novelden Chapter 180 New Year's Eve Palace Coup
Chapter 180 New Year's Eve Palace Coup
"Sister?" Xia Li looked surprised.
"what happened?"
"As far as I know, you've never been in a relationship, right? How could this be..."
"Since ancient times, men have been unreliable, and women should have the heart of Mulan. Rather than supporting others' lofty ambitions, it is better to strive to be the one who reaches the top."
Xia Li: "..."
Ninth Prince, now I finally understand why you two treated each other with such respect for so many years in your past life, yet you didn't have a child.
I reckon Nangong Jing never won the beauty's heart!
However, she also agreed with Zhao Jihua's opinion that it was more reliable to rely on oneself than to place one's hopes on others.
The three of them immediately returned to the capital.
Fortunately, the Third Prince was busy with important matters and did not want to cause a commotion, so they returned home safely.
……
Three days later, on New Year's Eve.
The palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, with large red lanterns hanging high.
Unlike previous years, this year's royal banquet allowed ministers to bring their families, and the hall was filled with lively chatter and laughter.
The Third Prince, Nangong Yixuan, had no interest in appreciating the lively scene.
He sat in his seat dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, his face cold and stern, his eyes occasionally sweeping over the surrounding crowd as if searching for something.
His subordinate, the captain of the guards, dressed in black, followed behind him with a solemn expression.
"Your Highness, everything is ready," Zhao Yu asked in a low voice.
Nangong Yixuan nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the dancers gracefully moving in the center of the hall, and said in a low voice:
"Proceed according to plan, and take action immediately at midnight."
The guard clenched his fist, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Yes, Your Highness. This time we must succeed and make those who look down on you pay the price!"
Nangong Yixuan sneered: "Hmph, those people have always suppressed me by relying on the Crown Prince's power. Today is their death day."
As the two were talking, a palace maid walked by carrying wine.
Nangong Yixuan frowned slightly and gestured for the guards to be quiet.
After the palace maid had gone far away, he continued, "Remember, act quickly. Take control of the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Anyone else who resists, kill them without mercy!"
A hint of hesitation flashed in Zhao Yu's eyes: "Your Highness, wouldn't this be too..."
"What? Are you scared?" Nangong Yixuan looked at Zhao Yu with icy eyes.
Zhao Yu quickly shook his head: "This subordinate dares not, but... after all, they are of royal blood. Would doing this cause public outrage?"
Nangong Yixuan snorted coldly: "Public resentment? Once I ascend the throne, the people of the world will naturally support me. Besides, they forced me to do this; I had no other choice."
Zhao Yu gritted his teeth: "Yes, Your Highness, I understand."
Just then, a melodious tune suddenly rang out in the hall.
Everyone turned to look at the stage, only to see the Emperor and Empress entering.
Everyone quickly bowed.
The emperor smiled and asked everyone to take their seats, saying, "Today is New Year's Eve, a time for family reunion and joy. Please don't be so formal."
A barely perceptible killing intent flashed in Nangong Yixuan's eyes.
The Empress Dowager went mad, and the Second Princess suddenly died. The Emperor lifted her up high and gently put her down.
They even took this opportunity to accuse his mother's clan of corruption and wiped out his mother's clan, the Bai family.
Which family in Beijing isn't corrupt?
That dog emperor deliberately wanted to cut off his own arm.
He even pretended to be grateful for their time as husband and wife, retaining his position as Empress while stripping himself of his position as Crown Prince!
That's a really good use of a soft knife!
However, at this moment, a series of murmurs arose from the surroundings, all praising the Emperor's deep and unwavering affection for the Empress.
"Indeed! You know, even though the Empress's maternal family was found to have committed serious corruption, a crime that could bring the entire family to ruin, the Emperor did not implicate the Empress in the slightest."
"What is even more astonishing is that when the Empress unfortunately went mad, the Emperor did not show any disgust. On the contrary, he still gave her the dignity she deserved and respected her as always."
Such deep affection and friendship is truly rare in this world!
"It is said that their love moved even the heavens, and the Empress has returned to normal a few days ago."
"My God, that's truly a blessing from God."
"..."
Everyone was deeply moved and spread the story far and wide.
Nangong Yixuan roared inwardly, "That's not true! He knew that his mother was crazy and wouldn't cause any trouble, so he didn't punish her, making people think that he was such a kind, benevolent, and compassionate king!"
You've all been fooled, you bunch of idiots!
The Empress Dowager's recovery was not due to divine intervention. In fact, it was because the person Nangong Yixuan brought back from Miao territory recognized that the Empress was under a spell and cured her.
"Hmph, tonight will be your doomsday," he thought to himself.
Before long, the Empress led the group of women to Kunning Palace under the pretext of admiring the flowers.
The group took their seats in Kunning Palace, enjoying tea and chatting in a seemingly harmonious atmosphere.
Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind the screen, and then a group of imperial guards surged out like a tide, their gleaming swords instantly pressed against the necks of the women.
In an instant, a chorus of exclamations erupted within the Kunning Palace. The women were terrified, their faces pale and trembling with fear.
"Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?" Zhou Xianya asked, trying to appear calm.
The Empress sat regally on her phoenix throne, her expression cold and stern. She spoke slowly, "Today, my son, the Third Prince, is about to launch a palace coup. All of you, do not move. If you cooperate obediently, I will naturally not make things difficult for you. Otherwise…" She flicked the blade of a guard's sword beside her, her tone slow, "This sword… is rather unforgiving."
Upon hearing this, everyone was terrified, and some of the more timid women even began to sob quietly.
In this tense atmosphere,
Zhao Jihua suddenly stood up, moved with lightning speed, snatched the sword from the guard behind him, and swiftly slit his throat.
"In my entire life, I have never been truly threatened by anyone!"
With a confident and spirited air, she declared loudly, "Ladies, do not be afraid! The Empress and the Third Prince merely intend to use us to keep the officials of the previous dynasty in check, preventing them from truly harming us. Otherwise, the ministers of the previous dynasty would surely fight the Third Prince to the death, and they cannot bear the consequences!"
Zhao Jihua's words were like a shot in the arm, gradually calming down the panicked women.
The crowd began to whisper among themselves, their confidence growing, and they were no longer so afraid of the Empress's threats.
Zhou Xianya and Zhou Xianjing followed suit, turning the tables on the Imperial Guards behind them: "We've never been threatened like this before!"
Upon seeing this, everyone immediately decided to fight back and kill the Imperial Guards.
What a joke! Who among us is not of noble status? How could we possibly suffer such an injustice?
The scene immediately descended into chaos.
Upon seeing this, the Empress was immediately enraged.
She drew her sword with a "whoosh," pointed it at Zhao Jihua, and said fiercely, "You ignorant brat, how dare you ruin my plans! Today, even if I have to kill one or two as a warning to others, I will not hesitate!"