Chapter 375: Chapter 373: Noble Consort Zhang, Decapitated on the Spot
The teacher had taught her and Lu Ying since childhood that language holds power.
To those in higher positions, it can easily manipulate hearts, yielding the greatest returns with minimal investment.
Lu Ying excelled at using this to his advantage. By leveraging public opinion, he labeled Huo Yuling’s march into the Capital with troops as coming to the Emperor’s aid. In this way, what was obviously a coup to seize the throne was reframed as loyal service in defense of the Emperor. He had secured the title of righteousness, so even when storming the Imperial Palace, no one could openly fault him.
The Haitang blossom pinned in the girl’s hair seemed somewhat withered in the night, while the gold tassels by her ears swayed gently with the carriage’s rapid motion.
She lifted the curtain and gazed at the retreating streets and figures outside. Her pale, delicate face was as cold as snow, and her Dan Feng eyes were filled with a distant haze.
The carriage finally arrived at the South City Gate.
The defending soldiers had surrendered quickly. By now, the Huo family’s banners fluttered all across the city walls.
A few Imperial Guards were gossiping with enthusiasm:
"That Zhong Qianjun was crowned the most formidable Martial Champion just a few years ago. They say he could lift cauldrons and had fought countless matches without defeat in the Capital. The Holy Emperor personally stationed him at the North City Gate to defend against the northern troops. But can you guess what happened? That deposed Crown Prince suddenly descended from the sky, and after no more than twenty exchanges, he decapitated Zhong on the spot in full view of everyone!"
"I also heard that the deposed Crown Prince wielded only a wooden sword! Good lord, his skills are terrifying!"
"Thank goodness our General surrendered quickly. Honestly, what’s the point of resisting at this stage?"
"..."
Their chatter abruptly halted when one of the Imperial Guards noticed a carriage from the Prince Mansion of Su poised in front of them.
Smiling obsequiously, he stepped forward and greeted, "Humble greetings to the Princely Heir!"
Lu Jiazhe pulled the curtain aside, his handsome face taut as he scolded, "Since you know it’s me, the Princely Heir, why haven’t you cleared the way? I’m heading out of the city to hunt. If I’m delayed, I’ll hold you personally accountable!"
He was younger and had always been playful and mischievous, often gathering companions to sneak out for midnight hunts. This time he thought it would be just as smooth.
Inexplicably, the Imperial Guard looked distressed and said, "Your Highness, it’s not that I don’t want to let you through, but there’s an order from above. Other than farmers, merchants, and travelers, no officials or their families are allowed to pass in or out of the gates. If I let you leave, I’d likely lose my head..."
"Nonsense! If you don’t open the gates now, I’ll take your head myself!"
"Your Highness, please spare your anger! This is truly orders from the top, and I have no choice..."
As the situation deadlocked, Shen Yinning subtly tugged at Lu Jiazhe’s sleeve.
Lu Jiazhe, fuming, leaned in through the carriage door and vowed, "Sister Shen, just wait—I’ll find a way to get you out today!"
"It’s useless."
Shen Yinning was unusually calm.
Since Lu Ying had issued such strict orders, the Imperial Guards, valuing their own lives, would never agree to let them leave.
She couldn’t tell whether Lu Ying was guarding against Lu Zhengliu fleeing or against her escape.
Lu Jiazhe let the curtain fall in quiet frustration, his shoulders slumping as he muttered, "Sister Shen, it’s all because I’m useless..."
Shen Yinning patted his head. "It was my betrayal of Lu Ying, not your fault. Besides, during his time of disgrace, I eliminated Shen Yan and used his head to honor my father and brothers. That alone has brought me immense satisfaction. Ah Zhe, I don’t regret dragging him down myself. As long as he stayed in that position, I would never have had a chance to settle scores with Shen Yan."
A cool breeze stirred the curtains, carrying in the morning’s first light.
Shen Yinning calmly ordered the driver, "Return to Shen Garden."
Dawn had arrived.
After a night of intense battles within the Imperial Palace, rivers of blood had been spilled.
Lu Yu and Lu Zhengliu had refused to surrender. They had mobilized twenty thousand of the palace’s Imperial Guards in resistance. Yet, they were no match for Lu Ying. Of the twenty thousand, those who didn’t surrender had either died or were gravely wounded. Blood stained the white marble steps and courtyard bright red. Even the Haitang blossoms were drenched in a red so vivid it seemed to drip off their petals. By daybreak, flesh clung still to the branches, and viscous blood dripped slowly from the tips of the leaves.
Palace attendants, heads bowed, scrubbed the blood from the palace and brought in pots of fresh peonies to replace the Haitang blossoms that had been drenched in blood.
In just one hour, the entire palace was restored to its pristine splendor, as though the previous night’s coup had been nothing but a fleeting nightmare.
Qixiang Palace.
"Your Majesty..."
Noble Consort Zhang clung tightly to Lu Yu’s side, her delicate, beautiful face starkly pale as she kept glancing anxiously at Lu Ying, who stood in the hall.
Though a dozen loyal Imperial Guards still shielded her and Lu Yu, and Lu Ying was alone, she knew the palace outside was filled with his men. At his command, they would rush in and slay her.
Lu Yu’s face darkened with rage. Seizing a Jade Ruyi, he hurled it toward Lu Ying’s head. "You beast! This is treason!"
Lu Ying turned his head slightly, dodging the Jade Ruyi.
The Jade Ruyi shattered upon hitting the ground, its golden chime plunging the hall into silence.
After a pause, Lu Ying said coldly, "Father Emperor was coerced and threatened by Sixth Brother; that’s why he made the absurd decision to depose the Crown Prince. But it’s alright. Sixth Brother has now been captured by this son and is confined in an annexed hall nearby."
"Lies!" Noble Consort Zhang’s voice trembled as she extended a hand adorned in Enamel Armor, accusing Lu Ying. "You only lost your title because you coveted a minister’s wife. How dare you slander your brother like this!"
Lu Ying ignored her, casting her only a cold glance.
That glance was utterly frigid, as though Noble Consort Zhang had already been consigned to death.
Terror surged within her as she instinctively withdrew her hand, yet she couldn’t help but recall Lu Ying’s mother, Empress Huo.
Empress Huo, born of a military lineage, possessed both extraordinary beauty and an unyielding temperament.
Yet, for women within the harem, the last thing they needed was an unyielding temperament.
For instance, she had always been gentle, understanding, and radiant—traits that had easily won the Emperor’s affection.
She believed that with the Emperor’s love, her position in the palace was secure, and her son would become the Crown Prince. Thus, she had never spared a thought for Empress Huo or her child.
Back then, she had ruthlessly tormented Empress Huo, driving her to an early death. It resulted in Lu Ying being reduced to the most neglected of Princes.
Who would have expected the one she trampled beneath the mud to claw his way back?
Lu Ying...
Surely, he had come to exact vengeance for his mother?
Overwhelmed by dread, she clung to Lu Yu, imploring sweetly, "Your Majesty, he’s glaring at me..."
Lu Yu tenderly stroked her head before shooting a murderous glare at Lu Ying. "Rebellious wretch! Disloyal, lawless, and unfilial! How could I have fathered such a son? The Noble Consort has always treated you like her own. Is this how you repay her?"
Lu Ying offered no defense.
Standing straight and resolute, he spoke word by word: "Noble Consort Zhang, you bullied the Empress, ensnared the Emperor, plunged the palace into chaos, and instigated the rebellion of Prince Duan. Guards, seize her and execute her immediately."
As his words fell, several loyal guards, armed to the teeth, stormed inside.
Noble Consort Zhang’s eyes widened in terror. Watching the Imperial Guards around her fall one by one, she realized only too late that Lu Ying truly intended to kill her!