Chapter 38: The Battle That Turned the Tide

Li Ning’an remembered this Imperial Censor, Ji Jian.

He was a veteran official who had served three emperors, known for his blunt honesty and unwavering loyalty.

If the emperor made a mistake, Ji Jian would not hesitate to submit a memorial criticizing him.

No one in the imperial court—whether civil or military officials—wasn’t wary of him. Or rather, anyone who had done something wrong was definitely afraid of him.

He and Lord Qiu were famously referred to as the “Twin Ghosts of Yama,” always ready to enforce justice on behalf of the emperor.

Li Ning’an’s sudden appearance and drastic actions had taken everyone by surprise.

Who could have predicted that after threatening suicide during the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, she would draw a sword from the Imperial Guards and stab the Imperial Censor?

Everything happened so quickly. Even though the guard reacted and tried to stop her, it was too late.

The sword pierced Ji Jian’s chest, and pain engulfed him. As he lay on the ground, he asked for the emperor’s permission and called for an imperial physician while urging Princess Ning’an to put down the sword.

Outside, the palace was abuzz with commotion. Meanwhile, inside Qiankun Palace, Emperor Mingde was reviewing military reports.

Just as he saw the report of Yan Ziqi’s great victory, Yan Su, flustered, rushed in.

“Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!”

“Princess Ning’an has injured Old Imperial Censor Ji Jian!”

“He has already passed out.”

Yan Su hurried to the emperor, breaking protocol in his panic, but he couldn’t afford to worry about that now.

This was a major incident.

After all, Old Censor Ji was a veteran official who had served three reigns, and Princess Ning’an, without a word, had stabbed him.

It had happened in full view of everyone. Even if she wanted to explain herself, what justification could she possibly have?

It wasn’t just about Censor Ji’s status. Even if it were an ordinary citizen, one couldn’t simply kill someone without cause.

Had Princess Ning’an lost her senses? Or had she been possessed by some evil spirit?

Why would she do something so extreme?

Ji Jian had been kneeling outside for quite some time, and Emperor Mingde, thinking his accusations were baseless, had initially ignored him in anger.

However, given Ji Jian’s advanced age, the emperor had planned to address the issue later and let him rise.

But now, Ning’an had attempted murder!

Yan Su continued, “The imperial physician has already been summoned. Princess Ning’an is still holding the sword.”

Yan Su couldn’t help but curse the useless Imperial Guards. How could they have allowed this to happen?

How could they let Princess Ning’an get her hands on the sword?

Emperor Mingde, known for his wisdom and fairness, wasn’t quick to blame the Imperial Guards.

He had always been protective of Ning’an, often assigning the guards to watch over her.

Many of the Imperial Guards were acquainted with Ning’an.

This time, it was probably due to her sudden action that they were caught off guard.

“The Imperial Guards have become too lax recently. It’s fortunate Ning’an was the one to take the sword. If it had been an enemy, their throats would have been slit.”

Emperor Mingde wouldn’t say something like, “How could you let Ning’an take your sword?”

But those guards who had so easily allowed a young woman to disarm them would certainly be disciplined.

There would be no physical punishment, but they would undergo intense training.

In the coming months, the Imperial Guards would face a grueling regimen, ensuring that even the Monkey King himself wouldn’t be able to snatch their weapons again!

Li Ning’an, having studied martial arts, knew how to strike without causing a fatal injury.

However, given Ji Jian’s advanced age, she wasn’t sure if he could survive the blow.

After stabbing him, she swiftly withdrew the sword and handed it back to the guard. She then knelt outside the hall with perfect composure.

Emperor Mingde stepped out, his face dark with anger as he saw the barely conscious Ji Jian lying on the ground. Experienced Imperial Guards were already administering first aid as they awaited the physician.

“Ning’an, why did you attempt to kill a high-ranking minister of the court?”

Seeing Ji Jian’s condition, the emperor’s expression was filled with fury.

The strike had been aimed to kill.

Though Ning’an could be headstrong at times, she had never been one to kill indiscriminately.

Li Ning’an bowed deeply, touching her forehead to the ground. “Your Majesty, I rushed here upon hearing that he was accusing my royal uncle. I was filled with rage.”

Prince Jing, who resided in Xitong County, had lived quietly for many years since Emperor Mingde’s ascension to the throne.

During his leisure time, he would consult with monks or seek the path of immortality.

The local prefect handled most of the governmental affairs, leaving Prince Jing with little to do.

Each year when he visited the capital, he came with a smiling face, bringing gifts for the younger generation and showing great respect for Emperor Mingde, his elder brother.

There was no real rivalry between them.

As the eldest legitimate son, Emperor Mingde had smoothly inherited the throne.

Aside from the princes, who were required to stay in their respective fiefdoms, the imperial princesses had their own residences within the capital.

The princes could only enter the capital once a year, during the New Year celebrations.

Old Imperial Censor Ji Jian had accused Prince Jing of plotting rebellion.

The saying “The emperor and the common people are subject to the same laws” was no empty phrase.

Emperor Mingde, despite his authority, could not openly shield Princess Ning’an under the watchful eyes of so many people.

However, as she was a princess, he ordered her to be confined to the Changle Palace—her personal residence for now.

Li Ning’an, feeling gloomy, curled up on a soft couch. Everyone in Changle Palace was placed under house arrest.

Xinger and Hongxiu wanted to comfort her, but they didn’t know what to say.

Ji Jian, unable to be moved much due to his injury, was placed in the side hall of Qiankun Palace. Dozens of imperial physicians were gathered around him, trying to find a solution.

When the Empress learned of the incident, she immediately rushed to Qiankun Palace. Consort Tong summoned Li Ningyi, thinking there might be some way to take advantage of this situation.

No matter how much the emperor favored her, it was likely that Li Ningzhao would eventually be named the crown prince.

She couldn’t accept that.

Even if she had to live under the Empress for the rest of her life, she wanted her son to ascend to the throne.

“Go to Changle Palace and see if you can gather any useful information.”

Consort Tong had initially considered sending a message to her nephew, but she believed he would join forces with ministers loyal to her to severely punish Ning’an.

Regardless of Old Censor Ji’s motivations, the fact remained that Ning’an had attempted to kill him.

Even if she was close to the Imperial Guards, not everyone would protect her.

Consort Tong knew the emperor well.

The laws of the Great Qi protected everyone equally.

The Wen household had also heard the news.

Wen Di thought Li Ning’an must have lost her mind, daring to kill a high-ranking official of the third rank.

When it came to causing trouble, no one could top Li Ning’an.

He, in his entire life, could never compete with her.

Wen Di lowered his head and continued reading his book. Behind him, four guards kept a close watch, with one scribe noting down his actions.

“The young lord was momentarily distracted, then resumed reading.”

The record detailed Wen Di’s every move.

Grand Tutor Wen had already gone to the palace. He needed to visit his old friend and gather more information about the situation.

Wen Di knew he couldn’t just sit idly by.

Even Yan Ziqi, still young, had gone to the border to fight for the country.

How could his own son not achieve anything significant?

Speaking of Yan Ziqi, he had indeed managed to rescue Vice General Ge and his men from Mount Fu.

Initially, it seemed impossible for Yan Ziqi’s small force to win based on their numbers alone.

But after observing the situation, Yan Ziqi realized that although the Beiyue forces had secured the exit, they had also limited themselves.

Those trapped inside were desperate, and if forced into a fight, they could easily take on three enemies each.

The Beiyue soldiers had to remain constantly alert, guarding the area while fearing a reinforcement from Qi.

In truth, they were the ones who were truly surrounded.

They were simply relying on the fact that they had General Tong in their hands, assuming that the Qi forces wouldn’t dare act rashly.

Yan Ziqi’s men were few, but they were elite cavalry from the Iron Cavalry Army, known for their speed.

After observing for a day, Yan Ziqi formulated a plan with his men.

He would lead 500 troops to break through the siege, pretending to be the vanguard, creating the illusion that a larger army was coming.

The others would focus on burning the enemy’s supplies.

Without food, the Beiyue forces would naturally retreat.

Within three days, Yan Ziqi had successfully rescued the trapped soldiers.

Vice General Ge, dizzy from hunger, still clutched his spear, his eyes fixed on the enemy.

When he saw chaos break out among the Beiyue soldiers and noticed their supplies had caught fire, he realized it must be General Tong who had come to their rescue.

Regardless, this was their chance.

He led his men in a desperate breakout.

The Beiyue forces, attacked from both sides and now without supplies, had no choice but to retreat.

Yan Ziqi didn’t pursue them, intentionally leaving a gap for their escape.

He then reunited with Uncle Ge, and together they supported each other as they returned to the Qi camp.

General Tong Lian had not expected Yan Ziqi to return with so few men—and yet, he had succeeded.