Chapter 110

Deep within the imperial palace.

After a cruel and bloody battle, the dust had settled, and the winner had been decided.

The Empress Dowager, this old woman who had lived deep in the palace for a long time and was over eighty years old.

This year, at the turn of spring, she welcomed the good news of Zhou Jinyu giving birth to a prince, and the old woman also became a great-grandmother.

Thinking of this!】

Warmth grew in the old woman's heart, and she had the idea of personally sewing baby shoes for her great-grandson.

For more than half a month, she did it herself; as the needle and thread moved, the soles of the shoes were dense and tight.

The old woman did not hesitate to sacrifice her afternoon nap time, pouring her heart and soul into these tiny shoes.

Chen Sanzhong tried to persuade her several times but couldn't stop her; the Empress Dowager was old and couldn't handle the strain.

At this moment!】

The Empress Dowager picked up the tiger-head cotton baby boot that had already taken shape.

The old woman slowly threw it into the charcoal stove.

The fire blazed, and in an instant, it turned to ashes.

Only then did the old woman slowly walk out of the Cining Palace.】

She had not stepped out of that secluded threshold for ten years.】

A group of eunuchs and palace maids shouted for the carriage to start, not daring to be negligent!】

The accompanying eunuchs and palace maids were like clouds, and guards stood like a forest, but it could not hide the faint sorrow on the Empress Dowager's face.】

Empress Zhou Jinyu, dressed in brocade robes, followed closely by the Empress Dowager's side, radiant, her style still present at over thirty, her skin like congealed fat, revealing the gentleness of a mother of the world and secret joy.】

Because the Empress Dowager had won, and she had bet correctly again.】

She bet on the Second Prince to become the master of the world and transformed into the Empress of Daqing.】

Now she had bet on the Empress Dowager again.】

Beside Zhou Jinyu was Tuoba Hongyan, this Northern Wind prince.】

Tuoba Hongyan, his figure tall and straight, but he could not hide a hint of imperceptible panic between his brows.】

The inexplicable palace coup and years of comfort made this former iron-blooded Northern Wind man feel uneasy, becoming more and more protective of his life.】

Especially!】

He had already learned that Lu Chen had entered the capital, and his heart became more and more uneasy.】

The long palace path also felt a bit long.】

At this moment!】

Lu Lu hurried over from the direction of the Longzong Gate; as a city gate captain, his battle armor had not yet dried, and the mottled bloodstains on it witnessed the cruelty of the battlefield, his whole body exuding a heart-palpitating murderous aura.】

His appearance made the surrounding little eunuchs show looks of fear and retreat three steps.】

Today's imperial palace seemed to have become a human purgatory, and the sound of fighting had not stopped from early morning until now.】

The palace maids discussed privately, mentioning that there were corpses everywhere outside the palace, adding to the panic.】

Everyone was scared in their hearts.】

Lu Lu came quickly and knelt on one knee, his voice loud:】

【"Pay respects to the Empress Dowager!"】

【"General Lu, no need for ceremony."】

The Empress Dowager raised her hand slightly in the accompanying sedan chair; although her voice was soft, it had its own unquestionable majesty.】

Lu Lu looked up, and as their gazes met, he saw the Empress Dowager's haggard face, and complex emotions surged in his heart.】

Time does not forgive; this Empress Dowager who witnessed the changes of many dynasties could not escape time after all.】

He reported to the Empress Dowager in a deep voice:】

【"The situation in the palace has been largely pacified, but what is puzzling is that the Feathered Forest Army secretly cultivated by His Majesty has not been seen yet."】

After speaking!】

His gaze narrowed slightly, seemingly waiting for the Empress Dowager's further instructions.】

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jinyu's lips curled into a cold smile; she had long known the abacus of that Majesty.】

【"His Majesty conspires with those noble families, thinking they are gentle lambs, not knowing that they are the real wolves and leopards."】

Her words revealed a deep insight into power struggles.】

【"As for that Feathered Forest Army, it is merely His Majesty deceiving himself; the real controller was never His Majesty himself."】

Lu Lu heard this, and although he had guesses in his heart, he didn't say much, just listened quietly.】

【"Currently, most of the Jin Wuwei in the palace have been executed, and several Privy Councilors have led the crowd to guard the palace gates; the situation is gradually stabilizing." Lu Lu continued to report:】

【"However, there are still over a thousand elite Jin Wuwei holding their ground at..."】

【"Is Second Brother in the Southern Study?"】

【"No, His Majesty is currently in the Fengtian Hall."】

When the three words "Fengtian Hall" were spoken, the old woman sighed.】

That was the place revered by the Daqing Dynasty for all generations, the holy hall where successive emperors prayed to their ancestors.】

【"Start the carriage, head to Fengtian Hall!"】

Following the order, the procession moved slowly.】

Along the way, Zhou Jinyu's cheeks were flushed, like peach blossoms in spring.】

And Tuoba Hongyan beside her was becoming more and more restless, his panicked emotions becoming harder and harder to suppress.】

He gritted his teeth secretly and finally spoke:】

【"Empress Dowager, Aunt, Hongyan suddenly feels severe abdominal pain and needs to go to the restroom to relieve himself."】

The Empress Dowager remained silent, while Zhou Jinyu waved her jade hand and instructed:】

【"Go and return quickly; the palace is chaotic, so pay attention to safety."】

Tuoba Hongyan responded and left, pretending to be in pain on the surface, but as soon as the crowd's line of sight shifted, he quietly changed his path and hurriedly fled into the shadows of the palace gate.】

Finally!】

The Empress Dowager's phoenix carriage stopped steadily in front of Fengtian Hall.】

【"Lower the carriage."】

The sharp voice of the little eunuch beside the carriage pierced the silence, carrying a hint of tension and awe; he hurriedly stepped forward and gently lifted the golden curtain.】

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes couldn't help but tremble, a flash of imperceptible sorrow in her gaze.】

Usually at this time, there would always be that familiar and loyal figure—Chen Sanzhong—waiting on the side.】

But today, his absence made this old woman who had experienced many vicissitudes feel uncomfortable in her heart.】

【"Empress Dowager?"】

Lu Lu saw this and called out softly, his tone full of concern.】

【"It's nothing!"】

The old woman came back to her senses, slowly stepped out of the carriage, and her gaze fell on the hall that was both familiar and strange.】

Fengtian Hall stood majestically, its doors tightly closed!】

Jin Wuwei in bright armor stood all around holding spears, the atmosphere extremely solemn.】

There were less than a thousand Jin Wuwei left defending, and five thousand troops had already been deployed outside.】

The Jin Wuwei did not expect that the city gate captain would sneak an attack, leading to heavy damage.】

The aid from the Feathered Forest Army was late in arriving.】

They could only fight like trapped beasts!】

Zhou Jinyu stepped forward and asked Lu Lu:】

【"General Lu, is His Majesty still in the hall at this moment?"】

Lu Lu nodded heavily and replied:】

【"His Majesty has been holding his ground alone in the hall for a long time, about an hour or more."】

【"Judging by the situation, he seems to have a determined intent; although my subordinates are brave, they dare not act rashly out of concern for His Majesty's safety."】

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager already understood the deep meaning behind this. If the Son of Heaven met with misfortune here, Lu Lu and the generals would fear being unable to escape the severe questioning of those who came later in the court.】

This matter concerned the Son of Heaven, so naturally, it could not tolerate the slightest negligence or slackness.】

Therefore!】

Everyone was waiting here, looking forward to her arrival, waiting for her to make a decision!】

The old woman looked at this Fengtian Hall again, her thoughts swirling.】

She knew that Second Brother had always had ambition and means.】

However, why are you in such a hurry to do this?】

The power in the court will eventually be yours!】

Uniting with the Northern Wind is also making a wedding dress for you, wanting to help you unify Daqing.】

But you led Lu Shen Zhou to the Western Depot, designed to kill Chen Sanzhong, and falsely transmitted the golden arrow to destroy the Western Depot; this truly touched the old woman's bottom line.】

Chen Sanzhong, such a loyal servant.】

Chen Sanzhong was prepared to sacrifice his life to trade for Lu Chen's life!】

The old woman couldn't help but be emotionally agitated.】

【"Second Brother, you actually bully an old person who is already running out of time like this."】

Zhou Jinyu saw this and hurriedly stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager, fearing that she might have an accident due to emotional agitation.】

(End of chapter)