Chapter 256 Facing Imminent Death
Duke Liang breathed heavily, "What do you mean? You bastard, who stole the throne from General Shen, should not have defiled General Shen's bloodline, much less have you stolen the throne from General Shen's own child!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao's eyes narrowed slightly, and the color in his eyes beneath the twelve-tasseled crown instantly darkened.
Liang Cheng was a former subordinate of Shen Lang, and had served in the army for twenty years, having successively commanded the Jinwu Guard and the Imperial Guard. He held considerable prestige both in the court and in the army.
But he had never had any connection with her, neither participating in the factional struggle between her and the Cui family, nor having any conflict with her in court. Yet today he took a risky move and openly launched an attack.
So that's where the root of the problem lies.
Upon hearing this, the courtiers were even more astonished and suspicious.
"Why are you still bringing up His Majesty's bloodline? Wasn't it already clarified two weeks ago?"
"Yes, the blood test was conducted in front of all the civil and military officials. The blood mixed together, so why is Duke Liang still bringing it up?"
Some whispered, "Could there be something more to this? Surely the Duke of Liang wouldn't risk the lives of his entire clan?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Xu frowned and immediately said, "Liang Cheng, His Majesty's bloodline has already been verified, and all the civil and military officials present are witnesses. How can you speak such nonsense!"
Liang Cheng looked at Shen Xu, angrily saying, "Shen Xu, you fool! General Shen is your own sister! The child she carried for ten months and gave birth to was stolen and replaced, and is now wandering in a foreign land, suffering hardship!"
He glared at Li Yuanzhao with resentment, "And this imposter not only stole his identity, status, and favor, but now he wants to take away his throne!"
"And you, you actually wholeheartedly support and protect her?! How can you face the spirit of the general in the afterlife with such actions?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Xu's expression changed slightly.
"Absurd! Do you think I, as his uncle, don't know whether His Majesty is my sister's biological child or not, while you, an outsider, know better?"
Upon hearing this, the court officials began to criticize the Duke of Liang.
"Indeed, how could Shen Guojiu, as an uncle, mistake his own nephew?"
"Is this Duke of Liang getting senile?"
Su Qingci stepped forward. “Liang Cheng, kidnapping the new emperor is a capital offense punishable by the extermination of your entire clan! I advise you to release His Majesty and surrender. Perhaps His Majesty will remember your past merits and spare your life, leaving you with a complete corpse and saving the lives of your entire Liang family!”
Ru Mo immediately followed up with pressure, "Duke Liang, the city walls are surrounded by the Dragon Martial Army. If you injure His Majesty, you will have nowhere to escape!"
Liang Cheng, however, laughed loudly, looking up at the sky.
"Dragon Martial Army? A mere woman!" He glanced at Ru Mo. "General Shen's prestige was earned through countless battles! What makes you think you can compare to her? Do you really believe these soldiers would willingly obey the orders of a woman who rose through connections?"
Ru Mo's heart sank. Before he could say anything, he heard a series of rapid and heavy clanging sounds of armor clashing from both sides of the city wall.
Li Yuanzhao's eyes instantly turned cold.
It seems this group of people had been waiting for her here all along.
Today's coronation ceremony was conducted under her personal orders, with the Imperial Guards being mobilized to completely surround the palace and the Temple of Heaven.
They didn't even have a chance to make a move.
So they specifically chose to make their move when she went to Longwu Gate to receive the court's congratulations.
Because the Dragon Martial Army is stationed here.
Since Feng Deshun's death, the Longwu Army had only recently been handed over to Ru Mo, and the morale of the troops was not yet stable, making it the easiest time for them to be exploited.
It seems she underestimated them...
The court officials also sensed something was wrong, and the discussions abruptly ceased.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound in horror, and many people subconsciously took a half step back.
Soon, a squad of imperial guards clad in black armor, wielding spears, rushed in, quickly forming ranks, their spears pointed directly at Li Yuanzhao and the other officials present.
The leading general, with a smile on his face, was none other than Zheng Xinglang.
Ru Mo looked at the soldiers, his expression suddenly changing.
These were her people from the Dragon Martial Army; when did they betray her?
She knew nothing about it.
In an instant, regret and self-blame welled up in my heart.
It's all her fault for not strictly controlling the army, which led to today's events and put His Majesty in such a dangerous situation!
Zheng Xinglang's gaze swept over the panicked officials, finally settling on Liang Cheng and Li Yuanzhao, whom he had taken hostage.
"Duke Liang, you've worked hard. The Dragon Martial Army is now under my control. Rest assured, the dragon throne in the Taiji Palace will not fall into the hands of this usurper again."
Although surrounded by people, Su Qingci's aura was not weak at all. "Zheng Xinglang, today is the new emperor's enthronement ceremony. You have taken it upon yourself to lead troops to besiege Longwu Gate and hold His Majesty hostage. Do you intend to openly rebel like Cui Shiliang?"
The smile on Zheng Xinglang's face vanished instantly, replaced by anger.
"Do you, a woman, have the right to speak here?"
He pointed directly at Su Qingci and Ru Mo, and shouted sternly, "Guards! Execute these two vile women who have brought ruin to the country on the spot! Hang their heads on the city wall as a warning to others, so that the world can see the consequences of women interfering in politics!"
Upon hearing this, the soldiers around him became even more excited and charged at the two men with their spears.
They already harbored resentment towards Ru Mo.
Zheng Xinglang seized upon this sentiment, secretly instigating them and promising them promotions and titles after the deed was done, which is how he managed to turn most of the Longwu Army against him.
Ru Mo subconsciously took a step forward, firmly protecting Su Qingci behind him.
Upon seeing this, a collective gasp filled the arena.
The officials were so frightened that they all retreated, and most of them dared not stand up to stop it.
Some people even secretly rejoiced, thankful that the attack was only directed at these two women, and as long as they were not implicated, everything would be fine.
Su Jingzhi watched as his daughter was about to die on the spot, but his legs went weak and he dared not step forward.
Just as the spear was about to pierce the two, Li Yuanzhao suddenly spoke up, "Zheng Xinglang, do you think you can leave here alive after killing them?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a penetrating and oppressive quality.
Zheng Xinglang was taken aback upon hearing this, his fierce expression froze, and he looked at Li Yuanzhao, who was being held hostage by the Duke of Liang, with confusion in his eyes.
She's already a prisoner, what right does she have to say such things?
"I suppose the Imperial Guards have already surrounded the entire Longwu Gate?" Li Yuanzhao continued slowly, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers holding spears. "If you harm even a single hair on their heads today, I guarantee that all of you, your entire clan, will be wiped out, leaving not a trace."
Upon hearing this, the soldier holding the spear paused, not daring to move forward even an inch.
The other officials, as if struck by a revelation, also began to get excited.
Yes, although the Longwu Army has surrounded the Longwu Gate, there are still tens of thousands of Imperial Guards and Jinwu Guards inside and outside the palace. Once they are completely surrounded, their manpower will be insufficient.
Seeing his coerced daughter, Su Jingzhi mustered his courage and moved forward, trying to put pressure on the soldiers.
"His Majesty is right! The Imperial Guards must have arrived! Don't be fooled by Zheng Xinglang! He wants to drag you all down with him! There are only a few thousand of you, while the Imperial Guards and the Golden Guards number in the tens of thousands. You have no chance of escaping! Don't forget your parents and relatives. If your rebellion fails, they will all be implicated! Is it worth it?"
Upon hearing this, the originally aggressive rebels hesitated.
They were fooled by Zheng Xinglang into thinking that by seizing the new emperor and supporting the "legitimate prince," they could be promoted and bring glory to their ancestors.
But it's not that simple. Once the Imperial Guards' iron hooves trample down, their small force will be nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
For a moment, everyone was hesitant to go on.
"Shut up!" After angrily rebuking Su Jing, Zheng Xinglang's face darkened as he looked at Li Yuanzhao: "Li Yuanzhao, you dare to be stubborn even when you're about to die!"
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