It was pitch black in the silent, empty palace corridor. Wang Dian walked quickly forward, only able to hear his own breathing. This was a shortcut to the Imperial Medical Courtyard.
When the long sword slashed towards him, he instinctively retreated. The blade grazed his arm and struck the palace wall, sending up a shower of sparks. He pretended to be frightened and backed away, but in an instant, he was surrounded by dozens of men in black, with swords at his throat.
“Who are you? This is the imperial palace, how dare you act so recklessly!” Wang Dian shouted angrily, feigning fear. But someone kicked him hard in the stomach, causing him to fall to the ground in pain. Before he could catch his breath, someone grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up.
“So this is the incredible beauty that has bewitched that mad emperor? How disappointing!” someone laughed coarsely.
“Enough talk, tie him up and let’s report back!” someone else scolded in a low voice.
Another voice sounded slightly uneasy, “If the emperor values him, why wouldn’t he assign guards?”
“Heh, that little emperor can barely protect himself now, let alone others. Most of his secret guards are dead. Where would he find people to protect this one? The Imperial Physician said that without medicine, the emperor won’t last the night,” the leader sneered. “This Wang Dian was probably rushing to the Imperial Medical Courtyard to get medicine for him, which gave us our chance.”
“Boss, you’re truly all-knowing!” someone chimed in.
“Alright, let’s take him to the Empress.”
Wang Dian struggled and shouted angrily, “Do you know who I am? His Majesty will never let you get away with this!”
“Hahaha! Liang Ye can barely save himself now. Didn’t he boast about his deep feelings and wanting to make you empress? Well, let’s see if he’s willing to trade his empire for you! Knock him out and take him away!”
Wang Dian felt a sharp pain on the back of his neck. Before losing consciousness completely, he couldn’t help but mock in his mind, “Which genius came up with the idea of trying to threaten a madman like Liang Ye with ‘feelings’? They must be out of their mind.”
He was awakened by cold water being splashed on him. In the brightly lit hall, he looked up dazedly and met the gaze of Cui Yuxian sitting in the main seat. Beside her stood a man who looked to be in his fifties or sixties, with features somewhat similar to hers.
“So this is Liang Ye’s male pet?” Cui Lian sneered. “He doesn’t look like much.”
“Brother, don’t speak nonsense. This man is an important minister to Ziyu,” Cui Yuxian said. Her gaze fell on Wang Dian as she spoke kindly, “Wang Daren, Aijia’s brother’s men were rough, and you’ve suffered. This desperate measure was truly our last resort.”
Wang Dian wiped his face with his sleeve, unsurprised to find that his sleeve dart had been taken. He spoke coldly, “Grand Empress Dowager, may this lowly official ask what crime he has committed to deserve such treatment?”
Cui Yuxian rose unhurriedly. Yang Man hurried to support her, but she avoided him. She spoke without anger or joy, “The birthday banquet affair, Wang Daren, was quite a scheme you devised.”
Wang Dian laughed mockingly, “That was all Liang Ye’s plan. What does it have to do with me?”
“That child Ziyu has never been as scheming as you,” Cui Yuxian said blandly, glancing at him. “He has always been obedient and unambitious, filial towards me despite his bad temper. Such a meticulous and vicious plot, after much thought, could only have come from you.”
Wang Dian felt this accusation was terribly unfair. Before he could wonder what stupid method Liang Ye had used to make Cui Yuxian so certain, he said coldly, “When you want to condemn someone, any excuse will do. Since the Empress thinks this way, no amount of explanation from me will help.”
“You still dare to quibble! Ziyu has always been sensible and listened to Aijia. But since you appeared in the palace, Wang Daren, Ziyu has become increasingly unruly. Aijia thought he was making progress by attending court, but it was just a ruse. He’s been bewitched by you, lingering in the harem day and night, refusing to select consorts, and even kidnapping the great-grandson Aijia raised… The Emperor, under your instigation, has favored sycophants and kept villains close. Now he’s killing court officials indiscriminately, and the people are full of complaints. Wang Dian, do you admit your guilt!?”
Wang Dian’s eyes showed no fear as he spoke firmly, “Empress, I have done none of the things you mentioned. Why should I admit guilt? On the contrary, you have controlled the court for years, allowing the Cui family and your subordinates to run amok. You even replaced the Northern Army commander without authority, shaking the Emperor’s trust. You’ve used vicious drugs like the White Jade Soup to control Liang Ye, and incited the Black Armored Guards to rebel and assassinate the Emperor. Who should really be admitting guilt?”
“How dare you!” Cui Lian shouted angrily. “Such nonsense! The Empress has exhausted herself for the Liang nation. How can you slander her like this? Guards, tie him up!”
Cui Yuxian stared at him coldly for a while before laughing, “This farce started because of you, and it should end with you. Wang Daren, do you think Ziyu would give up opposing me to save your life?”
Wang Dian declared confidently, “He would only use me. He has no feelings for me at all.”
“Wang Daren, don’t speak so absolutely,” Cui Yuxian sighed. “Aijia is old now, and hearing you speak is truly unpleasant. You should be taught a lesson to ease Aijia’s mind.”
Wang Dian suddenly felt his life was truly in danger.
Two hours later.
Conference Hall.
The entire palace was tightly guarded by the imperial army, yet the palace gates were in a precarious state. Sounds of fighting occasionally came from beyond the high palace walls. The officials hastily gathered in the great hall were all silent as cicadas in winter.
Liang Ye sat on the dragon throne, idly playing with a slender willow-leaf knife in his hand.
Li Bu, escorted by several secret guards, hurried in carrying a medicine box. His robe was stained with someone’s blood. Just as he was about to ask Liang Ye to move to the back hall to tend to his wounds, the tightly closed palace doors were suddenly pushed open. The creaking sound made everyone’s scalp tingle.
“Your Majesty, we can’t hold out much longer!” Wei Wanlin knelt on the ground, holding a long sword. His voice was both sorrowful and angry. “We fell for the Black Armored Guards’ trap. They’ve been planning rebellion for a long time. Now the Grand Empress Dowager’s Black Armored Guards and the Cui family’s private army have surrounded the Conference Hall! This subject requests permission to escort Your Majesty to safety!”
As his words fell, the great hall erupted in chaos.
“How… how can this be?” Xu Xiude collapsed on the ground, muttering, “Weren’t all the Black Armored Guards killed before?”
“The Grand Empress Dowager has far more Black Armored Guards than we knew! And the Cui family, as mere subjects, dared to raise a private army. They must have been planning rebellion for a long time!” Wen Yu shouted angrily.
“This is outrageous!” Cui Yun said coldly. “They’re forcing a coup!”
While the crowd below was agitated, the person on the dragon throne was surprisingly calm, as if he already knew the situation was lost. He spoke in a low voice, “The Grand Empress Dowager is forcing a coup to usurp the throne. The imperial guards won’t last long. At this point, you are all free to stay or go as you wish.”
In an instant, an indescribable silence fell over the great hall.
Liang Ye wasn’t a competent ruler in the traditional sense. His past cruel and mad actions, and the recent massacre at the birthday banquet, were still fresh in everyone’s minds. However, many couldn’t help but recall his diligent and amiable behavior over the past few months, attending court daily without fail…
Wen Zong rose from his seat and knelt shakily on the ground. “Your Majesty has been under the Cui family’s control for years, forced to compromise with them for self-preservation, even at the cost of a tarnished reputation. This old minister has failed the late emperor’s trust… This old minister is willing to follow Your Majesty to the death.”
“This minister is willing to follow Your Majesty to the death!” Cui Yun, Bian Cang, and others quickly knelt as well.
Soon, a large portion of the hall was kneeling. Xu Xiude cautiously looked around, and after seeing Yan Ze kneel, he also promptly knelt down, lying flat on the ground without daring to move.
A minor official cried out in panic, “No… no, I don’t want to die! Why are you all willing to die with this madman? You’ve all gone mad!”
He shouted as he ran towards the exit. Wei Wanlin tried to stop him, but Liang Ye raised his hand to prevent it.
Soon, those who hadn’t knelt began to hesitate. Some bravely ran out. Liang Ye just sat quietly on the dragon throne, watching them. “We’ve been ruler and subjects. Zhen will consider it an act of kindness. Those who wish to leave, Zhen won’t stop you. Do as you please.”
As he finished speaking, dozens more hurriedly left with their families.
Soon, voices of surrender came from outside the palace gates, followed by curses against Liang Ye to show loyalty. Scholars were known for their harsh words, and in their mouths, Liang Ye transformed from a madman into an unforgivable sinner.
Liang Ye lounged relaxed on the dragon throne. Even though his snow-white robes were soaked in blood, his regal bearing didn’t diminish. He looked down at those kneeling in the hall and asked calmly, “Is there anyone else who wants to leave?”
“We subjects swear to follow Your Majesty to death!” The voices in the great hall were deafening.
Whether out of false loyalty, forced by circumstances, or to maintain their reputations, they had decided to die alongside the unfortunate Liang Ye.
An extremely indifferent smile appeared on Liang Ye’s face. “The loyalty of you ministers is clear. Zhen understands.”
Before anyone could ponder the meaning of his words, the doors of the conference hall suddenly burst open. The kneeling ministers were surrounded by Black Armored Guards and Cui family’s private army who rushed in, weapons at the ready.
Countless Black Armored Guards spread out like a tide, clearing a path. With elite soldiers leading the way, Cui Yuxian was calmly supported as she walked in. She glanced at the ministers before fixing her gaze on Liang Ye, her voice full of concern, “Ziyu, you’re so gravely injured. Aijia was truly worried and came to see you. Don’t blame your grandmother.”
Liang Ye sat pale-faced on the dragon throne, staring coldly at her. “The victor becomes the king, the loser a bandit. Kill or hack to pieces, do as you wish.”
“You’ve always been obedient. Aijia knows you were misled by villains to commit such foolish acts,” Cui Yuxian smiled. “Now Aijia has found the true culprit. Let’s not have any misunderstanding between us, grandmother and grandson. Bring the person in.”
As she finished speaking, several Black Armored Guards shoved in a person wearing shackles and leg irons, dressed in prisoner’s clothes. His body was covered in whip marks of various sizes, the bloodstains starkly visible on the gray-white prison garb. Yet his back was straight, and behind his disheveled hair, his eyes were sharp as they met Liang Ye’s shocked gaze.
Liang Ye suddenly stood up, but swayed unsteadily, gripping the dragon throne for support. He angrily shouted, “What is the meaning of this, Imperial Grandmother!? Why have you harmed Zhen’s people!?”
“Ziyu!” Cui Yuxian suddenly raised her voice, “This person is wicked and has led you astray. It’s because you were bewitched by him, listening to his slander, that you committed such grave mistakes! If Aijia doesn’t kill him today, Aijia would be failing the late emperor and the Liang family ancestors! Come—”
Liang Ye’s eyes turned bloodshot as he coughed up blood. He shouted, “Zhen dares anyone to touch him!”
Cui Yuxian, satisfied with the reactions around her, softened her tone and said, “Your Majesty, you’ve merely lost your senses due to this person’s bewitchment. Now that everything has settled, if you issue an edict to execute this person, Aijia will let bygones be bygones, and you will remain the Emperor of Great Liang.”
Wang Dian looked at Liang Ye and shouted, “Your Majesty! Cui Yuxian and the Cui family have conspired to rebel with their army. My life alone is insignificant, but they cannot silence the voices of the people! I am Your Majesty’s confidant, our relationship pure and without any impropriety, heaven be my witness! Their attempt to threaten Your Majesty with this is laughable! I am willing to sacrifice my life to prove Your Majesty’s innocence!”
Liang Ye stared intently at Wang Dian, his hands clenched into fists beneath his wide sleeves.
Wang Dian’s throat hurt from shouting, and his wounds ached, but the intensity in his eyes remained. He met Liang Ye’s gloomy, fierce gaze and tugged at the corner of his mouth in a challenging manner.
“Zhen cannot do it,” Liang Ye stumbled back a step and collapsed onto the dragon throne, his expression dejected.
“Ziyu, how can you be so indecisive as the ruler of a nation!” Cui Yuxian looked at him with disappointment. “Indulging in male beauty and neglecting state affairs is bad enough, but you’ve also listened to slanderous advice and executed loyal ministers at the birthday banquet. Great Liang is in a precarious state under your rule…Aijia cannot stand idly by. You are unworthy of your position. Today, on behalf of the late emperor, Aijia shall depose you from the throne!”
Wen Zong suddenly broke free from the nearby Black Armored Guards and shouted angrily, “Cui, you are merely the Grand Empress Dowager! Without an imperial edict, what right do you have to depose the Emperor!”
“Silence! The Empress’s words are now imperial edicts!” Cui Lian, intoxicated by the joy of victory, loudly rebuked Wen Zong.
Cui Yuxian’s expression changed slightly, and she glared fiercely at Cui Lian, but he was already beyond her control.
“The late emperor had no other sons. How can this be allowed!” someone with a clear mind questioned.
“When the late emperor passed away, the Sixteenth Prince Liang Xuan was weak and sent to Cold Mountain Temple to recuperate. To ensure his safety, Aijia falsely claimed he had died of illness, but in fact, he has been living safely all along, and has even given the late emperor a grandson, now over five years old,” Cui Yuxian raised her chin slightly and said coldly. “Whether it’s the Sixteenth Prince or the Imperial Grandson, both are eligible to inherit the throne! Liang Xuan is now in the palace!”
Amidst the commotion, Wang Dian and Liang Ye’s gazes suddenly met, then discreetly moved away.
He finally understood the true purpose of Liang Ye’s act.
Probably at the same moment Cui Yuxian spoke these words, Liang Xuan’s identity was completely exposed.
In a secret chamber beneath Xingqing Palace, a secret guard rushed in, “Young Master, tens of thousands of elite troops have breached the North Gate!”
The person sitting in the wheelchair put down the letter in his hand and slowly raised his head, revealing a beautiful but pale face. He asked coldly, “The Northern Army’s flag?”
“No, Young Master, it’s… it’s the flag of Commander Jiao of the Southern Army,” the guard replied.
Cui Qi looked at the letter on the table, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible regret, “I won’t be able to finish this book. Put it away carefully.”
