HomeFated HeartsYi Xiao - Chapter 94

Yi Xiao – Chapter 94

“I regret it,” the Holy Emperor said leisurely, tapping on the golden cage, startling the jade bird inside into frantic hopping. “I should have arrested him directly.” The Empress Dowager’s voice was weary, “Does Your Majesty still not understand my intentions?”

“I understand,” the Holy Emperor smiled and withdrew his hand. “Mother doesn’t want to antagonize Susha further. But, setting aside Feng Xi Yang, I believe Susha would be quite pleased to see Xia Jingshi’s head.” “Has Your Majesty considered,” the Empress Dowager said solemnly, “given Xia Jingshi’s prestige in the military, if his former subordinates rise in anger, they will fight to the last man against the Imperial Guards!”

“Mother, you have too little faith in the Imperial Guards,” the Holy Emperor waved his hand impatiently. “As the saying goes, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. With Xia Jingshi gone, what’s there to fear from his former subordinates? Would they risk being labeled as traitors for a dead man?”

“You’re too willful,” the Empress Dowager’s voice rose. “Last time you didn’t listen to my advice…” “Mother!” The Holy Emperor suddenly turned around, glaring at her fiercely for a moment, then suddenly reverted to his usual gentleness. “I suspect that foolish woman has already said everything she shouldn’t have. So, we can’t wait any longer. Mother, you said it yourself, if you don’t sacrifice the child, you can’t catch the wolf!”

“I just sent someone to scout, and there are indeed many more hidden sentries around – if what she said is true, Ning Fei is most likely already in the Holy Emperor’s hands, and given Yixiao’s temperament, hearing those rumors will make her rush back,” Xia Jingshi said, unconsciously gripping the half of a glass hairpin that had grown warm in his hand. “But at this moment, neither moving nor waiting is good. We can only keep her steady and not let the Holy Emperor realize that we already know his plan.”

Xiao Weiran, though still looking unwell, was in much better spirits. He was now frowning, leaning against a cushion, pondering, “It’s indeed tricky. If we send someone to stop Yixiao from coming back, she’ll surely sense the gravity of the situation and rush here even more desperately. As for Ning Fei, each day Yixiao doesn’t arrive is another day of safety for him…”

As they were talking, suddenly a military officer responsible for the outer perimeter came running towards them. Even before he got close, his panic was evident. “Your Highness, I have important news to report.” Xia Jingshi stepped forward to meet him, saying in a low voice, “Don’t panic. Whatever it is, tell me slowly.”

The officer leaned in close, his voice barely audible, “Half an hour ago, the Imperial Guards were secretly summoned into the city. Now all four city gates are closed, and the streets around the villa have been cleared.” He took a quick breath, his cheeks flushed with excitement. “It looks like they’re coming for us!”

Xia Jingshi tensed slightly, but before he could speak, the officer had already knelt at his feet, shouting, “Your Highness, please rest assured. No matter what, we swear to protect Your Highness’s safety with our lives. No one can threaten Your Highness while we still draw breath!”

“Stand up first,” Xia Jingshi helped him up, then turned and pointed at Xiao Weiran. “Find a few trustworthy brothers to escort Staff Officer Xiao out of the city. If that’s not possible, at least hide him in a safe place. Wait until things calm down before sending him away.” “Your Highness,” Xiao Weiran cried out in surprise. Xia Jingshi raised his hand to stop his unspoken words, his tone severe, “No matter what happens, you are not allowed to come back. You must intercept Yixiao as soon as possible and prevent her from returning!”

“But…” In his urgency, Xiao Weiran couldn’t finish his sentence before he started coughing violently again. Xia Jingshi slowly raised his head to look into the distance. The Imperial Guards should arrive soon. “Don’t worry, I won’t meekly await slaughter. Have Yixiao rush back to Lu City to retrieve my military tally. She’s a general appointed by the Holy Emperor himself and a princess of our dynasty. She’ll have no problem mobilizing troops. No matter what, we must rescue Ning Fei. Xueying is pregnant, we can’t let the child be born fatherless.”

“Vice Commander Xue,” Xia Jingshi turned to look at the military officer standing before him. He saw that the officer’s right hand was tightly gripping the hilt of his sword at his waist, his lips pressed tightly together, his bloodshot eyes full of fearless determination to fight to the death. Hearing Xia Jingshi call him, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he responded hoarsely, “Your Highness!”

“Pass down the order, no resistance is allowed,” Xia Jingshi’s voice was very calm. “Your Highness,” the officer cried out, “We would give our lives to escort you and Staff Officer Xiao safely out of the city…”

“No,” Xia Jingshi smiled. “The Imperial Guards are well-prepared, and we only have about a hundred men. Moreover, if we resist, who knows what crimes we’ll be charged with? So, I order you, do not resist.”

“Your Highness,” the officer before him was almost sobbing now. “Our lives don’t matter. It’s our honor to fight for Your Highness.” Xia Jingshi’s eyes also grew moist. He took a deep breath and patted the officer’s shoulder armor heavily. “I’ve never said this, but you are my honor. You always have been.”

The officer was stunned, tears streaming down his face. These tough men who never cried on the battlefield were now weeping like children. Xia Jingshi smiled gently, “Why are you crying like a woman? Big men look awful when they cry.”

When the Imperial Guards entered the villa, the courtyard was already filled with soldiers who had come from Lu City with Xia Jingshi. Xia Jingshi had changed into a plain robe and stood in the hall with his arms folded across his chest, surrounded by a dozen military officers. Every glance shot at the Imperial Guards was filled with deep hatred.

Seeing this scene, even the Imperial Guard commander was taken aback for a moment. But quickly, he led his men in a salute to Xia Jingshi, saying, “This humble servant, Jiang Weirong of the Imperial Guards, pays respects to Your Highness.” In a clamor of metal, all the Imperial Guards behind him bowed to Xia Jingshi. “This morning, after receiving secret intelligence, the city defense forces uncovered a large quantity of military equipment from Your Highness’s entourage. This servant has received orders from His Majesty the Holy Emperor to invite Your Highness to the royal city to assist in the investigation…”

“Even the Imperial Guards have come. I must be quite important,” Xia Jingshi sneered. “I wonder how the character for ‘invite’ was written in His Majesty’s decree?” “This servant is only following orders. Please don’t make things difficult for us,” Jiang Weirong said with a forced laugh. His eyes scanned the scene, and he asked puzzledly, “Where is Staff Officer Xiao?”

“Staff Officer Xiao’s condition has worsened, and I’ve already sent someone to take him to seek medical attention. His Majesty is busy with state affairs, so I didn’t report such a small matter – What? Does Staff Officer Xiao, gravely injured as he is, also need to enter the palace for investigation?” Xia Jingshi’s tone was calm, but it carried an air of authority. Jiang Weirong felt an inexplicable chill in his heart and instinctively denied it repeatedly.

After a moment of standoff, Jiang Weirong gritted his teeth and ordered the Imperial Guards behind him, “Disarm everyone and take their weapons to Jinghui Hall for inspection!”

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