Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 547 - 526 Part 2

"Charge—," shouted Wen Qun, taking the lead as they rushed toward the stalwart Imperial Forest Guard, a maelstrom of blood and violence.

"Kill—," roared voices mixed with the clangour of swords. Everyone in Chenyuan Hall immediately tensed up, curling their fingers tightly, supporting each other, and guessing how long the Imperial Forest Guard outside could hold on, and whether they could last until reinforcements arrived.

Everyone knew just how long the Crown Prince had planned for this day, enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens that almost shattered their collective confidence. Thankfully, they had persevered and kept faith in the Crown Prince.

So tense they could barely speak, everyone’s cold sweat slowly soaked their clothes. As their hearts raced to their throats, the sound of swords already began scraping against the thick palace doors, filling them with fear.

In an instant, footsteps, shouts, and the sounds of fighting came from all directions. The Wen Family Army was caught off guard and quickly turned around to see troops flooding in—Iperial Forest Guard, Hidden Guard, and other guards whose identities were unclear.

"Don’t panic, it’s the final struggle, don’t be afraid—," bellowed Old Master Wen Kang, who had anticipated this scenario. Instinctively, a good portion of the Wen Family Army turned and engaged in battle with the troops that had surged forth.

However, the situation gradually started to go awry. The endless stream of guards attacking relentlessly reduced the Wen Family Army’s encirclement smaller and smaller. By the time they realized what was happening, they were surrounded by Zheng Congyuan’s men, and the Wen Family Army, already at the limit of their strength, began to feel desperation.

"Marquis, their numbers are increasing," managed Old Master Wen Kang’s trusted aide, squeezing through to his side and speaking anxiously.

"Uncle, hadn’t the Imperial Palace been cleared? How can there still be so many people?" Wen Qun also approached Old Master Wen Kang, his brow deeply furrowed as he observed the growing crowd.

Wen Kang remained silent, but his heart slowly sank.

"Charge—," seeing Wen Kang’s silence, Wen Qun shouted loudly, taking the lead in another charge.

The reversal of the situation was almost instantaneous. The Wen Family Army hadn’t yet comprehended what was happening when they found themselves fatigued and trapped among countless soldiers.

"Uncle, we have fallen into his trap. Our only choice now is to break out," shouted Wen Sheng as he grabbed hold of Wen Kang. Amidst cutting and thrusting, led by a few capable commanders, they attempted to break through the siege.

But when they fought their way to the outer perimeter, they were met by Zheng Congyuan, waiting for them, the man on the white horse in plain white robes, his face expressionless and cold.

"Old Master Wen Kang, surrender without a fight," commanded Prime Minister Lin loudly, pointing at Wen Kang.

Wen Kang stopped in his tracks, dishevelled, looking at Zheng Congyuan and the others before him, immaculately dressed as if they hadn’t been confined in Chenyuan Hall for so long.

"Zheng Congyuan, you’re treacherous and despicable—," shouted Wen Kang, but the continuing clash of arms drowned out his voice.

Zheng Congyuan said nothing, just coldly observed Wen Kang and the others.

"Who needs to talk, let’s fight our way out—," Wen Qun had no desire to argue with Zheng Congyuan. To the victor belong the spoils; why waste words when one’s fate was to either kill or be killed.

Wen Sheng also felt it unnecessary to continue the conversation. Victory or defeat was still undecided.

"Wen Kang, Wen Sheng, Wen Qun, look who this is?" Just then, amidst some commotion from the opposite ranks, a person was pushed forward—it was Zheng Haoyuan.

Old Master Wen Kang’s hand trembled as he looked at the approaching Zheng Haoyuan, unable to believe his eyes.

"Let me go, let me go—," Zheng Haoyuan kept shouting, kicking and struggling against the soldiers holding him.

"Fourth Prince—"

"Fourth Prince—" They called out in unison, their expressions changing as their weapons nearly dropped to the ground, and Old Master Wen Kang’s face finally altered, his lips trembling.

"Uncle, third brother, Fourth Prince, save me." Zheng Haoyuan then saw Old Master Wen Kang and the others, struggling to make his way toward them.

"Fourth Prince—" Old Master Wen Kang quickly took in the situation, seeing that Zheng Congyuan did not seem intent on killing Zheng Haoyuan. This allowed him to relax slightly.

"Zheng Congyuan, what do you want to do?" Old Master Wen Kang steadied his mind, but suddenly, a series of agonized screams erupted from behind, alarming him. He turned to see that Zheng Congyuan’s men had no intention of stopping, mercilessly slaughtering the soldiers on the periphery.

"Zheng Congyuan, you, you..." Old Master Wen Kang wanted to say something, but the words just wouldn’t come out. Wen Qun clenched the knife in his hand tightly, an action too provocative to bear.

"You may leave, but they cannot—" Zheng Congyuan slowly began, and suddenly, everything fell into deathly silence. Old Master Wen Kang looked up in panic; he understood the meaning behind Zheng Congyuan’s words.

"Never—" Wen Qun bellowed, ready to charge forward, but he was abruptly seized by the wrist by Old Master Wen Kang.

Though not a word was spoken, Old Master Wen Kang’s expression seemed to concede to Zheng Congyuan’s terms.

"We must take the Fourth Prince with us as well," Old Master Wen Kang firmly stated.

"Only three may leave," Zheng Congyuan responded, as his white horse beneath him suddenly raised its head, snorted towards the sky, and stamped its hooves restlessly.

Prime Minister Lin, hearing this, looked at Zheng Congyuan. How could they give up Zheng Haoyuan to them? But then he thought, the Crown Prince was not a rash person. This move...

Wonderful... frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

With royal blood coursing through Zheng Haoyuan’s veins, if Zheng Congyuan were to strike him down, it would be Zheng Congyuan’s reputation that suffered.

If Zheng Haoyuan were used in exchange for the bulk of the Wen Family Army’s force, firstly, it would drive a wedge between the Wen Family Army and their longstanding tradition of loving their troops, making them abandon their own forces. Secondly, with only a few members of the Wen Family remaining, what could they possibly achieve?

When Prime Minister Lin lifted his head again, his expression turned firm.

Old Master Wen Kang’s trembling lips, gripping tightly onto Wen Qun’s hand and not letting go, he barely nodded almost imperceptibly. Zheng Congyuan averted his gaze, continuing to look into the distance.

Screams that resembled hell on earth rang out as the Wen Family Army fell in swathes, witnessed by all present.

Zheng Haoyuan froze, looking on in horror at the scene before him. He didn’t want this; it was not what he came for...

He never desired the throne...

"Brother Crown Prince, stop, please don’t kill them. I don’t want to be Emperor, I never want to be Emperor, you know that." Zheng Haoyuan shook his head, screaming hysterically.

Zheng Congyuan looked at Zheng Haoyuan before him, which was also the reason he had yet to lay a hand on Zheng Haoyuan. He knew all too well that Zheng Haoyuan had no desire to be Emperor.

"But you promised the Wen Family, and your Royal Seal was given as a token to the Wen Family Army," Zheng Congyuan stated coldly, laying out the facts. Even so, he still trusted his own judgment that Zheng Haoyuan had no interest in the throne, but why then had he agreed to this?

Zheng Haoyuan continued to shake his head, unaccustomed to such scenes, as if he had suddenly been cast into hell.

"I don’t want the throne, just agree to one condition of mine, and I will take the Wen Family Army and leave, never to set foot in the Imperial City again," Zheng Haoyuan said to Zheng Congyuan, each word measured and deliberate.

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