I have suffered enough in my previous life, my cousin will never marry me

Chapter 210 Ji Yunze Threatens the Eldest Princess
"Greetings, Princess, Commander Zhao."

Ji Yunze strolled in and casually clasped his hands in greeting: "Ji Yunze, the Prefect of Qizhou, has come to report for duty."

"Oh, Young Master Ji, your official career is quite interesting," Fu Yu'e sneered. "If I remember correctly, in less than a year, you've already experienced several ups and downs. How has a top scholar like you been reduced to a minor official in Qizhou?"

"It doesn't matter how high or low an official's rank is; as long as they can speak up for the people, that's enough."

Ji Yunze said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Although I am just a lowly Sima, I am still entrusted with the Emperor's orders. At present, Prince Dao'an is acting against the will of Heaven, taking the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Seal south with the intention of causing chaos in the world. I implore the Commander to immediately send troops to intercept the traitor."

"Ji Yunze, don't think I can't see through your little schemes."

Fu Yu'e sneered, "You always love to spout those high-sounding principles, but in reality, aren't you just after that wretched girl from the Ye family? Let me tell you, it's no use who comes today. Clearly, sending those two children from the Gu family would stop the war. Why have to start another fight?"

"Your Highness speaks so lightly?" Ji Yunze retorted angrily, "Your Highness is also a mother, why don't you have even the slightest bit of compassion?"

Having witnessed the hardships of the people along the way, he gradually understood why Wanwan had taken the initiative to return to Lin'an, and realized how absurd his previous thoughts had been.

If we really watch the Gu family and Prince Yongning fight to the death, the world will probably be littered with bones.

The sight of Chief Minister Ji leading the families of the Divine Might Army leaping off the west city wall was even more shocking to him.

"I have just come from Lin'an City and know of the devastation there."

Ji Yunze explained in detail: "I know that the Eldest Princess has a prejudice against Princess Jinghe. Do you know that she had already disregarded her own life when she returned to Lin'an? Her father died for his country, her aunt died tragically in the mansion, and even the eldest son of the Gu family suffered the fate of being pierced by a thousand arrows while protecting His Majesty. Yet she would rather die than compromise with Gu Tingchen. She led His Majesty all the way to the banks of the Chaojiang River, almost falling into a desperate situation. Was all of this only for herself?"

"Mother, elder brother."

Upon learning of their mother's and elder brother's deaths, Gu Qingmian and Gu Tingji both broke down in tears.

The people in the hall were all somewhat moved by what they heard.

“In the past, I thought that Miss Ye was just like most women in the world. She only thought about her own honor and disgrace and gains and losses. But now I am wrong.”

Ji Yunze sighed, "She has always been trying to save this wretched world in her own way. If she were just a person who coveted wealth and status, she could have simply gone along with the Gu family and enjoyed prosperity. Why would she have put herself in danger and lost her loved ones?"

Zhao Yun's heart surged with emotion upon hearing this. After pondering for a moment, he quickly nodded and said, "Madam, let's send troops immediately. That girl is indeed very thoughtful. We can't let her plans go to waste."

Zhao Yingying also said, "Mother, Aunt is currently isolated and helpless in Yuzhou. If we don't hurry there, what if Aunt falls into the hands of that devil?"

As she spoke, she glanced anxiously at the Gu siblings: "That devil doesn't even care about the lives of his own mother and brother, so how could he care about two children?"

Fu Yu'e's eyes remained cold and unmoved.

After all, once Gu Tingchen takes over Yuezhou, these people will have no way to survive.

Zhao Yingying knew that if her aunt were to suffer any hardship, her cousin would probably never forgive her.

She quickly gave Ji Yunze a wink, then bumped into his arms.

Ji Yunze understood immediately. He grabbed her neck with one hand and swiftly snatched a knife from her chest with the other. Fu Yu'e was startled: "Ji Yunze, what do you want to do?"

Ji Yunze said sternly, "Since the Princess likes to exchange other people's lives for her future, then I have no choice but to offend her today. I beg the Commander to send troops immediately, otherwise I will perish with your daughter."

"Yingying!" Fu Yu'e was terrified and turned pale. Just as she was about to step forward, Ji Yunze moved the knife directly to Zhao Yingying's neck: "If the Princess takes another step forward, I guarantee that your daughter will die on the spot."

Zhao Yun had already seen everything and pretended to advise, "Commander Ji, please don't do anything reckless. You can't hurt Yingying. She's my only daughter."

After saying that, he snatched the military tally that Fu Yu'e had hidden: "I will immediately mobilize troops to go to Yuzhou with you."

Fu Yu'e also became extremely anxious and scolded Yan Jin, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and mobilize the troops!"

Mu Qingqing was well aware of the current situation in Qizhou, and said confidently, "Uncle, go with peace of mind. I will guard Qizhou and will never let the pirates set foot in Qizhou."

After saying that, she deliberately reminded Ji Yunze, "Young Master Ji, please don't hurt my cousin."

Fearing that his wife might notice something, Zhao Yun immediately ordered his men to surround Ji Yunze outside the Zhenfu Shisi (a military post in Beijing) and mobilized 40,000 troops to rush to Yuzhou overnight.

Upon learning that Consort Zhang was personally heading to Yuzhou to repel the enemy, the various prefectures of Yuezhou stopped their guards, and the local gentry also gathered their own guards and rushed to Yuzhou City one after another.

Although there were nearly 5,000 men, they were no match for the 20,000 iron cavalry led by Gu Tingchen. After ten days of hard-fought defense, the prefect of Yuzhou had no choice but to send people to escort Consort Zhang to escape from Yuzhou as the Gu family army broke through the city gates.

Having been trapped in front of the small city of Yuzhou for ten days by thousands of servants, Gu Tingchen was furious and vowed to capture Consort Zhang alive.

Leading his men, they chased after her all the way to the outskirts of Yuzhou City. Just as they were about to catch up with Consort Zhang, they suddenly saw banners fluttering all around, and immediately a large number of people surged out, their dense figures stretching as far as the eye could see.

“The Prefect of Qizhou, Ji Yunze, has arrived late to save Your Majesty. Please forgive him, Your Highness.”

Ji Yunze rode his black horse and rushed to Consort Zhang's side. He glared at Gu Tingchen and said with a cold smile, "Prince Dao'an, with me here today, you will not be allowed to take another step forward."

"You bookworm, trying to ruin my plans again," Gu Tingchen said, clenching his teeth and cracking his fists.

Consort Zhang glanced behind her and saw Zhao Yun and his daughter Zhao Yingying leading a large army to catch up. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, immediately relaxed.

It was unexpected that this bookworm could persuade his brother-in-law to bring troops.

Looking at Gu Tingchen, Consort Zhang smiled and said, "Second Master Gu, have you thought this through? If you still want to take over Yuezhou, you're unlikely to get anything good today."

Seeing that things were not going well, Liu Zhang quickly whispered to his side, "Your Highness, I don't know who leaked the news. It seems that the Prince of Yongning's mansion was prepared. We have already been delayed in Yuzhou for ten days, and we can't delay any longer."

Gu Tingchen looked unwilling and was in a dilemma when a scout hurriedly rode up behind him, leaned over and whispered in his ear: "Your Highness, the Prince of Yongning and the Duke have gathered 250,000 troops in Yezhou and Qinzhou to besiege Huizhou. The Empress Dowager requests that you return immediately."

"what?"

Gu Tingchen felt a sharp pain in his chest, and a metallic, sweet taste filled his mouth and nose. He forced back the hot blood that was rising to his lips and said calmly, "Withdraw the troops and return to Huizhou."