Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu were chatting and laughing. The old emperor didn’t stay long at Lu Xian’s wedding banquet before leaving, with the Northern Princess naturally following.
Most guests at the banquet merely sighed at how powerful the Lu family was. For a young lord’s wedding to have the emperor attend – what great favor this showed!
After sending the old emperor off, Lu Yun remained unmoved. The Prince of Chen thought for a moment and ordered more people to follow: “Protect His Majesty.”
Lu Yun’s eyes flickered. He thought Liu Shu was kind-hearted. Knowing tonight wouldn’t be peaceful, he feared something would happen to his father and sent more guards. But unfortunately… Lu Yun guessed that with the Northern Princess present, the emperor would… Sure enough, when Lu Yun observed, the guards returned awkwardly to report to the Prince of Chen: “His Majesty scolded us thoroughly, suspecting you of monitoring him. His Majesty forbade us from following.”
Liu Shu: “…”
He was momentarily speechless. The old emperor’s lack of political acumen once again shocked this prince’s understanding.
Lu Yun let out a soft laugh behind him.
Liu Shu turned around, suspecting Lu Yun had already predicted this situation. He warned in a low voice: “Don’t, do anything rash, he is, the emperor, South Nation’s, foundation.”
Lu Yun looked particularly innocent: “What, are you trying to control what I’m thinking? What does it matter what I think?”
However, with someone like Lu Yun, whatever he thought about had a way of easily becoming reality, so Liu Shu couldn’t help but overthink. But because of Liu Shu’s previous forging of an imperial edict to help Lu Yun, although the emperor outwardly forgave him, deep down he had developed some thoughts about this son. To the point where now Liu Shu’s good intentions were interpreted by the emperor as “wolfish ambition.”
Liu Shu felt utterly helpless, but the emperor’s existence was too important, he had to…
Lu Yun spoke carelessly: “When someone doesn’t appreciate your kindness, why bother with the wasted effort? Do too much and they’ll suspect you covet their throne, treating you like a thief to guard against.”
“Ah Man, doing too much leads to more mistakes. Now it’s your turn.”
Liu Shu was secretly startled. Based on his understanding of Lu Yun, he didn’t think Lu Yun’s words were meant to comfort him. Rather, he felt Lu Yun was guiding him in a certain direction… The beautiful young lord frowned, his eyelashes trembling, his eyes beneath them wavering as he pondered what Lu Yun wanted to do.
He hadn’t yet guessed Lu Yun’s purpose when, under the celebratory music and blessings of the wedding banquet, violent tremors shook the ground. The invited guests panicked, stumbling and falling from the earth’s shaking. At the same time, from somewhere unknown, intermittent explosive sounds came from all directions.
Everyone was immediately terrified—
“What’s happening? What’s going on? Where did something happen?”
“Ah, don’t run! Someone stepped on my hand!”
The Lu family’s young lords and servants remained composed. Despite their racing hearts, they all came out to calm the crowd. Particularly the servants, who knew nothing and only maintained order at the wedding banquet. But the Lu family’s young lords knew more or less what Lu Yun and Lu Xian were planning to do. They kept looking back, sending people to find Lu Xian in the newlywed chambers while scanning the crowd for Lu Yun.
Under the thunderous explosions, Luo Lingyu remained unafraid.
She had originally been standing with the women, leisurely heading to the bridal chamber to visit the new bride, Princess Ning Ping Liu Tang. Her husband Lu Yun was talking with Prince Chen, and after the two said something, Lu Yun’s ears twitched and he suddenly turned to look for someone. In the dim lantern light, Lu Yun immediately spotted the graceful figure of the young woman. His expression solemn, he strode over quickly.
The ladies standing with Luo Lingyu watched in surprise.
They saw Lu Yun walk over, approaching the equally confused Luo Lingyu. Lu Yun reached out, his hands covering her ears. He spoke, his voice like clear mountain spring water: “Hold onto me.”
Though confused, Luo Lingyu obediently reached out and, under everyone’s watchful eyes, embraced him, burying herself in her husband’s arms.
The women’s eyes showed various emotions – admiration, melancholy, and even jealousy. Before they could express these feelings, the ground’s tremors and distant explosions arrived in waves. While the women fell screaming, covering their ears and ducking from the noise, their faces pale, only Luo Lingyu remained in Lu Yun’s embrace, her ears covered by his hands. He stood straight as a pine tree, his warm palms protecting her, letting her hear only his steady, firm heartbeat.
Though chaos erupted around her, it seemed distant. Her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars on waves, her eyelashes trembling lightly. As she looked up at him, her heart suddenly calmed, feeling Lu Yun’s tenderness toward her.
Luo Lingyu lowered her head, a slight smile appearing at her lips: with such a wonderful Xuechen brother… even if her second brother’s wedding appeared more grand, she no longer envied it.
The couple’s tender moment stood out amid the chaos, but after a brief moment, Liu Shu came over with short, urgent words: “Third Lord, let’s go!”
Outside, the chaos had begun. Servants surrounded the Lu residence like a protective spoon, not allowing any banquet guests to leave. Large troop movements and running servants could be seen in the torchlight, making everyone realize something had happened.
At this moment, Lu Xian rushed out from the bridal chamber in his wedding clothes, panting. He caught his breath and came to Lu Yun and Liu Shu: “It’s, it’s started, right?”
“Yes,” Lu Yun pushed Luo Lingyu toward Lu Xian, indicating she should stand behind him. “Second brother, mobilize the private army to protect the Lu family. Don’t let anyone here leave. If enemies attack, the Lu family’s private army will be your solid backup.”
As he spoke, the other Lu family young lords came over: “Third Lord (Third Brother)…”
Lu Yun remained composed: “The rest follow me and Prince Chen outside. We don’t know the enemy numbers, we’ll split our forces to fight!”
Everyone nodded. Lu Xian was stunned for a moment. He had thought Lu Yun would consider his dream and let him go out to fight. Unexpectedly, he was to remain and protect the residence…
Lu Yun glanced at Luo Lingyu.
He wanted to say something, but held back, showing slight hesitation. The young woman who had been pushed behind Lu Xian curved her lips in a smile: “Don’t worry husband, I’ll help Second Brother.”
“…Don’t help too eagerly,” Lu Yun thought of Lu Xian’s dream where Luo Lingyu miscarried, his heart racing as he guessed that might happen tonight. He couldn’t help but instruct her, “Lingyu, take care of yourself first.”
Luo Lingyu was stunned briefly before quickly understanding. She smiled and nodded. The couple shared one last look before Lu Xian remained behind while the other young lords followed Lu Yun and Prince Chen toward the manor gates.
“What’s going on?” Seeing many Lu family young lords leaving the manor, the banquet guests became anxious. “What exactly happened, why won’t you let us leave? Is the Lu family trying to hold us hostage?”
Lu Xian snapped back to attention and hurried to comfort the guests and explain.
The women’s side was equally chaotic. After watching Lu Yun leave, Luo Lingyu returned to the brightly lit area. The bridal chamber was decorated festively and elegantly. The new bride had already put down her fan and stood nervously beside her mother-in-law, Lady Lu.
When Luo Lingyu entered the room, Old Lady Lu and the other women quickly sent maids to invite her over.
After calming the women, Luo Lingyu left the room to find the outdoor courtyard still in chaos. The private army maintained control while Lu Xian laboriously explained one by one, but with more explosions outside, the Lu family’s decision to prevent people from leaving seemed to make everyone more anxious.
Someone shouted: “What do our lives matter to you? Let us go! Not letting us leave, what exactly is the Lu family plotting?!”
Lu Xian tried to reason gently: “Outside there’s fighting…”
“Well said,” Luo Lingyu walked over, standing behind Lu Xian and smiling politely at the red-faced guest while nudging Lu Xian. “Why must Second Brother stop people from leaving? If guests want to leave, let them. Our Lu family can’t keep people prisoner.”
Lu Xian exclaimed urgently: “Sister-in-law!”
Ignoring the kind-hearted Lu Xian, Luo Lingyu nodded to those clamoring to leave, her smile gentle. She was courteous and polite – where Lu Xian wouldn’t let people leave, she had the private army step aside and graciously saw guests out of the Lu residence. The guests were confused by her attitude and hesitated. While some still wanted to leave, others no longer mentioned going.
Seeing some guests actually leaving, Lu Xian said unhappily: “Cousin, what are you doing? Is this how Third Brother instructed you?”
Luo Lingyu snorted, unconcerned: “Second Brother, you’re keeping people from leaving out of kindness, but they think you’re holding them hostage. Better to let them go see the situation themselves. Those capable enough can safely return home, lightening our burden; those without capability will slink back and thank us. Win-win.”
Lu Xian: “…”
He sighed: “Cousin, you…”
Have so many little schemes.
…
While Lu Xian and Luo Lingyu helped settle the rear court of the Lu family, the large and small streets of Jianye City were filled with Northern soldiers disguised as refugees. They initially set fires throughout the city, inciting chaos everywhere. The Capital Prefecture’s patrol troops noticed first, but when they went to suppress it, the Capital Prefecture received word that the residence of Prince Zhao was on fire and needed the Prefecture’s troops to help extinguish it.
The Capital Prefect hesitated, not wanting to offend either side, and could only split his forces. With this division of troops, the Northern soldiers disguised as refugees seemed to multiply, overwhelming the Prefect’s forces, showing complete disregard!
Under the bright moon and sparse stars, it was a perfect opportunity to capture Jianye! No weak point could be overlooked!
But these enemy forces only seized the initial advantage. Soon, they met their true opponents – the real fighting forces under the Grand Marshal, led by Prince Chen!
Large numbers of troops had been stationed throughout the city, hiding in alleys, quietly waiting for this night!
Liu Shu, Lu Yun, and the other young lords split up, their forces dividing to engage the enemy forces hidden in the streets and alleys. Weapons clashed with icy glints like needles, while overhead the clouds moved rapidly across the bright moon.
The enemy forces grew desperate: “Brothers, attack! We have no chance to retreat!”
Lu Yun remained calm: “Hold firm. Block their escape routes.”
Lu Yun’s long eyebrows pressed down over his eyes: “Someone count their numbers, see if they match the previous refugee records of missing people.”
Liu Shu stuttered, though fortunately military orders were brief. He coordinated with Lu Yun, and under their concise commands, directed the army to surge forth searching for trapped enemy forces. With enemy forces disguised as refugees attacking Jianye, Liu Shu’s brows furrowed, feeling he had overlooked something—
These enemy forces, though numerous, did they really think they could capture Jianye without inside help?
Unless… unless… they had inside help, or their target wasn’t here.
Liu Shu suddenly exclaimed: “Not good!”
Lu Yun raised an eyebrow as Liu Shu shot him a cold look. Liu Shu had no time to blame Lu Yun, his robes fluttering as he brushed past. Liu Shu turned back, leaving in great haste: “Quickly! Search for the emperor, His Majesty! Find His Majesty!”
The order was crystal clear!
Lu Yun felt regretful that Liu Shu had figured it out. Hmm, but the time should have been delayed enough…
As Liu Shu left with his troops, Lu Yun remained to command the battle. Lu Yun: “Continue. Count heads! Kill!”
Standing at the rear commanding troops, the young lord’s expression between his brows was cold and unmoved. His thoughts differed from Liu Shu’s. Liu Shu had no ambition for the throne, so he always acted with careful retreat, seeking only stability, not achievement; but Lu Yun didn’t want Liu Shu to keep retreating like this.
Step by step backward would only lead to being eliminated like a sick cat.
Rather than eventually having to take the path of rebellion, better to pave a grand road from the beginning!
…
The night stretched endlessly long. The Capital Prefecture’s forces were delayed, arriving late, as too many things had happened at Prince Zhao’s residence tonight.
Leading troops in fierce battle, Lu Yun moved his forces and gave new orders: “Contact Prince Chen, find His Majesty!”
If they could find the emperor before Prince Chen and kill that troublesome old man, this situation would become more interesting.
…
After leaving the Lu residence, the South Nation’s emperor didn’t linger long before getting in his carriage to return to Taichu Palace in grand procession. Unexpectedly, dark clouds covered the moon and sudden changes erupted!
The road ahead was blocked, and the imperial procession encountered enemy forces. Enemy soldiers jumped out from alleys on both sides, charging toward the emperor’s procession. The procession captain shouted loudly, but the other side acted as if they hadn’t heard, directly attacking and killing!
“Ah—” Screams rang out endlessly!
Northern soldiers: “Catch that dog emperor, don’t let him escape!”
The old emperor panicked, hurriedly leaving his carriage, protected by eunuchs as they fled. Along their escape route, escorts and eunuchs kept falling. Hidden in an alley, after the last eunuch fell dead, with pursuing footsteps continuing behind, the old emperor’s hands shook violently in fear. Disregarding imperial dignity, the old man panted with each step, sweating profusely. From behind came a woman’s cry for help: “Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Wait for your consort…”
The old emperor barely remembered his consort from the Northern Kingdom, and though inwardly cursing the trouble, he slowed his steps slightly. The old man steadied himself against a wall with one hand while carefully beckoning behind him: “Come here… ah you!”
His beautiful, young consort did come. Not only did she come, but the Northern Princess led the way, her sleeves flowing like clouds as she brought large numbers of Northern troops to meet the Southern emperor.
The Southern emperor was horrified and turned to run, but behind him, a youth in gray martial robes jumped down from the wall! The youth descended like a fierce tiger from the mountain, majestic and extraordinary. His sword slashed down like splitting mountains and rivers, the momentum magnificent as he cut off the old emperor’s escape route.
He held his sword across the old emperor’s neck.
Yue Zihan spoke coldly: “Come with me.”
With a wave of his arm, the troops behind him followed, escorting him out of the city with the old man. The Southern emperor was easily captured, inviting the world’s ridicule. The old man’s face turned purple with rage as he was dragged by the youth like a sack being tossed about. He cursed loudly: “Whore! You whore! To think I trusted a whore like you…”
The Northern Princess listened coldly to the old emperor’s voice growing distant, giving a cold laugh.
Just an old man…
She turned, but suddenly froze, her blood running cold. Because in the dim blue night light of the alley behind her, Lu Yun stood there.
The Northern Princess stammered: “You… saw His Majesty…”
Lu Yun: “What His Majesty? I saw nothing. Someone capture this princess! Send people to Taichu Palace to ask why this princess hasn’t returned yet, why His Majesty isn’t with this princess.”
The Northern Princess: “…”
After a moment of confusion, she understood. Lu Yun wasn’t rushing to save the emperor, or rather… he hoped the emperor would die. What he was rushing to do was find a scapegoat for tonight’s events.
…
Lu Yun had successfully delayed time again for the enemy forces to take away the old emperor. Yue Zihan and the refugees fought fiercely, charging straight toward the city gates. After fighting at the gates with half their forces lost, they took the dazed old emperor out of the city.
The old emperor roared: “Release me! Someone, save me—”
The cold wind howled, a chill piercing through to the heart. In the vast city of Jianye, fires burned everywhere and battles raged, yet no one came to save His Majesty. The old emperor grew increasingly despondent as Yue Zihan took him out of the city, knowing his hopes were diminishing.
He would likely become South Nation’s shame.
Suddenly, earth-shaking tremors approached from afar. Yue Zihan and the Northern troops who had captured the old emperor looked up to see an army vast as fallen stars, riding iron horses across rivers, approaching from the distance.
Yue Zihan’s eyes gradually narrowed, his grip tightening on the old emperor.
Though the old emperor’s eyes were dim with age, he still managed to make out what he saw and became excited: “It’s my South Nation’s army, it’s my South Nation…!”
He abruptly fell silent as the two armies faced each other. The old emperor recognized the general leading the troops – a youth with brilliant presence looking down from horseback – it was Prince of Hengyang, Liu Mu—
The brothers faced each other, one old and frail, one still in his youth.
As if time had turned back, the late emperor’s dilemma appeared again before them: for the throne, should he choose the eldest son who had gained the support of noble families, or the youngest son he favored most?
…
Many years had passed. When the younger son was repeatedly harmed by his elder brother, faced with his brother in danger, would he save him or watch coldly? When even the old emperor’s own son was plotting against him, how would the Prince of Hengyang Liu Mu choose?
The old emperor’s heart filled with despair!
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