"Yes!"
The imperial guards responded in unison, their halberds swinging as they marched, the clinking of their soft armor exuding an oppressive aura.
The officials trembled and retreated, intimidated by the imposing presence. Ye Tingyan hadn't expected them to breach the palace so easily, his brow furrowing as he stepped forward to shield himself.
"What is Third Brother doing?"
Ever since the investigation into the Imperial Forest Guard had spread, rumors of Ye Tinglan's ambition had been rife within and outside the palace.
These past two days, officials loyal to the emperor had been jointly impeaching him. He had clearly calculated that they would all be in the palace today to make his move.
One person monopolizing power, coupled with another accused of poisoning, was enough to solidify Ye Tinglan's charge of treason. Yet, who could have foreseen that he had secretly hidden his power, reversing the situation to this point?
This was extremely disadvantageous to them.
As expected, Ye Tinglan raised his eyes upon hearing this, his tone so nonchalant as if the matter were trivial.
"As Second Brother sees, rebels are rampant in the palace. This prince is leading the imperial guards to quell them."
His gaze fell slightly behind Ye Tingyan, his eyes shifting subtly.
"The criminals are audacious. Second Brother and all the esteemed officials should be careful to avoid them."
The "rebels" he spoke of clearly referred to the private soldiers they had brought!
Ye Tingyan's face darkened. Before he could even attempt a retort, Ye Tinglan's raised hand fell.
"Attack!"
With that command, the imperial guards surged forward as if breaking through barriers, passing Ye Tingyan.
Surprised that he would actually resort to violence in the hall, the officials scattered in panic. Ye Tingyan hastily turned his head, but the situation had already descended into chaos.
Most of the private soldiers, threatened by Feng Yinwan earlier, had been forced to discard their weapons. Now, they scrambled to retrieve them, but it was far too late.
The archers fared no better. In close-quarters combat, they couldn't leverage their advantage. Within moments, the imperial guards had broken their formations, scattering them in a desperate retreat.
Blood stained the curtains in an instant.
The imperial guards, well-trained and disciplined, drove Ye Tingyu and Ye Tingyan's private soldiers back steadily, quickly forming a pincer movement.
Seeing that the situation had completely spiraled out of control, Ye Tingyan could no longer hold back and shouted.
"Stop all of you!"
He repeatedly commanded them to halt, but the imperial guards seemed deaf to his pleas.
Ye Tingyan bellowed in fury, "Insolence! Are you intending to bloodbath the great hall!"
"Stop."
With just a single word, all the commotion in the hall instantly ceased. Ye Tingyan turned to look, his voice laced with near-gritted teeth.
"The imperial guards are truly obedient to you!"
Ye Tinglan's expression remained indifferent. "Second Brother is mistaken. The imperial guards are loyal to Father Emperor. This prince is merely temporarily commanding them, nothing more."
With that, he stepped forward and bowed in the direction of the Empress Dowager.
"Your grandson arrived late to protect you. The rebels in the palace have now all been subdued. I humbly request your Imperial Grandmother to issue a decree for their punishment."
The recent commotion was no less than a minor coup. The Empress Dowager felt weary. She furrowed her brow upon hearing his words, but before she could speak, another official emerged from the rear.
"Well said, crying 'rebel' while being the rebel! Prince Mo, you control the imperial guards and have plotted to harm His Majesty, yet you have the audacity to call others rebels!"
The official straightened his cap and knelt.
"Your Majesty, you just witnessed it. Prince Mo, without a military tally, can command the imperial guards to act. Such a wolfish ambition is clearly long premeditated!"
"The situation is critical. I implore you to quickly issue an order to strip him of his princely title and have him apprehended!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Tinglan's dark eyes deepened slightly as he cast his gaze.
The close confidants who had accompanied Ye Tingyan into the palace today were all supporters of him and Ye Tingyu. Previously, these individuals had remained inconspicuous in the court. This incident, however, had brought them all into the open.
Interesting.