The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife-Chapter 495: Rebel, Prepare to Be Defeated

"Are... are you really Emperor Qi?" Qing Feng couldn’t believe it. Could he have been possessed?

Qi Hong shot a cold glance at Qing Feng. "My earlier schemes were all to avenge my mother, to find A’Yuan and give him the best of everything in this world."

He believed that the best thing in the world was power. Back then, his mother had no power and was killed, leading to the forced separation of the two brothers.

However, Mu Nation and Qi Nation had clashed many times, and Qi Hong, along with the White-Browed Priest, had made several attempts on the Ninth Prince’s life. At this point, Qing Feng firmly stood his ground, refusing to sympathize with Qi Hong. He retorted, "Even if you want to give him something, you should ask if the Fifth Young Master even wants it. Your things... who knows how many lives they’ve cost, they’re tainted with blood. Aren’t you afraid of dirtying his hands?"

Qi Hong was so enraged he nearly strangled Qing Feng on the spot.

Chu Yan stepped between them and quickly said, "It’s almost dawn, let’s not waste time arguing. We need to head back to the capital immediately."

Qing Feng nodded, "The Fifth Young Master is right. I also need to hurry to Yuan State."

Since they were familiar with each other, he thought borrowing a horse shouldn’t be a problem.

Chu Yan pursed his lips and glanced at Qi Hong, his expression growing serious.

Qi Hong immediately straightened his back, standing at attention, ready for orders.

After some consideration, Chu Yan said, "Qing Feng, I only have one Teleportation Talisman left. I was going to give it to you, but even if you reach Yuan State, with the heavy snow sealing the roads in December, neither infantry nor cavalry will make it through easily. The army will take at least half a month to reach the capital. If you trust me, come back to the capital with me directly and help my father and brother eliminate the rebel king."

Qing Feng instantly understood Chu Yan’s meaning.

For some reason, although Chu Yan was only a little over sixteen years old, he exuded an authority and aura beyond his years. Just looking into his eyes made people follow his lead and inexplicably trust him!

Qing Feng didn’t overthink it and nodded, "Alright! I’ll listen to the Fifth Young Master!"

Chu Yan nodded slightly, then turned to Qi Hong and said, "I hope Emperor Qi will keep his promise and truly assist my father and brother."

Qi Hong felt a lump in his throat, his heart swelling with sweetness.

A’Yuan needed him! This was a good start!

He choked up and said, "A’Yuan, I promised you, and I will keep my word."

The group quickly prepared to head toward the capital.

Qing Feng intended to ride with Chu Yan, but Qi Hong’s gaze was like a sharp knife. He immediately ordered a soldier to make a horse available.

In Qi Hong’s eyes, if A’Yuan wasn’t going to ride with him, no one else was allowed to either!

----

At the capital, in the imperial palace, Qianlong Palace was brightly lit, as bright as day.

Ye Chengyan, dressed in a golden embroidered robe and cloud-patterned boots, slowly walked toward the golden dragon throne adorned with precious gems.

His eyes were burning with ambition, and his breath involuntarily slowed as he approached.

When he reached the crimson golden dragon throne, he extended his slightly trembling hand and placed it on the armrest.

It was cold, but it made him smile.

Turning around, he flicked his robe and sat down, lifting his chin with a smug expression on his face.

The palace was filled with civil and military officials.

At the front were the prime minister and high-ranking cabinet members, who had been "invited" here by the Black Armor Guard. They already had a rough idea of what was happening.

Elder Cao, seeing Ye Chengyan’s audacity, angrily waved his sleeves and scolded, "How dare you, Prince of Wu’an! The emperor is still alive, and you dare sit on that throne!"

That seat was reserved for the emperor alone!

Ye Chengyan glanced coldly at Elder Cao. "I have grown tired of seeing your face."

You look righteous, but deep down, you are evil, leaving me no room to survive.

With a smile, Ye Chengyan said, "Elder Cao, if you kneel and perform a three-kowtow-nine-bow ritual, declaring that I am virtuous and the rightful heir to the Mu Nation, I will spare your life."

Hearing this, Elder Cao looked at Ye Chengyan with disdain and couldn’t help but laugh loudly.

His laughter was filled with contempt.

He then said coldly, "You are talentless, immoral, and traitorous. Not only are you unfit to inherit the throne, but you are also unworthy of your title as Prince of Wu’an! Ye Chengyan, you are a rebel, and the Ninth Prince will not allow you to run wild. He will capture and execute you!"

Ye Chengyan’s face darkened further at the insults, and his fists clenched tightly beneath his sleeves.

"You all have no idea--royal uncle can’t even protect himself now."

"Elder Cao, when you entered the palace, you saw it. Whether it’s the Imperial Guard, Black Armor Guard, or the garrisoned troops outside the city, they all answer to me."

"If you don’t kneel, I’ll have your head cut off and sent to your family. Then I’ll kill them all to join you in the afterlife!"

His venomous words echoed through the hall.

The officials turned pale.

How did the timid Prince of Wu’an suddenly become so ruthless?

Elder Cao, however, remained fearless, tilting his head back with a laugh. "Come on, kill me! I have no fear, and my family is just like me, unafraid!"

Seeing Elder Cao’s defiance, Ye Chengyan’s anger boiled over. He slammed his hand on the armrest.

He ordered the Imperial Guard, "Cut off his head!"

The Imperial Guard obeyed.

Elder Cao lifted his head, ready to meet his fate.

At this moment, Prime Minister Lu stepped forward and said, "Prince of Wu’an, you’ve captured us all to force the emperor to abdicate in your favor, haven’t you? If you shed the blood of ministers in this hall, the emperor will never agree to your demands."

Ye Chengyan’s expression grew even darker. He smiled, but it was filled with bitterness and despair. "The emperor has long abandoned me. And you... you’ve all been abandoned too! The emperor entrusted the Imperial Jade Seal and the Imperial Tiger Sigil to Marquis of Anyang. By now, he’s likely summoning troops to fight me!"

Prime Minister Lu didn’t show it on his face, but he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

Good! As long as the Imperial Jade Seal isn’t in Ye Chengyan’s hands, the Mu Nation won’t fall just yet.

Elder Cao immediately shouted, "Good! Without the Imperial Jade Seal, you’re not legitimate! Rebel, prepare to be defeated!"

"Kill him! Kill him!" Ye Chengyan roared, his face twisted with rage.

Prime Minister Lu was infuriated and tried to intervene again. "Wait, wait! Elder Cao is highly respected and a mentor to many officials. Killing him will only incite resentment. Prince of Wu’an, leave some room for compromise!"

Facing Prime Minister Lu, Ye Chengyan was less arrogant. He remembered how Prime Minister Lu had pleaded for him when he was deposed.

Ye Chengyan’s tone softened, "Prime Minister Lu, I know he’s the leader of the commoners’ faction. Everyone looks up to him. But that was in the past. It’s almost dawn, don’t you want to enjoy a cup of Spring Sun Tea?"

As soon as Ye Chengyan mentioned the tea, the officials inside the hall suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Prime Minister Lu licked his lips, feeling increasingly muddled and desperate for a cup of that tea.

He wasn’t the only one. Glancing around at his colleagues, they all had the same thirsty, longing expression.

Suddenly, it dawned on him. "This Spring Sun Tea... there’s something wrong with it!"