Chapter 386: Conspiracy? Luo'er Slays the Enemy!

"Who are we?"

"It's only natural to come and destroy the nameless heroes of your Duan imperial dynasty!"

"An incompetent, foolish ruler who only seeks pleasure and ignores the people's livelihood deserves to die!"

"We swear to die and return; today we also want to pierce a hole in that foolish ruler's heaven——"

The rebel's loud shout hadn't even landed before Duan Rongshi slit his throat.

After wiping out the rebels in this area of the pacified camp, not a single survivor was left.

These people are tight-lipped; even if a knife stabbed into their flesh, they'd still shout what they say.

"We are the nameless heroes who seek blessings for the people of DaLiang——"

Now the "heroes" lie scattered all over the ground.

Naturally, no clues were obtained.

After the remaining imperial guards here had settled all the servants, they came to report: "Your Highness, Prince Su."

Duan Rongshi: "What about the others?"

"Where are His Majesty and the Empress Dowager? How is their safety?"

Imperial guard: "Your Highness, rest assured; His Majesty and his entourage have already left this place under the protection of the imperial guards after the incident, though several dozen rebels have pursued them."

Duan Rongshi sheathed his long sword: "What are we waiting for? Chase!"

The Crown Prince had already, under the protection of his subordinates, set off in pursuit of Emperor Yan.

So now, besides the abandoned servants and the imperial guards cleaning up, only Duan Rongshi and the guards of Prince Su's Manor remain here.

On the way to Southern Mountain Villa, the road was streaked with blood, and corpses lay scattered across it without pause.

Duan Rongshi: "What exactly is going on? Where did these rebels come from?"

Imperial guard: "Reporting to Your Highness, an hour ago a group of civilians suddenly came from outside the mountains."

"These civilians claimed to be nearby villagers. Knowing that the imperial family would be at Southern Mountain Xiaomiao these two days, they shouted that they had made a people's umbrella, already signed with a hundred surnames on it, intending to present it to His Majesty as a loyal offering to pray for his blessings."

"After that people's umbrella was presented to His Majesty, His Majesty was greatly pleased."

"Moreover, hearing that those civilians had not yet left and were waiting to see the Son of Heaven's holy countenance in person, the sage suddenly became enthusiastic and immediately permitted his subordinates to bring them forward."

"Who would have thought that these originally mild-mannered, earnest and righteous civilians would reveal their true colors upon arrival?"

"They said that the people's umbrella was not just an umbrella; it also concealed a mechanism, a special surprise painstakingly prepared by the civilians to present to His Majesty."

"His Majesty, excited, had them personally demonstrate opening it to take a look; who knew that when the people's umbrella opened, several dozen thin swords sprang out from its ribs?"

"When the incident suddenly occurred, Chief Steward Wang He was stabbed to death on the spot."

After our imperial guards rushed forward and killed several dozen—no, rebels—on the spot, those rebels also launched their counterattack.

The camp had laid out many weapons for His Majesty to watch the martial displays, but these people seized them and started slashing anyone they saw.

Before His Majesty and his entourage withdrew, many had already suffered serious injuries.

Duan Rongshi: "How many rebels came?"

Imperial guard: "One hundred thirty-six people."

Duan Rongshi immediately frowned tightly: "That many? Such a strange matter, even Father Emperor didn't notice?"

"Father Emperor's actions today are so absurd; isn't there anyone to stop him?"

That imperial guard dared not say more, only able to speak in a low voice: "From the moment His Majesty wanted to meet these rebels, he faced opposition from many nobles and officials on the spot, but His Majesty this time insisted on his own way……"

After all, this time it was Emperor Yan's vanity that made him utterly arrogant.

Duan Rongshi snorted coldly: "Suddenly a bunch of bewildering civilians came running, shouting that they wanted to praise his great achievements, and in his heart he was so pleased he didn't even care about his life."

The imperial guard immediately lowered his eyes, not daring to respond.

Today's words spoken to Prince Su can only rot in their stomachs.

After all, they too have vomited over His Majesty's conduct……

However, if one calls Emperor Yan a foolish ruler, this matter is indeed biased.

Emperor Yan, even in his youth, strove for governance, launched large military campaigns, stabilized the realm, and recovered much lost territory.

These years he has also consistently kept taxes and levies low, opening granaries to relieve the people in times of disaster.

He once personally went with Consort Yue to disaster areas to comfort the populace, and because of his benevolent and wise rule, the people loudly proclaimed that Emperor Yan had inaugurated the "prosperous rule of the Yan lineage".

Moreover, he also made many reforms in the imperial examinations, the Ministry of War, and legal administration.

He truly deserves to be called a good emperor.

But since the Lotus Sect appeared, he has also gradually grown older, and he has gradually shown some foolish and arrogant behavior.

Regarding the Lotus Sect's many disruptive actions, he not only turned a blind eye but continually allowed its expansion.

He began to favor the likes of the Qu family, those nouveau riche who are both dirty and corrupt.

He also indulged the likes of the Pei family, those corrupt clans that have committed heinous sins yet refuse to launch a thorough investigation.

He treated the legal statutes he himself had personally drafted and outlined as mere decorations, paying them no heed.

Regarding the Crown Prince's consolidation of power and the Empress's family colluding with officials to form factions for private gain, he likewise turned a blind eye.

He no longer cared for the common people, and the court governance was no longer clear.

It is said that before his recent serious illness, he suddenly asked Master Qingyangzi whether there truly is a path to cultivate the Dao and become an immortal in this world.

By the time Duan Rongshi and the others arrived at Southern Mountain Villa, the fighting here was still fierce.

The entrance was filled with corpses and blood.

Inside and out, bodies lay strewn everywhere.

"There's an ambush——"

"Your Highness, hurry——"

"Send the Northern Troops to come rescue the emperor——"

A palace servant, stabbed with a single blade, still leaned against the doorframe and risked death to come out seeking aid.

Duan Rongshi stepped forward and grabbed the palace servant, his heart also greatly alarmed: "What has happened again? Where is Your Highness?"

Palace servant: "There…… are traitors……"

Having said that, the palace servant breathed his last.

Zhui Yu: "If it were only a few dozen rebels, how could the thousands of imperial guards fail to subdue them quickly?"

"Your Highness, I fear there truly are traitors, with inside‑outside cooperation setting an ambush!"

Duan Rongshi produced the tally that had not yet been returned: "Zhui Yu, take the tally and summon the Northern Arsenal troops to come quickly to rescue the emperor."

"Imperial guards, follow this prince and charge in!"

All: "Yes!"

Inside the Southern Mountain Villa.

Li Qingluo, panting, hid with Que'er in a side room.

Outside came the sound of hurried footsteps.

After mistress and servant exchanged a glance, when the side‑room door was kicked open, they drew their swords and rushed out together.

After killing another five or six people, the courtyard was finally cleared.

Li Qingluo looked at the corpses covering the ground, gasping for breath.

"Where is Sha wu? Find him quickly!"

Que'er: "Miss, don't rush. He went to find the Old Lady; he will surely be faster than us."

"We should just wait here to rendezvous; otherwise we'll get separated again, and the Old Lady will worry about you."

Li Qingluo lifted her gaze to the sky roiling with dark clouds.

"It's going to rain."

Hardly had she spoken when a clap of thunder boomed overhead.

Then large raindrops began to fall.

Half an hour earlier, just as Li Qingluo led her party rushing back to the Southern Mountain Villa, this place was already awash in blood, plunged into a chaotic melee of screams.

Li Qingluo led her people in slaughtering their way in, anxiously seeking traces of Pei Lao Furen, and quickly grasped how the situation had deteriorated to this point.

It was the Zhong family, who had actually colluded with the Lotus Sect, setting up an inside‑outside ambush at the Southern Mountain Villa.

This was the Zhong family's best chance to kill Emperor Yan and the Crown Prince.

Thus they had long since deceived Emperor Yan into withdrawing half of the imperial guards.

And they secretly replaced most of the villa's palace servants with Lotus Sect adherents.

The Zhong family, riding high, had actually turned traitor.

At that moment, Zheng Mama came back, clutching a blood‑dripping knife, panting heavily.

"Miss, the Old Lady cannot leave her side. I, the old servant, have returned to report to you so you won't be anxious."

Seeing that Li Qingluo and Que'er had already cleared this courtyard, she also breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Qingluo stepped into the rain: "Have you found Grandmother? Where is she? Quickly take me to her!"

Zheng Mama wanted to say more, but seeing Li Qingluo's resolute expression, she did not stop her.

The three mistress and servants hurried again, braving the rain toward Pei Lao Furen's quarters.

Along the way, they killed anyone who lunged at them, drawing their swords and striking.

By the time they reached Pei Lao Furen's side, all three were soaked through, drenched in both blood and rain.

Li Qingluo took several deep breaths before her emotions steadied.

Today she had been soaked in bloody water that was both foul and fragrant, and her whole being felt on the verge of disorder.

Fortunately, she remains fairly clear‑headed for now.

"Grandmother!"

Li Qingluo saw Pei Lao Furen personally wielding a knife, hacking down a rebel, and rushed over.

After the party cleared the courtyard as well, the grandmother and granddaughter finally embraced.

"Luo'er, as long as you're safe, that's all that matters."

"Hurry, come inside with Grandmother!"

Upon entering the room, grandmother and granddaughter saw that the Empress Dowager was also present!

"Greetings, Empress Dowager!"

Li Qingluo hastily paid her respects.

The Empress Dowager, still shaken, saw Li Qingluo covered in blood and cried out in fright, "Ah!"

The wounded Aunt Fang looked anxiously at Li Qingluo: "Miss Li, could you please step aside for a moment, or change into a less conspicuous outer garment?"

"The Empress Dowager has suffered a great fright today."

"Now her whole body has run a high fever, and she is somewhat muddled."

After all, the Empress Dowager is nearly seventy years old.

This outing from the palace has been a strain.

Seeing such a scene today truly is difficult.

Li Qingluo quickly stepped aside and, without a word, stripped off her blood‑stained outer robe.

Sha wu somehow produced a black outer robe and brought it in; Li Qingluo hastily put it on.

Then someone else rushed in to kill.

Sha wu, Zhang Mama, and Zheng Mama immediately went out to meet them.

For now, this side counts as a relatively safe place.

Li Qingluo only then slowly calmed down.

"Grandmother, the Zhong family isn't flourishing in the court; how could they be colluding with the Lotus Sect?"

"Do they really have the confidence to secure victory and overthrow the Duan imperial dynasty today?"

Li Qingluo really couldn't understand.

Why would the Zhong family plot this rebellion?

Outside, heavy rain fell; Pei Lao Furen looked at the somewhat confused Empress Dowager and sighed.

"Isn't it the misfortune she brought upon herself?"

"The Zhong family also produced an Imperial Noble Consort back then."

"The Founding Emperor's most beloved son was not the present emperor, but the youngest son born to Consort Zhong."

"This prince was accomplished in both civil and military affairs, had an outstanding appearance, and his temperament was even more similar to that of the Founding Emperor."

"Because he was the youngest son the Founding Emperor obtained at age forty, he had been cherished since childhood, and the Founding Emperor nurtured him with the same care as he would an heir apparent."

"Later, when the prince was fifteen, he died in the Zhong family's household."