Dongdezi and his wife had also left.

With Dongdezi’s wife gone, there was no one left providing support outside Chongming Palace. Almost immediately, Xia Houchun led the White Marsh Guards and Nine Guards to tighten the encirclement, surrounding the entire Chongming Palace so tightly that not even water could leak through.

The enemy’s strength had already weakened considerably. He wanted to charge in regardless of everything, willing to sacrifice more lives if necessary, just to protect Her Highness first.

But Tie Ci’s voice rang out from afar at this moment.

“Xia Hou, send half the forces to the inner city to assist the Capital Prefecture Guards in protecting high ministers, rescuing civilians, fighting the Xiao family, and maintaining order within the city.”

Xia Houchun was shocked.

Instead of pressing the advantage to kill these people now, she wanted to withdraw forces?

Tie Ci’s gaze passed through the palace doors toward the capital in the wind and snow.

It was very dangerous here, but at least there were guards, there was Pingzong, there were mechanisms throughout the hall, and there was herself.

They could still hold on.

But outside the palace city were civilians with no strength to truss a chicken.

Father Emperor had entrusted Great Qian to her, not for ambitious men and foreign tribes to trample upon.

“The people need you more than I do,” she said. “Go.”

Xia Houchun gritted his teeth.

Then he said, “White Marsh Guard Squad One through Squad Seven, listen to orders!”

Two thousand guards responded in unison.

“Leave the palace. Rush to aid the civilians in the inner city!”

“Orders received!”

Tong Rushi watched in amazement as half the guards actually left Chongming Palace.

Just when the situation had already been subtly turning in Tie Ci’s favor.

Xia Houchun rode his horse to not far behind him, staring at his back, and said slowly, “Your Excellency, I hear you covet the imperial throne?”

Tong Rushi sneered coldly as he turned around to meet his gaze. “What, am I not worthy?”

He pointed toward Tie Ci’s direction. “I am also a direct descendant of the imperial family. I am the grandson of Prince Tang. If not for the Empress’s scheming and false accusations back then, Prince Tang could have inherited the throne. What are your Emperor and Tie Ci? Nothing but puppets controlled by women. Now, I’ve come to take back what’s mine. Is that not allowed?”

Xia Houchun chuckled and said, “In your imperial family, there’s never been any talk of who should or shouldn’t be emperor – just the matter of victors and losers, accepting defeat when you lose. Whether you accept your fate or not isn’t my concern, but I’m telling you: with what you are, wanting this imperial throne – you’re not worthy!”

“I’m not worthy? Then who is! You?”

“I’m not worthy either.” Xia Houchun pointed his horse whip at Tong Rushi. “I’m just telling you that based on your conduct of colluding with foreign tribes to attack the gates and disturb the city, disregarding the lives of Great Qian’s people just to seize the imperial throne, you will never be worthy – you only deserve to be nailed to history’s pillar of shame!”

“And the Crown Princess, whom you’ve brought experts to block in Chongming Palace, who can still spare guards to protect the people at such a time – she will forever be the sovereign in the hearts of Great Qian’s people!”

Tong Rushi suddenly burst into loud laughter.

“Sovereign, eternal sovereign, she’s most worthy.” He laughed mockingly. “Why don’t you ask her if she thinks she’s worthy!”

He turned around to look at Tie Ci in the great hall, asking her, “Your Highness, who was it that brought the murderer Murong Yi into the palace tonight?”

“Who was it that mobilized the entire Imperial Medical Academy for a murderer, drawing the Emperor’s attention and thus bringing deadly disaster upon him?”

“And who was it that personally selected the killers and painstakingly delivered them to the Emperor’s side?”

A moment of silence.

Wind and snow raged like fury.

Inside the hall, two people slowly walked out from behind the crowd.

Outside the hall, a group of old ministers finally arrived in bizarre formations. Under Xia Houchun’s dumbfounded gaze, they helped each other down from crocodiles, pythons, and spider sleds, gasping for breath.

Hearing this statement.

Seeing those two people.

Everyone stopped.

…

Inner city.

Snow fell like sheets.

After a tremendous crash rang out from the Criminal Ministry prison, the capital began a series of continuous upheavals.

Countless vicious criminals burst out of the prison with the escaped Xiao family members, laughing wildly at their sudden freedom in the windy, snowy streets. In the heavy snow, they brazenly drew their blades, pulled down sharp icicles from under the eaves and chewed them viciously, wanting to vent all the resentment from their long imprisonment on innocent civilians.

Dayan cavalry wiped off their facial disguises, revealing deep features. Their gazes swept over the prosperous and magnificent capital, their eyes filled with amazement, greed, and brutality.

Countless shops belonging to the Xiao clan and its affiliated families, which had ceased operations, were all lit tonight. After hearing the tremendous crash, they lowered their door boards. Those shopkeepers, waiters, and accountants who had been diligent and smiling to everyone during the day were all dressed in black, looking capable and fierce as they filed out.

Horses normally used for pulling carts were led out of stables, their disguises removed, revealing magnificent steeds.

Mounting these horses, they became cavalry. Every street had several such shops, and when gathered together they formed a black torrent flowing through every waterway of the inner city.

The underground chambers of the Xiao family mansion opened with grinding sounds, and black masses of people surged out like a tide, immediately clashing with the Blood Riders stationed there.

The snow night’s silence was shattered by firelight, hoofbeats, and the sound of blades.

The peaceful sleep of the capital’s citizens was broken by sinister laughter, battle cries, screams, and the sound of doors being battered down.

No plan, no targets, no organization – just a pack of tigers and wolves released from the abyss, rampaging through the very center of the capital’s central district. Wherever they passed, there was only killing.

Kill.

In the shortest time possible, create the greatest chaos in the capital, cause the greatest panic among the capital’s citizens, and inflict the greatest destruction on the capital.

Only then could they most quickly destroy the capital and crush the will of the imperial family and court ministers, achieving final victory.

The Capital Prefecture was attacked.

Deputy Magistrate Ying ordered the immediate reinforcement of the prison, sent people to report to the palace, dispatched a large portion of bailiffs to protect nearby civilians, and personally led some bailiffs to defend the government office.

The Six Ministries’ offices were attacked. Having few soldiers guarding them, they were immediately burned down.

The academy was attacked, the imperial ancestral temple was attacked, and countless Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries burst into flames.

All residences of ministers loyal to the imperial family were priority targets, with the Grand Secretaries’ and Ministers’ residences personally led by Xiao family scions.

The rebel forces, which had been proceeding smoothly, stopped here.

Most high ministers weren’t home, and those who were had their own household guards and immediately organized defensive lines. With high walls and deep courtyards that were easy to defend and hard to attack, they tied up the Xiao family’s advance.

Xiao Liheng personally stood before the Rong residence gates.

He listened to the crying and clamoring from nearby Changming Street, accompanied by the rough laughter of thugs and the strange-accented shouts of Dayan cavalry. He could faintly hear screams and the muffled sounds of blades entering flesh – clean, efficient, with even the screams cut short abruptly. The rhythm was brisk and pleasing.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

He looked at the old man slowly emerging from the shadows behind the gate.

Rong Luchuan.

The current Chief Minister, wearing a cloak, stood on the threshold with an expressionless face, looking at the person below the steps.

Though standing below the steps, this person was no longer a prisoner at the bottom of the steps.

Moreover, he had come today with威pressure. If things didn’t go his way, he would probably make him a prisoner too.

Xiao Liheng smiled at him and said, “The Chief Minister doesn’t seem very surprised?”

Rong Luchuan said lightly, “After all, your Xiao family is capable of anything.”

“So indeed, ginger gets spicier with age. Only the Chief Minister has such keen insight.” Xiao Liheng laughed. “Unlike that child Tie Ci, who was still smugly pleased before tonight, thinking she had truly brought down my Xiao family in one stroke. She really underestimated the heroes of the world.”

“Whether she underestimated the heroes of the world, this old man doesn’t know,” Rong Luchuan said calmly. “But she didn’t underestimate your Xiao family.”

“Oh?”

“She simply underestimated your Xiao family’s shamelessness. After all, not everyone can collude with foreign tribes to harm our countrymen.”

Xiao Liheng’s eyebrow twitched slightly, then he smiled.

“Yes, I suppose she also didn’t expect Old Madam Rong to open the city gates for the enemy.”

Only the sound of falling snow remained between heaven and earth.

Rong Luchuan’s face appeared unchanged, but the shadow from the gate’s eaves seemed painted on his face, motionless.

After a long while, he said, “At this urgent time, what business do you have seeking this old man?”

Delight showed in Xiao Liheng’s eyes.

He glanced toward the imperial city and said, “I want to invite the Chief Minister to jointly issue a cabinet decree with me, welcoming Prince Zhao as emperor.”

Surprise finally flashed through Rong Luchuan’s eyes as he turned to look toward the imperial city.

Xiao Liheng said, “The Chief Minister’s information is indeed well-informed. Yes, I’ve cooperated with Prince Tang’s descendant. Right now he’s leading people to force the palace.”

“Then why establish Prince Zhao as well? Does Your Excellency hedge your bets in such matters too?”

“You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. Besides, Tie Ci seems more difficult to deal with than imagined.” Xiao Liheng glanced again toward the imperial city. “But even if Prince Tang’s group doesn’t succeed, they’ll certainly wear Tie Ci down considerably. That way, our chances here are even better.”

Every wrinkle on Rong Luchuan’s face was written with coldness. “This old man is no longer Chief Minister.”

“You haven’t retired yet. The decree hasn’t been proclaimed to the world.”

“Does Grand Secretary Xiao think your words and actions inspire trust and make people willing to entrust their lives and fortunes to you?”

“I know you won’t trust me.” Xiao Liheng said sincerely. “I can swear here today on my entire Xiao family’s lives that when today’s business is finished, regardless of who ultimately ascends the throne, your Rong family will remain Chief Minister. My Xiao family only wants what originally belonged to us.”

Rong Luchuan said lightly, “Since this old man is still Chief Minister, why would I need to cooperate with you, a rebellious traitor, and face history’s sharp pen like a knife?”

“You’re already destined to face it.” Xiao Liheng’s lips curved upward.

Rong Luchuan’s face seemed to have become a bronze mask – hard, with cold, gleaming light.

Yes, he was already destined to be reviled for ten thousand years.

After his wife opened the city gates.

“Things have come to this point. Even if you remain foolishly loyal now, wanting to sacrifice your family for the Tie dynasty, when Tie Ci settles accounts afterward, she absolutely cannot spare you.” Xiao Liheng said. “Among all the court officials, everyone else has reasons to remain loyal to Tie Ci, but you alone don’t. The Rong residence doesn’t.”

He stared at Rong Luchuan and noticed the old man’s iron-cast face twitch almost imperceptibly.

He immediately felt relieved.

He understood this old schemer – too calculating, liking to manipulate behind the scenes, but never willing to take the lead at crucial moments.

But he didn’t understand that wealth comes from taking risks. How could someone who didn’t want to pay any price deserve to gain anything?

He smiled and added another weight to the scales.

“The capital is in chaos. Hairou is our Xiao family’s ancestral home, so naturally it won’t be very peaceful either.” He said. “If the Chief Minister is wise, your grandson will naturally receive the best protection.”

In other words, if not wise, they’d start with Rong Pu.

Rong Luchuan’s eyebrow raised slightly as he looked at Xiao Liheng.

For an instant, cold light flashed.

Xiao Liheng endured it without retreating. The riders behind him uneasily stepped forward, but he gestured with his hand behind his back for them to stop.

Wind and snow carried the sounds of slaughter and wailing back and forth, pounding people’s eardrums, providing the coldest annotation for this night of bloody conspiracy.

The people facing off on both sides gradually accumulated snow on their shoulders.

Xiao Liheng smiled as before, seemingly patient enough to wait until the end of time.

But his heart grew increasingly anxious.

Because he felt the situation wasn’t very favorable.

The family scions sent in groups to high ministers’ residences, as well as those in the palace, had yet to send success signals.

So Rong Luchuan’s side had to be secured immediately.

Great Qian had a decree: before disasters threatening the country and disturbing the palace, if the palace had no master, the cabinet could take emergency control of court affairs and establish a new ruler.

This required a majority of cabinet members, and the Chief Minister was essential.

Establishing a new ruler required eighty percent approval from officials of second rank and above.

As long as Rong Luchuan agreed, adding himself and Li Shen, they would have control.

Victory was certain.

Blood would be shed if necessary.

As if a century had passed.

Opposite him, Rong Luchuan finally spoke.

He said slowly, “Someone come, prepare the sedan chair. I will enter the palace together with Grand Secretary Xiao.”

Delight exploded in Xiao Liheng’s eyes.

…

Hundreds of riders came like a rushing wind, carrying continuous wind and snow as they reached the city gates.

The soldiers guarding the city looked down alertly.

Liu Chen, temporarily serving as gate commander, shouted down loudly, “Who goes there? The capital is under martial law – no entry or exit allowed!”

The leader raised a token and placed it in the basket lowered by the soldiers.

Liu Chen looked at it and suddenly burst into loud laughter, throwing the token back down.

“The same trick twice – do you think the city gates will open again this time!”

The person below fell silent for a while.

The wind from the wilderness stabbed like a sharp sword, seeming to pierce through hearts.

He seemed unable to withstand it and began coughing with his head lowered.

His snow-white cloak almost covered his face, revealing only the tip of a high nose.

After quite a while, he finally managed to suppress his coughing and took out another token from his chest, placing it in the basket.

This time Liu Chen stared at the token for a long while, then took out the seal registry kept at the gate tower for verification.

The seal system for officials at all levels was very complex, and the city gates kept special registers for checking.

Moments later, Liu Chen was stunned.

He hadn’t expected this to be a Ruixiang Palace token, representing almost the highest authority at present.

After a while, he waved his hand. “Open the gates!”

The city gates opened with grinding sounds, and hundreds of riders immediately shot into the city like arrows.

They rushed through the streets like wind, passing by clusters of battling outer city troops without stopping.

Passing by burning buildings without stopping.

Passing by fallen soldiers without stopping.

At the inner city checkpoint, relying on this token, they again passed without obstruction.

This reassured the rider somewhat, understanding that at least for now, the capital was still under imperial control.

He raised his head and moved his already numb body in the wind and snow.

Ahead was a fork in the road – one path offered a shortcut to the palace city.

The other led to the continuous rooftops of high ministers’ residences.

…