Chapter Ninety-Four
"I regret my decision," the Holy Emperor said leisurely, tapping the golden cage and startling the Jade Bird inside into frantic hops. "We should have seized him directly." The Empress Dowager's voice was weary. "Does Your Majesty still not understand this subject's intentions?"
"I do," the Holy Emperor replied with a smile, withdrawing his hand. "The Empress Dowager wishes to avoid further conflict with Su Sha. But, setting Feng Xiyang aside, I believe Su Sha would be more than pleased to see Xia Jingshi's head."
"Has Your Majesty considered," the Empress Dowager said gravely, "that given Xia Jingshi's prestige in the military, if his former subordinates rise in fury, they will fight the Imperial Guard Barracks to the last man?"
"The Empress Dowager has far too little faith in the Imperial Guard Barracks," the Holy Emperor waved impatiently. "As the saying goes, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. With Xia Jingshi's tree already toppled, why fear his old followers? Would they truly bear the charge of treason for a dead man?"
"You are too reckless," the Empress Dowager's voice rose slightly. "Last time, you ignored this subject's advice—"
"Empress Dowager!" The Holy Emperor suddenly turned, his gaze fierce as he glared at her for a moment before reverting to his usual gentleness. "I suspect that foolish woman has already revealed everything she shouldn’t have. So, we can wait no longer. Empress Dowager, you were the one who said, 'One must risk the child to catch the wolf.'"
"Earlier, this prince sent scouts to investigate. There are indeed many more sentries lurking around—if what she said is true, Ning Fei is most likely already in the Holy Emperor's hands. And given Yixiao's temperament, hearing those rumors would surely drive her to return," Xia Jingshi said, unconsciously tightening his grip on the half of the Glass Hairpin he had been clutching until it grew warm. "But at this moment, acting rashly is unwise, yet waiting is no better. We must keep her steady and prevent the Holy Emperor from realizing we are aware of his scheme."
Xiao Weiran, though still pale, was in much better spirits. Leaning against a cushion with a frown, he mused, "It is indeed a difficult situation. If we send someone to stop Yixiao, she will surely sense the gravity of the matter and rush here even more desperately. As for Ning Fei, as long as Yixiao does not arrive, he remains safe for another day..."
As they spoke, a military general in charge of perimeter security came running toward them, his panic evident even before he reached them. "Your Highness, this subject has urgent news to report!" Xia Jingshi strode forward and commanded in a low voice, "Calm yourself. Speak slowly."
The general leaned in, his voice barely audible. "Half an hour ago, the Imperial Guard Barracks were secretly summoned into the city. Now, all four gates are sealed, and the streets around the villa have been cleared." He gasped for breath, his cheeks flushed with agitation. "It appears they are coming for us!"
Xia Jingshi stiffened slightly, but before he could speak, the general dropped to his knees before him and declared loudly, "Your Highness, rest assured! No matter what, we will defend Your Highness with our lives. As long as this general draws breath, no one shall harm you!""Get up first," Xia Jingshi helped him up, then turned and pointed at Xiao Weiran. "Find a few trusted brothers to escort Xiao Canjun out of the city. At the very least, find a safe place to hide him until things calm down before sending him away."
"Your Highness!" Xiao Weiran exclaimed in shock. Xia Jingshi raised a hand, cutting off his unspoken words, his tone stern. "No matter what happens, you are not to return. You must intercept Yixiao as soon as possible and stop her from coming back!"
"But—" In his urgency, Xiao Weiran couldn't finish his sentence before breaking into violent coughs. Xia Jingshi slowly lifted his gaze toward the distance—the Imperial Guards would arrive soon.
"Don’t worry, I won’t just wait for death. Tell Yixiao to rush back to Lucheng and retrieve my Military Tally. She is a General personally appointed by the Holy Emperor and a princess of this dynasty. Mobilizing troops won’t be a problem for her. No matter what, we must rescue Ning Fei. Xueying is pregnant—we can’t let the child be born without a father."
"Lieutenant General Xue," Xia Jingshi turned to the military general standing rigidly before him. The man’s right hand was clenched tightly around the hilt of his sword, his lips pressed into a thin line, his bloodshot eyes filled with fearless determination. Hearing Xia Jingshi call him, his pupils contracted sharply as he responded hoarsely, "Your Highness!"
"Pass down the order—no resistance is allowed," Xia Jingshi said calmly.
"Your Highness!" the general protested in a low voice. "We will fight to the death to ensure you and Xiao Canjun escape the city safely—"
"No," Xia Jingshi smiled. "The Imperial Guards have come prepared. We barely have a hundred men here. Besides, if we resist, who knows what charges they’ll pin on us? So, I command you—no resistance."
"Your Highness..." The general’s voice was choked with emotion. "Our lives mean nothing. To fight for you is our greatest honor." Xia Jingshi’s eyes also glistened. He took a deep breath and gave the man’s shoulder armor a firm pat. "I’ve never said it before, but the truth is—you are my honor. Always have been."
The general froze, tears streaming down his face. This battle-hardened man, who never shed blood in vain, now wept like a child. Xia Jingshi smiled gently. "What’s with the tears? A grown man crying looks downright ugly."
By the time the Imperial Guards entered the estate, the courtyard was already filled with soldiers who had accompanied Xia Jingshi from Lucheng. Xia Jingshi had changed into plain robes and stood in the hall with his arms crossed, surrounded by a dozen military generals. Every gaze directed at the Imperial Guards was filled with deep-seated hatred.
The sight gave the leading Imperial Guard general pause, but only for a moment before he stepped forward and bowed. "Jiang Weirong of the Imperial Guard Barracks pays his respects to Your Highness." Behind him, the rest of the Imperial Guards followed suit, their weapons clanking as they saluted. "This morning, after receiving a confidential report, the city defense troops uncovered a large cache of weapons from the camp of Your Highness’s entourage. By the Holy Emperor’s decree, I am ordered to escort Your Highness to the Royal City for investigation—"
"Even the Imperial Guards have come. I must be quite the important figure," Xia Jingshi sneered. "I wonder how the Emperor’s decree phrased this ‘invitation.’"
"I am merely following orders, Your Highness. Please do not make this difficult for me," Jiang Weirong replied with a forced laugh. His eyes swept the courtyard, then narrowed in suspicion. "Where is Xiao Canjun?""Adjutant Xiao's condition has been unstable, so I have already sent him to seek medical treatment. His Majesty is occupied with state affairs, and I saw no need to report such a minor matter—what, is Adjutant Xiao, despite his severe injuries, also required to assist in the palace investigation?" Xia Jingshi's tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable authority that sent an inexplicable chill down Jiang Weirong's spine, prompting him to instinctively deny it repeatedly.
After a brief standoff, Jiang Weirong gritted his teeth and ordered the Imperial Guards behind him, "Disarm everyone and escort them to Jinghui Hall for further questioning!"
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