nycdaug Chapter 236 Tao Yong's Life of Being Backstabbed
Chapter 236 Tao Yong's Life of Being Backstabbed
When the insincere and polite welcoming banquet came to an end and everyone dispersed, Song Yuan watched as a red figure disappeared under the pillars of the corridor. He finally stopped, realizing that now was not a good time to speak.
The Lu family army generals stationed in An, following Shen Qing's instructions, secretly passed on orders level by level during the rotation of troops. Outwardly, they ate, drank, and boasted as usual, maintaining a relaxed exterior but a tense interior.
Regardless of the complex feelings of Jiang Se and others, the ceremony of returning to Anguo was still progressing steadily. The government posted notices, and special officers read and explained them to the illiterate people.
"Huh? We'll be citizens of Xuan Kingdom from now on?"
"Will there be tax cuts?"
The people of Andu didn't really feel the impact of their sudden change of nationality, since the recent coup had happened while they were asleep, and they hadn't experienced the grief of losing their country and home.
They even thought that the new emperor could provide some welfare policies, such as a general amnesty and a three-year tax exemption. After all, for ordinary people, it doesn't matter who is on the throne; who pays taxes to is still paying taxes, right?
What should have been a bloody and turbulent change of regime seemed to have passed smoothly and without any major incidents. However, Su Liangyu, who was in the Tao residence at this moment, was far from calm.
Recently, Su Liangyu, who had been trying to keep a low profile while keeping a close eye on outside developments because of Tao You, finally mustered up the courage to pay her respects to the head of the Tao family in the main hall today.
“Father, Xuanjun has been in An for some time now. Our family submitted early, so we should show our gratitude.”
Upon hearing that our family had submitted early, Tao Yong's face twitched involuntarily.
Despite Tao Yong's disgusted expression, Su Liangyu forced herself to continue, "General Shen is an outsider and it's not convenient for me to deal with her. I can take this opportunity to befriend her through my husband's connections, so that I can secure greater benefits for the Tao family after we return to Xuan."
Tao Yong did not reply after hearing this. Su Liangyu was filled with anxiety, and her palms were sweaty as she tucked them into her sleeves. Just then, Madam Wei, the matriarch of the Tao family, came out from the back hall.
“Mrs. Su is right, so let her go.”
Su Liangyu was both surprised and delighted that her mother-in-law, who wished she could kill her, would allow her to leave the mansion. She quickly replied, "Your daughter-in-law will prepare generous gifts and go to visit General Shen!"
Having said that, he hurriedly bowed and took his leave as if afraid that the other party would change their mind.
Once Su Liangyu's figure had completely disappeared, Madam Wei sneered, "Su went to curry favor, which will make Shen Qingxi lower her guard even more."
Tao Yong, who remained expressionless throughout, coldly said, "Madam Wei, you are more than just Qilang's mother."
"Yes, I am still Yuan Niang's mother."
"Do you know that doing this will kill the Tao and Wei families!"
"As long as we win, we won't die. So for the sake of the lives and honor of our entire clan of several hundred people, my lord must do everything in his power!"
Tao Yong sighed deeply. He had been betrayed by his son before, and now he was being manipulated by his wife, which had forced him into becoming a two-faced and fickle villain.
In his view, the instigators of these two incidents were a father who went mad after losing his son and a mother who went mad after losing her son. Why would these madmen make things difficult for a normal person like him?
Meanwhile, after receiving permission to leave, Su Liangyu immediately directed her servants to unload boxes of gifts onto a cart and headed towards the Xuanjun camp without looking back. She did not return all night, but a servant was sent to report that General Shen had kept her for a late-night talk by candlelight.
Another night passed, and the day for the ceremony finally arrived. Around the square of Zhengyang Gate in the palace, colorful banners fluttered on the tall and majestic palace walls.
Court officials, dressed in their court robes, arrived from all directions, some by sedan chair and others by horseback. As the palace gates opened wide, they filed in and stood in order of rank.
Above the long steps, a temporary altar stood solemnly, with various ritual objects arranged in an orderly manner on the incense table.
Behind the incense table is a huge bronze ding, its body cast with intricate patterns of auspicious beasts. Around it are a row of chime bells and a set of simple bronze gui vessels.
"The auspicious time has arrived—"
With a high-pitched and long announcement from the master of ceremonies, the ceremony officially began, and in an instant, bells and drums rang out, and melodious music filled the air.
Shen You is indeed a professional; he's got the sense of ceremony all figured out, and it looks really authentic.
As the envoy, Jiang Se ascended the altar under the watchful eyes of the crowd, first washing her hands, then taking the lit incense from the master of ceremonies and inserting it into the incense burner on the altar.
Then the draft prepared by the Ministry of Rites was read aloud. Just when everyone thought the matter was settled, an unexpected change occurred.
"You scoundrel, prepare to die!"