Chapter 55

Li Dean hurried out to deliver the decree.

Emperor Zhaoming swept the memorials off his desk, nearly losing control of his emotions, “Damn Chu Ying! Damn Chang Wangzhi! I will bring them to justice, and I will make sure their entire families have no place to be buried!”

The palace servants knelt on the ground, their faces pale, trembling with fear.

Emperor Zhaoming was trembling with anger. If it weren’t for those two incompetents abandoning their posts, how could Yan Donghuang have breached the two palace gates so quickly?

After his rage, he began pacing back and forth, anxiously thinking about what to do.

If Yan Donghuang really intended to force her way in, the Imperial Guards outside wouldn’t be able to hold out for long. There would be rivers of blood and bodies everywhere.

Thinking of such a scene, Emperor Zhaoming shuddered.

Only now did he truly feel fear—fear of death, fear of being dethroned before he had enough time on the throne and fear of dying young at Yan Donghuang’s hands.

He was the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, above all others. He couldn’t die here easily.

He should find a place to hide until Yan Donghuang succumbed to the poison. It would all be over when the court officials came to clean up the mess. By then, Yan Donghuang would be a criminal who had staged a coup, and the world would condemn her.

He would hang her body on the city wall for all to see, showing everyone how despicable this traitor was.

However, Emperor Zhaoming was mistaken.

Yan Donghuang had no intention of forcing her way in. Although she wasn’t skilled at manipulating people’s hearts, she had fought on the battlefield for many years and was far from a naive girl unaware of the hardships of the world.

People fear death.
Even if they don’t fear their own death, they fear the death of their families.

The Imperial Guards and palace guards were mainly from noble families in the capital, whose interests were tied to the royal family. The power of the throne and the power of the ministers were closely linked, so they would do their best to protect the Emperor.

Because of the Emperor’s trust and favor, they could remain prominent for a long time, so loyalty and protecting the Emperor were their duties.

But what if the throne was in jeopardy?
What if their families’ lives were at risk?
What if the Grand Princess was a madwoman who didn’t play by the rules?

Then, all the certainties would become variables, and loyalty and resolve could be undermined—it was just a matter of time.

Night enveloped the land, and the entire palace was shrouded in twilight. Dark clouds pressed down, creating a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.

Yan Donghuang stood inside Fengtian Gate, her expression cold and stern. Her black cloak accentuated her tall, slender figure, exuding an imposing aura. Her voice, naturally penetrating due to her martial arts training, rang out, “Tell the Emperor that I have entered the palace. He can come over now if he wants to clear up any misunderstandings and talk about our sibling relationship!”

The square was filled with layers of Imperial Guards, some with red-tasseled spears ready to move, others with archers poised to shoot, guarding the three main halls tightly.

Yan Donghuang’s eyes were cold and hard. Her gaze fell on Ying Rong, the leader, and her voice was chilling and intimidating: “Hiding in the Qin Zheng Hall and not daring to show your face is not the courage of a true ruler!”

Perhaps it was because the capable were given more responsibilities.

Ying Rong was the most skilled warrior on Emperor Zhaoming’s side, tasked with protecting the Emperor. Since Yan Donghuang had mobilized the troops, he hadn’t slept for two days and was also injured. After two days of running back and forth between the palace and the Grand Princess’s residence, Ying Rong was already exhausted, his face haggard and pale, lacking the imposing presence of the top martial artist he once was.

Upon hearing Yan Donghuang’s words, he forced himself to stand firm and coldly said, “From the moment the Grand Princess led the Qingluan Army to storm the palace gates, it was already a coup. Those who commit treason and rebellion are unforgivable!”

“Rubbish!” Feng Yaoguang, holding a longbow, stared sharply at the hall, “Didn’t the dog Emperor say there was a misunderstanding about the poisoning? If there’s a misunderstanding, he should come out and explain it. A ruler hiding in the hall like a rat is truly contemptible!”

Emperor Zhaoming had just entered the hall when he heard these words, and his face immediately darkened. He looked through the hall doors at the countless elite soldiers outside, all with their bows and arrows ready.
If both sides really started fighting, there would be countless casualties.

Emperor Zhaoming was filled with regret. If he had known Yan Donghuang would be so reckless and disregard the consequences, he should have summoned the Jingji Army to enter the city and protect him earlier instead of relying on these Imperial Guards—never mind their combat effectiveness. Just taking some hostages would be enough to make all the commanders and deputy commanders of the Imperial Guards hesitate.

Chang Wangzhi and Chu Ying were perfect examples.

“Imperial Guards, listen!” Feng Yaoguang gripped her longbow, looking at the Imperial Guards outside the hall, her eyes flashing with cold light, “You are no match for the Qingluan Army. If you really start fighting today, there will be countless deaths and injuries! You all have wives, children, and elderly parents at home. Only by staying alive can you continue to enjoy your wealth and honor. If you die, it’s all over, and you’ll have nothing left! Why risk your lives for a foolish Emperor?”

Emperor Zhaoming’s face turned livid, and he coldly said, “Tell them, anyone who succumbs to the traitors’ provocations and dares to lay down their weapons will have their entire family executed!”

“Your Majesty…”

“Tell them to hold on!” Emperor Zhaoming roared, his tone carrying a barely noticeable hint of panic, “As long as they hold out for three days, until Yan Donghuang succumbs to the poison, I will promote all of them!”

Trembling with fear, Li Dean walked out of the hall and shouted, “The Emperor decrees that anyone who holds out until the end will be promoted!”

“The Grand Princess’s actions are treasonous. It is the duty and honor of the Imperial Guards to protect the Emperor. Only cowards would retreat.”

“Soldiers of the Qingluan Army, if you are willing to lay down your bows and weapons, the Emperor promises to pardon all your crimes today. Anyone who voluntarily withdraws with their soldiers will be promoted to the rank of Duke!”

“Each soldier who withdraws will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver!”

“The dog Emperor can’t even protect his own throne, and he dares to promise promotions to others? What a joke!” Feng Yaoguang sneered, her tone full of disdain and hatred, “Whether you can live until tomorrow morning depends on whether the Grand Princess is willing to show mercy. What are you going to use to promote them? Are you going to take them to the underworld and reward them with ghost money?”

Emperor Zhaoming was so enraged by her words that he nearly fainted.

“Feng Yaoguang, you are insolent!” He strode out of Taihe Hall, looking at the flamboyant Feng Yaoguang in her red attire, his voice filled with sinister killing intent, “Donghuang, if there is a misunderstanding between us, we can clear it up. Is this how your subordinates show no respect for their ruler and commit treason?”

Chapter 56

The Emperor’s face was not clearly visible across the square and the dense ranks of Imperial Guards.

Yan Donghuang’s gaze was cold and silent. She calmly stared at the opposite side, her eyes naturally exuding an intimidating pressure.

“Donghuang, I know you have been wronged.” Emperor Zhaoming’s tone still carried residual anger, but there was a hint of compromise. “But before the misunderstanding is cleared up, you have caused such a commotion. Have you ever considered me your brother? Do you really have no trust in me at all?”

Trust?

Yan Donghuang’s brows were filled with a chilling coldness. Looking at the hypocritical man opposite her, she only hated herself for once being blind to his true nature, mistaking a wolf for a brother.

“I was shocked and angry when I heard that Sheng Jing’an poisoned you. I couldn’t understand where he got such courage nor why he would do it. I wanted to seek justice for you, but you didn’t give me a chance!”

Emperor Zhaoming began to accuse Yan Donghuang of being impulsive.

“I ordered the execution of the entire Sheng family to appease your anger, but you imprisoned them in the Grand Princess’s dungeon before I could question Sheng Jing’an. I don’t even know who to ask!”

At this point, his tone became questioning, “Donghuang, did Sheng Jing’an really poison you?”

“I haven’t seen Sheng Jing’an, nor have I seen you!”

“You mobilized troops into the city, raided officials’ residences, coerced and imprisoned the Empress Dowager, and led troops into Taihe Hall. Are you really poisoned, or are you just creating an excuse to rebel?”

“I am the Emperor. Do you have no regard for the supreme imperial power? If I kill you, you will be resentful. If I don’t kill you, I cannot answer to the people!”

“Rubbish!” Feng Yaoguang’s voice was as cold as winter ice, “The foolish, treacherous Emperor, now the Grand Princess wants your life!”

Emperor Zhaoming’s expression was murderous, “Insolent!”

Feng Yaoguang ignored him and coldly shouted, “Imperial Guards, listen! Tonight, the Qingluan Army has taken control of the palace! Anyone who lays down their weapons will be spared by the Grand Princess, and their families will not be harmed. But those who oppose the Grand Princess, if killed, their families will be exterminated!”

Emperor Zhaoming angrily shouted, “Don’t listen to his nonsense! They are rebelling. Anyone who sides with the Grand Princess will be guilty of rebellion, and their entire family will be executed!”

Feng Yaoguang’s eyes turned cold, and her aura became even more oppressive, “The Qingluan Army has fully entered the city. The Imperial Guards are no match. It is best not to resist stubbornly!”

“The Grand Princess is the war god of the Yong Dynasty, commanding 200,000 troops and protecting the country with great merit. But the dog Emperor cannot tolerate meritorious officials and ordered Sheng Jing’an to poison the Grand Princess on her wedding night!”

“Such a narrow-minded, selfish, and vicious ruler, is he worth your lives?”

“You are all noblemen of the Yong Dynasty, martial artists. You know how difficult it is for the Grand Princess, a woman, to fight on the battlefield. She has never complained or tired, stabilizing the border with her own strength. But as soon as the war stopped, the dog Emperor wanted to betray her and take her life. He is worse than a beast!”

“Shut up! Shut up!” Emperor Zhaoming commanded harshly, pointing at Feng Yaoguang in panic, “Archers! Archers, prepare! Whoever can kill this traitor here, I will reward him with ten thousand taels of gold!”

Great rewards bring forth brave men.

However, the Imperial Guards were not from humble or common backgrounds. Most of them, even if they didn’t have much money, wouldn’t be easily swayed by ten thousand taels of gold—at least not to the point of thinking that gold was more important than their lives.

But the imperial authority was still present, and the imperial decree could not be disobeyed. The archers hesitantly raised their bows.

Feng Yaoguang sneered, “Anyone who dares to act, the Qingluan Army will exterminate their entire family!”

Emperor Zhaoming’s face turned livid, “I promise promotions and glory to their families!”

“Can’t even protect their lives, and you talk about promotions and glory?” Feng Yaoguang laughed viciously. “What a joke!”

The attitude of the Imperial Guards began to waver.

“I don’t want to start a massacre tonight,” Yan Donghuang said, her voice cold and commanding as she looked at the Imperial Guards opposite her. “The Qingluan Army has fought on the battlefield and returned covered in blood. You are no match for us. If I wanted to kill tonight, the palace would already be filled with corpses!”

The Grand Princess had truly been on the battlefield.

The Imperial Guards were filled with dread, looking at each other, unsure of what to do.

“The grudge between the Emperor and me should not involve too many innocent people. But if anyone insists on stopping me, I don’t mind rivers of blood!” Yan Donghuang said coldly. “Think about your wives and children at home before you shoot your arrows. Think about whether you will have a chance to see your loved ones again if you start fighting.”

Ying Rong looked at the Qingluan Army in armor outside Fengtian Gate. Despite the grim situation, he still ordered, “The Imperial Guards must protect the Emperor. Anyone who dares to retreat tonight will be the first to face my wrath!”

Yan Donghuang’s eyes turned cold, “Rong Ying!”

“Yes!”

With a voice like a flash of lightning, a sharp arrow shot out from an unknown direction, heading straight for Ying Rong.

Ying Rong’s pupils contracted, sensing danger. He instinctively retreated, but the projectile was too fast to dodge. Having not rested for two days, his body was exhausted, and his reactions were much slower than usual. With a thud, a sharp weapon pierced his forehead.

Ying Rong’s pupils dilated, and his body fell to the ground with a crash.

The square fell silent.

The Imperial Guards, horrified by the scene, gripped their weapons tightly.

“Now!” Yan Donghuang’s voice was like thunder, “If anyone wants to go home, drop your weapons immediately. I guarantee you will not be harmed.”

“She’s lying! She’s trying to provoke you!” Emperor Zhaoming shouted in fear, “No one is allowed to drop their weapons, no one!”

“Your commanders, Chu Ying and Chang Wangzhi, have already gone home to protect their families on the Empress Dowager’s orders. Do you still want to stay here and die with the dog Emperor?” Feng Yaoguang added fuel to the fire, further shaking their resolve. “Drop your weapons and go home for two days! After two days, you will still be a member of the Imperial Guards. No one will remove you from your positions, and your salaries will continue. Whether it’s rebellion or a coup, no charges will be brought against you!”

Feng Yaoguang raised her longbow, her voice piercing the sky, “I swear on the lives and honor of the 200,000 soldiers of the Qingluan Army, anyone who lays down their weapons will not be harmed!”

Clang!

Someone dropped their spear and hesitantly took a step forward.

Yan Donghuang raised her hand, signaling him to leave.

Emperor Zhaoming was furious, “Kill him!”

But no one obeyed.

The man, anxious and hesitant, walked towards Fengtian Gate.

Clang, clang, spears, and longbows were dropped one after another.

Emperor Zhaoming’s face turned pale, unable to believe that the Imperial Guards had betrayed him so easily.

Where was their loyalty?
Where was their sense of duty?
Were they not afraid of their entire families being executed and tortured?

Emperor Zhaoming involuntarily stepped back, “Li Dean, Li Dean!”

“Your… Your Majesty…” Li Dean trembled, “Your Majesty, the Grand Princess is coming.”

Emperor Zhaoming hurriedly turned and entered the hall, trying to find a place to hide.

“Quick, leave here,” Emperor Zhaoming’s voice was urgent, “Just hold out for three days. In three days, Yan Donghuang will die from the poison…”