Chapter 47

The Empress Dowager’s face alternated between pale and livid, her expression stiff and speechless.

The guard battalion protects the palace, with Deputy Commander Chang Wangzhi responsible for defending the Donghua Gate. If Chang Wangzhi and his soldiers were removed without replacements, the Donghua Gate would be left undefended, allowing enemy forces to enter freely.

The vanguard battalion is the elite force that protects the Emperor during his outings. Removing the vanguard battalion’s commander would severely weaken the Emperor’s defenses, posing a significant threat to his life.

Was Yan Donghuang’s request to enter the palace to discuss matters with the Emperor, or was it to assassinate him?

“Grand Princess… Grand Princess,” Yang Debao spoke tremblingly, “Isn’t this request unreasonable? The Imperial Guards protect the palace, and bringing troops into the palace is considered rebellion—”

“Aren’t I already rebelling?” Yan Donghuang’s voice was cold and slightly mocking, “Do you think I’m playing games with you?”

Yang Debao’s face turned pale, and he knelt with a thud, “Please reconsider, Grand Princess! Talking about rebellion is not something to be taken lightly. You… you are just seeking justice for yourself. The Empress Dowager understands, and so does the Emperor. This is not rebellion…”

“How is it not?” Yan Donghuang’s lips curled into a cold, bone-chilling smile, “If the Empress Dowager doesn’t dare let me enter the palace to confront the Emperor, I will think her words are not credible. Since I’ve mobilized troops, I naturally want a satisfactory result.”

Yang Debao was shocked into silence.

The Empress Dowager clenched her hands, unable to believe Yan Donghuang had become so bold. She demanded an explanation from the Emperor openly and wanted to bring troops into the palace. She was completely determined.

Realizing this, the Empress Dowager felt a chill throughout her body. She slowly sat down, trying to calm herself, “Donghuang, let me see the Chu family father and son first. If they are unharmed, I will consider issuing the verbal orders.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Yan Donghuang said indifferently. “Minister Chu and his son have already been sent to the military camp. From now on, they are under the jurisdiction of the Qingluan Army.”

“Yan Donghuang!” The Empress Dowager stood up abruptly, her voice sharp with anger, “How can you be so cruel? They are my brothers and nephews, your uncles and cousins! How can you treat your own family so ruthlessly?”

“Empress Dowager, don’t be anxious,” Yan Donghuang spoke slowly, “The Chu family’s father and son have been sent to the military camp, but Madam Chu and her daughters are still in the dungeon. Their lives are also lives. If the Empress Dowager is unwilling to cooperate, I don’t mind sending the unmarried daughters of the Chu family to the brothel.”

She looked coldly at the Empress Dowager, “After all, it has always been customary for the daughters of criminals to become prostitutes. I believe, with the beauty of the Chu family daughters, they will surely become the top courtesans.”

“Yan Donghuang, you are insolent!” The Empress Dowager raised her hand to slap her, “You beast!”

A figure in red swiftly appeared, grabbing her hand, “The Empress Dowager wants to show off in the Grand Princess’s residence, but she might be overestimating herself.”

The voice was harsh and cold, like a biting northern wind.

Feng Yaoguang flung her hand, causing the Empress Dowager to stagger and fall into a chair. She suddenly realized and looked at Yan Donghuang in fear, “You lured me out of the palace not to threaten the Emperor but to control the Imperial Guards?”

Yan Donghuang looked at her indifferently, “The Empress Dowager is correct.”

The Empress Dowager angrily said, “You could have stormed the palace directly.”

Yan Donghuang coldly replied, “I cherish the lives of my soldiers and do not wish to sacrifice any of them.”

The Empress Dowager sneered, “You are quite sentimental.”

“Not compared to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor,” Yan Donghuang’s voice was calm, “I will do everything to protect those loyal to me, unlike the Emperor, who is ungrateful and treacherous.”

The Empress Dowager suppressed her anger, “Can you guarantee their survival in battle?”

“Even if they die, they die with honor,” Yan Donghuang’s voice turned icy, her gaze intimidating, “I have imagined dying on the battlefield countless times, but I never thought I would be betrayed by the two people I trusted most! The Emperor’s throne was supported by me. My father warned me before he died that people’s hearts change. Today, I realize he saw through Yan Ming’s nature!”

She looked at the Empress Dowager coldly, “I am not a pushover. If you treat me unjustly, don’t blame me for pulling him off the throne!”

The Empress Dowager turned pale, trembling, “Yan… Yan Donghuang…”

Yan Donghuang stood up, looking down at the terrified old woman, “I give you half an hour to decide. Will you issue the two verbal orders or not? If not, I will send the eldest daughter of the Chu family to the military camp to reward my unmarried soldiers.”

With that, she turned and left.

The Empress Dowager collapsed, her face bloodless. She had always thought generals were crude and unruly, but now she realized how terrifying their bloodthirsty aura could be when angered.

The dignified Empress Dowager was rendered speechless.

“Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager…” Yang Debao stood up, trembling, trying to comfort her, “Empress Dowager, don’t worry, I…”

“What should I do? What should I do?” The Empress Dowager, at a loss, grabbed Yang Debao’s hand, “If I issue the orders and Yan Donghuang storms the palace, what will happen to the Emperor?”

“Empress Dowager, calm down,” Yang Debao suddenly thought of something, “Have you forgotten that the harem cannot interfere in politics? Even if you issue the orders, the commander of the cavalry battalion might not obey.”

The Empress Dowager shook her head, “No, they were promoted through my connections. If I issue the orders, they will obey.”

So this was the real reason Yan Donghuang threatened her out of the palace. The Empress Dowager’s face turned pale as she fell into a desperate dilemma.

Chapter 48

Yan Donghuang walked out of the hall and turned to give orders, “Send word to Qin Yang to bring another 20,000 troops into the city.”

“Yes,” Gu Chiran accepted the order and left.

Feng Yaoguang followed behind her and asked, “Your Highness, do you plan to enter the palace today?”

“Not today,” Yan Donghuang’s voice was indifferent, a cold glint in her eyes, “The Empress Dowager won’t decide so quickly. She knows that once she agrees, her son will be deposed sooner, and they will both become prisoners, at the mercy of others.”

Feng Yaoguang was silent for a moment, then softly replied, “Understood.”

“When the Tianji Army enters the city, I will have Qin Yang surround the second house of the Chu family and Chang Wangzhi’s residence,” Yan Donghuang’s voice was steady, “With the Empress Dowager in hand, along with all the relatives of Chu Ying and Chang Wangzhi, the Guard Battalion and Vanguard Battalion will be more obedient.”

Feng Yaoguang nodded, “Understood.”

“Weren’t you going to rest?” Yan Donghuang turned to look at him.

Feng Yaoguang lowered his eyes, “I can’t sleep.”

Seven days is a short time. All actions must be accelerated, with no room for delay. The longer it drags on, the more the poison in Yan Donghuang’s body will affect her mind and strength.

Yan Donghuang’s ruthless methods have frightened people, and the Emperor will certainly take action, possibly sending assassins or using other means. Even with heavy defenses inside and outside the Princess’s residence, Feng Yaoguang still worried that someone might act out of desperation.

“Your Highness,” a guard hurriedly approached, kneeling on one knee to report, “Several high-ranking officials have arrived outside the Grand Princess’s residence, demanding to see you. The Princess Consort of Prince An has also come, wanting to see Prince An.”

Yan Donghuang was silent for a moment, then waved her hand, and the guard left.

Yan Donghuang turned and went to the dungeon first. This time, she entered through the north gate, still a narrow passage with dim light and a damp, unpleasant smell. As soon as she stepped down the stone steps, she heard the fearful and uneasy crying of several young women from the Chu family.

Yan Donghuang walked expressionlessly to the end of the passage and saw several cells holding female prisoners.

Madam Chu was in one of the cells, cursing Yan Donghuang through gritted teeth, “Damn Yan Donghuang, she will surely die a horrible death! Yunwan, bear with it for now. Once the Emperor and the Empress Dowager deal with that traitor, they will surely rescue us. They will…”

“Mother, I’m scared,” a young woman’s voice, trembling with fear, said, “Father and brother have been taken to the military camp. I’m afraid they won’t survive… What should we do? What should we do?”

“What are you afraid of?” Madam Chu forced herself to be calm, “Yan Donghuang is a traitor and will surely be shot through the heart with arrows—”

“I’m afraid Madam Chu will be disappointed,” Yan Donghuang’s steps were steady, her voice as cold as water, “Before I am shot through the heart, I will send your daughters to the military camp and the brothel. Since the Empress Dowager is here at the Grand Princess’s residence, why not let her decide their fate?”

Seeing her arrival, Madam Chu’s face changed. Her instinctive fear made her pale, afraid that her curses had been overheard, leading to unbearable consequences. However, when she heard Yan Donghuang’s words, her fear instantly turned into anger.

Madam Chu struggled to stand up from the ground and said, “How dare you! Yan Donghuang, they are the Empress Dowager’s nieces. How dare you send them to the military camp or the brothel? Are you a demon? Yan Donghuang, Yunwan did not offend you! They did not offend you!”

Yan Donghuang coldly replied, “Being the Empress Dowager’s nieces and the daughters of corrupt officials is their original sin.”

After saying this, she coldly waved her hand, “Bring out Chu Yunwan and Chu Yunyin.”

“Mother! Mother!” Chu Yunyin clung to the cell door in fear, shouting, “I don’t want to go to the brothel or the military camp. Mother, save me! Mother, save me!”

Chu Yunwan cried, struggled, and resisted.

To those who didn’t know the situation, this scene looked like forcing good people into prostitution… and indeed, it had a bit of that meaning.

“Grand Princess! Grand Princess!” Madam Chu was now truly afraid, her face pale as she knelt on the ground, kowtowing, “Please spare them. I shouldn’t have scolded you. It was my fault. I deserve to die. Please spare them! Please spare them!”

“Chu Yunwan.” Yan Donghuang looked at the two daughters of the Chu family with a calm and indifferent expression, “If you don’t want to be sent to the military camp, you have only one choice.”

Chu Yunwan looked at her in panic, her face pale.

“Come with me.” Yan Donghuang turned and walked out.

The jailers dragged out Chu Yunwan.

Chu Yunyin, who was usually arrogant at home and relied on the protection of the Empress Dowager and her father, never took the noble girls of the capital seriously. She often beat and scolded the maids, acting high and mighty. But now, she was as timid as a mouse, shrinking and driven out by the jailers.

Madam Chu clutched the cell door, shouting miserably, “Grand Princess, please spare them! Grand Princess—”

The pleading voice echoed in the narrow and oppressive dungeon, making it especially chilling. As they left the dark dungeon, the light brightened up ahead. The Chu sisters huddled together, trying to draw some warmth and comfort from each other.

“Today’s events should not have happened.” Yan Donghuang looked at them expressionlessly, “The culprits are your father and aunt. Your father embezzled my Qingluan army’s rations, lining his pockets. The gold and silver taken from the Chu family’s secret vault are the evidence, and your aunt conspired with the Emperor to harm me. They cause the humiliation you suffer today.”

Chu Yunwan cried and shook her head, “Father was wronged…”

“The Empress Dowager is in Zhangyun Hall.” Yan Donghuang turned to look in the direction of Zhangyun Hall, her voice cold and full of authority. “I give you the time of one incense stick. You can go and plead with the Empress Dowager.”

“Plead… plead with the Empress Dowager?” Chu Yunyin was stunned, seemingly unable to believe that things could be so simple, “As long as the Empress Dowager agrees, the Grand Princess will let us go?”

“I will spare whoever can persuade her to issue an order to summon the guard battalion’s deputy commander and the vanguard battalion’s commander. Otherwise, after one incense stick, you can either go to the military camp to reward the soldiers or go to the brothel to receive guests.”

After saying this, Yan Donghuang turned and walked toward the front yard of the Grand Princess’s residence, no longer paying attention to the Chu sisters’ reactions.

Several guards quickly escorted them to Zhangyun Hall.