Chapter 348: Power Struggle and Stalemate: The Pillar of State and the Little Emperor's Clash

Guard Your Majesty!

So that no assassins or bandits take advantage of the chaos to attack Your Majesty!

It would endanger the state of Great Zhou!

Dugu Zhao did not stop his steps, moved ever closer to Yuwen Yan, his expression unchanged, and spoke with confidence.

He spoke with undeniable righteousness.

He appeared as a loyal minister who considered the matter from all angles.

"Please, Your Majesty, relocate!"

Zhao Qian also stayed close to Dugu Zhao's side, hurried forward, coordinated, and added, "Follow the old minister to a safe place..."

His eyes held an indescribable urgency.

After all, Yuwen Hu had been blown up on the altar top; as long as the little emperor is controlled, the grand plan can succeed!

Moreover, they must act before Yuwen Heng, not far away, reacts; otherwise variables may arise...

It truly matches Sun Qing's prediction! After they plotted Yuwen Hu's death, their first move was to control me... Yuwen Yan stared at the two old Pillars of State approaching from left and right, a cold smile forming, then raised his head and shouted:

"As the ruler of Great Zhou, how could I shrink back?"

"Today I will go nowhere, stand here, and wait for the Grand Tomb Chancellor to return safely!"

Speaking, he raised his hand, flicked his fingertips downward, pointing to the spot where he had planted his stake.

His demeanor was full of resolve.

Every word radiated unwavering firmness.

His aura was imposing.

Why does this little emperor act against convention?... Dugu Zhao, watching the uncharacteristic Yuwen Yan, narrowed his eyes and quickly quoted Confucius: "Your Majesty, the sage says a gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall!"

"The realm and its stability all rest upon you!"

Those words were exceedingly earnest.

It seemed a heartfelt concern for Yuwen Yan's safety.

"Indeed!"

Seeing this, Zhao Qian did not hesitate and immediately urged, "Your Majesty must not act on impulse!"

"Better to follow the old ministers, retreat to safety, and discuss the matter at length..."

While speaking, his peripheral glance occasionally flicked toward Yuwen Heng, Yu Jie, Hou Mo, Chen Yi and others nearby.

Fearing they might see his and Old Dugu's purpose.

"The Grand Marshal is present!"

"The imperial guard is present!"

"The Bright Mirror Office is present!"

"Who can act against me?"

Yuwen Yan heard this, let out a light hum, and retorted,

He paused briefly, flicked his sleeve lightly, and continued, "Old Pillars of State, no need to worry so much!"

Dugu Zhao's voice softened slightly, yet carried undeniable firmness, "The old minister, entrusted by the late emperor, cannot stand by while Your Majesty acts foolishly and endangers the realm!"

Immediately, he tilted his head slightly, his sword-like brows lifting, and gave Zhao Qian a glance.

Zhao Qian understood instantly and stepped forward almost at the same time.

They prepared to act before Yuwen Heng could react, using force to seize the uncooperative little emperor...

"Grand Marshal, cousin, what are you still dazing about?"

Yuwen Yan took in Dugu Zhao and Zhao Qian's movements, instantly seeing through their intent.

Without hesitation, he fell back behind Yuwen Heng, shouted loudly, "These two old Pillars of State are scheming; protect the carriage at once!"

His words hung in the air.

Yuwen Yan couldn't help but exhale.

Thanks to Sun Qing's analysis that uncovered the two old rascals' treachery, he had already moved to Yuwen Heng's side...

Otherwise, relying only on the nearby imperial guard and inner attendants, they might have succeeded now, turning him into a puppet.

Sun Qing is truly talented; once he holds military and civil power, he must be given great responsibilities, allowing Sun Qing to assist in achieving unprecedented feats.

"Hm?"

Yuwen Heng was startled, seeing the two old Pillars of State drawing ever closer, as if just waking from a dream, he shouted to his left and right, "Men, come!"

"Stop the two old Pillars of State!"

Immediately, the ordered imperial guard advanced together, drawing their side swords toward the approaching Pillars.

Yan Zhi Tui and his men, along with the guards, were no less swift, also drawing side swords.

Both sides thus faced each other.

The already chaotic situation became even more chaotic.

"What!"

Leaning on Yuwen Yan, standing behind Yuwen Heng, his right hand clenched his cousin's jade belt, he barked loudly, "Old Pillar Dugu, Old Pillar Zhao, are you planning rebellion while the Grand Tomb Chancellor's fate is still unknown?"

Not yet sixteen, having been raised in a deep residence and never having experienced great storms, Yuwen Yan, upon suddenly seeing this scene, could not help thinking it must be false...

Yet he forced his fear down.

Because the little emperor knows clearly that the chance to reclaim supreme power comes only this once, and must be seized!

He must let the ministers see his imperial majesty!

See that he possesses the ability and resolve to rule the world!

That little Qiuzi... Dugu Zhao, seeing this, couldn't help muttering a curse in his heart, yet a loyal expression appeared on his face, his voice a few tones deeper than before, as if patiently admonishing an immature child: "Your Majesty, the old minister is steadfastly loyal; how can you think so, how can you doubt the old minister?"

Speaking, he simultaneously raised his right hand and covered his left chest.

He looked genuinely distressed.

Dugu Zhao never expected that Yuwen Hu had been eliminated smoothly, yet a variable appeared on the young emperor…

The young emperor's noncooperation completely disrupted the original plan and also saw through our own scheming.

At that moment, they were already on a tiger they could not dismount…

Yuwen Yan glanced at Dugu Zhao's performance, sneered, ignored him, then turned to Yuwen Heng, gripping his hand tightly: "Cousin, I suspect the change at the altar top is inseparable from these two old petty men!"

"Please, cousin, aid me!"

"Cousin Hu, investigate until the truth comes out!"

On that slightly youthful face was an indescribable earnestness.

Every word was an appeal to emotion, a consideration for Yuwen Hu!

Yuwen Yan had already rehearsed this demeanor countless times alone in the palace chambers.

Moreover, his address to Dugu Zhao and Zhao Qian had shifted from 'old pillar of the state' to 'old petty man'…

After all, with matters at this point, he no longer wanted to pretend.

He must force this Grand Marshal's cousin to serve his purposes.

"Hm?" Yuwen Heng was startled, his brows knit, yet he gave no response.

Yuwen Yan lifted his head and, continuing to rebuke Dugu Zhao and the others, thundered: "Since the old pillar of the state is loyal, I order you to lead these people to retreat immediately!"

But Yan Zhi Tui, Yang Qin and the others ignored the young emperor, remaining completely still.

They showed not the slightest intention to comply.

Zhao Qian furrowed his brows, sighed as if a painful spot had been struck, and stepped half a pace forward: "The old minister and the Duke of Wei's loyalty to Your Majesty can be witnessed by heaven and illuminated by the sun and moon!"

"Your Majesty, do not heed the petty man's slanders!"

He said, raising his hand and holding up three fingers, as if taking a solemn oath.

"Petty man's slanders?"

Yuwen Yan murmured repeatedly, snorted coldly through his nose, and mocked: "I wonder which person Old Pillar of the State Zhao refers to?"

He paused, then said in a sarcastic tone: "You all have already taken up arms, yet you make my heart race!"

Zhao Qian, choked back, turned his head toward Dugu Zhao, asking with his eyes: "What should we do now?"

"Now that matters have come to this, there is no arrow to pull back once the bow is drawn!" Dugu Zhao narrowed his eyes, looking at the aggressive young emperor, then glanced at Yuwen Heng who stared at them, moved his lips, and replied silently.

Dugu Zhao knew clearly that at this moment they had reached a point of no retreat, with only forward motion possible.

Moreover, he silently decided that after the great achievement and stabilization of the overall political situation, a compliant, mediocre puppet must be replaced!

As for that little wolf cub, one can refer to the fate of Qian Yan Feidi…

Zhao Qian and the others understood tacitly, all prepared to gamble, confronting the imperial guard while continuing to press forward.

At that moment, Sun Zhi leapt out, pointing at Dugu Zhao and Zhao Qian's noses, and demanded sharply: "You two old pillars of the state, are you holding the emperor hostage and committing treason?!"

"What kind of thing are you!"

"You have no right to speak here!"

"How dare you frame and incriminate the pillar of the state!"

"I'll slash you!"

Yan Zhi Tui glared angrily at Sun Zhi, cursing.

Before this, no one dared to strike the first blow, and Sun Zhi's appearance provided a legitimate pretext for conflict.

But just as the blade was about to fall, a mocking voice came from behind:

"What a lively scene!"

"Gentlemen, how chaotic is this?"

"Such a familiar voice!" Yuwen Yan was startled, murmuring.

"Why does that voice sound so familiar?!" Dugu Zhao and Zhao Qian exchanged glances, as if realizing something, "It seems…."

A bold and unbelievable speculation suddenly rose in everyone's mind:

"It's… it's Yuwen Hu?!"