Yuan Xujing felt cold and sweaty from head to toe, but he breathed a sigh of relief when he thought of the military tally in his arms.
Then, recalling the letter his fifth brother had sent him, he guessed that Zhu Yuan was probably seriously injured and wouldn't be a match for him.
The head guard waited a moment, but still hadn't received Yuan Xujing's order. He forced himself to continue, "Your Majesty, please issue the order as soon as possible. If you delay any longer, it may be too late to escape!"
If it had been any later, Yuan Xujing would have had no choice but to commit suicide.
Yuan Xujing regained his senses and asked, "Where are our generals? Lead me there quickly!"
The head guard was stunned, not understanding why the emperor, instead of leaving, wanted to follow them to their deaths at this time.
Upholding his loyalty, he still advised, "Your Majesty, the rebel king outside the city has cannons, and our soldiers..."
"Stop talking nonsense and lead the way."
Of course he knew! He wasn't blind to see that half of the sky turn bright red just now.
But he was unwilling to give up the throne he had worked so hard to seize.
Seeing this, the captain of the guards said nothing more, but felt very sad, wondering how many more brothers would lose their lives here!
Zhu Yuan and his men fired two cannons, smashing a large hole in the gate of Kyoto.
They deliberately made a scene here so that others could enter through the side gate, control the other city gates, and surround Yuan Xujing.
He wanted to take the military tally and leave the city to call for reinforcements, but whether he could leave the city alive was another matter.
"Your Highness! The East Gate has been captured!"
"Your Highness, the west gate has been captured!"
"...The North Gate has been captured!"
Standing at the highest point, Zhu Yuan looked down at the chaotic capital city below. He raised his spear, spurred his warhorse, and said, "Follow me into the capital!"
Inside the city, Yuan Xujing bypassed the crowd and finally managed to leave the imperial city. Just as he was about to head towards the north gate, the streets were in complete chaos.
He was constantly being bumped into by passersby. If the timing hadn't been inappropriate, offending the emperor's authority would have been a capital offense!
Just as Yuan Xujing was about to follow the crowd out, he ran into a familiar-looking person.
"Your Majesty, I am well! I have been waiting here for a long time!"
He paused slightly, looking at Prime Minister Chen, who spoke respectfully but looked at him with a cold gaze. Yuan Xujing couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
He forced himself to remain calm and said, "My dear minister, what are you doing here? Oh, right, I was in such a hurry that I forgot about the Empress in the palace. I would be grateful if you could take good care of her for me."
Prime Minister Chen looked coldly at Yuan Xujing. He regretted why he had married his daughter to Yuan Xujing when he was still a prince.
He ruined his daughter's life!
"I have heard that my Shuang'er often angers Your Majesty. I apologize on her behalf! I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Despite the apology, Yuan Xujing saw no remorse in him.
Seeing that it was getting late, Yuan Xujing didn't dwell on it and said, "The Empress and I are husband and wife. Husband and wife don't hold grudges overnight. Prime Minister Chen, there's no need to apologize to me!"
Whenever he thought of that woman Chen Shuang'er, he wished he could lock her up in the cold palace and let her fend for herself.
But he couldn't resist having a powerful father, and his success in rising to power was largely thanks to Prime Minister Chen.
But Chen Xiang…
Yuan Xujing narrowed his eyes. He was not a stupid person. At this moment, Chen Xiang must have something in mind to block his way.
Chen Xiang sighed, took out the divorce agreement he had already written, and unfolded it so that Yuan Xujing could see the contents.
Her tone was no longer as cold as before, and she said with a hint of sincerity, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Shuang'er is morally deficient and unworthy to be your Empress. Please, Your Majesty, consider that I have worked hard, even if I have not made any great contributions, and grant me a divorce!"
Yuan Xujing's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the divorce papers before him!
How absurd! He, an emperor, was forced by his own ministers to sign a divorce agreement with the empress!
"Prime Minister! Do you know what you're doing? Divorce? You're forcing me and the Empress to divorce!"
Although he disliked the Empress, he never considered divorcing her. How dare Prime Minister Chen say that?
Chancellor Chen could see that Yuan Xujing was furious, but what could he do?
From the moment he approached Zhen Fuyou, he knew this day would come. Now that things are beyond repair, he has nothing to fear.
"Your Majesty, please sign this divorce agreement!"
"What if I don't sign? What will you do then?" Yuan Xujing understood perfectly well that Chancellor Chen thought he was doomed to die today.
So they forced him to sign the divorce papers so that Chen Shuang'er could have a way out!
Impossible! Even if he dies, he'll drag that bitch down to hell with him!
No! He won't die; he still has hundreds of thousands of troops waiting for him outside the city.
One day, he will make those who betrayed him wish they were dead!
At that moment, an unfamiliar voice came from the corner.
"Prime Minister, why waste time talking to him? I think we should just put a knife to his throat; that's the only way he'll listen!"
Yuan Xujing looked over and saw a man with a roguish face, grinning slyly at him.
He suddenly sensed danger and felt that the place was very unsafe, and subconsciously wanted to escape.
"I will not sign this! Chief Guard, take me out!"
Zhen Fu crossed her arms, looked at him mockingly, and said, "Too late! Your Majesty, you are truly a fool. Turn your head and see what has happened to your chief guard?"
Yuan Xujing subconsciously turned around and saw that the highly skilled guard captain had a knife held to his neck.
"His Majesty!"
The captain of the guards looked utterly defeated; they were destined to perish here today.
Yuan Xujing felt utterly disheartened. He turned back to re-examine Prime Minister Chen: "Prime Minister Chen, you are truly cunning! When did you contact Zhuyuan?"
Thinking back to how he had always tried to please him, he never expected that Prime Minister Chen would betray him!
Yuan Xujing gritted his teeth in hatred, wishing he could grind him to dust to vent his anger.
Prime Minister Chen remained expressionless as he looked at Yuan Xujing, who hated him to death.
"Your Majesty, please sign!"
He only said this once and for all, and Yuan Xujing laughed in fury: "I never thought I would die at your hands! Don't forget, your daughter is my empress. If I die, she won't live either!"
Seeing the fleeting hint of reluctance in Prime Minister Chen's eyes, Yuan Xujing laughed even more maniacally.
"What's so difficult about that? You're already dead anyway, we can just forge a divorce agreement!"
Zhen Fu looked at Yuan Xujing, who was laughing hysterically, with incomprehension. In his opinion, having this divorce agreement made no difference to not having one.
When people are dead, who will speak up for the dead?
In the end, it's all up to the living to make the decisions!
"Old Chen, don't let him scare you. Didn't I tell you, your daughter will be fine. When this kid dies, your daughter can marry whomever she wants and have as many children as she wants!"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Xujing angrily pointed at Zhen Fuyou and panted, "Chen Shuang'er is the true Empress. Even if she dies, she is still a member of the royal family. How can she marry someone else?"
"Huh! You're dead, and you can't even let her remarry?" Zhen Fuyou looked at Yuan Xujing, who was blushing, in surprise, thinking that this person was really bad.
In their village, even if a widow dies, she is still eligible to remarry!
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