The long spears stood in great numbers, like a forest flashing with bloody light. They swarmed and trampled on the enormous palace.
Soldiers were everywhere. The tips of their swords stirred up a bloody mist. The tightly shut gates of Lianyi Palace were quickly broken open. The small group of cavalry at the front quickly charged in, while the main force stayed behind.
The vanguard were all Mingde's personal guards. In other words, they were all elite soldiers that he had personally picked. They were like the sharpest tip of an arrow that pierced deeply into the heart of the palace.
If Mingde was a general who was familiar with the terrain or knew a lot about the palace, then he would know that although the current situation seemed to be in his favor, it was actually very unfavorable for him.
No army that had just returned from a victory and was waiting to be rewarded would risk the annihilation of nine generations to rebel in the Imperial Palace. Moreover, their army had always been treated well. While the other armies were still waiting for winter clothing, they had already been prepared with sweaters and clothing.
Even in terms of military pay, they received several times more than the neighboring armies.
This kind of army would not be too dissatisfied with the court. If they were asked to rebel, at most they would be temporarily bewitched. By the time they reacted, the morale of the army would be gone. Other than the trusted aides who only listened to the general and not the emperor, most of the ordinary soldiers would not dare to continue to be presumptuous.
At this time, if the gates of Lianyi Palace to Zhengtai Hall were closed, the army would be separated into two. The vanguard would be few in number and would not receive any support. They would be quickly annihilated.
Although this palace rebellion was dangerous, it was definitely not to the point of being on the verge of death.
In Zhengtai Hall, Qianwandi waved his hand to dismiss the secret guard who had delivered the secret report. No one knew what he was thinking. After a while, he lightly laughed coldly. "This child is not that stupid. It seems that he has lost his mind."
Zhang Kuo took the opportunity to laugh. "How could the little noble really go against you? Even a person made of mud and wood can feel the emperor's favor."
Qianwandi laughed. There was an indescribable coldness in his carelessness.
He had thought that this little thing would not be so easily hot-headed. Now, it seemed that this little thing was angry. It did not care about anything else and started to play the show of leading troops to force the emperor to abdicate.
That's good as well. If the resentment is stuck in my throat and can't go up or down, I'll get sick from holding it in. After this experience, I'll be fine.
That little guy was not honest when he had some military power in his hands. He was always secretly scheming, but he was not brave enough to act rashly. Qianwandi felt sorry for him.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to lead the troops into the capital, he found a few trusted aides in the army to incite and bewitch them. As long as he used the Empress's old belongings from the Phoenix Cry Palace to provoke her, that little thing really couldn't resist the urge to abdicate.
He was truly someone who valued the blood ties of relatives more than the heavens. He only thought about how to avenge those useless blood relatives of his and how to vent the anger in his heart. He did not consider at all that if it were not for someone secretly passing through and having a secret imperial edict ordering the army to follow his command, would he be able to bring the army to the palace city so easily?
He was just a teenager. Taking someone's head in front of tens of thousands of troops was one thing, but mobilizing an army to force the emperor to abdicate?
Who would listen to him?
Zhang Kuo stood there waiting for orders with his hands by his side. After a while, he saw Qianwandi standing there thinking about something. There was even a relaxed expression on his face.
After about the time to drink a cup of tea, the sound of horse hooves could be faintly heard outside the door. Only then did he hear Qianwandi slowly say, "… This child is so reckless. If I let him out in the future, he will definitely suffer."
Zhang Kuo smiled and said, "Isn't that so?
His Excellency Ding alone will never let go of our little noble lady. "
"After this matter is over, it just so happens that he has no place in the imperial court. He can just stay here and hide.
That Ding Huang is too greedy. Sooner or later, I will get rid of his entire family! "
Zhang Kuo bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
Qianwandi laughed coldly and looked outside the palace door.
The sound of horse hooves approached. With a loud bang, the palace door of Zhengtai Hall was opened by the palace servants who had received orders in advance.
Archers and hidden guards who were lying in ambush instantly stood in great numbers. Figures flickered on the high walls of the palace. The chaotic army that had broken in earlier fell to the ground one after another under the rain of arrows. The initial blood flowed down the jade steps like a small river.
Everyone was screaming. The flames jumped, and the billowing smoke in the distance covered the sky above the century-old palace.
The sound of the Imperial Army's assault came like rolling thunder amidst all kinds of chaotic noises.
Buckets of water were splashed into the flames. The timid palace maids scattered in all directions. The dignified concubines and mistresses screamed, desperately trying to escape from this hell on earth where blades and flames rolled …
Everything was a mess.
Just like that little thing had always wanted, it was always struggling and restless. Its little claws were so thin that they could be broken with a light grab, but it still couldn't help but stretch out and scratch everywhere. Otherwise, it would be full of resentment and would not be able to rest …
Mingde pushed open the door to the inner palace.
The large and unimaginably spacious palace was quiet. Other than the sound of his own footsteps on the carpet, there was no other sound.
He had been here many times.
A long time ago, that man had told him that this palace belonged to him. Even this world belonged to him. As long as he wanted, he could enjoy the best years of his life here.
It sounded very indulgent and doting, but in reality, it was a cage for him. What made him tremble in fear and trepidation here was that every day, there would be people who would become rich overnight under an imperial edict, and there were also people whose families would be ruined and their people killed by the Emperor's understated words.
It seemed that he was really held high in the clouds. However, so many people were eyeing him covetously and itching to cut or stab him with a knife. If he wasn't careful, he would be pulled down and fall heavily to pieces.
Only the Empress would secretly come to see him and coax him.
When he made Qianwandi angry and ordered him to be locked in this large and cold palace alone, the palace servants would not light a lamp for him at night. In such a dark and terrifying night, only the Empress would take the risk of angering Qianwandi and quietly come to give him food. She would only leave after seeing him fall asleep.
The imperial family would eat people. Everyone was like the Emperor's marionette, but they all wanted to tear down the other marionettes and be the only one.
Someone who was nice to you today and smiled at you today might turn around and stab you in the back the next day. They might even swarm over to kill you. For a little bit of illusory glory and splendor, they would go crazy and do crazy things.
He didn't trust anyone and was on guard against everyone. Only the Empress had planned for him from beginning to end. He had suffered his entire life, and even when he died, he died so coldly and unjustly.
Mingde felt that his nose was a bit sore.
He knew that if he cried in front of Li Ji at this time, it would be too stupid.
But he couldn't stop himself.
The familiar scenes reminded him of how the Empress drank the poison here, how she fell here, and how she still thought of the Crown Prince and him when the shadow of death enveloped her.
He stood in the middle of the hall and looked back blankly.
A hand reached out from behind him and gently wiped away his tears.
"Why are you crying?
What is there to cry about?
Be careful, your throat will hurt again. "
Ming De abruptly pulled back his hand and was caught by Emperor Qian in the palm of his hand.
The silent struggle only lasted for a few seconds. Then there was a muffled sound. Mingde was pressed down on the floor, his back hitting the marble floor. He knocked over the tea table, and the precious decorations scattered all over the floor.
Emperor Qian pressed his knee on Yu Mingde's waist and pressed down on Yu Mingde's two wrists. Perhaps it was because he used too much force that Yu Mingde was crying so hard. Tears flowed down from his temples and his entire body was curled up. He was like a severely injured, extremely frightened and frightened little beast that wanted to bury its fragile abdomen in sharp little thorns to protect it.
Qianwandi easily forced him to relax and asked harshly, "Why are you crying?
Hm?
When did I let you down? You think about how to escape every day!
Look at you, you are forcing the Emperor to abdicate!
When you go out, those courtiers can eat you in one bite!
What will you do without me protecting you?
Wait for death?! "
"If only I didn't have you!"
Perhaps it was because he was struggling too hard, Mingde's voice was hoarse from crying and almost changed pitch. "If it wasn't for you, the Empress wouldn't have died!
My mother wouldn't have died!
Everyone would be fine, it's all because of you!
It's all because of you that it became like this! "
He always felt very scared. Every step he took was trembling. If he took a wrong step, there would be countless people waiting to pounce on him and eat him.
He was just an ordinary concubine-born son of an ordinary noble family that was not valued. He could have been very satisfied with a muddle-headed life. However, because of the Emperor's whim, he was pushed to the front stage of all the struggles.
A teenage boy fell into the hands of a man who was older, more powerful, and more cruel than him. If he was told to live, he would live. If he was told to die, he would die. There were clearly so many people watching, but no one could reach out to save him.
On the contrary, they were all envious and even jealous. They felt that this was glory and luck, and that he didn't know what was good for him.
This fear had been deeply engraved in his bones since he was a youth. At the beginning, it was pure hatred of the Imperial Palace. Later, it developed to the point that his heart would palpitate when he entered the Imperial Palace. He was clearly so scared, but he had to pretend that nothing was wrong.
Other people said that he was deeply favored by the Emperor, but they didn't see the fifteen-year-old child. He hid in the depths of the dragon bed and cried quietly all night. Even his breathing was careful, not daring to make a sound.
That kind of fear and disgust had been deeply planted in his bones. This little thing was sensitive and suspicious. Once he was lightly poked by a needle, he would remember it for a long time, much less the enormous shadow of the Imperial Family. It was like he was constantly choking him, making it hard for him to breathe.
He cried too miserably. He didn't look like a normal general who was trying to force the Emperor to abdicate.
Qianwandi wanted to reach out to wipe his tears and calm him down, but as soon as he reached out, he bit his finger.
This little thing bit very hard. Blood spurted out, and the pain stimulated his mind. Qianwandi waved his hand and gave him a heavy slap.
"Everything will be fine without me?
Without me, you would have been killed ten thousand times already!
Without me, how could the army listen to you? Even the Crown Prince would have been overthrown!
I thought you would be fine after being coaxed, but now it seems that you are just a little ungrateful wolf! "
Mingde was slapped so hard that he couldn't breathe. He only heard a buzzing sound in his ears. He struggled unconsciously, sobbing and screaming: "Let me go!
Let me go!
Let me go!
… … "
Qianwandi slapped Mingde again. This time, Mingde's entire body went limp, and he couldn't breathe again.
"If I had known, I would have chained you to the bed and not allowed you to go anywhere!
How could there be so much trouble!
It's all because of you, this little thing who doesn't know what's good for you, causing all this mess! "
He dragged Mingde up, not caring that the child was limp in his hands. He dragged Mingde out of the inner hall.
The fighting outside had stopped. Sporadic sounds of fighting could be heard from afar, but they were already spent. There was nothing to be afraid of.
The hall was a mess. Zhang Kuo ran over, stepping on blood and broken body parts. Qianwandi grabbed Mingde with one hand and said sternly: "The Crown Prince instigated a rebellion in the palace and tried to usurp the throne. He is immoral and incompetent. He can't bear the responsibility of the country!
Someone come!
Drag the Crown Prince out and kill him! "
Mingde struggled violently. His shrill voice sounded like his vocal cords were about to break: "No!"
Qianwandi didn't let go. He fell to his knees and desperately grabbed the sleeve of the bright yellow dragon robe. His voice was unusually shrill with tears and fear: "No!
I beg you!
This has nothing to do with the Crown Prince!
I beg you, don't kill him!
Don't! "
Qianwandi was impatient from his grip. He pulled Mingde over and tightly held him in his arms, forcing him to raise his head. His other hand held his chin and asked by his ear: "Do you see that door?
Do you see it?
Don't say it too late now. If you're obedient, I'll let the Crown Prince suffer less. Otherwise, I'll let you watch him be dismembered for three days and three nights. Slowly, he'll be sliced off one by one until only his bones are left … "
Mingde struggled with all his might. He used all his strength to pry Qianwandi's hand away and kicked it. He cried and screamed in despair.
Those meaningless words couldn't shake the Emperor's will. Even his struggles were weak and insignificant. He watched as a person wearing the Crown Prince's platinum robe was pushed forward with disheveled hair. Then, the imperial guards flashed their large swords.
In that instant, it was as if his entire heart had been torn apart.
Human heads, blood, broken limbs all over the ground, the blood red palace, the flames and smoke in the distance, circling above the palace like a song of death from an ancient battlefield.
All of this was deeply engraved in his mind, becoming the valve that closed everything in his memory.
What followed was darkness. Everything quickly spun away from him. Qianwandi seemed to be shouting something by his ear, desperately shaking his body. However, he couldn't feel anything.
Qianwandi was truly a bit shocked at this time. However, he only saw Mingde violently cough twice, coughing out a mouthful of black blood. Then, he fell limply into his arms.
"Mingde!
Mingde! "
Qianwandi shook him heavily. He suddenly stood up and roared at the top of his lungs: "Why haven't you called the imperial doctor yet!"
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