Chapter 384: - Qiao Chu

Until night fell, the burning sensation on Liang Qiang's face, standing atop the capital's city wall, finally seemed to dissipate.

He let out a self-mocking laugh.

Having come this far, he actually still retained a sense of shame.

When he heard those words earlier, he should have immediately bowed respectfully and ingratiatingly said, "This humble general is untalented, please instruct me, young master."

How could he feel ashamed?

He should have been overjoyed that this young master stopped to speak to him. Never mind a single sarcastic remark—even if he were spat in the face, it would be his honor.

That Liang Qiang could stand here today was entirely thanks to others. Otherwise, at this very moment, his entire family would still be performing labor service in the Border Commandery.

Liang Qiang gazed into the darkness ahead. If they were still in the Border Commandery doing labor service, they would likely already be lying down to rest in their quarters.

Today was a double-day, so dinner should have included lard oil, with an extra flatbread provided. With a full stomach tonight, they could sleep soundly.

In truth, it had been a long time since he last slept soundly. Looking back, the most restful sleep he'd had in recent years was actually on an earthen bed while doing labor service.

Liang Qiang laughed at himself again. How absurd—what did it matter if he slept well in the labor camp?

But what did it matter that he stood here now, surrounded by soldiers?

At the labor camp, at least he knew whether tomorrow would involve digging pits or building walls. Here, he hadn't known in advance that he would be assigned to guard the city, nor did he know if he would still be standing here tomorrow.

Suddenly, he wasn't even sure if Xie Yanfang could truly succeed.

Just after receiving news of the imperial troops attacking Yunzhong Commandery, he was ordered to reinforce the city defenses. Yunzhong Commandery was a half-month's fast ride from the capital, not to mention the countless cities, troops, fortifications, and checkpoints in between—

Why reinforce the city defenses so strictly now?

Could it be that the Xie family believed Empress Chu could actually fight her way here?

Back when he stood before Empress Chu, her description suddenly made him realize who was behind it all—Xie Yanfang. Compared to that girl, he had chosen Xie Yanfang without hesitation.

But now, Xie Yanfang was actually so wary of that girl? Had she already risen to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Xie Yanfang?

Amid his wandering thoughts, a sudden exclamation broke through the night.

"Beacon fire—"

Beacon fire? That shout in the sweltering heat of June sent a chill down Liang Qiang's spine. He looked up and saw flames leaping against the ink-black night sky.

She's here!

She actually came!

As flames continued to rise along the horizon, the earth began to tremble, as if thousands upon thousands of troops were rolling forward.

"Enemy attack—"

……

Within the Imperial Palace shrouded in darkness, the outer city was usually empty except for officials on night duty. But today, it was far from quiet—footsteps echoed constantly.

Standing atop the inner palace walls, one could see guards everywhere.

"As soon as Yunzhong Commandery went to war, the Imperial City immediately bolstered its defenses," one imperial guard remarked. "The guards have at least doubled."

Another guard, holding a long spear, added, "Even if it's just the forces from Yunzhong Commandery, no one dares to underestimate them. After all, that's the Empress."

Mentioning the Empress, the first guard fell silent for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh. "I still remember how the Empress fought her way into the Imperial City back then. Could it be that this time she'll also—"

The guard beside him coughed lightly, cutting him off. "Watch your words."

After the incident with Empress Chu, the Imperial City's guards had naturally been replaced. Those Dragon Guard Army members were gone, replaced by newcomers.

Those who remained were already fortunate—they mustn't cause any trouble.Today, additional troops were deployed to the outer city, and the inner palace also saw an increase in guards, brought personally by that young master Xie, who is now stationed in the inner palace.

"Our duty as imperial guards is to protect His Majesty. We pay no heed to other people or matters," the guard whispered.

The previous guard nodded and dropped the subject, his gaze fixed ahead when he suddenly stiffened.

"Something seems amiss outside—"

……

In the brightly lit imperial bedchamber, Xiao Yu was not diligently reviewing memorials as usual but pacing back and forth.

The eunuchs were absent, and the masked young master sat on the footrest of the Dragon Throne, intently wiping mud from his shoes.

"Uncle," Xiao Yu stood before him, lowering his voice, "Is there truly no way?"

Xie Yanlai ignored him.

Xiao Yu turned and resumed pacing, then stopped as an idea struck him.

"Uncle," he whispered urgently, "I've thought of a plan. Take me away from the Imperial City to find my sister. That way, she won't have to fight her way here. Wherever I am becomes the capital, and we can clear her name."

Xie Yanlai focused on picking gravel from his shoes and said, "Your Majesty overestimates me. Take you away? I can't even leave myself."

He looked up.

"Do you really think I'm in charge of the Xie family? This authority was granted to me by others. When they allow it, I'm in charge; when they don't, I'm nothing."

He pointed outside.

"Right now, both you and I are in a cage."

Xiao Yu murmured, "Then what should we do? How can we help sister?"

Xie Yanlai lowered his head and continued cleaning his shoes. "By being true to yourself, you are helping."

Xie Yanlai's expression darkened. He resolved to be better, no longer arrogant or presumptuous, but if his sister couldn't return—

Light footsteps sounded outside, and someone pushed the door open.

Xie Yanlai turned quickly to see Qi Gonggong closing the door behind him.

"Outside... something seems wrong," he turned and whispered.

……

Tonight, the capital was not as brilliantly lit as a galaxy or as bustling as daylight. After learning that Empress Chu had ordered troops to march from Yunzhong County, the capital declared a curfew.

In the thick of night, every household kept its doors tightly shut, occasionally hearing the clatter of hooves on the streets.

The sudden curfew made everyone tense.

"It's so far away, what is there to fear? How could they possibly arrive in the blink of an eye? Empress Chu isn't a deity."

"You don't understand. This is to prevent people from gathering and spreading rumors."

"Right, I heard some gambling dens have even started taking bets on whether Empress Chu or the Xie family will win—"

Some laughed, some remained calm, others cursed the absurdity. Amid the noise, footsteps echoed on the streets, and doors seemed to be knocked on, accompanied by shouts.

"The Empress has entered the city—close your doors—"

The shouts, loud and clear, came from men, women, the old, and the young, sweeping through like a gust of wind, penetrating every household.

In an instant, the people inside their homes froze in shock and disbelief.

The Empress has entered the city?

Has the Empress arrived already?

Could the Empress truly be a deity, shrinking the earth to traverse it?

Amid the shouts, the streets erupted into chaos with the sound of hooves and footsteps, clashes breaking out everywhere, the scent of blood spreading through the sweltering summer night.

……

Standing on the city wall and looking back, the city burst like sparks from a lamp, dense and scattered, as if setting the entire Dengpan Mountain ablaze.

"Rebel soldiers have already infiltrated the city," Liang Qiang said.The deputy general beside him stood firm and unmoving. "There's no need to worry about these minor pests and vermin."

Liang Qiang looked toward the highest point of the lantern-lit mountain in the city. He had intended to express concern for His Majesty, but then he laughed at himself—what need was there for his worry? The Imperial Palace must already be heavily fortified.

"Empress Chu's troops are charging!" a soldier shouted.

Liang Qiang withdrew his gaze and looked outside the city walls. The burning horizon had been torn open, and dark clouds surged forth like a bursting flood.

So fast!

How many troops has Empress Chu brought after all?

"Defend the city—" the deputy general beside him had already raised his sword and roared.

Amid his shouts, countless arrows flew beyond the walls. Flaming oil ignited mid-air, creating a sea of fire outside the city, illuminating the world as bright as day.

In Liang Qiang's line of sight, enemy formations appeared. Their armor was orderly, their weapons gleamed coldly, and their banners fluttered fiercely. The phoenix on the large banner seemed to come alive.

Beneath the screeching, soaring fire phoenix, a woman sat astride her horse, blade held horizontally.

She had truly come—this was no feint, no diversionary tactic—

With a sweep of her long blade, a roar erupted from the sea of fire. Countless stones flew toward the city walls from below the gates.

"Attack the city—"

……

As if countless heavy hammers struck the ground, the entire capital trembled. Children hiding in their homes, clutched in their parents' arms, screamed.

The sounds of battle right outside their doors had vanished, replaced by clashes that seemed to come from the edge of the sky, engulfing everyone like a tidal wave.

"Will we die?" the children cried.

For the young children, this was their first experience of such terror.

But for the adults, it was not the first time.

Many recalled the nightmare from years ago, when numerous homes had been set ablaze, **.

The adults held their children tighter. "No."

This time was different from that time. Back then, the riots had erupted suddenly. This time, the Empress had issued a warning.

Under the cover of night and the cacophony of battle, many people set aside their inhibitions, comforting their children and reassuring themselves.

"The Empress is punishing traitors and eliminating evil. She won't harm us."

……

When the sounds of battle began within the city, Xie Yanfang had just finished his medicine and was about to drift into a drowsy slumber. At that moment, his dim eyes suddenly brightened.

"So soon," he said.

Cai Bo, watching Seventh Master Xie rush in, also found it hard to believe. "Is it a bluff? How many troops could she have? It can't be tens of thousands!"

Seventh Master Xie remained silent, but Xie Yanfang shook his head. "How could it be? Once she makes her move, she is determined to succeed."

Seventh Master Xie said angrily, "Even if she managed to reach the capital undetected, she will not succeed!"

Cai Bo asked curiously, "How did she get here? Who aided her?"

Xie Yanfang paid no attention to their subsequent conversation. He lay on his pillow, his eyes dimming once more. "What a pity... I cannot witness it with my own eyes—"

Before he could finish, he fell silent.

Seventh Master Xie urgently called out, "Yanfang—"

Cai Bo adjusted Xie Yanfang's bedding and said softly, "The young master has fallen asleep."

Seventh Master Xie also knew of Xie Yanfang's current condition. No matter how capable he was, when the time came, even if the sky fell and the earth split, he could only sleep.

"This is all Empress Chu's doing!" he said bitterly, gazing at the young master's serene sleeping face. "If he hadn't been injured at the hunting grounds, he would be wielding his blade himself at this very moment to cut down that Empress Chu."

Just as he had once cut down the Third Prince amidst the chaos of battle.

Cai Bo suddenly laughed.

What was there to laugh about at a time like this! Seventh Master Xie turned and glared at him."I feel like tonight is so similar to that night," Cai Bo said with a wistful smile, his expression tinged with melancholy. "It's as if I've lost track of time."

Seventh Master Xie had not forgotten that night either—a night far from pleasant memories. For the Xie family, all their schemes had collapsed like the sky falling when the Crown Prince and Crown Princess died.

"Tonight will be nothing like that night," Seventh Master Xie declared, rising to his feet. He gazed outside with cold, ruthless eyes and said sharply, "This time, it's her turn to face utter ruin!"

Empress Chu merely clung to the Emperor's existence. Without the Emperor, what was she? Nothing but ants and vermin!

The Xie family was different. Even without the Emperor, they could still overturn heaven and earth!

...

Layer upon layer of palace walls could not muffle the sounds of slaughter. Flames roared on all sides of the capital.

Qi Gonggong stood on the steps outside the hall, surveying the surroundings and feeling the ground tremble as if thousands of troops were charging the city—or perhaps it was just the imperial guards rushing within the Imperial City.

Footsteps echoed from behind.

Qi Gonggong turned to see Xiao Yu, clad in the Dragon Robe and clutching a dragon banner.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing?" Qi Gonggong hurried over.

Xiao Yu declared, "Qi Gonggong, I will go out like this to rally everyone to welcome the Empress. Those who dare to accompany me will be rewarded with the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"

Qi Gonggong looked at the young man, now nearly as tall as his shoulder, his eyes bright in the night—no longer the trembling child hiding in the shadows.

"Your Majesty, do not act rashly," he said kindly.

Just as Xiao Yu was about to respond, a cold laugh sounded behind them.

"Save your breath."

Qi Gonggong and Xiao Yu turned to see Xie Yanlai approaching.

"You don't need to do anything, and you can't rally anyone," Xie Yanlai said, snatching the dragon banner from his arms.

As he spoke, the footsteps outside the palace gate grew heavier.

"Your Majesty—we have come to protect you!" a shout came from beyond the gate. "Please open the palace doors."

It was the imperial guards from the outer city arriving, just as a squad from the inner city rushed over as well.

"Your Majesty, the Chu traitors are attacking the city gates," the leading officer reported. "Please retreat to safety immediately."

Hearing this, Xiao Yu did not retreat but instead stepped forward impulsively—

"Really?" he asked.

But the next moment, someone grabbed him and flung him backward. In the blur of motion, accompanied by a sickening thud, Xiao Yu saw the dragon banner impaled in the chest of the advancing officer.

The officer stared in shock, gasping out a "You—" before the sword hidden behind his back clattered to the ground.

What was happening?

It all unfolded too suddenly.

Without a moment's hesitation, Qi Gonggong wrapped his arms around Xiao Yu and shouted, "Protect the Emperor—"

His cry snapped the guards behind the slain officer out of their stupor. They drew their swords, no longer concealing their intent: "Kill—"

The dragon banner whipped through the air, blades flashed, and the bright yellow banner was stained crimson in an instant.

Held tightly by Qi Gonggong, Xiao Yu showed no fear. Instead, he steadied the old man, his eyes fixed on the fluttering dragon banner.

Just as Xie Yanlai had said, both of them were trapped in a cage—and now the keepers were slaughtering the prey.

Xiao Yu watched Xie Yanlai battling amid the guards, one hand brandishing the dragon banner, the other wielding a long blade, twisting like a flood dragon among hunters. The dozen or so guards who had surrounded them earlier fell one by one.

But no matter how fierce the flood dragon, could one man withstand ten, twenty, thirty, or even a hundred?

Xiao Yu scanned his surroundings—chaotic footsteps, countless guards swarming in. He opened his mouth, unsure what promise could make these men risk their lives for him.The fluttering dragon flag was thrust into the corpses on the ground, now dyed crimson with blood. The man gripping the flag removed his mask.

"I am Xie Yanlai—" he shouted, his gaze sweeping over the imperial guards swarming around him. "—Imperial guards of the Imperial City, where are you?—"

Xie Yanlai?

The name gave the guards pause.

Especially those lagging behind.

They had no idea what was happening—why had killing suddenly erupted within the inner palace? Was it Empress Chu's forces arriving, or someone else's?

The night was chaos, their minds a whirl of confusion. Should they halt or charge forward? And if they charged, who were they to kill?

It wasn't until they heard that shout, that name, that they snapped back to reality.

"Xie Yanlai!"

"It's Captain Xie!"

"But wasn't Xie Yanlai dead?"

They stared ahead at the young man standing amidst the corpses, leaning on the blood-soaked flag. The flickering firelight illuminated his face.

Flames and bloodied banners, pale complexion, phoenix eyes and cold brows.

"It's Xie Yanlai—" one guard murmured.

He had never forgotten this man.

Once, Xie Yanlai had also been an imperial guard. On a night just like this, he stood on the city wall, brandishing his long blade, shouting—

"Imperial guards of the Imperial City, protect the Son of Heaven!"

That guard instinctively straightened, echoing the cry: "All who dare attack are traitors—"

Another guard, dazed, muttered, "Captain Xie's spirit has returned—"

Whether energized or bewildered, they rushed toward Xie Yanlai without hesitation.

The guards were still running, but now a clear division emerged—two distinct factions. One turned their blades and spears toward Xie Yanlai, while the other turned their backs to him, facing outward.

"Protect His Majesty—"

"By Captain Xie's order, protect His Majesty—"

……

Countless arrows rained upon the city wall. Guards who failed to dodge in time fell instantly. Alongside the arrows came ropes and iron claws, accompanied by fierce battle cries.

The roars crashed against the walls like tidal waves, making the sturdy fortifications seem to tremble.

Liang Qiang gripped his blade, looking down at the dense swarm of soldiers below. Some continuously fell, while others scaled the walls using rope ladders and wooden frames.

He glanced back at the wall—flames, massive stones, and arrows strewn among corpses. Guards rained arrows and various tools down upon the attackers.

His gaze shifted further into the distance, where the sounds of slaughter within the city grew louder, centered around the Imperial City.

"General, their battering ram is here—" a soldier screamed.

That meant they were about to breach the gates. Liang Qiang tightened his grip on his blade and sprinted down from the wall.

"With me—slay the enemy—"

Some soldiers instinctively followed, while others hesitated momentarily. In the next instant, another volley of arrows and stones flew—some fell, others dodged—plunging the wall back into chaos.

Below the wall, soldiers rushed about as well.

Despite the wall's protection, the area near the gates offered little safety.

Attacks from within the city came intermittently—elusive, hidden, impossible to fully suppress. The guards couldn't abandon the gates yet had to divide their attention.

"Open the gates—" Liang Qiang suddenly shouted, charging toward the entrance. "With me—slay the enemy—"

The gate guards and those following him were momentarily confused. "With me—slay the enemy" made sense, but "open the gates" seemed wrong?

Liang Qiang had already reached the gates. Two guards moved instinctively to block him, but he swung his blade, sending them kneeling and tumbling aside.

"Open the gates—slay the enemy—"Although he had been propped up by the Xie family to this day, and his bravery was false, his status and position were real. Military orders were as unyielding as a mountain collapsing, and no matter how strange it seemed, the guards surged forward one after another, countless soldiers swarming in.

"Liang Qiang, you treacherous dog!" an officer shouted from behind, chasing after him, "—Capture him—"

But it was already too late. The city gate slowly creaked open.

Liang Qiang seized a horse and galloped out at full speed.

"The city gate is open—welcome Empress Chu into the city—" Liang Qiang shouted loudly, raising his sword at the same time.

He had already seen the phoenix banner fluttering closely behind the battering ram.

That woman was right there.

If, back in the Imperial City when she had questioned him, he had told her about encountering Xie Yanfang in the tavern, would he now be by her side, fighting alongside her?

If even earlier, in the Border Commandery, when she saved his arm from the blade, he had confessed everything to her, would he have been by her side long ago, fighting alongside her?

Liang Qiang watched the approaching phoenix banner and saw the woman's figure. She was on horseback, gripping a sword, its blade stained with blood.

Since that encounter in the tavern, she had grown increasingly valiant, increasingly unstoppable.

While he had retreated step by step.

"Empress Chu—Liang Qiang welcomes you into the city—" Liang Qiang shouted again.

But before he could finish, an arrow flew toward him. Instinctively, he raised his arm to block it. With the horse's whinny, he tumbled to the ground.

"The Empress has entered the city—lay down your arms and you will not be killed—"

"The Empress has entered the city—surrender quickly—"

The soldiers' footsteps thundered, their shouts roared like thunder, and the battering ram rumbled, cleaving through mountains and seas.

Chu Zhao looked ahead.

"It seemed like someone was shouting something just now," Xiao Man murmured softly. "Surrendering?"

Chu Zhao replied indifferently, "Do I need anyone to surrender to me now? Pay it no mind."

She gazed at the city gate that had already been breached.

Troops poured in like a tidal wave.

Countless shouts flooded into the city along with them.

"The Empress has entered the city—lay down your arms and you will not be killed—"

……

The sounds of battle continued, fiercer than before, shaking the very houses. Yet the people inside no longer felt the same terror as before. Instead, they couldn't help but listen intently to the outside.

"Listen—"

"The Empress has entered the city—"

People cradled their children, gently rocking them.

"It's alright now, it's alright."

……

The fighting in the city was far from over, with clashes erupting everywhere.

"If we can't capture the Imperial City, we must seize the gates and houses," Ding Dachui shouted loudly. "Your Majesty, otherwise we won't hold out."

The city had long been fortified by the Xie family's troops, with open soldiers and hidden formations, turning every step into a fortress.

Chu Zhao looked ahead. "The most advantageous position is the Imperial City."

Ding Dachui knew that, of course. It was bound to be heavily defended by the Xie family's forces, and moreover—

"Your Majesty, if we storm the Imperial City now and something happens to His Majesty," he whispered, "then you—"

In that case, the empire would truly descend into chaos, and the title of Empress would offer no advantage.

Chu Zhao looked ahead and suddenly smiled. "It won't happen."

It won't?

As Ding Dachui was about to speak, Chu Zhao urged her horse forward, charging straight toward the Imperial City.

"Ding Dachui," Xiao Man said, holding her sword in her left hand, "since you were severely wounded, your courage has shrunk."

Ding Dachui's face flushed red. "No, it hasn't—"

"Hasn't it? Then why are you hesitating and overthinking like this?" Xiao Man snorted. "We've come this far—what's there to think about? Just do it—"

With that, she brandished her sword and galloped forward to catch up with Chu Zhao.Laughter erupted from the surroundings. Ding Dachui shot a glare at the men around him. "What are you laughing at! Didn't you hear the orders? Go kill them now!"

The men let out wild howls and charged forward chaotically.

……

Through layer upon layer of streets they fought their way, yet compared to the boiling city, the Imperial City sat in a pocket of tranquility.

The high city walls were shrouded in darkness, silent and still, like a land of death.

The approaching cavalry instinctively slowed their pace.

"Looks like—" Ding Dachui couldn't resist speaking again.

But Chu Zhao's speed never faltered. She galloped straight toward the city gate, tilting her head back to shout.

"A Jiu—"

The woman's voice echoed against the deathly still palace gates.

Call after call.

The voice was hoarse, dry, not particularly pleasant to hear.

The figure shrouded in night atop the battlements seemed unable to bear it any longer. Legs shifting, he stood up.

"What are you shouting for," he said, looking down at the base of the gate. "The gate's open."