Wei Wuxie stared at the Head Eunuch Liu Chun, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He had been too soft-hearted, considering that Liu Chun had served the Emperor for many years and had been relatively honest in his position as Inner Minister, so he had hesitated to make a move.

Who would have thought this man was a lurking venomous snake, striking out to bite him viciously at the most critical moment?

Now that things had come to this, there was no possibility of a peaceful resolution.

Liu Chun likewise gazed back at Wei Wuxie, gently curving his lips into a mocking smile.

“Your Highness, please!” Liu Chun withdrew his gaze, stepped aside, and gestured to Prince Mu with his hand.

Prince Mu’s face showed delight as he called out loudly: “Gentlemen, what are you waiting for? Follow this prince into the palace to rescue the Emperor!”

The words “rescue the Emperor” were earth-shattering, and in such circumstances, quite a few ministers couldn’t help but step forward involuntarily.

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Wei Wuxie knew it was too late for verbal sparring. Making a decisive choice, he stepped back and shouted: “Close the gates!”

Before anyone could react, the palace gates were swiftly shut by the palace attendants who had been waiting there, making a heavy, dull sound.

Head Eunuch Liu Chun shouted, “Commander Jiang, when will your Jinlin Guards assist us in rescuing the Emperor if not now?”

A smile flashed in Jiang Yuanchao’s eyes as he coldly commanded: “Open the palace gates!”

Things were indeed developing according to his predictions. He just didn’t know who would emerge victorious when the Jinlin Guards faced off against the Inner Drill Army composed of eunuchs.

The Jinlin Guards and the Eastern Depot had always been rivals, and the Eastern Depot was certainly not merely a civilian organization.

Under Wei Wuxie’s leadership, the Eastern Depot had formed the Inner Drill Army. Though small in number, they were elite troops.

Now with the Inner Drill Army facing the numerous Jinlin Guards, one inside the palace gates and one outside, with the advantage of defense over offense, it was still difficult to predict who would win or lose, but a prolonged battle was inevitable.

After Jiang Yuanchao gave the order, the Jinlin Guards quickly surrounded the area and began attacking the palace gates.

The Inner Drill Army used ladders to peer over the palace walls, drawing their bows and shooting mercilessly at the Jinlin Guards before the palace gates.

Jiang Yuanchao raised his hand and shouted: “Archers, prepare!”

The Jinlin Guards standing on the perimeter all raised their bows and arrows. In a coordinated volley, arrows flew like meteors toward the palace walls, and soon, continuous screams could be heard.

Meanwhile, the Jinlin Guards before the palace gates also began falling one by one. Soon, the smell of blood permeated the air, causing some weak-constituted ministers to pale and feel nauseous upon smelling it.

Prince Mu watched all this with an excited smile on his lips. He lowered his head to summon a trusted aide, whispered a few instructions, and the aide nodded before quietly departing.

Seeing the battle between both sides growing increasingly fierce, the ministers moved fearfully to a corner and began whispering among themselves.

“Today’s affair certainly cannot end peacefully. Who would have thought that a summer retreat could lead to such events?”

“On one side is the Head Eunuch, on the other the Eastern Depot Commander, plus the Jinlin Guards—the situation is becoming more and more chaotic.”

One minister lowered his voice: “Why hasn’t Prince Rui appeared at this time?”

Just as he spoke, Prince Rui arrived hurriedly, followed by the Golden Guards Commander Wang Haitao.

Upon seeing the scene before him, Prince Rui, despite being out of breath, shouted: “Sixth Brother, are you trying to rebel?”

Seeing Prince Rui’s arrival, Prince Mu became even more excited, laughing loudly: “Fifth Brother, look what this is!”

Prince Mu waved the “imperial edict” in front of Prince Rui’s eyes.

Prince Rui’s eyes narrowed, then he sneered coldly: “Nothing but a fake imperial edict you’ve concocted to force the palace and usurp the throne. Why should this prince dirty his eyes looking at such a thing?”

“Fifth Brother, I see you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin!”

Prince Rui retorted: “Sixth Brother, I think you’re the one who’s desperate and harboring evil intentions!”

At this point, Prince Rui raised his voice: “Commander Wang, quickly assist Factory Duke and the others to capture these rebellious traitors!”

The Golden Guards Commander Wang Haitao, who followed Prince Rui, was the elder brother of Prince Rui’s deceased princess consort. Naturally, he stood firmly on Prince Rui’s side at this moment. Hearing Prince Rui’s words, he immediately shouted: “Yes!”

Just then, countless more footsteps could be heard approaching.

Everyone looked toward the sound to see a fully armed team wearing Feathered Forest Guards uniforms rushing over.

The Feathered Forest Guards arrived before everyone, like the wind. Their commander, Wan Dongyang, cupped his fists toward Prince Mu: “This humble minister heard that His Majesty was harmed by treacherous villains and has come to rescue the Emperor!”

Prince Mu pointed at Golden Guards Commander Wang Haitao: “Commander Wan, quickly capture this rebellious minister who defies authority for this prince!”

“Yes!” Wan Dongyang turned to look at Wang Haitao, showing a cold smile, then waved his hand: “Brothers, charge! Capture the rebellious traitors and save His Majesty!”

Wang Haitao naturally wouldn’t let the other side gain verbal advantage, immediately responding: “Everyone, attack! Eliminate these rebels who force the palace and usurp the throne!”

Soon, both sides were engaged in fierce combat.

For Emperor Mingkang’s hastily arranged journey, only three major guard units accompanied him: the Jinlin Guards, Golden Guards, and Feathered Forest Guards.

Of course, the Golden Guards and Feathered Forest Guards were further divided into left, right, front, and rear units, which need not be detailed here.

Now, all three major guard units plus the Inner Drill Army under the Eastern Depot’s command were all engaged in fierce battle, with fighting too intense to describe in words.

Time slowly passed amid such brutal combat, when suddenly a stray arrow happened to pierce the heart of the Vice Minister of Rites. The Vice Minister screamed and fell, caught by someone nearby with quick reflexes.

“Minister Lu, how are you?” Those around him gathered and asked anxiously.

Vice Minister Lu’s lips trembled, but before he could say a single word, his eyes widened, and he passed away suddenly.

“Minister Lu!”

The accidental, tragic death of the Vice Minister of Rites quickly caused great panic among the officials.

Xu Mingda made a decisive decision and shouted: “Swords and arrows have no eyes! Gentlemen, follow me to take shelter over there!”

Soon, the officials, led by Chief Minister Xu, retreated like a tide and stood at a moderate distance to observe the battle situation.

The sky gradually darkened, but the slaughter continued, and the smell of blood grew ever stronger.

Civil and military officials all gathered together, their expressions growing increasingly grave.

If this slaughter continued, even when a victor finally emerged, it would certainly be with rivers of blood.

At this moment, they couldn’t even say clearly which side they hoped would win.

“Where is the Marquis Guanjun?” As the atmosphere grew more tense, someone brought him up.

With such a great commotion, most of the noble officials who had come for the summer retreat were already here observing, yet there was no sign of the Marquis Guanjun.

“The Marquis Guanjun is the truly wise one. Now with both sides fighting so fiercely, both being dragon sons, which side should the Marquis Guanjun help if he came?”

All the officials fell silent.

Regardless of which side their hearts favored, they couldn’t reveal it before a victor was determined.

“Factory Duke, we can’t hold out much longer!” A palace attendant wiped blood splattered on his face and shouted urgently.

Wei Wuxie looked back at the brightly lit palace buildings, his face alternating between light and shadow. He summoned a trusted aide: “Slip out the back and seek an audience with the Marquis Guanjun. Request that he bring the Marquis’s wife here!”