Xie Jiayan's footsteps paused. It was Feng Qirui!
Feng Qirui, after being kept in the capital by the Sage and serving several masters in search of a patron, was a cautious man. This public show of force was unlike his usual style.
"It has nothing to do with us, let's go," Hua Zhaofei said.
"I fear it's not that simple," Xie Jiayan said with some concern.
When things are out of the ordinary, there is bound to be trouble. With the Crown Prince's ascension imminent, no more chaos could be tolerated.
"Even if that's the case, it's the dog emperor's own doing and has nothing to do with us. Don't forget, Yu Liuniang is still waiting for you," Hua Zhaofei reminded him.
"Reporting..." Another person rushed in with news: "Lord Gu has taken the families of several ministers hostage at the palace gates, demanding that the Sage issue a decree of self-condemnation and abdicate to the Eighth Prince. If he refuses, one person will be killed every incense stick's burn."
"Lord Gu?"
"Gu Bohao has returned from the dead."
"Insolence!" The Sage flew into a rage, his fierce eyes fixed on Prime Minister Mo: "Is this what you call protecting the Emperor?"
Prime Minister Mo quickly knelt: "This minister was negligent, but I truly did not know when Feng Qirui and Gu Bohao colluded with the Eighth Prince."
The officials were trembling. Who could have imagined that Gu Bohao's coma was feigned? When the Gu family fell, it involved the Zheng family, and all the officials knew what was happening. Apart from the Crown Prince and Young Master Yu, no one in the court pleaded for the Gu family.
The men of the Gu family were sent to guard the borders, and the women were sent to the imperial brothel. Gu Bohao was bound to seek revenge.
Now, their families were in the hands of Feng Qirui and Gu Bohao. But if they pleaded for the Sage to abdicate to the Eighth Prince, they would likely perish today, let alone reunite with their families.
They were in a difficult position. There was only one hope... only the Crown Prince.
Xiao Che had not yet recovered from his shock. The Gu family had rebelled?
Lord Gu was the Emperor's companion, and the former Prime Minister Gu was the Emperor's teacher. The Gu family had always been loyal to the Xiao family. The former Crown Prince's rebellion and the Lu family's massacre were indeed the work of Prime Minister Gu and the Five Clans.
Now, it was impossible to say who was right or wrong between the Five Clans and the Xiao family, but the Emperor's punishment of the Gu family back then was indeed too severe, leading to this backlash. How many more would have to die for this throne?
"Father..."
"No!" Once the decree was issued, there would be no turning back.
The ministers below were silent as chickens, all lowering their heads.
The Sage, in a fit of hysteria, slammed the memorials on his desk: "You were all so eloquent before, why are you silent now!"
Gu Bohao must have been planning this for a long time, and he must have colluded with the Five Clans, otherwise, how could Feng Qirui have been used by him?
Did the Yu family father and son, one guarding Youzhou and the other guarding Yumenguan, know about Gu Bohao's affairs?
He had ordered them back to the capital half a month ago. Even Ye Feisheng had returned. They should be back soon.
But now, in the capital, the general Song Wei was dead, leaving only Ye Feisheng and Lu Jingxing.
Gu Bohao would certainly not let Lu Jingxing off easily. He was likely in danger himself.
"Ye Feisheng, receive the decree." The Sage suddenly said.
Ye Feisheng stepped forward immediately: "Your subject is here."
"I order you to be the General of the Qianniu Guard. Do you dare to fight Feng Qirui?"
"Your subject obeys." Ye Feisheng replied.
Although he had pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince, he was still a general of Great Wei.
When there is a war, he must answer the call!
Just as Ye Feisheng was about to lead his troops to fight the enemy, another guard came to report.
"Reporting... Lord Gu has killed the family of Lord Sun. He said the next will be Lord Qin and Prime Minister Mo, and then... he will slaughter the city!"
Lord Sun almost fainted upon hearing this, and said with great grief: "Has Gu Bohao gone mad? The Sage must not let this traitor go!"
"Father, we cannot fight anymore. All the dead are the soldiers of Great Wei," Xiao Che said. "Please allow your son to go and negotiate with Gu Bohao."
Great Wei had not fallen to foreign enemies, and it must not fall at the hands of its own people.
The Xiao family was indebted to the Gu family. As the Crown Prince, he should bear this responsibility.