“What is the Shang family, anyway? Since when did the Dragon Court Guards become your private property?”
Back then, Shang Zhonglin only gained control of the Dragon Court Guards because of the Great Ancestor’s trust. And now, the Shang family treats the Guards as if they belong to them alone?!
Shang Qin, his mouth full of blood, was in too much pain to speak.
Fu Yue cursed, “I’ve been fed up with you for a long time. Shang Zhonglin himself was just one of those ‘lowly commoners’ you sneer at. He only rose to prominence because the Great Ancestor saw something in him and brought him into the military. Yet you’ve forgotten that just three generations back, your Shang family was nothing but dirt-digging peasants.”
You really thought that after a few days as a general, you’re above everyone else, treating the lives of commoners as worthless!
Xiao Yan glanced at the furious Fu Yue, ignoring Shang Qin writhing on the ground, and said, “General Guo, I leave Shang Qin to you. How you handle him is up to the Dragon Court Guards. As for the others, please take charge and lead them out of the capital for now.”
Guo Linyi understood but hesitated as he glanced at the men who had followed Shang Qin in storming the palace. “And them?”
“Them?”
Xiao Yan looked at the uneasy Dragon Court Guards, pausing briefly before continuing, “His Majesty is gravely ill, and the Crown Prince is overseeing matters in the palace. For now, I’ll handle military affairs. The Dragon Court Guards are all elite soldiers; it would be a pity to lose them over a moment of folly.”
“Here’s my proposal: those who conspired with Shang Qin tonight and ignored the Dragon Jade Seal must be severely punished. But those who were unaware and are willing to confess and accept punishment can be pardoned and sent back to the northwest to fight Beiling, redeeming their crimes through merit.”
Guo Linyi immediately turned to the men. “Why aren’t you thanking Supervisor Xiao?”
The men saluted in unison, “Thank you, Supervisor Xiao!”
Someone stepped forward, gagged Shang Qin, and dragged him away. Only then did Xiao Yan turn to Fu Yue. “General Fu, with General Guo handling the Dragon Court Guards here, you’ll need to accompany me to the palace to report on the matter of entering the capital.”
Fu Yue nodded, hefting his two massive axes and stepping to Xiao Yan’s side.
Xiao Yan then looked at Yu Yanfeng. “Commander Yu, take your men to secure the palace gates. Send others to assist Marquis Wenxin and the Capital Patrol in calming the citizens and preventing anyone from taking advantage of the chaos. Jinyun, go with Commander Yu. If anyone dares to stir trouble in the capital, kill them!”
“Yes, Supervisor!”
“Yes, Supervisor Xiao!”
After Jinyun and Yu Yanfeng accepted their orders, Xiao Yan turned to Di Tao. “How are you holding up?”
Di Tao was in pain all over, but meeting Xiao Yan’s gaze, he instinctively straightened his back, clutching his spear. “Of course I can manage.”
Xiao Yan chuckled. “Then take some men to assess the casualties in the four suburban camps. Also, apprehend the culprits who colluded with Liu Tong’en earlier, causing chaos at the palace gates and leading to heavy losses among the Forbidden Army and the four camps.”
Di Tao perked up. “Dead or alive?”
Xiao Yan replied, “Injured or crippled is fine, but don’t kill them. I still have use for them.”
Di Tao grinned. “Easy enough. Don’t worry, Uncle, I’ll handle it.”
Xiao Yan patted his shoulder and turned. “General Fu, let’s go.”
…
The earth-shaking explosion at the palace gates left everyone in the Zichen Hall on edge, staring anxiously outside, fearing that Xiao Yan and his men wouldn’t be able to suppress the “rebel army.” If anyone broke into the palace, they’d all be doomed.
Tang Ning’s lips were tightly pressed together, her knuckles white from clenching her fists.
After what felt like an eternity, a commotion stirred outside. She quickly looked up and saw a young eunuch running in, face alight with excitement, dropping to his knees with a thud.
“Your Highness, the Dragon Court Guards have retreated! The traitor Shang Qin has been captured by the Forbidden Army, and Supervisor Xiao has returned!”
The Crown Prince’s face lit up. “Truly?”
“Truly! Supervisor Xiao is bringing General Fu Yue, a deputy general of the Dragon Court Guards, into the palace. They’re almost at Zichen Hall now.”
“Excellent! I knew Supervisor Xiao could resolve the crisis in the capital!”
Up on the dais, the Crown Prince beamed with joy, and the others in the hall shared his relief. Some of the noblewomen even shed tears of gratitude.
Tonight’s palace banquet had been fraught with turmoil, first Xiao Yan’s forced entry, then the Dragon Court Guards’ siege of the city. For most in the hall, the fact that the crisis had been resolved peacefully, without bloodshed flooding the streets, was a stroke of fortune.
People like Qian Baokun and Cao Dejiang joined in the celebration, and the upright courtiers also showed their joy. But for the aristocratic faction, the relief of surviving was overshadowed. Looking up at the Crown Prince on the dais and thinking of Xiao Yan, who was about to enter the palace with the Tiger Tally and control of the military, their smiles froze, unable to muster any joy.
“Tang Ning, this is great…”
Qian Qiyue was practically dancing with glee, her face beaming. But then she noticed the ashen faces of some in the crowd and squeezed Tang Ning’s hand. “Look, that old geezer’s about to faint from fright.”
Tang Ning followed Qian Qiyue’s gaze and saw the Cui family looking as if they were attending a funeral. Even Liang Guangyi and other aristocratic courtiers had grim expressions.
Tang Ning’s face remained cold as she lowered her eyes, shifting her gaze to the hall’s entrance. Soon, she saw Xiao Yan approaching with a tall, robust man in heavy armor.
Brother…
Catching Xiao Yan’s glance, Tang Ning’s eyes curved slightly.
Xiao Yan’s lips lifted in a faint smile as he nodded to her before continuing forward.
The Crown Prince hurriedly descended from the dais to personally greet him, his enthusiasm palpable. “Supervisor Xiao, are you unharmed?”
“Thanks to Your Highness’s concern, I am fine.”
Xiao Yan made a gesture to bow, but the Crown Prince stopped him, and he straightened up naturally.
“The traitor Shang Qin led troops into the capital, claiming to serve the emperor while plotting rebellion. He defied imperial orders and attempted to storm the Forbidden Palace. I have apprehended him. However, the Dragon Court Guards were deceived into believing they were acting on palace orders when they attacked the city.”
“Two deputy generals of the Dragon Court Guards realized something was amiss and assisted me in capturing the traitor, earning great merit. I’ve brought one of them, General Fu Yue, to meet Your Highness. The remaining Guards are being led out of the capital by the other deputy, General Guo Linyi, to avoid further alarming the citizens.”
Fu Yue slammed his axe into the ground. “I, Fu Yue, pay my respects to Your Highness.”
The burly man in armor exuded a fierce aura, and where his massive axes struck the ground, faint cracks appeared.
The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered, but he quickly put on a warm smile. “I’ve long heard of General Fu’s renown. Please, rise.”
Fu Yue raised an eyebrow.
Since Shang Qin took over the Dragon Court Guards, Fu Yue hadn’t fought a proper battle in years. He’d occasionally led troops in secret to kill Beiling barbarians, but to avoid Shang Qin’s wrath, those deeds rarely reached the capital. How could this newly appointed Crown Prince know of his “renown”?
The Crown Prince smiled and continued, “Just moments ago, I was worried about the crisis outside. Thanks to a valiant general like you assisting Supervisor Xiao in capturing the traitor, the capital has avoided disaster. For such merit, my father and I will surely reward you handsomely later.”
Fu Yue’s expression remained neutral, but inwardly he scoffed.
This Crown Prince had no trace of the demeanor befitting an heir. The Dragon Court Guards, though “deceived” into entering the capital, had undeniably left the northwest without orders and nearly stormed the palace, causing countless casualties among the Forbidden Army and city troops.
Yet the Crown Prince didn’t question their crimes or probe their reasons. Instead, he praised Fu Yue’s merit and promised rewards…
Flattery, hypocrisy, and empty promises.
Not a single thing about him was impressive!======================
You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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