With a turn of his own body, his long sleeves swept up, creating a gust of qi that met the attack head-on. With a bang, Lan Qinglun was blasted away, falling onto the open ground before the horses, spitting blood.
A sigh escaped Yun Xiao’s heart. This Lan Qinglun had truly suffered. He quickly urged, “Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Everyone turned their heads, and from behind Lan Qinglun, they each snatched a horse and sped away.
Yun Zhen flicked his whip first, and Yun Mo pulled on the reins, cooperating with his son. In a blink of an eye, the two of them had galloped far away.
Murong Chong and Yun Xiao also leaped up simultaneously, landing on a peak and following after them. The moment Murong Chong left, he immediately fired a signal into the air.
As the signal went up, everyone from the Divine Dragon Palace began to retreat. Some were injured, while others were killed. The injured were carried by their companions; the dead could only be left behind.
Yan Yu and Ye Wu Yun, along with others, were dutifully intercepting the group of death warriors outside. To allow Murong Chong and the others to rescue Yun Mo, this group had fought with all their might, suffering many casualties.
Ye Wu Yun and Yan Yu’s injuries had not yet healed, and now they were even worse. However, fortunately, they had finally managed to rescue the person.
Upon seeing the signal, Shangguan Lin, along with Luo Hua Gongzi and others, began to withdraw, taking Ye Wu Yun and Yan Yu with them.
In an instant, those who should withdraw withdrew, and those who should disperse dispersed.
Only the Ministry of Justice was a scene of utter devastation. Charred remains, withered buildings, and corpses were scattered everywhere. Above the smoldering fires, a foul smell of blood permeated the air.
The Minister of Justice was dead, the Minister of War was seriously injured, and the rest of the officials, large and small, were either injured or dead.
In the fourth year of Yao Qing, on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the Ministry of Justice was burned down. Three high-ranking officials died, eight were injured, and over twelve hundred soldiers were killed or wounded…
In the main hall of Jingfu Palace, Shangguan Yao gazed at the injured officials below. Some had their arms in slings, while others limped.
Even the Minister of War, Lord Lan, had his nose and eyes so badly bruised that his original features were unrecognizable. He was swollen like a mallet, and his body was covered in wounds, indicating a severe injury.
The hall was deathly silent. Shangguan Yao’s handsome features were overshadowed by deep, inscrutable eyes, sharp as a blade. His complexion was a mixture of pale and green, and he felt an overwhelming tightness in his chest.
He thought of his carefully laid plans, which had not only failed to capture Yun Zhen and Murong Chong but had also resulted in the death of so many of his men and the injury of many more.
Why? Why couldn’t he even deal with the leader of a mere martial arts sect?
A surge of frustration blocked Shangguan Yao’s chest. His long-standing suspicion, impatience, and repression finally surfaced.
Incited by the incident, he could no longer endure it. A tightness seized his chest, and a sweet, bloody taste filled his mouth. He spat out a mouthful of blood and slumped backward, sliding onto the dragon throne.
Below, everyone was greatly alarmed and cried out in unison, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty?”
“Quickly, summon the imperial physicians immediately.”
A eunuch rushed out to summon the imperial physicians. Those present saw the Emperor’s face turn pale, his teeth clenched, blood staining the corners of his lips, and beads of cold sweat rolling down his forehead.
Even so, he gritted his teeth in hatred, wishing he could flay Murong Chong alive. Why, why couldn’t he deal with him?
The Emperor fell ill and had not attended morning court for two consecutive days. All the ministers in court understood that the Emperor was sick with anger.
The Ministry of Justice had suffered such a heavy blow, and it was rumored that even a court-appointed criminal had been rescued. As for who the criminal was, only a few involved knew; others had no idea that person was Yun Mo.
Jingfu Palace.
In the inner chambers, Shangguan Yao’s complexion was somewhat pale. Dressed in soft, bright yellow undergarments, he lay quietly on the wide bed.
Asleep, he lacked the violent and cruel expression he had when his eyes were open.
By the bedside, the Empress Dowager gazed fixedly at the person on the bed. Although he had hurt her and opposed her, how could she, as his mother, truly resent him?
Tears welled up in the Empress Dowager’s eyes, and a sense of pain spread throughout her body.
She was the one who had ruined the true Yao’er, and also ruined Jing Yi.
Jing Yi, you are not suited to be an emperor at all. Mother knows that you live a more tiring life than anyone. The superficial glory cannot bring you even the slightest satisfaction in your heart; instead, it is hollow, isn’t it? You are not Yao’er; he is born with the destiny of an emperor.
Yes, the child lying on the bed was her child with Ye Qing Tian, Ye Jing Yi.
Because of guilt, coupled with her ambition for power, the bloody cleansing of the Eastern Palace had occurred.
She knew that only Jing Yi would listen to her, so that ultimate power would always remain in her hands.
The true Yao’er was a person of extreme intelligence, wise and astute. She could not control someone like that. Although he had listened to her since childhood, he had his own principles.
Everything was for her own selfish desires that she had ruined two children. If, from the beginning, from many years ago, she had severed Jing Yi’s aspirations, he would have been a different child.
Yao’er would also have lived a good life.
This was all her karma, the Empress Dowager’s tears streamed down as she reached out to touch the Emperor.
Startled in his sleep, the person on the bed opened his dark eyes, fierce and gloomy.
This child was so vigilant even in his sleep. She truly feared that the string in his heart would snap, and then what would be left for her?
The Empress Dowager finally burst into tears, gazing sorrowfully at the Emperor. She said nothing, but the man lying on the bed understood what she wanted to say. He reached out and clasped her hand.
“Mother, this is what I chose. No matter what, I will not let anyone take anything away from me.”
This was something he had snatched from others. He would hold onto it tightly, not allowing anyone to take it away again.
The Empress Dowager nodded. Now, who else would try to snatch this from him?
“Yao’er, don’t overthink it. No one is trying to steal your throne.”
Now, he was the only one left in the Shangguan family. Prince Lin had also been killed. Who else was there to contend for his throne? So, he was worrying in vain.
The person on the bed slightly lowered his eyelids, his expression softening. However, after only a moment, he opened his eyes again, staring intently at the Empress Dowager’s face, his expression filled with terror. “Mother, do you know Murong Chong? He is here to snatch my throne.”
He spoke, then fell into contemplation, his mind wandering. Who exactly was that person? Why did he repeatedly oppose him?
Initially, he had captured Yun Mo, only intending to capture his son Yun Zhen.
Although he knew Yun Zhen must have some abilities, facing over a hundred soldiers and his own death warriors, capturing him should have been an easy task. He never expected the people of the Divine Dragon Palace to become involved.
Furthermore, Lamu mentioned someone called Yun Mo’s father. Who was that person? All of this was like a dense fog.
In the second layout of the Ministry of Justice, he had thought he would capture them all in one fell swoop.
No matter how powerful the Divine Dragon Palace was, it was merely a martial arts sect. How many people could they have? He had set up a vast net, with death warriors and heavy defenses, and even created a fake Yun Mo. Could he not capture those people?
Who knew that they had escaped again? These people were truly too formidable.