Huangfu Xingchen led the way with his sword, Wu Caiwei closely followed. As they walked, they saw imperial guards rushing from their residences, still managing to bow upon seeing them.
Upon meeting, An Yun quickly briefed him on the situation. It turned out that the attack tonight was launched by Huangfu Ning and Huangfu Yu, both born to the former Empress. In their eyes, the throne rightfully belonged to Huangfu Yu. They hadn't expected him to appear, and harboring resentment, they had secretly gathered a group of people to catch them off guard.
Hearing this, Wu Caiwei couldn't help but feel speechless. Didn't they consider that if they hadn't been the victors in the end, would the other princes have spared their lives?
As soon as Huangfu Yu saw them, he became excited and arrogantly shouted, "Huangfu Xingchen, it's not too late to abdicate and cede the throne. Perhaps if I'm in a good mood, I'll spare your lives. If you refuse to surrender, once I capture you, you'll have nowhere to be buried."
"You think too highly of yourself. Just you? I haven't even taken you seriously." In truth, Huangfu Xingchen didn't want to engage with him, but in a battle between armies, morale couldn't be allowed to falter. Haven't you noticed that after he spoke, some of the imperial guards' movements slowed down?
"You refuse the toast and insist on the punishment. Your life is forfeit!" Upon hearing his words, Huangfu Yu's temper flared like wildfire. Today, he was determined to have a good fight with him and see who was truly more suited for the throne.
His guards understood his intentions and cleared a path for him. He charged with his long spear, aiming directly for Huangfu Xingchen's heart. Huangfu Xingchen stood motionless, showing no sign of resistance. Huangfu Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. As long as he died, he could ascend the throne.
Just as his long spear was about to touch Huangfu Xingchen's body, in a flash, Huangfu Xingchen grabbed his spear with his backhand, pulled him off his horse, and then turned the spear to point at his neck.
By the time Huangfu Yu reacted, it was too late. He hadn't seen how Huangfu Xingchen moved, attributing everything to luck. The heavens were truly unfair to him. Victory was within his grasp, yet he still found himself on Huangfu Xingchen's side.
The next day, he purged the court officials. The fact that they could attack the palace so silently made him believe that someone must have covered for them. So many people had arrived in the capital; it was impossible for them to have gone unnoticed.
Furthermore, there were spies in the army. Didn't they have complete weapons and equipment, and wasn't there a general leading troops to participate directly? Huangfu Xingchen was unwilling for some people to take his money yet point their spears at him.
After three days, the purges were mostly complete. It was time for Huangfu Ning and Huangfu Yu. He had given them one chance, and this time Huangfu Xingchen showed no mercy. Apart from the former Empress, Huangfu Yu's infant son, and the concubines in his harem, none escaped. Blood stained the earth.
Upon learning that her son and daughter were gone, the former Empress went mad and hanged herself that night. Huangfu Xingchen ordered a simple burial for her, and she was interred with the former Emperor.
This great battle made the various vassal kings and their heirs, who had been placed under house arrest, considerably more subdued. The married princesses also maintained an exceptionally low profile, fearing that the Emperor would settle scores with them.
Thereafter, the two of them diligently governed the country, ushering in an era of great prosperity.
After seeing Huangfu Xingchen off, Wu Caiwei reflected on her life. She had not failed the original host's dying wish. Old Master Bai was proud of her existence and rested in peace with a smile. The Lin family, under her care, had become renowned wealthy merchants. Madam Bai, after being placed under house arrest, had episodes of madness in the first year or two, and after four or five years, she passed away from melancholy. Bai Shuming's talent was inferior to Bai Shujie's, and he didn't even secure the position of family head. He was resentful and deeply regretted not treating Bai Yulan well, which resulted in their strained relationship. Sudan Novel Network.
As for the proud Bai Shuxue, she never had children and was always suppressed by the concubines in the mansion. She conceived and implemented some malicious plans. Initially, the General Who Guards the Nation didn't discover them, but one always walks by the river, and one's shoes will eventually get wet. Due to her being the Empress's sister, although she wasn't severely punished, she was still placed under house arrest and never stepped out of her residence again. Until her death, she never knew that the reason she never had children was due to that piece of pastry from long ago.
Huang Xuefeng never advanced further in his career. He could only marry a woman of similar social standing arranged by his parents. That woman possessed more spirit than the original host. Upon learning that her husband was constantly thinking of another woman, she directly divorced him. Her parents, who doted on her, chose another good match for her, and she remarried. It is said that her second husband's family background was not exceptional, but he treated her exceptionally well, and they lived a harmonious life.
The failure in marriage dealt a severe blow to Huang Xuefeng, causing him to drown his sorrows in alcohol daily.
As the golden water in the bottle grew a little longer, she seamlessly transitioned into the next world.
"Dong'er, I'm talking to you, didn't you hear me?" a woman named Xing'er, dressed in palace attire, looked at her angrily.
"Ah? What did you say just now? I was spacing out," Wu Caiwei replied apologetically.
Xing'er rolled her eyes secretly and impatiently repeated, "I said our young lady spent a great deal of effort to find out that the Imperial Noble Consort will wear a fuchsia dress tomorrow, the Virtuous Consort will wear green, and the Elegant Consort will wear yellow. You must remember not to clash with them in color."
"Yes, I've noted it down. Thank you for your concern, Sister," Wu Caiwei, lacking the original host's memories, dared not speak too much for fear of revealing herself.
This time, she had transmigrated into the palace and appeared to have become a palace maid. She chuckled and shook her head. She hadn't expected things to go backwards.
As she entered the courtyard, she saw a woman in palace attire standing with her back to her, quietly asking, "Dong'er, what did Xing'er tell you?"
"Nothing. She just borrowed a small trinket from me, and I've already lent it to her." Wu Caiwei instinctively didn't want her to know Xing'er's instructions.
The woman had asked casually and didn't pry further when she didn't get an answer. She slowly turned around and said with concern, "I had a nightmare last night. Did I scare you? You probably didn't sleep well all night. You're fine now, go back and get some rest."
The moment the woman turned around, Wu Caiwei felt like she had become an old enchantress. She had seen many beauties, but her mistress's appearance still stunned her profoundly. She was truly an unparalleled beauty.
Wu Caiwei happened to need a place to receive memories. It was like arriving with a pillow when one was sleepy, so she quickly agreed.
Then she walked towards a room to the west of the main house. Just as she reached the doorway, she heard the woman behind her teasing, "You silly girl, you're confused again, even walking into the wrong room."