Chapter 737 The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

Everyone in the hall was stunned.

The court officials who reached the first, second, or third rank were all somewhat older and naturally knew the former Crown Prince Xiao Jue.

This former crown prince was the eldest son of the royal family. He was appointed as the head of the Eastern Palace on the first day of his birth and was assisted by countless people from childhood. However, he revealed his cruel nature when he grew up and was therefore deposed as crown prince.

After the crown prince was deposed, the remaining princes became restless, and the court and the harem were in chaos. In the midst of various struggles, the third, fourth and fifth princes were successively demoted to commoners or died unexpectedly... Finally, the second prince ascended the throne, and he is now the emperor.

In the third year after the emperor ascended the throne, the former crown prince gathered his supporters and made a comeback.

This is what is recorded in history as the "Rebellion of Shi Nian". The result was the death of thousands of palace maids and eunuchs, the death of the only princess, Duanmin, and the purging of countless court officials. After the former crown prince fled to Jizhou, he fell off a cliff and his fate was unknown. After searching for him for three years without success, it was announced that the former crown prince was dead.

In everyone's mind, the former Crown Prince Xiao Jue was already dead.

But now, a person who has been dead for more than ten years has suddenly appeared in front of everyone.

"Lord Lin, Lord Zhang, Lord Zhou..." Xiao Jue greeted the old ministers one by one, "What, don't you recognize me, Your Highness?"

The veteran officials dared not utter a sound and all avoided Xiao Jue's gaze.

"You, you...you're still alive!" The usually calm Empress Dowager suddenly stood up, her eyes filled with hatred. "They say that evil people live for a thousand years. The ancients were right."

"Hahahaha, of course I will outlive you all!" Xiao Jue laughed loudly, "I am the rightful ruler of the Great Yu Dynasty. This country and this throne should rightfully belong to me. What right do you have to take everything that belongs to me? I have been lurking in the shadows for more than ten years, and finally I can step into the light and finally reclaim the country that belongs to me. As for you thieves who stole the country, you only have one ending: death!"

"You killed my Duanmin! Duanmin was so young back then, how could you do such a thing!" The Empress Dowager cried, tears streaming down her face. "It's understandable that you brothers fought for the throne and killed each other, but Duanmin was just a little girl, what threat could she pose to you? Why, why did you kill my Duanmin..."

"Tch!" Xiao Jue scoffed. "While I enjoy killing, I wouldn't stoop to lay a hand on a mere child. Besides, her identity is special. Wouldn't it be better for me to capture her alive as a hostage? Why would I kill her? Let me think about how that girl Duan Min died back then. I can let you and your mother die in the same way. How about that? Isn't that merciful?"

Rongqing, who was standing behind the Empress Dowager, suddenly changed his expression.

She quickly supported the Empress Dowager's arm: "Empress Dowager, you are old, you must not get emotional..."

Xiao Jue's gaze lingered on Rong Qing's face for a brief moment, as if he had thought of something. Just as he was about to speak, the man in black outside the door came in to report: "Master, the entire imperial city has been surrounded."

"Hahahaha!" Xiao Jue laughed loudly. "The capital is empty and the troops are insufficient. It's like the heavens are helping me. Second brother, you had better hand over the imperial seal voluntarily. Otherwise, I will chop off your fingers one by one and let you watch wild dogs gnaw on them."

The emperor's lips curved into a smile: "Brother, you're laughing a little too soon."

He raised his hand and made a gesture.

Countless armored imperial guards suddenly emerged from inside the hall and surrounded the men in black inside.

The leader of the Imperial Guards was none other than He Xiao, who had gone to Ji Province.

He Ling understood something, and his eyes darkened: "Your Highness, it seems we've fallen into a trap."

“I knew my second brother was cunning and calculating. How could he possibly leave the capital city undefended?” Xiao Jue smiled. “As the saying goes, ‘The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.’ You are the mantis, and I am the oriole. You will never escape my grasp.”

He raised his arm and gently kowtowed.

Some ministers who were trembling in the hall suddenly drew weapons from their waists and held them to the neck of the nearest minister.

The ministers also brought their entourages, who instantly transformed into assassins, their entire bodies radiating a terrifying killing intent.

The emperor's face darkened.

He remembered the names of every minister who betrayed him very clearly, because these names were on the memorial submitted by Sui Shuren.

After a thorough analysis, Sui Shuren told him that these people were very likely to defect and betray him, so he should be more careful.

Most of these ministers were his trusted confidants, and he had entrusted many important tasks to them. Therefore, when Su Su-in suspected these people, he did not believe them at heart. The only fortunate thing was that he was naturally suspicious, and even if he did not believe Su Su-in, he made a backup plan.

The emperor turned his dragon throne, and suddenly countless fireworks lit up the sky above the main hall—these were signal fireworks.

"You actually had a backup plan!" Xiao Jue finally lost his composure. "No wonder you were able to seize this throne. Losing to you isn't a loss for me. But this time, I'm fully prepared. Even if I can't take back what's rightfully mine, I'll make you regret sitting in this position!"

He raised his hand and made a kill gesture.

The men in black who had been surrounding the hall rushed in with swords and knives, screams escaping their lips.

"Don't panic!" Madam Ruan shouted. "Ladies, follow me this way; young ladies, follow Lady Sui Shu that way. Don't push!"

A door was temporarily opened at the back of the main hall, which was specifically used as an escape route.

Cheng Wanwan and Madam Ruan led the women to escape, while He Xiao protected the royal family and court officials as they retreated.

This is the main hall where banquets are held. Going out the back door leads to the Imperial Garden, which is now in chaos, with palace maids and eunuchs fleeing in all directions.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, and all ladies, there is no need to worry. The General of the Cavalry has already led his men into the capital and will soon take the former Crown Prince's head," He Xiao said. "However, all the main halls in the palace are guarded by the former Crown Prince's henchmen, so it is not safe anywhere. Please make sure you do not get separated..."

"You're from the He family, why should we trust you?" Rong Qing shrank to the Empress Dowager's side, his face full of accusation. "The He family is a henchman of the former Crown Prince Xiao Jue. How do we know you're not a spy he sent to the Emperor's side?"

Upon hearing this, all the concubines, noblewomen, and young ladies instantly retreated, distancing themselves from He Xiao... Of course, at this moment, the women of the He family had already disappeared, and the only person with the surname He present was He Xiao.

"I can guarantee that He Xiao is loyal only to His Majesty," Cheng Wanwan said. "At a time like this, there's no need for mutual suspicion. Finding a hiding place is the best course of action."

Rongqing gritted her teeth and said, "What guarantee can you, a mere peasant woman, offer?"

"Rongqing, you have overstepped your bounds." The emperor swept a cold glance at him. "Sui Shuren's words are my will. Are you questioning me?"

Rong Qing immediately gritted his teeth.

She is a princess, while this lowly woman is only a third-rank official. What do you mean she has overstepped her bounds?

"Since the palace is not safe, let's go to the secret passage to take refuge," the emperor said, pointing to the artificial hill in the imperial garden. "He Xiao, go and clear the way."

He Xiao accepted the order and walked towards the artificial hill.

At this moment, the man in black caught up from behind, and swung his long knife without mercy.

An old minister standing on the periphery was unable to dodge in time and was slashed on the arm, blood gushing out immediately, and countless people screamed.

The men in black were not targeting ministers or noblewomen, but the current emperor.

They came toward the emperor.

The eunuch Ming, who was by the emperor's side, immediately stepped in front to block him. Although some of the concubines were afraid, they also hugged each other and stood in front of the emperor. They knew very well that if the emperor died, they would also face certain death...

"Protect the Emperor!"

Grandpa Ming cried out in surprise.

The men He Xiao brought immediately surged toward the Emperor, forming an encirclement.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager was in danger, as two men in black attempted to capture her as a hostage.

The man in black swung his knife suddenly, and Rongqing, who was standing next to the Empress Dowager, was so frightened that he instinctively hid behind her.