As soon as the words were spoken, the entire assembly was shocked!
In an instant, the entire Fang Gui Grand Hall fell into dead silence. Everyone remained quiet for a moment to absorb and digest the young princess’s astonishing words. Then, a tremendous uproar suddenly arose, like a surging sea, roaring and throwing up a mist that immediately engulfed Zhao Chun’er’s slender figure!
“Nonsense!” Noble Consort Shu snorted coldly, her beautiful face frosting over. Empress Muhe was already dead, and all the affairs of Zhao Chun’er’s marriage were to be handled personally by her. Now, hearing the little princess openly speak such rebellious words, she was instantly furious.
Zhao Chun’er knelt on the ground, raising her head with reddened eyes and a pale face. She pressed her lips together, kowtowed once more, and still said, “Father Emperor, please withdraw your decree. Chun’er does not wish to marry.”
Noble Consort Shu raised an eyebrow and said coldly, “The Yan Bei Crown Prince’s wedding procession has already reached the city gate. Your marriage was announced to the world a month ago. Now, in front of envoys from various countries, you say you don’t want to marry? Is this how sister Muhe taught you?”
“The deceased has passed. Sister Shu, please don’t disturb the spirits of the dead.” Zhuge Xuan’s phoenix eyes were slender and long, her face like a spring peach. With her fair neck gently raised, she smiled lightly at Zhao Chun’er: “Chun’er, you just don’t want to leave your father emperor, right? Listen, even after marriage, you can still come home often to visit His Majesty.”
“Noble Consort Xuan, it’s not that. Chun’er simply doesn’t want to marry. Please help me ask Father Emperor to withdraw his decree.”
Zhao Chun’er knelt on the ground, slowly raising her head. Her eyes were misty with tears, but her expression was unusually firm.
“Someone come, take the princess away, dress her up properly, and wait for the carriage from Yan Bei.” The Summer Emperor didn’t even look down at her. In the brilliant lamplight, the Emperor’s face shifted between light and shadow, making it impossible to look at directly. His voice was calm as if he hadn’t heard Zhao Chun’er’s words at all. Palace maids from outside took small steps into the hall, intending to pull Zhao Chun’er by the arm.
“Let go of me!” The little princess shouted fiercely, pushing away the palace maid. She knelt on the ground and crawled forward, tears immediately falling. She reached out to wipe away her tears and boldly looked directly at her father, whom she had feared and revered since childhood. Her voice was almost trembling, but she still tried hard to stick out her chest and slowly said, “Father Emperor, please withdraw your decree.”
“Chun’er!” Zhao Che frowned tightly and said in a deep voice, “What are you doing? Stop making trouble!”
The officials at the court had varying expressions. In the huge Fang Gui Grand Hall, only the sound of the wind from outside echoed back and forth.
“Seventh Brother,” the little princess’s eyes were red as she turned to look at Zhao Che and said, “Help me. Chun’er doesn’t want to marry. Please ask Father Emperor for me.”
“Che’er, take your sister away. The Yan Crown Prince’s carriage is about to enter the city.”
Zhao Che frowned, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded, pulling up Zhao Chun’er and saying in a deep voice, “Your child obeys.”
“Father Emperor!”
Zhao Chun’er suddenly cried out, raising her head. Crystal’s tears rolled down from her eyes. Weeping, she said, “Please grant your child’s wish. Your child would rather marry to the Western Wilderness, rather marry to the Southern Frontier, your child would rather go to the border to make a political marriage. Please, issue the order quickly!”
“Chun’er, stop making a scene. Come with Seventh Brother!”
“Father Emperor!” Zhao Chun’er pushed away Zhao Che, stubbornly kneeling on the ground and kowtowing hard. Each sound echoed loudly in the grand hall.
“Father Emperor, I beg you, issue the order quickly. I beg you, please issue the order.”
The Summer Emperor didn’t look at Zhao Chun’er but instead looked at Zhao Che with a gloomy expression, saying in a deep voice, “Che’er?”
Zhao Che frowned deeply and finally lowered his head, pulling up Zhao Chun’er and walking toward the hall exit. Zhao Chun’er, who had been holding back her tears, suddenly burst into loud weeping, crying, and shouting, “Father Emperor! Please issue the order quickly. Father Emperor, Chun’er doesn’t want to marry. Father Emperor, I beg you…”
Blood dripped from Zhao Chun’er’s forehead onto the white yak carpet of the grand hall, drop by drop, a shocking sight. The entire Fang Gui Grand Hall was deathly silent. Everyone carefully glanced at the Summer Emperor sitting at the head with the corners of their eyes. No one dared to raise their head.
“Chun’er has always been the most filial child. Your Majesty need not be angry. Girls are just reluctant to leave home.”
As soon as Noble Consort Xuan spoke these words, all the guests immediately agreed in unison. The atmosphere suddenly became lively again. The Grand Secretary Cui from the Ministry of Rites nodded his head and said, “The princess is filial and kind, which is truly admirable. In ancient times, there was a saying about crying at weddings. The princess’s actions are a demonstration of great virtue.”
“His Majesty is compassionate and especially protective of the princess and princes. When children leave home, they naturally feel sad because they can’t often listen to Your Majesty’s teachings.”
“Indeed, indeed, it must be so.”
Taking advantage of the commotion in the hall, with no one paying attention to this side, Chu Qiao carefully stood up, intending to leave. But just as she stood up, a hand grabbed her sleeve. Zhuge Yue, with his head lowered, was drinking wine. Seeing her look over, he slowly raised his head, his lips still stained with red grape wine, making his lips appear even more crimson and his appearance more bewitching. The man slightly parted his lips, his voice low and hoarse, like mulberry leaves in the wind, with a slightly rising tone: “Where are you going?”
Chu Qiao half-squatted down, bringing her face close to Zhuge Yue’s eyes, her lips curled in a mocking smile: “Am I that familiar with you, Young Master Four? Aren’t you overstepping?”
Zhuge Yue leaned forward, his nose almost touching Chu Qiao’s, his warm breath blowing directly onto the woman’s cheeks: “Leaving in the middle of a banquet is very impolite.”
“So what?” Chu Qiao’s eyes gleamed with challenge as she coldly said, “This is the Great Xia Imperial Palace, not your Qingshan Villa. Does Young Master Four’s hands always reach so far?”
As soon as she finished speaking, the girl’s hand beneath grabbed Zhuge Yue’s wrist, neatly flipping it and pressing his palm to the ground, away from her clothing.
Zhuge Yue’s eyes were narrow and long, black as ink. He smiled faintly: “Where there’s an uneven road, someone will step on it. As it happens, I am someone who likes to meddle.”
Fingers forming a claw, turning, grabbing the wrist, Zhuge Yue’s palm slipped out of Chu Qiao’s hand like a loach, immediately seizing her clothes again.
“Is that so? After not seeing you for several years, the young master has changed. I always thought you were a cold-blooded, heartless person who wouldn’t be moved by external things.”
Two fingers crossed horizontally, sweeping fiercely past Zhuge Yue’s elbow, lightly pointing, then neatly grabbing tendons and acupoints, bending his arm back and holding it down.
“You flatter me. Speaking of being cold-blooded and heartless, I bow to you.”
The two fought quickly and fiercely under the seat, hidden by the long tablecloth where others couldn’t see. The grand hall was filled with joy, and no one would cast their gaze to this side hall.
“Haha, what are you two chatting about so happily? Let me listen too.”
Li Ce suddenly jumped behind the two, with a smiling face, looking over. As soon as he spoke, two fierce glares shot toward him. The glances were angry; the two who had just been fighting in secret were united in their anger at being disturbed.
This man always spoke like this. The two had serious expressions at this moment, showing no signs of being happy at all. Yet he still used such a clumsy excuse to interrupt their conversation.
Chu Qiao gave Li Ce a cold look, then turned back to Zhuge Yue with a smile, saying, “This commoner is going to the latrine now. Does Young Master Four also plan to follow me?”
Zhuge Yue was stunned, not expecting that a girl would come up with such an excuse in front of men. The usually cold Zhuge Fourth Young Master frowned, and his snow-white cheeks reddened, adding a bewitching charm to his beauty.
Chu Qiao stood up, feeling quite pleased. She even reached out to pat Zhuge Yue’s cheek, laughing softly: “Don’t follow me. Mind your status. You are a noble of the Seven Great Families. Following behind a commoner, what kind of example does that set?”
With a crisp slapping sound, Zhuge Yue’s face grew redder, and he became furious. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Chu Qiao already swaggering out of the side hall, disappearing into the thick darkness, while strange glances shot from all directions. The young ladies from various families all covered their mouths in shock, looking in horror at the high and mighty Zhuge family’s pride of heaven.
The previous scene had completely fallen into the eyes of these young ladies who had never moved their gaze from the beginning.
The high and mighty Fourth Young Master of the Zhuge family had been teased by a lowly commoner.
With a “bang,” Zhuge Yue heavily put down his wine cup on the table, his brows knitted into a frown.
“A rare opportunity!” The Bian Tang Crown Prince, who sought but couldn’t obtain, sat nearby, looking at him with envious, passionate eyes. Zhuge Yue suddenly realized that this man was truly annoying.
He turned away in disgust, idly watching the singing and dancing in the grand hall.
As soon as she walked out of the hall, the wind immediately hit her face. Chu Qiao frowned and looked back, only to see Li Ce lifting the hem of his brocade robe, pretending to be secretly following behind. Seeing her look, he seemed somewhat embarrassed, rubbing his hands and saying, “It’s dark outside. I’ll accompany you.”
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow, her expression darkening. Li Ce immediately stepped back twice, appearing as if he was guarding against being hit, saying, “I’ll wait for you outside.”
“Where do you want to wait?” The girl’s lips curved into a smile, her smile sweet, but her tone carried a great killing intent as she slowly approached.
Li Ce’s hair stood on end, and he immediately waved his hands repeatedly: “I’ll just stand here and wait for you.”
Chu Qiao’s expression immediately softened. She stood on tiptoe and reached out to touch Li Ce’s head, smiling like a flower: “Good, be obedient.”
Li Ce felt, however, that she looked much fiercer when smiling than when she was cold.
Chu Qiao was Yan Xun’s trusted subordinate. For Yan Xun’s wedding, she had to attend to stabilize people’s hearts and make those with ulterior motives lower their guard. Quickly taking a shortcut to the planned location, the girl thought to herself: Thanks to Zhao Chun’er, otherwise it would take some effort to leave unnoticed like this.
The timing was just right. The girl put her bent finger to her mouth and suddenly blew out a loud signal, which in the night sounded like a shrill owl.
The shadows hidden in various corners of the imperial city immediately received the signal to act. Countless figures quickly leaped up, the night becoming their best protection. The girl’s expression was cold, her lips slowly curling into a cold smile:
“Zhen Huang, welcome to hell.”
The girl’s figure was like a swift leopard, darting through the dark corridors and small paths. The cold wind whistled past her ears, like beasts hiding in the night. Approaching the target, it was an inconspicuous signal room, located at the West Gate of the northwest imperial city.
The target was whistling, lying back with his legs crossed, quite leisurely and carefree.
No more hesitation, she slipped inside.
No more concealment, walking in boldly. The messenger in the signal room just became aware. Chu Qiao made a swift move, swinging her arm, her left hand tightly covering the target’s mouth as he tried to cry out in alarm. Her right hand lifted slightly, a cold light flashed, and gently, slowly, she drew it across his throat.
Deep cut! Horizontal pull! No fancy techniques.
Killing people, in many cases, is such a simple thing.
At this moment, the red mark that appeared on the messenger’s throat curled up, oozing blood. Chu Qiao released her hand, and the target’s throat made a “ho ho” sound. Suddenly, the bleeding red mark split open, and bright red blood gushed out, more and more. The target’s pupils gradually dilated, his body softly collapsed, and the bright red blood seeped and flowed out, covering the entire bed.
Chu Qiao pulled over the blanket, covered the man, then turned to leave, heading toward her next destination.
This was her mission with the Datong Guild: striking simultaneously inside and outside the palace, paralyzing the entire empire’s army and messaging system within the first hour of Yan Xun raising the rebel flag, turning this Zhen Huang imperial capital into a sleeping dead city!
Within an hour, the Datong Guild’s assassin teams achieved fruitful results. Looking at the blue firework signals continuously flying high in the sky outside the city, and the continuous “owl” sounds ringing out in the imperial city, Chu Qiao slowly breathed a sigh of relief. Squatting in a deathly silent imperial garden, she used her finger to draw the final horizontal stroke. By now, the ground was covered with densely packed “Zheng” characters.
That night, too many people died for no apparent reason. Their positions varied, and they might never have met or had any connection in their entire lives.
Among these people were liaison officers from the Imperial Guard Department, senior officers from the Seventh Army, low-ranking city gate guards, horse traders from the carriage house, messengers from the outer city office, soldiers on duty from the Water Dragon Bureau and the eunuch Sun Yunpu who controlled the power, as well as sentries standing guard at various city gates.
The tenet of the Datong Guild was to uphold justice on the continent, build a society of great harmony, eradicate the slave system, and advocate equality for all. So even though they held power that could sway the fate of the world, they would never engage in indiscriminate killing.
Of course, this did not count as indiscriminate killing. Miss Chu Qiao’s killing methods were very sophisticated. She didn’t kill a single person who shouldn’t be killed, yet she didn’t spare anyone who should be killed. Her methods were clean and precise. Which person to eliminate and what effect it would achieve, Chu Qiao understood all of it clearly. In her hands, killing became an art. Countless threads were all in her control, and now, she was pulling them in one by one.
The preliminary work was all done; it was time to do the real task.
Chu Qiao stood up, but just as she turned around, she saw a slender figure standing in the endless night. The cold moonlight poured over him, creating a faint silver glow.
“Impressive skills.” The man in the darkness spoke in a low, cold voice.
The initial shock had long disappeared. Chu Qiao coldly looked ahead, discreetly checking left and right to see if there were others following.
“No need to look. There’s no one else.” The man stepped forward twice. Under the moonlight, his purple robe seemed to be covered with a layer of silver mist. His face was handsome, even somewhat feminine, but his eyes were as cold as ice. The man slowly stepped forward and said in a deep voice, “Where else do you want to go? Who else do you want to kill?”
The girl’s face was gloomy as she coldly spat out two words: “Get out of the way!”
“Naive!” Zhuge Yue snorted disdainfully.
With a muffled “swoosh,” Chu Qiao moved like the wind, her fist going straight up, twisting her waist power, her body flying forward like a leaf. Zhuge Yue didn’t expect her to strike without warning and immediately counterattacked. The two moved nimbly, their techniques exquisite, fighting to a standstill for a while. Suddenly, a cold wind blew, and with two muffled thuds, their fists crossed paths and struck each other’s chests. The force was so great that they both groaned and stepped back two paces, reaching a stalemate again.
“Yan Xun cannot possibly succeed in his rebellion. Balei and Wei Shuye have already set up a vast net. Going against the empire, the rebel traitors only have one path: death.”
Chu Qiao snorted coldly, wiping the sweat from her jaw with the back of her hand, and said coldly, “Slave!”
Zhuge Yue immediately became furious and asked in a deep voice, “What did you say?”
“Zhuge Yue, I used to think you were just an arrogant, inhumane, self-righteous noble young master, but today I realize you’re also a slave and running dog of the Zhao family.”
Zhuge Yue’s face turned ashen: “I am not loyal to the Zhao family but to Great Xia.”
“Is there any difference?” Chu Qiao sneered. “Stop with the nonsense about rebel traitors. The victor becomes the king, the loser becomes the outlaw. How do you know that history books won’t call you a lackey and running dog who aided a tyrant? History only listens to the words of the victors.”
“You have confidence in him.” Zhuge Yue smiled coldly. “I want to see with my own eyes how he escapes from this Zhen Huang gate.”
Chu Qiao narrowed her eyes, killing intent flashing: “Perhaps you won’t have that chance.”
With killing intent pressing, and techniques intertwining, the girl drew a dagger and engaged Zhuge Yue. Under the moonlight, the two moved with swift, exceptional agility, like two shadows, moving and jumping, coming and going among the flowers, trees, and bushes.
“Following him, you’ll only end up on a dead-end path!”
The wrist holding the dagger was flicked up, and Zhuge Yue, taking advantage, pressed on fiercely.
“Thanks for your concern, but you’d better take care of yourself first!”
Chu Qiao flipped through the air, kicking hard at Zhuge Yue’s shoulder, swinging her knife to stab viciously, showing no mercy.
“Those who do too much evil will bring about their destruction. Don’t force me to be harsh!”
“You and I are already mortal enemies. Why hold back?”
“Who’s there?”
Chaotic footsteps suddenly approached. The two were startled and simultaneously stopped fighting. In an instant, they both ran toward a dense flower bush on the left. However, after just a few steps, they realized the other was also heading in the same direction. They immediately forgot about the pursuers and started fighting again.
“On the east side, follow them!”
The palace guards quickly approached. Zhuge Yue frowned deeply, grabbing Chu Qiao’s attacking wrist and angrily saying in a low voice, “Do you want to die? Still fighting?”
Chu Qiao raised her eyebrows in anger: “Why are you following me?”
Zhuge Yue was also angry: “Who’s following you?”
“Right in front, quick!”
With a “swish,” Chu Qiao kicked Zhuge Yue’s shin. Zhuge Yue’s eyes flashed with ferocity as he cursed, “Crazy woman who doesn’t know when to quit!”
The girl knelt on the ground, coldly replying, “Clingy, pestering, cheap man!”
“Quick!” The voices were approaching, now just ten steps away. The two exchanged alarmed glances, both withdrawing their hands. They rolled to the side and hid in the dense flower bush.
“Where are they?”
“Chief, did you hear wrong?”
The head guard shook his head cautiously: “Impossible. I saw several dark shadows.”
“Chief, maybe it was cats. There are many cats in this garden.”
“No, I saw it with my own eyes.” The leader said in a deep voice, “Everyone searches around. Tonight is His Majesty’s birthday. We can’t make any mistakes.”
“Yes!”
The crowd gradually moved away. Two pairs of vigilant eyes cautiously looked outside, watching those soldiers go far away.
Suddenly, a “bang” was heard. Zhuge Yue felt a sharp pain in his lower abdomen. Before he could counterattack, Chu Qiao’s body immediately pounced on him, pressing him down. Zhuge Yue hadn’t anticipated her attacking at this moment and was caught off guard, rendered defenseless. With Chu Qiao’s exceptional skills, Zhuge Yue’s moment of distraction was enough. Her knee struck hard, causing Zhuge Yue such pain that he almost cried out. In the next second, he was tightly bound with rope.
“Considering you didn’t call anyone to catch me just now, I won’t kill you today.”
Chu Qiao stood up, looking down at the angry Zhuge Yue, her expression cold. She said in a deep voice, “Zhuge Yue, eight years ago, you didn’t expose me, giving me a chance to live. I am very grateful for that, but it doesn’t mean it can erase the grudges and hatred between us. As a noble aristocrat, it’s not unusual for you to kill a few slaves, but these people were important to me. Then you shot and wounded Yan Xun, preventing us from escaping the imperial capital and suffering eight years of imprisonment. You and I have been opposed from the beginning, and it can never be reconciled or changed. I hope you understand this. I won’t kill you today, but that doesn’t mean I won’t kill you in the future. So the next time you see me, you’d better be careful.”
Zhuge Yue’s face was ashen; he was extremely angry. Seeing her turn to leave, he suddenly said in a deep voice, “If you walk out of the imperial city now, you will surely die. How will you kill me in the future?”
Chu Qiao turned back, smiling brightly: “You have so little confidence in him? I don’t feel that way. Shall we make a bet?”
Zhuge Yue stared coldly, his lips curling in mockery, but he didn’t speak.
“You must bet that we can’t escape and will all die without burial. But I’m certain that not only can we leave, but we can also leave with great fanfare, letting people throughout the Ximeng and all the subjects of Yan Bei know: Their king has returned!”
At that moment, the girl’s face suddenly radiated an irrepressible light, as if standing in the brilliant morning sun, with a miraculous glow that was so dazzling in the pitch-black night.
It was a kind of complete trust and admiration, absolute certainty, without the slightest doubt or worry. Suddenly, Zhuge Yue felt that smile was so dazzling, that he even hated it a little. Why couldn’t he be the one who was trusted?
The girl looked at him and said with full confidence: “Zhuge Yue, just watch!”
That night was a day Zhuge Yue would never forget in his lifetime. Many years later, he would still occasionally recall the girl’s expression as she left, and her confident words when she said: Zhuge Yue, just you watch. So he truly did watch, watched her lightly leave his sight, like a breeze, like a cloud, just like that night eight years ago, when she had said fiercely: Zhuge Yue, Lin Xi’s death will not be in vain!
She had always been a person who kept her word. When world events changed dramatically when the tide of chaos swept over the land they lived on, disrupted the rhythm of their steps, and overturned their former dreams, he would always regretfully recall that night. If he had known everything that would happen afterward, would he still have watched her leave with his eyes wide open? Would he still have let her go without a word? But there are no “ifs” in this world, so he lay quietly in the cold grass, watching the girl’s figure disappear into layers of darkness, like a proud phoenix, leaving his sight, entering another vast world, radiating unparalleled brilliance that captivated the world!
The horizon was filled with splendid fireworks, unrivaled in their glory!
“Your Majesty!” A panicked voice suddenly sounded outside the hall. A eunuch ran in with small steps, kneeling down with a thud, and said in a tearful voice: “Your Majesty, Princess Chun, Princess Chun, she…”
“What happened to Eighth Sister?” Zhao Song stood up and asked angrily.
The old eunuch’s face crumpled as he cried out loudly: “Princess Chun, she ran away!”
“What?” Noble Consort Shu raised her willow eyebrows and said harshly: “How did she run away? Where did she go? With so many of you watching, you still let the princess escape? What use are you all?”
“This old slave deserves death, this old slave deserves death!” The old eunuch wailed: “Your Majesty, spare my life!”
With the wedding approaching, the bride had run away. Everyone looked at each other in consternation. Zhao Che stood up and said in a deep voice: “Silence. First, explain clearly when the princess ran away and where she went.”
Just as the old eunuch was about to speak, a sudden loud gong sound came from outside, followed by the shrill sound of horns, the urgency in the sound making people tremble upon hearing it.
“What’s happening outside?” The Emperor frowned and asked solemnly.
“Report!” A drawn-out voice came from a distance. A guard in blue clothes ran in without waiting to be summoned, saying in a resonant tone: “Please, Your Majesty, Noble Consorts, Royal Highnesses, and officials move to a safe place. The palace is on fire. The fire is extremely large and out of control.”
“Fire?” Third Prince Zhao Qi was stunned and asked incredulously: “Where is the fire? Where is the Water Dragon Bureau? Why doesn’t anyone come to put out the fire?”
“People have already been sent to notify the Water Dragon Bureau, but there has been no response so far. As for the fire, this slave doesn’t know where all the fires are, just that there are flames everywhere. Your Majesty, please leave quickly. The fire is about to reach Fang Gui Hall.”
“How dare you!” Zhao Qi shouted coldly: “Does Sun Yunpu, the controller of the Water Dragon Bureau, not want his position anymore?”
“At this moment, arguing about who is responsible is meaningless. Father Emperor, with the fire threatening, we should quickly leave this place,” Zhao Che said in a deep voice.
The Summer Emperor frowned and nodded, then stood up. The eunuchs on both sides hurriedly came forward to serve him. However, before they could smooth out the wrinkles on the Emperor’s clothes, another urgent cry came in. A soldier knelt on the ground and said loudly: “Your Majesty, please do not leave Fang Gui Hall. It’s not safe outside. A large number of assassins have infiltrated the palace and have already killed more than sixty people. The death toll is still rising!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the already panicking officials became even more alarmed. A buzzing sound of discussion immediately arose. Zhao Che frowned and quickly asked: “Who has been assassinated?”
The soldier replied: “Imperial Guard Commander He, West Gate Defense Commander Lu, South Gate Defense Commander Yu, sentries at various signal stations, Water Dragon Bureau Controller Sun Yunpu, soldiers standing guard at the Southwest Gate…”
Listening to the list the soldier continued to report, Zhao Che exchanged a glance with General Meng Tian, who had the deepest military experience among those present. Both saw great terror in each other’s eyes. Although the names of those assassinated seemed chaotic and unrelated, upon careful analysis, it was an extremely precise and optimal channel for rebellion. The deaths of these dozens of people immediately eliminated the empire’s middle-level commanding officers, rendering the massive imperial city troops temporarily powerless, and also paralyzing the empire’s high-level command system, leaving no one to transmit orders.
What had happened that night that they didn’t know about?
“Report!”
Another reporting voice suddenly rang out. Everyone’s bodies trembled. By now, they had almost developed a conditioned reflex of fear toward these reporting soldiers, afraid of hearing even more unfavorable news. Before the soldier could speak, Zhao Qi asked first: “Has someone else been killed?”
The soldier was stunned, shaking his head in confusion: “No.”
Everyone immediately breathed a sigh of relief. At that moment, the soldier spoke up: “Your Majesty, a major incident has occurred! Outside the palace, Wisteria Square, the Southwest Ancestral Temple, Da’an Temple, Jiuwei Street, the southern part of Chishui, Xizhimen Flower Market, West Residential Area, East Antique Market, East Bank Camp, South School University… all caught fire for no reason. In addition, thieves are looting, burning, and killing everywhere, rushing into various shops to kill and set fires. Jiuwei Street is now in chaos, with countless casualties. It’s initially estimated that more than thirty thousand people have already participated in this turmoil.”
As soon as these words were spoken, several older officials nearly fainted from shock. Zhao Song angrily asked: “What’s going on? Is someone rebelling? Where is the Xiao Qi Camp? Where is the Green Camp Army? Where is the Southwest Garrison Commander? Are they all dead?”
“Reporting to the Thirteenth Prince, Commander Song led several hundred soldiers from the Imperial City to maintain order and found that those burning, killing, and looting were ordinary civilians. Some are local ruffians and hoodlums, some are students from the Imperial Academy, some are escort masters from the carriage house from other places, and some are civilians who have been robbed and are trying to get their belongings back. Oh, and also soldiers from various guard stations.”
“The guard station soldiers are also looting? Don’t they value their lives?”
The messenger was sweating profusely: “Third Prince, the guard station soldiers were the first to go out to maintain order, but they were robbed. Some of them went crazy, some were tempted by money, and some were scared, so they took off their uniforms and joined the looting. The turmoil is too great. Several hundred soldiers from the guard stations are just a drop in the bucket! Your Highness, there’s no news at all from the Xiao Qi Camp and the Green Camp Army. The troops of the Southwest Garrison Commander can’t be seen either. Commander Song says this turmoil is not accidental. Someone must be deliberately causing the riot, fanning the flames inside. Your Majesty, Commander Song says the turmoil is getting bigger and bigger, with more and more civilians participating. When all the imperial capital civilians join in, it will be uncontrollable. He requests Your Majesty to make a decision soon!”
All eyes instantly focused on the Emperor. The Summer Emperor stood on the high platform, his expression gloomy, and remained silent for a long time.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
A series of startled cries suddenly rang out. A soldier covered in blood looked as if he had crawled out of a pool of blood. Everyone’s hearts went cold, and an immense, undisguisable fear immediately swept over them. Looking at the messenger running in from outside, no one dared to open their mouth to ask a single question.
Zhao Che stood among the crowd, his brows tightly knit, still maintaining his usual calm, and asked in a deep voice: “What has happened?”
“Yan Xun has rebelled! He’s leading the troops of the Southwest Garrison attacking. There’s no news from the Green Camp Army, Xiao Qi Camp, Seventh Army, Ninth Army, Sixteenth Camp troops, or the Imperial Capital Governor’s Office. All roads are blocked, and all message stations in the city have been taken out, with no survivors. The South Gate, North Gate, and East Gate have all been occupied by the enemy. The captains of the Twelfth Division, Nineteenth Division, and Thirty-sixth Division are leading their troops to support the imperial city, but they’ve been intercepted by the mob and can’t even get past the outer ring of Jiuwei Street. Yan Xun has already attacked the outside of the Purple Gold Gate. Commander Song is holding there alone. We have less than three thousand imperial city guards, and it looks like we can’t hold much longer!”
Like a thunderbolt exploding over everyone’s heads, everyone’s vision went black. Several older officials couldn’t stand steadily and fell into their seats. Everyone’s faces were deathly pale, completely bloodless.
Was heaven going to turn over today?
The Summer Emperor slowly closed his eyes. At this moment, he had to admit that Balei and Wei Shuye’s assassination plan had completely failed. They had dispatched a thousand troops to assassinate a caged bird without military equipment, only to be beautifully countered, and he had even used this turmoil to win over the Southwest Garrison Commander for his use. Eight years, what kind of creature had he been nurturing beside him?
The aging Summer Emperor sighed inwardly: “Shi Cheng, how could I forget? He is your son!”
In the entire Great Xia Dynasty, and even throughout the Ximeng land, no one believed that Summer Emperor Zhao Zhengde would release the Yan Bei Crown Prince, who had been imprisoned for eight years, back to Yan Bei unharmed, just as no one would believe that the Yan Bei Crown Prince would meekly surrender. Everyone believed that Yan Xun, who had dared to confront the imperial army at the execution ground years ago, would surely plan a series of escape plans. For example, using poison, changes his appearance, disguising himself as a poor civilian to blend out of Zhen Huang City, and then like a stray dog being chased by the soldiers of the Great Xia Imperial Capital for thousands of miles. With good luck, he might escape with his life and find a place to live in seclusion, occasionally causing some conspiracies and sabotage. With bad luck, he would die at the hands of the imperial army, with not even his bones remaining.
In their eyes, the Yan Bei Crown Prince, who had been trapped in the imperial capital for many years, could at most come up with such tricks. After all, having been under the nose of the Great Xia Emperor for seven or eight years, how much capability could he have?
But no one had imagined that Yan Xun’s final strike would be like this. Seemingly respectful, apparently compliant, daily bustling about, conduct mediocre, but once he made his move, it was like a thunderbolt, burning his bridges, fighting with his back to the wall, raising a sky full of weapons, stirring up fathoms of blood. Inciting rebellion, assassination, mutiny, setting fire to the imperial capital, instigating civilian riot, attacking the imperial city, with no reservations, placing himself in a deadly situation to gain a new life, and entering the tiger’s den to capture the cub.
Yan Xun, is truly worthy of being the son of the Lion King of Yan Bei, Yan Shi Cheng! His deep scheming, strong endurance, and great courage could be called the first madman of the age!
“Report!”
With a “bang,” along with this report, Grand Secretary Cui’s aged heart could no longer bear it, and he immediately rolled his eyes and fainted.
“Panicking! Shouting! What else has happened? Has Yan Xun broken in?”
The soldier was stunned and replied: “In response to the Seventh Prince, no.”
“Then why are you so flustered?”
“Your Majesty, this slave has come to report. Please evacuate quickly. The fire is coming!”
…
That night, the entire Zhen Huang City was a scorched land, with heart-rending screams everywhere. Zhen Huang City had truly become a hell on earth.
“Young Master! This slave has finally found you!”
Hastily untying the ropes from Zhuge Yue, Zhu Cheng said in a deep voice: “The master sent this slave to find you, and this slave has been so worried. Let’s leave quickly. There are fires everywhere in the palace now.”
Zhuge Yue frowned deeply and asked in a deep voice: “Zhu Cheng, what’s happening outside?”
“The Yan Crown Prince has rebelled! He’s leading the troops of the Southwest Garrison attacking the imperial city gate. The civilians have all gone mad, causing a riot. The Xiao Qi Camp, Green Camp Army, and other divisions are paralyzed, with no news at all. The Twelfth Division and others can’t break through. It’s complete chaos!”
Zhuge Yue’s face darkened as he made a decisive decision: “No, I must go home and bring the Zhuge family troops to suppress the rebellion.”
“Young Master, the master said not to act rashly. The other families haven’t responded either. We…”
“If we don’t act now, it will be too late!” Zhuge Yue was furious, his eyes red with anger as he shouted: “What is Father thinking? Is he still engaging in scheming and internal strife at a time like this? I’ve said long ago that that fool Balei couldn’t kill Yan Xun!”
Zhu Cheng’s face was panic-stricken: “The master said the Council of Elders will handle this matter. This is not within the young master’s authority. You don’t need to intervene.”
“The Council of Elders?” Zhuge Yue laughed in extreme anger: “What do they know? They only know how to scheme and undermine each other, hoard wealth, fight internally, and seek benefits. The rise and fall of the nation, the life and death of Great Xia, damn it, they don’t have time to care about such idle matters! Zhu Cheng, get out of my way!”
“Young Master,” Zhu Cheng’s face was deathly pale as he stuttered: “Why bother? None of the other families are sending troops. If it’s just our Zhuge family, alas, what will others think?”
“I don’t care what they think!” Zhuge Yue frowned deeply and sneered: “If the country doesn’t exist, how can the family survive? If Great Xia perishes, where will the Zhuge family go? I’m not doing this for the Zhao royal family, but for the civilians of Zhen Huang City, for the millions of common people of Great Xia!”
“Is, is it that serious? The master said that the imperial city walls were solid and could withstand the attack of a hundred thousand troops for three consecutive days, while the rioters outside could hold out for at most an hour. Once the captains of the Twelfth Division arrive, Yan Xun’s troops will be seeking their destruction. It’s just a small rebellion.”
“Small rebellion?” Zhuge Yue was so angry that he started laughing: “You think Yan Xun is a fool who will fight to the death until reinforcements come to lift the siege? Watch, he’s about to escape. The imperial capital is in chaos. Who can pursue him? Letting such a meticulous and hate-filled person escape from Zhen Huang back to Yan Bei, what consequences will that bring? He is ten thousand times more terrifying than Yan Shi Cheng. Small rebellion? This is a great storm that can destroy the entire empire! These fools, they are facing death!”
“Young Master!”
“Let go of me!”
“Bang!” A sudden blow struck Zhuge Yue on the head. Zhuge Yue frowned and then fainted to the ground.
“Young Master, I’m sorry, these are the master’s orders.” Zhu Cheng slowly shook his head: “Everything you say is correct, but we are aristocrats. Aristocrats have their own rules for action. Besides, you, are you just trying to eliminate the Yan Crown Prince? After all these years, you still can’t forget, can you!”
Having lived in the imperial capital for eight years, Chu Qiao had never seen Zhen Huang like this.
Everywhere was burning, killing, and looting. Everywhere were sounds of weeping. Everywhere was crazy laughter and cursing. Fire, robbery, bloodshed, and more bloodshed. The once-good civilians had all shed their skins of morality and righteousness, becoming like fierce beasts.
Rioters pried open roadside shops and rushed in, killing the pleading owners. Seeing this, the owner’s son also picked up a knife, killing the rioter, and then looked at the room full of fresh blood, laughing madly. He then rushed out of the house and joined the crazy crowd in looting and killing. Some people rushed into shops, taking away everything they could eat and use, smashing or burning what they couldn’t finish or carry away, not for profit but purely out of a desire to destroy and vent.
Everywhere, people were killing, everywhere people were being killed. Everywhere were dirty corpses and raging flames.
Some people staggered in the streets with a knife in one hand and a wine bottle in the other, drinking wine and waving their knives while crying loudly: “The end of days has come! The end of days has come!”
The air of despair and emotions of madness drifted over Zhen Huang City, with the thick scent of death permeating the entire imperial city.
Was this what Yan Xun meant when he said there would be people to block the heavenly troops of the Twelfth and Nineteenth Divisions for them?
Chu Qiao suddenly felt her whole body grow cold, her hands and feet icy. Setting fires in the imperial capital and creating chaos had always been their firm strategy, but she hadn’t expected it would lead to such severe consequences. Too many people had gone mad, too many people had died, too many innocent people had been implicated. When desperate emotions and unwarranted disasters suddenly came, when instigators provoked and rioters cheered in celebration, the entire Zhen Huang had sunk into the Avici Hell, being burned and roasted by raging fires, unable to escape.
The people of Zhen Huang, who had been under high-pressure rule for years, finally collapsed completely on the evening of the twentieth of May.
“Miss!”
A swift horse suddenly galloped over. The civilians on the street scattered in panic. A Jing’s body was covered in blood, with his clothes’ original color indiscernible: “The Crown Prince is retreating from the Purple Gold Gate, heading toward the West Gate. Come with me quickly.”
Chu Qiao silently nodded, casting aside the chaotic thoughts in her heart, and followed behind A Jing.
The intense sounds of crying followed closely behind, extending all the way.
Turning past Wisteria Square, they saw the Iron Hawk battle flag of Yan Bei, flying ferociously in the night filled with red light. Countless black-armored soldiers stood on the long street in front of Wisteria Square, their blades sharp, their killing intent like a rainbow. A man in black robes sat upright on horseback, standing proudly, gazing forward. His face was white as jade, his eyes brilliant as stars, handsome and elegant, like an unsheathed precious sword, emanating a great killing intent and sharp edge!
Chu Qiao suddenly froze, not moving forward for a long time, as if she didn’t recognize him. A Jing behind her was slightly puzzled: “Miss, why aren’t you moving?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
The voice was so small that even A Jing could barely hear it in the chaotic night. But the man standing a hundred paces away suddenly frowned, quickly turning his head, his eyes like sharp swords, immediately stabbing into the girl.
His cold face immediately melted like frost. Yan Xun smiled, spurred his horse to gallop wildly, and called out loudly: “A Chu!”
For eight years, Chu Qiao had never seen him smile so heartily. The girl slowly exhaled, then cast all the chaotic thoughts out of her mind. Never mind, even if there were a hundred thousand corpses, even if there were seas of blood and mountains of swords, she would walk through them with him. At this time, how could she dwell on those things? As long as he was still there, as long as he was still well, as long as they could still smile at each other, it was enough.
The girl rode forward, her smile bright.
Just then, the clear sound of horse hooves suddenly came from the direction of the Purple Gold Gate. Chu Qiao and Yan Xun were both startled: At this time, would anyone still leave the palace?
“Brother Xun!” A girl in a bright red wedding dress suddenly jumped down from her horse and blocked Yan Xun’s path. Her eyes were swollen red, her expression panicked, as she spoke incoherently: “Don’t do this, don’t be like this. Chun’er won’t marry anymore. Chun’er won’t force you anymore. Leave quickly! Father Emperor will kill you! No, you can’t leave. You should go and apologize to Father Emperor. Brother Xun, it’s Chun’er’s fault, it’s Chun’er’s fault!”
Yan Xun frowned, looking toward Chu Qiao in confusion. Chu Qiao’s heart sank as she looked pitifully at Zhao Chun’er’s disheveled hair and pale little face. Her previous dislike for her instantly vanished. This foolish princess, did she still not understand even at this moment?
“Brother Xun, don’t do foolish things!”
The young girl wept uncontrollably, suddenly sitting powerlessly on the ground, covering her face with both hands. That night, she was truly too exhausted. Large teardrops fell from between her fingers, landing on her crimson wedding dress.
“Yan Xun! You madman, you dare to rebel? I’ve considered you a friend all these years, look at what you’ve done!”
Another warhorse suddenly galloped over. Zhao Song, dressed in a pine-green brocade robe, quickly rode to the front. Upon seeing Zhao Chun’er, his face turned angry as he said: “Chun’er! Come over here now! This person is plotting treason and rebellion, and you’re still with him?”
Zhao Chun’er stood up in panic, turning to look at Zhao Song. Despite her fear, she made a gesture that shocked everyone. She slowly spread her weak arms, shielding Yan Xun and the black mass of troops behind her, stubbornly shaking her head and saying: “Thirteenth Brother, it’s not like that. He just doesn’t want to marry me, he just wants to protest to Father Emperor…”
“Fool!” Zhao Song shouted angrily: “He’s after the military power of Yan Bei! You idiot!”
Zhao Chun’er frowned, her face deathly pale as she said softly: “Mili… military power?”
“If you don’t believe me, turn around and ask him!”
Like a wooden puppet, Zhao Chun’er slowly lowered her arms. She turned around slowly, her eyes wide open, and asked in a small voice of disbelief: “Brother Xun, he’s lying to me, right? You’re not rebelling, are you? You just want to reason with Father Emperor, right?”
The cold wind was desolate, smoke and fire everywhere. Zhao Chun’er’s figure was thin and small, her little face pale and bloodless as she looked eagerly at Yan Xun, as if looking at the last hope in her life.
Yan Xun raised an eyebrow slightly, showing some impatience. Finally, he said in a deep voice: “I’ve been planning to rebel for more than a day or two. It has nothing to do with you. I never intended to marry you.”
The strong wind howled, the ancient capital of Zhen Huang was in tatters, and screams rose to the heavens. On the twentieth of May, the great drama of the Datong Guild’s revenge had just raised its curtain.