Chapter 31: Song Fei, Escort the Emperor of Great Yan and the Empress to board the ship!

Outside Chang'an.

Jinque Palace.

The walls tower high, as if to completely cut off this piece of world from the outside.

The mottled wall surface, eroded by time, peels away layer by layer, exposing the rough bricks within, like the deep wrinkles on an old man's face, full of vicissitudes.

Weeds sprout atop the wall, trembling in the cold wind, their withered yellow hue adding to the sense of decay.

A dozen or so zhang away, Chen Yan stands with his hands behind his back, gazing at the Dragon-Confined Land before his eyes, and sighs, "Is this the place where the Deposed Emperor is imprisoned?"

"The Grand Tomb Steward really is cautious!"

This Jinque Palace not only has towering walls that are impossible for people to scale, but also a massive contingent of Imperial Guards outside.

Three inner layers and three outer layers encircle it, taking turns on guard duty and crossing patrols, leaving no gap to slip through—not even a fly can get out.

"It's not that the Grand Tomb Steward is cautious; it's that he has no choice..."

Song Fei, who arrived together, raised his hand and pointed at the Jinque Palace, laughing, "If that person inside manages to escape, a single shout will surely stir up a lot of trouble!"

The Deposed Emperor may lack talent, but he has great charisma.

If he breaks free from control, the remaining loyalists of Former Yan will swarm in, rallying under this political banner.

If a schemer were to exploit him again, the consequences would be unimaginable...

"Indeed."

Chen Yan nods, agreeing.

As he speaks, he can't help but recall a drama he once saw about escorting a prince and a mother, and a smile lifts the corner of his mouth.

The prince was delivered in the morning, the troops were dispatched to the grassland in the afternoon.

Successfully resolved the northern nomadic tribes, the Xitongxing Bug that could not restore the Han dynasty.

"Halt!"

"Who comes?"

Chen Yan and his party approach the Jinque Palace, where a squad of armored Imperial Guards wielding weapons blocks their path, and the leading general Zhao Liangbi asks sternly,

"Mingjingsi Zhuque Mirror Keeper Chen Yan!"

"By order of the Grand Tomb Steward, I have come to fetch the person; this is a golden order!"

Chen Yan smiles calmly, states his identity and purpose, then pulls a Token from Tian Guan Fu out of his bosom and tosses it straight at them.

"So it is Lord Chen Yan, Lord Chen!"

After verifying the golden order, Zhao Liangbi eyes Chen Yan a few more times; his stern expression vanishes without a trace, replaced by an exceedingly easygoing smile, "Palace Elder has instructed that you may enter directly; please, this way!"

He says this while raising his hand and making a very respectful beckoning gesture inward.

As an Imperial Guard officer and a scion of a distinguished family, Zhao Liangbi is of course well aware of Chen Yan's reputation.

Recently, in Chang'an, his fame has risen sharply; the Grand Tomb Steward's hot‑shot right‑hand, who also handled the treason case of the Deposed Emperor,

Elders in his clan have long advised that, if the chance arises, he must befriend him.

"Much obliged, please have some tea, brothers!"

Chen Yan nods, pulls a hundred‑tael Silver Note from his sleeve, slips it into Zhao Liangbi's hand, and says,

"Lord Chen, you're too kind!"

Zhao Liangbi smiles even brighter, accepting it without any pretense.

"When you have time, let's get together for a drink..."

Chen Yan raises his hand, pats Zhao Liangbi's shoulder, and leads the group inward.

Not only does Chang'an Shijia want to win him over, Chen Yan does the same.

Playing zz is about making many friends and few enemies...

Inside the Jinque Palace.

"Your Majesty, it's time to dine..."

Ruan Liuzheng lifts a bowl of millet porridge to Murong Hao's side and says softly,

"I have no appetite!"

Murong Hao sits cross‑legged, hears the Empress's voice, opens his eyes, and coldly refuses.

"Your Majesty, you're a bit delayed..."

Ruan Liuzheng purses her lips and urges, "If this continues, I fear your body won't endure!"

The woman's delicate face is full of concern.

Since a few days ago, after the failed coup and Yuwen Hu exiled them to this Jinque Palace, her husband hasn't had a proper meal...

He has become visibly emaciated.

"Whether he can resist or not makes no difference."

Murong Hao forces a bitter smile, sighing, "I fear I have only a few good days left..."

His words are filled with a heart ashen as ash.

A coup of treason, regardless of the dynasty, is a crime of ten unforgivable evils, let alone he once was the Emperor of Great Yan.

For the Yuwen Clan's lasting stability, Yuwen Hu is determined that he cannot be tolerated!

His own end seems near; what difference does eating or not make?

"Your Majesty, why are you speaking nonsense again?" Ruan Liuzheng lightly bites her lip.

She is about to say more when a report voice comes from outside:

"Mingjingsi Zhuque Mirror Keeper Lord Chen Yan has arrived!"

Immediately after, a few people in Mingjingsi official uniforms swaggered in.

"We have seen the Emperor of Great Yan, Your Majesty!"

Chen Yan stopped not far from Murong Hao, casually bowed, then pulled a stool over and sat down.

His movements were fluid as clouds and water, showing no sign of treating himself as an outsider.

"You never took me seriously, so why put on such a pretentious act?"

Murong Hao watched the scene, stared at Chen Yan, and snorted coldly.

"Each code must follow its code; the required procedures cannot be omitted!"

Chen Yan's mouth twitched upward; propping his hand on the table, he brushed over the dishes and replied nonchalantly.

Murong Hao's gaze hardened; unwilling to tangle with the person before him, he asked directly, "Did Yuwen Hu send you to kill me?"

Having been a puppet in Yuwen Xin's hands for so many years, Murong Hao was of course aware of what kind of organization the Mirror Office was....

Especially in recent days, his forces had been dismantled one after another, his close aides eliminated, and the boy before him named Chen Yan was the latest.

He had already guessed Yuwen Hu's intention in sending this youth forward.....

To make the final cut!

"How could that be?"

Chen Yan gave a half‑smile, shook his head, and said with a hint of amusement, "Openly killing a former dynasty's emperor would spread a rather unsavory reputation...."

"Heh!"

Murong Hao snorted once, then laughed repeatedly, mocking, "He would still fear an unsavory reputation?"

The Deposed Emperor, dynastic change, imprisonment—things Yuwen Xin dared not do, Yuwen Hu had already accomplished.

And to think he still says that such a wolf‑hearted, ambitious warlord would fear an unsavory reputation?

How ridiculous!

"Dignified and imposing, truly worthy of being the last emperor of the Murong clan of Great Yan, he indeed has the bearing of a true dragon!"

Chen Yan gave no reply, instead rubbing his chin, staring intently at Murong Hao's appearance, and commented.

After a pause, he shifted tone and continued, "Unfortunately, his fate is already exhausted...."

Having lived two lifetimes, this was Chen Yan's first time observing a "Son of Heaven" so up close.

Although he saw no difference from ordinary people, he was indeed quite good‑looking....

If sold to Nanmo Huisuo, he'd surely attract wealthy women!

"You!" Hearing the first part, Murong Hao was somewhat pleased, but the latter part froze his expression instantly.

Chen Yan, unhurried, shifted his gaze to Ruan Liuzheng, moving forward, "I suppose this is Your Majesty's Empress, right?"

"A fine face, a graceful figure, skin like congealed fat... very supple!"

Speaking so, Chen Yan's hand was not idle; it struck directly at the woman's raised rear.

The feeling of an on‑the‑spot NTR is truly great!

"Ah!"

Ruan Liuzheng was startled, leapt back repeatedly, fled behind Murong Hao, and said, "Sir, please restrain yourself!"

She never imagined that this impeccably dressed Mirror‑hand holder was actually a complete rake.

Not only daring to make advances toward her, but also daring to flirt in front of her husband....

"Chen Yan!"

Murong Hao, burning with anger, slammed the table, rose, and shouted loudly, "Yuwen Hu sent you here—what exactly are you here to do!"

What is tolerable and what is not.

Both Yuwen Xin and his uncle Yuwen Hu never harbored ill intent toward his Empress, so how could this low‑born brat dare such a thing?

"Your Majesty, please calm down...."

Chen Yan was unfazed, sat back down, and said calmly, "Grand Tomb Chancellor, kind‑hearted, has specially ordered me to release you all!"

"Leave the Murong clan's ancestral lineage..."

Saying that, he leisurely crossed his legs.

"What?!"

"How could that be?"

Murong Hao was stunned, his complexion changed drastically, and he exclaimed in surprise.

After a pause, extremely wary, he asked doubtfully, "Could Yuwen Hu be so benevolent?"

"I even brought the imperial decree; how could it be fake?"

Chen Yan admired Murong Hao's shocked expression, smiled calmly, took the decree handed by Zhang Wenqian, and read, "Great Zhou Emperor's decree: Yan Emperor Murong Hao, deeply understanding the great righteousness, knowing the Mandate of Heaven returns, complying with Heaven and people, abdicates to me."

"His virtue is profound, his righteousness magnificent."

"Now I specially decree to confer upon Murong Hao the title Duke of Zhongyang, with ten thousand households, ranking above the feudal princes."

"Within his enfeoffed state, he may uphold Yan's legitimate succession, with the emperor's carriage driver performing rites to Heaven and Earth; ancestral temples, ancestors, and winter sacrifices shall follow Yan's customs. So be it!"

As Chen Yan presented the decree, its intent was simultaneously broadcast throughout the realm.

It announced to the Da Zhou People the Yuwen Clan's benevolence and leniency toward the former royal family!

Murong Hao stared dumbfounded, remained stunned for a while, then regained composure, unable to articulate, "Yuwen... the Grand Tomb Chancellor not only spares me, but also magnanimously lets me go?"

Even after a long respite, this former Yan Deposed Emperor still felt as if in a dream, utterly unreal.

He originally bore a death‑willing heart, yet happiness arrived far too suddenly!

"The decree is here; if Your Majesty does not believe it, you may examine it yourself...." Chen Yan smiled and slipped the decree into Murong Hao's hand.

"It is genuine...."

"He does not hold me accountable for the covert coup and treason?"

"The Grand Tomb Chancellor is magnanimous, able to tolerate matters the world finds intolerable!"

Chen Yan lifted his head, and spoke loudly with confidence.

He paused briefly, then continued: "I have already prepared the vessels, traveling from the Wei River all the way to Zhongyang!"

"Good… good!"

Murong Hao was overjoyed, unable to hide his excitement, grasped Ruan Liuzheng's hand, and laughed: "Liuzheng, our lives are now safe!"

Chen Yan saw this, a flash of cunning in his eyes, snapped his fingers, and ordered: "Song Fei, escort the Emperor of Great Yan, Your Majesty, and the Empress to board!"