Li Qinghan, the Vice Minister of War, dared not breathe loudly, carefully leading a group of people to respectfully usher the Emperor into the main hall of the Ministry of War.
If it were the former Emperor, though they feared him, they also respected him more. The current Emperor, however, inspired more fear.
Because one could never be sure who he might want to kill next, not even sparing the Empress and the Prince of Nan'an, let alone the ministers of the court. But why were the Emperor, the Empress, and the Prince of Nan'an appearing together now?
In the main hall of the Ministry of War, officials knelt on the ground, all unable to fathom what had transpired. Puzzled, they could only kneel cautiously, heads bowed, awaiting orders.
“Li Qinghan, where is the Minister of War?”
As Murong Liuzun spoke, Li Qinghan shivered, unsure how to respond. If the Emperor were to meet with other ministers in private, Lord Lin’s life might be in danger.
Although he had coveted Lord Lin’s position, he couldn't bring himself to kick someone when they were down.
But if he concealed this from the Emperor, he might be accused of deceiving the ruler. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Li Qinghan was hesitant and indecisive. Just then, a person rushed in from outside the main hall, panting and speaking in alarm.
“Your subject greets His Majesty. Your Majesty, please forgive me.”
Seeing Lord Lin return, Vice Minister Li Qinghan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Murong Liuzun paid no mind to the officials below. Li Qinghan signaled to the Minister of War, who seemed not to have noticed. He merely spoke in a low tone, “How many men can be mobilized from the Ministry of War now?”
Upon hearing this, the Minister of War shivered, thinking he had misheard. The Emperor coming to the Ministry of War in the dead of night to mobilize troops – for what purpose?
However, upon meeting the Emperor’s darkly murderous gaze, he was so startled that he quickly lowered his head. “Your Majesty, very few can be mobilized now. Approximately two thousand men can be gathered?”
“Very good, that is enough. Immediately gather the men and accompany me to the palace at once.”
“To the palace?”
The officials of the Ministry of War gaped, not knowing why the Emperor wanted to bring troops to the palace. Lord Lin trembled and asked, “What does Your Majesty intend to do with the troops in the palace?”
“Nonsense, a bunch of idiots. A false emperor has disrupted the court, and you are all oblivious.”
Murong Liuzun suddenly spoke, his voice cold and deep, his gaze unfathomable.
Mentioning Shangguan Hao, that vicious fellow, cast a chilling aura around him. His face was extremely cold, and his hand clenched, veins bulging, his entire demeanor icy and aloof.
The Minister of War and the officials of the Ministry of War were struck as if by lightning. They stood stunned until the Emperor’s bloodthirsty voice sounded again, “Why haven’t you mobilized the troops yet?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, your humble servant will attend to it immediately.”
The Minister of War and the Vice Minister of War scrambled out, immediately gathering the men present at the Ministry of War, about two thousand in total, who assembled neatly in the courtyard.
At this hour, many were drowsy, unaware of what was happening, standing in a daze in the center of the courtyard, listening to the stern and somber voice of Minister Lin.
“Follow me into the palace immediately.”
“Ah,” gasps of surprise erupted. The two thousand men immediately awoke, looking at Minister Lin of the Ministry of War in unison.
Did he intend to rebel? He was leading them into the palace, and the Emperor was not someone to be trifled with.
At this moment, Li Qinghan knew that if he didn't clarify, the two thousand men would not dare to move. He quickly stepped to the front, raised his hand, and spoke sternly.
“Everyone, please quiet down. His Majesty is in the Ministry of War now. You must all know about the recent turmoil in the court. The Emperor not only deposed the Empress but also imprisoned her and issued an order to arrest the Prince of Nan’an.
Now, he has also moved against the court officials. All of this is because there is a false emperor residing in the palace. We are now acting to support the rightful ruler and eliminate the traitor. Everyone, rouse yourselves!”
As Minister Li finished speaking, in the darkness of the night, everyone moved with alacrity. In an instant, they were all prepared, fully armed, and the two thousand troops were ready to depart.
Murong Liuzun and Mu Qingyao led the way, with the rest following. The group moved swiftly towards the imperial palace.
Anyone obstructing at the palace gates was to be killed without mercy. They broke through directly into the imperial palace.
Outside Liuli Palace, torches blazed, and two thousand troops surrounded Liuli Palace in formation.
At this moment, the palace guards also arrived. The two sides confronted each other, neither willing to yield. Murong Liuzun then walked out from beyond the two thousand troops, his stern gaze emitting a piercing light.
The leading captain of the guards was startled and, with a thud, knelt down. “Your subject greets His Majesty.”
The captain of the guards was originally a capable subordinate of Hua Lige. Because Hua Lige had rebelled, he was promoted to captain of the palace guards. Seeing the Emperor appear now, he hastily knelt.
As he knelt, a large group of guards behind him put down their spears and knelt. “We greet His Majesty.”
Murong Liuzun strode to the side of the guard captain, Liu Xuan, and spoke in a deep voice, “Where is the Emperor in Liuli Palace?”
Liu Xuan was taken aback and blurted out, “What does Your Majesty mean?”
“Is there no one in Liuli Palace?”
Murong Liuzun raised his eyebrows quickly, his unease growing. Had that man secretly escaped the palace?
If so, he might make some move next. That deranged fellow, who knew what terrible things he would do next.
“Did His Majesty not leave the palace?”
“When?” Murong Liuzun’s fist clenched in anger. He grabbed Liu Xuan’s collar and asked in a deep voice. Liu Xuan dared not hesitate. “Three quarters past Hai hour.”
“This scoundrel.”
Murong Liuzun waved his hand, throwing Liu Xuan aside. He had not expected that by going to the Ministry of War to lead troops, he would allow the man to escape.
He thought he would at least have a fight, a struggle with him. He didn’t expect this man to not dare to face him directly but instead to slip away secretly.
Qingyao looked at the Emperor with a dark and gloomy expression and said calmly, “What do we do now, Your Majesty?”
“We must find his whereabouts as soon as possible,” Murong Liuzun said, then turned to the Minister of War, Lord Lin. “Immediately lead the troops to search Lin’an City tonight. You must find this man.”
“He will surely disguise himself, so it will be difficult to find him in a short time. However, given his personality, he will not remain idle. He will certainly do something out of spite.”
Qingyao understood Shangguan Hao to some extent.
That man would stop at nothing. His attempt to seize Murong Liuzun’s throne had failed, and he would likely target his people next. everyone in Lin’an City was his enemy.
Or rather, everyone in the world was his enemy. Such a person was too arrogant, always believing himself to be the smartest person in the world, thus harming himself and others.
“Prince of Nan’an, you and Lin Xuan, immediately lead five hundred guards to search the palace. No place is to be missed.”
“Yes,” the Prince of Nan’an clasped his hands and accepted the order, leading Lin Xuan and the palace guards away.
The Minister of War also led his men away. They had initially expected a bloody battle, but the villain had escaped.
However, the Minister of War harbored a doubt: how could the wise and sagacious Emperor have let the villain succeed? It seemed everyone had a weakness.
Outside the gate of Liuli Palace, eunuchs and palace maids knelt on the ground.
Murong Liuzun took Qingyao and Xiao Yu'er’s hands and walked into the main hall. Mochou and Bingxiao and others followed, followed by the eunuchs and palace maids of Liuli Palace, who knelt on the ground in a vast expanse.