"Don't worry, Your Majesty, we'll handle this." Chi Wangshu winked at Shen Yulou, assuring him to relax.
The brother and sister then helped the person onto the carriage returning to the palace.
"Brother, do you think our deterrent power is not enough? How can anyone still dare to cause trouble in the Qi Dynasty?"
Back at the house, Chi Wangshu looked at Chi Chang with a puzzled expression.
Ji Chang, feigning profundity, opened a book.
"Rumors are nothing compared to the awe-inspiring power of firsthand experience. Let's make an example of them this time."
The two men looked at each other and simultaneously reached for the swords at their waists.
"Shall we have a fight?" Chi Wangshu tilted her head, her eyes full of excitement.
The swords were drawn, their cold light gleaming, their sharpness fully revealed.
"My sword is not without its weaknesses."
“Mine is sharper.” Chi Wangshu said, then raised his hand and stabbed.
Ji Chang raised his sword to meet him.
Swords flashed, and figures thronged.
The crisp sound of clashing weapons filled the entire courtyard.
——————————————
night
The storm is brewing.
The once bustling and lively night markets in Beijing are now eerily quiet, and the streets are deserted.
The high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital had already received word of this and were staying indoors.
Each house was equipped with a large number of servants and weapons, ready to resist at any time.
Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion
The inner courtyard was brightly lit, and the Marquis of Dingyuan, dressed in military attire, sat facing his father.
"Do we really want to start tonight?"
Marquis Dingyuan looked at his father, the flickering candlelight reflecting in his cloudy eyes.
It even seemed to have gained a bit more determination and vitality.
“Shen Bijue had already discovered our whereabouts.”
"The capital has probably already laid a trap, and our actions will likely only bring us more danger than good."
Looking at the map of the capital and the palace spread out on the table, there were many circles and dots on it.
They had their own forces, as well as the Qi Dynasty's army.
"Tonight."
The father's voice was firm and unyielding.
"Perhaps we can temporarily retreat and wait until we are strong enough." Marquis Dingyuan covered a corner of the map with his large hand, which was where their power was located.
"Heh..." The old man let out a cold laugh.
"Chen Bijue's relentless approach merely served as a wake-up call for me."
"We've retreated again and again, where will we finally retreat to?"
"If this keeps dragging on, how many years do I have left to live?"
"There are too many variables; we can't hold on." The old man shook his head.
"Why not take advantage of this moment, go all out, and earn a good reputation for yourself?" The old man laughed as he spoke, his cloudy eyes filled with tears.
Marquis Dingyuan looked at his father, who was old but still had a straight back like a pine tree. His vision was gradually blurring, but his heart was always firm, his mind was quick, and he was full of schemes.
What was he like when he was young?
His father seemed to have never shared his youth with him.
They must have been arrogant and domineering, able to command a large following.
"We might lose..." Marquis Dingyuan said, revealing their fate. In truth, he knew it wasn't a possibility, but an inevitability.
"I know, but I'm going to do it anyway." Even though I already knew I would lose.
The old man closed the map and then tossed it into the arms of Marquis Dingyuan.
"I have been planning this project for decades, and I will do it even if I fail."
"It's not just for my benefit, but also for the world to see, and for my deceased emperor and crown prince to see."
"We are born into the land of Sheng'an, and we will die as ghosts of Sheng'an. We have blood in our veins, and our backs will never bend to the level of other nations."
“Everyone can forget His Majesty, including the Crown Prince and the former Sheng An, but I cannot forget, and I must not forget.”
The old man tapped the ground one last time, his cane making a heavy, dull thud.
He passed by the Marquis of Dingyuan and arrived at the threshold, ready to step out.
"Would you like to use our incense?" Marquis Dingyuan stretched out his hand toward his father, then lowered it.
"No need, this is fine."
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