Chapter 74 He wanted to protect the young lady's most cherished father...

On the way to the emperor's bedroom with Cao Angui, Wei Qin spotted Wei Yangwan peeking out from not far away.

The cool night wind outlined an invisible blade, sweeping across Wei Qin's upturned eyes, subtly warning the young man.

The young man returned to his mother's side with a heavy heart, but unexpectedly, Cao Angui appeared out of nowhere and dealt a heavy blow to the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess.

The political landscape at court is becoming increasingly unpredictable.

"Will Wei Qin, who is highly regarded by the Emperor, become an obstacle on my path to the throne?"

"He is Jiang Song's son-in-law, and we share the same goal."

Consort Guo sighed heavily, causing the young man to slump into the rose chair, listless and dejected like a lump of mud.

Jiang Song had made it clear that he would not submit to his command.

Guo's family did not have a strong foundation; she rose to power step by step by relying on her mother's efforts to win the emperor's favor. Without her father's support, she would quickly lose power.

"Mother, does the spoiled brat's advice to me to assess the situation and give up the struggle for the throne mean that the Jiang family has taken a liking to another prince?"

Jiang Song was defeated by Grand Secretary Zhou Yujin and withdrew from the Crown Prince's service. Shouldn't he choose a new target to support? It wasn't him, but naturally one of those young princes.

The boy pouted, "What does Mother think?"

Consort Guo rubbed her forehead, which had been throbbing lately, and said irritably, "You really aren't very bright; you're still thinking about seizing the throne."

The mother and son relied on the emperor, but unexpectedly the emperor suddenly fell ill with a strange disease and was on the verge of death. What could the mother and son rely on then?

"Let's wait and see. If His Majesty is truly powerless to reverse the situation, we'll escape the palace, live in anonymity, and enjoy a carefree life."

Over the years since entering the palace, they have received generous rewards from the emperor, accumulating wealth and enough to ensure that the mother and son would have no worries about food and clothing.

Wei Yangwan looked dejected and even more dejected.

Consort Guo gave her son a flick on the head. “Cheer up! Don’t be as foolish as the Empress, knowing His Majesty is heartless yet still clinging to him! As his mother, I entered the palace for wealth and glory.”

"Mother has finally spoken her mind. I am just a dim-witted fool. Being forced to grow too fast will never lead to me blossoming and being recognized by others."

"What you care about is whether you can be recognized by others?"

"Otherwise what?"

Consort Guo was both amused and annoyed, wiping away her tears in anger. Her son was indeed not cut out for political maneuvering. Ambitious people don't care about being recognized; the winner takes all.

So what if you're not appreciated? Just be carefree!

**

Inside the imperial bedchamber, Emperor Shunren rose from his dragon bed and grabbed Wei Qin's sleeve. "Jiang Song was lured away from his post and kept in the dark. He was unaware that this was a palace coup deliberately planned by the Crown Prince. My dear minister, set off immediately and take your father-in-law back to the palace to protect me!"

Emperor Shunren knew that the tens of thousands of imperial guards and secret police under Jiang Song's command were his inner shield and his last line of defense.

Don't miss this opportunity!

Wei Qin bent down and met the emperor's cloudy eyes. "Why doesn't Your Majesty seek help from the Cui family?"

Why is Cui Wei, the commander of the Shenji Battalion, not being given an important position instead of remaining in his post?

Emperor Shunren blinked his heavy eyelids. He certainly wanted to use Cui Wei to suppress the Crown Prince, but with Jiang Song not returning to the palace, he lacked the confidence to reinstate the Cui family.

Cui's eldest daughter, his first wife, was driven to her death by him.

Will the Cui family serve him without any reservations? Or will they take advantage of his misfortune?

If... the worst-case scenario is that Jiang Song is killed and there is no one else available, he will have no choice but to utilize the Cui family's connections. But with Jiang Song still alive, he can distinguish between what is close and what is distant.

"Take Jiang Song back to the palace, don't delay!"

Wei Qin said calmly, "Your subject accepts the decree."

Cao Angui dispatched several trusted men from the Twelve Supervisors to escort Wei Qin out of the palace.

Unimpeded by the palace, unimpeded by the imperial city.

However, when Wei Qin and his party were fifty miles outside the city, a large number of soldiers blocked their way.

"Minister Wei, please return."

Wei Qin tightened the reins, forcing the imperial horse to stop. "I am acting on imperial orders. I would appreciate it if the three generals could do me a favor."

The three men came from the Upper Twelve Guards. They were not commanders, but their ranks were not low.

He and Wei Qin were constantly in each other's sight in the inner court.

"It's not that we're being unreasonable, but the Crown Prince has ordered that no official outside the Court of Imperial Sacrifices may pass through."

Wei Qin smiled faintly, "Between the Crown Prince's edict and the Emperor's decree, the three generals should make a choice."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand what Vice Minister Wei means."

"If that's the case..."

Wei Qin still smiled faintly, seemingly having a good temper, but in an instant, the sword at his waist was drawn, and amidst the flashing blades, a general opposite him had his brow bone split open and fell off his horse.

The other two and their subordinates were dumbfounded, never expecting that a civil official who had only recently been promoted could be so ruthless.

"Wei Qin, how dare you kill a general of the Twelve Guards?"

"With the imperial sword, one can execute first and report later."

Wei Qin sat upright on his horse, holding the hilt of his sword at an angle. Drops of blood fell from the tip of the blade onto the yellowed, withered grass.

The two generals exchanged a glance and then drew their swords.

We'll give it our all.

How much effort would it take to deal with a civil official and a few eunuchs?

The two groups clashed immediately, creating chaos.

But as several figures suddenly joined the fight, the outcome was quickly decided.

The young man with a scar on his cheekbone mocked his fallen opponent, "So weak, what a loser!"

Mo Hao possessed immense strength, taking down one person after another. "Young Master, please go first!"

Wei Qin spurred his horse forward, his sword flashing as he hacked down those who blocked his path.

The Eastern Palace.

The aunt and niece sat in the bedroom, with no servants beside them.

“Cao Angui’s return to the palace is extremely disadvantageous to us. Your Highness must set a trap to prevent Jiang Song from returning to the palace.”

Jiang Song was only held back by a thorny case; it was impossible for him to never return to the palace.

If Jiang Song and Cao Angui join forces to protect the emperor, it will inevitably shake the inner court situation that the aunt and nephew have painstakingly stabilized. At that time, if Jiang Song and Cao Angui join forces with the Cui and Guo families to compete with the Grand Secretary Zhou Yujin, the outer court will also be thrown into chaos.

"What does Auntie mean?"

"Kill Jiang Song."

Even though Wei Xichen was used to seeing all kinds of storms, he was still shocked by the ruthlessness of the Eldest Princess, especially since she had admired Jiang Song for many years.

"Your Highness, do not hesitate any longer. Once the court is in turmoil, the princes and kings of various regions may come to your aid, or they may raise their own armies to establish their own rule, or even besiege the city to force you to abdicate. At that time, the Great Han Dynasty will be in turmoil due to internal strife, and foreign enemies will reap the benefits and take the opportunity to attack. What should we do then?"

After His Majesty fell ill and there was no possibility of recovery, she saw that the Crown Prince had ambitions to seize power and decided to help him do so. Now that she had done it, there was no turning back. She could not let His Majesty regain the throne, so she used her as an example to warn others.

Wei Xichen leaned against the half-open window, not minding the biting wind despite the cold weather. Only in this way could he calm down and not let his imperial aunt's alarmist words cloud his judgment.

Killing Jiang Song would incite conflict between the court and the people, turning him into a tyrant who would stop at nothing to seize power.

Furthermore, how would he explain killing Jiang Song to Jiang Yinyue? In her heart, he was no different from a villain.

The aunt and niece parted on bad terms, and the eldest princess stormed out of the Eastern Palace. She supported the crown prince, and her actions represented the crown prince. Even if the crown prince was unwilling, he could not escape responsibility.

The north wind howled, and the fine snow was icy cold.

She stopped, and snow fell from her fingertips.

It's snowing again.

The first time I met Jiang Song was in the midst of a snowstorm. The tall and imposing man's brocade robe billowed in the wind, his jade-like face was slightly red from the cold, his peach blossom eyes were smiling, and he did not appear frivolous. He was chatting with his colleagues, and his words revealed his wit, open-mindedness and magnanimity.

Ask her if she could bear it?

I can't bear it.

But she had no choice. The winner takes all, and only the winner can maintain their elegance; the loser must grovel.

Her hands were stained with too much blood; one more time wouldn't make a difference.

After the eldest princess left, Wei Xichen, who had been sitting silently, summoned Fu Zhongcai.

His aunt may have already sent assassins.

"Seize all connections within the Eastern Palace related to the Eldest Princess. Immediately send men to rescue Jiang Song."

Fu Zhongcai was stunned. Was this... a way of severing ties with the Princess?

Princess Chang is going to assassinate Minister Jiang?

This is inappropriate, this is inappropriate!

His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting for the Emperor's death so he can ascend the throne naturally, but the Eldest Princess is too eager for quick results, which will backfire! Once Jiang Song dies, His Highness the Crown Prince, the rightful heir apparent, will be seen by the court officials as an impatient and despicable usurper.

Even though the Crown Prince had the support of the commanders of the Twelve Guards, the Minister of War, and the Grand Secretary, there were still some powerful officials who had not yet expressed their opinions. Killing Jiang Song at this time would undoubtedly provoke these people, incite their resentment and dissatisfaction, and cause them to rise up and attack him, leading to chaos in the court!

"This old servant will take care of it immediately!"

Wei Xichen gazed out the window at the falling snow and said in a hoarse voice, "Hurry up."

Why is he so suspicious?

People's hearts are unfathomable; there is scheming everywhere, and it is impossible to guard against it all.

He was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

**

In a small town also blanketed in snow, Jiang Song, after listening to his subordinate's report, leaned back in his armchair with his arms dangling. "This case has been quite a struggle, but we've finally made some progress. Let's go meet the suspect again. What's fake can't be real. Let's see how quick-witted he is."

His subordinates tore off a cloak from the rack and draped it over Jiang Song.

Jiang Song rode his fine horse, leading several officials from the Ministry of Justice to the villa where the suspect was located.

Fine snowflakes blanketed the holly bushes, creating a hazy, indistinct expanse as far as the eye could see. Jiang Song, halfway through his journey, suddenly tightened the reins, his ears twitching slightly.

"Minister?"

There's an ambush.

"ah!"

As soon as Jiang Song finished speaking, the official at the very back fell to the ground in the snow, his back splattered with blood.

He was slashed in the back by an axe.

The horses were startled, neighing and galloping, breaking the tranquility of the snowy day.

Axes were thrown from the shadows.

"Everyone be careful!" Jiang Song drew his sword to block the axe, but the sword, which could cut through iron like mud, was chipped by the axe.

"Watch out behind you!" Seeing his colleague fearing a sneak attack, Jiang Song kicked off his horse, leaped up, kicked away the incoming axe, landed behind his colleague, then jumped off his horse, picked up an axe, and threw it back.

It hit an assassin squarely on the forehead.

The assassin lay prone on the ground, giving himself away.

A large number of assassins suddenly appeared.

Jiang Song was tall and stood out in the crowd. The assassins recognized him at a glance and attacked him together.

An official from the Ministry of Justice who went to help was stabbed by the assassin and bled profusely.

Jiang Song shouted, "You guys go quickly, go get help!"

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Jiang Song's eyes. After more than ten years of experience in the imperial court, his temper had been tempered, and he had become mature and shrewd. He had not been provoked to show his violent temper for a long time.

"You bastards, who ordered you to do this?"

"No comment!"

Jiang Song kicked several people away, dodged a fatal blow, and immediately retaliated, piercing the assassin's chest and kicking him ten feet away. He then quickly turned around and used his blade to block another assassin's sneak attack.

The assassins were numerous and well-prepared.

The reason why the eldest princess delayed sending the assassin until now was to lower Jiang Song's guard and prevent him from traveling with too many subordinates.

Today is an excellent opportunity.

Two fists can't fight four hands. Jiang Song retreated while defending and was forced to the frozen stream, where he used his sword to hold the ice.

The jade crown shattered, and the black hair flew wildly.

Jiang Song gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

The assassins raised their knives and rushed toward the besieged middle-aged man, well-trained and attacking from all sides.

It was imposing.

Caught between two attacks, Jiang Song was stabbed several times, one of which was aimed straight at his throat. Just as his straight back collapsed, an assassin seized the opportunity and stabbed Jiang Song in the heart.

Amidst the flashing blades, a figure in crimson robes leaped forward, stepping on the assassin's head and stomping towards the sharp blade.

The blade pierced the ice, forcing the assassin to bend over. Wei Qin then struck him on the forehead with his bent knee, knocking him unconscious.

Wei Qin hooked the knife on the ice and swung it forcefully, forcing back the rushing assassin.

He stood in front of Jiang Song, his scarlet robes fluttering in the wind.

"How is Father?"

"It's nothing, what brings you here?"

"Palace coup".

Jiang Song spat out a mouthful of blood, cursed, and turned his back to his son-in-law.

The vulnerability was entrusted to someone they trusted.

The eunuchs who accompanied Wei Qin also leaped out, each displaying remarkable skill.

Yan Qing, Mo Hao, and others leaped into the circle of assassins, standing shoulder to shoulder with the father-in-law and son-in-law.

The battle began.

Instead, the assassins, caught in the crossfire, fell to the ground one by one.

The situation has reversed.

**

As the snow intensified, Wei Qin handed Jiang Song a clean handkerchief.

Jiang Song, who was sitting on the rock, took it and wiped the blood off his face.

"Come back to the inn with me first."

Exhausted, they needed to replenish their food, catch their breath, and then discuss how to cope.

The group rose from the stream. Yan Yi bound several prisoners, mounted their horses, and was about to take a step when a hidden arrow whizzed past their ear.

"Minister, be careful!"

An arrow suddenly shot from the shadows, catching Jiang Song off guard.

Jiang Song had no time to dodge; his peach blossom eyes, which had been tightly closed, suddenly widened in the pupils.

A figure in crimson robes appeared before him, shielding him from a fatal arrow.

The arrowhead pierced Wei Qin's back, leaving a drop of blood in its bead.

"My dear son-in-law!"

"Minister Wei!"

"few......"

Yan Yi charged toward Wei Qin, while Mo Hao charged in the opposite direction, kicking over an archer hiding in the shadows.

Jiang Song helped Wei Qin kneel down, one hand tightly gripping Wei Qin's chest where an arrow had pierced through.

"My dear son-in-law!"

Wei Qin felt a metallic taste rise in his throat, and his chest ached unbearably.

He looked at the remorseful Jiang Song with trembling eyelashes and shook his head. He had to protect his father-in-law, the father that his young lady cared about most, and prevent her from being overwhelmed with grief.

He wanted to bring his father-in-law back to the young lady's side, even if it meant risking his life.

Before he fainted, a snowflake landed on Wei Qin's nasal bone and gradually melted, like a teardrop from Jiang Yinyue.