The stepmother recognized Zhang Han, the Peony Hall Arresting Officer leading the team, knowing he was a colleague of Dalang.
Zhang Han heard the call, left his subordinates, and walked over, trying to squeeze an awkward smile on his expressionless face:
"Greetings to Lady Zhao and the young Zhao sister."
Zhao Pan, holding a Beijing dog, timidly said: "Your smile isn’t pleasant, it’s fierce, better not to smile."
This girl... You Jinhua glared at her daughter irritably, then put on a smile: "Lord Zhang, don’t take it to heart, the child doesn’t know how to speak."
Zhang Han cleared his throat, indicating he didn’t mind:
"It’s alright. Indeed, a major incident occurred in the city, Prime Minister Li Yanfu led troops in a coup, and the palace is a bloody battlefield."
The mother and daughter were dumbfounded, their faces turned pale simultaneously.
Zhang Han, breathing heavily, continued:
"But fortunately, His Majesty and Junior Guardian Zhao arrived in time to suppress the chaos. We are now ordered to eliminate the remaining rebel forces. Stay at home for now and don’t come out until the traitors are completely eradicated; then it will be safe."
"You said Dalang is back?" You Jinhua ignored the other details, catching the keyword.
Zhao Pan’s eyes, as clear as autumn waters, also brightened, staring at him intently.
Zhang Han nodded, maintaining a cold god-like demeanor:
"Yes. Both His Majesty and Junior Guardian Zhao seem well, without injuries, and are now managing the situation in the palace. They will probably come home once things are settled."
Dalang is back... he’s alright... You Jinhua was overjoyed.
Brother is safe... I knew it... Zhao Pan’s cheeks dimpled with a smile.
Mr. Dong did not accompany his grandfather to the palace today but followed his grandfather’s order to silently record in the Imperial College who was openly discussing or spreading news of the rebel army’s attack.
The Sacrificial Official had repeatedly ordered that at this critical moment, scholars are strictly forbidden from spreading panic and disturbing the populace.
However, a group of scholars still acted independently, as if, without His Majesty, their courage had grown.
"If only Brother Zhao were in the Capital, would you dare act ?"
Mr. Dong walked inside the Imperial College, listening to a group of scholars discussing in the distance, looking displeased.
Yama Zhao’s impact on the scholars was comprehensive, including both the deterrence of force and the mental trauma—since Mr. Zhengyang acknowledged Zhao Douan’s superiority in the Capital, this trend became especially notable.
Suddenly, the sound of hooves came from outside the large gates of the Imperial College, Mr. Dong looked back in surprise, seeing a large group of Jinyi, fierce as wolves, rushing in without addressing him, charging directly into the pavilion in front.
"What are you doing?"
"This is a place for scholars, we all hold titles, dare you... ah!"
The scholars who publicly spread panic only managed a few shouts before welcoming a rain of punches, soon wailing like children, shackled and led away.
"Miss Haitang? What does this mean?" Mr. Dong looked puzzled, eyes lighting up, walking toward the leader Haitang.
Haitang, from staying up late working overtime recently, had prominent dark circles under her eyes, but now her face was flushed, full of energy, as if there were some good news.
"Mr. Dong," Haitang smiled and said, "nothing much, just carrying out orders to arrest people. In the Imperial College, there are some officials’ children, Li Party members. His Majesty said to clean it up thoroughly."
"I see..." Mr. Dong suddenly realized, then froze, "Wait, you said... His Majesty?"
"Yes," Haitang smiled and said:
"Li Yanfu led troops into the palace and initiated a coup, but His Majesty and Zhao Douan arrived, quelling the rebellion.
Surprised, aren’t you? I was surprised too, Zhao Douan, this guy, I don’t know when he entered the city, not a sound, but true to his usual style, always appearing and disappearing mysteriously, doing what ordinary people cannot."
Mr. Dong stood there dumbstruck, his mind blank: "Brother Zhao... returned to the Capital?"
This scene played out similarly across various locations in the city throughout the morning.
With the surrender of the Li Party officials, many arrests became easier, and due to the "success through secrecy," the core members involved in this small-scale coup were inherently few.
After Xu Zhenguan regained control and led the Capital, arresting them was much easier than dealing with the Kuangfu Society tens of thousands of times over.
In a warm-toned palace, full of chairs and within the Imperial Palace, the monarch and ministers sat together.
Xu Zhenguan sat in the main seat on the dragon throne, Zhao Douan accompanied beside him, while the remaining non-rebellious officials sat below.
"So, that’s the situation."
Zhao Douan spoke calmly, taking a cup from a tray held by a palace maid, sipping water to soothe his throat.
Earlier, he briefly explained the events of the failed Sealing and his and the Empress’s return to the Capital.
Of course, some sections about how they looked in distress were glossed over using euphemism.
As for their three days and nights of artillery barrage, he wouldn’t mention either—Zhao Douan only said that His Majesty had a fallback plan, ultimately succeeding in breaking through.
Though he really wanted to boast a little... he feared that if he said it, he might be hammered to death by the embarrassed Zhenbao.
"So it was such an experience..." The ministers all showed expressions of amazement after listening.
Yuann Li was the first to speak:
"His Majesty, having turned crisis into opportunity and entering the Heavenly Human stage, now returns to the Capital, advancing further. Congratulations."
No way, how can you still brag in this situation... Zhao Douan twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking that this old fox’s flattering skills were probably no less than his own when he was younger.
Xu Zhenguan shook his head and said:
"Though I have reached the Heavenly Human stage, with the support of Dragon Qi in the Capital, nearly invincible. But now the flames of war are everywhere, with rebellion by various Vassal Kings outside the Capital, without the support of Dragon Qi, I am merely a newcomer to the Heavenly Human stage, still not a match for Xuan Yin."