Yu Ziqiu, Song Quan, and the others had been waiting for a long time with uneasiness. They saw Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu leading the Brave Tiger Army, dressed in black battle jackets, coming in line. The oppressive feeling of the army in front of them, the fluttering banners, shocked the crowd of civil officials so much that fear rose from the bottom of their hearts.
Perhaps these people had at most seen people being killed, but they had never seen the cruelty of a real battlefield, let alone facing a powerful opponent in a situation where they had no power to resist.
It was an oppressive feeling that made one unable to resist at all.
"Wang Ye, Duke."
Everyone called out in unison and knelt down to pay their respects again.
Pang Xiao and Qin Yining rode on the same horse. He reined in his horse and carefully protected Qin Yining with one hand, afraid that something would happen to her. His gentle and considerate actions were in stark contrast to his tone.
"Lead the way."
"Yes!"
No one dared to say anything more. Yu Ziqiu and the others immediately got up and headed into the city.
The city gates were wide open, but there were no citizens on the streets. Occasionally, they would encounter people from the Warden's Office or the Jingji Guard. When they saw Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu leading five thousand soldiers into the city, these people carefully hid in a corner, not daring to show any signs of threat.
The five thousand troops formed a long line and passed through the streets of the capital. No one made a noise, but their footsteps were orderly, creating a great deterrent. Many commoners were gathered together in their families. When they heard the unusual silence in the city, they were scared out of their wits. Who would have thought that after the silence, there would be uniform footsteps. Everyone was so nervous that they shrunk their necks and began to pray in a low voice.
Some of the braver ones peeked through the cracks in their doors and saw the figures of Pang Xiao's Shuai Army passing by. The Tiger Army was made up of stalwart men who had just come back from the Tatan battlefield. Their bodies still carried the smell of the north wind and the blood of battle. That kind of awe-inspiring aura that belonged to the border army was not something that the young masters in the capital could compare to.
The commoners were stunned, but they still had some confidence in their hearts. In any case, Pang Xiao had specially sent a letter to the city. As long as the commoners stayed at home, Wang Ye would definitely not let anyone disturb them.
Now it seemed that the Tiger Army was just marching. They didn't burn, kill, and loot as everyone was worried about. This was really a relief.
When the troops arrived at the palace gates, the imperial guards and capital guards had already ordered the gates to be opened. Yu Zi Qiu, Song Quan, and the other officials immediately invited Pang Xiao and his troops into the palace.
Pang Xiao nodded to Mu Jinghu, who was following behind him. Then, he exchanged a look with Ji Zeyu, and each of them gave a few orders to their subordinates. Huzi, Tang Xiu, and the other Jinghu Wei immediately led their subordinates to assign teams. The five thousand Tiger Army troops were divided into several teams and quickly rushed into the palace to occupy important positions.
When they saw the Tiger Army enter, the palace guards and palace servants didn't resist at all. They all put down their weapons and quietly allowed themselves to be detained.
Qin Yining sat in front of Pang Xiao and looked down at the quiet and somber scene at the palace gates. His expression also became somewhat heavy.
Looking at this scene, he didn't know whether he should be moved by the success of their plan or by Li Qitian's failure as a person. The principle that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it was proven at this moment. This position wasn't easy to sit in.
"Wang Ye, it's ready." After about an hour, Huzi and Tang Xiu quickly came out to report.
Pang Xiao nodded and jumped off his horse. He opened his arms to receive Qin Yining. However, Qin Yining had already jumped off easily and steadied himself.
Pang Xiao shook his head in amusement.
Mu Jinghu and Ji Zeyu also got off their horses.
Pang Xiao turned around to invite Ji Zeyu. "Ah Lan."
"You first." Ji Zeyu smiled and gestured for Pang Xiao to walk in front. Obviously, he was following his lead.
Pang Xiao had no choice but to walk in front. Mu Jinghu was on the left, Ji Zeyu on the right, and Qin Yining behind them. Behind the four of them were Jing Zhe and the other three secret agents.
Yu Ziqiu and Song Quan led the rest of the Beiji elders to follow behind Pang Xiao and his party. They lowered their heads and followed them through the palace gates.
It was autumn in August. The sun was still as bright as fire during the day. The neat floor tiles were warmed by the midday sun. Even though it was already sunset, one could still feel the warmth of the floor through the thin layer of embroidered shoes.
Qin Yining stepped across the floor tiles with a straight back. In front of her was the clear blue sky, red walls, and glazed tiles. Pang Xiao's tall figure was just half a step in front of her. He was so tall and so valiant. However, every few steps he took, he would turn back to look at her, as if he was worried that she would bump into something.
Qin Yining's mood gradually changed from the heaviness of witnessing the change of a dynasty to calmness and peace of mind. Perhaps her worries were unnecessary. This man would not disappoint her.
The Tiger Army had already taken over guarding the two sides of the road. The group of people arrived in front of the Yangxin Palace Hall amidst the somber atmosphere.
There was no one in the spacious square at this time. Looking up, the doors of the hall were tightly shut. There were only two Jinghu Wei standing guard at the entrance. Wooden planks were nailed outside the doors and windows. It was obvious that the people inside could not escape.
Upon seeing Pang Xiao, Jinghu Wei bowed respectfully.
Yu Ziqiu said, "Wang Ye, the fatuous ruler and his family are here."
Seeing Pang Xiao nod, Yu Ziqiu and Song Quan led the rest of the Beiji elders to the side and stood still. Immediately, Jinghu Wei ran in from outside and guarded these people.
Qin Yining had just stepped onto the stairs when Pang Xiao turned around and held his hand. Ji Zeyu and Mu Jinghu followed Pang Xiao on the other side. The four of them came to the door of the hall.
Pang Xiao ordered, "Open the door."
"Yes."
Immediately, the Tiger Army swarmed forward and found a tool to pry the template off the door.
Huzi took a step forward, pushed open the door of the hall, and looked inside cautiously.
They were all worried that Li Qitian would rush in with the women and children.
But after the sound of a gust of wind, what greeted them was a pungent stench!
"Something's wrong!" Mu Jinghu immediately jumped in front of Pang Xiao and the others and pulled out the flexible sword at his waist. Pang Xiao also immediately shielded Qin Yining behind him.
But when they saw the situation in the hall, even Pang Xiao, Ji Zeyu and Mu Jinghu, who were used to seeing the tragedy of the battlefield, were stunned.
Corpses were strewn all over the hall, and blood flowed like a river. The women had been hacked into a bloody mess, and their faces were unrecognizable. Some of them had even been cut into large pieces and thrown away. The stench that filled the air came from the fresh blood and organs.
Li Qitian held a dagger in his hand. His hair was messy and his body was covered in blood. His face was bright red and his facial features could not be seen clearly. At this moment, he was sitting on the dragon throne in the middle and looking down at the incomplete corpses of the Empress Dowager and the Empress beside him with a smile.
"Oh my god!" Qin Yining immediately turned around. No matter how strong his heart was, this scene was as uncomfortable as a pool of blood in hell.
Jinghu Wei and the Tiger Army, who had rushed over when they heard that the situation was not right, were speechless when they saw this scene.
Yu Ziqiu, Song Quan and the others felt that something was wrong. They could not care less and hurriedly looked over.
In the end, what they saw was a sea of blood. They were so frightened that they screamed, "Oh my god!" and a few of the Beiji elders fainted on the spot.
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