"You don't actually think you've won, do you? Let me tell you, that's impossible. It's not over yet, and it's still uncertain who will win." Zhang Hu's smile grew increasingly sinister.
When Shen Yunting saw that smile, he couldn't help but frown.
What can Zhang Hu rely on right now?
Seeing Shen Yunting's appearance, Zhang Hu became even more arrogant: "I'll wait for the day you kneel down and beg me. I will be the final victor."
Shen Yunting stared at him coldly, and finally blurted out: "The Fifth Prince wants to rebel while I'm away from the capital?"
Zhang Hu's expression immediately changed, revealing a panic he could not hide.
But Shen Yunting sneered and said, "It seems that's really the case. The Fifth Prince is really going to rebel."
His expression was one of complete indifference, and his eyes were filled with disdain as he looked at Zhang Hu.
Do you really think you can stir up trouble with your methods?
"Now that you are no longer in the capital, we have long been prepared and will surely be able to successfully attack the capital. Once the capital changes hands and falls into our control, what can you do no matter how powerful you are?"
This time, Zhang Hu simply stopped pretending.
He sneered and said, "If you release me now, the Fifth Prince and I might give you a way out once the new emperor ascends the throne. Otherwise, you can just wait to die."
"With the Fifth Prince's brains, he still wants to stir up trouble? I'll wait for the day you fail." Shen Yunting chuckled lightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Hu indifferently.
He then called over a soldier and whispered, "Keep a close eye on him. As long as he doesn't die, you can do whatever you want with him."
The soldier responded and watched Shen Yunting leave.
Compared to Shen Yunting's calm demeanor, Qu Jingyun's face showed more worry, and she couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure everything's alright?"
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Shen Yunting replied with a smile.
He then explained, "I had already noticed the Fifth Prince's secret actions several months ago and took precautions. Moreover, our Emperor is so suspicious that he is wary of me, so naturally he wouldn't trust his own son as much."
At this point, Shen Yunting couldn't help but chuckle, then continued, "And didn't you notice that some of the troops that were supposed to return to the capital with us have already left ahead of time?"
"Did they rush back to deal with this matter?" Qu Jingyun asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
Shen Yunting nodded and then said, "After the Fifth Prince was released from confinement, the situation outside had changed. The Emperor also values the Third Prince highly, so it's no wonder the Fifth Prince was anxious."
Qu Jingyun was relieved, but soon a sense of worry returned to her heart.
"But the Third Prince clearly has feelings for Yue'er, what if he..."
"Don't worry, as long as Yue'er doesn't want to, no one can force her to do something she doesn't like." Shen Yunting gently put his arm around Qu Jingyun's shoulder.
Then he suddenly took out a jade pendant from his pocket and waved it in front of Qu Jingyun.
Upon seeing the jade pendant, Qu Jingyun's expression immediately changed; she naturally recognized it.
He exclaimed in surprise, "How did you end up with this jade pendant?"
"It was given to me by the Emperor. He ordered me to take this jade pendant to mobilize troops to rush back to the capital to protect him."
Shen Yunting's eyes were filled with complex emotions as he spoke these words. He knew very well the significance of the Emperor giving him this jade pendant.
The Emperor is showing his trust in him.
Holding this jade pendant allows one to directly mobilize all the troops in the outskirts of the capital. If he truly harbors ill intentions, he might actually be able to do something.
"He must regret it too." Qu Jingyun couldn't help but sigh.
Shen Yunting chuckled, then, as if remembering something, spoke again: "By the way, the Empress is probably behind the Fifth Prince's rebellion. This time, the capital is likely to be in turmoil."
Qu Jingyun was not surprised by this. The Empress had no direct bloodline and had always had a good relationship with the Fifth Prince, so it was understandable that she would choose to do such a thing now.
She looked up at the distant scenery and couldn't help but sigh.
They had no idea what awaited them.
When news of the Fifth Prince's coup attempt spread, Qu Jingyun and Shen Yunting had just met with soldiers in the suburbs.
When the other party saw that it was Shen Yunting who brought the jade pendant, they were somewhat incredulous. It wasn't until they saw the Emperor's personal letter that their expression softened upon seeing Shen Yunting.
"I apologize for my slight disrespect just now," General Si, who was in charge of the soldiers in the suburbs, said apologetically, clasping his hands in greeting.
"There's no point in talking about this now. The most important thing now is to storm the palace, deal with the Fifth Prince, and save the Emperor."
General Si replied, "I am at General Shen's disposal."
The gatekeepers in the capital had men from Shen Yunting, who let them in under the cover of night.
Under the cover of darkness, the soldiers made their way to the palace, silently dealing with anyone who tried to stop them.
They headed straight for the main hall where the emperor was.
Throughout the journey, Shen Yunting showed no sign of panic, as if everything was within his expectations.
Until they saw the emperor coughing up blood...
At this moment, in the main hall, the emperor clutched his chest, staring at the fifth prince with murderous intent.
He kept cursing, "You unfilial son!"
The Third Prince shielded the Emperor behind him, looking at the Fifth Prince with a wary expression.
"Fifth brother, it's not too late for you to admit your mistake now, but don't make the same mistake again."
"Admit your mistake? The victor is king, the loser is villain. I am the winner now, I did nothing wrong." The Fifth Prince said through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with smugness as he looked at the Emperor.
"Since you are unwilling to give me the throne, then I will have no choice but to seize it myself. My dear father, go in peace. I promise to govern the country well."
After laughing triumphantly, the Fifth Prince coughed lightly and changed his words: "From now on, I am the ruler of the country. Let's see who dares to look down on me."
The emperor sneered, "You're dreaming. This empire will never be yours."
"Father, do you think your words still have any effect? You should worry about your own health instead," the Fifth Prince sneered.
Feeling the discomfort in his body, the Emperor looked at the Fifth Prince with a clear coldness in his eyes.
He demanded sharply, "When exactly did you poison me?"
“I didn’t make that move,” the Fifth Prince retorted. “Father is so suspicious and wary of everyone, how could I possibly find an opportunity?”
"It was placed here by me." The Empress appeared out of nowhere.
Meeting the Emperor's hateful gaze, she chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, you are old, yet you still cling to this position. I have no choice but to find a way to send you on your way sooner."
"You wicked son, you poisonous woman!" The emperor struggled to get up, but failed.
The Empress didn't take it seriously and simply said, "Your Majesty, all you need to do now is take out the Imperial Seal and affix it to this edict of succession, and I will give you the antidote so you can live out your old age in peace, how about that?"
"You're dreaming." The Emperor sneered. "You won't succeed."
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