Chapter 431: This Yan Emperor is nothing but a damned dog deserving death

Only the Yan Emperor was seen collapsing on the ground, his whole body twitching nonstop.

Seeing this, Duan Rongshi merely closed his eyes lightly, did not step forward, but instead took several large steps back.

"The Crown Prince colluded with an evil cult to rebel, and has already been executed by the rebel faction on the city walls."

"His Majesty is grief-stricken and has suddenly fallen ill with hemiplegia."

"Come, quickly send His Majesty back to the palace to go and go invite the Imperial Physician, and also invite the National Preceptor Yunhe into the palace for His Majesty to see."

Imperial Guard: "Yes! Subordinates obey orders!"

The Northern Map Army followed and entered the city.

The western city gate was quickly cleaned up spotless.

Within half a day, there was not a trace of blood left on the streets.

Li Qingluo watched from afar, and her heart gradually calmed completely.

Zhui Yu changed clothes and came over.

"Miss, if there is nothing else, may I first go see Your Highness?"

Li Qingluo suddenly felt curious, turned and asked Zhui Yu: "What exactly happened to the Crown Prince five years ago?"

"Why is everyone so deeply taboo about it, never mentioning it?"

Li Qingluo could instead ask her grandmother.

But she felt that Zhui Yu certainly knew more than her grandmother and even Uncle De, and in greater detail.

So today I might as well ask for clarity.

Moreover, according to what she knows, this matter behind the scenes was actually plotted by the Pei family.

Five years ago, the Senior Duke had not yet been controlled by Zuliya, so he still intended to use his own power to throw the Duan dynasty into turmoil.

As a result, they actually sent the Crown Prince to the Southern Palace Villa, and moreover took the opportunity to send Pei Jingzhe to the military camp.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Zhui Yu's face.

He stammered before saying: "His Majesty and the concubine-born niece of the Empress's Gao family, together with her... her fifteen-year-old daughter, were entwined atop the bed canopy."

"Cough... the Crown Prince drew his sword and rushed in, beheading both of them in the Purple Celestial Hall."

"His Majesty was so frightened then that his whole body went limp."

"After regaining his senses, he was filled with thunderous wrath."

Li Qingluo's face showed shock.

Then a wave of nausea rose in her heart.

This Yan Emperor is nothing but a damned dog deserving death!

The Pei family is also capable, able to drive the Crown Prince to draw his sword and kill in front of the Emperor, and privately unknown what power they used.

However, in Li Qingluo's view, the Crown Prince did nothing wrong in this matter.

His only mistake was drawing his sword and killing someone in front of the Emperor.

Perhaps at that time the Yan Emperor thought he was about to commit regicide.

Thus he deposed the Crown Prince's heir status and also confined him to the Southern Mountain Villa.

Afterward, perhaps feeling regret, he then turned around and used the Lotus Sect to reinstate the Crown Prince.

As for whether the Yan Emperor knew that the person behind the Lotus Sect was Zongzheng Yuer, and that Zongzheng Yuer was supporting the Crown Prince...

This matter cannot be clarified.

"Why does the Imperial Guard help Your Highness?"

Li Qingluo was just very surprised.

She also thought that Duan Rongshi and the Imperial Guard would have another big battle.

But in front of the Yan Emperor, the Imperial Guard openly defied the imperial edict.

If the Yan Emperor could still regain control of government and power, would the entire Imperial Guard not be afraid?

Zhui Yu: "The commander of the Imperial Guard, Xia Duo, is someone Your Highness secretly promoted to power behind the scenes."

"These past few years, Xia Duo has been Your Highness's deepest hidden move; he will not be revealed to the world until the final moment."

"Miss, do you know why?"

"Because Xia Duo's biological mother is a person from Chu."

"Back then, his mother was also the first palace maid whom the Noble Consort let out of the palace to marry."

"After the Noble Consort passed away, that palace maid took Xia Duo and disappeared in Jinling; from then on, they left no trace, hiding their identities."

"Miss, although the Imperial Guard only obeys His Majesty's orders, this commander is not necessarily His Majesty's true confidant."

"After the Crown Prince's incident five years ago, the Emperor planned to have a few Imperial Guard soldiers on duty that day killed to vent his anger, and also hold them responsible for the Crown Prince's sword‑rush into the Purple Celestial Hall."

"It was our Highness who secretly acted, rescuing those few Imperial Guard personnel."

"Now they are all in the Northern Map Army."

Li Qingluo fully understood.

As it turned out, Duan Rongshi's chessboard had already been in play for many years.

After Zhui Yu left, she raised her head and glanced at the dark sky.

This rain just wouldn't come down.

Rolling dark clouds seemed about to fall to the ground.

However, aside from pressing the sky into utter darkness, there was still not the slightest movement.

That day, the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace and his faction were all swiftly taken down.

Old Minister Qu was also thrown into prison.

Most of the other officials who regularly went in and out of the Eastern Palace were also arrested overnight.

The whole of Jinling has fallen into a wind and rain that threatens to collapse……

Overnight, Jinling City, this imperial city, has completely changed.

"Miss, are you going to sleep now?"

Que'er and Cui Er entered holding lamps, attended to Li Qingluo after her bath, and helped her to the bedside.

Li Qingluo is indeed already drowsy.

She props her head against the bedside, barely able to keep her eyes open.

But she fears that once she falls asleep, she won't know when she'll wake up.

"No rush, let Zheng Mama come in first; I have something to ask her."

"Que'er, you've also been tired for several days; go rest now."

When Zheng Mama entered, the room held only Li Qingluo.

Zheng Mama knew what Li Qingluo wanted to know, and hurried over to say: "Miss, the news coming from the palace says that after Empress Gao learned of the crown prince's death, she went mad in the Phoenix Nest Palace; it's said she even vomited blood."

"The Purple Hall and Phoenix Nest Palace are crowded with imperial physicians, enough to wear those people out."

Li Qingluo: "All the consorts in the palace are now in peril; those who caused the death of Noble Consort Yue back then must now be terrified."

"If someone is sensible, the news will naturally reach Duan Rongshi."

Zheng Mama: "Miss, Your Highness, could it be… you want to go for that position?"

Now Duan Rongshi controls the Imperial Guard Army and has brought the Northern Army into the city.

If he really intends to go for that position, it's merely a matter of lifting his foot.

However, beyond three hundred li, there is still the Ten Thousand Families Army.

Therefore, if Duan Rongshi were to actually ascend the throne now, lacking legitimacy, the Ten Thousand Families Army would surely march on Jinling under the banner of rescuing the emperor.

By then, all of Jinling will suffer devastation, its populace ruined to near extinction.

Duan Rongshi will also thoroughly bear the charge of treason.

Therefore, Emperor Yan surely will not die yet.

Li Qingluo: "No nonsense!"

She glared, and Zheng Mama hastily covered her mouth and quickly slapped herself.

The miss is rarely this stern and angry, so Zheng Mama knows she misspoke.

"Miss, this old servant was wrong."

Li Qingluo: "Granny, look after everyone around us."

"Not only our Free Abode, but tomorrow you go out and tell everyone in the Jiangjun Fu that from now on, no one may privately mention anything related to Your Highness."

"Anyone who violates this will be punished according to regulations!"

No sooner had the words fallen than Sha Yi hurried over and requested an audience outside the gate of the Free Abode.

Zheng Mama muttered: "What urgent matter could there be this late?"

"Miss, let's hear it tomorrow; this old servant will go give him a good scolding."

Li Qingluo shook her head and rose: "Precisely because he came this late, it must be something that cannot wait until tomorrow."

"Let him come into the courtyard."

Li Qingluo put on a white outer robe.

Her hair was simply tied back with a red silk ribbon.

Then she went out.

Sha Yi saw her come out and immediately stepped forward to say: "Miss, Prince Su's mansion has suffered a surprise attack."

Li Qingluo immediately brightened: "Is it just as I guessed?"

Today, after the events in the western part of the city settled, Li Qingluo parted ways with Sha Yi.

He went to keep watch outside Prince Su's mansion.

She herself returned home with Sha San and the others.

Even now, Prince Su's mansion has indeed shown some movement.

Upon hearing that the news Miss was listening to concerned Prince Su's mansion, Zheng Mama and the others dared not hear another word, quickly taking their people and fleeing far away.

Sha Yi: "Indeed, just as you guessed, today almost all of Prince Su's mansion's guards went to the West Gate and then followed into the palace. Now only a handful remain on duty in the mansion, so when the bandits came…… they failed to capture anyone."

Li Qingluo: "And what about Zong Zheng Wu Heng?"

Sha Yi: "He was rescued."

Li Qingluo immediately rose: "Let's go!"

She turned back and picked up the Azure Fall Sword.

She hesitated a moment, then hung it back up.

Instead, she took up the long bow and arrows from the head of the bed.

Li Qingluo quietly left the mansion with Sha Yi; outside the gate were Sha Er, Sha San, Sha Liu, Sha Qi, Sha Ba……

Aside from the wounded among them today, there are twelve of the Kill group in total now standing outside the gate waiting for her.

"Miss!"

Seeing her emerge, the Kill group members all bowed respectfully.

Li Qingluo felt greatly relieved.

"I don't know what I should do. Aren't you afraid?"

Sha Qi: "For the miss, I would go through fire and water, without hesitation!"

Li Qingluo thought: "What virtue or ability do I have to earn such loyal followers?"

"Remember, in times of danger, your own lives are of utmost importance as well."

Go!

The wind was howling and blowing.

Before they could even cross the city wall, the rain started falling.

In just a moment, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled.

Li Qingluo and her group could only stay in the shadow beneath the city wall.

A patrol passed by from ahead.

Miss, Sha Si has been following them.

From the marks left behind, it seems that Zongzheng Wuheng and his group have already left the city.

But now there's lightning in the sky; if we rashly cross the city wall, we will surely expose our whereabouts.

Please, Miss, decide quickly: should we wait until tomorrow after the city gate opens to pursue, or take the risk now?

Li Qingluo hesitated no longer: 'Go, to the Pei residence!'

Pei Jingzhe saw her leading a group of people to the Pei manor in the middle of the night and was greatly startled.

How did you come here?

Li Qingluo shoved him aside and walked straight in: 'Let's get out of the city!'

Crawling through the opened dungeon entrance, Li Qingluo saw signs of a thorough search inside.

Obviously, people from the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Punishment have already been here.

Pei Jingzhe followed behind Li Qingluo: 'It's so late; does Princess of Yaoguang still need to leave the city from my Pei residence? If something happens, my Pei family won't take responsibility!'

Li Qingluo: 'Who asked you to take responsibility?'

If you Pei family still want those remaining antidotes, then get out of my way!

Li Qingluo ignored Pei Jingzhe's dark expression and led Sha Yi and the others deeper inside.

As it turned out, they ran into Pei Qinghong, the third son, inside.