Overnight.
Children's rhymes suddenly circulated again in the streets and alleys of the capital.
"A big black dog, sitting at the city gate.
Calling friends and inviting companions, wanting to beat the master.
Unfortunately, the name is not right, so it paces around anxiously.
Not born of the father, only then realizes it is truly a dog."
Although it wasn't very rhyming, the content was explosive.
The Fourth Prince's given name was Xia Chengmo, and the character 'Mo' split apart is Hei (black) + Quan (dog), which can also be said to be a black dog.
Therefore, officials and noble families who knew the Fourth Prince's given name almost immediately connected the big black dog in the children's rhyme with the Fourth Prince who was coveting the capital from outside the city.
The new Emperor was the sovereign, and the Fourth Prince was the minister.
If the Fourth Prince wanted to force his way to usurp the throne, wasn't that equivalent to attacking his own lord?
Moreover, the new Emperor was not only designated as the heir by the late Emperor, but the Fourth Prince was also a condemned criminal.
Therefore, after gathering his forces, the Fourth Prince did not act immediately. The main reason was the lack of legitimacy.
He must be as anxious as an ant on a hot pan right now.
As for the last line, although it was the easiest to understand, it was also the most shocking.
The Fourth Prince was not born of the late Emperor?!
If this matter were true, then the Fourth Prince's actions would not be forcing his way to usurp the throne, but a rebellion to seize the throne!
Even though the last line had no basis, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was completely baseless.
However—
Precisely because every word of the first three lines stated facts that everyone knew, the last line became particularly thought-provoking...
Within the Imperial Palace.
Hua Jinrong, who had sent people to spread children's rhymes all night, fanned himself and praised,
"Brilliant, truly brilliant~
Looking across the entire Great Xia, Your Excellency's skill in fabricating lies is absolutely unmatched!
My respect for Your Excellency is as continuous as the mighty river~
But I wonder when Your Excellency will have time to allow me to pry open your skull and take a peek~"
"Absolutely not!"
After taking several steps back until he was leaning against Leng Ningyue, Lin Qingge finally felt a sense of security.
"Lord Lin's strategy of striking first is indeed brilliant.
This way, the Fourth Prince's uprising will lack legitimacy.
Even if he tries to spread alarmist remarks in the capital, they won't have much effect.
And those officials and noble families who might consider defecting would have to weigh their options carefully."
"This alone is not enough.
Prime Minister Feng, have you detained Consort Ruan as I instructed?"
"Lord Lin, rest assured, in the face of national crisis, I will not be sentimental.
Consort Ruan was captured by the Dark Guard yesterday.
At the same time, the city gates have all been closed as you instructed, preventing anyone from entering or leaving."
"Good. Once the Fourth Prince makes a move, bring Consort Ruan to the city wall as a hostage."
Of course, they wouldn't actually kill Consort Ruan, and the Fourth Prince might not abandon his long-planned scheme for her.
But to avoid being labeled as cold-blooded, heartless, or unfilial, even if the Fourth Prince was furious, he would at least put on a show.
This should buy them half a day's breathing room.
Just as Lin Qingge finished his thoughts, Wu Suowei and Lu Huaiying walked in from outside.
"My Lord, you were looking for us?"
"Yes, I have something for the two of you to take care of."
Lin Qingge said, taking out a few inconspicuous small paper packets from his pocket and handing them over.
Lu Huaiying and the two, who were familiar with such things, took them with understanding and silently withdrew.
"By the way, where is Ling Han?"
"Replying to My Lord, the Madam is worried about the young master's safety and has instructed Ling Han to stay by the young master's side at all times."
"Is that so..."
"What, do you need Ling Han for something?"
Leng Ningyue spoke, seemingly guessing why Lin Qingge was looking for Ling Han, and directly said two words:
"I'll go."
"No, such a dangerous task should be handled by Master Hua. He's not doing anything anyway."
Hua Jinrong:?!!!
"He won't do, he's too likely to be exposed."
Hua Jinrong: ...
Seeing that Lin Qingge was about to say more, Leng Ningyue stated firmly:
"Don't worry, when it comes to killing, I have never failed.
Moreover, that General Xu deserves to die. I missed the opportunity at the banquet before, but this time I will personally take his dog life."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingge's eyes widened.
"Uh... Madam, my original intention was just to scare them, not to take their lives."
Lin Qingge's intention was to delay for time. As long as they could hold on until reinforcements arrived, with the advantage in numbers, it would be enough to make the Fourth Prince and his subordinates surrender.
After all, war is something to be avoided if possible.
They are all people of Great Xia, born of the same root, why should they harm each other so deeply?
As Lin Qingge's thoughts drifted, Leng Ningyue nodded slightly:
"Mmm, I understand."
However, these four words in Lin Qingge's ears sounded like:
I heard you, but whether I do it is another matter.
Noon.
The Fourth Prince, knowing that he had already alerted the enemy, gritted his teeth and launched his campaign, accusing the new Emperor of being infatuated with the Empress, favoring sycophants, and distancing himself from wise ministers.
The Fourth Prince led ten thousand troops to the city gates, and Madam Ruan was pushed onto the city wall.
The Fourth Prince cursed the new Emperor and Feng Qingchen and others profusely, but just as Lin Qingge had predicted.
As dusk fell, the Fourth Prince personally drew his bow and arrow, aiming the arrowhead at Consort Ruan on the city wall.
Unexpectedly, his beloved son intended to kill her, and it was now Consort Ruan's turn to curse.
But the Fourth Prince, while spouting national righteousness, drew his bowstring taut.
However, just as the arrow was about to hit Consort Ruan, it was blocked by General Zhang Ziliang, the commander of the Imperial Guard, who swung his saber.
Perhaps unable to bear being shot by her own son, Consort Ruan, though she saved her life, became despondent and aged ten years instantly.
As for the Fourth Prince, whether it was due to the late hour or his decision to personally shoot his own mother but failing.
In any case, the Fourth Prince's forces temporarily retreated to their camp.
However, the next morning.
Before the Fourth Prince's forces could even assemble, the camp erupted in chaos.
Because the head of General Xu Qing of the stationed city camp was hung in front of the commander's tent!
The terrifying appearance of his unclosed eyes made even the battle-hardened men's scalps tingle.
Most importantly, the murderer had killed General Xu without anyone noticing, making no sound, and the cut was so clean it was as if he had sliced a chicken or duck on the chopping board, not General Xu's head...
It was simply chilling!
At the same time.
Upon receiving the news, Lin Qingge looked at the Empress, who was supervising Lin Zimo's training nearby, and sighed with a hint of helplessness.
As if Lin Qingge's gaze was too mournful, Leng Ningyue walked over and offered a perfunctory explanation:
"I scared them."
"Yes, Madam, your method of scaring them is truly unique. Generally speaking, ordinary people would absolutely not be able to do it."
Lin Qingge said, holding his forehead, and did not intend to pursue the matter further.
After all, Xu Qing was involved in the rebellion, and his execution was a foregone conclusion. Leng Ningyue's action was considered sending him on his way ahead of time.
"Tsk, My Lord, isn't this using your authority to show favoritism?"
"Rong San!"
Hua Jinrong, who was called upon by the new Emperor, immediately put on a fawning smile and flattered,
"My Lord, what I mean is that you are wise and resourceful, and Madam is martial and peerless.
With the two of you combining your strengths, what is there to fear from the Fourth Prince's vast army~"
On the other side.
The Fourth Prince's camp descended into chaos for a long time, thus wasting another day.
After enduring two days, on the morning of the third day, reinforcements finally appeared, kicking up clouds of dust.
However, the reinforcements did not arrive at the city gates but directly joined the Fourth Prince's ranks?!