The dinner at the Duke's Mansion ended early.
Unlike previous years, Tian An did not prepare any programs for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival. After dinner, everyone was not allowed to go downstairs to rest, but stayed there to chat.
It was not until red fireworks began to bloom in the night sky that she handed little Xiyue in her arms to the wet nurse and arranged for the secret guards to take the children downstairs in batches to rest.
Xiaokang and Xiaoqi, who were already scholars, noticed that the atmosphere was not right and refused to leave.
Tian An could only patiently comfort her, "Something bad might happen tonight. I have to protect everyone, my brother, my sister, and me. The matter with Nanchen Xiyue can only be left to you. Can you do it?"
Xiaokang looked back at Xiao Nanchen, who was being held by the nanny and chewing his fingers, Xiao Xiyue, who was already asleep, as well as Yunxu, Yuntian, Zhao Qinhua and others. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded heavily.
"Don't worry, sister. I will protect everyone and won't let you be distracted."
Xiaokang and Zhang Zheng also stood up: "Sister, we still have you."
Seeing this, Zhao Shengyong and Zhao Shengze looked at each other and said, "Sister-in-law, we can also protect everyone."
Tian An nodded with satisfaction, "Okay, you are all men."
With that, she urged the secret guards to take them downstairs and settle them. She also ordered the women in the mansion to stay in their rooms and not come out. The men were to grab their weapons and be on guard.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Although the servants didn't know what had happened, they wisely kept their mouths shut and followed orders.
But when Tian An arranged everything, put on his cloak and mask and prepared to go out, An Wan and Jiang were reluctant to leave.
"An An, no matter what happens, let your mother stay with you."
Jiang also spoke up, "Child, you're still in confinement! If there's anything, let Third Aunt do it. Although Third Aunt is a woman, she's not afraid of anything."
Tian An's throat tightened, and he opened his arms to hug the two of them, "Mom, Third Aunt, it's okay, it's just a preparation, a precaution.
Besides, there are so many secret guards here! Nothing will happen."
Tian An had to persuade the two to leave after much persuasion.
Just as the guards of Tongxin Garden were arranged, the guards came to report that the government office was surrounded by soldiers.
Tian An's face turned cold, and he frowned and said, "I'll go and take a look."
"Wait a minute."
As she took a step, she heard a powerful voice coming from outside the courtyard gate. The next second, she saw that Zhao Ningyan, who was originally wearing a long gown, had changed into a tight-fitting outfit at some point, and was holding a silver-white spear in his hand.
His back, which had been somewhat hunched in the past, was now straight, and his originally loving voice became strong and powerful, "Wife Yiming, let Third Uncle go."
He turned his head and looked towards the gate, as if talking to Tian An, or perhaps talking to himself, "I've been a coward all my life. It's time for me to stand up. They say a general's family has no bad sons. Although I can't fight on the battlefield to defend my country like my elder brother, I can still deal with a few little bastards."
"Okay, Uncle San, be careful."
Tian An knew that Zhao Ningyan was not a fool like Zhao Ningsong. He had been compromising all his life, and now it was time for him to let go of that anger.
When Zhao Ningyan arrived at the gate, it was slammed with a deafening roar. The servants carried a lot of heavy objects to help hold the gate open. The guards also drew their swords and were ready to rush forward as soon as the servants made a mistake.
Zhao Ningsong frowned upon seeing this, and with a thud he planted his spear on the ground. He took a deep breath, and shouted at the door in a loud and powerful voice, "Who is outside? Do you know where this is? Do you know what the punishment is for trespassing into the residence of an imperial official?"
The banging sound suddenly stopped, and then a slightly sarcastic voice was heard, "Don't worry, this general has not found the wrong place. I am breaking into the Duke of Zhao's mansion. If you know what's good for you, open the door and let me in. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences if I go in myself."
Facing the threats from outside, Zhao Ningyan said disdainfully, "General? May I ask which general you are? Who ordered you to do so? Why did you break into the Duke of Zhao's mansion at night?"
The man was straightforward, or perhaps even brazen, as he said without hiding anything: "You don't need to test me. I am the general under King Wenxuan, and I have been ordered to seize the Duke of Zhao's mansion. You shall surrender immediately!"
"On orders? What orders did you receive? King Wenxuan is a prince. What qualifications does he have to order the siege of the residence of an official appointed by the court?" Although he knew the reason in his heart, Zhao Ningsong still wanted to induce them to speak it out.
“Hahahaha…” There was a loud and arrogant laugh outside the door, and then the man who claimed to be the former general said, “Of course, it’s the emperor’s order.
The current emperor is unkind, incurring the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people. The people are suffering unspeakably. The city was tragically besieged by rebels, and both the emperor and the crown prince died in the chaos. Why shouldn't my prince lead the troops to suppress the rebellion and succeed to the throne in accordance with the will of heaven?"
"You, you, King Wenxuan, actually dared to criticize the emperor and take the opportunity to usurp the throne? Aren't you afraid of being recorded in history books and being infamous for eternity?" Even though Zhao Ningyan knew the general idea in his heart, he was still shocked when he heard the other party say it so openly and arrogantly.
Facing Zhao Ningyan's accusations, the man remained arrogant, "History books? History is written by the victors.
After tonight, when the new emperor ascends the throne and you traitors are dead, who will know the truth, and who will care?
Zhao Ningyan was shocked. No wonder the other party dared to say such words so bluntly. It turned out that he had no intention of leaving anyone alive.
Before he could say anything, he heard the other party change the subject and said impatiently, "Okay, I've told you everything I need to say. Even if you die, you'll be able to understand everything in the future.
I advise you to surrender and open the door. This general, considering that you know the situation, will leave your bodies intact, hahahaha..."
Listening to the taunts outside the door, Zhao Ningyan was enraged and shouted, "You traitors, stop being so arrogant! My Zhaoguo Mansion has been a family of loyal righteous men for generations, and they would rather die than surrender. If you want to enter the mansion today, you must step over my dead body."
"Is that so! Since you ask for it so much, then this general will do as you wish." The man outside the door said shamelessly.
Then he ordered the soldiers to continue banging on the door, "Bang hard for me, General. I want to see the legendary Duke Zhao's Mansion. Do you think it still has some of its former grandeur?"
As the door was hit with a dull sound of "dong... dong... dong...", Zhao Ningyan's heart sank and his hand holding the spear tightened a little.
Compared to his nervousness, the people outside seemed much more relaxed. Looking at the crumbling gate, their tone was slightly more cheerful. "Let you struggle for a while! Anyway, no one can escape tonight."
Despite his inner worries, Zhao Ningyan remained undeterred. "It's too early to draw conclusions now. It's still uncertain who will win!"
Hearing this, the people outside the door seemed to have heard something funny.
"You don't think you can wait for reinforcements, do you? This general tells you the truth. We have already surrounded all the generals' residences in the capital. As long as they succeed in breaking in, we will send people to support us. Even if you can hold out for a while, you are doomed to die tonight."
Ha ha ha ha……
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