HomeTao Hua Ying Jiang ShanChapter 152: A Change of Dynasty?

Chapter 152: A Change of Dynasty?

From what he had observed of Wuxia recently, the child was pure-hearted, worldly-wise but not worldly-weary, a righteous and good child. Even if he couldn’t be emperor, he would make a fine prince who cared for the country and its people.

Consort Lan pouted coquettishly, about to say something more when suddenly, a maid’s scream pierced the air outside.

The blood-curdling shriek cut through the night, chilling everyone to the bone. Both the Emperor and Consort Lan were startled. The low growl of beasts could be heard outside, along with the sound of teeth gnashing, but there was only one scream before silence fell.

“Liuxiang?” Consort Lan called out tentatively, but there was no response from outside.

“What’s going on?” The Emperor frowned, standing up and supporting Consort Lan as he walked towards the door. “Where’s the Captain of the Imperial Guard? Gao De? What’s happening?”

As the hall doors opened, the stench of blood wafted in. Lan Zhilan gasped, seeing the maid’s corpse on the ground and the three blood-mouthed snow wolves. She immediately screamed and fainted.

“Lan’er!” The Emperor was also frightened. He instinctively slammed the door shut and shouted, “Guards! Guards!”

His voice echoed throughout Zhilan Palace, but no one came to their rescue. The snow wolves suddenly began ramming the door, causing the massive palace gates to shake like sieves.

Trembling, the Emperor secured the door bolt and collapsed to the floor. He crawled to close the windows as well, then said angrily, “How did these well-confined beasts get released? Where’s Qin Sheng? Isn’t he the best at training wolves? Where is everyone?”

“This official is here,” Qin Sheng’s calm voice sounded from outside the window.

Emperor Mingde was startled. He quickly rushed to open the window and looked at him, saying, “Official, have you come to save us? Quickly, send someone over. The Consort has fainted!”

Qin Sheng looked at him calmly, smiling slightly. “This official is only responsible for bringing the wolves, not for taking them away. Your Majesty has been Emperor for over twenty years. Perhaps it’s time to let someone else sit on the throne?”

The Emperor’s heart sank as he looked at Qin Sheng in disbelief. His mind went blank, and it took a while before he understood the meaning behind those words.

If he died, the throne would pass to the Crown Prince.

“He… he dares to do this!” Emperor Mingde was shocked. “Such a good child, how could he become so unfilial, unwilling to wait even ten years?”

“A person’s life is only a few decades,” Qin Sheng smiled. “Your Majesty has been too harsh on the Crown Prince.”

A snow wolf silently approached Qin Sheng. Taking advantage of the Emperor’s distraction, it leaped towards the window with its bloody maw wide open!

“Ah!” The Emperor cried out in alarm, quickly slamming the window shut and bracing it with his body. With trembling hands, he managed to secure the window latch.

“You traitors!” Shaking with anger, the Emperor raged, “This is rebellion! Absolute rebellion!”

“Your Majesty still has a choice,” Qin Sheng said through the window. “If you’re willing to open the door and let the wolves in quickly, this official guarantees a swift, fatal bite. If you insist on struggling, don’t blame the wolves for being merciless later.”

For the first time, the fear of death loomed so close. The mighty Emperor, without his usual support, found himself helplessly trapped in this palace chamber! Emperor Mingde was furious, distressed, and terrified. After pacing around the hall a few times, he carried Consort Lan to the bed and lay down beside her.

“I will leave an imperial edict,” the Emperor said, showing some strategy now that he had calmed down. “You think the throne will go to the Crown Prince after my death? Dream on! I will tell all the officials that I no longer recognize Mu Wuyin as Crown Prince!”

Qin Sheng was taken aback. He pursed his lips and said, “Your Majesty, why go to such lengths? Once you’re dead, if your corpse could speak, this official would ensure nothing remains of your body. Why should a great emperor meet such an undignified end?”

“I won’t let you succeed!” Gritting his teeth, the Emperor pulled the dragon hairpin from his head and began shakily carving words on the wall. “You treasonous rebels will meet a terrible end!”

Qin Sheng said no more, but the three wolves continued ramming the doors and windows. Over the next quarter hour, the Emperor finished carving his last edict with trembling hands. After concealing it behind the bed curtains, he let out a long sigh.

It was his failure in judging character that he hadn’t seen through Mu Wuyin’s wolfish ambition. He even believed the prince would be filial to him when he was willing to maim his brother. He should have dealt with him earlier and should have appointed a different prince as heir…

It was too late for regrets now. His lifetime of achievements might all be devoured in the bellies of these wolves.

Coughing up blood, the Emperor calmly lay back on the bed, holding Consort Lan, quietly waiting for the moment when the door would finally give way.

However, just as the palace gates were about to collapse, an urgent cry came from outside: “Father!”

The young, clear voice instantly pulled Emperor Mingde back from the brink of despair. His pupils constricted as he scrambled towards the door. Through the cracks in the broken palace gate, he saw Mu Wuxia rushing in with reinforcements.

The prince, whom he had always seen as a child, now wielded the sword of the Southern Palace Guard. With one strike, he slashed at a snow wolf’s eye. As the wolf howled, imperial guards swarmed in, swiftly killing all three wolves with arrows.

“Father!” Mu Wuxia anxiously kicked open the hall doors and supported the swaying Emperor. “Are you alright?”

“…” Emperor Mingde couldn’t speak. He could only clutch Wuxia’s arm tightly, shaking his head with reddened eyes.

“Summon the imperial physicians immediately,” Mu Wuxia commanded angrily. “Why were all the guards removed from Zhilan Palace in the middle of the night?”

Pulling him to sit nearby, the Emperor finally found his voice: “The Crown Prince is attempting to usurp the throne.”

“What?” Mu Wuxia frowned, then after a moment’s thought, cursed through gritted teeth, “That liar!”

Shen Zaiye had deceived him again! He claimed he wouldn’t help the Crown Prince, but without his assistance, how could the palace guards have been so easily reassigned? And how could Qin Sheng be taking orders from the Crown Prince?

The Emperor interpreted these words as criticism of the Crown Prince. Slowly catching his breath, he turned to Nan Gongyuan and asked, “Where did the guards go?”

The Captain of the Southern Palace Guard immediately knelt and said, “Your servant received a false imperial edict today, ordering the men to guard the Empress’s palace. We only just managed to come to Your Majesty’s rescue. I have failed in my duty!”

False edict? The Emperor laughed bitterly, his hand repeatedly striking the nearby low table. “What a capable Crown Prince indeed! I entrusted him with the imperial seal, and this is how he repays me!”

“Father,” Mu Wuxia frowned, “You must issue an edict immediately to summon troops to protect the palace. Knowing that person’s nature, if one plot fails, another will surely follow. You must act quickly!”

“Very well,” Emperor Mingde nodded, then turned to Nan Gongyuan and ordered, “Immediately mobilize all imperial guards to protect me. Also, deploy three thousand men from the Imperial Army to enter the palace and arrest the Crown Prince!”

(End of Chapter)

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