Chapter 53

After the orders to mobilize the troops were given, it didn’t take long for Yang Debao to arrive outside the Donghua Gate with the Empress Dowager’s decree, accompanied by the guards from Cian Palace.

“Deputy Commander Chu! Deputy Commander Chu!” Yang Debao looked up at Chu Ying, who was on duty on the city wall, “The Empress Dowager’s decree!”

Chu Ying, who was patrolling the city wall, quickly walked to the front of the tower and looked down, “Eunuch Yang?”

“Deputy Commander Chu, the Empress Dowager has a decree.”

Chu Ying, being a maternal cousin of the Empress Dowager, was more loyal to her than to the Emperor. Hearing Yang Debao’s words, he hurriedly asked, “What is the Empress Dowager’s decree?”

“Deputy Commander Chu, don’t be anxious. The Empress Dowager is being held at the Grand Princess’s residence by the Grand Princess, who wants to coerce the Empress Dowager. Therefore, she has ordered the confiscation of the Chu family! Not Minister Chu, but your family…” Yang Debao raised his voice, trying to control his emotions, “The Empress Dowager orders you to take your men and intercept your family at home quickly! If your family falls into the hands of the Grand Princess, the Empress Dowager’s situation will become even more precarious. Deputy Commander Chu, do you understand?”

Rong Ying, dressed in black, stood silently beside Yang Debao, as silent as a shadow, showing no reaction to his words.

However, Yang Debao knew better than anyone that if he said anything wrong, this person could immediately have him beheaded. But his words were spoken quickly and urgently, causing everyone on the city wall to turn pale and look at Deputy Commander Chu in unison.

Chu Ying’s face turned pale, shocked, and angry, “The Grand Princess is confiscating the Chu family? What is the charge?”

“There… there is no charge…” Yang Debao shook his head anxiously, “The Grand Princess’s purpose is to take the Chu family as hostages to threaten the Empress Dowager. Deputy Commander Chu, you need to act quickly!”

Chu Ying gripped the sword at his waist tightly and ordered, “Someone! Notify Deputy Commander Wang to come to Donghua Gate immediately.”

“Yes.”

Chu Ying turned to look at the heavily guarded city wall, with everyone on the watchtower ready and vigilant. He gritted his teeth and commanded, “I will go home first. You stay here and do not leave your posts. If anyone tries to storm the palace, shoot them immediately!”

“Yes!”

Chu Ying hurriedly descended the city wall and, after a moment of hesitation, decided to report to the Emperor first.

Losing control of the palace gates was a serious crime. Given that Yan Donghuang was capable of anything, Chu Ying was unsure if she was deliberately luring him away, but it was his duty to ensure everything was foolproof. However, just as this thought crossed his mind, someone suddenly rushed towards him as if being chased by a ghost.

Chu Ying looked closely and realized it was Vanguard Battalion Commander Chang Wangzhi. He urgently asked, “Commander Chang, what happened?”

Chang Wangzhi’s face was pale, and his expression was panicked. Hearing Chu Ying’s voice, he paused briefly, “The Grand Princess has sent people to surround the Chang family. I need to go back and save them!”

Chu Ying was shocked.

The Chang family was also surrounded?
What exactly is the Princess trying to do?

“But shouldn’t we report to the Emperor—”

Chang Wangzhi hurriedly interrupted, “The Grand Princess already sent Minister Chu and his son to the military camp early this morning. If I go any slower, who knows what will happen to my family.”

Report what? The Emperor can barely protect himself right now. Does he have the power to stop the Princess’s actions? It will be too late if we wait for the Emperor’s decree. Didn’t you see that the Emperor couldn’t even protect the Empress Dowager?

Chang Wangzhi turned and hurried away, followed by dozens of his men.

Chu Ying stood there, stunned by his words.

Yes, what use is it to report to the Emperor? The Emperor can barely protect himself. Would he let the Grand Princess act recklessly if he had a plan? Would he let the Empress Dowager leave the palace and become a hostage? If the Emperor stops him from leaving, would he just watch his family get into trouble?

Moreover, this decree was personally delivered by the Empress Dowager, so he wouldn’t be abandoning his post.

With these thoughts flashing through his mind, Chu Ying turned back to the Donghua Gate and shouted to the soldiers on the city wall, “First Battalion, come down and follow me out of the palace!”

Chapter 54

As the twilight faded, the sky gradually darkened. The sky was filled with dark clouds, heavy with a sense of impending storm.

The atmosphere in the Qin Zheng Hall was oppressive and unsettling.

As time dragged on and darkness completely enveloped the hall, Emperor Zhaoming paced back and forth, his voice growing more anxious, “Is there still no news from outside?”

This was the twenty-sixth time he had asked the eunuch beside him today. Ever since the Empress Dowager insisted on leaving the palace after waking from her coma, he had been in this state of restless anxiety.

Li Dean bowed his head in fear, “No, Your Majesty, there is no news.”

Emperor Zhaoming asked again, “Has Yan Donghuang not used the Empress Dowager to threaten me?”

“No, Your Majesty,” Li Dean shook his head, “I have ordered people to keep an eye on the palace gates. They will report to Your Majesty immediately if there is any movement.”

Emperor Zhaoming said nothing more, continuing to pace like a trapped beast, his steps growing faster, revealing his inner anxiety and unease and a barely noticeable hint of prayer.

Praying that Yan Donghuang would suddenly die from the poison.

Emperor Zhaoming’s heart filled with venomous thoughts. He secretly vowed that once Yan Donghuang died, he would execute all seven generals of the Qingluan Army. He would charge them with treason and have them executed. He would strip them of their clothes and have the executioner cut the flesh from their bodies piece by piece. He wanted them to experience the loss of dignity, the crushing of their pride, and the agony of being flayed alive. He wanted the whole world to know how miserably they died so that no one would dare to harbor rebellious thoughts again.

Imagining such a scene, Emperor Zhaoming felt a sick sense of satisfaction, and he slowly exhaled a breath of foul air, “Go and gather more information.”

Just as he finished speaking, someone hurriedly entered from outside, speaking urgently, “Your Majesty!”

Emperor Zhaoming’s heart skipped a beat.

Finally, the news had come.

“Is the Grand Princess using the Empress Dowager to threaten me?” He asked urgently before the person could kneel, “What are her demands?”

“Your Majesty…”

“Tell her that I will not agree to anything. If she dares to harm the Empress Dowager, she will become a criminal in the eyes of the world! I will announce her crimes to the world—”

“Your Majesty, it is not the Grand Princess…” The guard interrupted him fearfully, “It is… it is the Empress Dowager.”

Emperor Zhaoming’s voice faltered, “The Empress Dowager?”

“Yes,” the guard nodded uneasily, “The Empress Dowager ordered the chief steward of Cian Palace to deliver her decree, removing the deputy commander on duty at Donghua Gate today.”

Emperor Zhaoming’s face changed, and he grabbed the guard’s collar in a rage, “What did you say? Say it again!”

“The Empress Dowager issued a decree, saying… saying that the Grand Princess had captured the families of Commander Chu and Commander Chang and ordered them to return home quickly to save their families…”

The guard knelt on the ground, trembling with fear at the Emperor’s anger, “Commander Chang and Commander Chu, after hearing this, were anxious and, with Eunuch Yang personally delivering the decree, hurriedly took their men to save their families.”

Emperor Zhaoming’s vision darkened, and he almost fainted from anger.

“Your Majesty, be careful,” Li Dean quickly supported him and turned to ask, “Is there anyone at Donghua Gate now?”

“When Deputy Commander Chu left, he ordered someone to call Deputy Commander Wang to patrol the city wall, but… but when I came to report, Deputy Commander Wang had not yet arrived…”

Emperor Zhaoming’s face stiffened, and he felt a chill all over. He suddenly understood Yan Donghuang’s plan. She was truly deep and meticulous in her scheming.

“Someone come!” Emperor Zhaoming roared, impatiently shouting at Li Dean, “Deliver my decree, gather all the Imperial Guards, whether they are on duty or not, and send them to guard Donghua Gate. Archers! Make sure to send more archers. We cannot let anyone storm the palace! Go quickly!”

However, it was already too late.

After Chu Ying and Chang Wangzhi hurriedly left with their men, both Donghua Gate and Fengtian Gate were relatively empty. Following orders, Qin Yang and Feng Yaoguang led their troops to storm the palace from the two gates, using shields to protect themselves and intercept the incoming arrows.

In no time, the swarming soldiers forcibly breached the palace gates. The elite soldiers, swift and agile, quickly ascended the city walls like ghosts in the night, slaughtering the remaining guards in an instant.

The Tianji Army took over Donghua Gate.
The Yaoguang Army took over Fengtian Gate.

In a panic, Emperor Zhaoming urgently ordered Ying Rong to gather all the troops and guards outside Taihe Gate, using any means necessary to block the Qingluan Army’s siege.

They just needed to hold out for three more days, no, at most four days.
Yan Donghuang would die from the poison.

“What’s the situation outside?”

Li Dean, his face pale, replied, “Commander Ying has gathered all the troops, but… but…”

“No more buts!” Emperor Zhaoming roared, the veins on his face bulging, “We must hold the line!”

“Yes.”