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Chapter 571: The Miao King's Blunder, the Black Armor Legion Revealed
Chapter 571: The Miao King's Blunder, the Black Armor Legion Revealed
It was a dark and windy night.
A tall figure stealthily sneaked into the Crown Prince's Manor, looking around, and slipped into Mr. Ziwu's courtyard, thinking no one had noticed.
Cui Hu and Ji Feng stood by the artificial hill on the opposite side.
Cui Hu sighed, "Should we tell Duke Jiang that he was spotted on his first night?"
Ji Feng replied, "You keep watch, I'm leaving."
Cui Hu reached out, "Hey! Don't go! Stay a bit longer! The night is long and lonely..."
Ji Feng vanished with a swift leap.
Cui Hu bared his teeth, "So what if you're good at lightness kung fu? I can do it too! Left! Right! Up! Down—"
Thud!
He crashed into a tree trunk, his eyes rolled back, and he tumbled down.
Duke Jiang, acting like a thief in the dead of night, rudely woke Mr. Ziwu and the Miao King from their sleep.
Mr. Ziwu, who was weak and frail, didn't mind much, but the Miao King almost slapped him thinking he was an assassin.
"You came again?"
The Miao King was exhausted, "Can't a man get a full night's sleep?"
Duke Jiang tugged at his sleeve, "Come on, let's go to Ziwu's place."
"Tonight, it's his turn to come over!"
The Miao King buried his head under the covers, determined to snatch a moment of sleep.
Duke Jiang thought about it and decided it made sense. He then dragged Mr. Ziwu out of bed and carried him into the Miao King's room.
Mr. Ziwu was on the verge of a breakdown.
What a plight, the Miao King's family had finally settled down, and now the Jiangs were acting crazy!
Duke Jiang's excited eyes couldn't hide his joy, "Good news, His Majesty is still suffering from amnesia."
The Miao King yawned, "I gave him some medicine; of course, he hasn't recovered his memory yet."
Duke Jiang asked curiously, "Poison?"
The Miao King rolled his eyes, "He recovers from the curse too quickly; a sudden recovery could be too much of a shock, so we need to slow down the process."
Duke Jiang pressed, "Is it poison?"
The Miao King, "…Yes."
Duke Jiang slapped the Miao King on the shoulder, "Brother Bai, you have guts!"
The Miao King sighed, "It's a good medicine for him, using poison to fight poison."
Duke Jiang laughed, "I understand, I understand, no need to explain."
Mr. Ziwu's head drooped, and he fell asleep on the table.
Duke Jiang hurriedly shook him awake, "Don't sleep! If you do, you'll lose your head!"
Mr. Ziwu, "Let him chop it off."
Duke Jiang leaned in close, a mischievous smile on his face, "Young Lu is here to carry you down the mountain."
Mr. Ziwu jolted upright.
Duke Jiang, satisfied, patted his clothes, "I came tonight to tell you two that not only is His Majesty still suffering from amnesia, but I also have another piece of good news—I've figured out a way to deal with His Majesty once he regains his memory!"
The two of them, "Oh."
Duke Jiang, stunned, "What kind of reaction is that? This is a matter of life and death, can't you take it seriously? If His Majesty finds out you've been playing him, he'll have you beheaded, either by the dog-headed guillotine or the dragon-headed guillotine, you choose!"
The Miao King paused, "The dragon-headed guillotine, it's more impressive."
Duke Jiang, "…"
"No, I'm telling you, the dog-headed guillotine is more impressive."
"Why?"
"Because I made it myself."
The Miao King, "Then I don't want it."
Mr. Ziwu, "The young ones are frivolous, and the old ones are unreliable. Is it still possible to get off this ship of thieves?"
The Miao King and Duke Jiang wandered off-topic for a while before finally getting back to the main point.
Duke Jiang's plan was simple: create a situation where the Miao King would save the Liang Emperor's life.
In essence, they would stage a play where the Miao King "sacrificed" himself to save the Emperor.
"There are three methods—assassination, poisoning, and natural disaster. His Majesty has just gone through a major ordeal, and the palace is on high alert. Assassination and poisoning are too difficult, so we're left with a natural disaster."
Mr. Ziwu calculated, "With the Qilin back in place, there won't be any natural disasters."
"I know, but we can fake it!"
Duke Jiang pulled out a diagram.
After they looked at it, both felt a sense of disillusionment.
The Miao King, disdainful, "This is just a simple mechanism?"
Mr. Ziwu added, "And not even a good one. The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion wouldn't want it. This isn't even a proper mechanism, just a staged accident."
Duke Jiang rolled up his sleeves, "Calling it a natural disaster makes me sound more impressive."
The Miao King and Mr. Ziwu looked at the diagram again. The plan was crude, but it might work with some improvements.
They could modify it into a mechanical fishing net.
The Liang Emperor would go fishing and accidentally trigger the mechanism, getting caught in the net and falling into the pond.
Duke Jiang couldn't swim.
At the critical moment, the Miao King would dive into the water. The net would get entangled on the rocks, and the Miao King would struggle with all his might to free the net, but his own foot would get caught.
With all his strength, he would push the Liang Emperor to the surface.
Then, he would smile and sink to the bottom of the lake.
"Brother-in-law, live a good life for me… take care of the children…"
Duke Jiang wept, "Isn't that touching?"
The Miao King, "…"
Mr. Ziwu, "…"
Early in the morning, the Miao King went to Meng Qianqian's courtyard.
"Granddaughter, are you awake yet?"
Meng Qianqian opened the door, her voice gentle, "Maternal grandfather."
The Miao King handed her the improved blueprint, "Can you make a mechanical fishing net like this?"
Meng Qianqian: "Yes, Grandfather, do you have any specific requirements?"
The Miao King spoke slowly, "It must be unbreakable, impossible to escape from."
Meng Qianqian asked curiously, "Grandfather, what will you use it for?"
The Miao King cleared his throat, determined not to embarrass himself in front of his granddaughter-in-law, "For fishing, a large fish, about a hundred pounds, quite fierce."
Meng Qianqian: "Oh."
Two days later, the Miao King received the mechanical fishing net he had been longing for.
Three old nobles marched confidently into the palace.
Today's plan was to greet the Liang Emperor first.
Then, they would play a few rounds of card games with the Liang Emperor, and finally, Mr. Ziwu would suggest going fishing at Ta Ye Lake.
The plan was foolproof, but they had no luck.
As soon as the three of them arrived at the Diligent Administration Hall, someone else beat them to it.
"Long live the Empress Dowager—"
Accompanied by the eunuch's announcement, a sedan chair was carried past them.
Duke Jiang frowned, "The Empress Dowager? Isn't she in her fief? Why did she suddenly come to the palace?"
Empress Dowager Lu Fengyin is the youngest daughter of the Late Emperor, the half-sister of His Majesty.
When the Late Emperor was alive, he doted on this youngest daughter. During her wedding, he not only provided her with a grand procession and a splendid marriage but also granted her a wealthy fief near the capital, making her a powerful female lord.
When the Liang Emperor ascended the throne, he followed the royal custom and bestowed her the title of Empress Dowager.
She did not attend the Crown Prince's enthronement, the Qilin's enthronement, or the wedding of Lu Qi and Miss Gongsun, only sending gifts.
Now, she had suddenly entered the palace.
The Miao King placed his hands on his hips, "Could she be the reinforcements Gongsun Yanming called for?"
Mr. Ziwu: "The visitor is not here for good."
"Your humble sister greets the Emperor."
In the study of the Diligent Administration Hall, the Empress Dowager bowed to the Liang Emperor.
"Rise."
The Liang Emperor said.
He had already learned a lot about himself in recent days and knew that this Empress Dowager was his younger sister, younger even than the Crown Prince. She had accompanied the Late Emperor and himself on military campaigns, earning military merits for the Qin Mansion.
This could be seen from her attire, which was different from that of a typical woman.
She wore a spirited outfit, a whip at her waist, and boots on her feet, a remarkable woman who could rival any man.
Unlike other lords and princesses, she had the freedom to enter and leave the capital at will, a privilege granted to her by the Late Emperor on his deathbed.
The Liang Emperor asked, "Why did you suddenly come to the palace, Sister?"
Lu Fengyin looked at the Liang Emperor with a complex expression, "Why are you so cold to your sister?"
The Liang Emperor took a sip of tea.
Grand Master Yu understood and leaned in to whisper, "You used to treat the Empress Dowager like a daughter."
The Empress Dowager was young, and the Late Emperor, busy with state affairs, had entrusted his youngest daughter to the Liang Emperor. The Liang Emperor had several children, and he treated them all equally.
"You have grown up."
The Liang Emperor said.
Lu Fengyin said stubbornly, "It's not that I have grown up, but that you have changed."
She took a step forward and glared at Grand Master Yu, who was about to remind the Liang Emperor, "Yu Hai, is the Emperor under a spell? Are you under a spell too?"
Grand Master Yu hurriedly replied, "I dare not, Your Majesty."
Lu Fengyin said disdainfully, "I think you have the nerve! During my absence from the capital, the Emperor has been too kind to you, turning you into a bold and audacious dog slave, even daring to deceive the Emperor!"
Grand Master Yu lowered his head.
The Liang Emperor said, "Speak your business."
Lu Fengyin walked to the Liang Emperor's desk, "Brother, I heard you want to punish the Grand Master."
"The Grand Master has done nothing wrong, why would I punish him?"
"But why—"
"Grand Master, Grand Master!"
The Liang Emperor emphasized the second call.
The Miao King nudged Mr. Ziwu, "He's calling you."
Mr. Ziwu was bewildered and stumbled into the study.
Lu Fengyin was confused, "Brother, you appointed an old man as the Grand Master?"
Mr. Ziwu looked at Lu Fengyin, then at the Liang Emperor.
He was appointed as the Grand Master?
He hadn't even played his cards today.
Was it that hasty?
"Your servant is here."
He spread his arms and bowed.
The Liang Emperor said, "Meet the Empress Dowager."
Mr. Ziwu turned and bowed to Lu Fengyin, "Your servant greets the Empress Dowager."
Lu Fengyin frowned.
The Liang Emperor said coolly, "You may leave."
"Yes."
Mr. Ziwu calmly left the study.
"Brother Emperor!"
Lu Fengyin stomped her foot in frustration. "They are here to harm you! They drove away your loyal ministers, clouding your judgment and harboring sinister intentions!"
The Liang Emperor put down his memorial and glanced at her coolly. "Did Gongsun Yanming tell you this?"
Lu Fengyin didn't hide it. "It’s fortunate that Master Gongsun told me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known that so many villains had infiltrated the imperial city, threatening the Great Liang!"
"You must be exhausted from your journey. Go back to your chambers and rest."
The Liang Emperor had once promised the Late Emperor that the Qin Mansion would always have a courtyard reserved for Lu Fengyin.
Now that he was emperor, the courtyard had been upgraded to a palace.
"Brother Emperor, I know you don’t remember the past, and this dog of a servant doesn’t remind you. He and the Crown Prince are keeping you in the dark!"
The last two sentences were directed at Yu Gonggong.
Yu Gonggong knelt down.
The Liang Emperor nodded inwardly.
If even his most trusted confidant could be dealt with so easily, it seemed he had indeed indulged this little sister in the past.
Lu Fengyin huffed and continued, "Brother Emperor, do you know that the Miao Territory is an old enemy of Great Liang, and the Miao King has an irreconcilable grudge against the Lu family? Auntie was killed by the people of Miao Territory! They are cunning and devious, and the Miao King has attempted to assassinate you multiple times. He hasn’t given up, and this time, he has infiltrated the imperial city with the intent to plot against you!"
The Liang Emperor pointed to the courtyard, where the Miao King, bored out of his mind, had started playing with a fishing net and ended up ensnaring himself, hanging from a tree like a cocoon, swaying back and forth.
"You think this brute is plotting against Me?"
Lu Fengyin was speechless for a moment. "Brother Emperor, Master Gongsun is innocent."
The Liang Emperor flipped through a memorial. "If you can’t find evidence within ten days, he will be executed."
---
Lu Fengyin left the study, her face flushed with anger.
As she passed the Three Swordsmen, she gave them a withering glare.
Zi Wu Xian Sheng bowed formally, but Jiang Guogong, who even dismissed the Liang Emperor, wouldn’t bother with her.
The Miao King, ensnared in the fishing net, couldn’t get out, no matter how hard he tried!
She spoke coldly, "You will pay for this, mark my words!"
Lu Fengyin went to the outer court to see Gongsun Yanming.
"You were right. Brother Emperor doesn’t remember the past, and he no longer has the same affection for me. That damned Miao King has dared to deceive Brother Emperor!"
Gongsun Yanming said, "Princess, please calm down."
Lu Fengyin’s expression softened slightly. "I have used the Golden Token of Pardon to save you. If you can find evidence within ten days, you can redeem the token. If not, it doesn’t matter."
Gongsun Yanming looked ashamed. "That was left to you by the Late Emperor..."
Lu Fengyin said coldly, "Yes, you’ve used up my only Golden Token of Pardon, and it infuriates me!"
She immediately blamed the Crown Prince's Mansion.
She huffed, "Monsters and demons, daring to threaten the empire my Father Emperor built! They are courting death!"
Lu Fengyin had once fought alongside the Late Emperor. She always believed that the Southwest was a result of her Father Emperor’s efforts, and while her brother had contributed, it wasn’t as much as her own.
This wasn’t an unusual thought.
It was like being the mistress of her father’s house, but only a sister in her brother’s home.
Gongsun Yanming added, "The Crown Prince now controls the Imperial Guards."
Lu Fengyin was unafraid. "I have thirty thousand elite troops at my command. Why should I fear him?"
Gongsun Yanming said calmly, "The Empress Dowager is the Martial Marquis of Great Liang, far more than an ordinary royal. However, the Crown Prince is the legitimate heir..."
Lu Fengyin waved her sleeve dismissively. "Legitimate heir? Nonsense! He only got there by fawning and flattering! Brother Emperor must be losing his mind, to be deceived by a bastard and a mongrel! If it comes to it, I will summon troops to support the throne and defend the empire my Father Emperor built!"
Gongsun Yanming mused, "Now that General Hu’s Tiger Token has been reclaimed by His Majesty, the Empress Dowager might not have an advantage in a real battle."
Lu Fengyin smiled confidently. "I have more than just thirty thousand elite troops. Have you forgotten the Black Armor Legion from the north?"
Gongsun Yanming asked, "The Black Armor Legion that fought with General Chu in Northern Liang?"
Lu Fengyin smiled faintly. "Exactly, them! After General Chu’s death, they came to the Southwest and set up camp on my fief."
Gongsun Yanming’s face showed a mix of surprise and admiration, but then he frowned. "The Crown Prince's Mansion has the support of the Twelve Guards."
Lu Fengyin smiled. "The Black Armor Legion is the Black Armor Legion, and the Twelve Guards are the Twelve Guards. They can’t command those fierce warriors."
Gongsun Yanming asked, "From what you say, have you already brought the Black Armor Legion under your command?"
Lu Fengyin smiled proudly. "Almost."
(End of Chapter)
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