In the dead of night, amidst continuous rain, the study of Prince Jing's residence was brightly lit.

Lu Jingze was reviewing military reports at his desk when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the window.

"Your Highness!" Zhou Han, the commander of the personal guards, burst in, soaking wet, without even having time to bow. "I just received a secret report that the old prince, in conjunction with General Zhao of the Northwest Camp, has led his troops across Qinglong Gorge and is no more than a hundred li from the capital!"

Lu Jingze paused, the ink spreading crimson across the memorial.

He slowly raised his head, his eyes sharp as knives: "When did this happen?"

"Just two hours ago," Zhou Han lowered his voice, "General Liu, who was guarding the pass, was one of our men. He risked his life to send out a message that the old prince, under the guise of 'purging the emperor's inner circle,' claimed that there were treacherous officials around His Majesty..."

"A treacherous official?" Lu Jingze sneered, slamming his pen down. "Are you referring to my brother, who 'bewitched the emperor,' or to Wang Xiuxiu, who just made a great contribution?"

A bolt of lightning flashed past the window, illuminating his cold, handsome profile.

Three days ago, he presented Wang Xiuxiu with the complete account book of the southern border trade in the court, and the astonishing profits caused an uproar among the civil and military officials.

He still remembers clearly the sinister look in the old prince's eyes back then.

"Your Highness, should we report to His Majesty immediately?" Zhou Han asked anxiously.

Lu Jingze pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No need. Take my command token and secretly mobilize the Xuanwu Camp and the Xiaoji Camp. Remember, act in batches, and don't alert them."

"That city gate..."

"Stand by duty as usual." Lu Jingze fastened his sword, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Since the old prince wants to put on this show, we'll build him a proper stage."

——

At dawn, an army bearing the banner of "serving the emperor" quietly approached the east gate of the capital.

The old prince at the head of the group was dressed in military attire, his white beard and hair flying in the morning breeze.

He gazed at the city gate so close at hand, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.

"Your Highness, the city gate guards have been replaced by our men," the lieutenant whispered. "General Zhao's 30,000 elite troops are lying in ambush in the maple forest five miles away."

The old prince stroked his beard and smiled: "Very well. Once we have control of the palace, we will use beacon fires as a signal."

He turned to look at the dense mass of soldiers behind him. "Remember, once inside the city, head straight for the palace. Anyone who obstructs you will be killed without mercy!"

The entire rebel army entered the barbican, and the heavy city gates suddenly slammed shut.

The old prince turned around abruptly and saw countless torches suddenly lit up on the city wall, illuminating the pre-dawn darkness as if it were daytime.

"Uncle, where are you going, mobilizing so many troops so late at night?" Lu Jingze, clad in black armor, stood with his hands behind his back on the city wall, his voice carrying clearly throughout the area.

The old prince's expression changed drastically, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Jingze? What do you mean by this? I received a secret report that a traitor intends to harm His Majesty, so I have come to protect him!"

"Escort the Emperor?" Lu Jingze sneered. "Leading 30,000 elite troops, bypassing the official roads and taking shortcuts—is this your method of protecting the Emperor, Uncle?"

With a wave of his hand, the archers on the city wall simultaneously drew their bows and nocked their arrows.

Seeing that his plan had been exposed, the old prince suddenly roared, "Attack!"

His personal guards immediately drew their swords and charged at the city gate guards. But at that moment, countless crossbowmen suddenly appeared from the surrounding rooftops, raining down arrows that instantly turned the front ranks of the rebel army into pincushions.

"Uncle, you should save your energy." Lu Jingze slowly walked down the city wall, followed by fully armed elite soldiers of the Xuanwu Camp. "General Zhao's men should have already surrendered."

——

In the main hall of the palace, Lu Nancheng sat on the dragon throne, looking at the old prince who was brought in bound hand and foot with a gloomy expression.

The entire court of civil and military officials stood on both sides, not daring to utter a sound.

"Uncle, I've always believed I've treated you well," Lu Nancheng's voice was as cold as ice. "All these years, I've given you money when you wanted it, and power when you wanted it. Is this how you repay me?"

The old prince struggled to raise his head, his eyes filled with resentment: "Stop with the hypocrisy! If you hadn't allowed Lu Jingze to interfere in military and political affairs and suppress the clans and royal family, I wouldn't be in this situation!"

"So you colluded with the rebels?" Lu Jingze suddenly spoke, pulling a stack of letters from his sleeve and throwing them on the ground. "These are your correspondence with the rebels of Dayong. Imperial Uncle, you and the rebels are working together to harm the people of Lizhou. This is treason!"

An uproar erupted in the main hall.

The old prince, his face ashen, suddenly burst into wild laughter: "The victor is king, the loser is villain; kill me or torture me, it's all up to you! But do you think getting rid of me will solve everything? Let me tell you, there are plenty of people in this court who want you brothers dead!"

"Take him away! Hand him over to the Dali Temple for rigorous interrogation!"