You Rong arrived outside Zhang Zhuhe’s residence with his men.
From the outside, many of Lin Chenrui's hidden guards were indeed ambushing the residence, which made You Rong frown.
Judging by the enemy’s numbers, there were at least fifty to sixty people, while he had brought only ten. If a fight broke out, their chances of winning were too low.
After careful consideration, You Rong decided to sneak into Zhang Zhuhe's residence alone, retrieve the item, and leave immediately, trying to avoid alarming the hidden guards outside.
You Rong gestured to the men behind him. They understood and moved to his side, asking in low voices, "Young Master, the Commander said we are all at your command. Please, just give us your orders!"
You Rong nodded. "I will infiltrate the mansion alone. You will provide support outside. Once I retrieve the item, we will leave at once! Remember, even if we are discovered by the hidden guards, we must not engage in prolonged combat. We must escape as quickly as possible!"
The ten men in black, form-fitting attire responded in unison, "Yes! Young Master, we understand!"
After clearly explaining, You Rong circled Zhang Zhuhe's mansion, observing its layout. He found a blind spot in the guards' line of sight and, with a powerful leap, entered the compound.
Following the information Zhang Zhuhe had provided, You Rong easily located Zhang Zhuhe's study and gently pushed the door open to enter. Su Dan Novel Network.
He fumbled to light a candle, holding it as he approached the box Zhang Zhuhe had mentioned. He opened the box and found the letters at the very bottom, just as Zhang Zhuhe had described.
You Rong compared them carefully, and finding no discrepancies, he tucked the letters into his chest. Then, he tiptoed out of the study.
You Rong returned the way he came. As he leaped over the outer wall, over twenty hidden guards quickly surrounded him.
You Rong met their gazes. Before he could even react, the guards drew their swords and charged at him.
You Rong's eyes sharpened. Without a hint of hesitation, he drew his waist sword and engaged in a fierce battle with Lin Chenrui's hidden guards.
The commotion of the fight here alerted You Rong's men who were not far away. The ten men rushed over, fighting their way through, and reached You Rong's side.
You Rong decisively commanded, "Head to the right! Once we mount our horses, we will go directly to the palace!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
The group fought with decisive action and, for a moment, truly managed to break free from the guards' encirclement. Reaching where their horses were tied, they quickly mounted and, with a shout, galloped towards the palace.
The hidden guards were left behind. The lead guard issued an order, "Notify the Second Prince immediately," and then led most of his men in pursuit.
You Rong and his group rode for about two quarters of an hour, shaking off the pursuers behind them. Seeing that they were not far from the palace gates and thought they could finally relax, they were instead met by over a hundred hidden guards blocking their path.
"Whoa—" You Rong tightened the reins, bringing his horse to a halt. The ten men behind him also stopped.
From not far behind, the sounds of other hidden guards in pursuit could be heard. They were now trapped with no escape.
You Rong gritted his teeth, his gaze sharp.
This was the only chance to clear his father's and their You family's name! He absolutely could not lose!
You Rong tightened his grip on the reins with one hand and raised his long sword with the other, shouting sternly, "Kill!"
The two sides engaged in a brutal fight without a word, each blow aimed at taking the opponent's life.
You Rong, mounted on his horse, swung his sword, killing three hidden guards directly. However, they were outnumbered. His horse was cut down by a hidden guard, and he tumbled from the saddle. Inadvertently, a guard’s sword wounded his shoulder.
You Rong clutched his shoulder and stumbled back a few steps, barely dodging the cold gleam of several long swords from the hidden guards.
Despite being injured, You Rong showed no fear or trepidation. He steadied himself, raised his sword, and once again engaged in a fierce battle with the hidden guards.
He could not lose!
For his father, for his mother, for the innocence of over a hundred members of their You family!
And for Lin Qinghe…
Lin Qinghe's face flashed in You Rong's mind, and a more resolute light ignited in his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he endured his injured body and continued to fight the hidden guards with all his might.
But the disparity in numbers was too great. Even with You Rong and his men’s skilled combat, they gradually fell into a disadvantage.
He and the ten men were surrounded by the hidden guards, all bearing injuries of varying degrees.
One man, panting heavily, asked, "Young Master, what do we do? We're surrounded!"
You Rong gritted his teeth. "Keep fighting! As long as I stand, I will never give up!"
"Yes! We will defend you to the death, Young Master!"
A moment of silence passed between the two sides, and then they resumed their fierce combat.
You Rong's men were losing strength and spirit, thinking they could not hold on any longer. Suddenly, they heard the urgent sound of galloping horses from behind, accompanied by Nangong Jie's sonorous voice: "Imperial Guards, hear my command! Arrest the rebels! Those who resist shall be executed!"
"Yes, Commander!"
Nangong Jie arrived with over a thousand Imperial Guards, surrounding the hidden guards. The situation immediately reversed. Despite the hidden guards' tenacious resistance, they were all captured.
Nangong Jie dismounted and walked quickly to You Rong's side, helping him up. "You Rong! Are you alright? How is your injury? I..." Nangong Jie's expression changed drastically upon seeing the wound on You Rong's shoulder. "We must get you to have it bandaged immediately!"
You Rong, however, shook his head and said firmly, "Uncle Nangong, my injury is not serious. I have obtained the evidence Zhang Zhuhe mentioned. Let's go to the palace immediately!"
"But your injury..."
"It's fine! We must go to the palace now. Lin Chenrui must have found out something. We cannot delay!" You Rong stated resolutely.
Nangong Jie felt that You Rong's words held truth. After a moment of thought, he nodded in agreement. "Alright! We will go to the palace now to seek an audience with the Emperor!"
You Rong nodded, completely disregarding the injury on his shoulder. He quickly remounted his horse, urged it forward with a kick, and rode towards the Southern Gate of the palace.
Upon entering the palace, it was still the Mao hour (5-7 AM). The sky had not yet brightened. You Rong and Nangong Jie, along with Zhang Zhuhe, Jing Ziyue, and other key generals of the You family army, knelt uniformly outside the Hall of Heavenly Purity.
"We have urgent matters to report to His Majesty. We implore His Majesty to rise and grant us an audience!"
Inside the Hall of Heavenly Purity.
The Emperor was awakened by the noise outside. He sat up, his eyes half-closed, and asked confusedly towards the outside, "Someone, what is that noise outside? What has happened?"
A small eunuch hurried in and knelt before the Emperor's bed, saying urgently, "Your Majesty, Commander Nangong, Eunuch You, General Zhang, and Minister Jing, along with many other officials, are kneeling outside, stating they have urgent matters to see Your Majesty and implore you to grant them an audience."
The Emperor frowned, remained silent for a moment, then got up from his bed and said gravely, "Help me out there."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Emperor walked out of his sleeping quarters and saw the crowd kneeling outside the hall. Among them was You Rong, covered in blood. His brow furrowed deeper, and he asked in confusion, "You are kneeling here, saying you wish to see me. What is the matter?"
You Rong looked up, straightened his back, and met the Emperor's gaze. He spoke each word with great emphasis, "Your Majesty! This servant accuses the Second Prince, Lin Chenrui, of slandering this servant's father, You Jiang, of colluding with foreign enemies and plotting rebellion. The evidence is now conclusive. I implore Your Majesty to restore my father's reputation!"