Chapter 755: War Flares Up Again

Gu Jiu Ling nodded, this time she would not say anything else.

Before, she had given Gu Kang countless opportunities, hoping he would walk the proper path.

Never imagined that Gu Kang, this time for the regency, to reach the pinnacle of power, actually set up such a huge scheme in Mang Shan to thoroughly kill her and Xiao Yin.

If it weren't for their good luck breaking into the underground tomb of the Murong family in Mang Shan and hiding there, they would probably have already been chopped into minced meat by now.

Now Gu Jiu Ling no longer hopes for any familial affection; after all, in the face of the temptation of power, any feeling is just empty talk.

She and Xiao Yin, having experienced this turmoil, have realized that to truly protect their child in this world, they must stand at the pinnacle, making those with ulterior motives utterly fear them, so as not to give others an opportunity.

Gu Jiu Ling raised her hand, took Xiao Yin's hand, and said softly: "Let's go all out; do whatever you want, we'll return together."

Xiao Yin immediately felt relieved; hearing Gu Jiu Ling say that, he was actually less nervous.

"Let's go, we're returning."

The next morning, Xiao Yin's troops set out from this sheltered valley, marching south in a mighty procession; they would reach Shang Jing in another month.

This time Xiao Yin's return to Shang Jing had no concealment at all.

He is the legitimate heir of the Southern Qi royal house, and the woman by his side is the last heir of the Murong family; no matter how you say it, the throne belongs to them as a couple, having nothing to do with unrelated people.

Because they were bringing two children, Xiao Yin's troops moved a bit slower.

But along the way, everywhere were forces submitting to them; seeing the troops grow ever larger, they surged toward Shang Jing.

Everyone in the world could see that Xiao Yin and the prince consort who holds the regency in Jing Cheng would inevitably have a bitter battle.

Xiao Yin has already announced to the world that he previously left Jing Cheng temporarily to search for his missing imperial heir.

Now the empress has been found, and she is returning to the capital with the children.

Having spread the word, if the crown prince who is regent still clings to that position and does not step down, then there will be talk.

Indeed, Prince Consort Gu Kang still holds the regent's banner, yet shows no intention of leaving the palace; he even personally summons officials in the Hall of Nurturing the Heart.

Some rumors arose in the court; Gu Kang then, on the grounds of threatening the state's foundation, ordered the immediate execution of anyone with differing opinions.

At this moment, Gu Kang suddenly spread a message to the world, claiming that Southern Qi actually belongs to the Murong family.

The emperor of the Li Dynasty, Murong Gu, was betrayed by his trusted subordinate Xiao Jingyun, and the Xiao family plotted to seize the throne.

Therefore the Xiao family are nothing but treacherous villains who scheme for power; how could they be worthy of ruling Southern Qi's realm?

The true ruler of Southern Qi should be the heir of the Murong family, namely Hu Kang.

Gu Kang and Mr. Wen, true to their scholarly background, compiled this story into various pamphlets, rushing them across the country with express speed.

They even also organized various opera troupes, spending heavily to have the troupes perform this story.

Now, although Xiao Yin is about to return to the capital with his great army, Gu Kang is not lacking in propaganda efforts; the conflict between them is imminent.

Xiao Yin's forces have already reached Ba Prefecture, about two hundred li from Shang Jing; Xiao Yin had already brought the Azure Dragon Army's eight hundred personal guards, rushing straight to Ba Prefecture.

These people are also the orphans of the soldiers who died in Seven Killing Valley back then; they have once again gathered beside Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin looked at those young faces, understanding their desire to achieve merit and establish themselves.

Ling Feng, at this moment, holding a pamphlet, hurried into Xiao Yin's study; Gu Jiu Ling happened to be there as well.

The two children were taken out to play by the arriving Jiu Yue and Yun Duo; at this moment, Jiu Yue had already cleverly withdrawn from the palace.

Tuo Ba Yu and Bai Xiaosheng almost destroyed their family with puppets; this time Xiao Yin instead gathered Bai Xiaosheng's puppet organization under his command.

Almost all of the important figures around Gu Kang in the palace have been secretly replaced by Xiao Yin.

However, Mr. Wen is a formidable person, his planning has reached this extent; now both sides are completely opposed.

Mr. Wen also doesn't know where he found so many people, having the officials who supported Xiao Yin thrown into jail one after another; now the entire court is only Gu Kang speaking.

At this moment, another unfavorable piece of news for Xiao Yin spread: Gu Kang had actually persuaded Cheng Ming.

General Cheng and his wife Lin RuJun; hearing that Cheng Ming would soon bring twenty thousand elite troops to directly replace the Five City Military Command and take over the capital's defenses.

Previously, the people Xiao Yin had placed in the Five City Military Command were all cleared out.

Ling Feng entered the study, knelt before Xiao Yin, his cheeks flushed red with anger: "Your Majesty, Cheng Ming actually betrayed you?"

Xiao Yin took the pamphlet Ling Feng handed over and passed it to Gu Jiu Ling.

Ling Feng did not expect his own emperor to be so calm; a flicker of surprise crossed his mind.

This is already an urgent crisis; they previously thought Mr. Wen and Gu Kang were rebelling, merely scholars misleading the state.

Never expected that Cheng Ming would actually side with him; saying this, the world may see turmoil rise again.

You should know that Senior General Cheng and Senior General Zhao are roughly equal; they are Xiao Yin's left and right arms in the army.

But later, the emperor and empress, together with the eldest daughter of the Lin family, Lin RuJun, had many unpleasantness.

Lin RuJun's elder brother died because of Xiao Yin's involvement; the two sides likely already have a grudge.

Cheng Ming is extremely protective of his wife; it is likely that this time his defection to Gu Kang is also Lin RuJun's scheme.

Cheng Ming is merely a warrior, but with two hundred thousand troops entering the capital, Xiao Yin fears it will be more ominous than auspicious.

Ling Feng looked at the situation, which was rather complex, and dared not speak.

Perhaps the emperor has his own decision; he slowly withdrew, then closed the study door.

Xiao Yin handed the pamphlet to Gu Jiu Ling; there was no need to look at its contents.

These days, various rumors have become rampant.

Those commoners have been stirred up by some ulterior‑motived people, repeatedly blaming the Xiao royal clan for being shameless.

Regarding the accusation that the Xiao royal clan is shameless, Xiao Yin also accepts it, but the situation is not so simple now.

One battle to win fame, ten thousand bones wither; Gu Kang opposing him will likely be a fight to the death.

In this world, who knows how many living beings will be plunged into misery?

Gu Jiu Ling took the pamphlet, flipped through a few pages, and joked: "Indeed, a scholar; the compiled story is flawless."

She gently closed the pamphlet and smiled: "Mr. Wen was loyal and devoted to my great‑grandfather, sharing heart and gall; if he knew that the Gu Kang he supported has no relation at all to the Murong family, what would he think?"

Xiao Yin laughed: "He would probably be angered to death."

Then Xiao Yin's expression grew solemn again: "But sometimes, when some people stand among the masses and taste the sweet lure of power, any talk of unwavering loyalty no longer matters."