Chapter 324 Undercurrents in the Capital
As Huo Lin and Jiang Huan's carriage sped towards the capital, deep within the palace thousands of miles away, undercurrents were surging.
In the study of Prince Mu's residence, the candlelight flickered.
Huo Ting stopped pretending, his eyes flashing with a desperate, mad light.
"Your Highness, our scouts report that His Majesty has won a great victory in this battle and has already set off for the capital," a trusted advisor whispered.
Huo Ting clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white: "Good, very good! Huo Lin has fought against the Northern Di while he was away, leaving the capital vulnerable. This is a golden opportunity!"
He looked at his advisors: "Have the palace guards been arranged? Can our men control the key palace gates?"
"Your Highness, we have bribed the commander of the Imperial Guards with a large sum of money, and the palace gates can be opened. However, the Empress Dowager's attitude is ambiguous. Without her explicit approval, it may be difficult to truly control the situation in the palace, and unforeseen events may easily occur."
A hint of impatience flashed in Huo Ting's eyes: "The Empress Dowager always has too many concerns and is indecisive. However, Huo Lin is not her biological son. I am her blood relative."
A ruthless look of determination flashed across his face. "Prepare the sedan chair. I will go to the palace tonight to explain the situation to the Empress Dowager."
Half an hour later, at Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager had already retired for the night, but was hurriedly awakened by her trusted palace maid: "Your Majesty, Prince Mu requests an audience, saying that it is an urgent matter concerning his life and death."
The Empress Dowager's heart sank. This troublesome nephew entering the palace late at night was definitely not a good thing.
She rose, put on her outer robe, and received him in the main hall.
Huo Ting abandoned his usual cautious demeanor, his eyes burning with an imposing aura.
"Your Majesty, your nephew has come tonight for the sake of the long-lasting prosperity of the Huo family. Please issue an imperial decree."
The Empress Dowager suppressed her unease and said in a deep voice, "What matter requires me to be disturbed in the middle of the night?"
Huo Ting took a step closer and lowered his voice: "Please have the Empress Dowager issue an edict stating that the affairs of state are numerous and require someone to share the burden, and that I, the Prince, shall temporarily assume the power of overseeing the country!"
"Absurd!" The Empress Dowager stood up, her face pale with anger. "Are you out of your mind? The Emperor is about to return in triumph; your actions are treason!"
Huo Ting sneered, his eyes filled with ruthlessness: "Do you think I'm begging you? The four gates of the capital are already under my control, and I have men in the Imperial Guards as well. Huo Lin is too far away to help you in your time of need. By the time he returns, it will be too late. What do you think he will do to you then?"
He paused, looking at the Empress Dowager's face, which was filled with shock and anger, and softened his tone, but it became even more threatening.
"Empress Dowager, think about it. If you help me, you will still be the supreme Empress Dowager, enjoying endless wealth and honor. If you don't help, when Huo Lin comes back to settle accounts, I guarantee that even if you have done nothing, I will drag you down with me."
The Empress Dowager trembled with rage at Huo Ting's blatant threat. Pointing at him, her voice trembled, "How dare you threaten me! You and Huo Lin are both of royal blood. How can you do this to the late Emperor and our ancestors?"
Huo Ting's last bit of pretense was completely torn off, revealing his ferocious true face.
"Hahaha, what brotherhood do you have in the royal family? It's all about the victor and the vanquished!"
He pressed closer, almost touching the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, stop deceiving yourself. Do you think Huo Lin is truly sincere towards you? His respect for you is only because of your status as Empress Dowager. If I were to tell him that you and I have been colluding for a long time with ulterior motives, do you think he would believe you or the evidence I have?"
He deliberately emphasized the word "evidence," which was highly suggestive.
The Empress Dowager's face turned deathly pale instantly. She staggered back a step and collapsed onto the phoenix throne.
Compared to her meager loyalty to the emperor, considerations of her own safety and the empress dowager's honor ultimately prevailed.
She closed her eyes and waved her hand weakly: "Fine, I'll do as you say."
Huo Ting's face immediately lit up with a joyful smile: "Thank you for your great understanding, Empress Dowager. Your nephew will certainly live up to your expectations."
Having said that, he turned and left, full of self-satisfaction.
Almost at the same time, He Ling was pacing anxiously, her system panel flashing red warnings.
"Warning: The plot point of a palace coup has been triggered. The key figure, Huo Ting, and the related figure, the Empress Dowager, have wavered in their stance."
"The system is unable to intervene effectively, and the host is strongly advised to immediately avoid the risks."
“Avoid risks? Where can I hide in this deep palace?” He Ling almost shouted.
"That madman Huo Ting is going to rebel! And that old senile Empress Dowager actually agreed! It's all over, it's all over now. The Emperor and Empress are still on their way back. They've clearly walked right into a trap! System, I beg you, think of a way, even just a hint would be helpful."
"Unable to establish remote communication. Host is advised to remain silent."
"Shut up my ass! Once Huo Ting takes control of the capital, the first people he'll clean up are those of us without any backing."
He Ling collapsed to the ground in despair, a chill seeping into her heart from the floor.
But she had neither money nor power, so she was completely unable to help.
Now we can only pin our hopes on Her Majesty. She is so intelligent, she will surely find a solution.
......
A few days later, Huo Ting, in the name of the Empress Dowager, quickly took over the defense of the capital region, secretly purging dissidents and installing his cronies.
At this moment, Huo Lin and Jiang Huan's carriage, amidst the cheers of the people along the way and the announcements of their triumph, finally arrived at the outskirts of the capital.
Upon seeing the familiar city walls in the distance, Jiang Huan excitedly clung to the carriage window, pointing outside.
"Huo Lin, look, we've arrived."
After days of travel, she was filled with anticipation for a relaxing hot bath after returning to the palace.
Huo Lin looked at her excited expression, a slight smile playing on his lips, and hummed in agreement.
However, as the convoy drew closer, he keenly sensed something amiss.
The gates of the capital were tightly closed. Although the flags on the city towers were still in the imperial style, the number of guards far exceeded the usual number. Their ranks were solemn and imposing, and a chilling atmosphere permeated the air, with no trace of the joy of welcoming a victorious army.
Huo Lin's eyes narrowed, and he raised his hand to signal the entire army to halt their advance. His imperial intuition instantly put him on high alert.
Sun Zheng immediately spurred his horse forward, gathered his strength, and shouted towards the city tower: "His Majesty has returned in triumph! Open the city gates immediately!"
Silence reigned atop the city tower. After a moment, Huo Ting slowly appeared.
He wore a fake smile, his eyes full of provocation.
"Your Majesty," Huo Ting drawled, his voice laced with malice, "How have you been? The great victory in the Northern Frontier, the capture of the Di chieftain alive, is truly a cause for celebration. You have rendered an unparalleled service to our Great Liang, and I admire you greatly."
"However, His Majesty has been away from the capital for a long time, and it is inevitable that some villains will take the opportunity to cause trouble inside and outside the capital. The Empress Dowager is worried about the safety of the capital region and has specially ordered me to temporarily take charge of the defense and strictly check entry and exit to prevent the Northern Di spies from infiltrating."
He shrugged, making a helpless expression.
"Therefore, I'm afraid Your Majesty and the Empress will have to wait outside the city for a while."
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