Most common people didn’t understand the struggles within the imperial court, nor did they particularly care about rights and wrongs or who was black and who was white. In these chaotic times, their greatest hope was simply that their families could survive.

Originally, everyone had been worried and suspicious. Although Pang Xiao had a reputation for benevolence spanning many years, and the people held him in high regard, and though he had been so feared by the emperor that his entire family suffered persecution—earning him the tragic hero’s sympathy from the masses—when war was imminent, no one could completely set aside their concerns or guarantee that Pang Xiao definitely wouldn’t harm them.

But now, everyone could see Pang Xiao’s intentions.

Using paper kites to send messages into the city, telling them that as long as they didn’t venture out carelessly and avoided being misunderstood, they could preserve their lives. The prince had even promised they wouldn’t randomly disturb any civilian’s life.

Everyone’s hearts filled with hope, and the message on the paper kites spread like wildfire throughout every street and alley. Since no one knew when Pang Xiao would launch his attack, very soon, everyone in the capital began frantically stockpiling food.

In the imperial study, Li Qitian looked at the paper kite that had been presented to him, his grip gradually tightening, his eyes unable to hide his panic and bewilderment.

This paper kite was the final warning, the alert that the Huben Army and Pingnan Army would launch their general assault on the capital. As emperor, he now had neither money nor men, and with the executioner’s blade about to fall, he could only close his eyes and stretch out his neck for slaughter.

“What has been the reaction of the people in the city?” After a long while, Li Qitian finally managed to speak with difficulty.

The secret agent lowered his eyes, deliberating for a long time before carefully responding, “Your Majesty, the people all seem much more relaxed.”

Li Qitian staggered back two steps and collapsed powerlessly into the paulownia wood chair covered with bright yellow cushions. His whole body seemed drained of strength, and he leaned back for a long time without speaking.

A voice in his heart kept asking: What had he gained after all these years? Wasn’t he, as Son of Heaven, chosen by popular will? Why, at this crucial moment, was no one willing to extend a hand to help him?

Was this the coldness of human nature?

Now that he clearly faced defeat, had those people withdrawn like turtles pulling their heads into their shells, no longer wanting to concern themselves with this emperor?

He had reigned for ten years, enjoyed glory and wealth, yet now he was forced into such straits…

What should he do?

“Your Majesty,” Xiong Jinshui hurried into the imperial study. “Ministers Yu, Song, and several other officials request an audience.”

Li Qitian felt somewhat irritated and initially didn’t want to see them, but thinking they might have devised a solution, he immediately stood up and rallied his spirits.

“Let them enter.”

“Yes.”

Xiong Jinshui withdrew.

Soon, the sound of chaotic footsteps could be heard outside the hall.

Li Qitian found this strange. Officials like Yu Ziqiu and Song Quan were remnants of Northern Ji’s old guard, steeped in scholarly tradition and particular about proper etiquette in all things. Now they were coming to the imperial study to report, yet their footsteps were so disorderly—truly peculiar.

Just then, the secret agent who had been kneeling in report suddenly stood up, his face tense as he looked toward the palace entrance. His gaze grew more focused, but his expression increasingly panicked.

“Your Majesty! A large group is surrounding us!”

Li Qitian was shocked and incredulous. “What did you say?”

“Your Majesty, the footsteps outside aren’t right! At least several hundred people are approaching from all directions!”

Li Qitian’s heart leaped with a thud, blood instantly draining from his face. His hands and feet felt as if they’d been plunged into an ice cave, the cold making his entire body shudder.

“Pang Xiao has broken through!” Li Qitian finally cried out after a long moment.

Who would have thought that as soon as his words fell, Yu Ziqiu’s voice came from outside the palace door: “Your Majesty need not panic—we have merely come to petition for the people!”

Li Qitian knew things had taken a turn for the worse. Forcing himself to remain calm, he quickly walked to the palace door and pushed it open with a creak.

He saw the courtyard in front of the imperial study filled with Imperial Guards and Jinwu Guards—at least two to three hundred men. These people all carried weapons and focused their gazes on the imperial study.

One must know that ordinarily, no one dared to look directly upon the imperial countenance.

Li Qitian feigned composure and called out loudly, “How dare you act so impudently! This is the inner palace! Gathering so many people outside my imperial study—are you planning rebellion?”

Yu Ziqiu wore the practiced smile of an official, his voice full of indifference. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. We ministers have no such intention.”

“No such intention? Then what do you mean by standing here now? Have you brought the Imperial Guards, Palace Guards, and Jinwu Guards before me to perform military formations?”

Yu Ziqiu smiled. “Your Majesty need not be so anxious. We ministers have thought long and hard—we only wish to share Your Majesty’s burdens. You love your people wholeheartedly and naturally cannot bear to see them suffer. Having also heard of Prince Zhongshun sending paper kites into the city, after deliberation, we ministers believe Prince Zhongshun is not one to break his word. If we don’t act rashly, we can naturally preserve the people’s lives.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty will understand us ministers.” Song Quan smiled as he spoke. “Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, will naturally consider the people wholeheartedly. As long as we can pacify Pang Zhixi, everything will be manageable afterward.”

Li Qitian ground his teeth, looking at these Northern Ji remnants before him, then at the Palace Guards who had turned their weapons against him behind them. Utterly disappointed, he said, “Good, very good! At this crucial moment, instead of finding ways to solve problems, you want to sacrifice your emperor? How is what you’re doing any different from personally handing over Great Zhou’s territory to others?”

“Your Majesty is noble-minded, but we ministers are all vulgar people. We also have families, and our families are also common people. There’s no reason to make so many ordinary civilians die alongside us, is there?” Song Quan spoke plainly, wearing a smile that seemed to mock Li Qitian.

Li Qitian flew into a rage, shouting loudly, “Guards! Arrest this group of rebels!”

Who would have thought that when his words fell, not a single person around him responded! Only Li Qitian stood there frantically jumping about while everyone else watched ahead with expressionless faces.

The fear in Li Qitian’s heart gradually deepened, and his face no longer bore its usual dignified caution. Some guards, hearing the command, quickly led men to run outside the imperial study’s main gate and tightly defended the courtyard.

“Your Majesty, please rest here for these few days—we apologize for the inconvenience.” Yu Ziqiu, Song Quan, and the others all bowed to Li Qitian, then prepared to withdraw.

Li Qitian roared, “Have you all been bought by that scoundrel Pang Xiao? Is that why you’re conspiring to force my abdication? I tell you, it’s useless!”

Yu Ziqiu said, “Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. This minister has no intention of forcing abdication. I’m merely choosing the most beneficial method for the people to minimize casualties. Your Majesty need only rest quietly. Perhaps in the future, you might even live a leisurely life.”