Chapter 203 [VIP]
Rumble.
A muffled thunderclap shattered the clouds.
The emperor's hearing was exceptionally sharp; the thunderous sound, like repeated drumbeats, struck his heart, bringing with it an almost trembling unease.
"How is it?" His eyes were dull and lifeless.
After listening to the scout's report, Gong Hai bowed and said in a high-pitched voice, "Your Majesty, the Gu family has no ambushes. They are only relying on a few old, weak, sick and disabled people to put up a desperate resistance. Miss Gu has always loved to show off. It was just a coming-of-age banquet, but she invited everyone in the capital to attend. This has made things convenient for us."
As soon as they left, the Empress Dowager ordered the city gates to be sealed off. Once the Gu family was captured, the fate of the entire court would be in her hands.
The emperor nodded: "What about the Imperial Ancestral Temple?"
"The prayer for blessings has already begun. I sent people to investigate. The imperial guards are accompanying the emperor, and the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Household Guards are deployed in the ancestral temple. There are no members of the Thousand Machine Battalion, and there are no ambushes around," Gong Hai said. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is completely unaware."
Having held a high position for so long, Xie Yingchen must have long considered the world as his own.
The emperor said with satisfaction, "Jing'er has grown up and is now more cautious in his actions."
Gong Hai responded repeatedly, bending his back even lower.
Half a year of confinement and his physical disability had long since robbed Gong Hai of his former ambition, and he now acted with a cautious demeanor.
In fact, according to Gong Hai's idea, the emperor could have stayed in the capital and waited for Xie Yingchen to return, thus catching him like a turtle in a jar.
After leaving the palace, he mentioned the same thing to the emperor.
The emperor asked, "What if Xie Yingchen and Gu Yican realize something is wrong and run away?"
This question left Gong Hai speechless. Indeed, Xie Chen's power had grown considerably, and with Gu Yican added to the mix, once they were unleashed, their momentum would be unstoppable.
"Your Majesty. Now..."
Gong Hai bowed and inquired about the Emperor's will.
"Ah Hai." The emperor called his name affectionately, just like before, "I will tear Xie Yingchen's face off in front of our ancestors and let them see this disobedient and unfilial descendant."
Heh, praying for blessings? He's determined to make Xie Yingchen fall into the abyss before the world, never to rise again!
Gong Hai supported him: "Yes. Your Majesty has suffered a great deal of injustice."
Seeing that his face was pale, Gong Hai quickly brought him some herbal tea to help him calm down.
The emperor finished it in one gulp: "What is this? It has no taste at all."
Huh? The herbal tea is so bitter, how could it have no taste at all? Gong Hai's fingers froze. Could it be that the Emperor not only can't see, but also has lost his sense of taste?
Gong Hai was alarmed. He glanced at the Liang man following behind him out of the corner of his eye, but did not ask any further questions. Instead, he changed the subject and said, "Your Majesty, I will send someone to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to investigate first."
"good."
The emperor twitched the corner of his mouth.
He will no longer be controlled by Xie Yingchen; he is the true Emperor of Daqi!
Gong Hai summoned Qin Su, the deputy commander of the Jinwu Guard, gave him a few instructions, and then divided his troops into four groups to set off.
We only have one chance. We can't let Xie Yingchen get away. We must cut off all his escape routes!
Qin Su accepted the order and left.
He changed into coarse cloth shorts, rode a horse for a while, and then abandoned the horse and walked.
Not far away, the gilded roof of the Imperial Ancestral Temple reflected the sunlight, so bright that he dared not look directly at it.
Today, the public is allowed to attend the ceremony. The four city gates surrounding the Imperial Ancestral Temple Square are wide open, and the area is packed with people. At first glance, there are at least tens of thousands of them. They stand solemnly, gazing in the direction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The Great Qi Dynasty had not held such a grand event for more than a decade. Not only the people of the capital, but also people from nearby Yizhou, Yanzhou and other places came to witness the ceremony.
The large square did not appear crowded.
Despite the large number of people present, there was absolutely no extra noise.
"kneel!"
The Ministry of Rites announced its approval, the last note of which was drawn out and quite high-pitched.
The people all knelt down.
In the center of the square stands a towering altar for worshipping heaven, paved with white marble tiles.
Directly east of the altar of Heaven is the Imperial Ancestral Temple, where members of the imperial family, nobles, and officials all knelt.
Qin Su quietly squeezed into the crowd.
"rise!"
"kneel!"
He knelt down with them, and when he rose again, a man dressed as a traveling merchant tiptoed in. Reaching his friend, he repeatedly bowed and said, "Please don't be offended. This is the capital..."
His friend gestured for him to be quiet.
Lu Youshang looked around, pulled his hand down, and lowered his voice, saying, "It seems something has happened in the capital."
"Something happened?"
"The city gates are closed!" Lu Youshang said. "I wanted to go into the city to buy a pancake, but I can't get in."
"No way, my wife and the rest of the family are still in the capital."
Someone nearby overheard this and chimed in, "Could it be that they're closing the gates to ward off evil spirits, and then the grandson will knock on the city gates to bring back good fortune after they've finished praying for blessings and returned home?"
He was just guessing, but it seemed to make some sense.
"That's true. Nothing should happen to us, after all, it's the capital!"
My friend breathed a sigh of relief.
Qin Su heard this and couldn't help but clench his hands.
"Look!"
What is that?
Suddenly, someone in the crowd let out a low gasp.
Qin Su suddenly turned around and saw a red cloud that had appeared at the end of the sky, like a bursting firework that dissipated into the clouds after burning to its fullest.
"It seems to be heading in the direction of the capital."
"Fireworks!?"
The surrounding people whispered among themselves.
Qin Su's head was buzzing. He was just a deputy commander, and all he could do was follow orders.
Therefore, it wasn't until he left the capital that he learned that Gong Hai had actually brought the emperor out and was planning to attack the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Crown Prince's grandson.
This is definitely not fireworks; it's a cloud-piercing arrow used by the military.
Something must have happened in the capital!
Maybe the Gu family is calling for help! What if Ah Liao and Ah Man are in trouble...?
What should he do?!
"kneel."
The chanting interrupted the surrounding whispers, and Qin Su also knelt down.
This is the last of the three kneelings and nine kowtows.
Qingping, clad in purple and gold robes, stepped onto the altar of Heaven on white marble steps, her robes fluttering in the wind.
He stood before the altar, holding a whisk, and made a hand seal with his right hand.
The bronze incense burner on the altar rose with the wind, emitting wisps of white smoke.
The people prostrated themselves on the ground.
"Follow the way of Heaven and act in accordance with the seasons—" (Note)
With a flick of his wrist, the whisk sent the wisps of silver thread drawing the incense sticks three feet into the air, forming a giant tai chi symbol.
"Now, by the mandate of Heaven, we gather the righteous energy of Heaven and Earth..."
Xie Jing knelt at the head of the princes, gazing ahead.
As planned, Gong Hai sneaked out of the capital last night and mobilized the nearest Imperial Guards, the Imperial Guards, and the Tiger Guards, which together had a force of more than 20,000 men.
There will be no loss!
Xie Yingchen remained calm and unaware of any unusual activity in the capital.
This time, Father Emperor will surely be the victor!
"...Heaven sends down sweet dew to nourish the nine fields, and earth springs forth sweet springs to moisten the eight wastelands. The wind and rain are favorable, and the five grains flourish; plagues do not invade, and wars are forever at rest."
Qingping recited the prayer with a solemn and dignified expression, his every move exuding an ethereal aura, but he was so flustered that he almost mispronounced the words.
The junior sister said that if anything happens, he should stand still and not move.
The implication behind those words is that something bad is going to happen!
It was his first time serving as the imperial advisor, and he was filled with trepidation.
Where do we go next?
Qingping pretended to walk with a Bagua-like gait, and finally remembered.
Oh, right!
Qingping made hand gestures and chanted incantations.
With a flick of his whisk, a talisman rose into the air, golden flames leaping from its surface, the tongues of fire licking at the vermilion runes.
Qingping's wide sleeves fluttered in the wind—even though there was no wind!
Gasps rose from the crowd as they looked up and reached out to catch the rising ashes.
"...May the Purple Palace shine brighter, and may the Jade Capital bestow blessings."
A sudden gust of wind swept up, and the people quickly covered their faces with their sleeves. Suddenly, someone shouted, "What is that?!"
On the altar, a pitch-black box suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
It is only three feet long, with a coiled dragon body carved on all four sides. The dragon's head emerges from the front of the box, holding a pearl in its mouth. Each dragon whisker is clearly visible and lifelike.
No one saw how the box appeared; it seemed to have fallen from the sky along with the cry of "May auspicious omens descend from the Jade Capital."
"It's an auspicious sign!"
Someone shouted, their voice filled with surprise and excitement.
"It must be an auspicious sign bestowed upon the Great Qi by Heaven!"
The wooden box suddenly appeared on the altar in full view of everyone; this must be an auspicious sign from heaven!
"Yes, yes. I remember that after the Imperial Preceptor finished reciting the prayer, a celestial being bestowed this wooden box upon him."
"It's an auspicious sign!"
Auspicious omen!
The people were so excited they didn't know what to do; their devout faces were a mixture of smiles and tears.
"Auspicious signs have descended from the heavens!"
"The Imperial Advisor is truly a divine being! A divine being indeed!"
Amidst these cries of "auspicious omen," even the officials kneeling before the Imperial Ancestral Temple were stirred.
Could this truly be an auspicious omen?
That's right, they saw it fall from the sky with their own eyes, how can you say it wasn't a blessing from heaven?
Auspicious omen?
Xie Jing silently exchanged glances with the Duke of Cheng'en, wondering if it was because his father was about to return to the throne and purge the treacherous officials that Heaven bestowed this auspicious omen.
Once the thought crossed their minds, they couldn't wait to see what was inside.
Xie Yingchen came out of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and, after hearing what had happened, said, "Grand Uncle, please open it and take a look with the Imperial Preceptor."
Prince Li, curious, nodded repeatedly.
Xie Yingchen smiled, full of satisfaction, and said, "Heaven blesses our Great Qi, and has mercy on our Great Qi. We should proclaim to the world that auspicious omens have descended from heaven."
He bowed to Qingping and said, "The Imperial Preceptor's magical powers are profound. With the Imperial Preceptor protecting the fate of the Great Qi, it is a blessing for our Great Qi."
Qingping: ? ?
He didn't actually do anything, so there's no need to praise him like that.
Prince Li was about to step onto the altar when Duke Cheng'en stopped him, saying, "Wait!"
The Crown Prince had already given the order, and he had no right to speak at this time, but he still spoke up abruptly.
Prince Li frowned slightly.
The Duke of Cheng'en said with a forced smile, "Your Highness, Prince Rui is the Emperor's third son. Since the Emperor is not here, and this is an auspicious omen, Prince Rui should go and see it as well."
It must be because the time for restoring order is approaching. What if the blessings bestowed by our ancestors fall into Xie Yingchen's hands? What if he decides to destroy those blessings? Right?
"Prince Rui, hurry up!"
Duke Cheng'en winked at Xie Jing, who understood the meaning. Before Xie Yingchen could respond, Xie Jing immediately stepped forward and walked behind Prince Li.
Now, it wouldn't be good for Prince Li not to take him along, otherwise the royal family would become a laughing stock.
Prince Li, displeased, flicked his sleeve and walked up to the altar.
He first knelt and kowtowed three times in the direction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and then devoutly picked up the ebony box with both hands.
This ebony box is quite heavy; it feels substantial in your hands.
All eyes were on him, and everyone was so excited they could hardly contain themselves.
What an auspicious sign!
This was the first time in their lives they had ever witnessed such an auspicious omen!
Prince Li held up the ebony box and showed it to the people and court officials. Then he knelt down and opened it himself in front of everyone.
This is……
Prince Li's pupils contracted.
Inside the ebony box lay a bright yellow imperial edict, stained with blood and appearing to be quite old.
"An imperial edict?" Prince Li blurted out, his face full of surprise.
Why would it be an imperial edict?
The people standing at the back of the crowd couldn't see clearly, so they jumped up to look and asked the people in front. When they heard that this auspicious omen was an imperial edict, they were all extremely surprised.
"Could it be a decree issued by the Jade Emperor!?"
"It must be!"
Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!
May the great dynasty last for a thousand generations!
"May your descendants live forever!!"
"Long live!"
The shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" echoed in waves, one after another, almost shaking the sky.
The shouts of tens of thousands of people startled the horses, causing them to raise their front hooves and let out long neighs.
"Xie Yingchen, that traitor!"
To display his martial prowess, the emperor remained seated on his horse, nearly falling off. Fortunately, Gong Hai was nearby and caught him.
"I am here!"
"I am the Emperor, the one who lives ten thousand years!"
"What are you still standing there for? Take down these traitors and rebels! Those who are stubborn and unyielding, kill them without mercy."
Gong Hai hesitated. Qin Su hadn't returned to report yet, and the people's unanimous shouts seemed unusual. Was it too early to act now?
"You don't even listen to me anymore?" The emperor's voice disturbed his peace of mind, and his empty, lifeless eyes stared straight at Gong Hai.
"yes!"
At this point, it doesn't matter whether it's sooner or later.
Gong Hai raised his hand.
The war drums beat, one after another, the sound coming slowly at first and then accelerating.
This is a declaration of war!
The sound of the drums was drowned out by the cheers of the crowd, who were jumping and shouting excitedly. Suddenly, someone yelled, "Read it quickly!"
Other voices followed closely behind—
"Read it quickly! Read it quickly!"
Xie Yingchen's brow twitched slightly. Chong Jiu stood silently behind him, looking around.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Zheng Si rushed in from outside, knelt on one knee, and prostrated himself at Xie Yingchen's feet, reporting, "A large force of about 20,000 men is approaching the Imperial Ancestral Temple."
He was covered in sweat, whether from running or from being in a hurry, it was hard to tell.
The officials heard it clearly and turned pale with shock. Xie Yingchen asked, "Who was it?"
Yes! Who is it? Could it be bandits causing trouble, or rebels? They all secretly speculated.
"What are the Imperial Guards good for?!" Duke Wei shouted coldly, for they had allowed bandits to infiltrate the capital and cause trouble on such an important day!
"Yes, Your Majesty."
What! ?
Duke Wei was so shocked that his scalp tingled and his pupils constricted.
All they could think of were bandits, rebels, or remnants of the previous dynasty. The worst outcome was that someone in the court would take advantage of the chaos to rebel. Who would have thought it would be the emperor?
Duke Wei demanded, "What happened?!"
I don't know. Zheng Si was recently transferred to the Imperial Guard, a leisurely and respectable job that made him quite proud. Even the Princess praised him repeatedly. Who would have thought such a change would happen?
"This humble general..."
Zheng Si was a spoiled brat who had never seen anything like this before, and he was at a loss for what to do.
It wasn't until Gu Yican made a reassuring gesture that he calmed down and said, "His Majesty is leading the Golden Guard, the Feathered Forest Guard, and the Tiger Guard, totaling nearly 20,000 men, and they are approaching this place half a mile away, beating war drums!"
"This humble general, this humble general, has ordered the city gates to be closed."
He was terrified when he received the report, and before he could even react, he ordered the city gates to be closed.
This is how they operate when they go out to fight: if the other side has fewer people, they overpower them; if they have more, they lock themselves in and hide. It's become a habit.
He scratched his head, his gaze darting away.
"Here it comes!" Duke Cheng'en jumped out and shouted, "Xie Yingchen, you disregard rank and place the Emperor under house arrest, committing treason!"
He stepped forward and shouted.
"This is disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unjust!"
The shouts suddenly stopped.
What's the meaning! ?
The Duke of Cheng'en raised his voice and shouted: "His Majesty is the successor appointed by the late Emperor before his death, and his mandate is from Heaven!"
"Xie Yingchen, you have defied the Emperor's will, which is against all reason and law."
"The late Emperor, you doted on Xie Yingchen. Did you know that Xie Yingchen, for the sake of the throne, did not even spare his own uncle, blinding the Emperor and forcing the Emperor to make him the Crown Prince?"
Cheng'en Gong wiped away his tears and pointed at Xie Yingchen with trembling hands.
"Late Emperor, if your spirit is watching over us from heaven, protect our Great Qi and uphold the order of the court!"
Apart from a few close advisors such as Prince Li and Duke Wei, most officials were unaware of the truth behind the emperor's house arrest. Their minds were in a daze, and they could hardly understand what was going on.
What does it mean that the Crown Prince placed the Emperor under house arrest?
"Kneel down, all of you."
The Duke of Cheng'en shouted, "His Majesty pardons you because you have been deceived by treacherous people. But if you remain stubborn and unrepentant, those who plot rebellion will have their entire families executed!"
As he spoke, soldiers from the Imperial Guard stepped forward to protect him, and more than a dozen officials followed the Duke of Cheng'en as he retreated.
The Crown Prince is plotting a rebellion?! No way!
Xie Yingchen stood in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, his face showing no panic or guilt. The dragon patterns on his five-clawed golden dragon robe seemed to rise into the clouds at any moment as the sleeves fluttered in the wind.
"wrong!"
Amid the chaotic crowd, someone shouted, "Auspicious omens have descended from heaven! The grandson of the crown prince is blessed by heaven; how could he be an unfaithful and unfilial person?!"
"That's right!"
"The Crown Prince is destined by Heaven!"
Xie Jing stared intently at Xie Yingchen below the sacrificial altar. He didn't want to hear anything like "Xie Yingchen is destined by Heaven," and snatched the blood-stained imperial edict from Prince Li's hand.
He hurriedly unfolded the imperial edict.
The next moment, his pupils contracted. This was... the late emperor's edict!?
A note from the author:
Note: Some of the words and phrases in this chapter are from Baidu and related Taoist books, and are pieced together rather than being entirely original.
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