Chapter 369 Hostages
Seeing his somber expression, Qi Huan smiled and asked, "How does it feel to be pointed at with a sword by your former subordinate?"
"Father has handed over full command of the Qilin Guard to me. Not only that, but half of the palace guards are also under my control. You'd better think carefully about whether the soldiers brought by the Xiahou family can defeat them. Otherwise, let's not waste this time and energy. Just kneel down and acknowledge me as the new emperor, and I might let you off the hook."
"Otherwise, my good brother, you might not see the sun rise tomorrow."
As he spoke, his voice grew increasingly frantic, as if something burst forth from his body, tearing apart everything he had painstakingly concealed, revealing his true nature.
The Qilin Guards were not numerous to begin with. Some of them were elite soldiers who were taken to the border in the past, and now only a little over a thousand remain in the capital. Adding half of the guards in the palace, there are at least two thousand people. The Xiahou family brought only one thousand people today.
In terms of numbers, Duke Huan of Qi was indeed a match for him.
However, Duke Huan of Qi forgot that the outcome of internal strife is never solely determined by the size of the army. While legitimacy is important, the hearts and minds of the people are the most powerful weapon.
Qi Jun sighed: "Fourth brother, being an emperor, or even a crown prince, is not an easy thing. You only see the glamour of being the crown prince, the thrill of wielding great power and having the lives and deaths of others at your fingertips. But you never thought that sitting on this throne means shouldering the responsibility for the entire Qi Kingdom and all its people. You are still too young, and it is normal to make mistakes..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qi Huan shouted sharply, "You're talking nonsense! What do you mean I'm too young? You just don't want to relinquish power and don't want to obey Father's dying wish! You're committing treason! Even if I kill you today, I'll have a legitimate reason to do so!"
Yes, he is not as good as Qi Jun, who has been the crown prince since childhood and has a group of famous teachers to teach him carefully. He can learn the way of the emperor from his father. But they are both the emperor's sons. How is he any worse?
He was only two years younger than Qi Jun, and had always been overshadowed by Qi Jun since childhood. Everything he did was compared to him, and people would say that he was not as good as the Crown Prince. But he was clearly outstanding among his peers in both literature and martial arts. Those people were just trying to curry favor with the Crown Prince, so they said that he was not as good as Qi Jun in any way!
Not to mention, the Empress's maternal family, the Bai family, has completely declined. Now, the Crown Prince's power in the court is limited to a few loyal and neutral factions who have always supported the emperor. He has no other kinship ties. Qi Huan's mother is a Noble Consort, and behind her is the renowned Zou family. In addition, there are more than a dozen daughters and granddaughters of court officials in his harem. They are naturally on his side...
He thought it over and over and said it aloud, his voice trembling with excitement.
Even now, with the imperial edict in his hands, Qi Jun still wants to seize the Qi Kingdom, which he has painstakingly maintained for over a month?! He can forget about it! He's dreaming!
Qi Jun: "Forget it, what's the point of talking to you about this? Since you want to fight, I'll fight with you."
Qi Huan sneered, finding his pretentious act utterly disgusting.
Without wasting any more time, Qi Huan gave the order, and the Qilin Guards clashed with the soldiers brought into the palace by the Xiahou family.
Everyone tacitly avoided approaching Qi Jun and his group, whether out of fear or ulterior motives, it was unclear.
Qi Huan had already hidden himself in the back, observing the fight, and he grew increasingly anxious.
Why did he always feel that Qi Jun was superior?
No, it must be his imagination!
While he was lost in thought, a captain of the guards suddenly approached Qi Huan and said plaintively:
"Master! Something's wrong! Tai... Qi Jun and his men have used some unknown methods; we are no match for them at all!"
Qi Huan kicked him hard, yelling, "Useless!"
"I'll go myself!"
Qi Jun also saw his actions and told Qi Yuxuan to find a safe place to stay. A soldier then handed her a long sword.
The sword blade was unadorned, and the scabbard was simple and heavy, a style most common in the military.
Qi Huan also drew his sword and ordered all the Qilin Guards not to move. He wanted to fight Qi Jun himself!
But just then, from behind Qi Huan, inside the gate of the Funing Palace, a hoarse, reprimanding voice rang out:
"Huan'er, what are you doing?!"
Qi Huan's hand trembled, and he turned his head to look.
It's the Empress Dowager; she's come out.
The Empress Dowager's gaze swept over Qi Huan's face, which was still filled with shame and indignation, and then looked at the person opposite him. In an instant, he froze on the spot, unable to move his feet.
Staring at Qi Jun, she stammered, "Is...is the Crown Prince?"
"Am I seeing things? Has the Crown Prince returned to the palace?!"
The old woman who had been supporting her also showed a look of surprise and quickly confirmed, "Yes, Your Majesty, it's His Highness the Crown Prince who has returned to the palace!"
The Empress Dowager's hands trembled as she staggered out of the palace gates. "Crown Prince! Jun'er, Jun'er, you've really returned. Let your grandmother see you..."
But she had only taken two steps when she saw a procession of hundreds of Qilin Guards, attendants, and soldiers in the palace garden, with many people lying scattered on the ground. She realized something was wrong and hurriedly tried to retreat back into her palace.
However, in the next instant, Qi Huan grabbed the Empress Dowager's arm, and with a swift movement, his long sword was placed directly against her neck!
"Don't move—!"
Upon seeing this, everyone held their breath.
The palace servants wished they could gouge their own eyes out. What had they seen?! The Fourth Prince had actually taken the Empress Dowager hostage?!
The Empress Dowager's hair was disheveled, with a few simple hairpins lying on the ground, and her headband hanging askew at her temple. Her cloudy pupils contracted slightly, clearly shocked and incredulous at this turn of events: "Huan'er?! I am your own grandmother! How could you do this?!"
"Shut up!" Qi Huan's face was full of ruthlessness, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, his arm tightly gripping the Empress Dowager's shoulder, the sharp blade pressing a clear bloody mark into her aged, loose skin.
"You still dare to say that? If you hadn't been so stubborn in your pursuit of Qi Jun's remains, causing those old fogies in the court to target me, how could I have waited until today to receive the imperial edict appointing me as the crown prince?!"
"It's all your fault, you old hag! You've ruined my life and prevented me from becoming the rightful crown prince sooner! It's all your fault, all your fault!"
As he spoke, the sword pressed down even deeper, and beads of blood rolled down the Empress Dowager's skin, disappearing into her deep purple palace dress.
The Empress Dowager's face was full of pain, not because of her wounds, but because of Qi Huan's words.
It turns out that she intended to find Qi Jun's remains and let him undergo further trials and tribulations, but she was wrong!
Qi Jun and Qi Yuxuan both stared intently at the long sword in Qi Huan's hand, fearing that a slight tremor in his hand would lead to a grave mistake!
Seeing the nervous and anxious expressions on the couple's faces, Qi Huan was in a good mood: "What, are you really worried about this old hag?!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com