How could the Emperor have imagined that Prince Ning, who had always been respectful and obedient to him in the past, would rebel the moment he gained military authority?
The Emperor truly wanted to kill Prince Ning!
Unfortunately, the guards and imperial guards within the imperial city were limited in number, and most of these men were sons of various ministers who had come merely to secure positions. If it came to actual combat prowess, they could never be a match for regular troops. Moreover, Prince Ning might lack in other areas, but he was truly skilled at warfare.
The Emperor had never imagined that one day he would be forced into such a predicament.
He rose angrily, pressed his hands on the Empress’s shoulders to seat her in the chair, and said earnestly: “You shall sit here today. I will protect you here. I am the true dragon Son of Heaven—how could I fail to protect one small woman? I want to see who dares to harm you even a bit with me present!”
The Empress’s tears had ruined her makeup, and in her terror, both her hands were trembling. She also knew that currently, the Emperor was her only source of support. If Prince Ning still held some respect for the Emperor, perhaps she might have a thread of hope for survival. Otherwise, given the past confrontations between her and Prince Ning, the Empress couldn’t think of any reason why Prince Ning would spare her.
“Your Majesty, this subject fears nothing. As long as Your Majesty still wants this subject, this subject is willing to remain with you forever.”
The Empress looked at the Emperor with pitiful eyes, her tear-filled gaze and gentle words stirring the Emperor’s protective instincts like never before.
Just at that moment, the palace doors were pushed open with force.
Prince Ning entered slowly, sword held reversed in his grip, followed by the soldiers guarding the city. Each had fierce gazes and blood staining their bodies, wearing expressions so vicious they seemed ready to flay the Empress alive and tear her bones apart.
The Emperor frowned and spread his arms protectively in front of the Empress, saying: “Prince Ning, what do you intend to do!”
“Imperial Brother.” Prince Ning raised his sword and cupped his hands in salute, the sword tip dripping fresh red blood that left brown traces on the crimson carpet.
The Emperor, having lived in luxury for many years, had never witnessed such a scene. Prince Ning and the soldiers behind him all reeked of blood, each glaring with murderous intent as if ready to devour someone. Seeing Prince Ning’s serious expression, the Emperor’s heart immediately lurched, nearly frightening him to the point of wetting himself!
“Imperial Brother was once diligent and conscientious, loving his people like his own children. Your past wisdom is remembered in the hearts of all subjects throughout the realm. You are also the sovereign this subject brother most respects in his heart. You originally favored worthy ministers and kept petty people at distance, clearly capable of creating a golden age. Who would have known that ever since Imperial Brother obtained this vile woman, you changed!”
“Is it I who changed, or do you simply wish to sit upon this throne?” Though fearful, the Emperor was more filled with rage—how could his imperial authority tolerate such trampling?
“I see that over these years, your ambitions have grown ever larger!”
Prince Ning raised his eyebrows as he looked at the Emperor, hurt flashing in his eyes.
“When Imperial Brother was wary of the military authority in my hands, I surrendered that authority. When Imperial Brother disliked my participation in court politics, I became an idle prince. This subject brother’s loyalty to Imperial Brother can be witnessed by heaven and earth! Imperial Brother himself must be very clear about this subject brother’s complete devotion to you—otherwise, how would Imperial Brother have tolerated this subject brother until today?”
“What I regret most now is tolerating you until today!” The Emperor angrily overturned the small table, sending teacups and plates crashing to the floor in fragments.
“Enough!” Prince Ning sighed deeply, abandoning any thought of reasoning with the Emperor. His gaze became resolute as he said coldly: “Since Imperial Brother thinks of this subject brother this way, this subject brother has no other choice! Since I have already done this, I have no regrets. Let me tell you truthfully, Imperial Brother—today this subject brother brought ten thousand brothers and has already surrounded the imperial palace. Do you know what everyone said when the palace guards along the way heard that this subject brother had come to kill that vile creature?”
Prince Ning slowly approached the Empress.
The Empress stood up and hid behind the Emperor, who protectively shielded the Empress as they retreated.
Prince Ning laughed mockingly: “Upon hearing that this subject brother came to kill her, everyone applauded and cheered. Most people happily stepped aside—otherwise, how could this subject brother have broken through so quickly? Haha!”
The Empress was frightened into trembling all over by Prince Ning’s low, hearty laughter, screaming: “You traitorous rebel! You will die a terrible death!”
“It doesn’t matter.” Prince Ning burst into loud laughter. “The day this prince was born into the imperial family, I knew I would certainly not die of old age. Whether death comes from seizing the throne or from scheming, it doesn’t matter. However, you, this wanton woman, will definitely not die well! Because this prince will not let you have an easy time!”
“Your Majesty! Look at him—he clearly harbors treasonous intentions!” The Empress clutched the Emperor’s waist, burying her face in his chest, crying and trembling all over, whether from anger or fright was unclear.
Prince Ning, hearing this, showed no anger, only laughed: “Imperial Brother, the throne and this woman—choose one of the two. Imperial Brother, make your choice!”
The Empress looked at Prince Ning in shock. He had truly come only to kill her?
The Emperor was also very surprised. He and the Empress, being husband and wife for many years, shared the same thoughts. When he first saw Prince Ning arriving with such imposing force, the Emperor had already given up hope for the future. Though his expression remained stern, inwardly he was calculating how to preserve his life.
Who would have expected that Prince Ning would make him choose between the throne and the Empress?
The Emperor lowered his head and gazed at the Empress.
The Empress trembled even more violently, her lotus-like arms tightly encircling the Emperor’s waist: “Your Majesty, this subject doesn’t want to leave you! This subject doesn’t want to leave you!”
Seeing that even at this point the Empress remained so seductive, Prince Ning sneered coldly: “Now it’s no longer up to you to say whether you want to or not. Imperial Brother, what do you say?”
The Emperor swallowed hard. “What if I don’t choose?”
“Don’t choose? It seems Imperial Brother still doesn’t understand the current situation.” Prince Ning paced back and forth before the Emperor. “Let me put it this way: either hand over this woman and Imperial Brother continues being Emperor, or you ascend to heaven together with her. This subject brother would be very willing to escort this pair of mandarin ducks on their journey.”
“You!” The Emperor pointed at Prince Ning with a trembling finger. “Don’t think you can intimidate me! You would let me continue being Emperor? Aren’t you afraid I would settle accounts afterward?”
Prince Ning raised his eyebrows, seeming both provocative and confident: “If Imperial Brother can abandon her, then naturally you will have the opportunity to settle accounts with this subject brother. How about it? Does Imperial Brother want this opportunity?”
The Empress shook her head repeatedly, scattering strings of teardrops: “Your Majesty, this subject refuses, this subject cannot die, this subject wants to always accompany Your Majesty. Moreover, this subject’s maternal family has rendered meritorious service to the court, Your Majesty! You cannot…”
“Yu Rou.” The Emperor lovingly stroked the Empress’s head, but with his other hand, he pried apart the Empress’s arms that encircled his waist.
“Yu Rou, I know your feelings for me are sincere, so you even more so would not want to see Great Yan fall into chaos and the realm change hands, correct?”
The Empress stared wide-eyed, her heart suddenly turning cold. Tears silently slid down her cheeks. “Your Majesty, do you no longer want this subject?”
“I will remember your goodness.” The Emperor’s heart ached, and his eyes also reddened. “It’s just that as Emperor, though I love you, I must also protect this court. I can only do this.”
“No, no, no, Your Majesty, you have always been so good to this subject! You said this subject was the goddess in your heart, that you cherished this subject like your heart and liver. Now you clearly can keep this subject—why do you not fight for it?”
The Emperor looked toward Prince Ning, who wore an expression of watching a good show, and smiled bitterly: “Yu Rou, there’s no need to say more.”