"I think you're all asking for death!"
Upon seeing this, a rebel leader immediately brandished his long sword and charged towards the captain of the secret guards.
The captain of the secret guards reacted swiftly, deflecting the rebel leader's longsword with his sword. He then seized the opportunity to thrust his sword into the rebel leader's chest, killing him instantly.
Seeing this, the other rebels retreated, no longer daring to advance rashly. However, the enemy was not willing to accept defeat, and they launched another attack. A group of enemies wielding sharp blades charged towards the guards, attempting to break their formation.
Upon seeing this, the captain of the secret guards immediately ordered the other guards to counterattack. They quickly dispersed and each engaged the enemy in battle.
In an instant, swords flashed and blood flew as the guards engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with the enemy.
After a fierce battle, the traitors were captured one by one. The secret guards finally won the battle. Exhausted, they sat on the ground, panting.
However, a relieved smile appeared on their faces.
The captain of the secret guards approached a wounded guard and inquired about his injuries with concern. The wounded guard looked at his captain gratefully and nodded slightly. The captain breathed a sigh of relief; he knew his comrades were not seriously injured.
He turned to the other guards and announced loudly, "We have won! We have defeated the traitors!"
Upon hearing this, the guards were energized. They would continue to protect their homeland until the very last moment.
As night fell, the guards handed all the traitors over to the Dali Temple for punishment according to the law.
The wounded guards received appropriate comfort and compensation, and their injuries were properly treated and cared for.
After the battle, the captain of the secret guards and his men returned to the palace and told Xu Yuehuai what had happened next.
Xu Yuehuai was overjoyed and told them to take good care of their injuries, and even gave them a large sum of money as a reward.
Qi Hanlin and Xia Sen, who were recuperating in the Prince's Mansion, recovered from their injuries under the care of the physician and Xu Yuehuai.
The commander of the Imperial Guard also received appropriate treatment and recuperation, and his injuries healed.
Inside the Prince's mansion, the captain of the secret guards and his men sat together, discussing the perilous journey of their successful mission. In this warm atmosphere, they felt the affection and care between them.
As time went by, the capital gradually returned to peace.
People began to return to their lives and work, and everything returned to its former tranquility.
And those traces of those who had betrayed the party were completely erased, and the future of the capital was once again full of hope and expectation.
In the imperial court, the ministers each had their own agendas, and some even harbored thoughts they shouldn't have.
Suddenly, someone proposed holding an early morning court session, which surprised some of the ministers.
At the morning court session, they elected a new emperor, hoping to find someone who could lead the country to prosperity.
However, Xu Yuehuai suddenly stepped forward, and her words shocked the entire court.
"So you never intended to properly assist His Majesty, and now you're trying to establish a new emperor under these circumstances." Her words were filled with anger and disappointment.
The ministers immediately knelt down, not daring to look Xu Yuehuai in the eye.
One of them said, "But His Majesty has been silent for so many days; a country cannot be without a ruler for even a day!"
This statement seems to be an attempt to defend themselves, but it also expresses their concerns and helplessness.
Xu Yuehuai ignored him and continued, "Who said His Majesty has no news?"
This statement startled the minister, who had always believed that Qi Hanlin was already dead. He never imagined that there was more to the story.
Hahahaha!
Then, a cold laugh rang out, and Qi Hanlin walked in from outside.
Upon seeing Qi Hanlin's appearance, the ministers immediately knelt on the ground, their faces filled with fear and unease.
They had no idea what would happen next, or where their fate would lead.
At this time, the atmosphere in the imperial court was very tense, and everyone felt that their lives were threatened.
Qi Hanlin stood in the center of the hall, looking at the kneeling ministers around him. His eyes were sharp, as if he could see into people's hearts.
He asked coldly, "Why are you all silent now? Weren't you just shouting for a new emperor? I'm standing right here, what complaints do you have about me? Speak up!"
One of the ministers who had just spoken immediately kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty. I was just confused at the time and was worried that the Great Zhou would be in chaos, so I made that suggestion. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
His voice trembled, and his eyes were filled with fear.
Qi Hanlin walked up the steps with a cold smile and sat on the dragon throne. The surrounding ministers dared not look up at him; their hearts were filled with fear and unease.
Xu Yuehuai stood to the side, looking at Qi Hanlin with a hint of admiration in her eyes.
She then turned to the other ministers and asked softly, "Who exactly harbors disloyalty towards His Majesty?"
At this moment, the hall fell silent, and no one dared to answer. Qi Hanlin did not urge him; he simply waited quietly.
After a while, still no one responded. Qi Hanlin then called out the names of several people who had just spoken and ordered them to be dragged away.
"Go then. Go to the underworld and continue to serve the Great Zhou faithfully," Qi Hanlin said calmly.
"His Majesty--!"
"This old minister is a veteran of three reigns! You cannot treat this old minister like this!"
"Your Majesty! Please reconsider!"
However, Qi Hanlin completely ignored them, and the ministers whose names were called were dragged away from the hall by the guards, trembling.
Qi Hanlin watched their retreating figures, a cold glint in his eyes. He knew these people were no longer a threat to him, for they had submitted to his authority and were no longer capable of causing trouble.
The surrounding ministers knew they were also at fault and dared not say anything.
The atmosphere in the hall gradually became solemn, and Qi Hanlin's gaze gradually turned cold.
He knew that there was still much he needed to do, and that he needed to lead the Great Zhou Dynasty to a more prosperous and flourishing future.
Outside the hall, sunlight streamed down the earth, and a gentle breeze carried a refreshing scent. Qi Hanlin took a deep breath; he knew this was a new beginning, the starting point for his glorious future.
"I have been recuperating in secret during this time, and I am fully aware of what is happening in the court."
"I will not hold what happened before against you, but if you have any ulterior motives in the future, don't blame me for not showing mercy."
The other ministers replied in unison, "Your Majesty, we obey!"
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Majesty!"
"We, your humble servants, will certainly serve the Great Zhou with utmost loyalty and devotion!"
Seeing this, Xu Yuehuai finally felt relieved.
Inside the Imperial Study.
Xu Yuehuai said to Qi Hanlin, "These people in the court have finally been cleaned up."
"It's all thanks to my sister-in-law for coming up with such a good idea," Qi Hanlin said with a faint smile.
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