You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 225 Burial
"So what?" The Empress Dowager said dismissively, "Once I have investigated the matter, I will naturally punish them."

"I'm afraid that Your Majesty, you have been sidelined and your orders may not be obeyed."

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, her expression turning stern: "I've long heard of your cunning schemes, and seeing you today confirms it. You want to sow discord between us, so you can have your own opportunity, don't you?"

Liang Jiang said solemnly, "Your subject dares not, but you just saw the whole truth. This commander disregarded your safety and did not take Your Majesty seriously."

"I do not believe this was ordered by His Majesty. Have you never questioned the identity and motives of this commander?"

"You also suspect that this person is Tong Shouliang?"

"Tong Shouliang didn't die at all. The one who died in prison was a death row robber."

Liang Jiang said with great certainty, "This masked man is very likely Tong Shouliang! He is impersonating an imperial envoy and wants to use the emperor's name to sow discord between the emperor and the Prince of Pingxi, and then attempt to seize the dragon vein, which is detrimental to our Chang'an.

"The imperial edict and the imperial sword are in his hands; how could they be fake?"

"Then this humble woman would like to ask Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, the Emperor and the Prince of Pingxi are brothers, what reason does he have to put the Prince of Pingxi to death without explanation? What else could it be but a false imperial edict?"

The Queen Mother choked.

Liang Jiang continued, "Tong Shouliang was originally in cahoots with Xiliang. How could the Emperor entrust such an important matter as the Dragon Vein to him? Isn't he afraid that the people of Xiliang will interfere and overthrow our Chang'an dynasty?"
"Your Majesty, you must be on guard! At the very least, shouldn't you verify this person's identity first?"

"So, you kidnapped me to make me see this person for who they really are?"

"Your Majesty is wise and insightful. Only if you are not deceived by treacherous people and take control of the situation can my mother and I have a chance to survive. Even if Liangjiang takes this risk, it is worth it."

The Empress Dowager chuckled and said, "What a sharp tongue you have! You've managed to portray my heinous crime of kidnapping me as a well-intentioned act. I was almost bewitched by you."

"Whether I have bewitched the Empress Dowager or not, you only need to remove the mask of that commander to know the truth."

"Whether it's true or false, I know in my heart. No matter how sweet your words are, they cannot change the fact that you have disobeyed me today."

"Liang Jiang's life or death is a small matter; the fate of Chang'an and the nation are of utmost importance. I urge Your Majesty to act with caution."

"You speak with such righteous indignation, but I advise you not to waste your time. I will spare your life until the dragon vein is activated, but I will not fall for your tricks either."

After speaking impatiently, he called in Yuzhu and took Liangjiang away, locking her up with Madam Liang and keeping her under strict guard.

The next day, the group set off immediately, guided by the people sent by Taoist Li, heading straight for the location of the dragon vein.

Throughout the journey, the Empress Dowager was filled with worries.

Although she said she didn't believe Liang Jiang, she also had doubts in her heart.

She ordered Yuzhu to secretly inquire about the fire that day, and she immediately learned the whole story.

In particular, when he learned that the captain of the guards at the time had disobeyed the commander's orders and was about to lead his men to rescue him, the commander actually killed him in public to intimidate everyone.

This shocked the Empress Dowager.

Clearly, this commander, secretly appointed by the emperor, did not value his own life; his life and death were of no importance to him.

What commander would dare to do such a thing? Either, as Liang Jiang said, he harbored treacherous intentions; or, there is an even more terrifying possibility: it was the emperor's will!
When combined with the mention of galangal, the Empress Dowager felt a chill run down her spine.

In addition, the journey along the rugged mountain roads had left them exhausted, and the Empress Dowager fell ill.

If we continue onward, we will enter the mountains, and we will have to abandon the carriage.

However, the Empress Dowager was so ill that she couldn't even lift her head, and whenever she stood up, she felt dizzy and disoriented.

The commander-in-chief was extremely anxious and stood outside the carriage, urging them on repeatedly. Yu Zhu said angrily, "The Empress Dowager's health was already poor. She has been enduring the bumpy journey and the change in environment, but she has been gritting her teeth and persevering. In addition, she was frightened that night, and her health is not good. What's wrong with resting for another day before continuing the march?"
"If you're in a hurry, Commander, you can go into the mountains yourself. You have the Emperor's secret decree; you can make all the decisions yourself."

The commander-in-chief ignored her rudeness and said to the Empress Dowager in a deep voice, "The Emperor has repeatedly instructed that the matter of the dragon vein must be handled with utmost care. It would be best if Your Majesty personally inspected it. This humble subject dares not act on his own. For the sake of Chang'an and the nation, I beg Your Majesty to be patient."

Your humble servant has already ordered a palanquin to be prepared, to be carried into the mountains by the guards.

Inside the carriage, the Empress Dowager's voice was weak and feeble: "I don't even have the strength to speak now. Even if we get to the dragon vein, I won't have the strength to examine it at all."

"Either you, Commander, take full authority, or we'll wait two days until Lady Liang has helped me recover before we continue."

"No!" The commander-in-chief refused to budge an inch: "The Prince of Pingxi has always coveted the dragon vein. If he finds out its location beforehand, I'm afraid he will ruin the country and its people in Chang'an."

The Empress Dowager sneered: "What a joke! The Prince of Pingxi and the Emperor share the same ancestor. What could he possibly do to the dragon vein? Would he destroy the feng shui of his own ancestor?"

"But Consort Xie has now slipped away from the capital, and everything is subject to change."

"What do you mean by that, Commander? What does the Dragon Vein have to do with Consort Xie?"

The commander choked, as if he had been awakened to something, and hurriedly changed his words: "What I meant was that the Empress Dowager Xie tricked her way out of the capital, which shows that Prince Pingxi has ulterior motives and may have treasonous intentions."

The Empress Dowager sighed softly: "But I really can't hold on any longer. If you're really worried, then go ahead. As soon as I feel a little better, I'll head into the mountains."

The commander pondered for a moment, his eyes flashing slightly: "Then this humble subject will go into the mountains first, leaving Lady Liang here to treat the Empress Dowager. I urge Your Majesty to prioritize the well-being of the nation and set off as soon as possible."

The Empress Dowager readily agreed: "Do I need you to remind me? This empire belongs to my son, how could I not be more anxious than you?"

The commander feared further unforeseen events ahead, realizing that Li Daoshi alone was no match for Gu Xizhi.

He immediately decided to leave behind his trusted confidants and a portion of the guards to protect the Empress Dowager, while he himself went into the mountains to meet up with Taoist Li.

Lady Liang and Liang Jiang were brought to the Empress Dowager's carriage to examine her pulse and treat her with acupuncture.

Yuzhu stood guard beside him, surrounded by numerous guards, keeping a tight watch.

As soon as the carriage curtain was lowered, the Empress Dowager immediately changed her previous listless demeanor and grabbed Liang Jiang's hand.

Lowering his voice, he asked, "Do you have a way to leave this place and contact the Prince of Pingxi?"

Liang Jiang didn't understand what had happened, and shook her head, saying, "No, I don't know where the Prince of Pingxi is now."

The Empress Dowager's face immediately showed disappointment and dejection.

"Could it be that Heaven intends to destroy me?"

Lady Liang was somewhat puzzled: "What exactly does the Empress Dowager mean by that?"

The Empress Dowager clenched her teeth: "I have brought this upon myself, and now I fear I will suffer retribution."

Madam Liang was even more confused: "What exactly happened? Are you unwell?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head, her face somewhat ashen: "I suspect that the Emperor summoned me here so that I might be forced to commit suicide!"

"What?!" Lady Liang and Liang Jiang were both taken aback.

The Empress Dowager hurriedly gestured for the two of them to be quiet.

Lady Liang was dumbfounded: "How is that possible? You are the Emperor's biological mother!"

(End of this chapter)