Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 422: Palace Upheaval (4)

"All right, time is up. It seems the Emperor is very reluctant to prove his identity with a body examination, so I, Marshal Hou Wei, can only take forceful measures!" Fearing a change, Hou Wei hurried to resolve the situation at hand, even if Dugu Chen arrived, he could not just watch a eunuch take over the lands.

"Don’t you dare!"

"You have no say in this!" Hou Wei waved his hand, and the Imperial Army swarmed forward, while Jiang Zheng led a charge. The two sides began to clash with swords and knives in Jinluan Hall, and the ministers outside took the opportunity to flee in chaos.

Dugu Han, with a cold gaze, watched the chaos below. Looking towards the side hall’s entrance, still no sign of Eunuch Shi, he sighed and slightly shook his head. The corners of his mouth curved into a self-mockery smirk as he greedily gazed at the golden Dragon Throne below. Looking up at the grandeur and majesty of the great hall, he sneered, waved his hand, and in an instant, dozens of black-clad figures appeared by Dugu Han’s side and rushed towards the attackers.

"Your Majesty, you should retreat first. Let your subordinates clean up here quickly, and it will not be too late for Your Majesty to come back," Zhuisu anxiously advised the Emperor, worried about the Imperial Army who were seeing red in their killing frenzy.

Dugu Han shook his head, still firmly seated on the Dragon Throne, reflecting on his year as Emperor, like a dream behind a curtain. Only after waking did he realize that he was just a passerby.

More and more people filled the initially spacious hall, with ministers hiding at a corner, some even trying to run outside the palace. Unfortunately, they were ultimately stabbed through the heart and died on the spot.

Seeing his forces dwindling and unable to hold back the increasingly numerous Imperial Army, a frantic Zhuisu urged the Emperor: "Your Majesty, it’s time to take refuge in Prince Mei Residence. If we don’t leave now, it will be too late!"

Dugu Han looked back at Zhuisu, who had been by his side for many years, with a clear mind: "You go ahead. I am already useless. The Dugu family’s realm must not be destroyed in my hands. Even at the cost of my life, I won’t let Dugu Hai take over."

"Wherever my master is, there I shall be," Zhuisu knelt on the ground, resolute.

In Prince Mei Residence, Dugu Chen held the freshly received intelligence and laughed coldly. He looked at Huang Yi holding the battle robe he hadn’t worn for three years, stretched out his hand to touch the cold and hard armor. A boiling sensation ran through his blood as if something fierce inside him was vehemently calling out.

Feng Xuxu was seeing his battle robe for the first time, taking the heavy armor from Huang Yi’s hands. She helped her lord dress, one garment at a time, finally tying the red cloak around his neck.

"Go, my lord, I have the Prince Residence under control."

Dugu Chen held Feng Xuxu’s hand tightly, leaving a gentle kiss on her cheek, and looked deeply into her eyes: "Wait for me to return."

She smiled and nodded emphatically: "The child and I will wait for your return."

Dugu Chen mounted his horse, his fiery red cloak rising with the wind, a vision of imposing heroism. Squeezing the horse’s belly lightly, the magnificent steed understood its master’s intent, exhaling steaming breaths, gently trotting, and then slowly running ahead, with Huang Yi and others closely following.

After bidding Dugu Chen farewell, Feng Xuxu commanded everyone in the residence to shut the main gate tight. She patrolled the courtyard, and at last, she looked at the rare flowers and plants that she had planted around the walls upon her return to the residence. Gazing at the beautiful pale blooms, Feng Xuxu smiled. This was the ’Fairy Umbrella’ capable of numbing the senses. Even a hint of its scent could cause immediate unconsciousness. No matter how advanced one’s martial arts were, without her antidote, one could only wait for death to come.

Xuan Yue rode back covered in blood. After reuniting with his master, he led the few remaining forces from Demon Forest and a thousand-strong Iron Cavalry Army towards the Imperial Palace.

The deputy commander guarding the palace gate saw the black flag fluttering in the wind with the prominent red letters spelling "Iron Cavalry Army" and was greatly alarmed. He ordered the palace gates shut promptly and ran back in panic. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Marshal, Prince Mei is leading the Iron Cavalry Army here, and they have already reached the palace gates," Fen Qingqiang, a deputy under Hou Wei, rushed into the grand hall, found Hou Wei, and reported with a bow.

Hou Wei’s brows furrowed tight, observing the Emperor at his wit’s end. He knew he could not allow Prince Mei to intervene at this critical moment or it would all be ruined.

"Close the palace gates tightly, and under no circumstances allow Prince Mei’s Iron Cavalry Army to enter. Just hold on for one more hour. Then, let Dugu Han abdicate and summon Prince An to ascend."

"Yes, I’ll arrange it immediately," said Fen Qingqiang, bowing and sprinting out to gather the Imperial Army from the palace to rush toward the palace gates and intercept the Iron Cavalry Army.

Prince An, upon hearing of Prince Mei’s arrival, was very anxious. He hastened up the stairs and, from a few meters away, fixed a fierce stare upon Dugu Han: "Quit your meaningless resistance. Issue the edict quickly and cede the throne to me. I can still allow you to live freely as a prince. If not, don’t blame me for being merciless, and sending you on your way. "

Dugu Han laughed at the anxious Dugu Hai: "Hahaha, I never thought you could be afraid? Ceding the throne to you is nothing but a fool’s dream."

"You... Humph, still so stubborn even when death is at hand," an enraged Dugu Hai, trembling, pointed at Dugu Han, his chest heaving wildly, eyes filled with hatred.

"Bring me Dugu Han’s head, and the reward is ten thousand taels!" An angry Dugu Hai shouted, and the crowd below, hearing of the reward, changed their direction of attack, surging towards Dugu Han on the Dragon Throne.