Zhong Shaozhong’s voice carried from within the walls of the Court of Judicial Review, causing Bi Heng outside to redden with fury while the Imperial Guards tensed up completely.

“Imperial Guard soldiers!” Upon hearing this, Bi Heng drew his sword and roared in fury, “The Crown Prince commits treason, plotting to harm His Majesty by causing his fall from the horse! We, as Imperial Guards, should swear to protect His Majesty unto death, to protect the Empress! Those who dare die, follow me into the palace to protect the sovereign… proceed immediately to the Imperial City to rescue the sovereign! Those who merit in protecting the sovereign will be rewarded with gold and titles according to their achievements!”

After Bi Heng’s loud proclamation, he leaped and mounted his horse, spurring it forward as he charged out first.

The Imperial Guards holding flickering torches high were all fired up with passion, shouting as they followed behind Bi Heng’s galloping horse, racing wildly all the way.

“Bi Heng! Stop right there!” The Imperial Guard commander pushed through the Imperial Guard soldiers surrounding the entrance of the Court of Judicial Review and shouted at Bi Heng, but saw that nearly all the Imperial Guards around him had followed Bi Heng. The commander flew into a rage, “Go! Stop them for me! If any dare to trespass into the Imperial City, treat them as rebels and kill them without question!”

Inside the Court of Judicial Review, Zhong Shaozhong, who had been escorted back to the main hall, curled his lips in a half-smile as he looked at Lu Jin. The die was cast.

He had already made proper arrangements for the Zhong family. Three days ago… he had begun having loyal servants gradually lead the Zhong family members out through the secret passages in the residence, escaping from the capital.

If this attempt succeeded, he would bring back all the Zhong family members to enjoy endless wealth and honor. If this attempt failed, it would only cost him his one life.

The glory of the entire clan and the prosperity of future generations naturally weighed far more than his single life.

What kind of person was he, Zhong Shaozhong? How could he not know that the Crown Prince had sent people to watch him?

As for the Imperial Guards currently defending the Imperial City, he had long since made arrangements. When the Crown Prince heard that Bi Heng was leading Imperial Guards to the Imperial City to “rescue the sovereign,” and then heard about the scene Bi Heng had caused at the Court of Judicial Review, how could he not guess… that Bi Heng’s rescue mission was a cover for forcing abdication?

When the Crown Prince further heard that the Imperial Guards defending the Imperial City were confronting the Imperial Guards led by Bi Heng, wouldn’t he rush to enter the palace first?

As soon as the Crown Prince stepped through the palace gates—regardless of which gate outside Wude Gate he entered through—Prince Xin, who had already secretly entered the palace, would immediately receive the news and have the Imperial Guards within the Imperial City shoot the Crown Prince dead, claiming the Crown Prince had brought troops into the palace to commit treason.

At that time, Prince Xin would declare to the outside world… that the Crown Prince, resorting to any means to ascend the throne, had committed treason and killed His Majesty and the Grand Princess in the palace, and that Bi Heng and Prince Xin’s rescue attempt with troops had come too late.

With both the Emperor and Crown Prince dead, Prince Liang was weak and unfit for great responsibility; the other princes were still too young, so they could not support Prince Xin’s ascension to the throne.

Even if they couldn’t immediately support Prince Xin’s ascension, they could have a young prince ascend while eliminating the mother but keeping the child, letting the Empress rule from behind the curtain. This way, political affairs would still be in the Empress’s hands, and Prince Xin could first be re-enfeoffed as a prince based on his great merit in protecting the sovereign!

At worst, after a year or two, they could claim the young emperor was young and lacked fortune, not destined by Heaven, and let him die… then Prince Xin’s ascension would be perfectly justified.

Everything had been calculated by Zhong Shaozhong.

Lu Jin’s subordinate escorted Zhong Shaozhong into the main hall and clasped his fists toward Lu Jin: “Sir…”

The flickering candlelight in the main hall illuminated Lu Jin’s composed and steady features, his eyes so deep that their depths couldn’t be seen.

“No need for interrogation. Take him to the prison and lock him up!” Lu Jin’s eyes reflected the golden lamplight filling the hall, but his voice was extremely cold. “Quickly go report to the Crown Prince and Imperial Teacher Old Tan.”

“I thought Minister Lu would ask me about the matter of arresting people at the flower house last night,” Zhong Shaozhong said with a smile.

With things having reached this point, Lu Jin was not so anxious anymore. He slowly sat down in the main hall: “It seems that the fish who escaped the net when people were arrested at the flower house last night… was that Minister Bi who led the troublemaking. Minister Zhong obediently came to this Court of Judicial Review with Minister Fan Yuhuai, waiting for precisely this moment—to make the Imperial Guards completely believe that the Crown Prince wants to harm the Emperor to ascend the throne.”

Zhong Shaozhong stood in the center of the main hall, appearing completely composed: “What, Minister Lu doesn’t believe the Crown Prince harmed His Majesty… intending to ascend the throne early? After all… with His Majesty dead, the Crown Prince would benefit most.”

“But the Crown Prince is not the type of person to commit such heinous acts as regicide and patricide,” Lu Jin said, then waved his hand to signal the others to leave.

Seeing Lu Jin dismiss everyone else, Zhong Shaozhong understood that Lu Jin had something to ask him.

“Being captured at the flower house yesterday was intentional on your part?” Lu Jin asked.

Zhong Shaozhong knew that Lu Jin had always been steady and capable, keeping his abundant talents hidden and not easily revealing his sharp edges.

“It was just a mishap in being captured! Who would have thought that my excuse of drinking flower wine… would still result in being invited to the Court of Judicial Review and detained? But now, the Imperial Guards’ attack on the Imperial City is inevitable. While the people in the Imperial City haven’t yet reacted, the Imperial Guards are already prepared!”

Until the very last moment, Zhong Shaozhong was determined not to tell anyone the truth. He curled his lips and said: “Minister Lu, if you abandon darkness for light and release us to go rescue the sovereign, when His Majesty awakens… I will certainly petition His Majesty on your behalf for merit!”

Zhong Shaozhong’s gaze swept around the main hall of the Court of Judicial Review as he smiled: “Minister Lu has also sat in this position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for many years. With this meritorious deed, you could advance further!”

Lu Jin’s eyes remained as calm as still water, completely unmoved by Zhong Shaozhong’s words. He only said, “Minister Zhong has always been a cautious and meticulous person who likes to keep backup plans. To be able to sit here and chat so leisurely with me, saying so much, I imagine… besides arranging for the Imperial Guards to attack the city, you still have other tricks up your sleeve.”

“Minister Lu overestimates me,” Zhong Shaozhong said with a smile. “Today I’m already trapped here—what other tricks or backup plans could I have? Rather, Minister Lu, the Crown Prince plotted to harm His Majesty’s fall from the horse. When His Majesty awakens… the Crown Prince will surely die. Why should Minister Lu follow the Crown Prince and ruin your prospects, as well as harm the entire Lu family?”

“Minister Zhong’s words are too serious. I’m merely fulfilling my loyal duties. Before His Majesty fell unconscious, he entrusted state affairs to Imperial Teacher Old Tan. I should naturally… follow Imperial Teacher Old Tan’s instructions!” Lu Jin unhurriedly said to Zhong Shaozhong. “But Minister Zhong, have you considered that when you use the excuse of rescuing His Majesty to have the Imperial Guards attack the city, after you and the Crown Prince mutually destroy each other, perhaps someone wants to be the mantis stalking the cicada while the oriole waits behind?”

Zhong Shaozhong’s hands clasped behind his back tightened, then he smiled and slowly relaxed them: “Is Minister Lu perhaps referring to… the twenty thousand soldiers of the Anping Great Camp outside the city? Unfortunately… I’ve already sent word to those twenty thousand soldiers that all the generals of the Anping Great Camp have been locked up in the Court of Judicial Review! And at this moment, the city walls have already been replaced with my people. The generals of the Anping Great Camp cannot get out. Tell me, Minister Lu… who can lead the troops? Send Princess Zhenguo?”

“What a pity…” Zhong Shaozhong chuckled. “The soldiers of the Anping Great Camp all know it was Princess Zhenguo who captured Fu Ruoxi and brought her back to the capital. Last night, the Court of Judicial Review was ablaze with fire, and now Fu Ruoxi’s fate is unknown. With the Anping Great Camp generals arrested, who do you think the Anping Great Camp soldiers will blame most? Will they still obey Princess Zhenguo’s commands?”