Xie Ming

Chapter 833 Unprovoked Fire

The two cabinet ministers, Qi and Ma, were on duty at the palace at night. They thought that it was past midnight and they were busy with their work, so it was hard to stop for even a moment.

While taking a break from eating snacks, Qi Gang casually inquired about Minglu's family affairs.

Compared to his father's departure south, he had many plans and schemes.

Unexpectedly, Minglu seems to have some embarrassing secret, and judging from his behavior, he may have many disagreements with your father.

"Hmph, you haven't seen it before."

"A stingy and miserly person who would turn his back on even his closest relatives."

“If we get too close, I’m afraid he’ll hit me in the face with the abacus beads in his hand.”

"Sigh, he's a man who'd risk his life for money his whole life, someone who's obsessed with money."

"If you break a coin in half, you have to grind down the edge of the broken half."

Minglu used extremely sarcastic language, grumbling and complaining to himself.

Unfortunately, Qi Gang was too talkative, and now, hearing these words, he really didn't know how to respond.

"Look at what you're saying," he said helplessly.

Unexpectedly, Minglu refused to back down and countered with an even more shocking statement.

Have you ever seen a biological father lend money to his own son at exorbitant interest rates?

After saying that, he patted his chest in front of Qi Gang's astonished face.

There is truly unspeakable suffering, and one can see the hidden pain in one's heart.

Seeing this, Qi Gang could no longer say anything more and could only keep quiet and not say anything more.

Suddenly, at this very moment...

The two people inside the room suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from under the window of the outer room.

The soles of my shoes creaked as I stepped on the frozen brick floor.

It is conceivable that the eunuchs who usually guard the outside would not have come and made such a commotion.

Hearing this commotion of footsteps, I suppose something urgent must have happened.

Upon hearing this, Qi Gang became alert, gripping Minglu's wrist tightly and giving him a shushing look.

He didn't have time to argue further.

bang-

The door to the duty room was flung open from the outside, and a gust of wind blew in, carrying blood and spittle from shoe soles. Sun Changfu rushed into the room in a panic.

"Gentlemen, something terrible has happened! The palace is on fire!"

If the water is used for fire, a fire will break out.

A fire in the palace is no small matter.

Upon hearing this shocking news, Qi Gang and Ma Minglu were immediately stunned.

Speechless, a breath passed.

The situation was urgent, so Qi Gang took a step forward, composed himself, and questioned Chang Fu.

"what?"

"It's freezing cold, and it's snowing."

"Do you know which palace it originated from?" he asked urgently, frowning.

Changfu looked over and was panting heavily. He figured the news must have come from the back courtyard, and he was in a panic.

"Oh, Minister Qi, I just received this news. I don't know the specifics of the situation."

"Okay, it seems to be in the northwest corner."

Before he could finish speaking, Sun Changfu, who had never experienced anything like this before, was now trembling.

In contrast, the person standing opposite him, who was so composed and disciplined, suddenly calmed down after hearing the commotion that had been brewing in his backyard.

Then, a thought flashed through his mind, and his pupils turned bright red with shock.

"northwest?"

The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine are not over there.

"This is bad; it seems someone is planning a rebellion."

Suddenly, he shouted.

The moment the word "anti" was uttered, not only Changfu but also Minglu were startled, and he quickly chased after them, grabbing their arms.

"Huh? This?"

However, in this critical moment, Qi Gang didn't have time to explain anything further.

He grabbed Changfu and pulled him over.

"Changfu, hurry!"

"Go quickly to the back and tell Eunuch Zheng (Xiao Chunzi, the chief eunuch in charge of internal affairs, whose original name was Zheng Chunxi)."

"We must be on high alert. Tonight is dangerous, and something unexpected may happen."

Qi Gang's expression was extremely resolute, brooking no argument whatsoever.

Seeing that, Sun Changfu was completely intimidated, his legs trembling involuntarily, unable to move an inch.

"Uh, really, really?" Hu Kou replied, his voice trembling with fear, almost as if he were about to cry.

"Hey, hurry up and go!"

Qi Gang didn't have time to pay attention to him. Seeing that he didn't take any action, he got anxious and shoved the man toward the door.

"Yes, yes." Only then did Sun Changfu realize what was going on, and he scrambled out of the room.

Just as he was about to cross the threshold, he tripped and fell hard, stumbling and screaming as he headed towards the inner palace.

Seeing him leave, Minglu became impatient and panicked, rushing to Qi Gang's side to ask what had happened.

"Qi Gang, what exactly happened?"

Upon looking at him, Qi Gang was frowning, rubbing his hands together, looking hesitant and struggling, pacing around aimlessly, muttering to himself.

"I had some doubts when I came in tonight."

"Why have the guards at the palace gate been changed out of nowhere?"

"It's just past midnight, and the palace has inexplicably caught fire on a snowy night."

“Minglu, I’m analyzing this, and this time, it might not be aimed at the young emperor.”

"This matter in the palace is nothing more than a charade to confuse the public and distract us."

Upon hearing this, Minglu became even more anxious.

Suddenly remembering something, he grabbed Qi Gang with his large hand.

"So, you mean..."

Minglu wasn't sure.

But Qi Gang didn't have time for riddles at the moment, and went straight to the point.

"Lord Jing!"

"Oh no, something bad is about to happen to the Duke's mansion."

"Recently, the city's defenses have been entirely under the command of the Imperial Guard."

"Since General Yuan took up his post outside the city, there has been no one in the city who is as trustworthy as Tie Wen."

Qi Gang finally voiced his concerns.

It's true what they say, what you fear most is exactly what happens.

"Changting went out on business a few days ago, and right now, I'm afraid the governor's mansion has fewer than a hundred guards."

Minglu followed his concerns.

Suddenly realizing this, I knew I couldn't wait any longer.

"No, we can't wait any longer, let's go to the Duke's mansion right now!"

Jin Minglu was decisive and efficient; with the matter at hand, he couldn't care less about anything else.

He grabbed Qi Gang with his large hand and pulled him out of the palace, heading straight for the Duke's mansion to rescue him.

However, given the suddenness of the event, such impulsive actions may not be of any help.

Ma Minglu was impatient, while Qi Gang was a steady person; he should devise a plan.

Just as Minglu was about to lose his temper, Qi Gang forcefully pulled him back to his feet.

"Hey, Minglu, Minglu!"

The two dragged each other to the door.

"Huh? What? Are you scared?"

Minglu was a soldier, and Xiao Jingchuan felt both gratitude for his patronage and a deep brotherhood with him.

Hearing that Xiao Lang was about to encounter trouble, he was absolutely certain of it.

Even if he were to risk his life, he would not turn back.

This surge of courage is right now stuck in my throat.

It was only because of Qi Gang's outburst that he was able to make such a sarcastic remark.

Of course, Qi Gang was well aware of this situation and decided to stick to the facts.

"Oh dear, we absolutely mustn't do anything reckless," Qi Gangli advised.

But Minglu was already so determined that even eight horses couldn't hold him back.

At this juncture, there's absolutely no way you'd ask him to just wait around.

"What time is it? We're in a crisis. There's no time for you to be afraid of everything."

"Let go of me."

"But if anything were to happen to the warlord, I...I..."

"Get out of my way!"

Driven by brute force, Minglu acted rashly, raising his arm to break free from Qi Gang's grip and plunging headlong into the snowy night.

They rushed towards the palace gate.

Only Qi Gang remained, and with a single punch, he struck the open door frame.

My heart was churning, and I desperately sought a way to save myself.

Seeing that Minglu was about to disappear, he decided not to think about it anymore.

With a flick of her hem, she hurried after him.

Running and shouting

"Oh my, Minglu, Minglu!"

"Go find Qin Jing, go find Qin Jing immediately."

"Without him, nothing can be done."

(End of this chapter)