After a short while, the Prime Minister’s Mansion opened wide, Li Yanfu donned soft armor, mounted his steed, and led hundreds of guests rushing out, heading towards the south gate of the Imperial Palace.
The Prime Minister’s Mansion was not far from the Imperial Palace, and hundreds of people surged along the streets like a tide of blood, racing towards the palace in the dawn light, under the frightened eyes of the citizens lining the streets!
The citizens fearfully shut their doors and hid, memories of the Xuanmen Coup three winters ago flooding their minds.
The south gate of the Palace.
On the city wall, Wang Ye was patrolling, wearing striking armor.
As a nondescript foot soldier in the Yulin Guard, there were no noteworthy stories in his twenty-something years of life.
If there was one thing worth mentioning, it would be that he had once been in the same team as Zhao Douan, drinking and playing cards together.
At that time, Zhao Douan was just a silent, good-looking soldier, and Wang Ye’s impression of him was limited to that.
Until three winters ago, on the day of the Xuanmen Coup, as soldiers of the Yulin Guard, Wang Ye and Zhao Douan under command fought against the Second Prince Jian Wen’s rebel army, witnessing the Empress’s prowess, defeating thousands with one sword.
It was then that Zhao Douan unexpectedly gained the Empress’s favor, and two months later was promoted to the White Horse Hall amidst rumors of an affair with the Empress.
Wang Ye once tried to connect, only to be chased away at the gate by the White Horse Hall servants.
"Damn Zhao Douan! Forgetting everyone once in power! What’s his skill, just relying on his looks? Bah!"
Back then, Wang Ye could only bitterly curse in his heart, not daring to show teeth.
But starting last year, Zhao Douan repeatedly achieved great success, rising through ranks swiftly, defeating Tian Hai in battle, and surpassing Han Banshan in literary talent, eventually becoming Junior Guardian, truly remarkable.
Wang Ye’s impression of Zhao Douan changed from "dumb luck" to "Your Majesty’s wisdom shines brightly."
Often wondering, the silent and mediocre comrade back then turned out to be a hidden gem, which he failed to see.
Recalling the rampant rumors in the imperial guard of the missing Majesty, the unknown whereabouts of Junior Guardian Zhao, and the five rebel armies attacking the Capital... Wang Ye no longer envied Zhao Douan.
"Better to live shamelessly than to die. What’s the use of fame and power? "
"If he hadn’t been chosen by Your Majesty three years ago, he would at least still be alive, standing guard with me now."
Wang Ye shook his head with a sigh, satisfied with his own state.
However, when he turned to look at the patrol soldiers of Thousand Cows Guard and Imperial Guard on the city wall, he frowned, sensing something amiss.
Today, serving alongside him, the brothers from the other two guards were all replaced with unfamiliar faces.
Earlier, when he chatted, the other party gave him a cold look, with hidden hostility in their eyes, leaving him puzzled.
"Perhaps he just has a bad temper."
Wang Ye thought little of it, gripping the knife hilt, gazing outward.
Not long ago, the ministers entering the palace had all entered, leaving the long street outside the palace gates empty.
Suddenly, Wang Ye noticed with surprise, a large group of people dressed in red emerging abruptly from both sides of the distant street, extremely conspicuous.
Approaching the Imperial Palace directly.
He frowned, not knowing the situation, instinctively gripping the knife hilt tightly, as the group came quickly, the leader on horseback seemed familiar, yet before he could see clearly, he glimpsed the glaring swords on the red-clothed men.
Wang Ye’s expression changed dramatically!
Carrying weapons to charge the palace? This was a crime of treason!
Who are these people? What are they planning?
Recalling the recent news of the uprising, Wang Ye’s hair stood on end, shouting loudly:
Immediately, instinctively grabbed the copper whistle on his chest, ready to sound the alarm, but at that moment, the expected scene of the city wall defenders using crossbows to repel the enemy did not occur.
Instead, cries of agony sounded suddenly around him.
It was his comrades in the Yulin Guard, their cries of pain before death.
"What’s happening?" Just as this thought emerged, Wang Ye felt a chill in his throat! His body losing strength!
He dropped the copper whistle from his hand, turned his head in disbelief, discovering the unfamiliar Thousand Cows Guard imperial soldier’s cold gaze, who had snuck from behind, thrusting a dagger into his throat!
Attack from the side, leaving no time for response!
"It’s a revolt... a revolt..."
Wang Ye’s body collapsed, falling off the city wall, hitting the ground with a thud.
As his vision went completely dark, a minor character on the brink of life’s end finally saw clearly the elder on horseback, charging into the palace.
"Prime Minister... treason..."
Inside, the coordinating imperial guard opened the city gate, the heavy vermilion gate decorated with rivets thunderously swinging open to the sides!
Revealing a long tunnel.
Li Yanfu, atop his horse, donned in soft armor, helmet, his graying hair messily protruding.
With a short sword raised high:
"Clean the court! Clean the court! Those obstructing are regarded as traitors, kill without mercy!"
Behind him, the guests drew their swords, flooding in along the sides of his warhorse, into the palace, through the Meridian Gate, directly heading for the side hall holding a court meeting!
Everything proceeded as planned.
As long as he used thunderous means to control the ministers in the hall before the rest of the imperial guard reacted, Li Yanfu could act in place of the cabinet to control this vacant throne of a million city!
Zhao Douan removed the disguise mask, opened the door, looking at the Yu Country Empress who had finished dressing, also washed off her disguise, restoring her true form.
Xu Zhenguan had changed out of the low-key plain skirt, once more clad in the blood-washed gold dragon robe.
"Your Majesty, it is time for the court." Zhao Douan murmured, somewhat dazed.
Xu Zhenguan looked at Zhao Douan, who had also shed the blue shirt and returned to the Standard Third-Rank Crown Prince Junior Guardian official robe, and smiled:
"Mr. Zhao, accompany me into the palace."