Chapter 7: Is She Planning to Rebel?

After a half hour of dispute outside the Princess Chang’s residence, verbal threats proved ineffective, and Lu Guozhong and Shen Mo resorted to physical confrontation.

However, after just fifty moves, Lu Guozhong was severely injured, defeated by Shen Mo in a miserable state.

Lu Guozhong, a master at the eighth rank, was undoubtedly among the top ten in the imperial city, but Shen Mo of the Princess Chang’s mansion was a genuine ninth-rank expert, making Lu Guozhong no match for him.

Thrown back by a palm strike, Lu Guozhong crashed heavily to the ground, his internal organs seemingly displaced.

As other guards approached, Shen Mo raised his hand and commanded, “Qilin Guard!”

Swiftly, the black-clad guards armed with blades emerged, emanating a menacing aura more intimidating than the palace’s Imperial Guards.

The Imperial Guards, faced with this sight, couldn’t help but show hesitation.

The Emperor had authorized the use of force, but the Qilin Guards under the Princess Chang’s command were all skilled and valiant warriors, each one excelling in equestrian archery and swordsmanship. Those who did not meet the standards were eliminated.

If they were determined to challenge the Emperor, the Imperial Guards would not be their match.

“Princess… Princess Chang openly defying the imperial decree is a heinous act!” Lu Guozhong, helped up from the ground, tremblingly pointed at Shen Mo and the Qilin Guards, “I will inform the Emperor and have him punish you for your treacherous rebellion!”

With these words, Lu Guozhong left in a sorry state with the Imperial Guards.

Having been snubbed by Wen Jin earlier, the Emperor’s expression darkened instantly upon seeing Lu Guozhong return injured.

“Couldn’t see Yan Qing?”

“I am incompetent, Your Majesty!” Lu Guozhong knelt on the ground, bowing his head, his voice hoarse as he pleaded, “I have failed Your Majesty’s trust. Shen Mo of the Princess Chang’s residence is too audacious. I couldn’t even see the Princess. The Qilin Guards disregards Your Majesty, acting rebelliously. Are they planning to rebel?!”

Emperor Yan Chen almost crushed the imperial brush in his hand.

Yan Qing!

Grand General Xiao Zhongshan’s expression turned even more unpleasant. What was Princess Chang planning? She dared to confront even the Imperial Guards commander who was sent on imperial orders. Was she truly plotting a rebellion?

The atmosphere in the imperial study plummeted to freezing point, shrouded in a heavy sense of gloom.

Emperor Yan Chen remained silent for a long while.

“Your Majesty.” The close attendant Wei Changhai cautiously spoke up, “What if the Prince Regent intervenes?”

At these words, Emperor Yan Chen’s expression grew darker, “Are you suggesting that My presence is not enough to deter Princess Chang?”

“I deserve death!” The attendant knelt with a thud, “I did not mean that, Your Majesty, forgive me!”

“General Xiao.” Emperor Yan Chen suppressed the rising fury within, his voice maintaining a calm tone, “What do you think should be done?”

Xiao Zhongshan’s expression shifted slightly, as he lowered his head and said, “Jinghan was at fault first. I believe Princess Chang may be acting out of anger at the moment, hence her irrational actions, not a deliberate offense against Your Majesty.”

While the majority of the civil and military officials supported the new Emperor upon his ascension, the power of the Prince Regent was greater. Princess Yan Qing, known for years as the “Lone Star of Calamity”, kept many at a distance.

The Qilin Guards under her command was not numerous, compared to the regular army, it was quite small, with only eight thousand soldiers. However, no one dared to question the combat prowess of the Qilin Guards, as they could effortlessly take on ten opponents at once.

Moreover, the Qilin Guards held privileges.

At this moment, if the Emperor were to confront Yan Qing head-on, it would benefit no one, so he needed a way out.

Emperor Yan Chen’s complexion did improve significantly upon hearing this, “General Xiao is correct. Yan Qing must be in a state of anger, which led to her irrational actions.”

Xiao Zhongshan replied, “Your Majesty is wise.”

“In that case.” The Emperor, Yan Chen quickly made a decision, “Let Yan Qing calm down first. Tomorrow morning, you will personally visit the Princess Chang’s mansion, attempt to apologize to her, then bring Xiao Jinghan back home for proper discipline. Afterward, have Xiao Jinghan apologize to Yan Qing and promise never to visit brothels again. By doing so, Yan Qing’s anger will naturally dissipate.”

“Understood.”

Xiao Zhongshan expressed his gratitude for the decree and left with a somber mood.

Yan Chen sat behind the imperial desk, watching his tall figure recede, picked up the tea cup at hand and smashed it out—

Crack!

The tea cup shattered into pieces on the black brick floor.

Eunuchs and palace attendants knelt in a flurry, all prostrated on the ground, “May Your Majesty calm down!”

Calm down?

Yan Chen’s expression turned dark. Not only could he not calm down, but he wished to tear Yan Qing apart at that moment!

However, recalling the words of his father before his passing, he had to suppress his anger, forcing himself to calm down.

His father had mentioned the imminent danger of the dynasty facing fragmentation, and as a newly crowned Emperor, his authority was not enough to deter the Four Kings. Only Yan Cang could intimidate them and contain their ambitious desires.

Yet, Yan Cang held military power, strategized behind the scenes, and had a proud and aloof nature, paying little regard to the Emperor. Appointing him as the Prince Regent was a necessary move, but over time, he might pose a threat to the imperial authority. Hence, another person was needed to counterbalance him.

That person was Princess Yan Qing, the Ninth Princess who had been exiled to Zhuque City since childhood.

The Imperial Astrologer predicted that Yan Qing would only live to twenty-five, so even if she controlled the Qilin Guards, she posed no threat to the throne. Instead, she could be used to counterbalance the Prince Regent and buy time to consolidate power, unify the court, win over the officials, stabilize the throne, garner support, and eliminate the Prince Regent.

Therefore, he should not let a minor figure like Xiao Jinghan cause a rift with Yan Qing. A princess destined to die sooner or later would not disrupt the bigger picture.

The real threat he needed to guard against was the Prince Regent, Yan Cang.