The Rebellion Ends
Xiao Lingyan's statement coincided with what Zhao Ruxi was no longer worried.
Her thoughts drifted back to the secret chamber. "This secret chamber wasn't built by you or the Imperial Concubine, was it?"
"No, it existed as early as the Great Jin. The Great Jin's palace was rebuilt on the foundation of the previous dynasty's palace. When my residence was assigned, my mother, who was in charge of the Empress's palace, inadvertently learned about this secret room and specially assigned this palace to the original owner. She said that in case of any situation, there would be a place to hide."
"When this secret room was discovered, Xiao Lingpu had already chosen his residence, so it wasn't convenient to change it. Otherwise, this place would belong to him, and the original owner wouldn't have a chance."
When Xiao Lingyan said this, he did so in a purely declarative tone, without any emotion.
From a strategic and tactical perspective, it was correct for Noble Consort Cen and the Cen Family to concentrate all their resources to help Xiao Lingpu succeed in seizing the throne.
If he hadn't harbored ambitions to seize the throne, he would now be willingly scheming everything for Xiao Lingpu.
Fortunately, he saw the truth early on. Otherwise, if he had really supported Xiao Lingpu's ascension to the throne, his wife would have suffered a lot of humiliation.
His decision to seize the throne was largely influenced by Cen Peixuan's character. She was not a tolerant person and was jealous of talent. Just imagining her becoming empress and his wife having to kneel and grovel before her Xiao Lingyan uncomfortable.
The empire he and his wife had built up, in the end they still had to depend on others, kneel and bow to them, and their lives were in the hands of others. They were truly miserable.
He glanced at the shelf where the things were stored. "Besides my mother and me, only the old nanny who cleans my room knows about this place. She comes in and changes the things every two weeks, so everything is fresh."
That old nanny was a deaf and mute woman whom Noble Consort Cen had rescued in the palace when she was young. She was alone and had no one to rely on, but she was very loyal.
Zhao Ruxi nodded, then asked, "Besides that door, is there any other way out?"
"No," Xiao Lingyan. "After I transmigrated here, I received the original owner's memories and knew about this basement. At the time, I was worried that there might be a tunnel here, and someone might use it to assassinate me. I carefully explored and tapped every part of this place, but I didn't find any passage."
Since Xiao Lingyan said this and knew that her life was not in danger, Zhao Ruxi simply decided not to trouble herself.
There was a bed inside, which Xiao Lingyan lay down on. There were also a few chairs. Zhao Ruxi moved a chair over and sat down by the bed.
"When do you plan to speak?" she asked, reaching out to touch Xiao Lingyan's face.
"Before the wedding," Xiao Lingyan. "Illnesses always need to be treated gradually, don't they?"
"But it's too uncomfortable for you to lie like this," Zhao Ruxi sighed.
She knew that Xiao Lingyan didn't want to confront the Cen Family right now, for the sake of Noble Consort Cen and his own grand ambitions.
His confrontation with the Cen Family would not only upset Noble Consort Cen and Xiao Lingpu, but also invite public condemnation for his unfilial behavior, which would be detrimental to his reputation. Such internal strife is precisely what his opponents would want to see.
The Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince are finished, but there's still Xiao Lingpu, the Sixth Prince, and the princes born later.
If there were better candidates, Xiao Lingpu would have no chance of ascending the throne if he were crippled. However, if there were no other better candidates, and apart from missing a few fingers, he was otherwise of good character and ability, then he might still have a chance to ascend the throne.
If you can't write in red ink with your right hand, you can always use your left. A few years of calligraphy practice will solve the problem. It's really not a big deal.
Therefore, Zhao Ruxi could guess about 70-80% of the reason why Xiao Lingyan feigning illness.
However, Zhao Ruxi never interfered in or commented on the relationship between Noble Consort Cen Xiao Lingyan, Xiao Lingpu, and the Cen Family.
Xiao Lingyan possesses the original owner's memories, and he has feelings for these people. Now, for his own sake and hers, he is willing to confront these people, vying for the throne, and enduring the burden of governing a country in the future. What more could she ask for?
He can deal with those people however he wants, as long as they don't act foolishly like a saint.
She didn't bring up the topic again, but advised, "In that case, just in case they suddenly open the door and hear you talking, you should go back to sleep. Maybe we'll leave when you wake up."
In the past, Xiao Lingyan would fall asleep within two minutes after taking his medicine. He's still awake now, probably just forcing himself to stay awake.
Furthermore, if Xiao Lingyan doesn't sleep, she can't communicate with the system in her mind or listen to its real-time updates.
The most important thing right now is to get information from the outside world.
Xiao Lingyan didn't know how Noble Consort Cen would treat Zhao Ruxi in this critical moment. He was very worried, which was why he pretended to be asleep. Under the influence of the medicine, it was really impossible to pretend to be asleep while keeping a clear head without strong willpower.
Knowing he was alright, he grunted and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Zhao Ruxi sat in the chair and began to listen to the system's real-time broadcast of the situation outside.
"Host, the rebels at the palace gate have been defeated. The rebel leader has been captured alive, and the other soldiers have been shot dead."
"Xiao Lingheng ordered over a hundred rebel soldiers to draw artillery fire at the palace gates, while about fifty men stormed in through the east gate. He himself planned to lead sixty or seventy men in through the west gate to kill the emperor and everyone in the palace. Now they have all been defeated, and he has changed his clothes and is fleeing in panic."
"The imperial Imperial Guards sent by the Emperor had been secretly watching Xiao Lingheng for some time. He wasn't able to escape far before he was assassinated on the spot."
"Host, Consort Jin may have received the news and hanged herself in the Cold Palace."
"The rebellion has ended, and the Imperial Guards are cleaning up the battlefield."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ruxi took out her pocket watch and looked at it.
After Xiao Lingyan fell asleep, she glanced at her pocket watch. The hands had pointed to 4:40. Now it was 5:30. Luring the enemy out of their hole, killing the rebels and the "barbecue son, "Xiao Ge had only taken fifty minutes.
Just as she put the pocket watch into her bosom, the door that had been closed made a "click" sound and slowly opened.
Noble Consort Cen appeared at the door with a slightly tired face.
Noble Consort Cen had expected to see a panicked Zhao Ruxi. After all, she was in a dark room with such a situation outside. Although Xiao Lingyan was with her, he couldn't move, and he would definitely fall into a deep sleep after taking the medicine, so he wouldn't be of any use.
But when she descended two steps using the lamplight held by the palace maid, and looked up, she saw Zhao Ruxi standing up from her chair, her face radiant.
Xiao Lingyan remained lying in bed, fast asleep, without even changing his position.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Zhao Ruxi stepped forward and asked.
"Yes." Noble Consort Cen smiled. "His Majesty has sent the Imperial Guards over, saying everything has been resolved and that we should continue with our daily activities without panic."