My vicious dog, my horse, I can do whatever I want with it

Chapter 178 Reliance

The noise in the palace frightened everyone outside.

Especially when they saw the heavily armored cavalry surrounding the palace gate, the people in the capital were even more terrified and couldn't help but wonder if something big had happened in the palace.

"Are those all Zong Yan's troops?" Someone with eyes saw Zong Yan's military flags, and then looked at the posture of surrounding the imperial city, which was really horrifying. Could it be that there was a political chaos?

"The palace gates are all closed, and no one is allowed in..."

"What happened?"

People outside the palace were in a panic, but inside the palace, there was a dark cloud looming. Everyone was anxiously waiting for the various departments to investigate and the imperial physician to check the source of the poison, fearing that they might have anything to do with it.

They investigated and waited until midnight, when they finally traced the source of the poison.

When Concubine Shu was brought up, her eyes were full of panic. She staggered and knelt at Zong Yanli's feet, still quibbling: "It's not me, it's not me!"

Wei Songhe raised his hand and presented the remaining poison powder to Zong Yanli and Zong Yanhongjing, saying, "General, please have a look. This was found in the palace of Concubine Shu."

Then two palace maids were brought in. They looked like they had been interrogated. They were people who worked in the kitchen, and they all accused Concubine Shu of having drugged them.

Concubine Shu was trembling all over, with tears on her face and shaking her head, saying, "I didn't know it was poison, I... I thought it would just cripple her."

The witnesses and physical evidence are all there.

Concubine Shu's excuses were fruitless and she was already dejected. Wei Songhe and several officials from various departments took turns interrogating her. In the end, they determined that Concubine Shu had found the secret medicine outside the palace and wanted to take revenge on Concubine Gao for taking away her son's position as crown prince. However, she repeatedly said that she had no intention of harming anyone.

"If she is allowed to die like this, wouldn't it be too easy for her!" There was resentment in Concubine Shu's eyes. She wanted to poison Gao Jiayue and make her disabled.

"Hahaha..." Concubine Shu laughed until tears came out, but she also seemed to be filled with endless hatred.

Zong Yanli is an outsider after all, so it is not easy for her to make decisions on matters concerning the harem.

He then ordered Concubine Shu to be imprisoned, as well as all the palace maids, and the details of the interrogation and the case were all recorded in a book. All decisions would be made after Concubine Gao woke up. He also ordered someone to inform the Emperor, and it would be best if he could wake up and deal with the matter.

Zong Yanli asked Zong Yanhongjing to go back for the time being. As the prince's teacher, Zong Yanli had the responsibility to take care of His Royal Highness the Prince here.

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Zong Yanhongjing had no intention of staying any longer. He nodded to Zong Yanli and left with Wei Songhe.

"Teacher, when will my mother wake up?" He Honglang seemed to subconsciously feel that he felt safe staying next to Zong Yanli, so he sat next to Zong Yanli obediently, looking up at her and asking eagerly.

"It's almost done." Zong Yanli sighed secretly, waved his hand and asked someone to set up the chess pieces, and said, "Master will teach you how to play chess."

This little guy obviously can't concentrate, so I'll take this opportunity to train him.

Zong Yanli spoke in a calm tone, holding black in one hand and white in the other, and taught him how to play chess.

She was not gentle but not strict either. Even so, when her dark eyes looked at He Honglang, the little guy was nervous and at a loss, fearing that he didn't understand and would cause the teacher to be annoyed and scold him.

But surprisingly, Zong Yanli did not scold him at all. He just told stories about military law and military formations over and over again to help He Honglang understand further.

"Seeking benefits and avoiding harm, this is called seeking benefits and avoiding harm!" He Honglang gradually delved into the ocean of knowledge, his eyes full of novelty and light.

"Yeah." Zong Yanli curled his lips slightly and looked down at him.

There were two figures sitting in front of the table, one with an upright posture and eyes showing heroic qualities, and the other was still a young boy, looking up at Zong Yanli with admiration in his eyes.

Zong Yanli stayed with him in the palace all night, and He Honglang finally fell asleep with his head resting on Zong Yanli's arm.

Zong Yanli then called the palace maids and took the prince away to rest.

Gao Jiayue woke up in a daze around noon the next day. She had a high fever all over her body and looked even more critical.

The number of imperial physicians who came one after another showed how dangerous the situation was.

Zong Yanli did not leave at all. The palace servants could see Zong Yanli standing outside the palace as soon as they turned around. Their originally confused hearts suddenly felt a little more at ease when they saw Zong Yanli.

As long as the Pingxi General is here, even if the Imperial Concubine doesn't make it, he will definitely keep His Royal Highness the Crown Prince safe.

Everyone had this thought in their mind as they calmly waited for the imperial physicians' diagnosis and treatment.

Gao Jiayue had a high fever and fell into a coma. The imperial doctors tried every possible means and finally made his fever subside in the afternoon. Looking at Gao Jiayue's pulse which was gradually becoming stable, several imperial doctors in the hall wiped the sweat from their foreheads in unison.

Looking at Zong Yanli standing guard outside the palace, I felt that this was more stressful than the emperor coming in person...

It seemed as if as long as they said they were unable to save the patient, the general's sword would chop off their heads in the next second.

"The Imperial Concubine is out of danger." The imperial physician who came out first bowed to Zong Yanli and said, "As for when she will wake up, I dare not say for sure."

"Thank you all for your hard work." Zong Yanli lowered his eyes and nodded.

"Let His Royal Highness the Crown Prince go in to see the Imperial Concubine." From beginning to end, Zong Yanli never took a step inside and stopped outside the palace.

"Yes." The palace maid who was guarding was deeply moved, and quickly led He Honglang into the palace. This only made the little prince feel at ease. After a while, He Honglang came out with red eyes, and ran towards Zong Yanli.

"Teacher, what if my mother can't wake up?" The little prince seemed to know a lot. He clutched Zong Yanli's sleeve tightly and looked up at her.

"will not."

"With your master protecting you, no one can do anything to you."

He Honglang's eyes sparkled with light, and at this moment he seemed to have found his own support.

This feeling was something he had never experienced before.

Another day passed while Zong Yanli waited.

It was not until the early morning of the third day that Gao Jiayue finally woke up completely. The terrible poison made her voice hoarse and her eyes blurred, and it would take her a while to recover.

Fortunately, she was clear-headed. Zong Yanli asked people to summon the heads of various departments into the palace and told them everything about the concubine's murder. Only then did Gao Jiayue realize that she had actually experienced such a life-threatening situation.

"Since Your Majesty has nothing to do, I will take my leave." Zong Yanli had not slept for two nights and his face was now exhausted. He was even more exhausted after comforting the prince.

"Thank you, General." Gao Jiayue's voice was hoarse and unpleasant. She wanted to keep Zong Yanli for a while longer, but after thinking about it, she decided not to try to keep him.

After returning home, Zong Yanli only said to his father and mother that everything was fine in the palace, then went back to his room and fell asleep.

Since Concubine Gao had suffered such a great disaster, Concubine Shu could not be kept.

In recognition of her contribution in giving birth to the ninth prince, she was granted a complete and honorable burial.

Zong Yanli didn't say anything about Gao Jiayue's treatment, but Gao Jiayue took the opportunity to propose that the prince should study with Zong Yanli. Although Zong Yanli felt it was a bit troublesome, after all, he was his student, so there was no reason not to teach him.

I had no choice but to agree, and also took Zong Yanguanghe to attend the class together.

She had no particular method when it came to teaching her students; she taught them whatever came to her mind, occasionally telling them some folk stories to guide them onto the right path.

Time flies, and after the New Year comes the Lantern Festival.

It was a rare bustling time in the capital, so Zong Yanli went out with his family to watch the lanterns. After the Lantern Festival, Zong Yanhongjing would return to Pingnanying. The time the family spent together was always so short.

Concubine Gao recovered and returned to court. It was at this time that Zong Yanli took the initiative to find Gao Jiayue, mentioned the matter of Gao State borrowing troops, and conveyed his intention, suggesting that troops could be lent to Gao State.

"So the general already knew about this." Gao Jiayue's voice had recovered, but there was still something wrong with his eyes. He looked as if there was a layer of fog covering him. After the imperial physician examined him, he asked Gao Jiayue to take some medicine and temporarily cover his eyes.

"Yes." Zong Yanli looked up at Gao Jiayue, who was blindfolded with a white cloth, and whispered, "When Wu State asked for troops, it was the Imperial Concubine who asked for it."

"Now Gao State is asking us to borrow troops. If we ignore it, it would seem that Your Majesty is heartless." Zong Yanli paused and said calmly, "Besides, even if they borrow troops, it will not have much impact on Wu State."

"You always understand me like this." Although Gao Jiayue couldn't see Zong Yanli, she seemed to be able to imagine what she looked like just by listening to her talk.

"If we borrow troops, how many will we borrow? Who will lead the troops?" Gao Jiayue asked again.

"If the Imperial Concubine trusts me, I will arrange this matter." Zong Yanli said after thinking for a while.

Gao Jiayue raised her lips and smiled. This was what she was waiting for Zong Yanli to say.

After leaving the palace, Zong Yanli went to the army. Kuang Xingquan, Meng Qi and others also came back one after another in the past few days. Those who have families are still on the way with their families.

With such a major incident happening in the palace, the mansion that was originally granted had to be put on hold for some time.

On February , the dragon looked up.

All the generals in the army who should have returned have returned, and those who should have been settled have also been settled. While Zong Yanli was discussing the matter of borrowing troops, he also put on the agenda the matter of the embroiderers and palace maids watching the martial arts competition.

Even though she wasn't out fighting, she was actually busier.

Ever since he had been alone with Wen Nian during the New Year, they had rarely even had the chance to speak to each other for a few more words.

"The matter of borrowing troops from Gao State is urgent. I want Ah Quan to go." Zong Yanli called the generals to discuss the matter. After weighing the pros and cons, he finally pointed to Kuang Xingquan and said, "You lead the troops to Gao State."

"Ah Hu and Wen Qi, you two come with me." Zong Yanli turned to look at Jie Hu and Huo Wen Qi and said, "With your help, it will be easier for you to come up with some ideas for Ah Quan."

Zong Yanli then looked at Monk and said, "Aqi, you have been with me the longest, and Gao Guo already knows a lot about you. If you lose in a fight, Gao Guo will inevitably become suspicious."

Meng Qi originally wanted to ask why he was not allowed to go even though Kuang Xingquan had been appointed. However, he immediately became obedient after hearing what Zong Yanli said.

Zong Yanli said in a deep voice: "This trip to Gao State is just a formality. Don't let your reputation be ruined. But you don't have to risk your life for Gao State. If you see that the situation is not right, just lead your troops and leave."

She looked at Kuang Xingquan and said, "Put yourself first."

"It would be good if you can become famous, but if not, there is no need to force it." Zong Yanli said, looking at Kuang Xingquan and said, "I will give you 15,000 soldiers and horses. Do you dare to obey my orders?"

"I will definitely live up to the general's name!" Kuang Xingquan, Jie Hu and the other two stood up one after another and immediately knelt on the ground to receive the order.

"Okay." Zong Yanli nodded and smiled: "After the military competition is over in two days, you can set off."

Zong Yanli and Gao Jiayue discussed the military competition for a long time, and finally asked their mother to visit several embroidery workshops. When Wei Songhe learned about this, he asked his friends to visit weaving workshops, dyeing workshops and other places outside the capital.

It took a full half month to put this matter on the agenda.

Zong Yanli didn't know how many people would come in the end, let alone how many couples would form among those who came.

These days, Zong Yanli has been busy teaching His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and he really wishes he could be divided into eight people.

Zong Yanyin was also busy. She had someone write a storybook to publicize the strength of Zong Yanli's soldiers. She even had storytellers and tea stalls talk about it, trying her best to arouse the girls' admiration for him.

Everyone has some heroic complex, and as long as they are willing to watch the competition, there will be some chances.

Han also went to invite matchmakers from all over the township. Only matchmakers know the most about such matters. So if she asks the matchmakers to help out, it will surely be done, right?

During the Grain Rain season, the arena was finally completed.

"How many people came?" Zong Yanli worked non-stop without even taking a breath. He asked Wei Songhe while drinking tea. Who would have thought that Wei Songhe was captured to serve as a soldier.

"That's really too many people!" Wei Songhe was busy all the time, while also helping his wife and mother-in-law to invite a matchmaker.

He even wondered if his daughter's marriage in the future would be even more troublesome than this.

Zong Yanli did not go to the competition site. He asked Long Feiguang and others to help watch it for a while. Zong Yanli went into the palace to meet with the envoy of Gao State to discuss the matter of borrowing troops.

Gao State was really asking for too much, as it asked to borrow 30,000 elite soldiers. Gao Jiayue was unable to handle it, so naturally Zong Yanli had to take action himself.

Zong Yanli brought Pei Liang into the palace and argued with the envoy of Gao State for a long time. Finally, he was satisfied and agreed to borrow 15,000 elite soldiers from Gao State according to his own idea. The envoy of Gao State seemed a little aggrieved, but facing Zong Yanli's toughness, he had to agree in the end.

The army has been bustling with activity for several days, and those who have taken a fancy to someone have already started going through the formalities, preparing to meet one another alone and propose marriage.

This year has been extremely fulfilling and busy, and Zong Yanli is already 25 years old this year.

"Brother, you are concerned about the marriages of your soldiers, but why don't you take care of yourself?" Zong Yanyin was busy for a long time, but when he turned around and saw his brother still standing alone, he couldn't help but complain.

"Uh..." Zong Yanli touched the tip of his nose, laughed and said, "Go ask your mother."

Han: “…”

She really didn't know how to explain to Zong Yanyin, and in the end she could only say vaguely that no one in the world is worthy of your brother.