Chapter 496: with translation of chapter title

The ceremonial sedan chair moved forward slowly.

Tuan Tuan leaned in Noble Consort De's embrace, lifted the crown pendants, and her eyes smiled into crescent moons.

Noble Consort De hugged her and couldn't help laughing.

Regardless of whether today goes smoothly, being able to thus deal with Prince Chen and Prince Qing, as well as their lackeys, counts as venting a foul breath from my heart.

After a moment, the outside of the ceremonial sedan chair suddenly became noisy.

The Imperial Guard's reprimand came: "Halt! This is the Imperial Carriage Permit; who dares to block it?"

Guozijian Jiziu Cui Daisheng, disciple Liu Yunyi, leading the Capital Scholars, respectfully request His Majesty's safety!

Noble Consort De's hand tightened, and her heart rose again.

My disciple has arrived!

Tuan Tuan climbed up, half a small head emerged from under the Crown Pendants, pressing against the curtain's gap to look outside.

In the middle of the official road, a mass of blue-robed scholars knelt down.

The two leaders, one old and one young, with neat beards and attire, solemnly dressed, faced the Ceremonial Sedan Chair and performed a deep bow.

Prince Qing reined his horse to block the front: "You are audacious, daring to gather here and block the Imperial Carriage!"

Cui Daisheng slowly raised his head, his gaze falling on that bright yellow Ceremonial Sedan Chair.

Heavenly Sacrifice is the Son of Heaven's personal rite, receiving mandate from Heaven; may I ask, Your Highness, why did His Majesty abandon it midway?

Prince Qing's Adam's apple rolled: "His Majesty's dragon body is unwell; he needs to return to the Palace to rest—what's wrong with that?"

Cui Daisheng loudly said: "I have a question: since His Majesty ascended the throne, why has he not held court for a long time?"

I ask again: the officials wish to see the Emperor's countenance; why must they still be summoned by the two Regent Kings?

The Son of Heaven holds court; the Regent King administers state affairs on his behalf—this is assistance, not replacement!

Now the Regent King's conduct—could it not be overstepping bounds and usurping authority?

Prince Qing's face began to turn pale.

Liu Yunyi stepped forward: "Today His Majesty ascended the platform, yet he withdrew mid-sacrifice, leaving the Regent King to perform the rites."

In a thousand years, how will later generations comment?

Is it that His Majesty is truly young and frail, or that the Regent King insists on making things difficult?

He raised his head and stared directly at Prince Qing:

His Majesty is young; the Regent King ought to observe propriety, not, as now, hold the Son of Heaven hostage to command the officials!

Prince Qing's hand gripping the reins tightened, veins bulging; he truly wanted to draw his sword and cut down this group of scholars spouting madness!

But, he could not kill them.

These people are all Upright Scholars, models for the students.

If they were killed, it would be openly opposing all scholars under heaven.

Tuan Tuan didn't understand, whispering: "What are they saying? Why is that villain's face all green?"

Noble Consort De, however, listened with delight: "They're scolding him; of course his face doesn't look good!"

Tuan Tuan exclaimed excitedly: "Wow! My disciple is amazing! Liu Yunyi is also formidable!"

Prince Qing took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: "The Chief Imperial Physician has personally taken His Majesty's pulse."

Now His Majesty's dragon body is unwell; if you persist in entanglement, delaying his medicine, is that what subjects should do? Are you not afraid I will question your crimes?

Upon hearing this, Noble Consort De lightly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain.

His Majesty needs to return to the Palace promptly to take medicine; Prince Qing, since you have official duties, there's no need to see him off far.

She paused, looking toward Cui Daisheng and the scholars: "You all worry for the state; this palace admires you. However, His Majesty truly cannot endure further jostling."

Prince Qing's face darkened: "His Majesty returns to the palace; how could I not—"

Liu Yunyi shouted: "Prince Qing! The Capital Scholars all kneel here; do you really intend to just slip away and escape?"

Prince Qing flew into a rage: "What do I have to escape?"

Noble Consort De's tone grew heavier, urging again: "Your Highness! If you insist on escorting, then His Majesty's dose of Calming Soup will likely have to wait until you and the others settle the rights and wrongs before it can be swallowed."

Cui Daisheng and Liu Yunyi exchanged a glance, leading the scholars to rise slowly, turning sideways to make way.

All together they said: "Respectfully see His Majesty off to the Palace to rest!"

Prince Qing, seeing this, helplessly raised his whip: "Cavalry Officer Zhou!"

Present!

I command you to lead personnel to escort the Empress Dowager and His Majesty back to the Palace, without mistake!

Yes!

The Ceremonial Sedan Chair moved forward again.

After about half an hour, Tuan Tuan touched her cheek: "So itchy! Noble Consort De, how long have we been out?"

Noble Consort De thought: "Counting from when you entered Dezheng Palace, it's almost six hours."

Oh no! Thousand Faces cannot exceed six hours at most!

Tuan Tuan quickly opened her Sachet, took out the Jade Bone Whistle, brought it to her lips, and blew hard.

A clear, peculiar whistle sounded.

"Whoo—", Tuan Tuan blew hard again, the whistle unusually loud and piercing.

Cavalry Officer Zhou reined his horse and turned back: "What sound?"

The words had not yet faded.

From the woods on both sides, dozens of black shadows shot out like flying!

Immediately after, thick smoke rose!

White smoke blanketed heaven and earth, instantly filling the entire official road.

"Protect the carriage! There's an assassin!"

Cavalry Officer Zhou's shout had just left his mouth when a cold flash pierced to his throat.

Zhou's eyes widened, and he fell backward.

In the thick smoke, blades fell like a tangled net.

The Imperial Guard didn't even see the enemy's faces before they were cut down one by one.

Wang Mingrui, dressed in a dark robe, stepped over the fallen Imperial Guard and approached the Ceremonial Sedan Chair: "Tuan Tuan, are you alright?"

Tuan Tuan ripped off the Hair Crown studded with Crown Pendants, finally free of that tattered veil!

She stuck her head out: "Uncle Wang! You came so quickly!"

Wang Mingrui saw her face, froze for a moment, and, suppressing a smile, said: "Tuan Tuan, you look really dignified."

"Of course!" Tuan Tuan said unreservedly, tugging at her Dragon Robe, "Quick, Uncle Wang, give me clothes and water!"

Wang Mingrui turned, took the bundle his subordinate was carrying, and handed it to her together with a Water Bag.

Tuan Tuan retreated into the carriage, and together with Noble Consort De changed into ordinary civilian clothes, washing off the Thousand Faces from her face.

Noble Consort De packed the clothes, Hair Crown and head ornaments they had taken off into a bundle and gave it to Wang Mingrui.

Wang Mingrui casually tossed it to the person beside him: "Throw it onto the official road back to the Palace, along the embankment, leaving several dragging marks so they'll think the person was abducted."

"Got it!"

Tuan Tuan spread her little arms: "Uncle Wang, pick me up!"

Wang Mingrui gave a faint smile; Tuan Tuan stared at his smiling face, her gaze instantly unable to look away: "Uncle Wang, why are you so handsome!"

Wang Mingrui, both laughing and exasperated, lifted her onto the horse: "You're the same, you look good just like that. Let's go, little one."

Tuan Tuan turned to look at Noble Consort De and saw her already leapt onto a horse's back: "Lady De, you can ride a horse?"

"Yes!" Noble Consort De nodded: "Let's go."

The party galloped toward the direction of Fangfei Garden.

Meanwhile.

At the Circular Mound Altar, King Chen was still performing the elaborate Heavenly Sacrifice on the Sacrificial Altar.

Prince Qing was still frantically dealing with the scholars blocking the way.

An Imperial Guard commander charged forward, flipped off his horse, and hurriedly ran up to him: "Your Highness! Trouble!"

The Imperial Guard of Chengxi Hall?

Prince Qing's brows knit instantly: "What's wrong?"

"Seventh Prince… he ran away!"

A buzzing sound rang in Prince Qing's mind, drowning out even the scholars' questioning.