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Chapter 559: The Liang Emperor Takes Action, Purging the Traitors
Chapter 559: The Liang Emperor Takes Action, Purging the Traitors
The moment everyone saw the Liang Emperor, they all froze in shock.
The noisy courtyard fell silent in an instant.
General Hu quickly retracted his orders, but one archer, eager to claim the first credit, shot an arrow the moment the door opened.
Everything happened so fast that no one had time to react. The arrow was aimed straight at the Liang Emperor’s forehead.
Whoosh!
Just a half-inch from his brow, the Liang Emperor firmly grasped the arrow.
Without batting an eyelid, he broke it in two with one hand and tossed the pieces to the ground.
The archer was terrified, falling to his knees and trembling uncontrollably.
The Liang Emperor paid no attention to the insignificant archer. Instead, he cast a stern gaze at his sons and ministers.
The crowd was gripped by a mix of relief and anxiety. Some were overjoyed, while others were deeply worried.
"Father Emperor... You..."
Prince Qi was in disbelief, almost doubting his own eyes.
Wasn't the Father Emperor supposed to be under house arrest after an assassination attempt?
He didn't look like it at all.
Prince Ming, irritated, said, "Let me go! Have you all gone mad? Didn’t you see Father Emperor come out? Hurry up and let go!"
He broke free from the two generals restraining him and immediately started complaining, "Father Emperor! You finally came out! If you hadn’t, Princes Eldest, Third, and Fourth, along with General Hu, would have killed me, Second Brother, and Fifth Brother!"
Prince Qi’s face changed, and he hurriedly defended himself, "Don’t talk nonsense! Who wants to kill you? We were worried about Father Emperor’s safety!"
Prince Ming retorted, "An arrow almost hit Father Emperor’s face! You were worried about Father Emperor... mumble mumble!"
The last few words were muffled by Prince Fu, who quickly covered his mouth.
Having to silence both his uncle and his brother, Prince Fu was thoroughly exhausted.
"Father Emperor."
Lu Zhaoyan respectfully bowed to the Liang Emperor.
Grand General Hu and Prince Jin also recovered from their shock and quickly bowed.
The loyal generals and archers he had brought finally put away their weapons and stepped aside.
The Liang Emperor’s cold, stern gaze swept over them. "Hu Lie, your military might is impressive, but it seems to have reached even my Imperial Study."
Grand General Hu knelt on one knee and clasped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I dare not!"
Prince Jin took responsibility, "Father Emperor, it’s not Uncle’s fault. I ordered him to rescue you. Assassins suddenly appeared in the palace, breaking into Mother Empress’s Kunning Palace and kidnapping Mother Consort. We were worried that Father Emperor might also be in danger in the Imperial Study."
Prince Ming removed Prince Fu’s hand from his mouth. "Don’t dodge the issue! You weren’t saying that just now! If you have the nerve, repeat your accusations against the Crown Prince, Huang Changsun, and Duke Jiang in front of Father Emperor! Who really imprisoned Father Emperor? Who really plotted to kill him? Speak up!"
Prince Jin and the others turned red with embarrassment.
Prince Qi felt deeply wronged, looking at the Liang Emperor with a pained expression. "Father Emperor, if you’re safe, why didn’t you acknowledge us?"
This wasn’t just about ignoring his sons; even his wife, the Empress, had been turned away at the door.
It was well-known that while the Liang Emperor didn’t overly favor the Empress, he never disrespected her in public.
Refusing to let his wife into the Imperial Study was something the Liang Emperor had never done.
The words were spoken without malice, but they struck a chord.
Prince Jin and Grand General Hu fell into deep thought.
Prince Rui was unaware, but the two of them knew the truth. Just recently, the second batch of spies sent by Grand General Hu to the Great Zhou had returned to the capital.
They brought back more details about the confrontation between Lu Yuan and Prime Minister Xun.
One particular piece of information caught Grand General Hu’s attention: Lu Yuan had once impersonated Xun Prime Minister’s illegitimate son, Luo San, even fooling his own father.
From this, it was clear that this person was a master of disguise, even mimicking the voice and demeanor flawlessly.
The two men exchanged a glance, understanding each other's thoughts.
General Hu cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, you don't look well. Could it be from overwork? When I accompanied Your Majesty on our travels, I met a master physician named Zhong. I have invited him to the capital. Shall I have him come to the palace to treat Your Majesty?"
The Liang Emperor replied coolly, "No need."
General Hu's eyes narrowed.
He and Your Majesty had never known any master physician!
The person before him was a fake!
He looked deeply at the other, "Your Majesty, where is Huang Changsun?"
The Liang Emperor replied coldly, "What does it matter to you where he is?"
"You are not the real Your Majesty."
Hu Lie was certain.
He had thought it strange that only Your Majesty appeared alone.
Huang Changsun and Duke Jiang were nowhere to be found.
"Forgive me!"
This wasn't a mere apology; it was a real attack.
General Hu leaped up, striking a palm toward the Liang Emperor.
The Liang Emperor's cold eyes swept over, and he punched back at the forceful palm.
General Hu took the opportunity to raise his left hand, reaching behind the Liang Emperor's ear, and tried to peel off the disguise—
But his hand grasped at nothing!
General Hu was stunned.
The Liang Emperor's two fingers tapped, striking his right shoulder joint with a click, dislocating his arm. Then, with a powerful palm strike, he sent General Hu flying backward.
He landed awkwardly, stumbling back over a dozen steps until Prince Jin caught him.
"Uncle!"
General Hu felt a sharp pain in his chest, blood rising in his throat. He bent over, spitting out a large mouthful of blood!
Prince Jin was utterly shocked, "Uncle..."
"General Hu..."
Prince Rui was also incredulous, unsure whether to be more amazed by the Emperor's martial prowess or General Hu's audacity.
"Spit—"
General Hu coughed up another large mouthful of blood.
The one who could injure him so severely was not Lu Lin Yuan, but the real Your Majesty!
What was that response about?
Was Your Majesty doing this on purpose?
He had a legitimate reason to bring his troops into the palace today, but to openly offend the Emperor in public was unforgivable...
The Liang Emperor's voice, like a dragon's roar, echoed, "Is there anyone else who wishes to defy their superiors?"
Prince Qi was terrified, his face pale, unable to utter a word.
The Liang Emperor's gaze swept over, "Are you all my good sons?"
Prince Ming pointed at the three opposite, "Father Emperor, they are rebellious sons!"
The Liang Emperor said to Prince Ming, "You don't seem like a good one either."
Prince Ming was speechless.
Prince Fu gave the Liang Emperor a strange look.
"Crown Prince."
"I am here."
Lu Zhaoyan responded.
The Liang Emperor said coolly, "The Imperial Guard needs to be purged. Starting today, you will take command of the Imperial Guard. In one month, I want an army that is loyal only to the throne."
Prince Jin was horrified.
The Imperial Guard was the personal guard of the Emperor. Taking command of the Imperial Guard meant he would soon be the master of the throne.
Father Emperor had acknowledged Lu Zhaoyan.
From now on, his position as Crown Prince would no longer be due to Lu Lin Yuan; he would hold real power!
Lu Zhaoyan replied solemnly, "I accept the order!"
The Liang Emperor's gaze fell on the disheveled General Hu, "My cousin, it seems I have been too lenient with you. You have forgotten that the Hu family only produced an Empress Dowager, not the rulers of Great Liang."
General Hu hurriedly knelt, "Your Majesty! I had no such intention! I..."
The Liang Emperor turned and reclaimed the Tiger Talisman!
Is the Liang Emperor not impressive? Ah, things are progressing so quickly, the progress bar can hardly keep up!
(End of Chapter)
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