The Empire will continue to win

Prison? Consummation of marriage?

Empress Dowager Cixi was taken aback, just about to ask something.

Du Yulan, not knowing where she got the courage, suddenly raised her head and said, "Your Majesty, my husband is innocent. He is not a deserter. His loyalty to the court is as clear as day."

"What's your name?"

"Your Majesty, this is Du Yulan."

An Dehai looked up in surprise. Everyone in the palace knew that the Empress Dowager's childhood name was Lan'er.

The Empress Dowager Cixi was also slightly surprised: "How old is he?"

"Your Majesty, I have just turned 15 this year."

"What is your background?"

"Your Majesty, my father is a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examinations), but he failed the metropolitan examinations three times. He is now waiting in the capital for the Ministry of Personnel to select candidates."

"You took the death row inmate's letters out of prison without authorization and then openly overturned the verdict before the Emperor. Do you know what crime that is?" The Empress Dowager admired her long, scarlet fingernails in the sunlight.

"I know I'm guilty. I'm willing to die in place of my husband. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request." Du Yulan's eyes were resolute.

"He's quite the devoted lover."

The Empress Dowager smiled gently, her beauty captivating the nation.

An Dehai, who was standing nearby, quickly whispered, "Miss Lan, quickly thank the Empress Dowager. She has already forgiven your husband."

"Thank you for your great kindness, Empress Dowager."

Overjoyed, Du Yulan wept and knelt down to kowtow. However, due to several days of intense stress and hunger, she fainted on the spot and lost consciousness.

.........

evening.

Army Ministry-affiliated prisons.

As the last ray of sunlight disappeared through the narrow cell window, two prison guards arrived carrying half a bucket of thin porridge.

Prison food has always been like this.

"I want to eat meat!" roared the burly Zhang Zongcang.

"The last meal will naturally include wine and meat; just wait."

bang~

Old Zhang kicked over the porridge bucket.

"You want to die, huh? I'll grant your wish." The jailer roared.

"Forget it, why are you arguing with two death row inmates?" Another prison guard stepped in to smooth things over.

"I'm not asking for fine wine and meat, but at least give us some decent food, okay?" Shen Moqing stood up and said.

"Alright, I'll give you guys something salty to try." A jailer grinned and unbuckled his belt, urinating through the wooden bars.

thump~

Shen Moqing picked up the toilet and threw it hard.

The toilet slammed against the wooden bars with a loud thud. Although no one was hit, the two jailers were still drenched in the foul-smelling liquid.

hahaha~

The instigator burst into laughter.

"From now on, their meals are suspended, and their last meal the day after tomorrow is also suspended. Let them be starving ghosts to be reincarnated," the warden ordered as he rushed over upon hearing the news.

Although the jailers were furious, they knew that death row inmates were not to be trifled with, because a person cannot be killed twice. If they killed the inmates to vent their anger today, the officials of the Ministry of Justice would kill them the day after tomorrow.

The cell fell silent again.

The two lay on the dry straw and chatted.

"Brother, do you have any regrets in your life?"

"I'm not married yet, and I still have my old mother in the countryside," Zhang Zongcang said in a muffled voice.

"And there's Brother Ma's will."

Brother Ma, whose given name is unknown, was a squad leader in the Goryeo garrison.

On the day Busan fell, the three of them broke out together.

During the journey, Brother Ma was shot twice. Before he died, he left a will, requesting that a lock of his hair be cut off and sent back to his hometown for burial. Now, this lock of hair is still hidden in Shen Moqing's pocket.

.........

The next morning.

The two lay on the dark, damp straw mat, never to rise again, consumed by hunger, resentment, grievance, hatred, and bitterness.

"Big brother, there's something I want to tell you."

"Um?"

"The night before last, after our wedding, I had my wife secretly send out a letter. If the Empress Dowager sees that letter, perhaps we can still live."

"I hope so."

Zhang Zongcang had no hope whatsoever.

After an unknown amount of time, a commotion arose outside the cell.

Surrounded by the Imperial Guards, a young, white-bearded eunuch fixed his gaze on the handsome Shen Moqing and shouted in a shrill voice:

"The Empress Dowager has issued an edict: release Shen Moqing and allow him to return home."

Like celestial music, like heavenly sounds, like drinking fine wine, like embracing two women on a cool summer day, Shen Moqing slowly climbed up from the straw mat.

The first sentence surprised everyone.

"Father-in-law, he and I are sworn brothers, please release us both."

"I'm sorry, Young Master Shen, the imperial edict only mentioned you."

"Father-in-law, either release them all at once, or I won't leave." Shen Moqing's attitude was very firm.

After coming down from the Busan battlefield, he gained a deeper understanding of brotherhood. How can one survive in this world without brothers?

Since the Empress Dowager was moved by his petition, it means that this old woman is in a difficult situation now. Since it is difficult, it is not difficult to release one person as well.

"Young Master Shen, you, you, you~" The little eunuch was dumbfounded.

Shen Moqing didn't take it to heart.

Zhang Zongcang, standing to the side, had tears in his eyes and wished he could kowtow to his sworn brother on the spot.

.........

Just as the two sides were at a stalemate, another group of messengers arrived with imperial decrees.

"Oh dear, Eunuch Hai, why have you come in person?" The young eunuch who had delivered the decree was exceptionally obsequious, wiping his sweat and offering him a snuff bottle.

The visitor turned out to be An Dehai, a eunuch who was a favorite of the Empress Dowager Cixi.

"By imperial decree, Shen Moqing is to enter the palace immediately. Guards, prepare Young Master Shen for washing and changing."

"Wait a minute."

Shen Moqing reiterated his demand for their release.

"In this urgent situation, we should act expediently and take them all with us." Although An Dehai was surprised, he still nodded. They were just small fry; whether they were killed or not was not important. The key was to quickly bring Shen Moqing to the palace.

Empress Dowager Cixi originally intended to summon him a few days later, but she regretted it after only a quarter of an hour and decided to summon him immediately, perhaps fearing that the boy would be silenced.

The waters of the capital are quite deep.

And so, he eagerly brought a group of Imperial Guards with him.

"Thank you, Eunuch."

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and bathe and change Young Master Shen's clothes!" Even from five feet away, An Dehai could smell the stench. If he didn't wash him, the Empress Dowager would vomit from the stench.

.........

Since it was the Empress Dowager's decree, how could the army prison dare not comply?

The steaming wooden tub was filled with warm water.

Seeing that An Dehai had no intention of going out, Shen Moqing didn't care. "I'm a perfectly healthy man, why would I be afraid to look?"

He took off his smelly, dirty, and tattered military uniform, stepped into the wooden tub, held his breath, and immersed himself in the water.

Half an hour later.

A bucket of clear water turned into a bucket of black water.

Shen felt refreshed and invigorated.

Wow~

Shen Moqing emerged from the water again, revealing his robust physique.

An Dehai stared intently, admiring the muscles and testicles. He was truly envious. Suddenly, a bizarre thought popped into his head.

Could it be that...

hiss~

Did the Empress Dowager intend to emulate Empress Wu Zetian?

.........

The Imperial Guard had already prepared a brand-new set of black naval officer uniforms.

After putting it on, Shen Moqing looked exceptionally heroic. The revolver that had been confiscated when he was imprisoned was also returned, but without bullets.

Soon~

The convoy drove out of the army prison and headed towards the Forbidden City.

The four-wheeled carriage carrying Shen and Zhang was located in the middle of the entire caravan.

The wheels keep turning.

Inside the train carriage.

Shen Moqing leaned close to Zhang Zongcang's ear and whispered:

"Brother, the court is treacherous, and people's hearts are unpredictable. If anyone asks about the war with Goryeo, just tell them we won, but it was a very fierce battle. If they ask again, just shake your head and say you know nothing."

"From now on, I owe you my life," Zhang Zongcang said solemnly.

Xihua Gate.

"Lord Shen, please hand over your service weapon. We will return it to you when you leave the palace," said an officer of the Imperial Guard.

Hand over your weapon, search your body, register.

Meticulous.

The strict security of the palace is evident from this.

Entering the Xihua Gate, one feels even more strongly that the Forbidden City is solemn, majestic, and sacred, and cannot be violated.

What I saw along the way~

The Imperial Guards marched in perfect unison, while the eunuchs and palace maids hurried along. Occasionally, members of the royal family would pass by in palanquins, all surrounded by attendants, looking as radiant as deities.

Zhang Zongcang kept wiping away sweat, clearly enjoying the thrill of the moment.

An Dehai stole a glance at Shen Moqing, secretly marveling at him. Those entering the palace for the first time were often sweating profusely and looking around anxiously. But this young man was calm and composed, his eyes fixed straight ahead, striding confidently. This boy was destined for greatness.