In the grand hall.
Xiao Zhanping collapsed to the ground.
Not yet dead.
But already in a sorry state.
Unable to rise any longer.
All he felt was hatred.
Hatred towards himself, for having been brought to this point by Zhao ngyu and her son!
He regretted.
Regretted that in the past he should not have implicated Xiao Jinxing because of Liu Yanxi’s affair.
If he had consistently valued Xiao Jinxing as before, Zhao ngyu and Xiao Jinsen would not have had the opportunity to take advantage.
Now, he was even worried about Xiao Jinxing’s safety at the border.
If he really were to die in battle...
He would certainly, die with eyes wide open in indignation!
Xiao Jinsen sat on the Dragon Throne, cold-bloodedly watching Xiao Zhanping’s painful state.
Not until he fell completely before him, ascertaining he had breathed his last.
Did he reveal the smile he had long sched to show.
He stood up from the Dragon Throne and gave an eye signal to Eunuch Mu.
Eunuch Mu quickly caught on and loudly proclaid, "His Majesty, due to the Consort Qin’s miscarriage, was overwheld with grief for the lost beloved child and succumbed to a sudden heart disease. In his dying monts, he summoned all Assistant Ministers from the scholar mansion and publicly decreed a will in their presence: Prince Chu, Xiao Jinsen, is of noble character, a true reflection of myself, and will surely inherit and rule the empire. He is to succeed to the throne, to be crowned Emperor."
As the words concluded.
Everyone knelt on the ground, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live forevermore!"
Xiao Jinsen laughed wildly with arrogance.
He looked at everyone kneeling on the ground.
Listening to the repeated chants of "Long live the Emperor," his pride was overflowing and could not be more apparent.
Finally.
He had finally taken the Emperor’s place.
Finally, he had beco the Emperor!
All his years of enduring in silence were for the arrival of this mont.
He flung his robe in a grand, imposing manner and turned to sit on the Dragon Throne again.
From outside the grand hall, sounds of fighting seed to be heard.
His face darkened.
Impossible.
Had Wu Xufan returned so quickly?!
Impossible, if he had turned back, soone would have co to report to him by now.
"What’s the situation outside?" Xiao Jinsen demanded harshly.
At this mont.
A trusted aide staggered in, "It’s bad, Prince Chu. Yuan Wenkang has led troops and stord into the Imperial Palace."
"Who?" Xiao Jinsen’s heart skipped a beat.
For a mont, he thought he heard wrong.
"Yuan Wenkang has brought over a thousand elite soldiers into the Imperial Palace. The defense at the palace gates has entirely fallen, and within the duration of an incense stick, they will be here!" the guard said in panic.
Xiao Jinsen’s complexion changed instantly.
Wasn’t Yuan Wenkang at the border?!
How could he have returned at this ti?!
Impossible.
It couldn’t be so fast?!
But given the current situation, thinking of Xiao Jinxing’s stratagems, he couldn’t help but panic.
"My dear son." Zhao ngyu was also startled.
If Yuan Wenkang barged in at this mont.
No matter what the will stated.
Yuan Wenkang would surely kill them imdiately to make way for Xiao Jinxing.
Xiao Jinsen tried to calm himself down.
He said to Zhao ngyu, "Mother, you wait here for . I will imdiately lead troops to stop Yuan Wenkang. I believe that only Yuan Wenkang has returned this ti. He is no match for , nor can he cause any significant upheaval."
"Be careful, my dear son," Zhao ngyu said worriedly.
"Mother, rest assured, I certainly will not let our grand plan fail at this critical juncture!"
"Your mother is waiting for you," Zhao ngyu was extrely nervous.
Yet she had complete trust in her son.
Xiao Jinsen hurriedly led a contingent of troops out.
As he left, he saw from a distance that at the entrance of the Imperial Palace, under the dark sky, torches were ablaze, and the fighting was relentless.
Xiao Jinsen shook with rage.
How could Yuan Wenkang have returned?!
Exactly when did he co back? His spies had never reported this to him.
It’s not that he doubted the loyalty of the spy, but he couldn’t understand how Xiao Jinxing managed to evade his surveillance and let Yuan Wenkang get back to Xun City.
His complexion was ashen.
A trusted aide broke away from the fray and quickly ran towards Xiao Jinsen, "Prince, Yuan Wenkang’s elite troops have already slaughtered most of our guards. At this rate, we will certainly be no match for him. Please, Prince, take this chance to escape amidst the chaos!"
Xiao Jinsen gritted his teeth.
At this point, he was reluctant to admit a dismal defeat.
He had only just managed to ascend to the throne.
He hadn’t even ward the seat yet and he was unwilling to give it up just like that.
Once he fled now.
The throne would no longer be his.
But if he didn’t flee...
Given the current situation, he would certainly have no chance of survival!
"Prince, as long as the green hills are there, there’s no fear of running out of firewood!" The trusted aide urged again anxiously.
Xiao Jinsen clenched his fists.
He looked back at the Qiankun Hall.
Ultimately, he hardened his heart and left behind everything.
If he didn’t escape now, he wouldn’t have another chance to do so.
The trusted aide was right.
As long as the green hills are there, he can certainly fight his way back!
Xiao Jinsen, escorted by his trusted aide, left the Imperial Palace through another secret passage.
At a secluded spot outside the palace gate, Song Yanqing was waiting at the entrance.
Seeing Xiao Jinsen erge, he knew that the revolt had failed.
In fact.
He had already anticipated that the Prince of Chu’s actions this ti were a desperate gamble, unlikely to succeed.
With the capabilities of Prince Chen, it was impossible for the Prince of Chu to succeed.
It was the Prince of Chu himself who was too impatient.
He hurriedly stepped forward, "Prince."
"Have all the arrangents been made?"
"Rest assured, Prince."
"Let’s go!"
"Yes."
Song Yanqing didn’t dare to ask further and quickly helped Xiao Jinsen to leave according to the prearranged escape plan.
Inside the Imperial Palace at this mont.
The fighting outside was intensifying.
It was even pressing towards the palace itself.
All those inside the palace were panicked and terrified.
Zhao ngyu could no longer contain herself, and she rushed to ask one of the guards, "Go and check out the situation outside, go and see how the Prince of Chu is doing?"
"Yes." The guard took the order.
Just as he walked out.
He was forced to retreat back in.
The mont Zhao ngyu was about to explode in anger.
She saw the guard in front of her struck down with a sword, slain on the spot.
Blood splattered everywhere.
Zhao ngyu turned pale with fright.
With her eyes wide open, she watched as Yuan Wenkang led a line of elite soldiers walking in.
They surrounded everyone in the great hall and held them captive.
"How bold, Yuan Wenkang! You lead troops to intrude into the Emperor’s chambers and slaughter countless guards, what cri should you bear!" Zhao ngyu tried to maintain her composure as she furiously denounced Yuan Wenkang, her voice betraying her panic.
Yuan Wenkang glanced at Zhao ngyu.
Completely unmoved.
He commanded in a cold voice, "Take all of them into custody!"
"You dare..." Before she could finish her sentence.
Soone already seized and detained Zhao ngyu.
"Let go of , you group of traitors, let go, I will have your heads!" Zhao ngyu shouted desperately in her agitation.
At this mont, she had completely lost the dignity and deanor she had before.
She was rely resisting in a frenzy, without any grace or image.
As for Zhao ngyu’s furious screams, Yuan Wenkang turned a deaf ear.
He walked step by step towards Xiao Zhanping, who lay on the ground, then knelt down, "Your Majesty, your servant has been disrespectful."
After saying that.
He knelt down and put his finger close to Xiao Zhanping’s nostrils.
A chill ca over his chest.
It was clear that the breath had stopped.
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