King Lu's Palace
The sky was dark and gloomy, as dark clouds hung over the palace. The eunuchs and palace maids all had uneasy looks on their faces, as they walked with fear.
"You guys go this way." Eunuch Liao had a cold smile on his face as he spoke, "It's only been a few days, and there's someone who's rebelling."
Since King Lu had retreated and news of his defeat had spread far and wide, several eunuchs and palace maids had run away with their treasures. This was a huge slap to eunuch Liao's face, as he laughed sinisterly.
"You guys follow me this way." Eunuch Liao ordered in a low voice. Behind him, tens of soldiers were already holding onto their swords.
Reading Heart Hall
A eunuch walked in and saw rows upon rows of bookshelves. The shelves were filled with books, and the table was filled with ink and brush. To the right of the table was an ancient cauldron.
Seeing that there was no one around, he didn't dare to touch the table. He then saw a porcelain bottle in the corner of the room and stuffed it into his robes. Just like a woman, he looked around cautiously. Seeing that there was no one around, he started to sneak away.
These days, many eunuchs had run away, saying that King Lu had been defeated. This eunuch started to think. Even if the items within the palace were common items, they could still be sold for a good price outside.
"Hu!" He heaved a sigh of relief as he walked out of a small door that wasn't guarded by anyone. Just as the eunuch was about to leave, a voice rang out, "Capture this traitor!"
The eunuch froze and turned around, only to see a group of soldiers pouncing on him and capturing him.
"I've been wrongly accused. I, I only went out to visit my family." The eunuch spoke out and wanted to explain himself. However, the leader of the group laughed coldly, "Save your words for eunuch Liao."
When the eunuch heard this, his legs started to tremble. He wanted to beg for mercy, but realized that he couldn't say anything. Cold sweat started to bead on his forehead.
Announcing Flower Hall
Even though the army had been defeated, there were still hundreds of soldiers patrolling the area. At this point, the entire area was filled with tension. Dozens of eunuchs and palace maids were tied up, their faces were flushed red with anger.
"I'll go in and report this to His Majesty." As Eunuch Liao spoke, he turned around and walked into the hall. When he entered the hall, he saw King Lu seated on his throne. He looked extremely desolate.
"Your Majesty, a few days ago, there was a report that some eunuchs had fled with their belongings. After investigating today, there were indeed quite a few of them. They have all been captured, please punish them, Your Majesty."
Ever since King Lu was defeated and lost Chen Prefecture, there was a sense of hopelessness in the air. Many officials reported sickness and returned home. Some even fled with their entire families.
It was the same for the inner palace. There were several tens of people who had been captured and were awaiting King Lu's judgement.
When King Lu heard this, he squinted his eyes, "Bring him in for me to take a look. Do these people think that I'm about to die? That's why you can deceive the emperor? "
"Bring them in," ordered Eunuch Liao. In the blink of an eye, these people were brought in. Over thirty eunuchs and palace maids were kneeling on the ground, their faces pale. They were surrounded by a group of soldiers, their auras biting cold.
King Lu took a look and realized that there were a few familiar faces among them. They were old men who had been in the palace for a long time. He was so angry that his face turned white. Now that he was in control of two prefectures, he didn't expect these people to betray him. They deserved to be killed.
Thinking about this, the anger that he had been suppressing for the past few days surged forth. He slammed the cup in his hand onto the ground and glared at them, "The few of you here are old men who have served in the palace. I have always valued you. My monthly allowance is several times that of others. When have I ever mistreated you? Are you going to betray me now? "
Hearing King Lu's words, one of the eunuchs started kowtowing, "This servant was confused. Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Please forgive me!"
"You haven't told me why you want to escape. I would like to hear what you have to say. "King Lu glared at them as he spoke, suppressing the anger in his voice.
These eunuchs were staring at King Lu as they started kowtowing, knocking their heads against the ground.
"Since you're not willing to speak, then you can all die." King Lu laughed out, "Drag all these servants who betrayed me out and beat them to death."
The soldiers who were standing pounced on them. These eunuchs and palace maids started kowtowing as they cried out, "Your Majesty, spare us. Your Majesty, spare us."
"Pa!"
"Pa!"
However, King Lu didn't even bother to look at these servants. He watched as they were dragged out. The sounds of beatings could be heard as the eunuchs and palace maids begged for mercy. They screamed out in pain, but the soldiers didn't show any mercy. Before long, all of them stopped breathing.
"Damn it, damn it. These damned lowly servants. Did they think that I would lose just like that?" King Lu's face was green as he paced back and forth. The eunuchs and palace maids who were serving him were extremely careful and didn't dare to speak loudly. They were afraid that if they angered King Lu, he would beat them to death as well.
At this point, someone reported, "Your Majesty, the Governor of Yuechang County has killed the general who was guarding the city. He has opened the gates to the city."
"What a traitor." King Lu's expression didn't change as he laughed, "Yuechang County, Liuzhen County, Shahu County. Keke, only now do I know what it means to be defeated like a landslide. In the blink of an eye, they've all surrendered their cities. The frontlines that I've built up have collapsed without a fight."
"Is it Pei Zi Yun's fault?"
"Even I have such a day? Thousands of schemes, tens of thousands of plans. Is it because I'm not talented enough, or is it because I'm unlucky? " The entire hall was filled with shouts and screams. Following which, only King Lu's mutterings could be heard. His heart was bleeding. Eunuch Liao watched on, but didn't say a word. He just waited for King Lu's orders.
After venting his frustrations, King Lu finally relaxed. He let out a long sigh as he looked into the distance. His face was filled with sorrow as he laughed bitterly.
After laughing for some time, King Lu turned around and looked at eunuch Liao, "How's everything going?"
"Your Majesty, everything has been arranged according to your wishes." Eunuch Liao looked around before waving his hands, "All of you may leave."
"Yes." The eunuchs and palace maids all retreated. Eunuch Liao then spoke in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the previous princes were too big of a target, and couldn't escape. Only the talented Wang Xin 'er has been in the palace for less than a month. However, it's been confirmed that she's pregnant. I've already sent loyal servants to smuggle her out of the palace and into the mountains."
"Even the household registration has been completed. It's flawless. It's said that she's a posthumous child."
"Phew!" King Lu listened to eunuch Liao's words and relaxed a little. He then nodded his head and paced a few steps around the Dragon Throne. Eunuch Liao then thought of King Lu, who was in high spirits not too long ago, and started tearing up.
When King Lu saw this, he laughed bitterly, "You have feelings for a girl?"
He then sighed, "When I was born, I was the second son. I was only five days away from being the Crown Prince. Even if I'm more capable, all the officials in the palace are using their status to help my good brother ascend the throne. Am I going to accept that? That's why I want to fight for it. "
"If it wasn't for Pei Zi Yun, the throne would've been mine back in the capital city. Even if it wasn't for Pei Zi Yun, I would've been able to conquer the world. Since the heavens gave birth to me, why would I give birth to Pei?" As King Lu spoke, tears rolled down his cheeks. Eunuch Liao's heart was filled with sorrow as well. He then spoke in a low voice, "Your Majesty, there are still two more prefectures left. There's still a chance for us to retaliate."
King Lu didn't reply to these words. He then paced several times before speaking in a low voice, "There's something in my heart that I can't let go of."
"That's Li Cheng."
"According to the illumination, there's nothing suspicious about Li Cheng. He's just an ordinary son of a wealthy family."
"But after careful investigation, I've discovered many clues. Can you believe it? Most of the newly promoted generals have some sort of connection with this person. "
"My army had a sudden surge of soldiers, and then suddenly disappeared. I suspect that this person has something to do with me. That day when I sent my troops to kill Li Cheng, I knew something was wrong. It was this person who caused my defeat."
As he spoke, King Lu's eyes revealed a fierce look. He then looked at the empty hall before him before turning to Eunuch Liao, "That was then, and this is now. I don't have any way to settle the score now."
"In this life, I've never owed anyone anything. It's just that you've suffered. You've followed me for so many years, and helped me strategize my plans. You've also become the go-between for me. Your reputation is too great, and you've been cleansed. There's nowhere for you to go."
Hearing these words, Eunuch Liao's tears flowed down his face. Ever since he had pledged his allegiance to King Lu, he had been involved in many important matters. He was a thorn in the Emperor's side, and it was difficult for him to escape. He then knelt down in front of King Lu and said, "This servant belongs to the Emperor. If I die, I'll be your ghost. I'll accompany you."
"Rise. Both of us have the same fate …" Before he could finish speaking, someone reported, "Li Cheng has sent someone over. He says he has something to say."
"Li Cheng?" Although King Lu had just mentioned this person, when he heard the name, he paused in shock. He then snapped back to his senses and shouted out, "He dares to send someone over? Drag him in. I want to see who has the guts to do this. Does he think that I've fallen so far that I can't even kill a single person?"
King Lu spoke coldly as he waved his hands, "Bring him in."
"Yes." The guard turned around and left. A delicate looking young man, who looked like a scholar, stood at the door.
The armored guards stared at the scholar, as two others stood on either side of him, afraid that the scholar would escape. However, the scholar's lips curled into a look of disdain.
The guard walked out and looked at the scholar. He then straightened his back and laughed coldly, "His Majesty has ordered us to drag him in."
"Yes." The guard who was supervising the scholar pounced forward. The scholar was about to make a move when the Imperial Qi pressed down on him. He groaned and looked up at the sky, "Even at this stage, he still has such strength?"
At that point, the guards grabbed him and dragged him out.
"Let go of me, I'm the messenger."
"Shut up." The guard slapped him viciously, causing the scholar's face to turn red. He was about to explode in anger when he suddenly thought of something and calmed down.
"Your Majesty, the messenger has arrived." The guard dragged the scholar into the hall and threw him onto the ground. He then stood guard by the side. If the scholar made any strange movements, he would be killed immediately.
The moment the scholar entered, he sneered and shouted, "Is this how the Emperor treats his guests? If the Emperor wishes to escape, he will have to work with us. "
"You disrespectful bastard." When King Lu heard the scholar's words, he was enraged, "You still dare to lie to me?"
"Slap him. I want to see how many of his words are true."
The guard took a step forward and was about to strike. The scholar couldn't bear it any longer. He waved his arm, causing the guards who were charging towards him to fall back.
"There's demonic arts!" Eunuch Liao was shocked as he shouted out. More than ten guards rushed in and stood in front of King Lu.
Although he managed to force the guards back, the scholar groaned as blood flowed from his nose. He then shouted out, "I'm possessed by Li Cheng. This matter concerns the heavens, and the time is short. If the Emperor wishes to show off his might, now is not the time."
As he spoke, he threw a scroll over, "The details of the matter are all here. You can take a look. If you try to kill me again, you'll miss the opportunity. That's your fate."
As he threw the scroll over, Eunuch Liao stretched out a hand to stop him. He took the scroll in his hands and looked through it. After confirming that there were no problems, he handed it over to King Lu.
King Lu's expression didn't change as he received the scroll and started reading it.
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