This time, it wasn’t the guards who attacked but hidden assassins. A blade flashed toward Jiang Lin, who dodged, but not fast enough to avoid a cut on his hand.
Flexing his wrist, Jiang Lin eyed the emperor. “So, Your Majesty wishes to tear off all pretenses? Aren’t you afraid your actions today will ruin your decades-long reputation as a wise ruler, leaving you remembered as a tyrant in your twilight years?”
Emperor Changde’s eyes gleamed with malice. “You court death.”
More assassins emerged, swords drawn. Jiang Lin told Wei Yunzhao, “Protect yourself,” then engaged the attackers.
The emperor had planned to eliminate the Wei family first, then Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao. He’d tolerated them too long, now Jiang Lin had dared harm his son. Convinced they’d rebel eventually, he resolved to strike first.
He whispered orders to Gan Yongfu, then glared at Wei Yunzhao who sat in his wheelchair. These two would die today, no matter what.
Soon, guards flooded the hall, surrounding the duo. The doors slammed shut, sealing their fate.
Assassins dropped from the rafters, joining the fray.
Jiang Lin addressed the guards, “I don’t wish to kill you. Stand down if you value your lives.”
The guards hesitated but knew disobedience meant death either way.
Outnumbered and unarmed, with Wei Yunzhao confined to his wheelchair, their situation seemed hopeless. Emperor Changde leaned back, awaiting their demise...until he realized the tide was turning.
Just as he ordered more guards, cold steel pressed against his throat.
Jiang Lin stood behind him, dagger in hand. “This is the blade I used on the Fourth Prince. Care to test its sharpness, Your Majesty?”
The fighting ceased instantly.
“Jiang Lin! You dare threaten me? This is treason punishable by extermination of your clan!”
Jiang Lin chuckled. “But you’ll die before that order is carried out. Pity you won’t live to see it.”
The assassins and guards aimed their weapons at Jiang Lin, their leader snarling, “Release His Majesty, or die.”
Jiang Lin pressed the blade closer. “Do I look like a fool?”
He hauled the emperor up. “We hadn’t planned to settle accounts so soon, but since you forced us…”
“You wouldn’t dare! If I die, neither of you will leave this palace alive!” Emperor Changde barked, “Open the doors!”
When the doors swung open, rows of archers stood ready, arrows nocked.
“Ah, so this is your real plan,” Jiang Lin mused. “But it doesn’t matter. As long as you die first.”
Dragging the emperor to the threshold, he announced, “Go ahead, let’s see if I can drag His Majesty to the underworld with me.”
Calmly, he even discussed with Wei Yunzhao whether reinforcements would arrive.
Wei Yunzhao gazed at the sunny sky outside. “They’ll come, soon.”
Emperor Changde sneered, “No one can save traitors who threaten their emperor.”
They didn’t wait long. A messenger announced the arrival of the Crown Prince, the Sixth Prince, and a host of officials.
“Hear that, Your Majesty? Our rescuers are here,” Jiang Lin whispered, “A ruler who ignores divine warnings, slaughters loyal subjects, do you fear the heavens might strike you down… say, right now?”
As the princes and officials approached, Jiang Lin released the emperor. With witnesses present, Emperor Changde couldn’t order their deaths without risking his own.
Reluctantly, he dismissed the guards and resumed his throne, masking his fury with imperial dignity.
The Crown Prince led the officials in bowing. Emperor Changde demanded, “Why have you come?”
Earlier, at Jiang Lin’s request, Xun Qi had sought help from the Zhou and Du families. Initially, they hadn’t expected the emperor to act against Wei Yunzhao and Jiang Lin, but after Yue Heng (Sixth Prince) received Ruyue’s warning, he mobilized the officials to intervene.
The Crown Prince, however, was merely spectating. Having monitored the emperor’s moves, he’d joined Yue Heng's group, hoping for mutual destruction.
“This subject has no business,” the Crown Prince said. “It’s the Sixth Prince who seeks an audience.”
His hatred for Yue Heng burned, he’d long suspected this brother would threaten his reign. Now, with Yue Heng out of the palace and holding office, that fear had materialized.
Emperor Changde’s icy gaze settled on Yue Heng. “Well? Why bring this crowd?”
Yue Heng stepped forward. “To prevent Your Majesty from a grave mistake. Geese leave traces when they pass; no wall under heaven is windproof. You’ve ruled wisely for decades, don’t let impulse tarnish your legacy.”
[雁过留痕 (Yàn guò liú hén): lit. Geese leave traces when they pass; fig. Actions always leave evidence.]
[天底下没有不透风的墙 (Tiān dǐxià méiyǒu bù tòu fēng de qiáng): lit. No wall under heaven is windproof; fig. Secrets will always leak.]
The officials echoed, “We implore Your Majesty to reconsider.”
Emperor Changde’s hands trembled as he recognized trusted ministers among them. “My own court turns against me?”
He turned to Wei Yunzhao. “Even my officials are under your sway, Traitor!”
Silence followed. Emperor Changde continued, “And if I insist on executing these rebels today?”
Yue Heng replied, “As the Son of Heaven, no one can oppose you. But if you unjustly kill loyal subjects, history will record it.”
Emperor Changde laughed coldly. “My own son defies me. Remember, I elevated you, and I can cast you down.”
“I act according to conscience,” Yue Heng said, glancing at Jiang Lin, who twirled his dagger pointedly.
The Zhou and Du patriarchs spoke next, praising Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao’s disaster relief efforts. Killing benefactors would outrage the people.
Emperor Changde cared little for reason, he simply wanted them dead.
But today, it was impossible.
There would be other chances.
With a furious wave, he dismissed them, warning Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao, “This isn’t over.”
They ignored him, departing with the others.
Outside the palace, most officials hurried home, leaving only Yue Heng and the Zhou and Du patriarchs. After thanking the elders, Jiang Lin wheeled Wei Yunzhao away with Yue Heng.
“Thank you for your timely aid,” Jiang Lin said.
Yue Heng frowned. “I bring bad news, Jiang Jinyue has escaped.”
Jiang Lin mused that the protagonist, as ordained by fate, was hard to kill.
“She will seek vengeance. Be wary,” Yue Heng warned.
Jiang Lin nodded. “Why did you save her in the first place?”
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