Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 393 Bloodbath and Tremendous Change

"Your Highness, this, this is..."

The person who arrived was none other than Zheng Duo, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, whom Li Yan had invited as an assistant.

He followed closely behind the blustering but cowardly Li Yan, and was momentarily stunned by the horrific scene of flying flesh and blood and flashing swords.

"Who is friend, who is foe... How did things get so chaotic? Which side should we help..."

Li Yan was also somewhat confused.

Didn't the Empress Dowager send him with men to escort her and search for the imperial edict?
Why did the Xiao family's men start fighting with the guards of the Eastern Palace?
Oh, right. Second brother...

He recalled Empress Dowager Chengqing's words, "We must obtain the imperial edict before Prince Duan," and suddenly everything became clear to him...

Without saying a word, he angrily gave the order.

"The two rebel groups are fighting outside the Zichen Palace. Neither of them are benevolent. Commander Zheng, there's no need to be polite. Charge in and protect the Emperor!"

"Yes." Although Zheng Duo had doubts, he dared not disobey the Empress Dowager's decree, and led his men forward with his sword drawn.

The two sides were locked in fierce battle when a surprise attack suddenly appeared.

Not only was Chen Tu caught off guard, but Xiao Wenyuan was also filled with shock and anger.

He looked at the Imperial Guards who had suddenly rushed up and at Li Yan, who was beaming with excitement, and shouted at them.

"Why is Your Highness Prince Wei causing trouble at this time? Can't you tell friend from foe?"

Li Yan said coldly, "Who's going to distinguish between friend and foe with you? Your Xiao family has trespassed into the Forbidden City, making you traitors and rebels, deserving of death by everyone!"

Xiao Wenyuan did not expect that the King of Wei would interfere and disrupt his plans.

Tu Cheng, who was beside him, sensed that something was wrong and whispered.

"My lord, we cannot wait any longer. The Imperial Guards have arrived. Continuing this stalemate will be disadvantageous for us..."

"Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back." Xiao Wenyuan sneered, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. "Tonight's battle will either bring glory and fame, or it will be your death... Issue the order: success or failure hinges on this one battle. Charge into the Zichen Palace at all costs. Whoever obtains the decree to depose the crown prince will be rewarded with ten thousand gold pieces and granted the title of king!"
-
"Miss, this way!" A young eunuch led Xue Sui and the others through the artificial hill, avoiding the fighting crowd.

The shouts of battle were deafening, and the stench of blood filled the night air.

However, Xue Sui stopped.

She looked up and swept her gaze across the firelight in mid-air, then gestured to the wolf guard centurion behind her.

The crowd crouched down and watched her in silence.

Xue Sui said in a low voice, "Conceal your tracks, wait for the right opportunity, do you know what to do?"

The centurion looked puzzled. "Please enlighten me, young lady..."

Xue Sui said, "Create chaos, scatter the rebels, and help the Crown Prince stabilize the Zichen Palace... Remember, we are here to quell the rebellion and protect the Emperor on the orders of the Empress Dowager, the Prince of Wei, and the Prince of Duan. Serve whichever one you like, and make them fight like dogs... Be sure to act cleanly and decisively, leaving no trace."

"Order!"

The centurion responded in a low voice and gave instructions with hand gestures.

The wolf guards split into several groups, moving swiftly and nimbly, coordinating perfectly, without making a single unnecessary sound...

Xue Sui watched their figures disappear into the night, quite satisfied.

As expected of the elite wolf guards of the Xiz Royal Court, their skills are indeed impressive. No wonder they were able to come and go freely in the capital, causing the Liang court so much trouble...

The three factions—the Crown Prince's faction, Xiao's faction, and the Wei King's faction—were all bloodthirsty in their fighting.

No one expected that a group of people were sneaking in and infiltrating the chaotic army.

As one of the Xiao family's assassins turned around, a cold blade sliced ​​across his neck.

Another wolf guard, like a raccoon, approached the Imperial Guard captain beside Li Yan. With a flash of his blade, a line of blood appeared on the captain's throat, and he collapsed to the ground.

Even more wolf guards were mixed in with the crowd rushing towards the palace gates, seemingly attacking the Crown Prince's personal guards, but actually cunningly slashing at the waist and abdomen of the Xiao family's assassins...

"There's...there's an assassin?"

"Don't move...it's one of our own..."

"Where did these 'our own people' come from? Damn it, someone's killing our own people!"

"The Empress Dowager has decreed that the traitors be purged! Kill them without mercy!"

"His Highness Prince Duan said that anyone who enters the palace to protect him will be promoted three ranks..."

"The King of Wei has ordered the capture of the Zichen Palace and the conferment of the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households..." Panic and cries rose and fell.

Fear spreads like a plague among people.

The already chaotic battlefield was filled with fear and suspicion among everyone, leading to haphazard attacks and even infighting...

Xue Sui watched coldly.

The silence in front of the Zichen Palace was torn apart, turning it into a living hell.

In the shadows on one side of the steps, Li Huan's back was pressed against the dragon pillar, his face solemn and pale.

It wasn't out of fear, but a feeling of powerlessness, being swept along by a giant wave and having no control over one's own destiny...

He became a pawn in the Xiao family's attempt to force him to abdicate.

They were forcibly pushed into the furnace of treason by the Xiao family.

To go in is to face an abyss.

Retreat is also a dead end...

The guard behind him suddenly exclaimed, "Your Highness, be careful!"

A stray arrow grazed past his ear and embedded itself in a pillar behind him.

Li Huan's expression changed slightly.

"No. This is a trap..."

He whispered a warning, but no one paid any attention.

Chen Tu shouted hoarsely, "Brothers, guarding the palace gate is an act of loyalty to His Majesty... No matter who comes, anyone who breaks into the palace will die, anyone who disregards His Majesty's safety will die!"

The already exhausted Crown Prince's guards were greatly encouraged and launched a counterattack.

Caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, both internal and external, the Xiao family's elite guards were thrown into disarray...

Seeing the situation was turning bad, Tu Cheng exchanged a glance with Xiao Wenyuan, his eyes flashing with ruthlessness, and roared, "Brothers, stop killing... Charge in and rescue His Majesty..."

Upon hearing the noise, the Xiao family's elite warriors regrouped and charged forward recklessly.

The imperial guards brought by Li Yan were not to be outdone, shouting and pushing their way in...

Both sides surged forward, disregarding everything, toward the gate that symbolized supreme power...

They were all shouting "Protect the Emperor!" but their minds were on the imperial edict.

And...whoever controls the emperor first will have the power to determine the fate of the world.

Li Yan roared, "Xiao Wenyuan, you colluded with foreign invaders and trespassed into the Forbidden City. Aren't you afraid of having your entire family executed?"

"Your Highness, stop with the pretense of benevolence. Who will be implicated and who will be punished when we see His Majesty?" Xiao Wenyuan shouted, his face contorted with rage. "Charge in! Anyone who stands in my way will die..."

"Commander Zheng! Quickly... quickly escort me inside... protect me... don't let them get there first..."

In the chaos, no one noticed that the Empress Dowager, who was the first to enter the Zichen Palace, made no sound.

No one noticed that the paper windows of the sleeping quarters had been quietly torn.

A pair of eyes were silently watching all of this.

"Your Majesty, things are in complete chaos outside..." Wang Chengxi's voice trembled, filled with fear and heartache.

"The Prince of Duan and the Prince of Wei have both arrived, along with Grand Secretary Xiao... They're in a frenzy..."

On the dragon bed, Emperor Chongzhao's sallow face had already turned bright red, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes wide open, as he gripped the bright yellow brocade quilt tightly, struggling to sit up...

A hand with distinct knuckles slowly reached out and pressed down on the emperor, who was about to rise. The hand gently whispered, "Your Majesty, please calm down and wait a little longer."

Emperor Chongzhao turned his head, looked into those calm eyes, breathed weakly, his fingers twitched slightly, and a hoarse sound came from his throat.

"Doctor Shu, I...ha...ni...nizi..."

Tian Shu lowered his eyes slightly, his figure standing out exceptionally tall in the flickering candlelight, like a pine or cypress, ethereal and otherworldly.

"Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance, please wait patiently..."

　Sisters, there's still a month left in summer vacation! I've recently followed the trend and taken my kid on a trip... -.- Please forgive me if updates are late.

　　Sending love and thank you everyone for your support!
　　(End of this chapter)