Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 420: Palace Upheaval (2)
"Tell Xue Wuheng to go to the north garrison and keep a close watch on Hou Wei’s troops, and report back at any time."
"Yes, Master." Tian Yi also withdrew.
"Xuan Yue, keep an eye on the confidant that Hou Wei brought back from thirty miles away. Likewise, pay close attention, and if there is any abnormal behavior, lead the people from Demon Forest to eliminate them directly."
"Yes, Master." Xuan Yue took the order, mounted a fast horse, and rode out of the villa directly.
"Di An, go to our camp outside the city and tell Deputy Commander Wang to be ready for battle at any time."
"Yes, Master."
After issuing a series of orders, Dugu Chen sat quietly in his study for a while, then looked up at his wife seated in a chair.
"My lady, I’m afraid we’ll have to return to our residence earlier than planned." He walked over, picked up Feng Xuxu from the chair, and said with a look of dejection.
She looked up at her husband and shook her head, "As long as the four of us are together, it doesn’t matter where we go." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
"Yes, together forever."
At dawn, the gates of the Summer Villa were opened, and two carriages took advantage of the rising sun to leave the villa.
After returning to his residence from the farmstead, Hou Wei had been in his study for most of the night, surrounded by discarded papers. Finally, after writing a few sentences, he called to his attendant, "Take this letter and deliver it into the hands of Prince An personally. Remember, it must not fall into anybody else’s hands."
"Yes, Marshal." Wang Lin secured the letter and rode a fast horse from the residence straight to Prince An’s western fief.
After a peaceful ten-plus days, in early September, a few days past the start of autumn, Dugu Chen, who had originally planned to go to his fief, delayed his departure. Since receiving a secret letter from Feng Qing last night, he pondered over it and still let himself return to the Capital City to observe Hou Wei’s actions. If Hou Wei was to press the palace with armed forces, then Dugu Chen would have no choice but to act.
Three days later, Prince An secretly returned to the capital. At this moment, Dugu Han, sitting on the Dragon Throne, was also informed of this news. His fingers, resting on the throne’s arms, slowly clenched together, and flames of desire shot from his eyes as he looked down from his high position at the ministers below and parted his thin lips, "Without my decree, Prince An’s secret return to the capital suggests an attempt at rebellion, a coup d’état, and moreover..."
"Your Majesty, that is an unfounded accusation." Prince An Dugu Hai, wearing a four-clawed purple dragon robe, strode into Jinluan Hall.
Dugu Han looked at Dugu Hai coldly, then glanced at the person behind him, and Eunuch Shi nodded and withdrew.
"All vassal kings must not return to the capital without my decree. This has been decreed since the time of our ancestors. Anyone who returns to the capital privately shall be judged as committing treason." Dugu Han’s authoritative voice filled the hall.
After listening, Prince An did not show panic but instead burst into boisterous laughter, causing confusion among the ministers.
"Prince An, this is Jinluan Hall. Before the presence of your sovereign, you neither kneel nor pay homage but instead laugh outrageously. You’re showing contempt for His Majesty. By law, you ought to be executed." The Prime Minister glared angrily at Prince An, frustrated to see him return to the capital without the Emperor’s summons, showing no remorse, but acting even more insolently.
Just then, Hou Wei also entered the hall, looking at the Prime Minister coldly with a hint of mockery on his lips, "His Majesty? Prime Minister, why don’t you ask whether he’s worthy of being the Emperor?" He stretched out his hand, pointing to the high and mighty Dugu Han seated on the Dragon Throne.
"Impudent! The Emperor is the legitimate heir and personally decreed by the former emperor. How is he not worthy? Every word you utter is rebellious. Are you planning to revolt?" The Prime Minister, seeing Hou Wei appear in the hall in armor, unlike his usual court dress, was inwardly alarmed.
Dugu Han coldly observed the two subordinates, his gaze constantly scanning the side palace door, anxious in his heart but maintaining an impassive face.
