"Your Majesty." Jiang Luo's eunuch knelt heavily in front of Jiang Luo. His expression was ashen, and his eyes were filled with pain. He was like a loyal servant who would follow his master through fire and water at any time. Even if everyone in the world abandoned Jiang Luo, he would still not leave. Novel chapters updated the fastest.
Jiang Luo sat on the ground. The main hall was empty. The courtiers who had expressed their loyalty to him all day long had not appeared. In this place where countless people had knelt to pay their respects, there was only this eunuch left.
He remembered that this eunuch was called Little Kou. Because his name was exactly the same as the dog he had raised in the past, he had paid more attention to him and even allowed him to serve by his side.
"How many years have you been by my side?"
"Your Majesty, this servant has already served by your side for four years."
Jiang Luo chuckled ambiguously. When had he ever paid attention to a eunuch? Until now, the only person who could stay by his side was actually a eunuch. It was laughable and lamentable.
The sound of footsteps could be heard. It was the sound of a woman's palace boots stepping on the jade floor. The sound came from afar and approached before finally stopping in front of the main hall.
Xie Wanyu wore a blood-red palace robe and a flying phoenix hairpin in her hair. She was as gorgeous as on the day of her wedding. She stood at the entrance of the hall, the golden sunlight shining on her body. Her long shadow was reflected in the hall. She was as quiet as a statue.
"Xie Wanyu?" Jiang Luo stood up from the ground. "What are you doing here? This is not a place for a woman like you."
"Now, other than a woman like me who is willing to take a look at this place, who else would come?" Xie Wanyu sneered and turned to look at the setting sun. "Look at this sun. Doesn't it look like the great cause of your Jiang Dynasty? The sun is setting in the west, and darkness is coming?"
"Shut up!"
Xie Wanyu sneered. "Do you think that you are still the emperor whose words carry enormous weight? In this world, in this imperial harem, everyone has to listen to your orders?! Don't be delusional. When you imprisoned the Retired Emperor and the Crown Prince, you should have known that this day would come. "
"Since ancient times, how many Princes have overthrown the Crown Prince and become Emperors themselves? They can be immortalized through the ages, so why can't I?"
"Because they are benevolent rulers who care about the people. Even though they are unfilial and unfilial, there are still people who are grateful to them and sing their praises." Xie Wanyu pointed at Jiang Luo, his eyes full of ridicule. "But other than being unfilial and unfilial, what else do you have?"
"If you have the ability, why don't you go out and listen to the voices of the world cursing you?"
"Shut up! Shut up! "
"Ha." Xie Wanyu stroked her rouged cheeks and looked at Jiang Luo with eyes full of hatred. "Jiang Luo, people like you should live. Suffer from other people's abuse and live a long life."
"Bang!" The gates of the Daye Imperial Palace were smashed open by the Rong Family Army. Soldiers rushed in from all directions. Xie Wanyu stood on the high platform and narrowed her eyes as she watched the Rong Family Army approach from afar. Finally, they surrounded the most noble and luxurious palace in the Imperial Harem.
She supported herself on a white marble pillar. Her blood red palace dress was like a blooming fire under the setting sun.
"Ban Han …" Xie Wanyu looked at the woman who was walking side by side with Rong Xia. She was wearing beautiful clothes and accessories. The other party was wearing Silver Armor. The Silver Armor was still stained with blood. She stood on the high platform and the other party was riding a horse at the palace gates. But she didn't feel like she had surpassed the other party. In fact, under the other party's aura, she was like a clown with heavy makeup.
"Miss Xie." Ban Han saluted her as an equal, "Long time no see. How have you been?"
Xie Wanyu chuckled: "Wu Si, you're finally here."
Ban Han looked at Xie Wanyu with pity. He didn't say anything else.
"Scram." Jiang Luo ran out of the palace. He pushed Xie Wanyu aside and looked at the densely packed rebel army. He angrily cursed: "Rong Xia, you thief. You led the rebel army to the Imperial Palace. The ancestors of the Jiang Family and the heavens are watching you."
Rong Xia let Jiang Luo yell and didn't say anything.
But Rong Xia's silence angered Jiang Luo. He leaned on the railing and cursed more and more harshly. His curses echoed throughout the entire Imperial Harem.
Dong dong dong.
Urgent sounds of gongs and drums sounded.
"The Retired Emperor is critically ill!"
"The Emperor sent people to poison the Retired Emperor. Quickly call the imperial physician!"
Ban Han's expression changed subtly when she heard the words "the Retired Emperor." Rong Xia noticed her expression and turned to his men: "Come on, arrest the tyrant. I'm going to see the Retired Emperor."
"Yes!"
The soldiers of the Rong Family rushed into the palace and tied up Jiang Luo effortlessly.
"Behave yourself." Jiang Luo still wanted to struggle, but he was ruthlessly slapped by a big man. The golden crown on his head was slapped off, and he fell down the jade steps with clanking sounds. He rolled a long distance before he finally stopped.
In the setting sun, only a little golden light could be vaguely seen on the golden crown. Nothing else could be seen.
After Jiang Luo moved to the Great Moon Palace, the Emperor Yunqing was moved to the Shouning Palace. However, the Empress Dowager still lived in the previous palace.
Ban Han rode to the gate of the Shouning Palace and got off the horse. Only then did she find that the name of the Shouning Palace had been changed to the Peaceful Life Palace. She was not in the mood to care about such trivial matters and rushed in directly.
After entering the palace, Ban Han found that the palace was very deserted. The flowerbed outside the palace was full of untended weeds. The yellow and dry weeds were crowded with several unknown flowers. It looked very messy.
She looked around and saw several maids and eunuchs kneeling in the corner. She asked, "Where is the Emperor?"
A blue-clothed eunuch pointed to the right corner with a trembling finger. Ban Kyu walked towards the direction he was pointing at. As soon as he entered the door, he was hit by the sour and musty smell inside and felt a little dizzy.
There were two maids and eunuchs kneeling in front of the bed and crying in the room. They did not notice Ban Han when she came in. However, the Emperor Yunqing, who was lying on the bed, noticed her.
Ban Han walked to the bedside of the Emperor Yunqing and looked at the old and thin man on the bed. She was a little absent-minded. The once high and mighty Emperor Yunqing had become like this?
Emperor Yunqing's lips were black and his eyes were black. There was blood oozing out of his ears and nose. Obviously, he was severely poisoned.
"Your Majesty." Ban Han bowed to the Emperor Yunqing.
Emperor Yunqing stretched out a trembling hand from the quilt. The hand was dry and black, like a dead tree that had lost its vitality. When people saw it, it was easy to think of the ghost stories they had heard when they were young.
Ban Han sighed in her heart and held his hand.
The hand was very rough. No one would have thought that it belonged to a person who lived like a prince.
"You're back." Emperor Yunqing panted for a long time before he finally said a complete sentence. "Little girl, after I die, don't let other women be buried with me. I only need the Empress."
"Your Majesty …" Ban Han's throat was a little uncomfortable. "The imperial physician will be here soon. You will be fine."
Emperor Yunqing shook his head and spat out a large mouthful of blood. "Huahua, this is my retribution."
Ban Han's lips moved, but she did not say anything.
"I, I am sorry." Emperor Yunqing's eyes suddenly widened. "I am sorry …"
His enlarged eyes suddenly lost their luster and dimmed.
Patter.
A teardrop fell on the back of Emperor Yunqing's hand. Ban Han put his hand back on the bed and walked back. She knelt down in front of the bed and then kowtowed three times.
"Princess." Wang De walked out from behind the curtain and bent down to help her up from the ground. Ban Han wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. She took a deep breath and said to Wang De, "Ring the death knell."
Wang De took a step back and said respectfully, "Yes."
Ban Han lowered her head and saw Wang De's hand that was missing three fingers.
Dong dong dong.
The death knell rang. The Empress, who was kneeling in front of the statue, stood up in a panic. "Where did the death knell come from?"
"Your Majesty, it's … it's Kangning, Kangshou Palace."
The Empress almost fainted. She held the hand of the maid next to her and said in a hoarse voice, "Shouning Palace?!"
"Your Majesty." The Empress's respected nanny ran in. "His Majesty … sent someone to poison the Retired Emperor. The Retired Emperor has passed away."
The Empress felt a chill in her throat. She opened her mouth for a long time before she could breathe again. "Where is Prince Ning?"
"The rebel army broke in. His Majesty was taken away by the rebel army."
Hearing this, the Empress couldn't hold on any longer and spat out a mouthful of blood.
The Crown Prince, who had been imprisoned in the Eastern Palace, was tortured beyond recognition. He wore a tattered robe and his hair was tied behind his back with a cloth rope. He sat on the edge of the bed like a soulless puppet. When the death knell rang, he turned his head in a daze and tried to figure out where the sound came from.
After Jiang Luo ascended the throne, he surrounded the entire Eastern Palace. Almost all the eunuchs and maids were removed. The food and drink sent to the Eastern Palace every day was pitifully little. He didn't want the Crown Prince's life, but he didn't treat him as a person.
When there wasn't enough drinking water, there was no need to mention bathing and washing clothes. In this year, the people in the Eastern Palace lived a dark life. The Crown Prince's daughter was starving and emaciated. Later, it was the Empress who took her and saved her life.
Sitting in the empty room, the Crown Prince suddenly covered his face and began to sob.
He knew that his father had passed away. He was an incompetent and cowardly son. He didn't have the ability to protect him, nor did he have the ability to protect his wife and daughter.
"Huahua," Rong Xia had been standing outside the Peaceful Life Palace and hadn't entered. Seeing Ban Han come out, she stepped forward and took her hand. "You don't look too well."
"I'm fine," Ban Han shook her head and then looked at Rong Xia. "Wang De is one of your people?"
"Yes."
"No wonder …"
No wonder in her dream, Wang De and the new Emperor were together in the prison and called Jiang Luo the Violent King. At first, she thought that Jiang Luo had done something to offend Wang De. Now, it seemed that Wang De had long been one of Rong Xia's people.
How many years had Wang De served the Emperor Yunqing?
Eight years? Ten years, or even longer?
She remembered that when she was very young, Wang De had served the Emperor Yunqing. What methods did Rong Xia use to make the head eunuch of the Imperial Palace work for him?
"He once received a favor from my father," Rong Xia forced a smile. "Then he received a favor from me."
Ban Han didn't ask what kind of favor it was. She wasn't very interested in these things. In life, there were too many favors and grudges. Some were even more exciting than the stories in novels. If she wanted to pursue an answer, it would be too tiring.
"Lord, the people of the various palaces have been arrested. What should we do now?" Rong Xia's aides found Rong Xia. These people's eyes were full of excitement. It was as if they could see Rong Xia ascending the throne and becoming the Emperor. They had the merit of supporting the Emperor and were glorious on that day.
"Come with me to the Eastern Palace and invite the Crown Prince to ascend the throne."
The aides looked at Rong Xia in surprise. It wasn't easy for them to fight for the country. How could they give it to someone else? Their hearts were full of unwillingness, but they didn't dare to question Rong Xia's decision. They could only reluctantly follow Rong Xia to the gate of the Eastern Palace.
At this time, outside the gate of the Eastern Palace, there were not only guards from the Rong army, but also officials from the imperial court that Rong Xia had specially invited. Of course, they weren't the imperial court ruled by Jiang Luo, but the officials appointed by Emperor Yunqing when he was on the throne.
When these officials saw Rong Xia appear, they all stepped back and bowed to him. Occasionally, there were a few people who glared at him, but Rong Xia ignored them and said directly, "The tyrant has been arrested. Everyone, come with me and invite His Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne."
The officials didn't care what Rong Xia was thinking. Anyway, they would do whatever Rong Xia said. If they didn't need to talk nonsense, they wouldn't say a word more.
When everyone walked into the Eastern Palace, they found that it was very strange. Where were the flowers and plants? Where were the servants?
'What's that black and yellow thing outside? Is it a blanket?'
The yard was covered in dead leaves, and the windows were covered in dust. How long had it been since it was cleaned? The people who had been to the Eastern Palace felt their hearts ache. In the past, the Eastern Palace was spotless and exquisite, unlike now …
The main door of the Eastern Palace was wide open. The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess sat in the hall. The room was very dark. The people outside the door couldn't even see their expressions.
"This official welcomes His Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne."
As dusk approached, Rong Xia stood at the bottom of the steps. His posture was so respectful that no one could find fault with it.
The Crown Princess' expression was excited. Although there were no candles in the hall and no one could see her expression, she still couldn't help but look expectantly at the Crown Prince.
As long as His Highness ascended the throne, then she would be the Empress, the noblest woman in the world.
However, no matter how excited she was or how expectant she was, the Crown Prince did not react. He looked expressionlessly at the people outside the hall and suddenly said, "My abilities are limited, and I cannot take on the great responsibility of the world. Marquis Cheng'an, please return."
"The Crown Prince is His Majesty's eldest legitimate son. It is natural for him to succeed. How can you belittle yourself." Rong Xia bowed deeply again. "This official welcomes His Highness to ascend the throne."
"Following the will of the heavens …" The Crown Prince suddenly smiled. "The will of the heavens has destined that the Jiang Dynasty will die. Why should I force it?"
"Your Highness!" The Crown Princess Shi looked in shock at the Crown Prince. She couldn't believe that he would refuse to ascend the throne.
Rong Xia narrowed his eyes at the dark room and suddenly said, "Why aren't you lighting the lamps?"
"Re, re, re, Marquis, our Eastern Palace does not have candles. We cannot light the lamps at night." A pale-faced and emaciated eunuch knelt in front of Rong Xia, his shoulders trembling.
"They won't even give you candles. Does Jiang Luo still have any humanity?" Ban Han couldn't help but curse. He turned his head and ordered people to light the lamps in the Eastern Palace.
Soon, all the lanterns in the corridors of the Eastern Palace were hung. The main hall was as bright as day.
When everyone saw the Crown Prince and Crown Princess' current appearance, they couldn't help but inhale sharply. How did they become so thin? And the clothes they were wearing. How cruel was Fengning Emperor's personality to poison his own father and abuse his brother and sister-in-law?
Even though many of the officials present were neutral parties that didn't support the Crown Prince or Prince Ning, they couldn't help but tremble when they saw the Crown Prince like this.
The Crown Prince stood and walked out of the room. However, he stopped when he reached the door. He hadn't bathed in over half a year. He didn't want these officials to know that he was even more disheveled than he appeared.
"I admit that I don't have the ability to govern the world. When Father Emperor was alive, he often praised Marquis Cheng 'an's talent." The Crown Prince's gaze landed on Rong Xia. "Marquis Cheng' an is kind-hearted, has outstanding abilities, and has the talent to govern the world. Yesterday, I dreamed of an immortal who arrived on the clouds. He called himself the Blue Phoenix Envoy and said that Marquis Cheng 'an was destined to save the people of the world. How could I dare to disobey the Divine Envoy's orders? "
"Therefore, Marquis Cheng 'an, please ascend the throne for the sake of the people of the world."
In the past, the Crown Prince didn't understand the power of the people's hearts. Now, he understood. However, the world was about to change hands.
"Marquis Cheng 'an, please ascend the throne!"
The soldiers guarding the Eastern Palace shouted in unison. They also knelt down on one knee in the direction of Rong Xia.
"Since the Divine Envoy has issued an edict, then Marquis Cheng 'an, please do not disobey God's orders and ascend the throne in accordance with God's will." A third-rank official stood out.
Ban Han looked at this person. This person was the Vice-Minister of the Supreme Court, Liu Banshan.
"Marquis Cheng 'an, please ascend the throne."
This time, the ones who stood out were Yao Peiji and Zhou Bingan.
"Marquis Cheng 'an, please ascend the throne."
There were even more people who stood out. Ban Han knew some of them, but there were also some that Ban Han didn't know.
"The surname of the world is Jiang. How could this humble official do such a disgraceful thing? I can't, I can't …" Rong Xia refused again and again. It seemed that he didn't have the slightest desire for the throne.
However, even if he didn't want to be the emperor, the others wouldn't allow him to refuse. Someone brought over a luxurious dragon robe. They took off the armor on Rong Xia's body and draped the dragon robe over Rong Xia's body.
"This humble official greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty."
"Long live Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty."
The courtiers knelt down one by one. Among these people, there were those who were willing, and there were also those who didn't dare to resist. Most of them were fence-sitters who went with the flow. They would obey whoever had the right.
"This humble official …" The Crown Prince lifted up his tattered clothes and knelt down slowly. "This humble official greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty."
How could he be willing to hand over his great undertaking to Rong Xia? But now, the people of the world no longer believed in the Jiang Dynasty. Even the courtiers had pledged allegiance to Rong Xia. If he really followed Rong Xia's words and ascended the throne, perhaps it wouldn't be long before he died of a sudden illness. Everyone around him would be buried with him.
Because of Jiang Luo's torment for nearly a year, the indecisive Crown Prince had long lost his courage and courage. Now, he only hoped that Rong Xia would let him live the rest of his life peacefully for the sake of his cousin.
The Crown Princess looked at the Crown Prince kneeling outside the door and shook her head crazily. Her man was the Crown Prince. Even in front of the Emperor, the Crown Prince didn't need to kneel. How could he kneel in front of a courtier? How could he?
How could he?!
In the end, Rong Xia was forced by the courtiers to wear the dragon robe and was carried to Qinzheng Hall.
Ban Han didn't follow. She stood in front of the door of the Eastern Palace and looked at the Crown Prince who was still kneeling on the ground. She took a few steps forward and squatted in front of the Crown Prince. "Cousin Crown Prince, please get up."
"Huahua?" There were too many people just now, so the Crown Prince didn't notice Ban Han at all. Now, he saw that Ban Han was wearing Silver Armor with dried blood on her war boots. He smiled bitterly and said, "Why are you here?"
"I waited for you to stand up before leaving."
The Crown Prince looked at her in a daze. After a while, he said, "Was Father really … poisoned to death by second brother?"
Ban Han thought of Wang De, thought of Rong Xia, and then thought of the few words Emperor Yunqing said before he died. She slowly nodded. "Jiang Luo had the palace prepare poison."
"It's all my fault. It's all my fault." He shakily climbed up from the ground. His laughter sounded like he was crying. "If it wasn't for my soft-heartedness and indecisiveness, how could things have ended up like this today? If … if …"
He suddenly stopped complaining. He just raised his head and laughed loudly. He laughed so hard that tears came out.
Ban Han bowed to the Crown Prince. "Cousin Crown Prince, please take care of yourself. I'll leave first."
Walking out of the East Palace, she looked in the direction of the Qinzheng Hall and walked forward slowly. The night wind blew on her face, blowing away the smell of blood in the palace. She had never seen the palace so quiet.
In the Qinzheng Hall, Rong Xia was surrounded by people kneeling and calling for the Emperor. Everyone was excited and cheering for the victory. His eyes swept across the hall, but he couldn't find Ban Han.
Where was Huahua?
He suddenly stood up from the dragon throne. His eyes swept across the happy faces, but he still couldn't find the person he was looking for.
"Your Majesty, where are you going?" Zhao Zhong noticed that Rong Xia was walking down the jade stairs and reached out to stop him.
Rong Xia ignored him. He pushed Zhao Zhong's hand away and walked out of the hall under the shocked gazes of all the officials.
"Your Majesty?!"
"Your Majesty?!"
The officials followed him out and crowded at the entrance of the hall.
Under the stairs outside the Qinzheng Hall, there was a large empty space. Usually, during important gatherings, this place would be filled with nobles and officials. Especially during the coronation ceremony of a new Emperor, the entire hall would be filled with people kneeling. People would truly see the glory of the Emperor's power.
At this time, other than the soldiers brought by Rong Xia, there were no other officials in the empty space. But the officials saw a figure walking towards them from afar. He didn't walk very fast, as if this place that countless people respected did not make him feel afraid or uncomfortable.
This person walked closer and closer. Under the night sky, the officials could only see that he was wearing Silver Armor, but they couldn't see his face clearly.
Just as they were guessing who this person was to be so daring to walk outside Qinzheng Hall, they saw Rong Xia suddenly move from the jade steps. He ran down the jade steps without any hesitation. He didn't even turn back to look at them.
"Who is that?" Yao Peiji turned to look at Du Jiu.
Du Jiu bowed his head respectfully and didn't say anything.
Yao Peiji saw that he didn't say anything and couldn't help but click his tongue. As expected of Rong Xia's subordinate, he was really tight-lipped. He didn't get angry when he didn't get an answer. He turned to look at the person who could make Rong Xia personally greet him.
Was this the person that Rong Xia trusted the most?
Or was he a capable person who could rule the country?
Ban Han stood at the bottom of the jade stairs. She looked up and saw Rong Xia running towards her. She tilted her head and looked up at the sky. A full moon hung in the sky. It was so beautiful that she couldn't help but smile.
She laughed out loud and stepped onto the jade steps.
She walked very slowly, but Rong Xia walked very quickly. After she took a few steps, Rong Xia was already in front of her.
"Why are you running?" Ban Han looked at Rong Xia with a smile. Seeing him gasping for breath, she couldn't help but laugh more obviously, "Look back at those courtiers. They think you're crazy."
"It doesn't matter if they think I'm crazy. I'm just afraid that I'll lose you." Rong Xia grabbed Ban Han's hand tightly.
His palm was a little cold, but it was sweaty.
What was he afraid of? Why was he sweating?
Ban Han bent her hand and hooked a few of his fingers, "Let's go."
Rong Xia smiled, "Let's go up together."
"Sure." Ban Yu's eyes turned into crescents as he smiled.
"That's …" Zhou Bingan saw Rong Xia and the Silver Armor General holding hands and walking towards Qinzheng Hall. His expression was a little strange. When the two got closer and closer, he saw the face of the person beside Rong Xia. He whispered in surprise, "Is that Princess Fule?!"
The person that Rong Xia was looking for just now was Princess Fule?
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