Catching Monsters

Chapter 469 Helping Your Brother-in-Law Enter the Palace

Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Linglong frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "But Xiao Jingfu probably knows your personality very well. You're a liar and unreliable person. Do you think he can easily believe you?"

"Whether we can trust them or not, we'll have to wait and see," Jiang Yun frowned and said in a low voice. "Let's wait until our guard is a little looser, then sneak into the capital and see if we can contact Feng Yu or find a way to get into the palace."

At this point, Jiang Yun paused for a moment and then asked a question: "Let me ask you a question, for example..."

"I mean, for example, what would likely happen if I forcibly tried to break into the palace?"

Linglong rolled her eyes at Jiang Yun and asked, "Breaking into the palace is a death sentence. Your strength is not enough."

"There are dozens of those god-slaying crossbows on the walls of the imperial palace."

"Even if you can summon lightning and destroy those god-slaying crossbows, the experts lurking in the palace will kill you without hesitation if someone tries to force their way in."

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Yun said, "Let me explain to those experts... After all, they are loyal to His Majesty the Emperor, right?"

"Explain? How do you want to explain?" Linglong shrugged and told them, "Ah, although I came here today to wreak havoc, forcibly broke into the palace, and destroyed dozens of God-Slaying Crossbows, I am a loyal subject, you know."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is the real villain. His Highness wants His Majesty the Emperor dead."

"You must let me see His Majesty the Emperor. I can extend His Majesty's life."

After she finished speaking, Linglong asked, "If you were a master in the palace, who would you trust?"

"Should we trust someone who forces his way into the palace, or the legitimate Crown Prince?"

Hearing Linglong's somewhat amusing words, Jiang Yun scratched his head, speechless.

……

Inside the capital, the incident at the South Gate was causing quite a stir.

how many years.

For many years, the city gates of the capital had not been attacked.

Even when the Northern Hu army marched south, it never actually reached the capital.

Unexpectedly, the south gate of the capital was attacked by villains today.

Furthermore, fourteen God-Slaying Crossbows were destroyed.

Ordinary people may not understand what these messages mean.

However, the powerful and influential people in the capital all changed their expressions drastically upon hearing this news.

Even for many second-grade experts, destroying the God-Slaying Crossbow would be difficult.

It should be noted that although the God-Slaying Crossbow is expensive to manufacture, difficult to move, and has many drawbacks, its power is undeniable.

Don't be fooled by how easily Jiang Yun destroyed it; this kind of thing can make even a third-rank expert retreat in fear.

Even a fourth-rank expert dared not approach.

If a fifth or sixth-rank expert sees this, they can go straight to meet the King of Hell.

It is a top strategic resource of the Zhou Kingdom. Soldiers responsible for maintaining the God-Slaying Crossbow are easily punished by military law if they fail to maintain it properly.

Most importantly, some people have already received information that the Imperial Guards have been deployed today…

Moreover, it is said that the reason for the Imperial Guards' deployment is somewhat related to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

……

"Fool! Fool!" Xiao Jingfu sat in his study, staring at Zhang Yao who had returned with the news. Even though the man was of high status, he couldn't help but curse, "Can you trust Jiang Yun's words? How many people have suffered because of his mouth?"

“If he says he has a miracle cure, then I won’t be worried.”

“But if he says there are no miracle cures, then it means there must be.” Xiao Jingfu gritted his teeth; he knew Jiang Yun all too well.

He took a deep breath and said, "Strengthen the defenses in the capital. Also, secretly inform the academy to keep their experts on their toes. Tell them that a top expert might launch a surprise attack on the capital."

"Furthermore, a notice has been posted stating that Jiang Yun, the garrison commander of the Eastern Garrison, and Princess Xiao Linglong of Ningyi, colluded with the demon race to launch a surprise attack and destroy the God-Slaying Crossbow at the South Gate. Their crimes are unforgivable."

"If anyone discovers them, please report it."

"In addition, no news can be sent into the palace during this period. All necessities for clothing, food, and lodging will be delivered by the Imperial Guards."

Zhang Yao's heart skipped a beat, and he whispered, "This...this is going to put His Majesty under house arrest?"

"What do you mean by house arrest? It's other people who are being placed under house arrest," Xiao Jingfu said in a deep voice. "Given my father's current physical condition, do you think he could get up if I didn't place him under house arrest?"

"Yes." Zhang Yao took a deep breath and nodded.

The next morning, many notices were posted.

"The Eastern Garrison Commander Jiang Yun and Princess Ningyi have colluded with the demon race to plot against His Majesty. They have also destroyed fourteen God-Slaying Crossbows, thus committing treason. According to the laws of Zhou, they should be beheaded as a warning to others. If anyone knows the whereabouts of these two, please come and inform them immediately."

The notice also included portraits of the two individuals.

Among them, Linglong's portrait is normal, with her appearance described by some servants in the princess's residence.

And Jiang Yun...

Upon hearing that His Highness the Crown Prince wanted to issue a warrant for Jiang Yun's arrest, Qian Buchou immediately volunteered to paint a portrait of Jiang Yun.

He was so big and burly that even Jiang Yun himself couldn't recognize himself.

After all, he's familiar with this job.

Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince was too lazy to look at these details.

At this moment, many people stood in front of the notice, whispering among themselves.

Among the crowd, Jiang Yun and Linglong, wearing bamboo hats, looked at the contents of the notice. Linglong was so angry that her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

That bastard, what was he doing when he was working so hard outside, cleaning up the cult for his father?

Now look what's happened! He's only been back in Beijing for a short while, and he's already been branded a traitor.

She was so angry she could hardly contain herself, thinking to herself, "Just you wait, you better not ascend the throne. If you do, I'll just go back and continue my rebellion under the banner of the Red Lotus Sect!"

Anyway, he was very familiar with this line of work, and he knew exactly how to do it. Jiang Yun wasn't surprised. He pulled Linglong away from the crowd. The two of them had taken the opportunity to sneak into the capital city late last night.

However, the other Imperial Guards were placed outside, since they might encounter danger if they came in.

"Let's go to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion first," Jiang Yun said in a deep voice, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Soon, the two headed towards the location of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

At this moment, inside the Duke's mansion, Xu Suwen arrived at Tao Yuelan's room, her face showing anxiety.

In her hand, she held a notice that read: "Mother, something terrible has happened."

Upon hearing this, Tao Yuelan took the notice, then narrowed her eyes and fell into deep thought. She slowly said, "Jiang Yun could not possibly be colluding with the demon race. This notice must be the work of someone."

"I'll go to the palace now and see His Majesty."

“We can’t get in.” Xu Suwen shook her head and said in a deep voice, “Right now, the palace is heavily guarded by the Imperial Guards, and no one is allowed to enter.”

"I heard that last night, because of a major upheaval in the capital, the Minister of Personnel wanted to go in to see His Majesty, but was stopped by the Imperial Guards."

"It is claimed that there are rebels in the capital who want to assassinate His Majesty, and no one is allowed to enter."

Upon hearing this, Tao Yuelan looked at the notice in her hand, took a deep breath, and then sighed.

At the same time, Wu Chi strode in from outside the door, his eyes filled with surprise and delight. He said, "Madam, Miss, look who's back."

Outside the hall, Jiang Yun and Linglong, who were wearing pockets, took off their bamboo hats.

“Jiang Yun.” Xu Suwen’s eyes lit up when she saw Jiang Yun appear; the two hadn’t seen each other for almost five months.

She ran forward quickly and hugged Jiang Yun tightly.

"What happened?" Xu Suwen asked in a low voice, "How did you suddenly become a traitor?"

"Well, it's a long story." Jiang Yun said, first bowing respectfully to Tao Yuelan, "Aunt, I am innocent in this matter."

"This matter is related to my trip to the Immortal Island to obtain the elixir."

Jiang Yun quickly recounted what had happened.

After listening, Xu Suwen frowned deeply and said in a deep voice, "So, this matter is related to His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Yes." Jiang Yun said in a deep voice, "His Highness the Crown Prince probably doesn't want His Majesty to continue living, so he secretly sent someone to kidnap Qiaoqiao, intending to use her to threaten me."

“Qiaoqiao is fine.” Xu Suwen blinked and said, “Several months ago, not long after you left the capital, Brother Qian came by and claimed that the Crown Prince wanted him to kidnap Qiaoqiao…”

Hearing that Qiaoqiao was still in the Duke's mansion and unharmed, Jiang Yun felt much more at ease.

Tao Yuelan held a cup of tea in her hand, took a sip, and said to Wu Chi inside the room, "Steward Wu, go and call Xiao Gang. We're going to the ancestral hall."

"Yes."

In the backyard of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, there is a huge ancestral hall, which enshrines dozens of ancestral tablets, all of whom are ancestors of the Duke's family.

Upon hearing the news, Xu Xiaogang rushed to the scene.

"Come with me," Tao Yuelan said, leading Xu Xiaogang into the ancestral hall.

Xu Xiaogang was stunned and a little confused. He saw Jiang Yun, but before he could greet her, he saw his mother with a cold face.

He didn't dare ask any more questions and could only bite the bullet and follow.

Jiang Yun was about to follow him in when Wu Chi quickly stopped her, saying with a smile, "Young Master, you are not yet married and cannot enter the ancestral hall."

Xu Suwen quickly followed into the ancestral hall.

Ordinary women, including maids, were not allowed to enter the ancestral hall.

But a wife like Tao Yuelan, who was married through proper channels, and a legitimate daughter like Xu Suwen, could naturally enter.

"Kneel down before our ancestors."

"What did I do, Mother..." Xu Xiaogang felt a little guilty, constantly thinking back, he didn't seem to have gone out and hung out with his cronies after returning to the capital.

They didn't do anything immoral or heinous.

He spent his days studying the frontline battles in his own courtyard.

Of course, Xu Xiaogang dared not disobey Tao Yuelan's words, and he knelt on the prayer mat in the ancestral hall.

"Kowtowing to our ancestors and apologizing," Tao Yuelan said calmly.

"Yes." Xu Xiaogang said, raising his head and asking, "But Mother, what offense should I apologize to our ancestors for?"

"Our ancestors stipulated that our Duke's Mansion would never participate in the struggle for the throne. Now, it seems that this rule has been broken, so we must apologize to our ancestors," Tao Yuelan said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaogang was slightly startled. He knew that not participating in the struggle for the throne was one of the Duke's bottom lines.

That is why, even though Xiao Jingfu was made crown prince and summoned him many times, he was too lazy to go.

But now, Mother is...

Thinking of this, Tao Yuelan knelt down before her ancestors and slowly said, "Ancestors above, Tao Yuelan begs for forgiveness. His Majesty the Emperor is seriously ill, and his future son-in-law Jiang Yun has gone to find a miraculous medicine for His Majesty."

"But I never expected that the Crown Prince would oversee the country so recklessly and even try to frame the loyal minister Jiang Yun. The Crown Prince does not want His Majesty to receive the elixir to prolong his life, which is unfilial. To frame the loyal minister Jiang Yun is inhumane."

“How can an unrighteous and unfilial person become the emperor of the Zhou Kingdom? Our Zhenguo Duke’s Mansion has been loyal and virtuous for generations. We hope to assist a wise ruler to ascend the throne. We hope our ancestors will understand.”

After saying that, Tao Yuelan lit an incense stick and placed it in the burner.

"Me too." After saying that, Xu Xiaogang quickly lit an incense stick and placed it in the burner.

Seeing the two incense sticks burning brightly, Xu Xiaogang smiled and said to Tao Yuelan, "Mother, the fact that these two incense sticks are burning so brightly means that our ancestors agree with what you said."

“Right, brother-in-law?” Xu Xiaogang turned to Jiang Yun and said, “Brother-in-law is a professional at this.”

"I need you to find a way to get your brother-in-law into the palace," Tao Yuelan said, taking a deep breath.

(End of this chapter)