Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 94 Sheng Hong: I am the future father-in-law of the emperor
Prince Yan, Zhao Cexiao, Jiao Feng and others used fireworks as a signal.

If it succeeds, set off two fireworks; if it fails, set off only one.

It was already late at night, and no news had come yet. The two of them suddenly felt something was wrong.

"Sir, the prince's current situation is unclear. How about we..."

Before he could finish his words, he saw torches suddenly lit up on the city wall, and a large number of imperial guards holding divine arm bows were already lined up and waiting.

Then a loud shout came from the tower: "Shoot!"

Suddenly, arrows rained down, and the rebel army was in chaos.

"Protect the prince!" Jiao Feng roared and was forced to retreat repeatedly by the rain of arrows that followed.

The war drums thundered on the city wall, the heavy city gate slowly opened, and the commander of the imperial guards, Xu Xin, rushed out first.

"You...you dare to betray us!"

Zhao Cexiao's eyes were bloodshot. Just three days ago, this man was kneeling in front of his father and swearing his loyalty.

What's the internal and external collaboration, what's the plan to force the emperor to abdicate, it's basically a trap set by the government to lure the emperor into a trap!

Xu Xin reined in his horse and looked at him expressionlessly.

"Prince Yan has been apprehended for his treason, why don't you surrender?"

Zhao Cexiao snorted coldly, then burst into crazy laughter and suddenly drew out his sword.

"Xu Xin! You're a traitorous slave! Even if I, Zhao Cexiao, die today, I'll take you with me!"

"No retreat!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings suddenly fell into chaos.

The imperial guards who had been lying in ambush nearby several days ago swarmed forward, and the sound of armor colliding was deafening.

At the Sheng Mansion, Sheng Hong and Sheng Changbai heard the sound of hurried horse hooves coming from outside.

Still confused, they opened the side door with a group of servants to find out what was going on.

He didn't expect to see several imperial guards galloping past him and fighting with the rebels who had escaped from Prince Yan's Mansion.

"Kill...kill someone!"

"Changbai, look! They're killing people!"

As a scholar, he had never seen such a bloody scene.

Sheng Hong was so frightened that his hands and feet became weak, his face turned pale, and his whole body was out of control.

"Father, it's dangerous outside, come back soon!"

Sheng Changbai hurried forward to pull Sheng Hong back. When he looked up, he saw flames rising into the sky at the city gate, and his heart tightened.

Compared to Sheng Hong, he thought about it for a while.

He calmly ordered the servants around him, "Guard the gates strictly. No one is allowed to leave. The corner gates must be guarded tightly!"

Several servants responded and went to do it immediately, not daring to delay for a moment.

In Shou'an Hall, Old Lady Sheng learned from Wang Ruofu that there was trouble outside.

Her expression changed suddenly, and she hurriedly asked, "Where's Hua'er? How's Hua'er?"

Wang Ruofu blinked, "Is mother frightened out of her wits? Hua'er knows everything is fine in the Zhao Mansion."

"Mother Wei said this morning that Concubine Rong was hosting a banquet in the palace, and Hua'er also received an invitation."

The old lady didn't want to listen to Wang Ruofu talking about this. She stood up, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Quick, send a few skilled servants to the Zhao Mansion to inquire about the news!"

Upon hearing this, Fang's mother quickly gave orders.

Wang Ruofu frowned slightly, her eyes rolled around, but she still didn't understand. She turned her head and gave Mother Liu a questioning look.

Mother Liu understood, but just shook her head slightly, indicating that she didn't understand why the old lady was so abnormal.

Outside the city gate, Zhao Cexiao's eyes were red, and he was determined to drag Xu Xin down with him.

Seeing this, Jiao Feng knew that the situation was hopeless, so he immediately rode over to help.

It’s worth it to drag the commander of the imperial guards down with him!

He roared, and swept the long sword in his hand across, with his sword skills opening and closing vigorously, and each blow was carried with the determination to die together.

Zhao Cexiao took an unconventional approach with his sword, each move going straight to the vital points. Faced with the double attack from the two, Xu Xin had to retreat repeatedly.

Just as Jiao Feng seized an opportunity, he raised his scimitar and was about to deliver a fatal blow.

A sharp arrow flew through the air and pierced his throat.

Jiao Feng reached out and touched his throat in disbelief.

Before he could turn around and see who was taking his life, he fell to the ground with a bang.

"Your Highness!" Xu Xin saved his life and looked at Zhao Han, who was exhausted not far away, with gratitude on his face.

After seeing Zhao Han's figure, Zhao Cexiao became even more furious, veins bulged on his forehead, and he rode his horse like a madman.

"Protect His Highness!" Xu Xin shouted sternly.

Zhao Han looked at him coldly. Although his brows showed fatigue from days of running around, his aura remained undiminished.

This was especially true for Pei Hu beside him.

Amidst the flashing of swords and the shadow of sabers, the two men fought for only ten rounds before Zhao Cexiao was knocked off his horse and fell heavily onto the stone slab.

"Your Highness, do you want to use his head to intimidate the rebels?" Pei Hu asked in a deep voice.

Zhao Han rode forward and looked down at Zhao Cexiao, who was lying on the ground in a state of disgrace. Seeing the hatred in his eyes, he said calmly, "Let's do it."

Pei Hu responded.

Soon, he was seen holding Zhao Cexiao's head and shouting, "Zhao Cexiao is dead. Those who surrender will not be killed!"

"Zhao Cexiao is dead, those who surrender will not be killed!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the remaining rebels collapsed.

The imperial guards took the opportunity to surround and kill all those who resisted stubbornly. Those who knelt on the ground and begged for mercy were chained and made to kneel in a row.

In less than two hours, Prince Yan's long-planned abdication came to an end.

At the Sheng family.

The old lady breathed a sigh of relief when she learned from the servant that Hualan had returned home and everything was safe and sound at the mansion.

It was already late at night. Wang Ruofu was carefree and had already returned to Weiruixuan to rest after hearing that Hualan was fine.

After all, in her eyes, Sheng Hong was just a minor official, and no matter how big the rebellion of the Prince of Yan became, it would have nothing to do with her family. Sheng Hong, on the other hand, was always timid and afraid of trouble. Seeing how nervous the old lady was, he stayed here cautiously.

Until the old lady's expression calmed down a little, she couldn't help but ask, "Mother, why are you so angry today..."

The old lady waved her hand. As long as there was no definite news from the palace, all her guesses would be groundless.

"I'm just worried about Hua'er. It's getting late. Go back and rest. You'll have to go to court in a few hours."

Seeing the old lady like this, Sheng Hong had no choice but to stand up and take his leave.

-

Before dawn, the front of Chuigong Hall was already filled with civil and military officials.

The court officials who used to whisper to each other from time to time at this time were unusually quiet today, even covering their mouths when coughing.

Last night, the figures of the imperial guards were seen moving through the streets and alleys, causing dogs in the city to bark non-stop.

No one was left alive in Prince Yan's mansion, and Prince Yong's family was detained by the Imperial City Administration overnight.

There were also a few familiar faces missing among the officials who came to court today.

When Sheng Hong and a group of officials saw Zhao Han, they were greatly surprised. Shouldn't he be in the northwest?
Why did you come back suddenly?
Han Zhang and others in the front row, dressed in purple robes and jade belts, straightened their backs, looked calm, and waited quietly for Zhao Zhen's arrival.

"The official has arrived—"

Following the eunuchs' sharp shouts, Zhao Zhen came slowly in bright yellow formal attire, and all the officials bowed respectfully.

Zhao Zhen stepped steadily onto the imperial steps and sat down on the dragon throne. His sharp eyes slowly swept over the court officials.

"The princes are at peace."

Without waiting for the ministers to take their places, Zhao Zhen spoke, "Yesterday, Prince Yan rebelled. I believe you have all heard about it."

"I have instructed the Imperial City Department to deal with the rebels who deserve punishment one by one."

These words hit the ministers' hearts like a heavy hammer.

Several ministers who had had dealings with Prince Yan turned pale instantly, and their hands holding the tablets trembled slightly.

"Prince Yong has been in the capital for many years, hiding many things from me. He has formed a clique, and three years ago, under the pretext of repairing the river, he embezzled disaster relief funds and allowed his servants to seize thousands of acres of farmland."

"Those farmers who lost their land went to the government office crying and complaining, but they didn't even have the chance to file a complaint."

"Every one of these cases is too numerous to list. Once they are thoroughly investigated, they will be dealt with according to the law, with no leniency."

Han Zhang spoke first, his voice as loud as a bell, "The emperor is wise!"

The court officials behind him came to their senses and shouted in unison, "The emperor is wise!"

After the hall returned to silence, Zhao Zhen clenched his fist and said in a deep voice, "What is the main business of the Great Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yunrang immediately stepped out and said, "I'm here!"

This man was born into the lineage of Emperor Taizong, and was the official's cousin in terms of seniority. He had been in charge of the Da Zong Zheng Si for many years and was known for his dignity.

"Chengyuan, you are not here yet."

Zhao Han looked up when he heard the voice and met Zhao Zhen's eyes which were filled with excitement.

He took a deep breath and walked forward steadily under the astonished gazes of all the civil and military officials in the court.

"This...what is going on?"

Sheng Hong couldn't help but tug at the sleeve of his colleague beside him, fearing that he had missed some news.

The colleague beside him calmly pulled his sleeve back from his hand and whispered, "How could we know what's going on in the Heavenly Family?"

"Besides, isn't this Mr. Zhao your son-in-law?"

Sheng Hong opened his eyes wide, just when he was confused.

Zhao Zhen suddenly stood up from the dragon throne and said loudly: "Thanks to the mercy of heaven and the protection of our ancestors, my eldest son, Zhao Han, has finally returned to his ancestral home after many setbacks!"

"Zhao Qing, the matter of recognizing one's ancestry and returning to one's ancestral home will be left to you."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the civil and military officials in the court were struck by lightning, and the hall fell into silence.

According to ancestral laws, the prince's recognition of his ancestral roots should have gone through numerous examinations, and the Grand Clan Affairs Office had to convene the three offices for a joint trial.

After verifying the birth date, wet nurse's testimony, and fetal hair token, if everything is correct, the Zongzheng Temple will be responsible for the subsequent registration.

However, with Zhao Zhen's words, the Da Zong Zheng Si only needed to go through the motions.

Zhao Yunrang knew this truth very well.

"pat-"

A crisp sound broke the stagnant atmosphere in the hall.

Shocked, Sheng Hong lost his grip on the tablet and dropped it to the ground.

He hurriedly bent down to pick it up, but found that his hands were out of control. When the court officials heard the noise, they all turned to look at him.

"Sheng Qing, what are you doing..."

The voice coming from the throne made Sheng Hong stiffen all over.

He knelt on the ground with a thud and said in a trembling voice, "I have been disrespectful in front of the emperor. I am guilty..."

Zhao Zhen chuckled, his eyes swept over the entire court, and he asked gently, "What crime has Lord Sheng committed?"

"I see that Lord Sheng is simply overjoyed. I have my own flesh and blood back today, shouldn't you all be happy too?"

Upon hearing this, Han Zhanghaining and several other veteran officials couldn't wait to step out and bow, saying, "We congratulate Your Majesty!"

"I congratulate Your Majesty!"

"..."

For a while, the hall was filled with endless congratulations, and no one dared to raise any objections.

Everyone also understood that Prince Yan's sudden rebellion was probably related to the existence of this prince.

The way the court officials looked at Sheng Hong also changed a little.

Zhao Han is the only prince of the emperor's family. Once he is included in the list of royal family members, the next step will be to appoint him as the crown prince.

This Mr. Sheng, who holds only the fifth rank, will be the future father-in-law of the emperor!
As the congratulations died down, Han Zhang led the ministers in following protocol, bowing and saying, "Your Highness, we pay our respects to you!"

Zhao Han stood on the altar, his eyes slowly sweeping over the ministers bowing before him.

"My Lords, please stand up."

The voice was not loud, but it carried the same majesty as that of an official.

(End of this chapter)