“Yes!” Nangong Yuan responded, promptly retreating to relay the order.
The Emperor sighed repeatedly, grasping Mu Wuxia’s hand, “I never imagined that in this crucial moment, only you would come to save me.”
“Your son heard wolf howls and came to investigate, only to find the palace guards had vanished,” Mu Wuxia frowned, explaining, “It took a while to locate Captain Nangong. I apologize for the delay in coming to your rescue, Father. Please forgive me!”
“You’ve done well in saving me,” the Emperor said. “There’s no need for forgiveness. Once we capture the Crown Prince, I’ll reward you handsomely!”
“Now isn’t the time to discuss such matters,” Mu Wuxia replied anxiously, glancing at the darkness outside. “If Captain Nangong doesn’t hurry, I fear someone might attempt to harm you again.”
The Emperor paused, looking at the nearby guards before shaking his head, “Surely not. I have so many people here…”
Before he could finish, the sound of armored footsteps echoed outside Zhilan Palace. The guards, startled, drew their swords, forming a protective circle around the Emperor and the Prince of Nan. Emperor Mingde inhaled sharply, clutching the Prince’s hand as he peered outside.
Cloud Zhen, the commander of the Eastern Palace guards, stood at the entrance with his troops. Upon seeing the Emperor, he bowed, “Your humble servant has come to protect Your Majesty!”
Protect? Noticing the drawn weapons of the guards behind him, the Emperor scoffed, “What protection does the Eastern Palace offer? I suspect you’re here to usurp the throne amidst the chaos.”
Cloud Zhen hesitated, surveying the number of guards inside the palace. Without another word, he gestured for his men to enter.
“Stop!” the Emperor shouted angrily. “Do not enter!”
The guards faltered for a moment but didn’t stop, marching into Zhilan Palace in unison.
His pupils constricting, Emperor Mingde instantly grasped the Eastern Palace’s intentions. He looked at Cloud Zhen, laughing bitterly, “Why hasn’t the Crown Prince come himself? If he dares to stage a coup, why doesn’t he show his face?”
Cloud Zhen remained silent.
At a time like this, how could the Crown Prince appear? His goal was to avoid the stigma of patricide and usurpation, allowing him to ascend the throne unblemished. With the Snow Wolf’s failure tonight, he had to trap the Emperor in Zhilan Palace and later pin the blame on another prince.
Everything hinged on this moment.
“It’s time to send His Majesty on his way,” he said.
The Eastern Palace guards, clad in iron armor and wielding sharp swords, forced the silk-robed imperial guards to retreat. Mu Wuxia snatched a sword from one of the guards and stood before the Emperor, pointing the blade at Cloud Zhen. He spoke calmly, “How unfortunate for the Eastern Palace guards. They are all someone’s children, yet your selfish ambitions will lead to their needless sacrifice and eternal infamy.”
Cloud Zhen pressed his lips together, “This humble servant is merely following orders.”
“Very well,” the Prince of Nan said, swinging his sword. “If I take your life, wouldn’t that save these innocent guards?”
Cloud Zhen’s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively glanced around before relaxing, “Your Highness jests. At your age, perhaps you should step aside and play.”
With a hundred guards at his back, Cloud Zhen found it laughable that the sixteen-year-old prince, barely old enough to lift a sword, thought he could kill him.
However, before he could even chuckle, a wave of killing intent suddenly surged from the front! Looking up, he saw the Prince of Nan leaping towards him, using a guard’s head as a springboard!
Cloud Zhen’s face paled as he hastily drew his sword to defend himself. The clash of their blades sent a numbing sensation through his tiger’s mouth.
Such strength!
Determination filled Mu Wuxia’s eyes as he thrust his sword at Cloud Zhen’s vital points. Surprisingly, none of the nearby guards moved to assist their commander.
“You…” Cloud Zhen stumbled backward, staring at his opponent in disbelief. He momentarily forgot to command his guards, focusing all his energy on evading the prince’s blade. Although his armor offered some protection, it also drained his stamina. The Prince of Nan moved with agility, alternating attacks between Cloud Zhen’s neck and head. After barely thirty exchanges, the commander was exhausted.
“Will you not order them to stand down?” Mu Wuxia’s sword hovered at Cloud Zhen’s throat. “One more step and your head will roll!”
Kneeling on the ground, Cloud Zhen laughed hoarsely, “This servant came today with no intention of leaving alive. Even if you behead me, I must give the order—send His Majesty to his death!”
The stunned guards snapped back to attention and continued their advance. Panicked, Mu Wuxia flipped his sword, using the hilt to swiftly knock Cloud Zhen unconscious. He then fought his way back to the Emperor’s side.
The numerical advantage of the opposing force was overwhelming, but with Cloud Zhen incapacitated, the remaining guards were left without leadership, their movements filled with hesitation. The Emperor’s loud rebukes prevented them from charging into the main hall.
Mu Wuxia stood guard at the hall’s entrance, ready to cut down anyone who dared approach. However, his young age began to show as his stamina gradually waned.
Fortunately, half an hour later, Shen Zaiye and Nangong Yuan arrived with reinforcements.
“We apologize for the delay in coming to Your Majesty’s aid!” Shen Zaiye’s face was filled with rage as he surveyed the situation in Zhilan Palace. He waved his hand, ordering, “Execute these traitors on the spot! Capture their leader for questioning!”
Mu Wuxia looked at him in shock, surprised by his timely arrival. He instinctively asked, “What are you trying to do?”
Shen Zaiye gazed at the prince’s wounds with a pained expression. With a look of unwavering loyalty, he solemnly replied, “This humble servant just learned of the Crown Prince’s intention to commit patricide and usurp the throne, so I came to rescue Your Majesty!”
Rescue? Mu Wuxia’s eyes filled with disbelief. He was about to accuse Shen Zaiye of being the pot calling the kettle black when Emperor Mingde exclaimed joyfully from behind, “My loyal subject, you’ve finally arrived! With you here, I can rest easy!”
Mu Wuxia was left speechless.
Shen Zaiye and Nangong Yuan had brought three thousand men, quickly quelling the palace rebellion. The Emperor straightened his robes and resumed his seat, glaring at those kneeling before him. He gritted his teeth, “The Crown Prince’s rebellion is utterly unforgivable. Capture him immediately and execute him without delay!”
Everyone was taken aback. Even Shen Zaiye seemed surprised, “Your Majesty? Execute without delay…”
Wasn’t the Emperor known for his leniency towards his sons, often pardoning their crimes? Why was he so decisive this time?
Emperor Mingde nodded, “A prince like this brings nothing but harm to the court and me. If he dares to commit patricide, why shouldn’t I execute my son? Carry out the order at once!”
“Your subject obeys,” Shen Zaiye responded. As he prepared to withdraw, the Emperor added, “The Prince of Nan has performed an extraordinary service today and has shown unexpected valor. I intend to bestow upon him the title of Qin Wang. Prime Minister, please draft the edict.”
Qin Wang? Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding the Emperor’s thoughts. Frightened by the Crown Prince’s actions, he no longer dared to appoint an heir apparent. Ultimately, Mu Wuyin’s harsh sentence stemmed from the threat he posed to the Emperor’s life. In the Emperor’s eyes, nothing was more important than himself.
With a faint smile, Shen Zaiye bowed and accepted the task, respectfully withdrawing.
Mu Wuxia watched his retreating figure, his expression complex, unable to comprehend the night’s events fully.
(End of Chapter)