Xiao Yan faced Liu Tong’en’s words with a cold laugh, his sword raised: “Whether I slay the emperor or force the palace, in your mouths, I’m a traitor either way. If that’s the case, I might as well live up to your expectations…”
As he raised his hand to strike again, Prince Ji urgently shouted:
“Hold on!!”
He stepped forward quickly, his legs trembling slightly. Though his face was pale from the hall’s chaos, he knew Emperor An could not die.
Tonight’s palace coup was rooted in the events of twenty years ago. Xiao Yan had already agreed to withdraw, and the others in the hall could leave safely. But if Emperor An died now, everyone present would likely perish. Even if Liu Tong’en had fought his way in, he couldn’t protect everyone against the Black Armored Guards and the suburban camp troops outside.
If Emperor An died, the court would descend into chaos.
Blood would flow through the capital, and the Xie family’s throne would likely be handed to another. The imperial clan, including Prince Ji, would be the first to be hunted down and eradicated.
Prince Ji turned sharply to Liu Tong’en, shouting: “Shut your mouth! When has Lord Xiao ever been a traitor?”
Liu Tong’en retorted: “He brought men to force the palace and injured His Majesty…”
“Silence!”
Prince Ji’s voice was fierce, his glare at Liu Tong’en sharp with authority:
“Everyone in this hall knows Lord Xiao acted out of filial duty to clear his father’s name and seek justice for the wronged souls of the south. His momentary lapse in offending His Majesty was out of desperation. His Majesty, in his magnanimity, has already issued an edict pardoning today’s actions. I and others heard it and signed as witnesses. Who dares call Lord Xiao a traitor?”
Liu Tong’en’s face changed. How could His Majesty have issued such an edict?
He looked to Emperor An, but the emperor remained silent. No one in the hall contradicted Prince Ji, leaving Liu Tong’en feeling the situation was absurd.
Was His Majesty mad?!
Seeing he had silenced Liu Tong’en, Prince Ji looked up at Xiao Yan: “Lord Xiao, tonight’s events unfolded abruptly. Commander Liu, in his zeal to protect His Majesty, was unaware of the hall’s circumstances, leading to this misunderstanding. Now that it’s cleared up, don’t act rashly and do something you’ll regret.”
Seeing Xiao Yan unmoved, Prince Ji softened his tone, pleading earnestly:
“Your actions are rooted in loyalty and righteousness, aimed at clearing the names of those wronged. But if you kill His Majesty today, outsiders will only say you used past grievances for personal gain.”
“Then, let alone Third Master He, even the wronged souls of the south may never find justice. Is that what you want?”
Xiao Yan’s hand paused.
General Yin stepped forward gravely: “Xiao Yan, as a son of the He family, you know what kind of man Lord He was. In his lifetime, he served the nation and its people. He would never want his bloodline to plunge the realm into chaos and war, nor would he want the He family to be branded as eternal sinners.”
Xiao Yan sneered: “The He family’s name is already infamous, branded as rebels and exterminated. What reputation is left?”
“But you are not!”
General Yin met his gaze firmly, his aged face resolute.
“You’ve stood before us today, likely not just for He Wenzhuo but for the entire He family. If you truly intended to rebel and overthrow the Wei dynasty, you wouldn’t have waited for Cui Lin and others to scheme against you before acting.”
Xiao Yan’s face remained expressionless: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You do.”
General Yin looked straight at him, his conviction unwavering.
“You’ve been at His Majesty’s side for years. If vengeance was your only goal, you could have ended him with a single stroke long ago. But you didn’t. You targeted the Lu family and waited until today. You brought troops to surround the palace not for His Majesty’s life but to clear your father’s name and restore the He family’s honor.”
“But if you harm His Majesty, your goal will become impossible!”
Xiao Yan’s expression faltered, his lips tightening as his face darkened.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Cao Dejiang stepped beside General Yin.
“Lord Xiao, I know you harbor resentment, but Commander Liu’s actions truly have nothing to do with His Majesty. Eunuch Feng has admitted he acted on his own, bringing that man in, which caused the earlier incident. Commander Liu’s words were not at His Majesty’s behest.”
“His Majesty just promised not to pursue today’s events and issued an edict before all these witnesses. He will not go back on his word and become a base man who breaks promises.”
“Release His Majesty, let Commander Liu withdraw his men, and let today’s matter end here. His Majesty will surely investigate the events of twenty years ago, uncover the truth of the Rongjiang massacre, and deliver justice to all who were wronged.”
Xiao Yan lowered his gaze to Emperor An.
The emperor’s lips trembled as he looked at the sword tip inches away, whispering: “I will keep my promise…”
“I want you to investigate the He family’s past.”
“The He family’s crimes were decreed by the late Emperor…”
The sword tip inched closer, and Emperor An quickly amended: “Fine, I will order a thorough investigation into the He family’s rebellion. If there was any injustice, I will ensure justice for them.”
“Truly?”
“A ruler’s word is no jest.”
Xiao Yan stared at Emperor An for a long moment before saying coldly: “With General Yin and Duke Cao’s assurances, I’ll trust His Majesty one more time. I only hope Your Majesty remembers your words…”
As he withdrew his sword, Feng Lai scrambled to Emperor An’s side.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, are you alright?”
Emperor An, feeling Feng Lai’s trembling hands, whispered: “I’m fine…”
“Lord Xiao, it’s late. These Black Armored Guards…” someone ventured quietly.
Xiao Yan lowered his gaze: “I will take them with me.”
He stepped down from the platform, the Black Armored Guards parting around him.
Xiao Yan walked to Tang Ning and extended his hand: “Let’s go.”
Tang Ning hesitated, feeling the weight of the hall’s gazes, some shocked, some dawning with realization, others scornful yet enlightened. But she didn’t waver, placing her hand in Xiao Yan’s and letting him lead her from the seats.
Rong Yue sighed softly and followed.
She knew that after today, Tang Ning and Xiao Yan were irrevocably bound, and even she herself was now tied to the He family’s name.
The three, escorted by the Black Armored Guards, headed toward the hall’s exit.
Emperor An watched their retreating figures, gripping Feng Lai’s arm tightly. Humiliation, shame, and disbelief churned within him.
A grand emperor, reduced to such a state, forced to yield repeatedly, his crown sliced off, his hair in disarray, his body a mess. Once Xiao Yan left the palace today, his imperial dignity would be in tatters. Who would respect him henceforth? What authority would he have left?
Recalling how he had once valued Xiao Yan, how he had thought Song Tang Ning was just a naive girl, and how they had repeatedly deceived him, Emperor An’s jaw clenched, his head throbbing with pain. After the terror, the suppressed rage and itching agony spread through his limbs, nearly shattering his reason.
As Xiao Yan and Liu Tong’en passed each other, nearing the hall’s exit, a dull drumbeat sounded outside, accompanied by a sharp, urgent whistle arrow piercing the air.
Emperor An froze, then his face lit with joy before darkening as he shouted downward:
“Liu Tong’en, kill Xiao Yan for me!!”
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