https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-557-Removing-the-Parasite-from-the-Liang-Emperor/13464802/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-559-The-Liang-Emperor-Takes-Action-Purging-the-Traitors/13464804/
Chapter 558: Success and the Might of the Liang Emperor
Chapter 558: Success and the Might of the Liang Emperor
Meng Qianqian hesitated as she held the needle, "Why?"
The Miao King, panting heavily, explained, "The Heart-devouring Worm is easy to plant but hard to remove. Once it's been agitated by the Worm Flute, it becomes extremely agitated. If the first strike misses, it will release a large amount of poison to protect itself."
Meng Qianqian, understanding now, said, "I see."
To be cautious, she asked, "But the Heavenly Silkworm Worm is the king of all worms. Won't it scare the Heart-devouring Worm?"
Duke Jiang looked at the two of them, utterly confused.
They were speaking in plain language, so why couldn't he understand them?
The Miao King said, "The Heavenly Silkworm Worm is no ordinary worm. As long as its master isn't in danger, it won't release its aura to other worms."
Meng Qianqian sighed, "No wonder it's the king of worms. Then what about this blood?"
Her gaze fell on the Liang Emperor's wrist.
The Miao King explained, "Blood that has nourished the Heavenly Silkworm Worm is a great tonic. However, the Heart-devouring Worm isn't an aggressive worm by nature. It's timid and will take some time to come out."
Meng Qianqian nodded, her eyes fixed on the Liang Emperor's wrist, waiting for the slightest movement from the Heart-devouring Worm to deliver the fatal blow.
"Your Majesty! Your humble servant has important matters to discuss!"
Outside the Imperial Study, the Empress called out repeatedly but received no response. Her phoenix eyes flashed with severity, "Xiao Dezi, is Your Majesty truly meeting with Duke Jiang in the Imperial Study?"
Xiao Dezi replied, "Empress, I dare not lie."
It was true. Duke Jiang had entered the palace to pay his respects to the Liang Emperor, who had instructed Xiao Dezi to bring him to the Imperial Study. However, when they arrived, the Liang Emperor had just left with Bao Zhuzhu to play.
Duke Jiang waited outside the Imperial Study while Xiao Dezi went to find the Liang Emperor. On the way, he met Lu Yuan, who said the Emperor was in a meeting with Duke Jiang and must not be disturbed.
Xiao Dezi never suspected Lu Yuan was lying and faithfully guarded the entrance.
The Empress asked, "Did Your Majesty give the order personally?"
Xiao Dezi replied, "It was Prince Changsun who relayed the message."
The Empress's eyes narrowed, "Him again!"
She turned to look at the lady-in-waiting behind her.
The lady-in-waiting whispered, "I've already sent someone to Prince Jin's residence."
When they had escorted Consort Hu back to her quarters, the Empress had secretly dispatched someone to Prince Jin's residence.
As expected, it didn't take long for Prince Jin to arrive, accompanied by Prince Rui and Prince Qi. All three were drenched in sweat from their hurried journey.
"Mother."
The three of them bowed to the Empress.
With a serious expression, the Empress said, "You should all be aware of the situation."
Prince Jin nodded. On the way, the attendants from Kunning Palace had detailed the capture of the assassin and Huang Changsun's false imperial edict.
What Lu Yuan had done was so outrageous that it defied belief.
The Empress gazed at the closed door, "Duke Jiang is inside. I've called out for a long time, but no one has come out. I wonder what they've done to your father, the Emperor."
Prince Rui furrowed his brow, "Lu Linyuan must have conspired with Duke Jiang to confine the Emperor."
Prince Qi, enraged, said, "How dare they! They are so audacious! Father Emperor! I've come to save you!"
He kicked the door!
Lu Yuan waved his sleeve, releasing a burst of inner strength that held the door shut.
The Miao King felt the Liang Emperor's pulse, "It just moved... but it was scared back..."
Seeing that his kick had no effect, Prince Qi kicked again without hesitation.
But before his foot could land, Meng Qianqian shot a silver needle, knocking off Prince Qi's hairpin.
Prince Qi was taken aback.
Prince Rui swiftly grabbed the silver needle with his fingers and, with a cold gaze, said, "Thirteen Ghost Needles? Phoenix Girl, are you trying to murder a prince?"
Empress's eyes flickered, "Your Majesty, could it be that they really..."
Prince Jin said authoritatively, "Bring the hammer! Break the door down!"
"Who dares?"
With a cold, commanding voice, Lu Zhaoyan walked in, exuding an imposing presence.
Behind him, Ming Wang finally caught up, dragging Fu Wang along.
Upon hearing it was his uncle again, Fu Wang sighed loudly.
"Mother."
Lu Zhaoyan, along with his two younger brothers, gave Empress a lukewarm bow, "Eldest Brother, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother are here too."
Prince Jin asked coldly, "Second Brother, are you planning a rebellion?"
Lu Zhaoyan replied calmly, "The one planning a rebellion is Eldest Brother, isn't it?"
Prince Jin said coldly, "Stop spouting nonsense! You're the ones who put Father Emperor under house arrest. You claim to be catching assassins, but you nearly killed Mother Consort. And now, you're blocking us from seeing Father Emperor! If you dare to do it, don't deny it. We've all been Father Emperor's sons for a long time. Do you think we don't know his character?"
Prince Rui added, "That's right. Given Father Emperor's nature, he would have dragged us out and beaten us long ago if there was such a commotion outside."
Lu Zhaoyan smiled wryly, "Is that so?"
Prince Rui then remembered that their second brother had never been beaten by Father Emperor, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
Prince Jin turned to Fu Wang, "Fifth Brother, are you joining their rebellion? Or do you not care about your uncle's life?"
This was a clear attempt to force Fu Wang to choose sides.
Ming Wang stepped forward, "Oh, the one Father Emperor summoned was your uncle, not his. Jealous?"
Seeing Fu Wang remain silent, Prince Jin sneered and ordered his attendants, "Go tell Consort Hui that Duke Jiang has been taken hostage in the Imperial Study, and his life is in danger."
He knew that Jiang Huiyi didn't care about the Emperor's life, but she would certainly care about her brother's.
The attendant hurried off.
Shortly after, he returned in a rush.
"What did Consort Hui say?"
Prince Qi asked.
The attendant awkwardly replied, "Consort Hui said... 'Tell my brother to remember to take someone down with him before he dies.'"
Everyone was speechless.
Prince Jin clenched his fists, "It seems you are determined to rebel. I will never allow you to harm Father Emperor!"
Lu Zhaoyan stood at the door of the Imperial Study, "If Eldest Brother wants to force your way in, you'll have to kill me first."
"Is that so?"
Prince Jin looked deeply at Lu Zhaoyan, "Then don't blame me for taking drastic action!"
He raised his hand to attack Lu Zhaoyan.
Ming Wang quickly moved to block him but was held back by Prince Qi.
Ming Wang gritted his teeth, "You traitor, Fourth Brother!"
As Prince Jin's palm was about to strike Lu Zhaoyan's chest, Jifeng descended from the sky and met Prince Jin's palm with his own.
Prince Jin's brow furrowed, "Jifeng? You are Father Emperor's man. He is in grave danger, why aren't you rushing to save him?"
Jifeng replied, "I apologize, but my orders are to protect the Crown Prince."
Prince Jin, exasperated, said, "This man has ulterior motives. Father Emperor has been deceived!"
Jifeng's expression remained unchanged, "His Majesty once said that even if he wanted to kill the Crown Prince, I must stop him."
Everyone was shocked by this revelation.
Even Lu Zhaoyan hadn't expected Father Emperor to give Jifeng such an order.
Why is Father Emperor even guarding against himself?
Could it be... Father Emperor long suspected... the day his own son would turn against him?
Prince Jin clenched his fists. "Summon the Imperial Guards! Call General Hu into the palace!"
Duke Jiang’s face turned pale with shock. "We’re surrounded, surrounded! Is he ever going to wake up? If he doesn’t, Old Beard will kill him! The army is in Old Beard’s hands!"
"I see it!"
Meng Qianqian, watching the small bulge flash by on the Liang Emperor’s wrist, plunged her needle in!
Everyone in the room held their breath.
Duke Jiang clutched his head, his eyes full of terror. "Did she hit it or not...?"
Help!
Oh no!
My head is about to roll!
If only I had been exiled three thousand miles away!!!
General Hu arrived with his trusted officers, and the Imperial Guards surrounded the entire palace, their archers standing at the ready, arrows aimed at the door of the Imperial Study.
They awaited General Hu’s command to shoot down all the rebels!
Hu Lie bowed to the Empress. "Empress, it’s dangerous here. Please allow me to send men to escort you back to Kunning Palace."
"But Your Majesty..."
The Empress hesitated.
Hu Lie said, "Please rest assured, Empress. As long as I have a breath in me, I will not let Your Majesty be controlled by anyone!"
The Empress spoke earnestly. "General Hu, you are the most trusted minister of Your Majesty. The safety of Your Majesty is in your hands. Do not betray the trust placed in you by Your Majesty and myself. You must, absolutely must, save Your Majesty!"
General Hu knelt on one knee, hands clasped in a salute. "I accept the order!"
The Empress was escorted away from the Imperial Study.
"Empress."
Lady Tong asked softly, "Will Your Majesty really be all right?"
The Empress replied, "General Hu is loyal and will prioritize the safety of Your Majesty."
Lady Tong worried, "But what if..."
The Empress sternly said, "If anything happens, it will be the fault of the Crown Prince’s Mansion. They arranged for assassins to enter the palace and will likely kill them to cover their tracks in Kunning Palace."
"Consort Chen."
The Empress met Consort Chen outside the Imperial Study.
Consort Chen looked at her with a cold expression. "Empress, doesn’t your conscience hurt?"
The Empress countered, "My conscience hurts? Shouldn’t yours hurt more? Your son and grandson are plotting to kill the Emperor. You should be thinking about how to handle their remains!"
Consort Chen watched the Empress leave, her eyes filled with worry. "Zhaoyan, Ayuan, Xiaojiu, you mustn’t be harmed..."
General Hu raised his hand, signaling the archers to prepare to shoot.
The archers drew their bows, ready to unleash their arrows at the slightest command.
"Your Majesty, I have come to save you!"
General Hu shouted loudly.
Prince Ming had already been captured, and although Prince Fu had not taken action, his men had surrounded him.
"Crown Prince, if you continue to be obstinate, I will have no choice but to act impudently."
He called the Crown Prince by name, without any honorific, clearly not intending to spare Lu Zhaoyan.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As long as the Crown Prince was eliminated, Prince Jin could ascend smoothly.
Lu Zhaoyan, facing death with resolve, said, "I said it before, if you want to pass this door, you’ll have to kill me first."
Hu Lie replied, "Imprisoning Your Majesty is a capital offense. Even though you are the Crown Prince, I am Your Majesty’s subject. Crown Prince, I apologize."
With that, he gave the order. "Seize the Crown Prince and Jifeng!"
Several skilled officers rushed forward.
At that moment, the door behind Lu Zhaoyan creaked open.
A figure in a brilliant yellow imperial robe, exuding the overwhelming presence of the Emperor, strode out with majestic authority.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
