeping over the two of them. His voice was low but carried an unquestionable majesty: "I ask you, have you colluded with Yang Dechang? Tell the truth!"
The sound echoed in the big tent like thunder, making people tremble.
Zhang Qi suddenly raised his head and said quickly, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intention! Your Majesty is very perceptive!"
In contrast, Dong Yu was sweating profusely, his lips trembling slightly. After a long pause, he said, "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, am truly loyal to you. How could I possibly collude with that traitor? Your Majesty, please do not listen to the slanderous words of this villain!"
Ye Chen looked at the two of them quietly, and he already had an idea in his mind.
After a moment of silence, Ye Chen suddenly looked at Cheng En, his tone cold: "Cheng En, pass on my order, let Liu Chengyu lead the troops to the Dong family's convoy and search it carefully for me."
Cheng'en quickly responded, "I obey your order." After that, he hurried away to convey the order.
When Dong Yu heard this, he immediately panicked, his face turned pale, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Zhang Qi also noticed Dong Yu's strange behavior and had a bad feeling in his heart. He secretly lowered his voice and asked, "Brother Dong, you are not really colluding with Yang Dechang, are you? Please don't harm me!"
Hearing this, Dong Yu's eyes were filled with hesitation and struggle. He bit his lips until they turned white before he finally admitted, "Yes, someone from the north wrote me an anonymous letter!"
When Zhang Qi heard this, his face turned pale as paper and his heart was filled with despair.
It's over. If the charge of colluding with Yang Dechang is confirmed, then it's really over.
"Your Majesty, please spare my life. Your Majesty, I did receive a letter from Yang Dechang, but I did not agree to it!"
Dong Yu also quickly begged for mercy at this time.
If he doesn't confess now and the letter is found, it will be too late.
When Ye Chen heard this, the corners of his mouth rose slightly. To Dong Yu and Zhang Qi, this smile seemed like a death warrant.
However, to their surprise, Ye Chen did not get angry and punish them, but just waved his hand.
"Drag them away and keep them under strict guard."
The imperial guards received the order and stepped forward to drag Dong Yu and Zhang Qi away.
At this moment, Cheng En suddenly came in to report: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has arrived."
Hearing this, Ye Chen raised his eyebrows slightly: "Let the Queen Mother come in."
Su Mengjiao slowly walked into the big tent. She was wearing a black phoenix robe, with a face as beautiful as a painting, a noble and domineering temperament, and unparalleled charm.
She sat directly next to Ye Chen and said, "Emperor, I heard that you have captured the Dong and Zhang families' convoys. I wonder how you plan to deal with them?"
Seeing that Su Mengjiao didn't treat him as an outsider, Ye Chen curled his lips.
Then, he said in a gentle tone, "Empress Dowager, I intend to have the two families' convoys camped next to the main camp and leave them alone for the time being."
Su Mengjiao breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, and said earnestly, "Emperor, the situation is unstable now, and the Tatar army's movements are unclear. Those aristocratic families who have fled are already suspicious of the court. If we take too severe measures against these families immediately, I'm afraid they will completely split from the court."
Ye Chen frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "What the Queen Mother said is absolutely right. I will consider it."
Hearing this, Su Mengjiao nodded and said, "The Emperor is thoughtful and thoughtful, and I can trust him. However, at such a critical moment, stability must be prioritized."
Ye Chen looked at Su Mengjiao and said, "Don't worry, Queen Mother. I know what to do."
Hearing this, Su Mengjiao stood up and prepared to leave. Her gorgeous dress swayed gently with her movements, like a blooming peony.
"Your Majesty, since this is the case, I will take my leave."
Su Mengjiao's voice was clear and pleasant, with full majesty.
Hearing this, Ye Chen nodded slightly: "Hello, Queen Mother."
At this moment, Shen Qiu suddenly hurried into the tent. She was agile and her steps were light but steady.
The attire of a commander of the imperial guards made her temperament even more cool and elegant, like the bright moon in a cold night, with unparalleled grace and elegance.
"Your Majesty, I have something important to report."
Shen Qiu knelt on one knee with a serious expression.
"The entire city of Chang'an is now under our control, and we've made significant progress in collecting evidence against the powerful families."
Hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Ye Chen's eyes, and then he raised his head and said, "Thank you."
Cheng'en hurried forward and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, this old servant is here."
Ye Chen stood up, the corners of his dragon robe fluttering in the wind, exuding an invisible majesty.
"Convey my decree and inform the noble families in Guanzhong surrounding Chang'an City to send representatives to Chang'an City to attend a meeting in seven days. I will discuss important matters with them. Those who do not come will not regret it in the future!"
His voice was like a huge bell, echoing in the big tent, full of tyranny.
Cheng'en took the order and left.
Su Mengjiao, who was about to leave, showed a look of doubt in her eyes. She turned to look at Ye Chen and opened her red lips slightly.
"Emperor, why have you summoned these representatives of the noble families?"
"Queen Dowager, it won't work if you tell me now. I have my own plans."
When Su Mengjiao heard Ye Chen say this, she stopped asking questions and turned to leave. Although she cared about these national affairs, she also knew that it was not her business.
However, just as she reached the entrance of the tent, she heard Ye Chen instruct Shen Qiu: "Qiu'er, prepare the carriage. I want to go for a stroll in Chang'an City."
Hearing this, Su Mengjiao paused, her eyes lighting up: "The Emperor is going to Chang'an City? I want to go too."
Hearing this, Ye Chen looked at Su Mengjiao with a hint of smile in his eyes: "If the Queen Mother wants to go, then let's go together."
Outside the tent, the sun was shining and the breeze was blowing.
Ye Chen changed into ordinary clothes and got on the carriage. Su Mengjiao, who had also changed into casual clothes, followed closely behind him.
After getting on the carriage, Ye Chen leaned against the wall and closed his eyes to rest.
Su Mengjiao lifted the curtains and looked at the scenery outside with interest.
"Emperor, what do you think Chang'an City will look like now?"
“It’s about the same as the capital.”
"What delicious food is there in Chang'an that isn't available in the capital?"
"I don't know either."
"What's fun to do in Chang'an?"
"I don't know either?"
"How many scholars are there in Chang'an?"
"Your Majesty, please be patient. You will understand when you arrive. I am traveling for important matters, not for pleasure."
Ye Chen was speechless. Su Mengjiao was obviously too excited.
After hearing Ye Chen's words, Su Mengjiao pursed her lips and stopped talking.