Nanmen Ding had not thought his own younger sister would strike so ruthlessly. By the time he reacted, though he had blocked the blow, the inner force had still damaged his heart meridian.

With a muffled sound, Nanmen Ding spat out a mouthful of fresh blood — testament enough to how heavy Nanmen Rong’s strike had been.

“You…”

“Those who obstruct me — die!” Nanmen Rong had no intention of holding back. One palm had injured Nanmen Ding; a second was already on its way.

Nanmen Ding roared: “Someone come!”

With two swift sounds, two shadow guards leapt out and immediately engaged Nanmen Rong in combat.

Nanmen Ye was so furious he nearly rose from his wheelchair — except that he had absolutely no ability to do so. “Who dares… who dares harm my Rong’er — who dares… cough, cough…”

“Father! I am your son too — she struck first and injured me!”

Nanmen Ding heard that and was instantly incensed beyond measure. In his father’s heart, there had always only been this daughter. He himself was the eldest son of the direct line, and yet he could not even match a daughter in his father’s regard!

Though it was true that Nanmen Rong had done quite a number of things in the past that had helped consolidate the Nanmen clan’s standing, just look at the state of her now — she was no better than a complete madwoman. What possible good was it to keep a woman like this around?

And yet his father still cherished her as though she were a priceless treasure — had he never stopped to consider that no matter how capable a daughter was, she would ultimately not remain a part of the Nanmen family?

The two shadow guards had long served close by Nanmen Ding’s side, and their skill went without saying. Added to the fact that Nanmen Rong had been held in prison for several days and had not rested properly since her release — her strength was far diminished.

Before long, coping against the two of them grew beyond her capacity.

Nanmen Ding spotted his opportunity, suddenly stepped forward, and drove his palm straight at Nanmen Rong.

Nanmen Rong had nowhere to retreat. With a thud, she took the full force of his blow, was knocked to the ground, and blood spilled from her lips.

The two shadow guards surged forward and pinned her down. From that point on, Nanmen Rong could resist no further.

“Father, save me!” With things having come to this, powerless to fight back, Nanmen Rong could only plead with Nanmen Ye.

But then Nanmen Ye, overwhelmed by fury and anguish, suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.

“Father!” Nanmen Ding still had some conscience in him — he immediately went over to support him, and was just about to call for a physician when the family steward came bursting in.

The old steward had originally come to report to Nanmen Ye, but upon entering, he found Nanmen Ye had collapsed in a faint, Nanmen Rong was being held captive, and by all appearances, General Nanmen Ding had taken complete control of the situation.

The old steward was a shrewd and perceptive man. He immediately addressed Nanmen Ding: “General, the Imperial Edict has arrived.”

……The Chief Eunuch had come, and outside were several hundred palace guards.

The Chief Eunuch carried the Imperial Edict inside and declared that Nanmen Rong had, over the course of many years, repeatedly poisoned the Imperial bloodline — a grievous crime. The order was now given to confiscate and seal the Nanmen Manor entirely.

Upon hearing the words “confiscate the clan,” Nanmen Ding rose to his feet and refused to receive the edict: “Chief Eunuch, the Nanmen clan has been absolutely loyal to His Majesty. It was our Nanmen brothers who shed blood and gave their lives in the service of the late Emperor to secure the stability of this realm. And now, His Majesty intends to confiscate our clan without so much as a single hearing or inquiry?”

The Chief Eunuch seemed to have already anticipated this reaction. He showed no anger, but stepped forward two paces and lowered his voice: “General, might we speak somewhere more private?”

Nanmen Ding’s sword-straight brows drew together. He was not certain what the Chief Eunuch meant by this, but right now, with both sides locked in a standoff and any continuation of the conflict amounting to outright rebellion, there was nothing to be done.

To say nothing of the former Nanmen clan, which even with such vast military power in its grasp had not dared act rashly — now, with their military strength already stripped of nearly half, launching a rebellion at this moment — where would any path to survival come from?

Furthermore, the Nanmen clan’s main military force was essentially concentrated in Jinliang City. If they were to rebel now, it would truly be distant water unable to quench a nearby fire.

In short, with no preparation whatsoever, rebellion was absolutely out of the question. The only option was to retreat back to Jinliang City and reassess.

So whatever it was the Chief Eunuch had to say, best hear him out first.

“Chief Eunuch — please, this way.” Nanmen Ding ignored Nanmen Rong’s glare of hatred and led the Chief Eunuch into a side hall.

The moment they stepped inside, the Chief Eunuch had people stand guard outside, forbidding anyone to come near.

Seeing this, Nanmen Ding also had his own people stand outside — not only those on the Chief Eunuch’s side must not eavesdrop, but neither should anyone from the Nanmen clan.

“Chief Eunuch, speak plainly.” Nanmen Ding’s manner was not particularly cordial. The Chief Eunuch had arrived bearing an edict of confiscation — yet strangely, that edict had only been shown to Nanmen Ding in private, and had not been read aloud publicly.

Did Emperor Qiwen have some other intention?

“General, His Majesty’s regard for the General and the young lords is naturally one of deep affection and care. Otherwise, how would this confiscation see this old servant arrive with only a few hundred men?”

The Chief Eunuch was direct and had no desire to beat around the bush. He composed his expression before continuing: “Previously, Noble Consort Rong spoke recklessly, claiming that the Duke had already made full preparations to overthrow His Majesty… General, is this something you were aware of?”

“Chief Eunuch, that is an entirely fabricated charge. Father is absolutely loyal to His Majesty — how could he harbor any intention of treason?”

Though he said as much, Nanmen Ding’s attitude was still far from deferential, and he showed not the slightest sign of guilt or humility.

At worst, they would force their way out of the Imperial City and fall back to defend Jinliang City. Still, he did have his reservations. If they retreated to Jinliang City and Emperor Qiwen joined forces with the Ninth Prince to attack, a few cities alone might not hold out very long.

So if open conflict could be avoided, it was best avoided — but if Emperor Qiwen pushed them too far, he was not afraid to fight.

The Chief Eunuch said quietly: “General, whatever the Duke and Noble Consort Rong discussed in private — His Majesty believes that given the Duke’s partiality toward Noble Consort Rong, there are many things that even the General may not necessarily have been privy to.”

These words instantly stirred the fury that had long been building in Nanmen Ding.

It was true that his father favored Nanmen Rong — that was plain for anyone to see.

He himself was the eldest son, the legitimate heir at that — yet his standing had always fallen short of Nanmen Rong’s.

All these years, Nanmen Rong had had the final word at the Nanmen Manor and Father had never once objected. When he, the elder brother, so much as offered a differing opinion, he would be rebuked by their father.

Having been suppressed by Nanmen Rong for so many years, he had long been dissatisfied.

But now the Chief Eunuch was openly pointing this out to his face — what exactly was his meaning? “Chief Eunuch, what does His Majesty… truly intend to do?”

“To speak plainly, the Ninth Prince has only just returned to court, and His Majesty… finds himself somewhat powerless in many matters at the moment. At a time like this, unless absolutely forced to, His Majesty has no desire to see further unrest.”

Nanmen Ding narrowed his eyes and stared at him. Why did those words sound as though they carried a hidden suggestion?

The Chief Eunuch continued: “His Majesty’s meaning is — if at this juncture the Nanmen clan were to change hands, and a legitimate heir were to take command, one who is utterly loyal to His Majesty, then His Majesty would certainly lend that person his full support.”