GTB Chapter 233

Chapter 235: Bloodless Victory

Inside the room, Shí Yǎn informed Emperor Yue An of the situation at court in detail. Emperor Yue An wasn’t too surprised. Although he was initially unable to speak or move, he could hear and see, so he knew he was under house arrest.

Shí Yǎn, who was already prepared and only waiting for the opportune moment, spent the entire night writing incessantly.

One letter after another was sent out, all in preparation for the court session the next day. He wanted to ensure everything was foolproof, a bloodless victory.

The next day.

During the early morning court session, Shí Xiū was discussing the enthronement ceremony with the Minister of Rites when a voice announced, “The Emperor has arrived!”

Shí Xiū’s pupils constricted sharply, and he looked in shock at the person walking in. His puzzled gaze fell on Shí Yǎn beside the Emperor, but his eyes were still full of doubt.

“Fath… Father Emperor?” Shí Xiū rose from the Regent’s seat, his voice betraying a hint of panic. There was no way his father’s illness could have suddenly healed. He had visited him yesterday and found nothing amiss. How could he be standing before him today?

More importantly, he had ordered Jì Huáizhōu to keep the Chengqian Palace under tight guard. How did his father manage to get out unnoticed?

Even with Shí Yǎn’s capabilities, it would be impossible to bring the Emperor out from under the noses of the Imperial Guards.

Thinking of this, he subtly glanced at Gù Chángxuān at the lower end of the court and then cast a glance at a nearby eunuch.

The eunuch, seeing this, quietly retreated, all happening quickly but not escaping Shí Yǎn’s eyes.

However, Shí Yǎn didn’t stop him. After all, he had endured until now. It would be a waste not to cleanse the court thoroughly.

Emperor Yue An sneered, “Don’t call me Father Emperor. I don’t have such an unfilial son as you.”

Shí Xiū suppressed his confusion and walked up to Emperor Yue An, respectfully bowing and replying, “Father Emperor, please don’t listen to slander. How have I been unfilial?”

Emperor Yue An glanced coldly at Shí Xiū, ignored him, and walked forward. Turning to face the assembled officials, he looked at Shí Xiū and said in a majestic and cold voice,

“Imprisoning me, colluding with the former Crown Prince to usurp the throne as Regent—is that not unfilial?”

Shí Xiū not only didn’t panic in the face of Emperor Yue An’s accusations but instead calmed down. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said,

“Father Emperor, you misunderstand. I wasn’t imprisoning you. Commander Jì is your man, and I don’t trust anyone else, so I ordered him to protect your safety.”

“As for being Regent, that was also a last resort. Second Brother is licentious and immoral, Fourth Brother is devious, and although First Brother is capable, he is unfortunately disabled.”

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Shí Yǎn beside him. “As for Seventh Brother, he was gallivanting around with the Crown Princess while Father Emperor was seriously ill and the government was busy. How can someone who only cares about personal relationships become the ruler of the land? Therefore, I reluctantly took on this responsibility.”

After Shí Xiū finished speaking, a low chuckle from Shí Yǎn echoed through the court.

Shí Yǎn stepped forward, turned his head to look at Shí Xiū, and said mockingly, “I don’t have the foresight that Fifth Brother has. How would I know that Father Emperor would fall ill as soon as I left the capital?”

As he spoke, he acted as if he were humbly seeking advice. “It seems Fifth Brother is not only proficient in medicine but also capable of foreseeing the future. Why doesn’t Fifth Brother teach me?”

Shí Yǎn’s words caused everyone in the court to lower their heads and ponder. Some who had been deceived naturally sensed the hidden meaning in Shí Yǎn’s words.

Shí Xiū remained silent and instead looked at Emperor Yue An. “Logically, Father Emperor’s illness shouldn’t have suddenly healed. Let me take your pulse.”

Just as he finished speaking, the Empress’s voice came from outside the hall, “Because this person is an imposter.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the court looked towards the entrance of the hall.

The Emperor’s illness had indeed healed suddenly, and they hadn’t heard a word about it. How could he suddenly be as if nothing had happened?

However, it was hard to say for sure. After all, the Emperor’s illness had also appeared without warning.

“Impudence! Who gave you the courage? How dare you say I am not me? Then tell me, who am I if not me?”

Jiāng Jiǔchè stepped out of the ranks and looked at the approaching Empress, asking, “This is clearly the Emperor. We can all see it clearly. How can the Empress speak such blatant lies?”

“Yes! This is clearly the Emperor.” The majority of the courtiers, even those who had previously been uncertain, stepped forward to agree.

After all, the person was standing right in front of them. Could his appearance and voice be fake? Besides, Shí Yǎn’s ability to bring the Emperor safely to the court demonstrated his capability.

The Empress walked up to the crowd. “I just came from the Qianqing Palace after visiting the Emperor. The Emperor is resting well in the Qianqing Palace. How could he be here?”

A hint of determination flashed in her eyes. Now that things had come to this, what she needed to do was take control of the situation here. After that, she could say whatever she wanted.

She looked towards the outside of the hall and ordered Jì Huáizhōu at the entrance, “Commander Jì, arrest the imposter pretending to be the Emperor.”

Jì Huáizhōu remained silent and respectfully stepped into the hall, reporting, “Reporting to the Empress, the Emperor is not an imposter.”

The Empress sneered. She had guessed that there was definitely a problem with Jì Huáizhōu. She glared at Shí Xiū, secretly cursing him as a useless piece of trash.

Fortunately, she had made preparations. She raised her hand. “Men, Seventh Prince has found someone to impersonate the Emperor. Quickly seize them both for me.”

However, as soon as she gave the order, after a burst of swords being drawn outside the hall, everything instantly returned to calm.

The Empress’s faction sensed that something was wrong. As they were about to resist, they saw a wave of people wearing yellow jackets rushing in. At Shí Yǎn’s signal, they arrested all those who questioned the Emperor.

Seeing this, just as everyone was feeling astonished, they heard one of the old ministers exclaim in surprise, “This is actually the late Emperor’s Hidden Dragon Guard.”

These words shocked everyone in the hall. Shí Yǎn was actually able to mobilize the long-dormant Hidden Dragon Guard.

Shí Xiū looked at Shí Yǎn with a gloomy expression, his voice cold. “Shí Yǎn, aren’t you afraid that my men will storm the palace, leaving blood everywhere?”

“Heh… Your men? Are you talking about your General Yuan or General Sun?”

“If it’s General Yuan, he is currently being controlled by the Marquis of Zhenbei. If it’s General Sun, then there’s even less hope. He’s very busy right now, eliminating those you’ve deployed inside and outside the palace for me.”

The Empress and Shí Xiū’s faces turned pale upon hearing this. They didn’t understand. It was clearly an obvious victory, so how had they lost so completely without even a sound?

It was one thing for Jì Huáizhōu to temporarily change his mind, but even General Sun, whom they had always trusted, had defected to Shí Yǎn.

Emperor Yue An glanced at Shí Xiū and the Empress, his eyes without any hesitation, and directly ordered, “Take the Empress and Fifth Prince to the Heavenly Prison.”

After he gave the order, he looked at Shí Yǎn with satisfaction. He had thought that he was his biggest bargaining chip. It turned out that his son had already prepared everything and achieved a bloodless victory.

……..

“Miss, Miss, a notice has been posted outside the palace gates, stating that the Empress and Shí Xiū have rebelled and have been taken to prison.” Lǜ Luó ran into the Crabapple Courtyard and towards the stone table.

Jiāng Jiǔchū paused with the ledger in her hand and looked up at Lǜ Luó, who had run up to her, asking in surprise, “Taken to prison?”

She was shocked. Yesterday, her father and older brother had gone to court as usual, without any sign of this.

“Yes! And it’s not just the two of them. It’s such a long notice…”

Lǜ Luó gestured with her hands as she spoke, “It also lists the names of many courtiers, all of whom have been sent to the Dali Temple to await trial.”

Just as Lǜ Luó finished speaking, Shí Yuánchén and Xiāo Lì appeared at the entrance of the Crabapple Courtyard.

“Seventh Sister-in-law…” Shí Yuánchén had just opened his mouth when he was scolded by Xiāo Lì beside him:

“Hey, watch your words. What Seventh Sister-in-law? Jiǔchū is not your Seventh Sister-in-law now. Don’t call her that randomly and affect Jiǔchū’s search for her next love.”