Chapter 120: Conspiracy and Rebellion
The rain outside the lattice window had not ceased. Ye Xian propped open the window with one hand and glanced at the courtyard—none of Lady Gao’s capable maids or matrons were present.
Mother must be with Father…
Suddenly, a head wearing a bamboo hat emerged over the gray wall, scanning the courtyard to confirm it was empty. With a swift leap, the figure landed on the windowsill of the side building before descending into the courtyard in a few steps. Two matrons stationed outside the courtyard were chatting quietly, completely unaware of the intruder.
The figure lowered the hat and hurried toward the study.
Ye Xian recognized the man as Li Xianhuai, and a sense of foreboding settled over him. If Li was sneaking in like this, something grave must have happened. He opened the lattice window, allowing the man to slip inside before quickly shutting it again.
Once inside, Li Xianhuai removed his hat and wiped the rainwater from his body with the cloak handed to him by the young master. He was of average height, with a square face and narrow, elongated eyes. His thick Sichuan accent was unmistakable as he spoke:
"Young Master, you wouldn’t believe it—that bastard Liu Zhou! The old marquis ordered him to deliver a letter to Minister Zhao of the Ministry of War, but instead of going straight there, the fool rode off to Mingzhao Lane to drink! I had to send Song Si to deliver the message instead, but I’m afraid it might be too late—"
Ye Xian frowned. Li Xianhuai had a habit of rambling without getting to the point.
"Explain properly—what exactly is going on?"
Li Xianhuai clasped his hands and relayed the news: Marquis Changxing was mobilizing the Iron Cavalry Battalion to attack Prince Rui.
"As soon as I heard from my subordinates, I knew something was wrong. Prince Rui’s clearly set up a trap—he’s conspiring with Xiao You to frame us! By the time I found out, the marquis had already left. I immediately sent someone to tail Liu Zhou, and sure enough, he never went to Minister Zhao! I couldn’t wait for Zhi Shu to send word to you, so I came myself. Young Master, you must think of something quickly!"
Ye Xian’s expression darkened at the mention of Marquis Changxing leading the Iron Cavalry Battalion into the palace. He hadn’t expected Prince Rui to act so swiftly.
Xiao You and Prince Rui had conspired to stage a false coup. Once Marquis Changxing arrived at the Forbidden City with his troops, Prince Rui would accuse him of treason—leaving his father with no way to defend himself! And if Prince Rui, with the support of the Golden Crow Guard, executed Marquis Changxing on the spot, it would be seen as justified!
Ye Xian’s mind raced, and a plan quickly took shape. If this was their scheme, then he might as well turn it against them…
"You sent Song Si to Minister Zhao? That won’t be enough to persuade him—go yourself! And keep an eye on Xiao You—make sure he doesn’t leave."
Li Xianhuai hastily agreed. Seeing the young master stride out, he hurried after him. The rain was still pouring, yet Ye Xian walked straight into the downpour without hesitation.
Li Xianhuai rushed back into the study to grab the cloak, then jogged after him. "Young Master, at least put this on!"
The two matrons at the gate saw Ye Xian emerge and quickly stood up. "Young Master, the mistress ordered that you must not leave, especially in this weather—"
Ye Xian glanced at them and said softly, "Take me to the mistress. Don’t ask questions. If you delay me, I’ll kill you."
The matrons fell silent in fear. Though the young master was usually irreverent, he had never before threatened to kill anyone.
If he said it, he meant it. He never made idle threats.
Li Xianhuai watched as Ye Xian walked away, then fastened the cloak around himself and hurried to the outer courtyard to fetch a horse—he had to reach Minister Zhao as soon as possible.Gao Shi had been restless at Marquis Changxing's residence. The old marquis had retired to rest earlier, leaving her unable to focus on her needlework. She kept having the maids lift the curtains to check if the marquis had returned.
Instead of the marquis, she saw her son enter, drenched in rain. Gao Shi was shocked: "What are you... Weren't you practicing calligraphy in the study?" She called loudly for the matron outside to send Ye Xian back.
Ye Xian said, "Mother. You must take me to the palace now. I need to see the Imperial Noble Consort."
Gao Shi widened her eyes, "Child, what nonsense are you spouting! Why would you want to see the Imperial Noble Consort? The palace is in chaos right now—you mustn't add to the trouble."
Knowing his mother's temperament, Ye Xian spoke calmly, "Mother, I must go to the palace now to save Father. If we delay, his life may be in danger. Though I may be carefree by nature, I have never joked about such matters."
Gao Shi stared at her son, momentarily stunned.
The fine rain fell softly and endlessly. Within the imperial city, sentries stood every five paces, banners every ten. Mourning decorations were everywhere. The Hall of Imperial Supremacy loomed atop its bluestone Sumeru pedestal, surrounded by white marble railings, its double-eaved roof covered in yellow glazed tiles, with gilded dragon carvings beneath the beams—majestic yet stern. Inside the hall, the imperial coffin lay in state, heavily guarded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Golden Crow Guard, while the faint wails of palace maids echoed within.
The drizzle stretched endlessly, the faint glow of horn lanterns casting a dim light.
Marquis Changxing sat astride his steed, clad in armor, with a contingent of black-armored soldiers arrayed in a fan formation behind him along the imperial avenue. Surrounding them were the Golden Crow Guard and the Divine Machine Battalion, holding red-tasseled spears, their expressions cold.
The marquis looked up at Prince Rui standing on the white marble steps. Rainwater trickled down his icy helmet onto his face. His lips were pressed tightly together, his gaze steady, exuding a terrifying resolve.
Prince Rui, tall and amiable, wore hemp mourning clothes and a black horn belt. He smiled and said, "Marquis Changxing, charging through the palace gates with overwhelming force—could it be that you intend to stage a coup? This prince sees no loyalty in you. The Emperor's body is not yet cold, and you dare commit such an act. Are you not afraid of being reviled by all under heaven?"
Marquis Changxing had never been skilled in intrigue—his wisdom lay solely in warfare. But seeing Prince Rui's attire and the Divine Machine Battalion already prepared to encircle him, he could vaguely guess what was happening.
He replied calmly, "Prince Rui knows full well who the true traitor is! To resort to such methods in this struggle is utterly despicable!"
The commander of the Divine Machine Battalion, standing beside Prince Rui, sighed and said, "Marquis, why must you do this? When Prince Rui told me you were plotting rebellion, I refused to believe it. Yet today, you truly led the Iron Cavalry Battalion into the imperial city... You already enjoy immense fortune and honor—why court universal condemnation by attempting usurpation?"
Marquis Changxing snorted coldly, "Rebellion? If I truly intended to rebel, do you think your meager Divine Machine Battalion could stop me? If I truly sought rebellion, why would I have suppressed Prince Cheng's revolt back then? You and Zhu Zaixian are clearly colluding to frame me as a traitor!"
Prince Rui laughed scornfully at this. "Marquis, your words are glib. Did this prince and the commander force you at swordpoint to storm the forbidden palace? How could we possibly frame you? That you seek so many excuses for your treason is truly unbearable to witness!"Whether he intended to rebel or not, as long as Prince Rui believed Marquis Changxing was plotting treason, then treason it was.
Prince Rui exchanged a glance with the commander of the Divine Machine Battalion, and the hidden guards beneath the hexagonal Sumeru throne raised their crossbows.
The night was hazy, with a light drizzle falling. Yet Marquis Changxing narrowed his eyes and spotted the distant shadows, whispering, "Shield formation."
Behind him, the well-trained soldiers immediately closed ranks with round shields, forming an impenetrable barrier.
Prince Rui's expression darkened as he slashed his hand through the air and commanded coldly, "Attack!"
Countless Embroidered Uniform Guards and Divine Machine Battalion soldiers charged forward with spears, while the deputy commander of the Divine Machine Battalion engaged Marquis Changxing in combat with his longsword. The deputy commander was a seasoned warrior, his blade work ruthless and cunning. Marquis Changxing, clad in heavy armor and ill-suited for close combat, was forced back several steps.
Seeing more Divine Machine Battalion troops pouring in from the Ningqi Gate and Changze Gate in the distance, his heart sank. He had brought only two thousand men... while the enemy had hidden an unknown number within the imperial palace. Even with sheer numbers, they could overwhelm his forces!
Liu Zhou had gone to summon Zhao Yinchi, but he still hadn't arrived.
The light rain continued to fall as the Empress's phoenix carriage had just passed the Ningshou Gate, moving along the western corridor to the imperial path.
The eunuch announced her arrival, and the Empress's voice rang out, "What is happening here? How dare anyone wield weapons before the Huangji Hall, where the Emperor's spirit rests? Who are these people?" At her words, the fighting soldiers halted.
Prince Rui was stunned to see the Empress. He had specifically ordered the Ningshou Gate closed to prevent servants from alerting her—how had she still found out? He and the Divine Machine Battalion commander hurried down the steps. The deputy commander, straightforward by nature, ignored the Empress's arrival and continued fighting until she sharply rebuked, "Stop at once, or I'll have every one of you beheaded at the Meridian Gate!"
Only then did he glare fiercely at Marquis Changxing, sheathing his sword and retreating behind the Divine Machine Battalion ranks.
Prince Rui and the commander paid their respects to the Empress, as did Marquis Changxing. But to his astonishment, standing beside the phoenix carriage was Ye Xian. A surge of complicated emotions welled up in him. Though his son didn't even glance at him, he had rushed through the night to save him...
Indeed, since Marquis Changxing's breach of the palace was already a fact, Ye Xian could only ask the Empress to help reframe the incident. He and Gao Shi had entered the Forbidden City through the Xuanwu Gate. As a titled noblewoman, Gao Shi gained entry under the pretext of visiting the Imperial Noble Consort, who, upon hearing the gravity of the situation, immediately escorted them to the Empress. After a few words from Ye Xian, the Empress took the matter seriously.
For the Empress, losing the support of Marquis Changxing's faction would be disastrous. With Prince Rui among the imperial relatives and Zhang Ju Lian dominating the court, she and the Crown Prince would have no protective faction—leaving them vulnerable to being devoured by these old foxes. She wasn't entirely unaware of the stakes.
When Prince Rui spotted Ye Xian beside the phoenix carriage, he cursed inwardly. The heir of the Changxing Marquis household had always been a troublemaker. How had he learned of the situation... and even brought the Empress here?
Everyone knew the Empress was gentle by nature and loathed being drawn into conflicts.He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Empress, this humble official only set up the ambush at the Huangji Hall after hearing that Marquis Changxing intended to rebel. The Marquis trespassing into the forbidden palace at night, especially right after the Emperor's passing—his actions are truly suspicious!"
Ye Xian, standing nearby, let out a light laugh. "Prince Rui, you speak so lightly. How exactly did you hear about the Marquis's supposed rebellion? If the Marquis truly intended to rebel, wouldn't he have brought the Iron Cavalry Battalion to surround the imperial city? Why would he bother tangling with your Divine Machine Battalion? This is nothing but a false accusation!"
Prince Rui sneered. "A false accusation? The fact remains that Marquis Changxing led elite soldiers into the forbidden palace! Unless you mean to say he was merely out for a midnight stroll?"
The Empress, clad in mourning attire with a pearl crown upon her head and a black horn belt, was fair-skinned and plump. She spoke slowly, "Prince Rui, you are mistaken. Marquis Changxing was invited here by me—how can that be considered trespassing? On the other hand, you, Prince Rui, have colluded with the Divine Machine Battalion and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, amassing troops and closing the palace gates. I must ask—does this palace now answer to me... or to you?"
Prince Rui's expression darkened. The Empress's words... she truly intended to shield the Marquis's family!
P.S.
Thanks to Tao Maomao for the pink, and to Xiao Yuanzi and M Rococo for the rewards~~
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