Chapter 96: Turn Around Again

  February 2nd, 9:45

  At that time, in the cold and damp sky prison, Xia Chuyi sat on the thick straw mat, looking at Mei Zi's round face, which was pinched like a bitter melon, as if time had turned back to that day in Qinggang County. She was also in the woodshed, Mei Zi came to deliver food for her, and she cried so hard that it was both heart-wrenching and laughable.

  She tilted her head and shook Mei's shoulder slightly.

  "Those wine stains on your face have all faded away, why are you still crying?"

  Plum blossom sniffled, sobbing with half-open lips, and called out "Chu Qi..." in a voice that seemed to be crying but not quite. The rest of her words got stuck in her throat, except for the occasional sob, she was stunned for a long time before saying another sentence.

  "Why is your life so bitter?"

  Was her life very bitter?

  Xia Chuqi pouted.

  She originally wanted to tease Mei Zi a couple of sentences, but ultimately felt it didn't fit the atmosphere.

  She couldn't help but let out a light sigh, and with a raised lip, she smiled, "Alright, alright, stop crying, okay? I admit defeat, can't I eat now? Looking at your tear-stained face makes me feel awkward. Who's the one in prison anyway? People who don't know might think I'm the one visiting you instead! Go!"

  Her optimism infected Mei Zi.

  With a sob, she cried to her heart's content and then laughed with red eyes.

  "Chu Qi, don't be afraid, I will definitely think of a way to rescue you."

  The hand holding the lid of the sandalwood food box paused slightly, and Xia Chuyi's face suddenly darkened.

  "Can we not talk about annoying people while eating?"

  "Ah," Mei Zi exclaimed, looking at her in confusion. "Chu Qi, did you misunderstand something? He's very concerned about you. When he heard that you hadn't eaten, he got so angry that no one dared to make a sound. That's why he had Chen Shouwei bring me here and told me to make sure you eat no matter what. Oh, and Chen Shouwei also instructed that the food in prison is not to be eaten under any circumstances."

  How's it going?

  Don't eat other people's things.

  Is he afraid that she would die with a guilty conscience?

  She slightly furrowed her brow, staring at Mei Zi's sparkling eyes, and smiled mockingly. She lazily leaned against the wall, indifferently opening the food box and taking out a few simple dishes inside.

  "Not much of a cut, and not very generous either..."

  "Grandfather said you ate too much meat at noon, so you should eat something light for dinner, or it won't be good for your intestines and stomach."

  Did you eat too much meat at noon?

  At the small banquet in Nai Chunyuan, she didn't have much appetite and didn't know what she had eaten. He hadn't even looked at her, how would he know that she had eaten too much meat?

  She patted Mei's shoulder and sighed.

  "Alright, for your kindness, I have to eat this."

  She picked up her bowl and randomly picked a dish with her chopsticks.

  Just as it was about to reach her lips, she stopped.

  A pair of small fox-like eyes narrowed slightly, paused for a long time, and then slowly sent the food into his mouth.

  February 2nd, 10:00 PM

  The lights in the Jing Shen Hall did not go out, but the palace lanterns on the wall had all been changed from red to white, and white flowers were tied to the trees. The window curtains had all been replaced with plain white ones. In just a short period of time, the entire imperial city seemed to have fallen into a sea of mourning white.

  Emperor Hongtai suddenly issued an edict to behead Chu Qi, this decision came very suddenly, almost immediately causing everyone's shock and opposition.

  I'm shocked, didn't expect it at all.

  Oppose it? Everyone has their own reasons.

  Some people opposed it because they finally had the opportunity to grasp Zhao's weakness, and could use the "Chu Qi murder of the crown prince" incident to make a big deal out of it, and then bring more people into play. This way, they would kill two birds with one stone, and the rest of the story would be ruined. As for some others, naturally, they knew that the old emperor wanted to put an end to the chaos, so he thought of directly beheading Chu Qi to settle the matter, in order to avoid further trouble. However, who wants to see a good show come to an end?

  Prince Ning was most agitated, "Your Majesty, this case cannot be easily closed."

  The Minister of War, Xie Changjin, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think that the words of the Ning Wang are extremely reasonable. The plot to kill the Crown Prince is a great crime, and we must catch all those involved."

  Shi Bu Shangshu Lü Huaming disagreed, "I think this matter should be decided by Your Majesty alone, and Chu Qi deserves to die."

  There is a difference of opinion on the matter of "killing or not killing", and even in front of Emperor Hongtai, there are factions and cliques. But who gets along with whom, and who forms alliances with whom, is not so clear from the surface. The affairs of the court, how deep is the water, can be seen from this matter.

  Hong Tai's head was dizzy and swollen, rubbing his temples with a frown.

  He finally looked at Zhao Zhu who had been silent all along.

  "Old nineteen, what did you say?"

  Zhao Zun's emotions had been calm all day. When others were arguing, he hardly spoke up. Now that he was named by Emperor Hongtai, his gaze, which was as cool as the winter wind, didn't change in the slightest. After some thought, it seemed like he had made a certain decision, and suddenly he narrowed his eyes, brushed off his robes, and knelt down neatly in front of Emperor Hongtai.

  "Your Majesty, I have a plan to prove that Chu Qi is not only innocent of harming the Crown Prince, but has been sincerely treating him all along and has indeed made contributions to the prosperity of our dynasty."

  "Oh, what can you do?"

  Hong Taiji's voice was deep and low, and everyone else's eyes also fell on him.

  Zhao Zhu did not get up, his arm suddenly sank, and with a "swish" sound, he pulled out a short knife with a cold light from his bosom. In the midst of everyone's astonishment, without even blinking, he stabbed it into his own left arm.

  For a moment, fresh blood gushed out, the bright red blood stained his arm and also fell on the carpet with floral patterns on the floor, causing shrill cries to rise throughout the house.

  "Your Highness—!"

  "Brother Nineteen!!"

  "Old Nineteen!"

  Under the uncomprehending and stunned gaze of the crowd, Zhao Zun seemed to be completely unaware of the pain, still calmly looking at Emperor Hongtai, and slowly took out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom, holding it up in the candlelight.

  "Your Majesty, this is the prince's blood. Chu Qi has said before that Yangmei disease can be transmitted through human blood, and apart from penicillin, other medicines are not effective in completely curing it. That's why she researched penicillin, with the aim of using poison to counteract poison, using the toxicity of penicillin to overcome the toxicity of Yangmei disease. Now, I will infuse the blood infected with Yangmei disease into my own blood, infect myself with Yangmei disease, and personally experiment to verify it."

  The last eight words he said were very heavy and loud.

  He didn't wait for anyone's response and poured the contents of the small porcelain bottle directly onto the wound.

  All that was seen was a "bang" sound, before he could even finish his movement, the porcelain bottle flew out. In front of him were Emperor Hong Tai's hands shaking with agitation, "Well done, you've also learned to coerce your father emperor? For one woman, Old Nineteen, I ask you, is it worth it or not?"

  Zhao Zun knocked his head heavily and replied coldly.

  "Reporting back to the Emperor, it is worth it."

  Gritting his teeth, Hong Taiji's emotions had reached a boiling point.

  "Alright, alright. Is that so? Since she has bewitched my son to such an extent, she must die. Guards, take her away and execute her!"

  February 2nd, 9:00

  In the heavenly prison, Xia Zhong Qi stroked her round and plump belly, letting out several satisfied burps. To be honest, if it weren't for the wrong time and place, she thought that this kind of life where nothing needed to be done or thought about was also quite comfortable.

  "What a pity, the last supper..."

  A moment ago, Prison Guard Xiao Ding sent a message.

  She said that her "Penicillin Research Room" in the Jin Wangfu was searched by imperial decree. The emperor must have summoned the three dukes and nine ministers to discuss, and had already determined that it was her "poison" that caused the crown prince's sudden death. His Majesty was furious and had already issued a decree to the Ministry of Punishment to behead her at noon the next day.

  For a moment, she didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

  She had originally been full of confidence, hoping to use "penicillin" to change the medical history of this era. As a result, history did not change and no miracle was created. Now she has to lose her life for that penicillin. Suddenly, she thought of Zhao Zhen again. If he hadn't died, would the penicillin have been born?

  Under the current circumstances, she knew that there was no way to explain the scientific theory of "penicillin" to the ancients. After all, their current medical thinking had not reached that level yet. Moreover, no one would give her the opportunity to clarify it anyway.

  Beheaded...

  At this moment, she felt that death was nothing to be afraid of.

  All along, her purpose in coming to the capital was to find Ah-Dai and avenge the unjust death of Wei Guogong. Now that she has seen Ah-Dai, who is now the esteemed Eldest Young Master of the Imperial Family and will surely live a good life from now on, with food to eat and clothes to wear, without needing her to worry about him anymore. As for avenging Wei Guogong... She could only say sorry to the master of this body and Li Mo. She didn't belong in this era anyway, and if she died, perhaps she would wake up from her dream and return to the enlightened era that truly belonged to her. How wonderful! At least she wouldn't lose her life for developing penicillin.

  My heart ached for a moment.

  She sighed and looked at the bowls left by Mei Zi for a while longer.

  She slowly got up, smiling and approached the wooden fence.

  "Hey, little brother... I need paper and pen."

  That little jailer was nodding off and, hearing the noise, rubbed his eyes, somewhat bewildered.

  "What's going on? So late at night."

  On the seventh day of summer, he raised the corner of his mouth and smiled even sweeter. After thinking for a moment, he made another gesture to him, "Little brother, would you trouble yourself to find me paper and pen? I'll give you five taels of silver, how about it?"

  Who can still believe her after being deceived once?

  Xiao Yu's expression clearly showed disbelief, but on the seventh day of summer, he smiled with curved eyes, "Really, don't worry. After I finish writing it, you hand that thing over to your prison head and let him present it to the Emperor and the King of Jin. I'm sure the King of Jin will reward you with a lot of silver, believe it or not?"

  "I don't believe it."

  Hehe, Xia Qi's lips curled up, "I knew you wouldn't believe me." It seems that if I don't give something real, it won't convince anyone. After thinking for a moment, she lowered her head and stroked the southern red beaded string hanging from her waist, pulled it out, looked at it, touched it, and finally took off the red cord and handed it to Xiao Ding together with it.

  "Do you recognize this thing?"

  "I don't recognize him."

  "... Xiaoyi paused for a moment, then continued, "It doesn't matter if you recognize it or not. You just need to know that it's very valuable. Take it to the pawnshop and at least you can guarantee your family will live a life of plenty for ten years. An opportunity like this won't come again, think carefully?"

  This sentence is too powerful.

  Xiao Yu's eyes lit up again, "Really, no more lies?"

  On the seventh day of summer vacation, she exchanged a sly glance with him.

  "I'm actually a good person, I've never cheated anyone."

  It's clear that this remark was not persuasive, the little jailer puckered up his mouth, but he took out the southern red beaded necklace and examined it in the candlelight. Although he didn't understand its value, he could still tell that it was a fine treasure. He liked it in his heart, so with a smile, he tucked the necklace into his bosom and left happily.

  He soon brought paper and pen.

  Sitting cross-legged on the straw, Xia Qi's eyes shone brightly as she stared at the white paper in front of her, holding a brush pen and thinking for a moment before bowing her head to start writing. As she wrote, she probably felt uncomfortable with her wrist, so she simply broke off the pen holder again, holding it like a steel pen, and continued to write crooked lines on that sheet of white paper.

  February 3rd, at the hour of Zi (11pm-1am)

  Deep and dark night, enveloped the capital city.

  Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.

  Not only were the lights in the palace lit up, but also lanterns were hung on the streets of the capital. When a prince died, at that time, there were very strict regulations for mourning and funeral rites, all of which had to be followed according to the funeral procedures, without any deviation. According to the prince's funeral rites, first, the court would be suspended for three days, during which the Hanlin Academy would write a memorial, a posthumous title, and an epitaph, and then the Ministry of Works would manufacture a banner with the posthumous title, and officials from the Observatory would select a burial date. After that, all civil and military officials in the capital had to wear mourning clothes to pay their respects, wearing hemp clothes for three days and crying for three days. In addition, all soldiers and civilians in the capital had to wear plain white clothes for five days.

  On this sleepless night, the sky covered with thick clouds is not very bright.

  King Ning's son, Zhao Xi, wore mourning clothes, stood by the window with his hands behind his back, looked up at the dark sky for a moment, and then wandered around the house in a distracted manner.

  "Third brother, can't wait anymore."

  Not far behind him, Zhao Kai in heavy armor said, "The emperor's decision is already very clear. He doesn't investigate the poisoning of Yunhe, obviously to protect Yunze. He killed Chu Qi and didn't settle accounts with Old Nineteen, also to protect him. Third brother, can't you see? In Father King's eyes, we are nothing. Now your chess piece has reached this step. The outcome is only in this one move."

  Zhao Xi's hands behind his back were clenched tightly.

  "Lao Liu...... My heart is beating very fast."

  Zhao Kai's eyes flickered slightly, and soon passed by, "Third brother, those who achieve great things do not get bogged down in trivialities. I'm not afraid to follow you even if it means implicating my family, so why are you being so indecisive now?"

  "Sixth brother, aren't you afraid of losing your reputation and ruining your name?"

  "Third brother, I've had enough of living in the shadow of others. When you reign supreme, appoint me as General Wang, and let me also experience the thrill of commanding thousands of troops and horses. For you, I'll expand our territory, for you, I'll defend our great Jiangshan Empire. To be second only to one person, but above all others - what a delightful feeling!"

  As he spoke with conviction, Zhao Xi's throat felt a bit parched.

  "Sixth brother, if we fail, you and I will die without a place to rest our bodies..."

  Zhao Kai furrowed his brow, "Third Brother, the chances of winning are great. Now that the Imperial Guard is in my hands, and with the three major camps of the Capital Garrison under your control... what's difficult about it?"

  After remaining silent for a long time, Zhao Xi finally clenched his fist.

  "Lao Liu spoke reasonably, if we miss today and wait until everything settles down, if the Emperor decrees Zhao Mianze as the Crown Prince or another person, then wouldn't I have plotted in vain and made a wedding dress for someone else?"

  "Third brother, go ahead."

  Zhang Kai's words were impassioned and stirring, he took a step forward, tightly grasping Zhao Xi's hand.

  In his palm was a token for mobilizing the Forbidden Troops.

  "Third brother, you bring people into the palace, I'll guard the various city gates and escort you."

  "Alright, alright little brother. Once I succeed, I will definitely not let you down."

  "My younger brother will always look up to his older brother."

  February 3rd, Chou hour

  It's already very late at night, the thick fog has dispersed, and the sky is still a bit cool.

  East Warm Pavilion in Qianqing Palace.

  The king, princes and ministers have all gone their separate ways to mourn for the crown prince.

  In the large house, there were only two people, Hong Taiyi and Zhao Zhu.

  In the misty air, a small eunuch dressed in an inner attendant's uniform hastily took a roll of paper into the palace and handed it over to Cui Yingda, who was standing guard at the door.

  This letter was passed from the heavenly prison and transmitted into the palace.

  Chui Yingda thought for a moment, then bowed and entered to report to Emperor Hong Tai.

  There were two pieces of paper in it, one written "Emperor's personal opening" and the other "King Jin's personal opening". Emperor Hong Tai coughed slightly, took them over, handed the paper with "King Jin's personal opening" to Zhao Zun, and looked at the one in his own hand.

  Those characters, written really ugly.

  But the meaning is very clear, written in plain and simple terms ——

  "Your Majesty, I am but a humble subject, yet I also know that the Crown Prince's life is tied to the fate of our dynasty and country. Throughout my treatment of the Crown Prince, my heart has been as clear as day and night. Although this incident did not occur with my consent, I acknowledge my guilt. However, the penicillin was researched by me alone, and previously, I had already proposed to His Highness the King of Jin that no one be allowed to enter and observe. Therefore, not only is the King of Jin unaware of the situation, but all the people in the King of Jin's palace are also unaware of what is being researched in the laboratory. I beg Your Majesty to make a wise judgment. I know that Your Majesty is a just ruler and will not implicate innocent people. I, Chu Qi, respectfully submit."

  "What a shrewd and clever woman."

  He furrowed his brow, hummed a sound, and slapped the paper on the case.

  But sitting opposite him, Zhao Zun looked at the familiar worm-like font, his hands trembling slightly.

  "It takes a second to meet someone, a minute to get to know them, an hour to like them, a day to hate them, but a lifetime to forget them... Everyone says they never regret meeting someone, but if I had the choice, I'd rather not have met you by the clear riverbank. I wish the moonlight on that river was brighter so I could see you more clearly. I wish I had never believed in the story under the starry night sky. I wish I had never heard your broken promises. So when someone's life has to come to an end, they should leave behind a message for those who are still alive to cherish. Here's what I want to leave for you: Zhao cheap person, get out of my sight, I regret it to death. This lifetime, no, all lifetimes, don't ever see each other again. (P.S. Owe prison guard Xiao Ding 100 taels of silver, remember to help me pay it back.)"

  The corners of Zhao's mouth twitched slightly, and he pinched the paper, his eyes narrowing slightly.

  Immediately, under Hong Taiji's scrutinizing gaze, he "thudded" and knelt down.

  "Your Majesty, I have one more thing to report..."

  Hong Tai's eyebrows furrowed even tighter, "Speak."

  Zhao You looked at him and said calmly, "Father Emperor, I still have one more thing to hide from you!"

  "What's wrong?"

  "Chu Qi was already pregnant with Shichen's child."

  The old emperor was shocked by what he heard, his arm trembling so much that the paper on the table was also swept to the ground. "What did you say?"

  "Your son deserves to die! Because of Chu Qi's humble status, I didn't dare report it to the Emperor. In fact, I had already taken her in as my own during the Qing Gang County days. The matter of her being pregnant with my child, I deliberately concealed the truth, but many people are aware of it, and the Emperor will know once he investigates. Now, to save her life and the life of my child, I dare not conceal it any longer."

  "Oh nineteen, oh nineteen..."

  Hong Taiyi pointed at him with a furious expression, but Zhao Zhen remained calm and composed.

  "Please, Your Majesty, punish me if you must. However, Chu Qi is carrying the imperial heir and cannot endure the hardships of prison life. I beg of you, for the sake of the imperial heir, to pardon Chu Qi this time. In the future, I will take her far away from the capital to Beiping, where we will not cause any more gossip."

  The old emperor's face turned as black as iron, "Really?"

  "Indeed."

  He snorted, and Hong Taiyi gave him a cold glance. His extremely angry expression eased up a bit, but his voice was still unable to calm down.

  "Don't think that just because she has given birth to my grandson, I will definitely pardon her."

  Zhao You's expression solidified, "Father Emperor..."

  "What's the hurry?" Emperor Hong Tai glared at him, his face full of anger and discontent. "Old Nineteen, you've always been known for your clever strategies and ability to guess my thoughts. But today, I'm not going to do as you wish. However, rest assured that for the sake of my grandson, I will give you an opportunity."

  "Please speak clearly, Your Majesty."

  "Play another round with me. If you win, I will spare her life and let her go to Beiping with you. But if you lose, you must follow my arrangements."

  Zhao Zun's eyes narrowed slightly, his Adam's apple moved up and down, and he finally stood up.

  "Okay."

  In the warm pavilion, Cui Yingda and Zheng Erbao had both gone outside to wait, leaving only the father and son sitting on either side of the chessboard. In between them was an exquisitely carved chessboard, with black and white pieces scattered across it, locked in a fierce battle. Zhao Zun's face remained calm and composed, while the old emperor's chess style was still as majestic and awe-inspiring as ever, not a single bit diminished.

  "Lao Jiu, you always calculate every step, and are skilled at attacking the heart."

  "Your Majesty, the affairs of the world are full of variables. Sometimes many things happen beyond my calculations."

  After hearing his words, Hong Tai's hand paused slightly, and the waves in his eyes flashed by. His voice sank down, "You have always been clever and good at planning, and you understand my intentions best. Now, it's just between us father and son, I'll ask you one more question, answer me honestly." He paused for a moment before adding emphasis to his tone, "The death of the Crown Prince, did you really not participate in it?"

  Zhao Zhuang calmly looked at him and dropped a piece.

  "I, your son, guarantee with my own head on the chopping block, truly I don't know."

  After a moment of hesitation, Hong Tai Emperor's chess piece finally fell, "Who is it?"

  Zhao Zun's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice sinking slightly, "Your son does not know."

  "Hmph!" Hong Tai Emperor snorted, "You don't know anything, but you should at least know what kind of heart you have to come and scheme against me like this?"

  Zhao Zhen's eyebrows slightly furrowed, but before he could respond, a guard rushed in to report, shouting "It's not good!", Prince Ning has led people into the Forbidden City and is heading towards the Qianqing Palace.

  Hong Taiji's face sank, and he stretched out his hand to overturn the chessboard.

  "He's gone crazy!"

  Zhao Zun held the chess piece in his hand, slowly merging it into his palm, and let out a slight sigh. He remained calm and sat back in his original position, quietly looking at Hong Tai Emperor's complex expression in front of him, answering his previous question.

  "What he is plotting is Your Majesty's position. What I am plotting is just a woman."

  Hong Taiji turned his head back and stared at him, "The imperial edict has been issued, you must not speak lightly."

  With a bow, Zhao Zhuo stood up, with a hint of meaning, "Your Majesty, I am willing to supervise the execution of Chu Qi."

  Hong Taiyi narrowed his eyes and replied in a way that was completely unrelated.

  "Old at nineteen, all for just one woman?"

  "Yes."

  "Why? In terms of temperament and appearance, she is not outstanding."

  Zhao Zun's eyes softened slightly, and his pupils were filled with complex emotions that were hard to express.

  "The son thought, it was fate."

  "Good." Emperor Hong Tai's eyes deepened, his face darkening further, "Old Nineteen, I hope you remember today's words. And also hope that apart from this, there is nothing else you deceive me with. Otherwise - I will never forgive again."

  Zhao Zun furrowed his brow tightly and lowered his eyes.

  "I know, your son."

  As soon as he finished speaking, the white curtain behind which was carved with nine dragons slightly trembled, and Cui Yingda, who had been standing outside, hastily ran over.

  "Your Majesty, they have broken in. The Ning Wang's men have surrounded the Qianqing Palace."

  Hong Taiji was furious and uncontrollable, "What's there to be afraid of? Could it be that he really dares to kill his own father?"

  "Yes, Your Majesty!"

  Chui Yingda lowered his head and didn't dare make another sound.

  The situation outside the palace was already changing, with Ning Wang Zhao Xi taking Zhao Kai's token and leading the imperial guards into the palace, causing the entire palace to become chaotic.

  In order to mourn the crown prince, they changed into white mourning clothes and faced the cold wind blowing against them. The palace maids and eunuchs along the way saw Ning Wang, wearing armor and exuding a fierce aura, rushing in, and for a time, they all covered their heads and fled in panic, screams ringing out everywhere. Under the offering table, behind the flower stand, there were people everywhere, making the originally solemn and majestic nine-layered palace look no more orderly than a marketplace.

  The sound of weapons rose from all sides...

  The imperial guards in armor surrounded the Qianqing Palace, and the Jin Yiwei who rushed to the scene confronted each other at the vermilion gate of the Qianqing Palace. One team was below the steps, and one team was above the steps. In the space filled with a bloody smell, the situation was on the verge of eruption.

  Palace coup, it is a turmoil of an imperial dynasty.

  Ning Wang stared at Dongfang Qingxuan, his eyes a deep crimson.

  "Commander-in-Chief, please step aside, I have a matter to report to His Majesty."

  Dongfang Qingyun didn't wear the red dress today, instead wearing a mourning attire that made her look like an elegant and refined Tian Shan snow lotus. On her noble face, she wore a playful smile.

  "The whole nation is mourning the death of the crown prince today, Your Majesty must be exhausted and has already fallen asleep. It's not suitable for Prince Ning to rush into the palace at midnight. Qingxuan advises you to retreat."

  With the army in hand, Ning Wang had already controlled the entire imperial palace. His eyes were red with excitement as he almost saw the dragon robe of bright yellow fluttering in the wind, beckoning him to come closer. The golden throne on the Fengtian Hall was also just a step away from him. Even this beautiful and enchanting demon in front of him would soon be his possession. How could he let go?

  "Grand Commander, will you let him go or not?"

  The young man smiled and said, "What do you think?"

  Ning Wang gritted his teeth and took a step forward, "whoosh" sound of drawing his sword.

  "It's no wonder then."

  He drew his sword, and the imperial guards around him also drew their swords. For a moment, the cold light and flames illuminated the gates of the Forbidden City, and it seemed that a bloody clash between the imperial guards and the Embroidered Uniform Guards was inevitable. Just then, the two closed gates of the Forbidden City suddenly swung open.

  "How dare you, Zhao Jian! You actually brought people to barge into My bedroom, are you rebelling?"

  The person standing at the gate of the palace with his hands behind his back was none other than Emperor Hong Tai, whose hair had already turned white.

  Behind him stood Zhao Zhuo, forever cold and stern.

  Ning Wang had always been afraid of his father, and when Hong Tai Emperor shouted at him, his face suddenly turned pale. He took a step forward, knelt down on one knee, and the heavy armor on his body scraped out a series of "clanging" sounds.

  "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

  Hong Taiyi sneered, "If there's something, why not report it in the palace again?"

  Ning Wang slowly got up, with a sharp light emanating from the weapon in his hand.

  "Father, please forgive your unfilial child. Everything today is because you forced me to do it. You have so many sons, but in your eyes, there's only the eldest brother and the nineteenth brother. I am your legitimate son, yet I'm not even as good as a concubine's son, not even as good as Zhao Mianze, that illegitimate grandson of yours. You clearly know why Mianhuan is stupid - it must have something to do with his status as a legitimate grandson. Yet you don't investigate. In your heart, you're well aware of Chu Qi's daughter's identity, and Old Nineteen has known for a long time too... yet you still cover it up..."

  He spoke word by word, and King Ning paused for a moment, his voice choked with emotion.

  "When did you ever take a second look at me? When I was young, my grades were poor and you scolded me harshly. Later on, I worked hard every day, my grades improved, but I never saw you praise me as a good son?"

  Hong Tai's hands were shaking with rage.

  "Fools! You are all my sons, what is this distinction of intimacy and distance?"

  With a wry smile, Zhao Xi's face twisted in the light of the torches. "Is it true that there is no distinction between kin and stranger? Your Majesty, touch your heart, is there really no distinction? Yes, I, your son, have always been foolish, unable to enter your eyes or your heart. So today, I am willing to brave the greatest taboo in the world... That's right, I have come to usurp the throne. The Crown Prince is dead, and I am also your legitimate son, why can't I? I beg Your Majesty to issue a decree, the Crown Prince has passed away, and appoint me, Ning Wang Zhao Xi, as the new Crown Prince."

  Hong Taiji looked at him and suddenly burst out laughing.

  "Otherwise? You'd kill your own old father?"

  "I dare not."

  Zhao Xi knelt down again, raised his already moist eyes, and bit his teeth hard. "Otherwise, I can only let Your Majesty enjoy your old age in peace and not ask about state affairs."

  Hong Taiyi tightly closed his eyes.

  "Lao San, who gave you the guts to dare challenge me like this? You should know that it's not that I look down on you, but rather you're truly unworthy of the position. In terms of strategy, reputation, and achievements, you can't even begin to bear the consequences of clashing with me in battle. This move of yours is really poorly made, and has lost me face."

  Tears welled up in Zhao Xian's eyes, "Yes, I am the most shameful son of yours. But now, I'm not afraid to speak out loud either. The entire imperial city is already under my control, and all the garrison troops in the capital will also follow my orders. Your Majesty, things have come to this point, no one can turn the situation around anymore, just issue the edict, I won't harm you."

  "Garrison of the Capital Region?"

  Hong Tai Di raised an eyebrow and looked at him coldly.

  "Yes!" The King of Ning stood up again, his gaze suddenly swept over Zhao's unchanged cold face, and he raised his hand with a hint of pride, revealing a golden tiger tally in his palm.

  "Your Majesty, the old nineteenth lost the Tiger Tally, but secretly did not report it. Unfortunately, I had the opportunity to find it. Now all the military horses in the suburbs of the capital are in my hands. Will you issue an edict or not? I really don't want to fight with you, I just want you to take a good look at your son, he is not a useless person."

  "You indeed make me look at you with new eyes." Emperor Hong Tai sneered, "I have never seen anyone as stupid as a pig like you."

  "Very well, Your Majesty, then it cannot be blamed on your son."

  He scolded mercilessly, making Ning Wang Zhao's anger rise, and he was no longer trembling.

  "Brothers, up! Today's merit will be heavily rewarded by Zhao Xie tomorrow. Take down the Qianqing Palace and ask Your Majesty to abdicate. If there is any resistance, kill without hesitation——"

  What he meant was naturally understood by everyone.

  At that moment, the imperial guards who had been surrounding the Qianqing Palace in layers rushed up with the "clanging" sound of swords and spears, while the Jin Yiwei, all dressed in plain white clothes, also drew out their embroidered spring knives and stood in a tight array on the steps of the Qianqing Palace, shielding Emperor Hongtai tightly behind them.

  A palace coup begins amidst cries of kill.

  Once he made his move, there was no turning back, and except for a bloody outcome within five steps, there would be no retreat.

  Cold winds blow fiercely, cries of killing rise on all sides

  The Imperial Guard and the Brocade Guards are entangled in a fierce battle, the scene is chaotic!

  At this moment, a man suddenly rushed into the palace's outer corridor. Before he even reached the entrance, he loudly shouted: "All imperial guards, listen to my command! Put down your weapons and do not harm His Majesty!" After saying that, without waiting for anyone else's response, he heavily knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, I, your subject, have come late to save you. Please forgive me."

  That man with a face full of blood, who had killed his way in, was actually Zhao Kai, the Sixth King.

  His subordinates saw that it was him and were stunned, stopping their hands.

  A sudden silence fell after the clash of arms.

  Zhao Xi's eyes fluttered, thinking he hadn't seen clearly. Hesitating for a moment, he grasped the blood-stained scabbard, suppressing the churning anger in his heart, and looked towards the approaching person.

  "What are you doing, Lao Liu?"

  Zhao Kai, however, did not respond to him and instead continuously knocked his head to beg for forgiveness from Emperor Hong Tai, "Your Majesty, your subject deserves death. Your subject was overcome with grief today due to the passing of my older brother and had a few too many cups of wine. The military order was taken by my third brother. Your subject deserves death, Your Majesty."

  Lao Liu

  Zhao Xi's face turned pale, "How can you treat me like this? Didn't you say the time has come and we can take action?"

  Upon hearing this, Zhao Kai knocked his head on the ground again with a "thud".

  "Third Brother, why must you at this late hour still try to entrap me in injustice?"

  Zhao Xi's heart was greatly shocked, his mouth bitter and unable to speak, with great difficulty he finally spoke out, "Sixth brother, do you know what you are doing? Didn't we all discuss it beforehand?"

  "Third Brother——" Zhao Ke's eyes widened in shock and confusion, staring at him with a mixture of fear and unease. "Third Brother, don't sully me... Father Emperor has treated me with kindness as great as a mountain, how could I dare to harbor the heart of regicide?"

  "I understand."

  Zhao Xi smiled wryly and stood quietly in the crowd.

  "I understand everything now..."

  Just then, before he could say what he meant, the palace outside was again filled with the sound of "dang dang dang" footsteps and the sound of "clang clang" as large artillery passed over the ground. Soon, on the already crowded corridor, a row of neatly dressed Golden Guards appeared. The leader was Chen Daniu, the left general of the Golden Guard, and beside him was Yuan Yu, the right general with a smile on his lips.

  A row of cannons was set up outside the Palace of Heavenly Purity, and the Golden Armor Guards surrounded the Imperial City Garrison.

  No matter in terms of numbers, weapons or bravery, the Imperial Guards were no match for these people.

  Zhao Kai turned traitor at the critical moment, and Zhao Xi's heart was wounded beyond healing. But when he saw the Golden Guard Army appear, he struggled like a dying man who had seen a lifeline, his eyes shining with surprise, his palm grasping that one golden tiger tally, his courage greatly increased as he loudly commanded.

  "All troops listen to orders, speedily remove the Forbidden Army, surround the Qianqing Palace..."

  With a "heh", before he could finish speaking, Yuan Yu had already burst out laughing.

  "Third Uncle is indeed inexperienced in battle, really too naive. Do you really think that with just a single tiger tally, you can give orders to the Golden Guard Army in front of His Majesty? Now that His Majesty is right in front of us, tell me, are we supposed to listen to His Majesty or to you?"

  Yuanshu paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Moreover, Third Uncle, the Tiger Tally in your hand is fake."

  Fake?

  Zhao Xie's waist knife fell to the ground with a "clang" ——

  His eyes were icy, and he suddenly felt his legs go weak, and he had already fallen to the ground. Seeing this scene, those imperial guards who were still fighting just now had all dropped their swords and were "thud thud" kneeling on the damp floor like dumplings, bowing their heads in surrender.

  "Old Three." Emperor Hongtai looked at Zhao Xi with a pained and shocked expression, "You're really getting more and more brazen, to the point of even daring to usurp the throne? I truly underestimated you. Now, what else do you have to say?"

  Zhao Xi stared blankly at him and smiled bitterly.

  "Cheng Wang defeated the bandits, I have nothing to say. Father Emperor, you were right, I was really foolish and couldn't keep up. With my pig brain, if I had actually succeeded in usurping the throne, I wouldn't be able to sit stably on that position of the Nine Tripods. Father Emperor, I finally understand now."

  "What did you realize?" Emperor Hong Tai's voice was still cold.

  "I've come to realize a lot...” Zhao Xi's eyes welled up with tears, “When Father Emperor entrusted me with the Imperial Censorate, he once told me that people should do what they're suited for. He wanted me to be diligent and capable, to speak out for the good of the court, and build some achievements for the dynasty. Even when I'm sent to a vassal state in the future, I can still serve the country loyally as a vassal king and protect our great Jiangnan territory. Father Emperor, you loved me, and you've already shown me the way. With my abilities, it's only fitting that I do such things. It was I who harbored disloyal thoughts, blinded by personal desires...”

  "Alright..." Emperor Hong Tai looked at him with eyes full of sorrow, "As long as you regret it."

  His fatherly voice made Zhao Ji stunned, "Father?"

  Hong Taiji let out a long sigh and said, "Go back to your residence and reflect on yourself."

  As soon as his eyes closed, Zhao Xi's tears rolled down, knowing that his life was saved, and he couldn't help but knock his head heavily several times.

  "The little subject thanks the king for sparing his life."

  "You are my son, a tiger does not eat its own child...". Emperor Hong Tai sighed heavily and said, "Go to Kun Ning Palace to bid farewell to your mother who is bedridden with illness. From now on, I do not want to see you again."

  Hong Taiji turned and left with a flick of his sleeve, behind him the main gate of the Qianqing Palace was closed.

  "It is... Your Majesty's humble subject thanks you for your benevolence."

  Zhao Xi fell to the ground, and when he lifted his head again, the people outside the Qianqing Palace had already dispersed. His tear-filled gaze finally landed on Zhao Zun, who was standing in front of him wearing mourning clothes, and all he could see was a figure clad in white like snow, exuding an aura of coldness that seemed to pierce through every inch of his being.

  "Old Nineteen, did you lure me into a trap?"

  Zhao Zhu took a step closer, his voice cold and detached. "If you're unwilling, no one can force you to join in."

  Zhao Zhi held the tiger tally, full of resentment and hatred.

  "Is this tiger tally fake? Where is the real one?"

  "That day, Father Emperor came to the Jin Wang Fu to see Zhi Yue. In the Inviting Moon Pavilion, I had already presented the Tiger Token to Father Emperor." Handing over the Tiger Token, paired with the "Filial Piety" character on the chessboard, to express his filial piety towards Emperor Hong Tai, in exchange for today's Mid-Autumn Festival, Emperor Hong Tai spared Xia Chuyi from death for his crime of deceiving the emperor.

  "But you also lost by a single move." Ning Wang spoke weakly, his face revealing a strange expression. "The Crown Prince's death, was it something you didn't anticipate beforehand? Or did you think you could stop it?"

  Zhao You did not respond, but instead looked at him coldly, his gaze dimming slightly.

  "Haha, you never thought of that, did you? Once a woman becomes ruthless, she can be even more vicious than a venomous snake?" With a bitter smile, Zhao Xi looked at him with eyes that were almost entirely red, saying it was painful, or rather, it was the desperate struggle of a loser.

  "You're almost nineteen, but unfortunately you've run out of tricks, and in the end, you still can't keep your woman."

  "Don't worry about it." Zhao's eyes, cold and sharp as a knife, swept across his face, then leaned in close to his ear, "Apart from me, the Golden Guard will not listen to anyone else's orders."

  Just as he was about to turn and leave, Zhao Xian suddenly burst out laughing.

  "Lao Shijiu, take a look behind you, what is that?"

  Zhao Zun suddenly turned his head and looked in the direction of Tianlao Prison along with his pointing hand.

  A thick smoke billowed out, and flames illuminated half of the sky.

  Digression

  Acknowledgments:

  Dear [18735913010], upgraded to San Ding Jia - Zhuangyuan Lang (Yu Yu dear 800 diamonds, smashed two Jin and one dizzy).

  Dear [Wind in Fate 168] and [jjjamie], you have been upgraded to Yuan (thank you, dear ones!)

  Everyone is supporting the genuine version of Er Jin, it's really not worth letting the girls spend extra money!

  Another month is coming to an end, and the free monthly ticket and evaluation ticket are here. Everyone, check your pockets, do you have any? My bowl is infinitely large, big, big...

  Besides, after normally getting a voting ticket, you can get another one in the special price zone by spending 100 or 200 yuanbao, and then you can buy again to get another one (infinite loop), and also get monthly tickets (if you don't understand the operation, you can check the strategy in the top post or join the Jin Palace QQ group, where enthusiastic girls will teach you). Girls with yuanbao that are about to expire and can't be spent, move your beautiful hands, don't let yuanbao disappear in the wind and rain... Haha!