Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 122 The Fierceness of the Rain

Wu Tao looked out the window, bean-sized raindrops were hitting the window lattice frantically, like countless invisible hands trying to tear apart this stormy night. Chang'an City, which should have been brightly lit, was now shrouded in darkness, with only the faint sound of thunder in the distance, indicating the severity of this rainstorm.

"It seems that our plan will be postponed." Hu Bugui walked to Wu Tao and gently put his arm around her shoulders, with a hint of helplessness in his tone. This sudden rainstorm disrupted all their arrangements, and the original plan had to be postponed. The situation, which was already undercurrent, became even more complicated and unpredictable because of this rainstorm.

Wu Tao nodded and looked at the rolling dark clouds outside the window with concern. "This rain came strangely. I always feel uneasy, as if something is going to happen..."

Her premonition was soon confirmed. After the rainstorm, the capital was in a mess, with rivers of water on the streets and trees and wreckage of houses blown down by the strong wind everywhere. Just as they were about to adjust their plans, news came from the palace that the emperor was seriously ill and summoned Hu Bugui to the palace immediately.

Hu Bugui's heart trembled, and he realized that things might not be that simple. Before leaving, he held Wu Tao's hand tightly and whispered, "Wait for me in the mansion, don't go anywhere, and wait until I come back to discuss everything."

Although Wu Tao was worried, he also knew that this was not the time to be willful, so he could only suppress his uneasiness and watch Hu Bugui leave.

However, this farewell turned out to be a farewell forever.

As soon as Hu Bugui stepped into the palace, the prime minister and the prince surrounded the entire prince's mansion with the imperial guards, accusing him of - conspiracy to rebel!

It turned out that the prime minister had already noticed Hu Bugui's plan. He knew that Hu Bugui had already obtained evidence of his corruption. In order to protect himself, he decided to strike first. He secretly bribed the imperial physician in the palace and lied about military intelligence, saying that Hu Bugui intended to murder the emperor and usurp the throne.

The aged emperor had long been sidelined by the prime minister and the crown prince, and had little understanding of state affairs. Upon hearing the news, he flew into a rage and ordered Hu Bugui to be imprisoned and await his fate.

When the news reached Wu Tao's ears, it was like a bolt from the blue. She couldn't believe it at all. She was speaking softly to her husband just a moment ago, but the next moment he became a prisoner!

Wu Tao suppressed the grief and fear in her heart. She knew that now was not the time to cry. She had to cheer up and rescue Hu Bugui!

When Wu Tao learned that Hu Bugui had been arrested, she was shocked. She staggered back a few steps and almost collapsed to the ground. How could this happen? He was so gentle and gentle just a moment ago, how could he become a prisoner in the blink of an eye?

"No, this is not true!" Wu Tao shook her head violently, tears blurring her eyes. She rushed out of the door, ignoring the maid's attempts to stop her, and ran wildly towards the direction of the palace. She wanted to see the emperor, and she wanted to redress Hu Bugui's grievances!

However, how could a commoner like her enter the palace? Wu Tao knelt outside the palace gate for a day and a night, but was ruthlessly stopped by the guards. Despair and helplessness overwhelmed her like a tide, but she refused to give up. She firmly believed that Hu Bugui was innocent, and she must save him!

Wu Tao ran around trying to find evidence to prove Hu Bugui's innocence. She visited Hu Bugui's former subordinates and ministers who were on good terms with Hu Bugui, hoping to find a clue. However, everyone's reactions were surprisingly consistent: silence, fear, and deep helplessness.

"Miss Wu Tao, please leave quickly. This matter involves many people and you cannot interfere." An old minister advised earnestly, "Now in the court, the prime minister has absolute power, the prince is ambitious, and the emperor is old and has long been unable to control the government. General Hu has been falsely accused of treason this time, I am afraid he is in great danger!"

Wu Tao felt heartbroken when she heard these words. She knew that Hu Bugui was really in danger this time. But she was unwilling to give up. She wanted to fight against fate. Even if there was only a glimmer of hope, she would try her best to fight for it!

At the same time, in the palace, the emperor had mixed feelings when he heard the news of Hu Bugui's arrest. He knew that Hu Bugui was a rare loyal and capable general, and he had always trusted him. But the prime minister's words were so sure, and he produced the so-called "evidence", which made him doubt.

"Your Majesty, Hu Bugui has evil intentions and has been plotting evil for a long time! Now that he is growing stronger, if he is not eliminated as soon as possible, he may become a serious threat to our Tang Dynasty!" The prime minister knelt on the ground, accusing Hu Bugui of his "crimes" in tears.

The emperor rubbed his temples tiredly, feeling annoyed. Although he was old, he was not confused. He knew that the prime minister and the crown prince had been secretly cultivating power and wanted to undermine him. And Hu Bugui's great achievements had indeed made them uneasy.

"Tell Hu Bugui to come to the palace. I want to interrogate him personally!"

The atmosphere in the Golden Palace was so solemn that it was suffocating. Hu Bugui was wearing shackles, but his back was still straight, and his eyes were firmly looking at the emperor on the dragon throne.

"Hu Bugui, do you admit your crime?" The emperor's voice showed no emotion.

"I am innocent!" Hu Bugui kowtowed, his voice as loud as a bell. "I have never had any second thoughts about the emperor or the Tang Dynasty! I will never admit to the charge of treason!"

The prime minister sneered, stepped forward, pointed at Hu Bugui's nose and said, "The evidence is irrefutable, you can't deny it! Come here, present the letter that Hu Bugui wrote in collusion with foreign enemies!"

The eunuch took the letter and handed it to the emperor tremblingly. When the emperor unfolded it, his face suddenly darkened.

Hu Bugui glanced at the letter and understood something immediately. This is clearly a forgery! He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, please understand! This letter is a forgery! I have never colluded with any foreign enemy! I have been loyal to the emperor and patriotic all my life, and everything I have done is for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Nonsense!" the prime minister shouted, "You keep saying that you are loyal to the emperor and patriotic, so why are you secretly expanding your army and hoarding food? What are you doing? Aren't you preparing for a rebellion?"

"I expanded the army to resist foreign invasion and defend the borders of the Tang Dynasty! I stockpiled food and fodder to provide relief to disaster victims and comfort the people! Everything I did was for the country and people of the Tang Dynasty. Heaven and earth can bear witness to this!"

"Your Majesty, please do not believe his sophistry! This man has evil intentions and deserves death!" the prime minister shouted at the top of his lungs.

At this moment, a clear voice sounded outside the hall: "Your Majesty, I have evidence to prove that General Hu is innocent!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Wu Tao, dressed in plain clothes, resolutely walking into the Golden Palace despite the guards' attempts to stop him.

"How dare you! Who are you? How dare you trespass into the Golden Palace!" the prime minister shouted angrily.

Wu Tao knelt down without being servile or arrogant, and said in a loud voice: "I am Wu Tao, the wife of General Hu! I came here today to clear the injustice of my husband!"

Then, she took out a letter and an account book from her bosom, presented them to the emperor, and said: "This letter is the evidence of the Prime Minister's collusion with the Turkic Khan, and this account book is a record of the Prime Minister's corruption and abuse of power! Please examine it carefully, Your Majesty!"

The emperor took the letter and account book and read them carefully. His face became more and more ugly, and finally he threw the things in his hand in front of the prime minister and shouted angrily: "You are so good, prime minister! I trust you so much, and you dare to betray me!"

The prime minister's face turned pale, he fell to the ground, and kowtowed for mercy.

The emperor ignored him and turned to look at Hu Bugui, his eyes full of guilt and apology, and said: "My dear Hu, I have wronged you! You have been wronged!"

Hu Bugui kowtowed to express his gratitude, feeling deeply moved.

"Come here! Take down the prime minister and the prince!" the emperor roared.

The guards rushed forward and captured the prime minister and the prince.

The emperor then ordered the release of Hu Bugui and restored all his official positions.

However, at this moment, outside the Golden Palace, there was already murderous intent...

Outside the Golden Palace, shouts and cries of killing shook the heavens. How could the prime minister and the crown prince be defenseless after years of management? The moment the emperor ordered their arrest, the entire capital fell into chaos. Well-trained soldiers poured into the palace like a black tide, with swords flashing and blood splattering. The imperial guards loyal to the emperor were defeated step by step, and the situation was precarious.

"Your Majesty, the rebels are coming in full force. Please leave through the secret passage as soon as possible!" An old general, covered in blood, knelt in front of the emperor with a tragic tone.

The emperor looked at the hellish scene in front of him, and then looked at Hu Bugui and Wu Tao who were calm and composed not far away, with mixed feelings in his heart. He sighed and seemed to have made a great decision: "My dear Hu, I order you to take the queen and the prince out through the secret passage and escort them safely to Jiangnan!"

"Your Majesty..." Hu Bugui wanted to say something, but was interrupted by the emperor. He knew that this was not the time to hesitate, and protecting the last bloodline of the Tang Dynasty was the top priority.

"Tao'er, let's go!" Hu Bugui took Wu Tao's hand and ran towards the secret passage. At the entrance of the secret passage, the queen hugged the prince tightly, tears streaming down her face. She said to Hu Bugui in tears: "General Hu, the lives of me and the prince are in your hands!"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will protect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince even at the cost of my life!" Hu Bugui promised solemnly.

After bidding farewell to the emperor and the empress, Hu Bugui and Wu Tao, along with several guards, set out on the road to escape. The secret passage was deep and dark, and they groped their way forward, their hearts filled with anxiety and fear. After walking for an unknown amount of time, they finally saw the light of the exit. However, just when they thought they had escaped, an army quietly appeared in front of them and surrounded them.

This army was wearing black armor and holding sharp blades, and everyone's face was filled with murderous aura. The leader was tall and had a stern face. He stared at Hu Bugui with a pair of hawk-like eyes, as if he could see through him.

"Who are you? How dare you block my way!" Hu Bugui drew the sword from his waist and pointed the tip of the sword at the people who came.

"The one who wants to kill you!" The leader sneered and waved his hand, "Kill!"

In an instant, shouts and cries of killing shook the sky, swords clashed, and fire splashed. A war was about to break out.