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The eunuch, frightened, hurriedly bowed and clasped his hands together. "Even if I had the greatest courage, I wouldn't dare to insult you Lords, let alone falsely convey an imperial decree. His Majesty sent us first, but there are the lady's attendants guarding over there. Even with His Majesty's order, they wouldn't let anyone go. That's why His Majesty commanded several Lords to lead the rescue of Wei Chi Niangzi."
The eunuch couldn't help but feel terrified. What were these young masters' statuses? Even if they beat him half to death, what could he do? His Majesty would never kill the legitimate sons of several Princes and Dukes just for a mere servant.
Seeing that they remained motionless, the eunuch urged anxiously, "I heard that the lady has already issued an order for Wei Chi Niangzi to be executed. If we delay any longer, it will be too late. Lords, please hurry!"
Since it was the Emperor's decree, it was not something they could defy. Delaying would only invite blame upon themselves. They had no choice but to summon twenty guards and head into the palace towards the Imperial Garden.
The Imperial Garden was primarily where the palace maids resided, so there was no need for excessive caution. However, they did not move quickly; Li Jian Cheng and Dugu Kaiyuan intentionally slowed their pace, and the others had no objections.
They wanted to please His Majesty, but it was also true that the lady was not to be trifled with. Especially since this matter might ultimately lead to His Majesty softening his stance.
The eunuch urged them a few more times in a panic until Yang Jishan subtly threatened him. If he dared to speak recklessly before His Majesty, he could forget about having a good future.
It wasn't until another eunuch came to report that the lady had set out herself that their group slightly quickened their pace. The so-called Yeting Prison was merely a relatively remote courtyard.
In front of the courtyard gate, two groups of people were confronting each other. Upon seeing them arrive, both sides fell silent. As Yang Jishan walked forward, he whispered, "Have you all made up your minds?"
No one spoke; instead, they expressed their choices through actions. Li Jian Cheng walked over to join the team guarding the courtyard gate while the others looked at Dugu Kaiyuan, who remained still with an inscrutable expression.
Dugu Kaiyuan pressed his lips together without speaking. He naturally wanted to help his aunt, but ultimately this world belonged to the Yang Family and would continue to do so in the future.
His father had strictly instructed him that once inside the palace, he could only be loyal to His Majesty and must not rely on the lady; this was how he could protect his family.
Li Jian Cheng was somewhat surprised but deemed it unimportant. He spoke sternly to the palace maids and eunuchs around him, "The lady is almost here; we cannot let them pass even if it costs us our lives!"
Before his words fell silent, an assault began from across the way. Initially evenly matched, but suddenly over twenty armored youths appeared on the opposite side without question overwhelming them. Two guards rushed forward and pushed against his waist while Yang Jishan and Yuan Shibin quickly charged in front of him, mercilessly landing punch after punch on his face.
He barely managed to return a single punch before being completely knocked down to the ground. The surrounding cries of palace maids and eunuchs filled the air; yet even so, they clung desperately to the legs of the guards in an attempt to buy some time.
When several eunuchs emerged from Yeting Prison under Dou Dan's and Dugu Kaiyuan's protection, supporting Wei Chi Clan who had blood on her forehead, Li Jian Cheng finally regained his senses from dizziness and struggled to stand up, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
He could barely open one eye, and his mouth was cut by his own teeth. The previous blows had been merciless.
Yang Jishan blinked at him, then stepped forward, delivering a kick that sent Li Jian Cheng flying backward. He felt weightless, a buzzing in his ears, and darkness swirled before his eyes.
When he regained his senses, the surroundings were quiet. He was helped to his feet and looked up to see a figure in crimson robes. Everyone around was bowing in respect.
Dugu Qialo gazed at the disheveled yet pitifully beautiful girl before her. She was stunning, but why? Was it because she was Wei Chi Jiong's daughter?
Did it matter? It didn’t anymore; it all felt meaningless.
"Continue."
Several eunuchs with dark wooden staffs got up and dragged the Wei Chi Clan to a nearby open space. A few Bodyguards of the Thousand Cattle attempted to intervene but retreated under the Queen's indifferent gaze.
How could His Majesty consider whether killing them would shake the State? The former Empress would have, which allowed them to act with impunity in the palace. But at this moment, the current Queen likely would not.
"Qialo, please, I beg you."
The Emperor had arrived at some point, pleading softly toward his wife's back. He still stood tall and strong, firmly holding the power of the realm in his hands. No matter how shrewd and capable the Queen was, she was still just a woman; her authority stemmed from the Emperor and his decades of favoritism.
At that moment, the Wei Chi Clan finally spoke: "Emotions bind the heart; one is not in control of oneself. Your Majesty, take care."
Dugu Qialo silently watched without speaking. After a few muffled sounds, the delicate girl ceased to breathe. The executioners lay on the ground, pale-faced; they had dragged this out until His Majesty arrived to plead for mercy, yet the Queen remained unmoved.
Yang Jian stared blankly at the blood soaking into the ground, watching as the Queen turned away with a cold expression. He shivered, unsure whether to feel sorrow or joy.
The Emperor roughly pulled off his crown, loosened his jade belt, and removed his court robes, donning plain white garments as he left.
Once the Emperor's figure disappeared from view, Dugu Qialo's cold demeanor shattered. Tears streamed down her face, each drop hitting the ground.
No one dared to look or speak until a eunuch rushed in shouting: "Your Highness, His Majesty has mounted a horse and ridden out of the palace alone!"
Dugu Qialo staggered slightly: "Go after him! Bring His Majesty back!"
Yang Jishan and Dugu Kaiyuan hurriedly accepted their orders and set off in pursuit, while Li Jian Cheng approached the Queen and whispered, "Your Majesty is merely angry for the moment, but they may not be able to persuade her. I will summon a few senior officials to join me."
At that moment, Dugu Qialo felt a mix of emotions and nodded in agreement, "Good, we must bring the Emperor back."
"Understood."
As Li Jian Cheng exited the Imperial Garden, he saw Yang Jishan waiting for him by the roadside. The two bumped shoulders and jogged side by side. Yang Jishan smiled sideways, "Thanks to me, right? Next time I host a banquet, you can cover the expenses."
Li Jian Cheng touched his swollen eye socket, feeling the lingering discomfort in his chest. "You think too highly of yourself."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong. They all have their concerns and wouldn't dare act in front of the Empress. Without my intervention, you wouldn't have achieved your goal today."
"Why didn't you go after the Emperor?"
Yang Jishan shook his head. "One more person doesn't make a difference. Seeing the Emperor in such a disheveled state wouldn't be good either. I said I would gather the Elite Cavalry and decided to stay behind."
Li Jian Cheng replied, "Don't call for the cavalry. I've already consulted with the Empress about summoning a few senior officials to bring the Emperor back to the palace. I'll go find people from the Li Family, Dou Family, and Dugu Family. As for you, choose whoever you want, but don't gather too many."
Yang Jishan's eyes brightened. "Next time, just pick any place."
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