Just as Qi Qi had thought, Huangfu Jue was in a very bad situation.
After the incident with Zilaibao, Huangfujue sent his mother away and searched for her for a while. However, he was relieved to find out Huangfuyi's whereabouts later.
He truly hated his fifth brother, Huangfu Yi, to the point of wanting to die, but if the treasure fell into his hands instead of the Prime Minister and other ill-intentioned people, then he would still be safe.
Sure enough, the Prime Minister took immediate action shortly after Huangfu Jue returned to the palace. They colluded with various powerful forces, and even many of Huangfu Jue's subordinates were turned against him. After several poisonings and assassinations, Huangfu Jue's strategy was flawless, and he purged the traitors around him.
For now, he must pretend that nothing has happened and continue to attend court, lest the people behind him take advantage of the situation.
This was a fierce battle fought silently.
After the court session, Huangfu Jue went to see Emperor Yongping as usual. The Qianqing Palace was now guarded by three layers of imperial guards, and no one in the inner palace was allowed to enter, except for Huangfu Jue, Huangfu He, and the imperial physician.
Emperor Yongping was now unable to speak, and could only blink his cloudy old eyes. Even the news of the Empress's "death" did not rouse him to say a few words. As usual, Huangfu Jue said a few words about recent events in the court before getting up to leave.
He didn't say a single word of concern.
After all, this father, apart from the title in name only, has never actually fulfilled many of his fatherly duties. His children are afraid of him and do not respect him, so they have no choice but to pretend to be respectful and loving in order to make a living.
The fact that the Great Xia Dynasty has fallen to this state is not solely his fault, but he certainly hasn't done anything good either.
Emperor Yongping, unusually, blinked at Huangfu Jue while speaking today. Seeing him get up to leave, he let out a few hoarse sobs: "Uh... ah..."
Huangfu Jue bowed slightly, expressionless, and looked at him: "What does Father wish to say to his son?"
Emperor Yongping's face twitched violently, his eyes rolled back, and he could only whimper and utter no other sound.
The imperial physician came to see him, but said there was nothing wrong.
Huangfu Jue had no choice but to dismiss everyone and said, "Father, just blink when you want to say something. Now, if I ask you a yes, blink; if I ask you a no, blink twice. Do you understand?"
Anger flashed in Emperor Yongping's eyes as he glared at Huangfu Jue, who was speaking disrespectfully, and blinked.
Huangfu Jue didn't care about his emotions. He said that he had suffered a stroke, but in reality, he had done something so shameful that it was already common knowledge.
"Does Father wish to inquire about matters of the court?"
Emperor Yongping blinked twice.
Huangfu Jue: "Do you want to know the situation of the army at the front?"
Emperor Yongping blinked twice angrily.
Huangfu Jue: "You want to ask about the Empress Dowager?"
He blinked twice more.
Just as I expected.
Huangfu Jue stood up, looking down at him with cold, deep eyes: "Is Father Emperor about to make a will?"
Emperor Yongping's hoarse breathing became even more strained, like a trapped beast struggling. He seemed unaware that he had only been ill, yet everything had changed.
The youngest and most intelligent eldest son had a cold smile on his face. He lowered his head and whispered in Emperor Yongping's ear, "Father, you no longer need to suspect that your children will grow up and try to seize your throne, because the Great Xia is going to perish, and this emperor will no longer be from the Huangfu family."
Emperor Yongping's eyes widened in horror as he looked towards the door. Huangfu Jue said, "No, the rebel army hasn't broken in yet. It's me. I want to give the throne to the Zhenbei Army."
Emperor Yongping stared at Huangfu Jue in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock.
"However, before that, you must pass the throne to me first, Father."
"Don't look at me like that. If the Xia Dynasty weren't so hopeless and the people weren't on the verge of death, why would I have done this!"
"In the end, all of this was just the fate that the Huangfu family had long ago decided."
A dynasty that lasts five hundred years is a very long time.
Huangfu Jue also had desires; he wanted to possess the vast land and embrace his beloved. However, he was also self-aware enough to know that it was impossible for him to die for his country.
After he left, Emperor Yongping became even more terrified, because a person fell from the beam—his fifth son, whom he had almost forgotten.
"Father, you've really failed as a father. Look at what you've done to Ninth Brother; he's even about to hand over the empire..."
The cold dagger pressed against his neck, and Emperor Yongping stared at him without daring to move, his eyes filled with extreme fear.
"Father, do you still remember Consort Li from back then? Her name was Tuoba Yan. Oh, right, today I've come to sever ties with you. From this moment on, my name is Tuoba Yi..."
His bones were broken inch by inch and then put back in place. The excruciating pain brought tears to his eyes, making him feel like he was living a life worse than death.
...
Tuoba Yi, filled with joy, swept past the hidden agents throughout the palace and headed out of it. He had exceptional talent and had practiced martial arts since childhood. Even in dire straits, he never slacked off for a single day. The efforts of a genius often bring greater rewards. Look, even the self-proclaimed number one secret guard camp in the world is nothing more than this. Perhaps they know that someone has come, but they are no longer willing to serve the old emperor.
He was going to find his lover, to take her away from this cannibalistic place, and to live a free life.
But a short while later, Tuoba Yi entered a dark alley, glanced behind him with a cold expression, and a dozen ghostly black figures silently appeared behind him. Tuoba Yi chuckled: "Five first-rank and ten second-rank experts, so many experts to deal with me alone, isn't that a bit of a waste of talent?"
The man in black remained vigilant, constantly alert to his every move.
The leader of the men in black said, "The Fifth Prince and the Ninth Prince invite you."
Tuoba Yi's expression changed.
moment.
The two brothers met in a courtyard of the palace.
After dismissing all the guards, the two sat at the table, scrutinizing each other. Their eyes were filled with open disdain, hatred, contempt, resentment, and a barely perceptible, deeply hidden jealousy.
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