Below the city tower, at the main gate of Chengtian Gate, were unarmed common people.

Prince Chengguo, meanwhile, sat on a tall horse at the rear with his advisors and private army.

A civil official stood on a horse-drawn carriage and loudly proclaimed: “Prince Chengguo cares for the people, benevolent and compassionate, the legitimate heir of the imperial family. Prince Chengguo is favored by Heaven’s mandate and is the true master of this realm! We request that you quickly open the city gates and welcome the new emperor’s ascension!”

Two hundred thousand common people shouted in unison.

“Prince Chengguo is favored by Heaven’s mandate!”

“Open the city gates! Welcome the new emperor’s ascension!”

“Open the city gates! Welcome the new emperor’s ascension!”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The city gates resounded thunderously from the ramming.

Yun Chu stood above, her brows and eyes heavy with concern.

Prince Chengguo had learned that the court was distributing porridge and antidotes, so he became anxious and laid his intentions bare.

If these city gates were truly breached, the capital would inevitably descend into chaos.

She coldly ordered: “Archers, prepare!”

Immediately, over a hundred archers appeared atop the wall, drawing their bows, waiting only for the command to strike.

Before the arrows could be released, someone below began leading the shouting.

“They’re killing people! They’re killing people! The current emperor and empress dowager are killing people!”

“The current emperor treats human life with contempt, unfit to be emperor. Only Prince Chengguo is the true son of Heaven!”

“Dog emperor, step down immediately!”

“The dog emperor doesn’t deserve that position!”

“…”

Chu Hongyu was so angry his nose went crooked as he furiously shouted: “Shoot! Shoot the arrows!”

Yun Chu made a gesture.

The archers released their strings one after another, sharp arrows shooting downward, landing at the feet of the crowd without actually harming anyone’s life.

The common people ramming the city gate had never seen such a display and were frightened into dropping their battering ram and fleeing…

The civil official at the rear loudly proclaimed: “You are establishing principles for Heaven and Earth, establishing destiny for the people… If you want a benevolent ruler, if you want a prosperous age, in all the realm today, who else but us?”

Upon hearing these words, the common people seemed to be infused with strength, turning back once more and picking up the large round battering ram.

Prince Chengguo nodded continuously, saying to the person beside him: “Shi’an, you still have the best methods, using the simplest medicine in the world to control two hundred thousand people.”

Xie Shi’an smiled slightly.

In this world, the most foolish were the masses. He created the plague to cause trouble, took the opportunity to introduce the Heavenly Maiden and the sweet dew, and these ignorant people believed it.

Countless people surged forward, willingly drinking the sweet dew laced with medicinal powder, and then became his tools.

Over two hundred thousand people were enough to break through the city gates, flood into the capital, and overthrow the dynasty.

Xie Shi’an raised his head, able to see from afar the woman standing on the city wall. She wore dark-colored clothing that wasn’t very clear, but the empress dowager’s crown on her head was made of pure gold, shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

Back then, it was he who had hidden the voodoo doll in Prince Gongxi’s manor, causing Prince Gongxi to fall from grace, never able to rise again.

He had thought that after Prince Gongxi’s downfall, Yun Chu, who was then Princess Pingxi, would arrange for someone to find him, making him an advisor to Prince Pingxi’s manor. Even if he couldn’t become an advisor, she should have arranged a bright future for him.

But no.

Yun Chu never arranged for anyone to find him.

He had offered up his sincere heart. For her sake, he had betrayed Prince Gongxi, helped her become the crown princess, and then the empress dowager…

But she had long forgotten that there was once a child who sincerely called her mother.

He had no path left, and could only seek refuge with Prince Chengguo, instigating Prince Chengguo to rebel, walking from Ningzhou all the way to the capital, standing in opposition to her.

Although they were in opposition, they stood at the same level. At this moment, he and she were equals.

From the time she left the Xie family until now, over three years had passed. He had devoted all his efforts and finally waited for this day.

From afar, Yun Chu sensed a gaze upon her.

Even from a distance, she knew this person was Xie Shi’an.

She called out loudly: “Prince Chengguo, stop hiding behind innocent common people and come forward for a discussion.”

Her voice reached the ears of those in front, who passed it backward, level by level, until it reached Prince Chengguo.

Prince Chengguo turned his head: “Shi’an, should I go?”

“With so many common people watching, the court won’t dare make a move. Moreover, we also have human shields.” After pondering for a moment, Xie Shi’an said, “Let’s go, to below the city tower.”

Several thousand private soldiers surrounded them, while hundreds of children formed a line in front, becoming perfect shields.

“Shameless!” Chu Hongyu clenched his fists. “Such a beast who treats human life with contempt also wants to be emperor—dream on!”

“Ha!” Prince Chengguo sat on his tall horse, calmly opening his mouth. “It’s not that I want to be emperor, but rather that these common people are strongly supporting me to take that position. I too am compelled by circumstances.”

“An idiot like you is also worthy of that position!” Chu Hongyu shouted loudly. “Do you know that the reason you’re missing an ear is because this person beside you called Xie Shi’an, in order to curry favor with Prince Gongxi Chu Mo, used your ear to pledge allegiance! Yet you actually promoted someone who harmed you to this extent!”

Prince Chengguo was completely stunned.

When his ear was cut off back then, after investigating for a long time, they finally said it was the fifth prince who did it.

How could it actually be…

“Your Highness, he’s sowing discord.” Xie Shi’an’s expression remained composed. “If I had truly done such a thing, it would be impossible for me to seek refuge with Your Highness again.”

Prince Chengguo thought about it and agreed, turning to look at Chu Hongyu with a cold laugh: “Is this all you’ve got? Whatever other tricks you have, bring them all out.”

Chu Hongyu was so angry he was fuming.

Yun Chu pressed down on his hand, signaling him to restrain his emotions.

She raised her hand in a gesture, and immediately, Dowager Consort Yuan and the Yuan family members were all brought up to the city tower.

“Prince Chengguo, you’ve been bewitched by treacherous people. This dowager doesn’t blame you. You still have a path back.” Yun Chu spoke calmly. “If you let the common people leave now, I will release Dowager Consort Yuan and the Yuan family members, allow your family to reunite, and let you be a carefree prince. But if you insist on coveting what doesn’t belong to you, then—”

She said this much and stopped, but everyone present understood what she meant.

“Your Highness, stop being so obstinate!” Minister Yuan cried out. “Quickly tell the empress dowager you were wrong, that you were bewitched, and the empress dowager will surely give you another chance! Your Highness, turn back from the brink!”

Other Yuan family members also urged him one after another.

Prince Chengguo gripped the reins tightly. His gaze fell on Dowager Consort Yuan.

He saw Dowager Consort Yuan shaking her head at him. He understood—this was telling him to admit his mistake and beg for mercy…

“Your Highness!” Xie Shi’an’s voice was extremely stern. “Your Highness has finally made it to the capital, only one step away from that position. If you give up now, you’ll become fish and meat, to be slaughtered at will! Your Highness, please reconsider!”

A group of advisors beside him also urged: “That’s right, Your Highness. We’ve come so far with great difficulty. We cannot abandon this great undertaking because of a bit of personal feeling…”

Prince Chengguo roared angrily: “What do you mean ‘a bit of personal feeling’? That’s my mother consort, my birth mother who gave birth to me and raised me!”

Xie Shi’an gripped his shoulder firmly: “Your Highness is confused! Do you think that surrendering now means the empress dowager will spare you? You’ve committed such heinous treasonous acts and still want to live—is that possible?”