The Crown Prince couldn’t help but feel a panic rising in his heart, sensing the chill closing in on his body, causing him to shiver all over.
In that flash of a moment, the sound of weapons clashing reached the Crown Prince’s ears, and he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Listening to the clang of weapons clashing nearby, the Crown Prince’s heart finally calmed down.
"Your Highness! Are you all right? I arrived late, please forgive me!" An apologetic voice called out, and immediately someone began to untie the ropes binding the Crown Prince from behind.
A sword sliced through the ropes, and the cloth covering his eyes was pulled away by someone, making the Crown Prince quickly close his eyes, as the sudden light was particularly dazzling.
His body, because of being bound for a long time, was not agile. His legs and arms couldn’t move, and he couldn’t muster any strength.
"Not early, not late, you’ve had it tough!" The Crown Prince was truly a bit dissatisfied because if they’d been a step later, his blood would have splattered on the spot.
But he also knew that the person could rush to save him and was already doing his utmost.
"Is General He Chaoguang’s arrangement handled?" The Crown Prince roughly pacified before asking about his prior arrangements.
"Everything is arranged, though Taihe Palace was surrounded, it did take some effort," Deputy Commander Bai Guan replied very respectfully. As an official on the Crown Prince’s side, he had made considerable achievements this time, and a promotion was just around the corner.
As long as the Crown Prince successfully ascended the throne, his achievements would not be forgotten. Thinking of this, an excitement flashed in his heart.
"Your Highness! Let me help you up!" Bai Guan supported the Crown Prince, appearing even more respectful in demeanor.
The Crown Prince was assisted to his feet, and on the other side, the sound of fighting seemed to continue unabated. After a few moments, the Crown Prince’s eyes adjusted to the light, and he slowly opened them.
Before him, a person in a eunuch uniform was engaged in fierce combat with several guards, "Is this the person who bound me here?"
The eunuch, due to being besieged by several people, was gradually losing ground, his responses becoming increasingly flustered. The Crown Prince scrutinized the person’s features and confirmed that he did not recognize him.
There were so many eunuchs in the palace, it was impossible for him to know each one. Besides, perhaps this person, for convenience, had disguised himself as a eunuch.
"It is indeed him, but he is just an errand boy. To know who is pulling the strings behind the scenes, we need to capture him first," said the deputy.
The Crown Prince nodded, seeing the person was unsuspecting and took a sword blow, finally easing his mind.
"Although we didn’t manage to draw out the mastermind this time, we still gained something. It wasn’t in vain that I took this risk. Let’s go! On such a day, how could it proceed without me?"
The Crown Prince let out a cold laugh, leading the way.
...
"Prince, it’s not good! Our men have been surrounded by General He Chaoguang’s forces." A soldier suddenly rushed into the Guangning Palace, reporting to Prince Gong.
"What happened?" Prince Gong frowned, looking towards Lu Chen inside the hall.
Lu Chen was equally surprised, as everything had been progressing smoothly before he came here. He had already arranged to curb He Chaoguang, so how could he appear in the palace at this moment?
"Where is Vice General Xiao? Wasn’t he sent to stop He Chaoguang?" Lu Chen shouted to the soldier.
"Vice General Xiao was not seen! I saw these soldiers with blood on them, presumably after some fierce fighting, Vice General Xiao..."
Lu Chen’s face darkened. How could He Chaoguang be guarded against Xiao Hanjing? Xiao Hanjing had always been deeply trusted by He Chaoguang, yet at this critical moment, He Chaoguang countered Xiao Hanjing.
No good! Lu Chen suddenly felt a chill, "Prince, this place is no longer safe, we must leave the palace immediately!"
Of course, Prince Gong knew that something was amiss. Although Xiao Hanjing was only a vice general, holding some military power, he couldn’t stand against He Chaoguang.
Moreover, since he hasn’t shown up by now, it’s likely something has happened to him. Prince Gong looked at everyone present, seeing the Third Prince still indifferent as if it had nothing to do with him, and the Fourth Prince seemed soaked in the sorrow of losing a friend.
The other ministers, needless to say, had retreated to the corners with panic written all over their faces.
Looking at the Empress, Prince Gong couldn’t help but snort. Her eyes were filled with mockery and sarcasm as if saying he was daydreaming.
A feeling of resentment welled up in Prince Gong’s heart, unwillingness! Reaching this point, how could he be willing?
Just one step, just one step and he would be the ruler of the world.
"Does the Empress think He Chaoguang is the Crown Prince’s man? How ridiculous, he may not be here to save you and the Crown Prince at all."
Prince Gong sneered and then ordered Lu Chen, "Have Pei Shu retreat quickly, proceed with the second plan."
"Yes!" Lu Chen didn’t even spare Prince Jing a glance before turning and leaving the hall.
"What do you mean by this? The Crown Prince has always valued General He, how could he be a rebel? Don’t try to sow discord, do you think I would believe it?"
The Empress hearing Prince Gong’s words couldn’t help but feel a tinge of doubt, though outwardly she would never admit it.
"Believe it or not, it’s up to you!" Prince Gong glanced sidelong at her, his eyes filled with contempt.
Seeing Prince Gong speak so assuredly, the Empress’s doubts grew stronger.
"Let’s go! We still need the Empress to accompany us for a trip!" Knowing that the situation was beyond saving, Prince Gong realized he must capture the Empress to safely leave the palace.
The Empress was their legitimate mother, no matter who was acting like the perching bird, she couldn’t die, at least not in front of everyone.
"How dare you do this? I am your legitimate mother." Watching as Li Chang An had someone place a sword against her neck, the Empress finally lost her composure, her heart filled with shock and anger.
"Heh! Legitimate mother?" Prince Gong sneered, his gaze shifting to the others present.
"Prince, what about these people?" Li Chang An looked at Liao Wu and Prince Jing, his eyes filled with malevolence, causing a tightening sensation in Prince Jing’s heart.
"Big brother, I dare not act rashly. With my sickly constitution, brother doesn’t trust me anyway?" Jing Prince’s face darkened, his pale lips tightly pressed, a smug smile appearing on his face.
"You sickly? Who knows if you’ve truly been sick all these years? To eliminate weeds, you must remove the roots. Don’t blame big brother for being ruthless, killing you ensures no future trouble!"
Prince Gong narrowed his eyes slightly, regardless of who was acting like the perching bird, his competitors for the throne were fewer the better. Kill one, one less threat.
Since he blatantly rebelled, the court naturally couldn’t tolerate him. If it weren’t for having a fallback plan, today would certainly be a bloody battle.
Prince Gong glanced around the lavish Guangning Palace, he still had a chance for a comeback, it wasn’t a fight to the death.
"Strike!" With Prince Gong’s command, Li Chang An swiftly drew his sword, causing Prince Jing’s heart to tremble.
Liao Wu frowned slightly, his right index finger subtly arched, and several Imperial Guards behind Li Chang An quickly gripped their sword hilts.
"Hold on!"