Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 237 Time and Space Journey

The dazzling light gradually dissipated, Wu Tao's ears were buzzing, and her mind was in chaos. She tried to open her eyes, and her blurry vision gradually became clear, and the antique room came into view. "My queen, you are finally awake!" Lu Wu's familiar voice came to her ears, full of worry and concern. Wu Tao sat up suddenly, grabbed Lu Wu's hand, and asked anxiously: "Lu Wu, I'm back? I'm back, right?"

With tears in her eyes, Lu Wu nodded happily: "Yes, Madam, you are back!"

Wu Tao looked around and was sure that she had returned to the Tang Dynasty after a long absence. She was filled with ecstasy. She threw off the quilt on her body, and without bothering to dress properly, she stumbled out of the door and headed straight for Hu Bugui's study. Along the way, Wu Tao was anxious, and her mind kept recalling the scene of separation from Hu Bugui in the modern world, her heart full of worry and longing.

However, when Wu Tao ran to the door of the study room, panting, she heard a fierce quarrel coming from inside. She was startled, slowed down her pace, and listened attentively. She heard an old voice angrily saying, "Your Highness, you can't act on your own! Now that the Turkic army is approaching, if you lead the army in person, what will happen to Chang'an City? What will happen to the people?"

Wu Tao was very familiar with this voice. It was the prime minister of the current dynasty, who was known for his loyalty to the emperor and his patriotism. The other deep voice, though full of fatigue, was still firm and powerful: "Prime Minister, rest assured, I have made up my mind. The Turks have invaded repeatedly. If we don't teach them a lesson, they will only become more rampant!"

It's Hu Bugui! Wu Tao's heart tightened, and without caring about anything else, he pushed open the door of the study and rushed in.

"Bugui!" Wu Tao shouted anxiously, but what came into view was Hu Bugui's much thinner figure, and the fatigue and worry in his eyes. He seemed to be more haggard than when she left, with a few more strands of white hair on his temples, and his originally handsome face also looked a little more vicissitudes.

Hu Bugui suddenly looked up and saw Wu Tao coming back. A hint of unbelievable surprise flashed across his eyes, but it was soon replaced by a deep worry. "Taotao, you..." He hesitated, his eyes fell on Wu Tao, with a hint of indescribable complex emotions.

Wu Tao didn't bother to explain. He rushed to Hu Bugui in two steps, tightly grasped his hand, and asked anxiously, "What's wrong with you? What happened?"

Hu Bugui looked at Wu Tao's anxious expression, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice: "The Turks are making a comeback, and the border is in danger..."

Wu Tao's heart sank as Hu Bugui spoke, she understood what this meant. The Turks were coming aggressively, the border was in danger, and Hu Bugui, as a prince of the Tang Dynasty, shouldered the heavy responsibility of defending his country. He didn't know when he would be able to return, and he didn't know whether this trip would be a good or bad one.

"Bugui, let me face it with you!" Wu Tao held Hu Bugui's hand and said with a firm look. Although she was just a woman, she came from the modern era and had a lot of advanced knowledge and ideas. She believed that she could definitely help Hu Bugui.

Hu Bugui was deeply moved when he saw Wu Tao's determined eyes. He knew the danger of this trip and he didn't want Wu Tao to be dragged into the vortex of this war, but he also knew that Wu Tao's determination would not change.

"Okay, let's face it together." Hu Bugui finally nodded in agreement. Wu Tao's return seemed to be a shot of adrenaline for him, filling his exhausted body with strength again.

In the following days, Wu Tao used the knowledge she had learned in the modern world to help Hu Bugui solve a series of problems. She drew a detailed battle map, proposed a plan to improve gunpowder weapons, and even developed a new training plan based on modern military concepts, which greatly improved the combat effectiveness of the Tang army.

Hu Bugui looked at Wu Tao's busy figure, his eyes full of admiration and love. He knew that everything Wu Tao did was for him and for the Tang Dynasty. The relationship between the two also became deeper and more unbreakable in the process of fighting side by side.

However, their actions attracted the attention of the court officials. Some ministers who had originally been dissatisfied with Hu Bugui's personal expedition became even more dissatisfied when they saw that Wu Tao, a woman, was actually giving orders in the army. A conspiracy against them was quietly unfolding.

That night, the palace was brightly lit, with singing and dancing. A grand banquet was being held to prepare for Hu Bugui's upcoming expedition. Wu Tao, dressed in gorgeous clothes, accompanied Hu Bugui to the banquet. During the banquet, people were toasting and drinking. However, in the seemingly lively and cheerful atmosphere, there was a strange undercurrent. Wu Tao keenly noticed that the eyes of several ministers looking at her and Hu Bugui were filled with a subtle coldness and ridicule.

"Your Highness, Princess, please enjoy your meal." A palace maid in gorgeous clothes walked up to Hu Bugui and Wu Tao with a wine glass and said delicately, "This is the imperial wine that the emperor specially prepared for you. I wish your Highness a successful start and a triumphant return soon."

Wu Tao took the wine glass and was about to drink it, but suddenly she caught a glimpse of a cunning light flashing in the palace maid's eyes. She was startled and handed the wine glass to Hu Bugui calmly, saying softly: "Your Highness, this glass of wine..." "What's wrong with this glass of wine?" Hu Bugui took the wine glass and looked at Wu Tao in confusion.

"Nothing, I just think the color of this wine seems a little off." Wu Tao observed the surroundings calmly and said in a low voice, "I always feel that something is wrong tonight. Those ministers look at us strangely. You have to be careful."

Hu Bugui followed Wu Tao's gaze and found that several ministers were whispering, glancing at them from time to time with unknown lights flashing in their eyes.

"I understand. You should be careful too." Hu Bugui calmly put the wine glass on the table, held Wu Tao's hand, and gave her a reassuring look.

The banquet continued with singing and dancing, fine wine and delicious food. However, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui had no appetite and were filled with vigilance.

Suddenly, a guard hurried into the hall and whispered something in the emperor's ear. The emperor's face changed slightly and he immediately stood up and left.

"What happened?"

"Is it an emergency at the border?"

"Are the Turks attacking us?"

There was a sudden buzz of discussion in the hall and the atmosphere became tense.

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui looked at each other, and an ominous premonition arose in their hearts.

"Bugui, let's go." Wu Tao made a prompt decision and pulled Hu Bugui out.

"Stop! Where are you going?" A minister blocked their way and spoke in an unfriendly tone.

"We want to meet the emperor and report important matters." Hu Bugui said in a deep voice.

"The emperor is not seeing anyone right now, you should go back." The minister sneered, "Come on, take them down!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of guards rushed forward and surrounded Wu Tao and Hu Bugui.

"What do you want to do? We are going to the war under the order of the emperor. Do you dare to rebel?" Wu Tao shouted sternly.

"Rebellion? Hahaha, what a joke!" The minister laughed loudly, "Hu Bugui, you colluded with the witch and intended to rebel. The evidence is irrefutable. Today is the day you die!"

"Witch? Who do you say is the witch?" Wu Tao was furious. She knew that someone was deliberately framing them.

"Do I need to ask? Who else would do such a shameless thing besides you, a witch?" The minister pointed at Wu Tao's nose and cursed, "Come here, take them down and kill them without mercy!"

The guards rushed forward, swords flashing and murderous intent in the air.

Hu Bugui protected Wu Tao behind him, drew the sword at his waist, and started a fierce battle with the guards.

"Bugui, be careful!" Wu Tao shouted anxiously.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." Hu Bugui fended off the guards' attacks while comforting Wu Tao, "Don't worry, I will definitely protect you."

"No, I want to fight alongside you!" Wu Tao took out a dagger from his sleeve and joined the battle.

The two men stood back to back, fighting hard, however, the other side was more numerous and powerful, and they gradually fell into a disadvantage.

At this moment, a sharp arrow flew through the air and shot straight into the minister's face...

The sharp arrow accurately hit the minister's forehead, and he fell to the ground and died on the spot. The sudden change made everyone stunned, and the guards looked at each other, at a loss.

"Who is it? Who is shooting the arrow?"

A majestic voice sounded, and everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a group of imperial guards pouring in from outside the palace, led by the commander of the imperial guards, General Li. General Li was wearing armor, holding a spear, with a sharp gaze, and a majestic aura without even being angry.

"General Li, why are you here?" a guard asked bravely.

"I am here to quell the rebellion in compliance with the Emperor's order!" General Li swept his eyes across the room, finally landing on Wu Tao and Hu Bugui. "Your Highness, Princess, the Emperor invites you to the Imperial Study to discuss matters."

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui looked at each other and guessed something. They followed General Li to the imperial study, only to see the emperor sitting upright with a gloomy face.

"I, your humble servant, pay my respects to His Majesty."

"No need to be polite." The emperor motioned for them to stand up. "I already know the whole story. Someone deliberately framed you and intended to rebel."

It turned out that the minister who was shot was a spy sent by the enemy country. He had been lurking in the court for many years, secretly colluding with his followers, intending to overthrow the Tang Dynasty. He took advantage of Hu Bugui and Wu Tao's triumphant return and set up a vicious plan to catch them all in one fell swoop.

"Fortunately, I was prepared and sent people to secretly monitor them, so I was able to see through their plot in time." A fierce look flashed in the emperor's eyes, "Come on, take down all those rebels!"

The imperial guards received the order and arrested all the ministers who participated in the rebellion. A palace coup was thus averted invisibly.

Afterwards, the emperor praised Hu Bugui and Wu Tao highly, rewarded them with generous property and titles, and cleared their names and restored their reputation in front of all the civil and military officials.

After this storm, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui cherished each other even more. They walked out of the palace and strolled in the imperial garden. As the sun set, peach blossoms bloomed, reflecting their happy smiles.

"Bugui, we can finally live a peaceful life." Wu Tao snuggled in Hu Bugui's arms and said softly.

"Yes, all this is thanks to you." Hu Bugui looked down at Wu Tao, his eyes full of tenderness, "If it weren't for you, I really don't know what I would do."

They came under a blossoming peach tree, hugged each other and cried. They knew that no matter how many challenges there were in the future, as long as they were with each other, they would be fearless.

"Bugui, look..." Wu Tao suddenly pointed at a stone under the peach tree and said in surprise, "What is that?"