According to Cheng Xiran's recollection on the second day, at that time, Helian Duo had already hidden in the bedroom, waiting to be assassinated. When Helian Yue sneaked into the prince's mansion with several killers, he didn't have any doubts about the lax defense of the mansion. Instead, he went straight for Helian Duo to take his life, but was captured by Helian Duo's men and detained in the mansion.
At this moment, Helian Duo instructed Zuo Yan, "First, spread the news that Helian Yue has gone to the Yulin Kingdom to borrow troops. Let the Empress Dowager and the others relax a bit. Then, in the next two days, lead people to secretly round up all the officials on this list. Make sure to eliminate them all."
Only then did Cheng Xiran realize that Helian Duo had already formulated this plan in his mind. It was just that now was the best time to implement it. While she was pondering what to do next, Helian Duo said with a smile in his eyes, "Xiran, in a couple of days, we'll stage a big fight to make others think that our relationship has broken down. By then, Hua Bairu will surely come to visit. We'll control her, and then the final act can really begin."
"Besides..." Helian Duo paused. His face showed a bit of embarrassment, but he still continued, "Your father is on the Empress Dowager's side. I'm afraid he'll be implicated. All I can do is to protect your life and your grandmother's. Will you blame me?"
Cheng Xiran didn't mind, "How could I blame you? He brought all this on himself."
"Some days ago, I went to see your grandmother. She said she wanted to return to her hometown. Tomorrow morning, you should accompany her back. When I've taken care of things here, I'll come and join you."
"You've forgotten again..." Cheng Xiran's eyes were a bit resentful. She continued, "We clearly agreed that you wouldn't leave me. Why are you doing this again? It's okay to send your grandmother and Sun Yanyan back, but I want to stay by your side!"
He really had no way with her.
Before long, the news that Cheng Xiran and Helian Duo's relationship had broken down and they had parted ways after a big fight in the prince's mansion spread throughout the capital. Everyone knew about it.
Just as Helian Duo had predicted, Hua Bairu came to see Helian Duo that night, dressed beautifully. As expected, she was captured. Moreover, Helian Duo asked someone to imitate her handwriting and write a letter to the Yulin Kingdom, saying that Helian Yue's request for troops was a false pretense, and his real intention was to occupy the Yulin Kingdom.
So, within a couple of days, he received a personal letter from the king of the Yulin Kingdom, stating that the Yulin Kingdom had withdrawn its troops.
Time was running out. They had to act quickly. If the Empress Dowager noticed the slightest clue, the whole thing might fail.
On the Empress Dowager's side, she couldn't contact Helian Yue or Hua Bairu. Even her own confidants were disappearing one by one. This made her panic. In a hurry, she wanted to stage a rebellion. She instructed Cheng Zhiyue to poison Helian Zheng. In this way, as long as she controlled the palace and waited for Helian Yue to return, her son could sit firmly on the throne.
However, although her plan was well - thought - out, reality was not as she had expected.
Cheng Zhiyue did put a colorless and odorless poison in the tremella soup she sent to Helian Zheng as instructed. But this was immediately spotted by the person Helian Duo had placed beside Helian Zheng for protection. After all, this was Cheng Zhiyue's first attempt, and her target was the current emperor. Every word and deed, even a subtle expression, was enough to expose her.
When Helian Duo outside the palace heard about this, he knew that the Empress Dowager had started to act in the palace. He quickly had someone send Helian Zheng out of the palace overnight. He also had someone disguise as Helian Zheng and hide in the bedroom. At the same time, he announced to the world that Helian Zheng had suddenly died. For a moment, the court was in turmoil, and no one stepped forward to take charge.
The Empress Dowager chose this moment to stand up alone. But only then did she realize that even among the court officials who were once her confidants, many had defected to Helian Duo. There was no one in the court who was willing to stand by her side. So, she wanted to rebel by force.
She even gathered the large number of troops she had accumulated over the years to try to control the entire palace.
At this time, Helian Duo, unharmed and in high spirits, led thousands of his elite troops to confront her in the palace.
"Helian Duo, you're not, weren't you seriously ill? How come now..."
The Empress Dowager couldn't believe it.
Helian Duo coldly instructed the people around him, "Bring in the traitor Helian Yue and Hua Bairu, who tried to disrupt the relationship between our country and the Yulin Kingdom!"
When the Empress Dowager saw Helian Yue in a sorry state, with a disheveled head and face, she suddenly understood everything.
She collapsed to the ground and couldn't say a single word.
Seeing her face flushed, Helian Duo added fuel to the fire, "Empress Dowager, what kind of dream are you still having? Do you think we're all fools, easy to deceive?"
Helian Zheng, who was safe and sound, slowly walked out from the side hall.
"You, you all!"
The Empress Dowager was so angry that she had a heart attack and died on the spot.
"From now on, if anyone dares to follow the example of the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager's end will be his future!"
Helian Zheng, breaking away from his usual timidity, said this harshly, which made all the court officials bow deeply.
After that, Helian Yue was beheaded for rebellion. Hua Bairu was abandoned by the Yulin Kingdom and finally imprisoned in the jail as a hostage. As for Helian Zheng, he returned to the throne and, instead of being weak, ruled the country with an iron fist. All of this finally came to an end.
One day, several months later, the weather was fine. Helian Duo was in the mansion he had bought for Cheng Xiran outside the capital.
Just as Cheng Xiran had expected, the courtyard was filled with flowers, plants, fruits, and vegetables suitable for all seasons. The kitchen faced south and had been enlarged according to her request. She could finally show off her cooking skills. Although she had learned from professional chefs for some time, her cooking was still not very good.
There was originally a Chinese flowering crabapple tree in the mansion. There were two rattan chairs under the window. Sometimes, the falling flowers would just hit their bodies. It was light and added a bit of unique beauty to their ordinary life.
Cheng Xiran picked up a candied fruit from the celadon plate and stuffed it into Helian Duo's mouth. "Helian Duo, you really gave up your position as the regent. That position was second only to the emperor!"
"You can give up returning to your own era for me. I'm also willing to do this for you. We're even."
Helian Duo hugged Cheng Xiran into his arms. When her little face was pressed against his strong chest, he felt an unprecedented peace. He said firmly, "From now on, we'll make a living by doing some small business. You can just be my lovely wife in peace."
"I don't want that. You cook tonight!"
Their laughter filled the air, a moment of pure joy.
"Stories in the Capital" didn't stop being serialized. It was still updated every day. It seemed it would continue until Cheng Xiran was old and gray.