Chapter 13

Gu Chiran glanced around, exuding the aura of a military general: “The Grand Princess was poisoned by her new husband on their wedding night, and Sheng Jing’an insists he was acting on imperial orders. Now, Commander Ying wants to take the Grand Princess to the palace. Does he think we’re all fools?”

Ying Rong coldly replied, “I only know that the imperial decree cannot be violated.”

“What if we violate it today?” Feng Yaoguang raised an eyebrow.

“Commander Ying may be the best in the palace, but he doesn’t seem very capable today. Did he rush out this morning without having breakfast?”

Ying Rong glared at him, his eyes cold and murderous.

“Tsk tsk, Commander Ying’s gaze is truly captivating.” Feng Yaoguang shook his head, a playful smile on his face. “It’s a pity I have other tasks to attend to. Otherwise, I would stay and learn from the commander.”

With that, he loudly ordered, “Men!”

Several men in red and black armor stepped forward quickly, bowing, “Here!”

“The current emperor is narrow-minded and suspicious, fearing the Grand Princess’s military achievements might threaten his throne. He ordered the Duke to poison the Grand Princess on their wedding night. This is a blatant attempt to murder a loyal official, which is chilling!” Feng Yaoguang ignored the Imperial Guards present, speaking coldly and harshly, “Spread this news immediately. Let the world know the emperor is heartless and ungrateful! The Qingluan Army’s Yaoguang Battalion will follow the Grand Princess to the death and seek justice for her!”

The elite soldiers knelt and accepted the order, “We will seek justice for the Grand Princess!”

The soldiers, with their imposing presence and murderous aura, even made the Imperial Guards, who were supposed to represent the emperor, take a step back and be unable to speak.

“Let’s go.” Feng Yaoguang flicked his cloak and strode out.

Several elite soldiers in red and black armor followed him.

Ying Rong’s face changed, and he urgently signaled, “Stop them!”

“Yes!”

However, though tasked with protecting the palace, the Imperial Guards were selected from noble families and only needed basic martial training to join. Their skills were no match for the Qingluan Army. The Imperial Guards were thrown aside one by one, piling up in front of Ying Rong.

Ying Rong was furious, his face turning green. He had commanded the Imperial Guards for so long, always representing the emperor’s authority, and had never been so humiliated.

“Qingluan Army has 200,000 soldiers.” Xie Yunjian smiled nonchalantly.

“Only 10,000 entered the city this morning, and the rest are stationed outside. With one order from the Princess, 200,000 elite soldiers could surround the imperial city. I can’t understand where the emperor got the courage to act against the Grand Princess on the first day of her marriage.”

Gu Chiran said calmly, “Perhaps he thought his plan was foolproof. After all, the emperor is the ruler of the world, and subjects must obey. With Sheng Jing’an aiding him, the plan should have been flawless.”

But those who gain the way have many helpers, while those who lose the way have few. The plan’s failure was destined. The current emperor was destined to be unfit to sit on the throne.

“Mo Lin.” Yan Donghuang stepped down from the corridor, passing through the coldly standing Qingluan soldiers. Her voice was calm but icy. “Mobilize 500 elite soldiers to raid Minister Chu’s residence. Anyone who dares to obstruct will be killed!”

Mo Lin stepped forward, “Understood.”

Ying Rong, with blood at the corner of his mouth, pale and dejected, stared at Yan Donghuang, his voice cold and squeezed through his teeth, “Those who rebel and commit treason should be executed!”

“Those who besiege the Grand Princess’s residence and disrespect me should be executed first.” Yan Donghuang coldly looked at him, “Xie Yunjian, since Commander Ying wants to die, grant his wish.”

Xie Yunjian accepted the order, “Yes.”

“Donghuang!” A carriage stopped urgently outside the Grand Princess’s residence, and Yan Ling’s anxious voice came, “Don’t act rashly.”

Yan Donghuang frowned and looked over.

Unsteady, Yan Ling rushed into the residence, his face changing at the tense scene in the courtyard, “What’s going on? Donghuang, what are you doing?”

“Seventh Brother, are you also here on imperial orders?” Yan Donghuang looked at him expressionlessly, “What task did the emperor give you?”

Yan Ling instinctively shook his head, “I came on my own.”

As he spoke, he met Yan Donghuang’s eyes. He was shocked to find that her eyes no longer held warmth and respect for her brother, only cold and ruthless light.

“I… I was just discussing matters with the emperor in the Qin Zheng Hall.” Yan Ling explained softly, “Donghuang, what happened? Are you trying to cause chaos in the imperial city?”

Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “You guessed right.”

Yan Ling’s face turned pale, “Can you not do this for my sake—”

“No.” Yan Donghuang coldly rejected him, “Your face is not worth more than a life-and-death feud.”

“Life-and-death feud?” Yan Ling was shocked, “What do you mean? I don’t understand…”

“Seventh Brother seems unaware. In that case, I won’t make things difficult for you.” Yan Donghuang turned and ordered, “Rong Ying.”

“Here.”

Yan Donghuang commanded, “Take Seventh Brother and lock him in the dungeon. Do not let him contact anyone.”

“Yes.”

Yan Donghuang ignored Yan Ling and walked to Ying Rong, her eyes cold as a deep abyss, “If you survive, tell the emperor that even if I am poisoned, I will never submit to anyone for the antidote.”

With that, she turned and walked away quickly, “Follow me, raid Minister Chu’s residence!”

“Donghuang, don’t be rash!” Yan Ling urged, “Let’s talk it out. If there’s a misunderstanding, it can be resolved. Acting rashly will only make things worse—”

“Prince An.” Gu Chiran looked at him calmly, “Don’t advise others to be kind without experiencing their suffering. You have no idea what the Grand Princess went through last night. Your advice is meaningless.”

Prince An was stunned, looking at Gu Chiran’s indifferent expression, and suddenly fell silent. Perhaps they were right. The situation was much more severe than he imagined. Serious enough to overthrow the imperial power and change the fate of the Yong Kingdom.

Yan Donghuang stepped out of the Grand Princess’s residence, her horse already prepared. She mounted, flicked the reins, and led the elite soldiers to the Chu residence.

Ying Rong clenched his fists, watching Yan Donghuang leave, powerless.
He was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned and left.

Xie Yunjian and Gu Chiran exchanged glances, neither stopping him.

As the Imperial Guards commander, Ying Rong could freely enter and leave the palace. They still needed him to relay messages.

Xie Yunjian watched him leave, smiling leisurely, and said to the Imperial Guards present, “Your commander abandoned you to save himself. Aren’t you leaving?”

The Imperial Guards looked at each other, silently gripping their swords, standing firm.

“What did Yaoguang say earlier?” Xie Yunjian turned to Gu Chiran, “Spread the news? He didn’t bring many people. Chiran, go help spread the news quickly. I’ll stay here.”

“Alright.”