A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 378 Ending (47)

On and off the stage, from officials to ordinary citizens, a riot broke out!

When did the Empress Dowager gain control of more than half of the Imperial Guards and Palace Bodyguards? Is this blatant defiance of the Emperor an attempt to launch a coup?

Everyone's face was filled with astonishment and disbelief!
Only the Emperor, Song Shuyu, Lu Xun, and others seemed to have expected this, their expressions remaining unchanged.

But a hint of bewilderment lingered in the Emperor's indifferent eyes. He couldn't help but look at Song Shuyu, his gaze questioning: The Empress Dowager has been shrewd for half her life, possessing both the means to win over the late Emperor's heart and maintain his favor, and the ability to overthrow the harem. Despite having no children, her position remains unshaken. Moreover, she possesses political acumen; from princes to generals, and then to the Imperial Guard and the Forbidden Army, the Empress Dowager has manipulated countless people into serving her. For so many years, she has managed her affairs skillfully, never acting impulsively. Why, then, would she go to such lengths to destroy Song Shuyu, orchestrating a scheme, arranging a marriage, and even staging a coup? And all of this is done against the will of the people, under conditions that are illegitimate and precarious. If it fails, she will face utter ruin!

How could the Empress Dowager not understand such a simple truth? So, what was her purpose? And what, or who, was worth her risking everything for?
Before today, although the emperor had followed Song Shuyu's advice and made preparations to prevent this, he always felt that the Empress Dowager would not really go this far. But in reality, Song Shuyu's prediction came true!

However, even now, Song Shuyu still refused to answer the question, only giving the emperor a reassuring look.

The emperor sighed inwardly, realizing that only the Empress Dowager and the Song family knew this secret.

The remaining imperial guards and palace guards remained stationary, but all had their swords drawn, ready to receive the imperial order to come to the aid of the emperor!
As the Minister of War, Qu Heng had no choice but to stand up abruptly among the officials and angrily questioned, "Empress Dowager, what do you intend to do?"

The Prince of Zhongshan, who was kneeling on the ground, rose without being summoned and coldly retorted, "Didn't Minister Qu see that the Empress Dowager's personal safety was threatened? Isn't it only right and proper to order people to protect her and arrest those who disobey the imperial edict?"

Qu Heng's chest heaved with rage. "Without the Emperor's will, anyone who dares to act without authorization is committing treason! Even the Empress Dowager cannot overstep the law and mobilize troops without decree!"

Before the King of Zhongshan could say anything more, he suddenly felt a weight on his neck. He instinctively turned around and saw that Shen Che's raised hand was not yet fully retracted!
"You, you bastard..."

"Father, you are not feeling well, you should rest!"

The disappointment and undeniable disapproval in Shen Che's eyes cut off the King of Zhongshan's incredulous words in his fading consciousness!
Upon seeing this, the steward of the Prince's mansion immediately stepped forward, took the unconscious Prince Zhongshan from Shen Che's hands, and placed him on a chair.

This unexpected turn of events threw the Empress Dowager into disarray, but Shen Che did not give her a chance to retaliate. He preemptively declared, "From this moment on, all members of the Prince of Zhongshan's household shall obey the orders of this Crown Prince! As members of the Great Zhou royal family, my Shen family will never betray the Emperor or engage in rebellion or treason. Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed on the spot!"

"Take it!"

The Empress Dowager slammed down with her palm, and due to the excessive force, she broke off her slender index fingernail. But she could no longer care about the pain, and her beautiful face was filled with ferocity.

The closest imperial guards swarmed forward, their swords flashing with cold light, and charged towards Shen Che and Mu Qingcheng!
At this chaotic and critical moment, the clatter of hooves, accompanied by the momentum of ten thousand horses galloping, suddenly rang out from outside the imperial city gates—