Chapter 228: Something Terrible Has Happened in the Xie Residence!

Speaking of this!

Wu Ying's expression turned grave, though no one could see her reaction beneath the ghostly mask.

Most importantly!

Now, all four nations require a relatively peaceful and stable environment to develop their strength and restore the people's livelihoods.

No one wishes to lightly ignite war; maintaining the status quo and avoiding unnecessary conflict has become a consensus among all nations.

Wu Ying said solemnly:

"Put simply, before any one of the four nations possesses absolute power to unify the realm, none will allow another to grow too dominant."

Gong Sun Pingxi bowed and smiled:

"Your Majesty's foresight is extraordinary; your humble minister is deeply impressed."

"Indeed, the realm needs a great era of peace and order, so the people may live in security and prosperity, and the state may flourish. Give Qian Yuan ten years—I am confident I can assist Your Majesty in achieving the grand ambition of unifying the world!"

Wu Ying stepped forward and helped Gong Sun Pingxi to his feet:

"I will rely heavily on you in the days to come!"

Gong Sun Pingxi was about to speak.

At that moment!

A messenger from the "Heibing Tai," clad in ink-black robes that billowed like shadows, entered the military tent and said in a steady voice:

"Your Majesty, an urgent message from Chaoling has arrived; please review it."

Before he had even finished speaking!

A sealed letter had already been gently placed upon the table, its wax seal bearing an unmistakable aura of top-secret gravity.

Everyone in the tent!

Instantly perked up, eyes blazing as if they could pierce through the paper to uncover the hidden intrigues of the capital.

Gong Sun Pingxi silently speculated that this sudden upheaval in the Daqing capital might profoundly alter the course of Qian Yuan's strategic game for the next decade.

At this thought, his heart surged with turmoil.

Wu Ying took the sealed letter, her fingers brushing the paper as she slowly unrolled it and read carefully.

In an instant!

Her expression shifted from calm to grave, as if a sudden winter frost had plunged through the tent, chilling the very air.

The aura of a Celestial Realm cultivator.

Seeing Wu Ying's sudden change in demeanor, everyone present was stunned.

The Emperor is always composed—when had she ever lost control like this?

Could it be… Lu Chen had disregarded all caution and led his army straight toward Jingyang?

Yet, upon further reflection!

Even if Lu Chen truly possessed such audacity, it still wouldn't be enough to shake the Emperor so deeply.

Wu Ying suddenly looked up, fixing her gaze on the vast map hanging on the wall, and uttered words that shocked them all:

"Lu Chen—he has led his army north!"

Her words struck like a boulder thrown into a vast lake, sending ripples of shock through the room.

The tent fell utterly silent.

Gong Sun Pingxi froze, his eyes wide with disbelief.

He mentally recalibrated the geopolitical situation, as if viewing a grand game of weiqi.

On the board, a single white piece was surrounded and cornered by four black ones, its fate sealed in an inescapable net.

The white dragon's life hung by a thread!

Yet, just as all believed the outcome was certain, the situation reversed abruptly.

The black pieces did not perish—they thrived, gathering momentum, poised to counterattack and crush the white dragon.

Gong Sun Pingxi was terrified, as if he had personally endured a heart-stopping weiqi duel, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

Northward, into the northern winds—what could that mean?

Gong Sun Pingxi's face suddenly paled.

"Your Majesty! A catastrophe is unfolding!"

He cried out urgently, his voice trembling with barely concealed panic.

…………

…………

In the capital.

It was dusk, and lanterns had just been lit!

Today's capital was indeed lively, yet with the arrival of Lu's army, it had once again settled into calm.

After all, these were matters of the Emperor and the powerful—none of the common people's concern!

The populace merely chattered with fascination.

In past years, during the old capital's succession struggles among the Four Princes, the streets had echoed with shouts and hooves, and fires often blazed through the night.

The people had grown accustomed to it!

Now, with the Young Protector arriving in the capital, it seemed no different!

Lu's army had sealed off news of the four nations' armies advancing on the capital.

In the streets and alleys of the capital,

cavalry rode past, shouting:

"The Young Protector has ordered a curfew throughout the capital tonight!"

Many citizens peeked out, then promptly extinguished their lamps.

Many men felt bored—nowhere to go tonight, wondering what the courtesans in the flower houses might be thinking.

The capital was peaceful.

The world works this way: when the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up.

It's far removed from ordinary lives.

The Xie family!

Located on the bustling Yulong Street.

Over the years, as Xie Chun'an's career soared, the family quietly transformed.

The Xie family's prestige and status drew countless individuals eager to climb the ladder of power.

Yet the Xie residence itself had changed very little!

Servants had not increased; the courtyard's décor remained unchanged.

Just as it always had been.

But!

Around Yulong Street, shops lined the road and mansions stood side by side—all had skyrocketed in value due to the Xie family's presence; land prices were now worlds apart from what they were years ago!

The land here was no cheaper than the imperial vicinity of Wanliu Lane, Wangfujing, or Daxing Lane.

The reason? Someone in the capital had created a buzz!

They proclaimed Yulong Street a "land of prosperity," a "treasure ground"—these accolades spread like spring breezes through every alley and avenue.

Merchants rushed to buy land and build homes, hoping to absorb even a fraction of the Xie family's noble aura.

Scholars and poets gathered nearby, composing verses, opening taverns and brothels.

Now!

Inside the main hall of the Xie residence, lanterns blazed brightly and every seat was filled.

Several individuals close to Lu Chen had gathered.

A subtle atmosphere of tension and anticipation hung in the air.

Xie Chun'an sat at the head of the table.

This Minister of Rites of the Daqing court, who had endured the treacherous political arena, had secured his position through the Emperor's trust and extraordinary skill.

As an outsider, he had firmly claimed the throne as leader of the southern aristocratic clans.

Behind him stood not only the Emperor's support, but also the covert backing of Liu Wen.

The two had long been allies.

Also present in the hall were several others!

Xie Lingxuan, Xie Chun'an's eldest daughter.

Xie Linghao, the Xie family's second son.

Additionally!

In the hall sat father and daughter, Zou Lin and Zou Shuning.

Zou Shuning, worried for her father's safety, had personally brought Zou Lin from the Hongwen Academy to the Xie residence.

Here, outside the palace, was the safest haven.

On Xie Chun'an's side sat two others.

They appeared elderly!

These two were the patriarchs of the two most prominent southern aristocratic clans—Chen and Li—families even more illustrious than Wang Yang's Wang clan.

Outside the Zhou family,

the Chen and Li clans' descendants were the most arrogant in the capital.

The two families each controlled the military power over the border defenses and key towns; though not in the capital, they held the lifeline of national security.

Shizhou and Jingyang, these two military strongholds, were under the control of the two families' heirs.

Half a day ago, Xie Chunan had foreseen the coming storm and sent secret messages to both locations, ordering his heirs to stand ready, prepare thoroughly, and guard against unforeseen disaster.

Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was heavy yet orderly.

Xie Chunan and the two venerable elders from the Chen and Li families had already prepared for every contingency; now they simply waited in silence for news from the imperial palace.

All three men wore grim expressions!

Xie Chunan, rarely seen in such a state, sat with his eyes closed, cultivating calm.

The two elders stared intently at the door, their gazes sharp as torches.

Xie Lingxuan sat to one side, a hint of deep thought in her brow.

Xie Linghao could not hide his excitement; the day's events had been heart-stopping, and his mind still churned.

Zou Lin's face showed particular worry—he had learned that the four nations had united and pressed at the borders, and the capital now faced an unprecedented crisis.

A disaster more terrifying than the one fifteen years ago, one that could bring about national ruin.

Zou Shuning carefully observed every person in the hall—their expressions, every subtle movement.

The storm was coming!

At that moment, a rapid footstep shattered the hall's stillness.

Xie Chunan opened his eyes.

The two elders had already risen to their feet.

A guard hurried in, announcing loudly as he entered:

"The Junior Protector has ordered the entire army northward!"

The news exploded like thunder, leaving everyone stunned and disbelieving.

Zou Lin and the others sprang to their feet in shock!

(End of Chapter)