Chapter 66
Inside the Zichen Hall, the floor was paved with gold bricks, and the dragon pillars stood tall and imposing. The court, which had been silent for three days, was filled with an unusual tension due to the emperor's return to court.
Pei Yun sat upright on the throne, his face paler than usual, with barely perceptible dark circles under his eyes, but his posture remained upright.
Perhaps it was a sign of impending storm, or perhaps they had caught wind of something, but the court officials were unusually quiet today. Most of them lowered their heads and stared silently at the gaps between the gold bricks beneath their feet.
Upon seeing this, the chief eunuch Wang Dequan, who was standing to the side, stepped forward, cleared his somewhat dry throat, and loudly proclaimed in a drawn-out tone: "If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn!"
The lingering sound echoed in the empty hall, making the surrounding silence even more pronounced. A young censor standing in the back row moved his lips, as if he wanted to offer some advice, but just as he was about to step forward, his sleeve was tightly grabbed by an elderly minister with white hair and beard beside him.
The old minister didn't raise his head, but desperately tried to stop him with his eyes, his cloudy eyes filled with fear. The young censor struggled, his gaze lingering for a moment on the seemingly dignified but indifferent face of the emperor on the throne, before finally giving up, retracting his half-step, and burying his head back in the ranks, remaining silent.
This subtle movement did not escape Pei Yun's notice. He leaned lazily against the cold back of the dragon throne, one hand supporting his chin, his fingertips lightly tapping the dragon carving on the armrest. His gaze casually swept over the silent assembled officials below before he finally spoke: "My dear minister, you hesitated just now. Did you know in advance that there would be a 'lively' scene in the palace today, hence your hesitation? Or did you think that I was in a bad mood lately and would kill someone without cause, adding to the suffering?" He paused, a half-smile playing on his lips, his tone turning cold, "Or perhaps... my dear minister, you are full of learning, but you are only good at discussing the private affairs of my harem, and have nothing to say about the affairs of state and the people's livelihood?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a suppressed rustling sound arose from below. The ministers exchanged fearful and uneasy glances, and beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads. However, before they could think of a response, the two heavy bronze-inlaid vermilion doors of the main hall were suddenly pushed open from the outside with a huge force!
In an instant, all eyes turned towards the palace gate, as sunlight rushed in, outlining the figures of a group of uninvited guests at the entrance. Apart from a few people letting out short gasps of surprise, most of the officials showed little surprise, as if they had expected it all along. However, beneath that silence lay a deeper sense of apprehension and uncertainty.
Pei Yun remained composed, even glancing around at the expressions of the princes and ministers with interest, before chuckling softly, "When did my Zichen Palace become a red-light district where people can come and go as they please?" He slowly sat up straight, his words carrying a deeper meaning, and said, word by word, "My dear ministers, you don't seem particularly surprised, as if... you already knew about this and were just waiting to see a good show."
Some astute courtiers below, seeing Pei Yun so calm and composed, even with a hint of mockery in his words, a stark contrast to the rumored irritable and erratic behavior of a few days ago, couldn't help but feel a strong sense of unease.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. We are far away in Beijiang. We heard that Your Majesty is unwell and we are deeply worried. We have come to visit you!" The speaker was Ge Quan, who had just burst into the hall. He was dressed in a dusty military uniform and stood side by side with his son Ge An, who was also in armor. Behind them were a group of generals and soldiers holding gleaming weapons and with grim expressions. They stormed into the hall, instantly turning the peaceful and solemn court into a dangerous place with swords drawn.
If it weren't for this confrontational stance, his "sincere" words would truly resemble those of a loyal minister concerned for his ruler and country.
Ge Quan gave a perfunctory bow, and before Pei Yun could speak, he straightened up, turned to the side and pointed to a young general behind him with a gloomy face and eyes burning with hatred, and said loudly, "This is General Shen Rong. General Shen was also afraid that there were treacherous villains around His Majesty, which would cause His Majesty's health to be uneasy and the court to be in chaos. That's why he acted rashly and was eager to lead troops to protect His Majesty. Please forgive him, Your Majesty."
This was a veiled criticism of Pei Yun's recent misconduct. However, wielding a gun and a knife like that was still far too dangerous for a civil official who was powerless to even kill a chicken.
"Chen Rong! You...you actually dared to betray the enemy and rebel?! Bringing weapons into the palace is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family!" An old minister with a trembling face pointed his finger and accused him passionately, but his voice was weak and timid due to fear.
The young general, known as Shen Rong, suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on Pei Yun on the throne. His tone was sinister and icy, filled with deep-seated hatred: "When Your Majesty ordered the unjust execution of my innocent third sister, you should have known that the sons of the Shen family were not to be trifled with, and that such a blood debt would inevitably be repaid in blood!" He glanced back and said sharply, "Bring her here!"
Immediately, three soldiers in full armor, their expressions cold and hard, stepped forward. With synchronized movements and practiced skill, they opened the wooden box they were carrying. In an instant, three bloody, grotesque human heads were revealed before everyone! They were the heads of Marquis Wenyuan, his wife, and the young Marquis Pei Qie!
"Ah—!" Some timid civil officials had never seen such a bloody scene before. They were so frightened that their legs went weak and they collapsed to the ground, their faces as pale as paper. They pointed at the wooden box, making gurgling sounds in their throats, but they could not utter a single word.
Shen Rong tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing a cruel and sorrowful smile. Her voice echoed throughout the hall, each word dripping with blood: "My third sister suffered this undeserved calamity in the palace! The Marquis of Wenyuan's mansion, in order to sever ties with the Shen family, heartlessly poisoned Youyou, who was already pregnant and about to give birth, killing both mother and child! This blood feud is irreconcilable! The entire Pei family should pay for my sister's life!"
They had secretly mobilized troops and wiped out the entire Wen Yuan Marquis's family! This horrifying act of violence sent chills down the spines of all the officials in the court.
Pei Yun's expression finally changed at this moment. He leaned forward slightly, staring intently at the three mangled heads on the ground, his gaze deep and unfathomable. Although his face did not show much expression, the veins on his temples bulged and throbbed slightly, and the veins on the back of his hands, which were gripping the armrests of the dragon throne, were also clearly visible, clearly indicating the surging anger and killing intent within him.
"Kill him." A whisper came suddenly, the voice so low it was as if it were just the friction of air between the lips.
Before anyone could react, a figure dressed in black with an indistinct face suddenly appeared from the shadows beside the emperor! The person was like a ghost, moving with lightning speed. Everyone only saw a blur before a chilling light flashed out like a venomous snake, heading straight for Shen Rong's neck!
The smugness and hatred on Shen Rong's face had not yet faded, and before he could even make any dodging movement, blood spurted out, and a head flew off the body with a look of astonishment on its face, rolling to the ground. Its eyes were wide open, as if it could not believe it even in death.
The man in black, having landed his blow, didn't hesitate. With a flicker of his body, he vanished back into the shadows, disappearing without a trace, as if he had never been there. The entire assassination took only a breath.
Pei Yun glanced indifferently at the frozen head, then turned to Ge Quan, whose expression had suddenly changed. His tone was chillingly calm, as if he had just crushed an ant: "General Shen was young and impetuous, but went astray and ended up like this. It is a great loss to Yuan Chu. What a pity, what a lament."
The situation took a sharp turn for the worse! The court officials who had just been observing or even secretly favoring Ge Quan were now terrified by the emperor's swift and decisive actions and unfathomable power. They knelt down in a trembling voice, crying out, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
Only a few officials who were too deeply involved with Ge Quan remained, their faces either ashen or deathly pale, standing isolated and helpless, caught in a dilemma.
Ge Quan never expected that Pei Yun would dare to kill a general in broad daylight with such cruel methods when both sides were facing off and his side clearly had the advantage! He looked around in shock and anger, and the unease and panic in his heart instantly rose to the peak.
Some loyal and upright officials who had been intimidated seemed to only now recover from the shock and immediately seized the opportunity to loudly rebuke Ge Quan and his son, making their stance clear.
"Ge Quan! You traitorous and rebellious subject, you deserve a terrible death!"
"Even if you manage to usurp power today, it is illegitimate and you will be condemned by all! I will risk losing my official hat to have this traitor recorded in history!"
"Your Majesty, we swear to serve you to the death! Even if our blood is spilled on this golden palace, we will stand with you through thick and thin!"
"......"
For a time, the court was unprecedentedly "harmonious," filled with voices of loyalty to the emperor and condemnation of the traitors, as if the previous silence and observation had never happened.
Ge Quan's face was grim, his gaze sweeping viciously over the opportunistic officials who were now eager to distance themselves from the situation. He had already secretly vowed that after today, he would be the first to strike them down to vent his hatred. However, before his wicked plan could fully take shape, a flicker of light appeared at the entrance of the hall, and another person slowly walked in.
The newcomer was dressed in a pristine white robe, spotless, with a handsome face. He was none other than Ling Zhouling, the Prince of Beijiang, whom we hadn't seen in a long time. He walked with composure and ease, as if he were strolling through his own courtyard admiring flowers rather than entering the treacherous imperial court.
“Your Majesty,” Ling Zhouling bowed slightly toward the throne, his tone carrying just the right amount of concern and apology, “Your Majesty, I have arrived late to rescue you, and I have caused you distress.” He looked nothing like someone who had come to quell a rebellion and resolve a crisis; he seemed more like someone who had just happened to be passing by while sightseeing and had stopped in to say hello.
The officials were completely bewildered, exchanging bewildered glances, utterly confused. Weren't Ge Quan and his son sent by this crown prince to force the emperor to abdicate? Why, then, did Ling Zhouling's words and actions seem to be aligned with the emperor?
Their gazes involuntarily fell on Ge An, whose face was deathly pale and covered in cold sweat. The young man's face was filled with fear and despair, and there was no trace of his previous arrogance.
Ling Zhouling seemed oblivious to the corpses on the ground and the pervasive stench of blood. He took two steps forward indifferently, turned his gaze to the generals behind Ge Quan, who were holding weapons, and softly rebuked them: "What are you waiting for? His Majesty is here. Why don't you hurry up and protect him and capture these traitors?"
Ge Quan's lips moved as if he was about to say something, but a unified chorus of agreement came from behind him.
"Yes! I will obey Your Highness's command!"
Before he could recover from this sudden betrayal, he felt a chill on his back as several sharp swords pierced through his armor and went all the way to the hilt!
Ge Quan's eyes widened in disbelief as he turned around, only to see the cold, ruthless face of his former subordinate. He opened his mouth, blood gushing out, and finally collapsed to the ground, powerless. He struggled to lift his heavy eyelids, and the last thing he saw was the man on the throne slowly rising, walking gracefully down to stand beside the white-robed prince. The two brothers exchanged a glance, both revealing slight smiles, as if they had forgotten the recent battle at Beijiang and all the scheming involved, and thus began to feign brotherly affection.
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