Chapter 642: Chapter 642. Great Changes in Tartan
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“I don’t know. These two children refused to come back since 5they went out.
It’s been a month. My old bones are about to fall apart.”
Qin Feng shook his head. Half a month ago, Xiao Zeyu had sent a letter back to the capital saying that some matters tied him up and he couldn’t return for the time being. He didn’t say what it was about. In the end, half a month had pa.s.sed, and he still hadn’t returned.
Fortunately, there were no significant events in the imperial court recently. Otherwise, he and Su Hanxuan would be even busier. However, even if it was a small matter, it was still very troublesome to keep it up every day.
Everyone felt that it was good to be the Emperor. Just looking at the pile of memorials gave them a headache. They were busy from morning to night and were much more tired than ordinary people.
Fortunately, he could control the fate of others and be respected by tens of thousands of people. Then, he could realize his grand ambitions and feel accomplished.
The old man did not care about anything now. He wanted to come back and play with his two great-grandchildren. He wanted to see their carefree smiles every day, listen to their tender and sweet voices, admire the flowers and the moon, play the zither, play chess, and spend his days leisurely.
Shuisheng, if you don’t return, Grandfather will send people to capture you!
Su Qing, do you have the heart to let grandfather not eat your cooking?
Su (Xing had just finished feeding Li’er by the river and changed him into a clean diaper when she sneezed thrice. She rubbed her nose. Who was talking bad about her?
Seeing that Big Black was almost done eating, drinking, and resting, Su Qing packed up her things, coaxed Li’er to sleep, put him into the system, and continued.
She was on the border between Tartan and the Western Regions, so she had to pa.s.s through Tartan to return to Mo City.
When Su Qing arrived at Tartan, it was already nighttime. She took out the customs clearance doc.u.ment. The old Emperor personally issued her customs clearance doc.u.ment, and no one could stop her at any time.
The soldiers of Tartan let Su Qing into the city after reading the pa.s.sage doc.u.ment. Su Qing was now disguised as a man to avoid trouble, so she held Big Black’s hand and found the courier station.
Every time they came to Tartan, they would stay in Yeluchun’s palace. There were two times when they stayed in the relay station. At that time, she had no choice. Tonight, she wanted to find a better relay station. It was very uncomfortable not to have time to bathe on the way. Only a good relay station would provide hot water for the guests to bathe.
Su Qing led her horse along the street and found no one on the street. It was so quiet that it was a little strange.
She had an instinct for danger. She felt countless pairs of eyes were hidden in the surroundings, and danger lurked everywhere.
Su Qing didn’t care. Even if there were thousands of troops, they couldn’t stop her. She led her horse and walked on the bluestone road. Only the Imperial City of Tartan was prosperous. The streets were paved with bluestone. The other small tribes were all covered in sand. The sound of horse hooves stepping on the bluestone road was abrupt on this silent night.
Su Qing found a large courier station on the right side of the road. A lantern was hanging at the door, and the door was open. From the outside, one could see what was going on inside. The shopkeeper was sitting at the counter, doing the accounts.
Su Qing led the horse and walked over. She stood at the entrance of the courier station and asked,
“Shopkeeper, is there a special room?”
“There are two rooms. How many guests are there?
The innkeeper saw a thin man dressed in Han Chinese clothes. He stood up and asked.
“I’m alone. I just need one room.”
Su Qing was pleased to hear that there was a room. She could finally have a good sleep after the b.u.mpy journey.
This season had fewer customers, so there were empty guest rooms. The shopkeeper called the waiter to help Su Qing with the horse and warmly invited her upstairs.
“The upper rooms are on the second floor. Please follow me upstairs. “Shopkeeper, it’s not too late yet. Why is there no one outside?” Su Qing asked casually.
“It seems like the Third Prince is missing. Soldiers are looking for him every day. We’re not too sure about the details!”
Su Qing frowned slightly when he heard that the Third Prince had disappeared.
Was it Yeluchun?
“Sir, please take a rest. I’ll get the waiter to boil water for you.”
The shopkeeper opened the door to a room on the south side for Su Qing with a smile.
“Thank you.”
Su Qing nodded and walked into the house. The owner of this inn often entertained guests from the Central Plains, so the courier station was renovated according to the courier stations of the Central Plains. Unlike yurts, the house had beds, tables, and chairs, where people slept in a circle with only a long table in the middle.
Su Qing walked into the house and pushed open the window. The moon was hidden behind the dark clouds tonight, and only a few stars were in the sky. It was pitch-black outside.
However, Su Qing’s vision was several times better than ordinary people’s. She noticed that figures were moving in the darkness and heard the sound of footsteps stepping on the bluestone.
Kakaka…
It was orderly and sounded like the footsteps of well-trained soldiers. There were military activities in the middle of the night. Was there going to be a political change?
Su Qing noticed this. She stood by the window and looked down. A long line of ant-like dragons was quietly moving toward the palace.
Su Qing did not want to meddle in other people’s business, so she closed the window. This was their own business, so they should settle it themselves!
Soon, the waiter brought the hot water up. Su Qing was ready to shower and asked the waiter to get something to eat.
After the waiter left, Su Qing took off her clothes and soaked in the hot tub. Her arms were naturally placed by the side of the tub, and she closed her eyes to enjoy this rare comfort. Soaking in the hot tub was very comfortable, and fatigue surged up. Su Qing’s eyelids were heavy, and she fell asleep in the tub.
In the Royal Palace of Tartan, the guards patrolled back and forth to protect the palace. The Emperor’s bedroom was still brightly lit. The old Emperor was not asleep and was talking to Consort Li.
“Your Majesty, it’s been three days; why haven’t you found Chun’er yet?
Consort Li cried and asked the Emperor. The main reason was that his son had become silly ever since he rebelled. He didn’t know anyone and only called Xiao Ying’s name. However, Xiao Ying was already disheartened by him and would never come back.
Seeing her son become worn daily, Consort Li’s heart ached. She went to take care of him every day. Three days ago, she went to the imperial son’s palace, but the guards told him that Chun’ er had secretly run away. Consort Li anxiously begged the Emperor to help look for him, but he couldn’t find him after searching the Tartan capital.
“Someone saw him walking towards Mo City. I think he went to look for Xiao Ying.”
The old Emperor looked exhausted. What sin had he committed? All three of his sons rebelled. Two of them died, and the remaining one became a r.e.t.a.r.d. Was there still hope for Tartan?
Was he going to pa.s.s the throne to someone else? However, if the country were handed over to someone else, they would not be willing. Secondly, those people were all warmongers, and they would most likely drag the country into eternal d.a.m.nation.
Now, the tribal leaders of a few tribes were restless. They thought that the old Emperor was an old tiger without teeth, that Yeluchun was stupid and no longer a threat and many people were eyeing the throne.
Other than these tribal chiefs, there was also the old Emperor’s half-brother. The two of them were fifteen years apart in age. The younger brother was in his prime and was ambitious. In the past, he did not dare to act rashly. After all, the old Emperor had three sons who controlled a large army.
But now, things are different. The most courageous and skilled First Prince was dead, the crafty Second Prince was dead, the wise and capable Third Prince was dumbfounded, and the old Emperor had no one else to use.
The country would take turns to sit, and whoever had the ability would s.n.a.t.c.h it!