Chapter 243: Encountering a Sunny Day Chapter 220: Emperor's Order

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

In that instant, Du Shulin, ever alert and decisive, who considered his mind clear, suspected he was hallucinating.

The rolling iron cavalry coming toward them wore Choose Armor and held red fire, like leopards of Choose and red, like ghostly divine soldiers summoned beneath a Wu Nu's sleeves.

But the leader rapidly approaching had a familiar face, someone he knew: Yueyang... Ling Ke's old subordinate!

Amidst the great upheaval, Du Shulin quickly regained his senses; what lay before him was neither hallucination nor ghostly soldiers, nor divine soldiers descending from heaven—Yueyang, the iron cavalry, these people were already in Shanglin Park...

Every autumn hunt at Shanglin Park was accompanied by military drills, a tool the Son of Heaven used to awe foreign visitors and the various kings and marquises; Du Shulin still remembered last year's drills were unsatisfactory, drawing secret contempt and discussion from the princes, which enraged the Son of Heaven—

This year, the great army that campaigned against the Xiongnu returned to the capital, though defeated, many old subordinates preserved by Ling Ke still remained in its ranks. About half a month ago, the Son of Heaven ordered Yueyang, Yan Tian, and others to lead elite troops and iron cavalry into Shanglin Park, preparing for this year's autumn hunt military drills to achieve the political purpose that had not been fulfilled last year.

Du Shulin naturally knew this, but iron cavalry heavy troops were a heavy weapon of the state; even he, the Grand Marshal holding military power, could not arbitrarily mobilize them. To make them don armor and sortie, besides the Son of Heaven's order, one other thing was indispensable: the Tiger Talisman.

Thus he immediately shouted: "Yueyang, you have no talisman yet sortie without authorization—do you not know this is a capital crime of rebellion!"

—The Emperor valued the Tiger Talisman greatly; even the Crown Prince did not know where it was hidden, and it was absolutely impossible for anyone to steal it easily on a whim. Moreover, anyone who stole the Tiger Talisman, regardless of reason, was invariably sentenced to death.

"The Son of Heaven was assassinated, the Heir Apparent rebels, the Grand Marshal plots treason; we come to protect the carriage." Yueyang on horseback said solemnly: "Even if there is a violation of regulations, Yue will personally apologize to Your Majesty afterward."

—Indeed, they had sortie without even seeing the Tiger Talisman!

Du Shulin was shaken and bewildered in his heart, utterly unable to imagine how that Wu Nu had persuaded Yueyang and the others. These people had always been known for strictly observing military regulations, and since the death of the Marquis of Changping, Yueyang and the others had been suppressed, growing ever more silent and rigid, never speaking out for anything—how could they, without seeing the Tiger Talisman, willingly risk a capital crime and act out of character, driven by a young Wu Nu who never involved herself in military affairs and had never had any dealings with them?!

The matter came so suddenly, and they mobilized so quickly, that it was clear they had not even verified anything in the slightest, daring to commit such a great impropriety based on a single empty word... Could it be for Liu Qi, who bears the blood of the Ling family?

This was certainly very likely one reason, but Du Shulin could already see that Yueyang, reining in his horse, stood guard one step behind that Wu Nu, exuding an intangible, eerie trust and loyalty.

Du Shulin concluded in his heart that even if Liu Qi had schemed in this, this Wu Nu must also bear an unknown weight, actually shaking and awakening these silent, dead remnant souls and ghost soldiers who had been silent for many years.

All these thoughts flashed between one sentence and the next, and in this short time, the surroundings were already in turmoil, more and more iron cavalry surging in, the disparity in strength rapidly erased. Du Shulin made a swift decision, taking advantage of the fact that the Imperial Guards behind had not yet grasped the situation, and shouted loudly: "The Sixth Imperial Son Liu Qi colludes with Yueyang and other remnants of the Ling Family Army; the evidence of treason is conclusive! This Grand Marshal acts by imperial decree to suppress the rebels. You all follow me to execute the traitors! Afterward, rewards shall be given according to the traitors' heads!"

"Execute the traitors!"

"—Kill!"

The confidants beside Du Shulin were the first to echo, raising their blades and shouting, immediately surging forward to kill. The hesitant Imperial Guards behind were also pushed forward by the chaotic situation, while Du Shulin drove his horse and slowly retreated, wishing to withdraw into the crowd.

He knew there were at most three thousand iron cavalry in Shanglin Park, but iron cavalry were worth ten ordinary soldiers each, and their killing power was by no means comparable to ordinary Imperial Guards. Moreover, that Wu Nu occupied the heavenly opportunity; such a posture was too disturbing to people's hearts.

Du Shulin developed a certain intention to watch and retreat, but before he could retreat deeper into the crowd, he suddenly sensed a killing intent amidst this earth-shaking tumult. He abruptly fixed his gaze and looked straight ahead, only to see the girl on the tall horse draw her great bow fully. A flaming arrow fixed its gaze on him and flew out—

The fire arrow quickly burned a path through the air, like the feather of a swiftly flying Vermilion Bird.

The Road to Heaven had originally been before his eyes, but this sudden upheaval was like an unreasonable curse under the intervention of ghosts and spirits, and this vicious fire arrow seemed about to make the curse completely real and settled.

Great unwillingness made Du Shulin react quickly. His sides and rear were crowded, and the horses could not move quickly. Moreover, if he fell from his horse, there was the danger of being trampled. So he forcibly grabbed a subordinate from the horse's back beside him and held him in front as a shield—

Almost in the same instant, the arrow arrived, piercing into the subordinate's confused and crooked skull. This arrow was originally meant to pierce his own skull...

The deadly calamity at close range was avoided. Du Shulin had no time to rejoice before he widened his eyes. All things seemed to become extremely slow. He clearly saw the arrow drill out from the back of the subordinate's head, bringing out fine red and white blood and marrow. The fire on the sharp arrowhead had gone out, making a sizzling sound, carrying a scorching smell. In an instant, it pierced into his wide-open right eye!

Du Shulin suddenly leaned back and fell from his horse in the chaos.

Someone shouted: "Rebel Grand Marshal Du has been executed by the Heavenly Opportunity! You all quickly discard your blades and turn back, and you may be spared the death penalty!"

Yueyang and Marquis Lu led men to execute the resisters, while ordering someone to shout loudly.

And after releasing this arrow, Shaowei quickly turned her horse's head, leading one hundred iron cavalry, and galloped toward the palace garden where the incident occurred.

The iron cavalry carried Shaowei through the night, galloping past a crossroads.

These iron cavalry in Shanglin Park, and Du Shulin who led the Imperial Guards back from Rui Fu, were going in two directions. The two thousand iron cavalry had just come from this crossroads, splitting into two here: one half led by Yan Tian straight to the palace garden where the Crown Prince was, and the other half going to intercept Du Shulin.

The one thousand iron cavalry rushing to the Crown Prince's palace garden split into two batches again on the way. One batch was halfway intercepting and killing those Imperial Guards whom Du Shulin had first sent out to clear the situation.

All along the way were fleeing and killing. The spreading blood light led the way ahead. Shaowei rode her horse at full speed, treading through pools of blood, crossing mountains of corpses. In her mind, the words from last night on the road sounded again: 【If there truly is some other change, and there is no way to avoid it, Shaowei, then when the time comes I will fall into the trap, and you come to save me.】

Today, the eunuch who went to deliver the message conveyed Deng Hu's words: 【Your Highness has fallen into the trap. Please ask Jiang Jun for help.】

He entrusted his life to her, and she accepted it.

It was inevitable that Du Shulin be sent away. He had volunteered for the patrol, using this to deploy forces, so as to balance the manpower and the situation, ensuring she could come to rescue him.

Shaowei knew this was still a huge risk, and the plan was fluid. Liu Qi's people were maneuvering in the dark. She had also temporarily entrusted a household slave to steal the Son of Heaven's Seal, so as to provide early support and delay, but she was still a step too late. Yan Xiang and her maternal grandfather were intercepted by Du Shulin...

It was clear that things would never develop exactly as expected, and that planning within the tent often required occupying the greatest power. But this power would not fall from the sky; the process of capturing it must inevitably be accompanied by bloodshed and risk.

She and he were the greatest accomplices, having made the agreement that "what we want, we must get." And once made, it was impossible to turn back.

Shaowei was naturally combative, with the charging spirit of a beast in her bones. She was more accustomed to brandishing her blade upward to seize the greatest safety and dignity. She hated that she and those around her were threatened and bullied. She loathed the hateful scenes of a century of chaos in her past life's dreams. She walked the path of following her own heart and practicing her own way. Even if blood flowed, she would be fully satisfied, walking one road to the end, with no possibility of regret.

But at this moment, apart from all these feelings, a trace of fear arose. She feared that she would go back on her word and fail to save him in time. That would become a lifelong stain and scar for her, and she could never again recognize herself as a competent accomplice and an outstanding knight-errant with a clear conscience.

Carrying such fear, Shaowei urged her horse even faster, her brows furrowed into a knot. Seeing that there were still those who had killed until their eyes were red and did not know death blocking the road ahead, Shaowei used her palm strength to throw a long knife seized and taken from someone killed midway. The blade edge pierced straight through that Imperial Guard's chest. This person fell to the ground and was immediately trampled by one iron cavalry horse after another. His short scream was drowned out by the thunderous sound of horse hooves.

When the rumbling sound of horse hooves reached the ears of the one waiting, Liu Cheng, who was sitting in meditation, abruptly looked up.

Like the Emperor, the Heir Apparent had a fixed residence in Shanglin Park. This palace garden had once been used by Ling Taizi to sit and discuss with worthy scholars from all under heaven. When it belonged to Liu Cheng, Rui Ze had someone excavate a secret chamber here, used for secret talks and hiding important letters and the Witchcraft List.

Because of this secret chamber, Guo Shi was certain that before Du Shulin arrived, Liu Cheng would not have any mishap.

Because the conflict had not ended quickly after it broke out, three guards protected the Crown Prince and the Empress into this secret chamber, waiting for the storm outside to end.

Empress Rui, under the huge impact and struggle, exhausted her mind and strength to the utmost, and had fallen into a coma.

At this moment, hearing the rumbling sound of horse hooves, the guards who had always been tense and paying attention to the noise were overjoyed.

"Grand Marshal Du has arrived according to the plan. Congratulations, Your Highness. The great matter is accomplished!"

"Please, Your Highness, move slightly later to personally welcome Grand Marshal Du!"

Liu Cheng, his whole body stiff, slowly stood up, looking at the door of the dark chamber before him. Outside the door was a huge bookshelf. Outside the study was a huge Purgatory.

In the palace garden, the fierce slaughter had turned into a bloody standoff. Both sides had suffered more than half casualties and were exhausted in strength. At this time, the Crown Prince's side occupied the position outside the Main Hall palace chambers, while Liu Qi's side occupied a long corridor. Everywhere were broken weapons and broken people.

The Crown Prince's side no longer rushed to launch an attack. First, they were awed by the opponent's surging and unyielding battle spirit and killing intent. Second, they had confidence and calculations. In the state of injury and exhaustion, no one was willing to throw away their lives before reinforcements arrived. Once a person died, no merits or benefits could be gathered at all.

Until the sound of massive hoofbeats drew near, these exhausted, vigilant people suddenly revealed excitement in their eyes, a fierce blazing light fixed on that blood-stained corridor — they're here! Even the toughest bones will soon be crushed!

And at almost the same moment, on the second floor of a side pavilion, someone revealed themselves — it was the Emperor.

The only four Imperial Guards remaining beside the Emperor were all of military origin, experts among experts; they guarded the Emperor hiding in a cramped pavilion chamber, and now hearing the hoofbeats and the Crown Prince's faction's reaction below, the four likewise showed desperate expressions, one of them kneeling and weeping to beg punishment: "Xie Zhen deserves ten thousand deaths!"

At the time, he was the first to report to His Majesty the news that the Crown Prince was injured and lost a hand, which actually caused the Son of Heaven to fall for this scheme!

The other three also knelt to beg punishment; Prince Gaomi likewise wept helplessly and slumped down sitting.

"Xie Zhen, Ji Hu..." The Emperor instead called out the names of those four Imperial Guards one by one, saying: "Listen to Our command."

The four, bathed in blood, immediately responded with clasped hands.

"No longer concern yourselves with Us; you all exert your full strength to escort Liu Qi away."

The Emperor's voice was heavy and resolute; the four were greatly shocked and lost color, only to see the Emperor walk to the railing, one hand holding a lamp, the other clutching a blood-stained white silk cloth.

The four immediately rose to surround and protect him; some readied crossbows to deter those Crown Prince faction remnant soldiers below, while the Emperor said in a deep voice: "We received Heaven's Mandate and rule the world, yet today We fall victim to a scheme by Our own heir, trapped in a death trap! — Sixth Imperial Son Liu Qi risked his life to save Us, benevolent, filial, brave, and resolute; We now establish a blood edict with Our blood and Our seal, deposing Liu Cheng from the position of Crown Prince, and establishing Liu Qi as heir! Should We die, the throne passes to him, to carry on the great lineage!"

The Son of Heaven's authority, even in a death trap, still made people unable to ignore it; the Crown Prince's faction below had not yet recovered their senses when they heard that voice from above continue:

"The Crown Prince lacks virtue, murders his father and frames his own brother; after the fact, how could he possibly allow those who witnessed his ugly deeds to live?! — Now We issue Our command: with this blood edict, and with Prince Gaomi Liu Yi as witness, all who protect Crown Prince Liu Qi and fight their way out, regardless of past offenses, may all be enfeoffed as marquises, hereditary without replacement, sharing the state's longevity!"

All around instantly erupted in commotion; many in the Crown Prince's faction turned pale, as if waking from a dream, startled and uncertain whether to advance or retreat.

The Emperor had already tossed that blood edict to the loudly weeping Prince Gaomi, tore off his outer robe, ignited it with the oil lamp in hand, threw it into the chamber behind him, and simultaneously ordered the Imperial Guards beside him driven away: "Quickly escort Liu Qi out through the palace garden's back door, into the mountains! Once this place catches fire, people will surely come from all sides! Before that, you must protect him at all costs!"

"We entrust the realm to Our son, and entrust Our son to you all... do not disappoint Our hopes, go!"

The Emperor made a resolute stance, willing to sacrifice his own life alone to stir a thread of fighting spirit in all directions, exchanging it for a sliver of survival chance for the "new ruler"; compared to an old, ailing monarch who might breathe his last at any moment, pouring all efforts into protecting a young new ruler always better ignites men's blood and fighting spirit.

In the Crown Prince's faction below, some truly wavered; if afterward they were destined to be silenced by the Crown Prince, then they...

As hoofbeats pressed closer, some began to rise gripping blades; the fire behind the Emperor burned ever larger; he looked at that corridor and shouted a reprimand: "Liu Qi, what are you standing there dazed for, go! Don't make Us look down on you!"

This was a monarch's unwillingness — unwilling to be schemed against to this extent by a heir he saw as gentle and controllable; unwilling to see the realm fall into the hands of traitors like Du Shulin; or perhaps there was still a trace of genuine feeling no longer stinted even in a death trap.

Liu Qi, face covered in blood, was helped to stand, yet his movements were very slow.

"Clang—" a huge sound, the garden gate was rammed from outside; the Emperor urgently waved his sleeve and cursed in anger; in the firelight, his eyes held angry tears: "Stupid child! Gone deaf? We told you to go!"

"Imperial Uncle, it's late." Liu Qi's voice slowly: "But no longer urgent."

The Emperor couldn't hear his words clearly; he wasn't deaf, he heard very clearly — it was his Imperial Uncle who couldn't hear clearly — since childhood he had followed his maternal uncle through the army, able to distinguish the differences between hoofbeats and hoofbeats.

These aren't Imperial Guard hoofbeats.

Liu Qi stood unmoving, gazing at that grand gate blasted open.

The Emperor felt both anger at his failure to contend, and an indescribable grief; because this not-so-stupid stupid child actually intended to die with him.

Amidst immense grief and anger, the Emperor — who had already vomited blood once from fire attacking the heart — swayed violently, yet still picked up the long saber from the ground, intending a final kill.

However, when he gripped the saber and straightened up, he saw the situation below and suddenly seemed to fall into a dream.

Iron cavalry clad in Choose Armor galloped in; behind them, armored soldiers who had already dismounted outside the garden surged in, holding torches and weapons, steps quick and orderly; though the formation appeared dispersed and rapidly spread out, it seemed like a single entity, coordination clear, movements swift and fierce, as if weaving a military flag hiding the souls of old comrades amid firelight and bloodlight.

The Emperor's long saber fell with a "Clang—"; he dazedly watched those people swiftly control the situation, among them General Yan Tian rushed to protect the front of the corridor, dropped to one knee, clasped hands in salute toward that youth leaning on a three-foot sword.

The four Imperial Guards driven away by the Emperor returned, overjoyed and weeping: "Your Majesty, the arrivals are our reinforcements!"

Soldiers controlled the Crown Prince's partisans, swiftly surging into all areas, taking over this palace garden.

Liu Cheng, just emerging from the secret chamber, saw the scene outside the gate; his steps stalled, expression blank — Guo Shi and Grand Commandant Du didn't say that as long as Father Emperor and Sixth Brother set foot here, there would be no more changes?

A guard at his side said: "Your Highness, this subordinate will take you away by another road!"

Liu Cheng subconsciously nodded; that guard grabbed one of his arms, but at the same time a short dagger stabbed toward his abdomen.

"Your Highness, apologies! Anyway you're on a dead road; better let this subordinate take the credit to redeem crimes!"

?? (Overestimated myself, can only write up to here, will continue tomorrow!)