Chapter 331
Beside them stood Ouyang Qinglin, Nangong Li, Gu Yefeng, and Du Chun.
Ouyang Qinglin, still favoring his crimson python robe, sat astride his horse with his sword in hand, unaccompanied by any subordinates.
Even his most trusted followers had been sent away.
At this moment, he had shed his identity as the Prince of Xia. Now, he was simply Ouyang Qinglin, the man who could forsake everything for Gu Qianying.
Adjacent to him was the Sixth Prince, Nangong Li, clad in a black robe.
He had matured considerably, his brows bearing a resemblance to Nangong Mo, his gaze sharp and solemn.
On Gu Qianying's side, Du Chun was dressed in white, his white hair unbound and flowing in the wind.
Gu Yefeng wore a purple robe, his eyes icy.
Meanwhile,
In the most bustling streets of the capital, paper fluttered everywhere.
Each sheet of white paper, bearing black characters, detailed the various crimes of the reigning Emperor Nangong Qi.
The passersby and stall vendors on the streets all held copies of these public announcements.
Anyone who could read, upon seeing the contents of the papers, began to spread the word.
From one to ten, then to a hundred, the crimes of the current Emperor Nangong Qi were soon proclaimed to the world.
Concurrently, those families who had been spared by Nangong Qi's brutal purges, and widows who had been framed by Nangong Qi through his perverse methods, all stepped forward. Before the eyes of the common people, they revealed the cruel and ruthless nature of Nangong Qi, and his disregard for the lives of his subjects.
In an instant, the capital was filled with citizens cursing the reigning Emperor Nangong Qi as a cruel and incompetent ruler.
The hearts of the people were lost!
At the same time, Xia and various smaller nations each received an anonymous letter.
The anonymous letter contained only one line: "After Dong Sheng's throne changes hands, the four powers cooperate to obtain the Imperial Treasure, and peace will reign!"
This single sentence caused the smaller nations, who had been alerted to the change of power in Dong Sheng and were already stirring, to all settle down.
The Imperial Treasure was a legend, and the most coveted item by all under heaven.
Furthermore, the smaller nations had already learned that the clue to the Imperial Treasure lay with the Emperor of Dong Sheng, Nangong Qi.
Thus, the internal strife in Dong Sheng presented an opportunity for the smaller nations to "show their prowess."
After all, everyone coveted treasure.
However, at this moment, they received such an anonymous letter.
The Empress of Xia, as a leader, personally declared that she would not attack Dong Sheng during its transition of power.
The other smaller nations followed suit.
Without risking their own troops, they could try and wait patiently.
At this moment, after distributing the last "Book of Crimes,"
Gu Yi, dressed in moon-white, held the hands of a slightly older and a younger child, boarding a carriage bound for the countryside.
"Brother, when can I meet Qianying sister? I really want to see how beautiful she is."
Inside the carriage, a young boy dressed in the same color as Gu Yi looked up at Gu Yi, who was quietly reading.
This young boy was Gu Nian, the son of Concubine Meng.
Gu Qianying had adopted him; he was Gu Yi and Gu Qianying's younger brother.
Ever since Gu Nian could remember, he had lived in the countryside, cared for by a mute wet nurse.
When Gu Yi found him, Gu Nian was three and a half years old.
The mute wet nurse, being elderly, could no longer care for the lively Gu Nian.
From then on, Gu Nian was personally looked after by Gu Yi.
From his brother Gu Yi, he had never met his elder sister Gu Qianying, yet he was very curious about her.
His brother Gu Yi had said that his elder sister Gu Qianying was very beautiful and capable.
Hearing this, he longed to see how beautiful this elder sister was.
"If there's a chance, you will."
With that, Gu Yi lifted the carriage curtain and looked out at the scenery.
The weather had turned cold, snowflakes were falling, and the mountains and fields were covered in a vast expanse of white.
The sutra in his hand had fallen unnoticed; his heart was unsettled.
He wondered how things were in the palace.
Today, the tyrant was being overthrown, and the throne was changing hands. The Gu family disciples were all giving their all.
However, he did not know martial arts or strategy. To avoid burdening his sister, Gu Qianying, and the others,
He could only stay away from the conflict.
However, he lowered the curtain and looked back at Gu Nian, who was playing with a slingshot, and the little girl Hu Keke beside him, who had always been quiet and never spoken.
Perhaps, by taking care of these two little ones, he was also helping Gu Qianying.
With this thought, a faint smile touched Gu Yi's lips.
Qianying, take care. I hope that one day, we can return to the Gu family together.
At this moment, on the palace walls,
Nangong Qi, clad in imperial yellow, was surrounded by numerous eunuchs and guards. Vice-General Qi Xing, having been released by Nangong Qi, had taken over military affairs.
Besides the Gu family's army, he commanded a hundred thousand elite soldiers.
Fifty thousand had already been dispatched to defend the borders, while the remaining fifty thousand were all gathered here.
In addition, the Imperial Guards were also present. Nangong Qi's military power was enough to make him laugh arrogantly: "Hahaha, Gu Qianying, how dare you lowly wretches try to seize my throne!"
With these words, Nangong Qi no longer referred to Gu Qianying as Imperial Noble Consort, indicating that he had already fallen out with her.
And Gu Qianying, at this moment, no longer cared about such things.
Her eyes were bloodthirsty, her killing intent palpable.
She raised her gaze, looking at the man on the palace walls from afar.
A cold smile played on her lips: "Your throne? Hmph! Do you not know how you obtained this throne? Nangong Qi, you disregarded familial bonds, imprisoned the late Emperor, and let him starve to death. You disregarded my status as a princess, my own sister, and violated all ethics by forcing me to become your Imperial Noble Consort. You slaughtered loyal officials and elevated corrupt ministers. Such an incompetent ruler is unworthy to be the king of our Dong Sheng!"
"Today, I, Gu Qianying, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Gu family, assume the important position of Grand General, inherited from my grandfather, leading the Gu family army and various righteous individuals to overthrow the incompetent ruler. Nangong Qi, people are watching, and heaven is watching. You have committed numerous evils, lost the hearts of the people, and destroyed the trust of the ruler. I, Gu Qianying, along with various righteous individuals, will surely act on behalf of heaven and kill you, this dog emperor."
Leading thousands of troops into a decisive battle against Nangong Qi.
This scene and moment had been replayed in her mind countless times.
The tragic fate of her loved ones in her past life was vividly etched in her memory.
Without absolute certainty of victory, she would not have raised the banner of rebellion.
"Ha, haha,"
As if hearing the greatest joke.
Nangong Qi laughed, then looked down at Gu Qianying and the others from his high position.
"Lost the hearts of the people? Hahaha, Gu Qianying, do you think the people of this world will believe your nonsensical ramblings? You still intend to overthrow me? Hmph, what a joke! You usurpers, I must have you traitors torn to shreds today!"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone beside him reported: "Your Majesty, bad news! In the capital, tens of thousands of citizens have voluntarily submitted petitions, demanding the removal of the... incompetent ruler... and the restoration of peace for the people."
The latter part of the sentence was stammered and garbled by the young eunuch.
Lost the hearts of the people, and the subsequent demand for his removal, was the will of the people, therefore... it did not constitute usurpation!
"Sss!"
A sharp sword pierced the young eunuch's heart. As the sword was withdrawn, blood splattered everywhere.
The young eunuch slumped to the ground, his wide eyes unclosed even in death.
Nangong Qi, with a sinister gaze, threw the blood-stained sword to Vice-General Qi Xing: "Hmph! So what if I've lost the hearts of the people? This empire is my empire, am I afraid of these useless wretches below?"
"Qi Xing, obey my command, kill! Kill all these people below for me, leave not a single one alive!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"