"The rest I will handle. You stay here and do not move."
Ling Mohan pulled Feng Jin behind him, handing her over to several soldiers. "Keep a close eye on the young madam. If even a single hair on her head is harmed, you will be held responsible!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"Ling Mohan, please be careful with everything."
Feng Jin said worriedly, her gaze fixed on Ling Mohan.
"Don't worry. You be good and don't run around."
After a few more instructions to Feng Jin, Ling Mohan flipped himself onto his horse and charged directly into the battlefield, engaging in combat.
Feng Jin watched the man's retreating back, her heart pounding nervously, unable to calm down. She silently prayed for Ling Mohan's safety and success.
"Young madam, this place is dangerous. Please accompany us to the rear to take temporary refuge."
"Alright..." Feng Jin hesitated before nodding her agreement. She knew that her own safety was the only way not to worry Ling Mohan, and she believed Ling Mohan could defeat Chu Yanxi.
...
"Your Highness, General Ling's forces are attacking the imperial palace. Chu Yanxi and his men are retreating steadily. The palace is on the verge of falling."
Chu Chenyi, clad in armor and astride his horse, wore a grave expression. Ling Mohan's Black Armored Army was the sharpest force in Eastern Chu, and Chu Yanxi was certainly no match for them. Now that Ling Mohan was attacking the palace, it meant Feng Jin was no longer in Chu Yanxi's hands.
He only worried that after Chu Yanxi's defeat, he might resort to desperate measures, harming the Empress Dowager and his father the Emperor.
"Select a detachment from here and accompany me into the palace to protect the Empress Dowager and His Majesty."
At this moment, the safety of the Empress Dowager and his father the Emperor was paramount. He had to rush back immediately and could not afford to concern himself with anyone else or any crimes. After these matters were settled, he would seek forgiveness from his father.
"Your subordinates obey!"
A crack detachment was selected, led by Chu Chenyi, entering the palace through a secret passage. The remaining forces were led by the副将 to reinforce Ling Mohan.
The defeat was like a mountain collapsing. Chu Yanxi's forces were no match for Ling Mohan's. They were repeatedly beaten back, retreating directly into Xuanwu Gate.
Seeing that the situation was lost, Chu Yanxi became anxious and urged his soldiers forward.
How could the Imperial Guards within the deep palace stand against the valiant and skilled Black Armored Army? No matter how many men charged forward, the outcome was always the same.
"With one united effort, capture Xuanwu Gate!"
Ling Mohan stood at the rear, directing his soldiers to charge forward. This was the best opportunity. Chu Yanxi's forces had suffered heavy losses, their morale was scattered. This was the moment to seize the palace with one concerted effort.
"Your Highness, we cannot resist any longer. Your Highness should seize this opportunity to flee quickly! If the green hills remain, there will be firewood to burn. Your Highness, flee quickly!"
"Yes, Your Highness, flee. Your subordinates will cover you as you charge out."
Chu Yanxi knew that the tide had turned and victory was impossible for him.
He lowered his eyes, contemplating for a moment, then slowly raised his head, his gaze chillingly fixed on the soldiers fighting ahead.
"The victor becomes king, the defeated becomes a bandit. Where can I flee to?"
He had been born noble in this life. How could he endure a life of fleeing? Even if he died, he would never live like a stray dog, clinging to existence.
Chu Yanxi instantly made up his mind and turned to run back. Even if he died, he would first save his mother.
"Xi'er, why have you come?"
The Empress, who was about to enter and cause more trouble, saw Chu Yanxi's figure and greeted him with a smile.
He was truly the child she had meticulously raised. Every action was so outstanding. Soon her son would be the new emperor of Eastern Chu, and she would soon be the Empress Dowager, high and mighty. These good days were just around the corner.
"Mother, quickly pack your things and flee! We cannot stay in this palace any longer!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress's face instantly changed. She swayed and hurriedly grabbed Chu Yanxi's arm, finally managing to stand steady.
"Xi'er, what is... what has happened? Don't... don't frighten your mother!"
The Empress was filled with fear. Her intuition told her that this was not simple, that a major event had occurred. A bad premonition cast a shadow over her.
"Mother... Ling Mohan's forces have already broken in. We... we have lost!"
At that moment, it was as if lightning struck her head. The Empress felt as if the sky above was collapsing. She almost lost her footing.
"Mother!" Chu Yanxi instinctively supported the Empress's arm, quickly helping her. "Mother, the situation is urgent, they will be here any moment. Mother, you must quickly leave the palace."
"No... no... this palace will not leave. This palace will absolutely not leave!"
The Empress tightly gripped Chu Yanxi's hand, her tone resolute. She had lived in this palace for over twenty years. She could only win and would never leave in disgrace like a stray dog. She would never let that slut, Imperial Concubine, see her like this.
Suddenly remembering something, the Empress glanced at the closed palace hall behind her and walked towards it.
"Mother!" Chu Yanxi shouted, then followed the Empress's steps into the hall.
"Mother, the situation is critical. You should leave the palace first. Your son has already made arrangements, and someone will escort you away. Even after leaving the palace, you will be kept safe and prosperous for life. Mother..."
"Xi'er, there's no need to say more. This palace will not leave. Xi'er, you hurry and go... as long as you are alive, you are Mother's hope, you are Mother's everything. Xi'er, hurry and go, go quickly!"
The Empress, as if driven mad, pushed Chu Yanxi outwards and tightly closed the palace gate.
"Mother, open the door! I'll take you with me, Mother!"
"No... Xi'er, Mother cannot leave. Everything that has happened should have someone take the blame. As long as Mother is here, all these matters can be attributed to Mother, and they can't do anything more to you. Xi'er, hurry and go, go quickly!"
The Empress shouted madly. She did not regret what she had done, only resented fate's unfairness. Neither she nor Xi'er had the destiny for this.
Now that they had failed, she had to do her best to protect Xi'er, not allowing her child any harm. This was the only thing she could do.
"Mother, Mother!"
"Xi'er, a true man knows when to cut his losses. If you don't leave now, Mother will die before your eyes, and you will simply collect Mother's corpse. Do you really want to force Mother to die before you!"
"Mother... no, I... I'll go... I'll go!"