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Xiao Yan, 20 years old, and Zhao Qinglan, 17 years old, just graduated from the academy. In order to fulfill their ambitions, she followed Xiao Yan into the officialdom. Although Chao Qinglan's parents were unwilling, they had no choice but to let their daughter go.
In the summer of the eleventh year of Yongming, the illness of Emperor Wu of Southern Qi,Xiao Ze, worsened.
The atmosphere inside and outside the palace is shrouded in a heavy mood. Beneath the emerald palace walls and exquisite roof tiles, the ministers wear Xiao Zhan expressions, filled with an unmistakable sense of oppression.
Wang Rong, a cunning minister, is secretly planning how to take control of the court after Xiao Yi's passing.
Wang Rong began plotting in his study. He gathered several trusted ministers to discuss how to properly arrange the affairs of Xiao Yi.
"Xiao Ziliang is talented and promising. All of you must help him ascend to the throne."
The crowd responded, "Good!"
He wanted to support Xiao Ziliang, but all of these schemes seemed transparent in front of a certain two people.
Just as Wang Rong was immersed in his unrealistic ideas, Zhao Qinglan and Xiao Yan had already secretly made careful calculations about all of this.
" Brother Xiao, how did you know that Wang Rong seems to intend to support Xiao Ziliang?" Zhao Qinglan said softly to Xiao Yan in the study, a hint of doubt flashing across his face.
Xiao Yan responded lightly, with the bearing of a king: "When we were studying under King Jingling, I had already seen through his thoughts and ambitions."
"Wang Rong is like me, not only excelling in literature, but also later learning to ride horses. He used his family background, literary and martial talents, and the influence of Xiao Ziliang to make friends with many guests. This not only attracted a large number of visitors, but also gathered hundreds of skilled refugees from Jiangxi to serve him."
"If you say Wang Rong doesn't have the ambition to seize power, that's definitely a lie," Zhao Qinglan couldn't help but laugh, "So Brother Xiao, are you not going to stop him? Are you planning to teach him a lesson?"
Xiao Yan smiled faintly: "No, we want to let him find his own way to death."
"But now there are two groups of people who want to seize power. The Minister Xiao Luan, leading the elite cavalry, seems to want to support Emperor Wu of Southern Qi's favored Crown Prince Xiao Zhaoye." Zhao Qinglan analyzed in a low and tense voice, with a serious expression.
Xiao Yan listened, pondered for a moment, and then with sharp eyes like a knife, finally said, "For now, let's follow Xiao Luan and see how the situation develops. We'll see whose destiny it will fall upon."
Zhao Qinglan couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why choose Xiao Luan?" His eyes were full of doubt.
Xiao Yan gently tapped Zhao Qinglan's forehead and replied with a smile, "Aren't you usually very clever? How did you become so confused all of a sudden?"
"Xiao Lu'an lost both parents at a young age and was raised by Xiao Daocheng himself. To him, Xiao Lu'an is like a son. Xiao Daocheng, as one of the founding elders, witnessed the establishment of the country. Xiao Lu'an has remained calm and composed under various emperors, gradually rising from a low-ranking official to the position of attendant and the leader of the valiant cavalry, proving not only his great ambition but also his outstanding ability."
Xiao Yan's tone revealed a hint of affirmation: "The reason I chose Xiao Lu'an is mainly because he possesses all the necessary qualities to become an emperor. He has unique strengths in governing domestic affairs, understands the opinions of his courtiers, and appoints people appropriately. Considering the current situation, among the descendants of the Xiao Family, he is the most suitable choice. In comparison, Crown Prince Xiao Zhaoye is a peculiar person, and once he ascends the throne, he may neglect state affairs."
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then added, "Even if Xiao Lu'an eventually becomes emperor, I would still choose to follow him."
Although the current situation is full of uncertainty and complexity, Zhao Qinglan deeply believes that Xiao Yan will ultimately become the emperor, and therefore has unwavering faith in his intuitive judgment.
At that moment, a eunuch hurried over, panting, to deliver the news of the sudden worsening of the illness of Emperor Wu of Southern Qi,Xiao Ze. His face showed signs of nervousness and worry, clearly indicating his urgent arrival. Xiao Luan urgently summoned Xiao Yan to go with him.
Zhao Qinglan furrowed her brows, her expression becoming even more serious: "It seems that things are happening faster than we thought."
In the depths of the Southern Qi Palace, the atmosphere was heavy, as if weighing on everyone's hearts. In the dimly lit hall, a damp and gloomy air permeated, with purple incense smoke drifting and a few oil lamps flickering, casting light on the faces of the doctors and attendants gathered around the bed.
"Has the Emperor not awakened from his coma yet?" Wang Rong asked anxiously, dressed in armor and unable to contain his tension.
Xiao Ziliang Holding the edge of the imperial bed, his eyes were somewhat vacant. "No, Your Majesty is not yet awake."
Wang Rong walked impatiently to the door of the grand hall, his gaze sharp as a torch ahead. "King Jingling soldiers, listen to my command. Guard every palace entrance well. Without my permission, no one is allowed to enter. If the Crown Prince comes, stop them from entering!"
He took out the prepared fake will in order to be the first to support Xiao Ziliang's succession.
Xiao Ziliang glanced at Wang Rong, feeling a slight heaviness in his heart. In this situation, he naturally understood what Wang Rong wanted to do.
Just as Wang Rong thought his plan was about to succeed, suddenly, a hurried sound of footsteps came from the distance. Xiao Lu'an, clad in golden armor, led hundreds of personal soldiers, and arrived at the front of Yunlong Gate with an imposing manner. His gaze was firm, and his expression stern.
"Wang Rong, what is the meaning of this?" Xiao Lu'an asked in a cold voice.
"I am acting in accordance with the last decree of Emperor Wu. Why did you lead troops to break in?" Wang Rong retorted.
Suddenly, Emperor Wu of Southern Qi seemed to come back to life, and for a while, the news from the harem and the outer court spread like wildfire.
"The Emperor has summoned me with an imperial decree, immediately open the Yunlong Gate!" Xiao Lu'an's gaze was firm, with a slight curl at the corner of his mouth, revealing a hint of pride. He then loudly commanded, with a trace of fierceness flashing in his eyes.
Wang Rong's expression changed, but before he could react, Xiao Lu'an had already ordered, "All guards, follow me and break into the Yunlong Gate!"
The guards in front of the gate hesitated and exchanged glances with each other. Eventually, they slowly opened the heavy gate known as Yunlong Gate.
Xiao Lu'an led a team of elite soldiers rushing in, with an unquestionable air of dignity on his face, heading straight for the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
—
Xiao Lu'an ordered the troops to support Xiao Zhaoye to the bedside, while commanding the soldiers to take Xiao Ziliang out. He took a roll of silk and satin from the courtiers, and with a stern gaze, he scanned everyone present. Then, he raised his arm and loudly announced, "According to the late Emperor's edict, Crown Prince Xiao Zhaoye will ascend to the throne! From this day forth, this general will participate in the decision-making of the court."
Xiao Ziliang's eyes flashed with a hint of dimness, and he silently took a step back without speaking.
Xiao Lu'an then loudly commanded, " Xiao Zhaoye, immediately ascend to the throne!" His voice revealed an unquestionable determination.
Emperor Wu seemed to want to say something and gestured for the crown prince to come forward. He whispered to Xiao Zhaoye: "For the first five years, let others rule; after five years, do not let others hold power."
It seems that Emperor Wu, who has long been involved in court affairs, also understands some things and wants Xiao Zhaoye to be cautious, but in the end, it is too late.
And all of this happened too quickly. Wang Rong knew that he had already lost. He stood there blankly, took off his armor, with a bitter expression, turned to look at Xiao Ziliang. He muttered to himself, "I was wrong...". There was a hint of disappointment and sadness in his eyes, but more of self-mockery.
Wang Rong's words are full of disappointment and powerlessness, like someone who has given up the struggle. Xiao Ziliang felt a pang of pain in his heart after hearing this, as if the words were nailed to his heart.
At this moment, Xiao Yan and Zhao Qinglan are both standing on the side watching all these changes.
Zhao Qinglan At this moment, the mood is very complicated. As an archaeologist, this power struggle and the fight for the throne seemed as mundane as described in history books, but now he is in the midst of it.
He looked at Xiao Ziliang and Wang Rong, suddenly feeling an indescribable loneliness and loss, as if all of this was a mockery of fate. Destiny had long been predetermined - what is meant to be yours will be, and what is not meant to be yours will not be.
As expected, not long after, Wang Rong's conspiracy was exposed and he was eventually executed. Fan Yun, who was once one of the Jingling Eight Friends, came to Xiao Yan's study and smiled at him, saying, " Brother Xiao, I admire that you knew Wang Rong would take this step."
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