Coup
Upon seeing Prince Mao's reaction, Wei Yun's expression immediately changed. Even though he pretended to be calm, his usually steady figure began to tremble slightly.
"...So late at night, does Your Highness have something important to discuss with me?"
Prince Mao strode forward, his gaze sweeping over the corpses and pools of blood on the ground. He didn't even glance at Ning Mei, who was trembling with fear halfway there. Instead, he stared intently at the Crown Prince, a ferocious ruthlessness slowly creeping into his eyes.
"Important matters? You, Wei Yun, should have known this long ago!"
The already frigid air, filled with the stench of killing and blood, was even more terrifying. The bloodstains at the corner of Prince Mao's mouth had gradually dried, but even so, being stared at by those eagle eyes was enough to make Wei Yun's heart stop for a moment.
The next second, as Prince Mao approached again, Wei Yun moved half an inch outward at almost the same moment, and because of this, he subtly shielded Lin Xu behind him.
Lin Xu was only lost in thought for a moment before she clearly saw that the future sage, who was always so powerful in public, was now covered in cold sweat, which had soaked through his thick winter clothes. She was both apprehensive and puzzled; could it be that Prince Mao and the Crown Prince, father and son, still hadn't recognized each other?
Thinking this, she couldn't help but look at Prince Mao, who was gradually approaching her, with a mixture of surprise and suspicion. This prince, who was second only to the emperor and had the power of regent, now had only waves of surging hatred in his eyes.
He must have just learned of the Empress's news.
Beyond the boundless darkness, even though the distance was shrouded in gloom, not a single figure could be seen. If Dou Yanxun were truly in Yanying Hall, would Prince Mao have been so reckless, willing to stain the Forbidden City with blood and bear the charge of treason, to come straight for the Crown Prince?
However, after a moment's thought, the shock and fear in her heart surged up like a tide once more. Zhao Fu…
The moment the man's face flashed through his mind, a gust of wind swept past, accompanied by a heavy stench of blood. It was Prince Mao kicking the tall Wei Yun to the ground.
The kick landed squarely on Wei Yun's chest. With Ning Mei's gasp of surprise, Wei Yun was thrown to the ground by the powerful momentum, rolling around in a disheveled manner, his thick robes covered in dust and dew.
"Royal...Royal Uncle..."
He coughed a few times, unable to control himself, and a few drops of black blood slid from the corner of his lips. Ning Mei was terrified, her face pale, but even so, she couldn't help but rush towards Wei Yun with tears in her eyes. He was her only support and reliance from now on. If something happened to the Crown Prince, she would truly have nothing left!
"Your Highness...this is His Highness the Crown Prince! How...how can you be so disrespectful..."
Before Ning Mei could finish her lamenting words, she was interrupted by Prince Mao's disdainful snort.
"You lowly servant, get out of here!"
After speaking, the imposing and tall man glanced at the disheveled Wei Yun, then looked away and instead gazed at the bright but isolated light in the distance.
Lin Xu's heart skipped a beat. Almost at the same moment, Wei Yun, who was coughing incessantly, also seemed to realize that Prince Mao had come straight over, but his intentions were elsewhere. And in the distance, that was the Imperial Study... the direction where Emperor Su was!
The night was silent; apart from their movements, there was no sound in the distance. Wei Yun looked towards the Imperial Study with near despair. The entire palace guards were now in Prince Mao's hands, and his father… his father was now…
Moments later, the wind swept in from afar again. Accompanying the gale were the deep, rhythmic sounds of horses' hooves and footsteps. There were even the subtle yet nerve-wracking sounds of sharp weapons clashing together.
Lin Xu clenched his hands, which were already cold and almost numb, inside his sleeve. Sure enough, what was coming had finally arrived.
Wei Yun looked up and saw a line of imperial guards standing silently and solemnly, their long halberds gleaming with a sharp, cold light. Behind them was another endless line of guards, and even as they passed by, he caught a glimpse of several guards who should have been on duty outside the imperial study. Instead, they were all standing on the other side, facing him.
The moonlight piercing through the clouds shone on the gleaming armor, reflecting cold rays that illuminated the once dark imperial road as brightly as day.
The two men at the head of the group sat high on their horses. The general on the left was clad in full armor, his hair and beard almost completely gray. He recognized him immediately as Xiang Zhizhang, the former deputy general who had served Prince Mao for decades and spent almost his entire life on the battlefield. The man on the other side, with handsome features and a cold demeanor, was none other than Duan Jinru, who was supposed to be leading the imperial guards on duty at this moment.
Wei Yun was horrified, his face turning ashen. He had chatted with Duan Jinru for a while during the banquet that night, but now the subordinate who had been so respectful and humble in front of him was shrouded in hostility, his eyes filled with an unyielding indifference.
Before she could utter a sound, Xiang Zhizhang gave a signal, and his men pulled Wei Yun to his feet and bound him tightly. Ning Mei was already trembling all over, but before she could even cry out, she and the two maids beside her were stabbed through the chest by another burly man and fell limply to the ground.
Lin Xu was stunned by the overwhelming stench of blood, freezing on the spot, and almost desperately closed her eyes. She hadn't expected that despite all her efforts tonight, she still wouldn't see that face. A wave of bitterness washed over her… Mianxue, Kunrou, Liang Si, her father… she would never see these people again…
After waiting intently for a moment, I heard the sound of menacing footsteps walking straight past.
Opening his eyes, he saw that the imperial guards, led by Xiang Zhizhang, had already crossed the imperial road and were approaching the imperial study not far away.
Someone lit a torch, its blazing light piercing the night and illuminating the panic in her eyes. Duan Jinru held the reins, while two of his men behind him gripped the ropes binding Wei Yun tightly. Duan Jinru glanced at the tears welling in Lin Xu's eyes, then expressionlessly looked away, coldly giving instructions to his men.
"Tie them up first."
Meanwhile, Emperor Su, who had been staying in the Imperial Study since leaving Changchun Palace, finally peeked out from the half-open window at the night sky. A long, howling night wind poured in through the crack, bringing with it a scent of iron and fire.
Flames blazed across the sky, armor stood in stark contrast to the imposing armor, and swords gleamed with a cold, indifferent light.
He slowly stood up, and a group of wailing eunuchs knelt beside him. "Your Majesty..."
In a short while, the flames outside the window grew stronger and stronger, surging and churning between the palace walls, turning the sky and earth a deep crimson.
Just a wall away, outside the imperial study, the sounds of countless suits of armor scraping against each other rose and fell, like thunder rumbling in the shadows, waiting for the next attack. "Your Majesty... Your health and well-being are of utmost importance. This servant will cover your escape..."
Emperor Su ignored Zhao Fu's soft pleas at his feet, his face cold as he stared at the layers of firelight surrounding them.
Heavy footsteps echoed from the stone steps outside the palace gate.
Prince Mao held a long sword that he had taken from some imperial guard, and climbed the steps one by one.
The firelight illuminated his scarred and dried-blooded face, and countless sword shadows trembled before his eyes. The air was thick with the smell of iron and blood, and the golden bricks in front of the palace gates gleamed blindingly in the reflection of the flames.
But he couldn't hear anything anymore.
The sounds of clashing swords and halberds, the shouts of the imperial guards, and the crackling of flames all seemed distant, as if from a lifetime ago. His mind went blank, leaving only one voice—the person who had once sat high on the throne in the imperial study, looking at him with a cold expression, his tone completely flat:
"You are of low character and extremely frivolous. You are just like your birth mother."
A cold wind brought him back to reality. Prince Mao brushed aside the obstructing hem of his robe and looked at the half-open window. He gazed at his elder brother, who was hiding inside the hall with a solemn expression, but his own expression had become calm and composed. He gripped his longsword tightly, but his voice was frighteningly calm, as if he were merely discussing something perfectly peaceful and normal with his brother.
"With the world in turmoil, I am worried that Your Majesty is overworked. I request to share your burdens and will temporarily take charge of the government from this day forward."
"Your Majesty need not worry."
Before he finished speaking, several armored guards threw Wei Yun, who was bound hand and foot and covered in blood, up the steps behind Prince Mao.
The eyes behind the window paused for a moment.
Meanwhile, on the long staircase, around the Imperial Study, a steady stream of imperial guards in full armor slowly approached. The swords in their hands gleamed blindingly, and many of them, formerly first-class imperial guards who had served the Emperor, had now all pledged allegiance to Prince Mao.
Behind Emperor Su, dozens of eunuchs were kneeling, with Zhao Fu leading the group, weeping and begging him to leave the area as soon as possible, or at least get away from the window where arrows could be shot at any moment.
Emperor Su, his face weary, tried to peer through the blazing torches to get a clearer view of the scene before the palace. After a long while, he spoke slowly.
“Prince Mao, I entrusted you with all the authority to command the Imperial Guards in the past because I trusted you as my younger brother and a prince of Dayu—has it not emboldened you to covet my ambition?”
Prince Mao stared intently at the face behind the coffin. Clad in a dragon robe, his physique, due to his age, was beginning to resemble his late father, the Emperor. Even the expression he gave him was identical—as if he were looking at a rat everyone wanted to kill in the street, or a vile vermin from the gutter. And yet, he was the one who should have rightfully become the Crown Prince.
That person who sits on the dragon throne, looking down upon the world.
The man who married the granddaughter of a founding hero, and who could affectionately call her Shutang for the rest of his life.
Xiang Zhizhang couldn't wait any longer. He looked at Emperor Su, who was helpless and completely surrounded by the Imperial Guards surging from all directions, and excitedly waved his long sword, laughing loudly.
"Your Majesty is unwell and should take good care of yourself. Prince Mao has rendered great service and is acting as regent. We, your subjects, are completely convinced of his merits!"
After he finished speaking, Prince Mao's former subordinates and imperial guards, who had already infiltrated various places, shouted loudly: "We are completely convinced!"
A series of shouts came from all directions, and some people's faces were lit up with excited smiles by the firelight. Emperor Su quickly disappeared behind the window, but in an instant, the palace doors opened wide, and he stood inside.
The flickering candlelight made his weary expression appear even brighter.
"Wei Cheng, treason is a serious crime. Have you really thought this through?"
Prince Mao raised one eyebrow, coldly watching Emperor Su, who looked like a trapped beast. Xiang Zhizhang beside him kept urging him on, "Your Highness, the matter is about to be accomplished, you can simply..."
Prince Mao waved his hand, and Xiang Zhizhang wisely stopped talking. Meanwhile, Duan Jinru had already led dozens of agile and most loyal guards to stand behind Prince Mao.
"uncle."
In an extremely short time, almost all the Imperial Guards were mobilized, and the Crown Prince was captured alive. Although the events of tonight were sudden, Duan Jinru had not disappointed his years of training and expectations. Prince Mao glanced approvingly at his young and handsome nephew, but in an instant, the coldness from the back of his neck made his expression change abruptly.
The other end of the short, sharp dagger was Duan Jinru's fingertip, which was bloodless from exerting too much force.
Xiang Zhizhang's expression immediately changed. He hurriedly tried to draw his sword from his waist, but was beheaded by the imperial guard who had come up the steps with Duan Jinru. His half-white beard was instantly soaked in blood, and his head rolled around, landing right next to Crown Prince Wei Yun, who was still tightly bound.
Prince Mao's eyes narrowed. Before he could seize Duan Jinru, dawn broke, and the once dark surroundings instantly brightened. The imperial city remained as solemn and majestic as ever, just as it had been in his previous life. The dark-clad imperial guards surrounded the steps and the area around the imperial study, making it impenetrable.
Further out, on the eaves, were already piled high with countless arrows.
Further away, in the direction from which he had come to the Imperial Study tonight, a woman and a horse were galloping through the morning mist along the long, winding imperial road. The woman on horseback was just as handsome as the man, wearing a plain armor and a black cloak, her dark hair whipped by the wind, but her eyes were as cold and sharp as blades.
The girl's right hand was raised high, as if she was holding something firmly in her palm. With a swift movement, only a fleeting glimpse of gold remained.
"The Imperial Guards are here—I'd like to see who dares to stop me!"
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