Chapter 50 Perilous Situation

Everyone sat down, chatting and laughing, and Princess Yuxi then started playing a leaf game.

To prepare for today, Chi Ying had already studied the leaf game at the Prince's residence and knew the basic rules. Princess Yu Xi then pulled her, Princess Xuan, and Princess Hui Zhen to sit at a table with Consort Lan, while she watched the fun from the sidelines.

Consort Lan was in charge, while the other three were idle. Since Consort Lan was the oldest and the grandmother of the young princess, the three of them tacitly gave way to her.

Consort Lan won two rounds smoothly, and couldn't help but push the cards away and laugh, "No, no, you'll be punished if you lose. You've been hiding Lu Zhishen and Wu Song from us and you won't play them."

However, since her rank was not high and she was always very respectful to the princesses, she dared not set rules to punish them. So she said to Yu Xi, who was watching the commotion, "Why don't you set some rules, so that none of you will be willing to play your cards right?"

Chi Ying looked at Yu Xi and saw that her eyes were darting around, as if she was thinking of some wicked idea. Sure enough, she saw Yu Xi suddenly have a bright idea and say, "If Consort Lan loses, she can secretly say one of Father Emperor's shortcomings. Sister Hui Zhen and the two sisters-in-law have all been married, so each of them can tell a story about their bedroom pleasures. What do you think?"

Everyone was utterly helpless. Princess Xuan lowered her eyes and remained silent, while Chi Ying was extremely embarrassed. Princess Huizhen glanced at her, unsure of what to say: "You..."

Consort Lan was also at a loss for words: "Wouldn't that just benefit the princess alone?"

Yu Xi chuckled softly: "But we've already agreed that it's only between the five of us, and that it will never be told to anyone else!"

As expected, the atmosphere on the cards immediately became tense as soon as the penalty was announced. How could Consort Lan dare to speak ill of Emperor Yongcheng? She was determined to win. Fortunately, she had good luck and won the banker's hand again. She was all smiles. Princess Yuxi immediately started to urge the three losing teams to accept the penalty.

Princess Huizhen lowered herself to marry him, and her husband fawned over her. Although she rarely spoke of it, she did so with great poise: "My husband has diligently practiced makeup techniques and draws my eyebrows every day. Does that count?"

Yu Xi clapped her hands and laughed, "I knew the Prince Consort would treat you the best! Hehe, now it's Seventh Sister-in-law's turn!"

Chi Ying was momentarily speechless.

King Zhao was blind, so things like playing chess and appreciating flowers were hard to fabricate. The intimate pleasures they could have in the boudoir were truly limited, and countless unspeakable images had already flashed through her mind...

Her blushing embarrassment was obvious to everyone.

Yu Xi said with a mischievous grin, "Seventh Brother and Seventh Sister-in-law are inseparable. I saw it all at the banquet last time. Seventh Brother held your hand tightly the whole time, as if he was afraid that Seventh Sister-in-law would run away. I bet you two have quite a few amusing stories in your bedroom. Tell me, tell me!"

Chi Ying hesitated for a long time before she could only say half-truthfully, "His Highness is blind and often asks me to read to him."

They were just reciting a fire-avoidance diagram.

Although it wasn't as exciting as she had imagined, Yu Xi, considering that King Zhao's eyesight was impaired, decided not to make things difficult for her.

Chi Ying breathed a sigh of relief, and everyone's eyes fell on Princess Xuan again.

Princess Xuan smiled helplessly and said, "Your Highness and I do nothing but read books and paint; there's nothing interesting to talk about."

Princess Yu Xi was far from satisfied: "Who doesn't know that Fifth Sister-in-law is exceptionally talented, with superb calligraphy and painting skills? Tell us something we don't know!"

Princess Xuan's fingers, hidden in her sleeve, slowly clenched, her fingertips turning white.

In fact, the time when they studied and painted together with Prince Xuan was at the beginning of their marriage. For the past two years, they had maintained a facade of mutual respect and would go through the motions regarding having children. However, Princess Xuan knew that he disliked her coldness and dullness, and even more so the marriage arranged for power. Unfortunately, her belly remained flat, and she had not yet given birth to a legitimate eldest son, which made him feel restless and unable to dispel his boredom. He secretly went outside to seek pleasure...

She also abandoned all pretense of propriety and secretly went to see the woman.

This woman's manner of eating, dressing, and acting was that of a lady from a wealthy family. She was always cheerful and radiant, and her every move exuded a brightness and vitality that I could never learn.

She felt distressed and lost, and this feeling of loss reached its peak when she met Princess Zhao.

The Queen Consort of King Zhao looks remarkably similar to the woman King Xuan keeps in the outer garden!

However, the two had different personalities; one was bright and charming, while the other was gentle and compliant. They were not the same person.

But when King Xuan saw Princess Zhao, his unconcealed loss of composure made her feel as if she were being stabbed in the heart.

She had been secretly investigating for a long time and had already made a guess in her mind, but for the sake of Prince Xuan's future, her own reputation, and her family's expectations, she dared not make a fuss or cause a big scene.

She felt a bitter taste in her mouth, yet also a faint envy. She herself had married a prince who was both talented and handsome, and the most likely successor to the throne, but her life was stagnant. On the other hand, Princess Zhao had married a blind and infamous prince, and they were a harmonious and loving couple.

Princess Zhao was even more deeply missed by her husband...

Princess Xuan forced a smile, but her heart was filled with coldness and bitterness.

Just then, a strange noise suddenly came from outside the mansion gate. The sound of rubbing armor and the sound of weapons approached from afar. Upon hearing the noise, everyone immediately stopped playing and sent a servant to the front yard to inquire.

Chi Ying clenched her fists tightly. She knew from the start that there would be trouble today. She had been restless at the mahjong table, and now that she heard the rumors, she was even more terrified and broke out in a cold sweat.

The scout rushed back to report, and before he could finish saying "The Prince's mansion is surrounded," a group of Imperial Guards clad in heavy, gleaming armor burst in, instantly encircling the entire garden and waterside pavilion, completely surrounding the guests, including the princess, the queen, and the families of court officials.

Everyone was in a panic, no one knew what had happened, only that the leader of the Imperial Guards shouted: "We are ordered to arrest the traitors. No one is allowed to step out of the Prince Qing's mansion today, or they will be killed on the spot!"

Prince Qing arrived quickly with his guards. Upon seeing that the other party was dressed as a member of the Imperial Guard, he immediately questioned, "Whose orders do you follow, daring to besiege a prince's residence?"

The leader of the Imperial Guards simply said, "There is a traitor in your residence who is plotting rebellion. We have been ordered to arrest him."

Prince Qing sneered, "Your household is full of royal relatives, court officials, and their wives. How could you be a traitor? I will report this to my father, the Emperor. Do you know what the charges are?"

Having said that, he immediately waved his hand, ordering the guards to step forward and seize the uninvited guests on the spot.

To everyone's surprise, these Imperial Guards didn't take them seriously at all. They raised their swords and brought down several of the vanguard soldiers, instantly beheading them and splattering blood on the spot!

The female relatives had never seen such a bloody scene before. Those who were closer saw the blood-red head rolling on the ground and immediately screamed in fright.

Chi Ying was protected by Lian Yun and Feng Yue in the crowd. Although she couldn't see the whole picture, she caught a glimpse of a thick blood-red color. Below, the skin was as white as paper, and she felt a chill run down her spine.

When Prince Qing saw the Imperial Guards wielding their swords without any restraint, he vaguely guessed that something was wrong. However, he only had a few dozen guards under his command, and they were no match for the fierce Imperial Guards. In no time, most of them had been killed.

He didn't know who was causing trouble today, choosing Rouyi's birthday as the day to trap him and take hostage these female relatives to control the previous dynasty.

Seeing that the Imperial Guards had surrounded Prince Qing's residence like an iron barrel, Prince Qing stopped making futile resistance and retreated to the waterside pavilion to protect his wife and daughters.

Inside the waterside pavilion, everyone was silent as a cicada in winter, trembling as if being sifted through chaff.

Meanwhile, Prince Rong led his men out of Hetingyuan and ordered Lu Xiao, the commander of the Jinwu Guard, to surround the Forbidden City. He himself led the Tiger Guard and a group of trusted assassins straight into the imperial city, fighting their way to the outside of Fengtian Gate.

As night fell, flames soared into the sky.

Prince Rong, clad in black armor, looked up at the magnificent cloud-dragon steps, the layers of imperial steps, and the grand palace complex. He realized that he had not set foot in the Fengtian Palace for two whole years. Today, with his long sword stained with blood, the supreme position he had been planning for for many years was within reach. He felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration!

He gripped a long sword, its tip dripping blood, and ascended the steps, staining the imperial palace red. Just as he was about to reach the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the sound of uniform iron armor suddenly rang out behind him.

A chill ran through him, and he turned around abruptly, only to see that Fengtianmen Square, which had previously housed only his trusted elite soldiers, was now filled with a horde of armored soldiers, approaching like a tide in the darkness.

The veins on Prince Rong's hand, gripping the hilt of his sword, bulged, cold sweat poured from his forehead, and an unprecedented panic surged in his heart.

The Tiger Guards were surrounded, and countless arrows from the surrounding watchtowers flashed with a chilling light, all aimed at his generals.

Inside Fengtian Gate, blood splattered everywhere, and corpses piled up like mountains. The Tiger Guards suffered repeated defeats, their decline evident. Even Ning Su, his right-hand man, had his arm severed by a Jinyiwei commander and was taken to the ground.

Behind him, the doors of the Fengtian Hall opened wide. Prince Rong turned around shakily and saw Emperor Yongcheng, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, striding out of the hall with a gloomy face, accompanied by a familiar figure.

That person in the black robe with white silk covering his eyes, who else could it be but Yan Xuecui!

Emperor Yongcheng pointed at him and shouted angrily, "You unfilial son! Kneel down now!"

Prince Rong stared at his father, the Emperor, with an expression of utter disbelief.

His face was ruddy and his voice was full of energy; there was not a trace of anything amiss with his health!

Didn't they even cancel the Dragon Boat Festival? Didn't they claim to be ill and refuse to attend court for many days?

But now he stands here unharmed, having already laid a trap, waiting to catch him like a turtle in a jar!

Prince Rong knew that the situation was hopeless, but he didn't know where he had gone wrong. He was sure that Yan Xuecui was involved!

His legs trembled as he knelt down and kowtowed to the ground: "Father, I know I was wrong... I never had any intention of rebellion, it was... it was someone who bewitched me! It was Yan Xuecui, he must have set a trap for me!"

Yan Xue's white silk blindfold fluttered in the wind. Hearing this, she chuckled and said, "Brother Rong, you overestimate me. You personally handled all the planning and coordination. Today, it was you who raised an army to rebel, stormed into the Fengtian Palace, and attempted to assassinate the emperor and usurp the throne. I wonder what this has to do with me?"

A ruthless glint flashed in Prince Rong's eyes. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, suddenly stood up, and lunged at Yan Xuecui. Emperor Yongcheng was so frightened by this sudden attack that he retreated repeatedly. Zhao Qu, who was lying in wait, saw this and immediately drew his weapon and swung it at Prince Rong.

The moment the blade grazed his throat, Prince Rong finally saw Zhao Qu's face clearly and instantly understood everything. But before he could speak, Zhao Qu's throat was slit by a sword, his blood staining the palace grounds, and he died with his eyes wide open in disbelief.

Yan Xuecui's eyes were covered with white silk. With a loud crash, Prince Rong fell to the ground, lifeless.

Outside Fengtian Gate, the sounds of swords, spears, and halberds clashed and screams echoed, and a heavy stench of blood permeated the entire imperial city.

Only the ever-burning lamp in Fengtian Hall, its bright yellow light tearing through the blood-red night, illuminated his eyes, which were as cold and frosty as they were hidden beneath the thin veil.

My brother can finally rest in peace in the afterlife.

...

The Imperial Guards besieging Prince Qing's mansion had been waiting for news from the capital. During this time, many members of the imperial clan couldn't wait any longer and tried to send people out of the mansion to deliver messages. However, before they could even leave the mansion, they were all killed on the spot by the Imperial Guards without any mercy.

The fear that hung over everyone continued until nightfall.

The sobbing continued, and every few moments a head would fall to the ground. The crowd sat on the ground in a state of constant fear, their faces ashen, waiting in despair.

After several hours, Princess Consort Xuan had a rough idea of ​​what had happened, but it was not Prince Xuan who had rebelled. The palace had collapsed, and the Ministry of Works was in a state of chaos. The person who raised troops today must be trying to lure him there. She had not received any advance notice and was now also besieged at Prince Qing's residence.

It certainly wouldn't be Prince Qing...

She suddenly looked up at the Princess Consort Zhao beside her.

Chi Ying also noticed that Princess Xuan was watching her.

Princess Xuan's gaze was gentle, yet it carried a hint of indescribable sorrow.

She knew her actions were despicable, yet she still sighed softly in a tone only the two of them could hear: "Someone is plotting a rebellion in secret. It's impossible that the Northern Garrison Command didn't notice anything. Prince Zhao dotes on you so much, how could he bear to let you put yourself in such danger?"

Chi Ying was stunned for a moment and before she could react, a battle raged outside as several commanders of the Imperial Guards led their elite troops to her rescue.

The two sides fought fiercely. As the number of Imperial Guards gradually increased, the Imperial Guards were outnumbered and suffered heavy casualties. Amidst the flashing blades and bloodshed, the people in the waterside pavilion took advantage of the chaos to scatter and escape. Chi Ying was also led by Lian Yun and Feng Yue to break through the encirclement.

After she fled the Prince Qing's mansion, a brocade-draped carriage sped up from afar. The curtain was lifted, and a familiar figure with white silk covering his eyes slowly stepped out. The man reached out his hand to her and softly called out, "A-Ying."

Chi Ying's face was deathly pale, and her thin, taut body trembled uncontrollably as the fear that had been building up all day suddenly burst forth.

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Author's note: 50 random red envelopes will be given away in the comments section! [shy][shy]