Chapter 431: Welcoming the New Emperor's Ascension
Below the city tower, at the main gate of Chengtian Gate, stood unarmed common people.
Meanwhile, Cheng Wang sat high on his horse at the rear, accompanied by his counselors and manor soldiers.
A civil official standing on a carriage shouted loudly: "Cheng Wang cares deeply for the people, benevolent and compassionate, he is the legitimate imperial descendant! Cheng Wang is the chosen one by heaven, the true master of this realm! We urge you to open the city gates immediately and welcome the new emperor's ascension!"
Two hundred thousand common people followed in unified shouts:
"Cheng Wang is heaven's chosen!"
"Open the city gates! Welcome the new emperor's ascension!"
"Open the city gates! Welcome the new emperor's ascension!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The city gates shuddered under heavy impact.
Yun Chu stood above, her expression grave.
Learning that the court was distributing porridge and antidotes, Cheng Wang grew anxious and revealed his true intentions openly.
If these gates were truly breached, the capital would surely descend into chaos.
She coldly commanded: "Archers, ready!"
Immediately, hundreds of archers appeared along the wall, bows drawn, awaiting the order to strike.
Before arrows could be loosed, voices rose from below:
"Murder! Murder! The current Emperor and Empress Dowager are killing people!"
"The current Emperor treats human life as worthless, unfit to rule! Only Cheng Wang is the true Son of Heaven!"
"Down with the dog emperor!"
"The dog emperor doesn't deserve that throne!"
"..."
Chu Hongyu was so furious his nose twisted. He roared: "Shoot! Shoot the arrows!"
Yun Chu made a gesture.
The archers released their bows, arrows raining down to land at the crowd's feet without causing actual casualties.
The common people battering the gates had never faced such a scene. Terrified, they dropped their battering ram and fled...
The civil official at the rear shouted: "You are establishing the heart of heaven and earth, securing the fate of the people... If you want a benevolent ruler, if you want a prosperous era, who but our lord can achieve this in today's world?"
His words seemed to inject strength into the common people. They turned back, picking up the heavy cylindrical battering ram again.
Cheng Wang nodded repeatedly, telling the person beside him: "Shi'an, your methods are remarkable. Using the simplest medicine in the world, you've controlled two hundred thousand people."
Xie Shi'an smiled.
The common people were the most foolish beings in this world. He created a plague incident, then introduced the Heavenly Maiden and Sweet Dew - these ignorant masses believed it completely.
Countless common people flocked, willingly drinking the Sweet Dew laced with powder, then becoming tools for their use.
Over two hundred thousand people were enough to breach the city gates, flood into the capital, and change the dynasty.
Xie Shi'an looked up, barely making out the figure standing on the city wall. She wore dark clothing, hard to distinguish clearly, but the Empress Dowager Crown on her head, crafted from pure gold, shone brilliantly in the sunlight.
Back then, he had hidden the voodoo figurine in Gongxi Royal Mansion, causing Gong Xi Prince's downfall beyond recovery.
He thought that after Gong Xi Prince's collapse, Yun Chu - then still Princess Consort of the Pacifying West - would send someone for him, to make him a counselor in Prince of Pacifying the West Manor. Even if not as counselor, she should have arranged a bright future for him.
But no.
Yun Chu never sent anyone for him.
He had offered his sincere heart, betrayed Gong Xi Prince for her, helped her become Crown Princess, then Empress Dowager...
Yet she had long forgotten there was once a child who sincerely called her mother.
With no path forward, he could only turn to Cheng Wang, urging him to rebel, traveling from Ningzhou all the way to the capital, now standing opposite her.Although they stood on opposing sides, they were now on equal ground, and in this moment, he and she were equals.
From the time she left the Xie family until now, over three years had passed. He had exerted every effort and finally awaited this day.
From afar, Yun Chu sensed a gaze upon her.
Even at a distance, she knew it was Xie Shi'an.
She raised her voice and declared, "Prince Cheng, cease hiding behind innocent civilians. Come forth and speak."
Her words traveled to the front lines, relayed from person to person until they reached Prince Cheng.
Prince Cheng turned his head. "Shi'an, should I go?"
"With so many civilians watching, the court wouldn't dare act. Moreover, we have our human shields," Xie Shi'an contemplated briefly before responding. "Let us proceed to the city gate tower."
Thousands of manor soldiers surrounded them, while hundreds of children formed a line at the front, serving as their shields.
"Despicable!" Chu Hongyu clenched his fists. "A beast who treats human life as worthless dares to dream of becoming emperor? Preposterous!"
Prince Cheng, seated calmly on his horse, retorted, "It is not that I wish to be emperor, but the people fervently urge me to take the throne. I am compelled by their will."
"A fool like you is unworthy of that position!" Chu Hongyu shouted. "Do you even know that the reason you lost an ear was because this Xie Shi'an beside you, to curry favor with Gong Xi Prince Chu Mo, offered your ear as a pledge of loyalty! And you promote the very man who brought you to this state?"
Prince Cheng froze in shock.
Back when his ear was severed, he had investigated extensively, and it was ultimately blamed on the fifth prince.
How could it be...
"Your Highness, he is sowing discord," Xie Shi'an maintained his composure. "If I had truly committed such an act, I would never have sought refuge with you."
Prince Cheng considered this and found it reasonable. He turned back to Chu Hongyu with a cold laugh. "Is this the extent of your tactics? Bring forth whatever else you have."
Chu Hongyu seethed with rage.
Yun Chu pressed his hand, signaling him to restrain his emotions.
She raised her hand and made a gesture. Immediately, Consort Yuan and the Yuan family were brought up to the city tower.
"Prince Cheng, you have been misled by treacherous individuals. I do not blame you. There is still a path of redemption for you," Yun Chu spoke calmly. "If you order the civilians to disperse now, I will release Consort Yuan and the Yuan family, allowing your family to reunite and granting you the life of a carefree prince. But if you insist on coveting what is not rightfully yours—"
She left her words unfinished, yet everyone present understood the implication.
"Your Highness, do not persist in this folly!" Lord Yuan cried out in despair. "Hurry and admit your error to the Empress Dowager! Confess that you were deceived! She will surely grant you another chance! Your Highness, turn back before it is too late!"
Other members of the Yuan family joined in urging him.
Prince Cheng gripped the reins tightly, his gaze fixed on Consort Yuan.
He saw her shake her head at him and understood—she was urging him to admit his mistake and beg for mercy...
"Your Highness!" Xie Shi'an's voice was stern. "You have struggled to reach the capital, now merely a step away from the throne. To abandon your cause now would render you vulnerable, at the mercy of others! I implore you to reconsider!"
A group of counselors nearby also advised, "Indeed, Your Highness, our journey here has been arduous. We cannot forsake our great undertaking for the sake of personal sentiments..."Prince Cheng roared, "What do you mean 'personal feelings'? That was my birth mother, the woman who gave me life and raised me!"
Xie Shi'an firmly grasped his shoulder. "Your Highness, you're being foolish! Do you truly believe surrendering now would make the Empress Dowager spare you? After committing such treasonous acts, do you think survival is still possible?"
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