In days past, by the old emperor's side, stood Wen Chang in civil affairs and Xiao Zhen in military might. These two, his left and right hands, had handled countless troubles for him. Yet now, the Prime Minister had retired, his son had chased after Xiao Man, Xiao Zhen was dead, and his two children had directly rebelled against him. Thinking of this, the old emperor felt a surge of blood trapped in his throat, unable to be spat out or swallowed, his face turning ashen with frustration. His vast empire had been turned upside down by a mere woman.
While everyone else lived in fear, Nangong Yan was rather triumphant. Xiao Man's defection was the greatest joy for him. Prince Qi had fled to Lan Du, Nangong Yu had been severely wounded by Xiao Man and was at best greatly weakened, and the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard was now vacant. Currently, the only person the emperor could rely on was him.
"Your Highness, you have finally seen the dawn after the clouds," Fu Yao said excitedly. She had thought that achieving their goals would take a long time, but she never expected that Xiao Man's rebellion would directly present them with an opportunity. Now, the emperor had no one to rely on but Prince Chu.
Nangong Yan smiled, then quickly sobered. "This is the palace, speak with caution."
"This servant obeys," Fu Yao quickly replied, but the joy in her eyes was impossible to hide. The Xiao family was deeply entrenched, and a single move would affect the entire body. This time, with her move, many ministers in court would be implicated. Those people must have hated Xiao Man to the core.
"However, what you said is not wrong," Nangong Yan said leisurely. "Everything is truly thanks to Xiao Man. The楼主 was right; she is indeed this prince's benefactor."
The master and servant headed towards the Imperial Study. Before they even reached the entrance, they both composed themselves and pushed the doors open. "Your humble son pays his respects to Father Emperor."
"Xiao Luo has defected, and Cloud City is without a leader. General Zhao is struggling to hold on and requests reinforcements. Wen Ruyu is too young and cannot command the veteran generals of Cloud City for the time being. As for the military commanders in court..." The old emperor harbored reservations. Many of the court's military commanders were former subordinates of the Xiao family. If he sent another former subordinate of the Xiao family to take over Cloud City, and this person also rebelled, then Cloud City would truly be in peril.
"Father Emperor, why not send Uncle Zhao to Cloud City?" Nangong Yan tentatively suggested. "The Xiao family's influence in court is profound, and Cloud City is the gateway to Yusheng. Entrusting it to outsiders would not bring peace of mind. Your humble son believes Uncle Zhao is suitable."
The old emperor finally reacted. He had almost forgotten he had a brother. Old Prince Zhao had fought on the battlefield in the past, and he was a member of the imperial family. At this moment, he was the most suitable person to go to Cloud City.
"I am so distraught that I have lost my senses. I almost forgot about my brother," the old emperor said immediately, ordering someone to draft an imperial decree, commanding King Zhao to hasten to Cloud City to assist Wen Ruyu in managing it.
"Father Emperor, how do you plan to deal with the Imperial Guard?" Prince Chu inquired. Xiao Man, as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, had led a portion of its guards in rebellion. The Imperial Guard was the emperor's personal guard, and most of its guards came from influential families. Any one of them could be someone's prized possession. To deal with the Imperial Guard, one had to tread carefully.
The old emperor had initially not intended to punish the Imperial Guard. Xiao Man had been appointed Commander of the Imperial Guard on an interim basis, for less than two months. In two months, her actions would be limited. Those she had incited to leave were rebels, but those who remained were loyal to him. The Imperial Guard was equivalent to a life-saving trump card for the emperor, and he dared not easily discard it.
"Xiao Man's defection has nothing to do with the Imperial Guard," the old emperor said slowly. "This was also my oversight; I should not have let her go into the army. Ran Sheng will temporarily take command of the Imperial Guard. After all matters are resolved, we will make further plans."
Nangong Yan lowered his gaze. "Father Emperor is wise."
"Also, you were ordered to arrest members of the Xiao family. Have you caught any?"
"Reporting to Father Emperor, Xiao Man was well-prepared and had secretly sent away the people from the General's mansion early on. The members of the Xiao family have now gone into hiding. Finding any trace of them is not an easy task."
"Then has Xiao Man been found?" Su Dan Novel Network.
"Father Emperor, Xiao Man has already entered the territory of Blue Moon. If our men continue to pursue her relentlessly, it is highly likely to provoke a war between the two countries," Nangong Yan explained. "It seems we cannot do anything to Xiao Man."
Upon hearing this, the old emperor's mood worsened. Xiao Man had caused such a huge mess for him and then simply left. Yet, he could do nothing to her!
"How did she become the Princess of Blue Moon?"
"This... this matter must be asked of Xiao Zhen."
The mention of Xiao Zhen reminded the old emperor of Xiao Man's accusations. He did indeed bear undeniable responsibility for Xiao Zhen's death, but who could blame him when the Xiao family's power had become too great, and Xiao Zhen had not known how to restrain himself?
"Xiao Man said the Fourth Prince murdered Xiao Zhen. What exactly is going on?"
"Reporting to Father Emperor, your humble son knows nothing," Nangong Yan said subserviently. "However, news has come from the Prince of Qin's mansion, saying that Fourth Brother has woken up. Shall your humble son go and inquire?"
The old emperor waved his hand. "Forget it. First, finish the task at hand. I will personally investigate this matter once his health has recovered."
"Yes, your humble son takes his leave."
Nangong Yan exited the Imperial Study and cast his gaze in the direction of Cining Palace. The guards at Cining Palace were still heavily armed. His men had attempted to approach Cining Palace multiple times but had been repelled by its stringent security.
"Your Highness."
"Let's go and pay respects to Consort De." Nangong Yan understood that for Consort De, besides her title, she had lost everything. On the surface, she and the Empress Dowager were at peace, but friction had already arisen between them. With a little instigation, Consort De could be made to serve him.
Fu Yao was somewhat bewildered. Normally, her master was not close to Consort De. Why, at this time, would he still go to see her? Consort De had completely lost her influence. Although she still held the imperial seal, she had no real power.
"Are you very curious why I would go to see Consort De?"
"This servant dares not."
"If we want to know certain things, she is now our only recourse."
Before reaching the border of Blue Moon, the people around Xiao Man had dispersed. After entering Blue Moon's territory, Xiao Man had relaxed her guard. Yao Ran had initially worried that Xiao Man bringing an army into the Blue Moon capital would displease the Empress. Who would have thought that her people would disappear before they even crossed the border?
"Princess, the capital is only three days away from here. It would be best to find lodging early today. Beyond this point, there are no lodging facilities within a fifty-kilometer radius. If we miss this opportunity, we might have to spend the night in the wilderness."
"Prime Minister, you decide," Xiao Man said without looking up, engrossed in a game of chess with Wen Mohan.
Yao Ran raised an eyebrow and ordered someone to find lodging and book rooms before inviting Xiao Man out of the carriage.
As Xiao Man stepped out of the carriage and into the inn, she noticed everyone inside looking at her. Their breathing was steady, and they wore weapons, giving her the illusion of a lamb entering a tiger's den.