After leaving the ancestral temple, Duke Ding mounted his horse and asked Meng Shiba, who had just come down from Mount Xiao’an with a blood-stained face: “Has word come back from the capital?”

Meng Shiba, having been blinded in one eye by Yan Xiaoying, now wore a black eye patch, with blood still visibly seeping through, making anyone who saw it wince in sympathetic pain.

He must have led his men to kill the guards around the ancestral temple. He and his subordinates were all splattered with blood as he bowed beneath the horse: “Master, it’s done!”

His voice was very hoarse; having been blinded in one eye by that female King of Hell, he had screamed his throat completely raw these past few days.

Duke Ding took out an iron token cast from special steel from his bosom and handed it to Meng Shiba: “Take this square token, lead a team of Sacred Robe Guards to the imperial palace immediately. Once news of the Emperor’s death spreads, act according to the circumstances and arrest Noble Consort Yi and others on charges of colluding with rebels!”

The Sacred Robe Guards were elite forces that he had carefully cultivated, but due to his concealed identity, it wasn’t appropriate to reveal himself, so commanding these shadow guards had always been done using this iron token as an order.

The Tang family was powerful. To prevent Noble Consort Yi from collaborating with other princes to cause trouble in the palace, it was better to secure the palace.

Additionally, he instructed Meng Shiba to contact General Dong of the Iron Cavalry Camp outside the capital, informing him that the plot at the ancestral temple had succeeded and ordering him to immediately lead his troops into the capital.

Duke Ding handed the pre-written letters and the iron token to Meng Shiba.

At the time of the assassination attempt at His Majesty’s ancestral temple, he should have been at Duke An’s mansion in the capital, completely uninvolved.

Therefore, he needed to rush back to the capital immediately, receive the news with other ministers, and wait at the city gate to welcome back Emperor Chunde’s remains.

By then, Emperor Chunde’s “final edict” would be announced to the world, and he, as His Majesty’s trusted old minister, would shoulder the burden of assisting the young ruler, rather than being present at the scene and associated with the scandal of regicide.

However, he truly wanted to see the spectacle of the Feng father and son destroying each other, after all, he had waited for this show for over twenty years!

That’s why he had cleverly arranged to secretly appear at the ancestral temple.

Thinking of this, Duke Ding’s hands holding the reins were trembling slightly, eager to return to the capital immediately and consolidate his control over the situation there!

By now, the officials in the capital whom Xiaoyin Mountain Villa controlled through scandals and leverage should all be in position. Once news of His Majesty’s assassination spread, they would enter the palace with him to support the young Seventh Prince’s ascension to the throne.

As Meng Shiba received his orders and turned to leave, Duke Ding took a deep, satisfied breath, wasted no more time, and galloped back to the capital, secretly entering Duke Ding’s mansion.

In no time, countless carrier pigeons flew from the rear courtyard of the Duke’s mansion, scattering in all directions across the capital.

After completing all this, he looked at the bright sky and asked about the time—it was only the hour of Si (9-11 AM).

According to Dafeng custom, it wasn’t yet time for the wedding ceremony. It seemed that on his way to the palace, he could also see the commotion at the Prince’s mansion.

So when his carriage passed the street outside Prince Ruixiang’s mansion, he saw from a distance that red lanterns were hung high at the front gate, and the streets and alleys were crowded with people watching the excitement.

From the onlookers around, he heard that the bride’s family was from out of town, so she would depart from the Prince’s mansion, but following custom, they had distributed fruits in a pre-ceremony procession and had just returned to the mansion to prepare for the ceremony.

Duke Ding smiled meaningfully but didn’t linger, continuing his journey to the imperial palace.

According to custom, ministers like him should wait at the palace for His Majesty’s return, congratulate His Majesty on the addition to the royal family, and then wait for the newlyweds to enter the palace to toast His Majesty.

Standing at the palace gate, Duke Ding absently scanned the surroundings, quietly waiting for news from the ancestral temple.

But despite waiting and waiting, no guard came to deliver any message.

Instead, a pair of newlyweds arrived, having already completed their ceremony and thanked their guests, now hurrying to the palace to toast His Majesty.

Having grown accustomed to seeing Prince Ruixiang in black attire, when the Prince appeared before everyone in red robes, the festive atmosphere was almost jarring.

He was seen first alighting from the carriage, then extending his hand to help his newly appointed Princess Consort down. She wore a bright red wedding dress, adorned with golden hairpins and jewels, which highlighted her pretty face, slender eyebrows, and cherry lips that parted in a smile, adding endless nobility to her appearance.

Duke Ding’s smile gradually faded as he sensed something amiss: the scandal at Prince Ruixiang’s mansion should have erupted during the ceremony.

If Feng Yuan had discovered that the bride had been switched, he would have been in chaos, being accused by the guests, and then frantically searching for Yan Xiaoying’s whereabouts inside and outside the Prince’s mansion like a headless fly.

How could Feng Yuan appear at the palace after the ceremony?

At this moment, Feng Yuan had already brought his newly wed Princess Consort before Duke Ding: “Duke Ding, I thought you would come to my mansion for a drink. Unexpectedly, we waited in vain.”

Duke Ding didn’t look at him, but instead stared intently at the pretty Princess Consort beside Feng Yuan.

Although she didn’t speak, when the lady looked directly at him with those meticulously painted eyes gleaming with cunning, Duke Ding instantly recognized that this was not the timid Feng Qiyuan!

What was going on? Had Yan Xiaoying escaped from the dungeon and returned to the Prince’s mansion for the wedding?

Xiaoying looked at the Duke with a smile and spoke lightly: “The Duke is too polite. Since he couldn’t personally come to drink at our wedding, didn’t he arrange for the Crown Prince to add to the festivities at our mansion? But it’s truly a pity that he missed all the excitement at the Prince’s mansion!”

Indeed, there had been a commotion at Prince Ruixiang’s mansion just now. Yao Shu had instigated the second branch of the Tang family—specifically, Tang Mingjiang’s legal mother—to cause trouble, claiming the bride’s feet were too large and didn’t look like those of a lady.

Then a maid made a mistake, “accidentally” falling and attempting to tear open the bride’s collar, but was blocked by Feng Yuan, who ordered someone to “take her away.”

At this point, Yao Shu decided to go all the way, personally stepping forward to tear the bride’s clothes, determined to expose the Adam’s apple hidden by the collar. Unexpectedly, the bride was formidable, actually raising her hand and personally slapping Yao Shu, then asking in a clear voice what she was making a fuss about.

Before the ceremony, Yao Shu had specifically circled to the bridal chamber and personally witnessed the former Crown Prince weeping as he was dressed in wedding attire, made up with rouge and powder, and then pushed onto the wedding carriage for the street procession.

So she was confident, pointing at the bride and asserting that she was not Lady Ying, but the former Crown Prince Feng Qiyuan!

Upon hearing this, the guests’ expressions drastically changed. It’s worth noting that after His Majesty issued the edict of deposition, the former Crown Prince’s fate had been uncertain, and he had never appeared in public again.

Many people were seeing the Prince’s Prepared Princess Consort for the first time. Although her face was beautiful and captivating, it did indeed resemble the Crown Prince!

People whispered among themselves, while the second branch of the Tang family, harboring old grudges against Feng Yuan, joined in the uproar, shouting about “heaven and earth forbidding such acts” and “treacherous intentions.”

In short, this farce only ended when the former Crown Prince appeared before everyone in simple, elegant robes, fanning himself.

At that moment, Yao Shu and the legal mother of the Tang family’s second branch seemed like chickens with their necks wrung, their eyes nearly popping out as they glanced between the elegant Crown Prince and the festive Prepared Princess Consort, momentarily bewildered.

The Crown Prince, who was rumored to have been suppressed, persecuted, and even humiliated by the Grand Prince, suddenly appeared with a relieved smile, congratulating the couple on their new marriage. How could this play continue?

Secret rumors in the capital had claimed that Prince Ruixiang was obsessed with power and had framed the Crown Prince, intending to replace him. But in reality, the brothers had a great relationship!

Even the Crown Prince, who had been claiming illness and avoiding people, had personally come to congratulate and add to his elder brother’s joy!

But his congratulatory words were somewhat strange. Rather than wishing his elder brother success in establishing a family, he shed emotional tears warning his elder brother that if he dared to mistreat the Princess Consort or be unfaithful, he would certainly not forgive him…

Meanwhile, the Prepared Princess Consort considerately took out a handkerchief to wipe the former Crown Prince’s tears.

For a moment, it was unclear which side the former Crown Prince was truly related to!

And the troublemakers like Yao Shu naturally faced no good outcome. Those groundless accusations were thoroughly condemned by the respectable ladies.

Shen Jing took advantage of the guests’ distraction to apprehend Yao Shu and the members of the Tang family’s second branch at the Prince’s mansion gate, sending them to the Imperial Court, awaiting the Prince’s decision after the wedding.

Though Duke Ding was unaware of these developments at Prince Ruixiang’s mansion, seeing Feng Yuan appear with Yan Xiaoying made him realize something was wrong.

However, thinking of the Sacred Robe Guards, he had already arranged to enter the palace, he regained his composure.

Looking around, almost all the ministers at the palace gate were under his control, and those key ministers he had ordered to be assassinated had not appeared.

Even if Yan Xiaoying had escaped and returned to the Prince’s mansion, what was done was done. Emperor Chunde was already dead in the ancestral temple, and this insignificant young couple couldn’t stop the coming transfer of power.

If Feng Yuan objected, he would order this wild horse to be captured immediately!

Though he thought this, Duke Ding’s hands were slowly tightening, that strange feeling of uncertainty about the chess game rising again…

Just then, someone came running in panic: “Terrible news! His Majesty has been attacked at the ancestral temple! His Majesty has been attacked!”

Upon hearing this, the palace gate immediately erupted into chaos. Duke Ding’s expression finally relaxed slightly, then he pretended to frown again.

The ministers displayed various reactions, some weeping profusely, kneeling and crying out for His Majesty!

Seeing everyone crying as if in deep mourning, Xiaoying raised an eyebrow and said, “Since His Majesty has been attacked, naturally, you should discuss rescue matters. Why are you crying so quickly? Are you certain His Majesty has already met with misfortune?”

Her light voice sounded somewhat jarring amidst the weeping.

Some people’s cries gradually subsided, feeling that they hadn’t managed their emotional display well, which appeared somewhat excessive.

Duke Ding walked to the messenger, leaned forward slightly, and asked urgently: “What is His Majesty’s current condition?”

“Young Master Mu was repairing the Mu family ancestral temple on Mount Xiao’an, so he happened to witness the disturbance at the ancestral temple. He led the Imperial Guards to fend off the assassins, and is now escorting His Majesty… back.”

This was exactly the plan Duke Ding had arranged for Mu Hanjiang. After he retrieved Emperor Chunde’s remains, he would produce the edict and proclaim it to all ministers!

When Mu Hanjiang escorted a carriage through the city gate, several guards lifted a stretcher from the carriage. Emperor Chunde lay rigidly on the stretcher, eyes tightly closed, his face deathly pale.

Judging by his appearance, he didn’t look like he was still breathing.

Immediately, the ministers’ lamentations rose again: “Your Majesty, this old minister cannot live on; let me follow you!”

“Which treacherous rebel harmed His Majesty? I will fight him to the death!”

At this moment, Mu Hanjiang said: “It was the Second Prince who colluded with rebels, intending to usurp power and seize the throne…”

Upon hearing this, another wave of curses erupted. Just then, the official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel said: “A nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day. His Majesty left no words or instructions, what should we do?”

Just then, another Chancellor Zhao, who was trusted by His Majesty, said: “When His Majesty deposed the former Crown Prince, he wrote a final edict as a precaution. That edict, witnessed by me and Duke Ding, was sealed behind the ‘Peace of Mind’ plaque hanging in His Majesty’s study. If we take it down, the identity of the new ruler will be self-evident!”

Hearing this, some ministers looked at each other in confusion and doubt, uncertain of the situation.

If His Majesty truly had such an edict, he would surely have informed all ministers. How could there be only two witnesses?

At this moment, those not involved in the plot could only listen in confusion, unable to discern the situation.

Meanwhile, the chess pieces in the game, according to their pre-arranged roles, began to wave flags and shout, calling for His Majesty’s remains to be properly arranged before immediately retrieving the edict.

Elder Teng had been silently listening and could no longer contain himself. He struggled to stand up, staggering as he shouted: “Nonsense! His Majesty has always prided himself on his health and avoided topics like final edicts! If such an edict truly existed, how could this old man not know of it? Where did you obtain this so-called edict to deceive the world?”

Since Feng Qiyuan’s deposition, Elder Teng had been sidelined by His Majesty, no longer managing affairs, and was soon to retire. Thus, Duke Ding’s assassination list hadn’t included such old fogeys.

After Elder Teng’s words, three or five more ministers stood up, stating that Elder Teng’s points were reasonable.

Duke Ding wasn’t surprised. Keeping people like Elder Teng around served a purpose. In such occasions, killing one or two people was necessary to make an example!

At his signal, the palace gates closed, and rows of Sacred Robe Guards filed in, surrounding the ministers, ready to seize anyone who dared to move!

Feng Yuan had been silently watching the drama from behind, and only now did he speak: “Duke Ding, how impressive your authority is! Even with me, the Crown Prince, still here, you’re already commanding troops in the imperial palace?”

Duke Ding smiled slightly, suddenly changing his expression: “Guards, seize the Grand Prince and his Princess Consort!”

Feng Yuan smiled: “Seize me and the Princess Consort? On what grounds?”

Duke Ding sneered: “Because your Princess Consort is a female bandit!”

But at that moment, Mu Hanjiang loudly declared: “Enough!”

After saying this, he bowed and knelt toward the stretcher: “Your Majesty, you have agreed to my request, please fulfill it!”

At these words, the previously motionless body on the stretcher suddenly moved. Emperor Chunde, who was supposed to have died, finally slowly sat up.

When he sat up, half of the people present felt their scalps tingle and their legs weaken, unable to rise from their kneeling positions.

What was going on? Wasn’t Emperor Chunde supposed to have been killed?

Duke Ding’s gaze shot like arrows, disbelieving, as he shifted his focus to Mu Hanjiang.

At this moment, he suddenly realized that he had fallen into a trap set by the poisonous insect he had raised himself!

It seemed that in the ancestral temple, Mu Hanjiang had been acting out a play; he had never killed Emperor Chunde at all!

Just then, Emperor Chunde coldly ordered: “Guards, seize all these ministers who were eager to mourn and receive the edict. Interrogate each one thoroughly!”

Even now, Duke Ding wasn’t willing to give up. If General Dong, whom Meng Shiba had notified, arrived with his men, along with the Sacred Robe Guards, he would still have hope of turning defeat into victory.

Thinking of this, he suddenly lunged toward Emperor Chunde, intending to restrain him and gain an opportunity to escape the palace.

But someone moved faster than him. Xiaoying and Feng Yuan acted together, quickly blocking Duke Ding’s attack.

Then people witnessed the supposedly frail Duke Ding pulling out a dagger from somewhere on his person, leaping and dodging with extraordinarily agile movements.

During the fight, Duke Ding’s short blade sliced through Feng Yuan’s red wedding attire.

Beneath the wedding clothes was yet another red garment… but the color…

When the ministers saw clearly that Feng Yuan was wearing a blood-stained inner garment, they couldn’t help but gasp, suspecting the Prince had been wounded.

Feng Yuan felt he had done enough work for the day. After finally kicking Duke Ding away, he pulled Xiaoying close and said coldly, “Stop your futile hopes. Your men on Mount Xiao’an have already been completely slaughtered by me and Xiaoying!”

While other grooms might only need to be excitedly sleepless the night before their wedding, Feng Yuan had truly not slept a wink. Instead, he had led his future Princess Consort to secretly infiltrate Mount Xiao’an. When they were firing arrows at the ancestral temple, he suddenly ambushed them, turning the mountain into a bloodbath.

His clothes had been soaked in blood at that time, and not just his—Xiaoying’s as well.

After clearing Mount Xiao’an, they galloped back to the capital without pause.

During the wedding procession, Xiaoying quickly subdued the maids and old women escorting the carriage, switched clothes with her brother, only changing the outer garments, as there was no time to change the blood-stained inner clothes.

Feng Yuan did the same, hurrying back to the mansion, only having time to wash his face before changing into his wedding attire and greeting the guests.

The wedding guests had suffered, as when the newlyweds came to toast them, along with the fragrance of wine, there was always a butcher-like bloody smell, making them suspect there might be blood sausage among the dishes, with such a strong odor!

Little did they know that the smiling newlyweds before them were a pair of blood-soaked warrior king and queen who had spent the entire night killing.

Feng Yuan had said that on his hard-won wedding day, no matter which bastard rebelled, it wouldn’t delay his time with Xiaoying.

So even though Xiaoying was exhausted to death, he insisted on pulling her onto a horse, galloping back, and completing the ceremony!

As for confronting that bastard Duke Ding while simultaneously rescuing Emperor Chunde and earning his favor, that task was naturally left to Mu Hanjiang.

In Feng Yuan’s words, he would rather face a mountain of villains and battle fiercely for a night than face two disgusting hypocrites and put on an act of false filial piety.

He had no expectations for Emperor Chunde and was too lazy to be a considerate, filial son.

But Mu Hanjiang needed it. Though the Mu family had few good people, Yanyan shouldn’t be implicated. She needed a proper path, avoiding association with that scoundrel Duke Ding.

This was what Feng Yuan had told Mu Hanjiang to encourage him when he was dejected at Prince Ruixiang’s mansion.

Besides Mu Hanjiang, there were no real men in the Mu family. If he remained so dejected, what would be his sister’s fate?

Could Mu Yanyan have the resilience to survive desperate situations like Yan Xiaoying?

Duke Ding looked around and suddenly realized that these so-called Sacred Robe Guards seemed to have been replaced.

“Meng Shiba…” Duke Ding suddenly realized something, his eyes wide as he called out softly.

Xiaoying replied languidly: “Don’t bother calling. Your loyal servant, Meng Shiba, was pierced through the heart by my blade long ago!”