Chapter 196.1
Chapter 196.1
The mourning bell in the palace had not sounded, and the dozens of high-ranking officials who entered the palace had not come out yet either. Many people felt a strong sense of ominous premonition in their hearts.
Just then, the tightly closed palace gates finally swung open, allowing a group of horsemen to emerge before shutting close again.
After exiting the Donghua Gate, the group split into several smaller groups, heading to the various imperial princes manors.
There is an imperial decree from the palace, summoning An Wang to enter.
There is an imperial decree from the palace, summoning Jin Wang to enter.
There is an imperial decree from the palace, summoning Lu Wang to enter.
These people urged their horses forward with great speed, each holding high a bright yellow imperial edict. It was evident that something urgent had happened in the palace. Additionally, they were all dressed in plain white robes, clearly indicating the death of an important person within the palace.
Unfortunately, despite their imposing manner, they were met with tightly shut doors at the various imperial princes manors. Even when they knocked heavily on the doors, no one answered, as if there was no one at home.
Helpless, these people could only return empty-handed.
Before long, they set off once again, directly heading to the residences of various court officials.
Some court officials were summoned to the palace but didnt make any further moves. Some feigned illness or made excuses, resorting to all sorts of means to protect themselves. At this point, many people began to realize that something was amiss.
However, they had hardly any time to react before people wearing various types of armour flooded the streets. Among them were members of the imperial guard, patrol officers, and even soldiers from the Wucheng military forces. They stormed into households, first knocking on the doors politely and speaking kindly, but as soon as the other party showed any intention of refusal, they resorted to force, forcefully bringing out the individuals they intended to seize.
It quickly turned into a situation where even the cornered dog would jump over the wall. Although Duke Weiguo held partial military authority over the three garrisons of the capital and the imperial guards had been mostly bribed by the central palace, this did not mean they held the winning hand.
In order to save time and resources, they initially resorted to deception, intending to manipulate the officials into supporting Dai Wangs ascension to the throne.
However, as they made their move, there were also others making their moves. The news of the Dai Wangs regicide and usurpation had already spread secretly throughout the capital. Who would be willing to open the door for the rebels?
Furious and desperate, Dai Wang had no choice but to employ forceful measures.
For a while, fear and panic swept throughout the inner city, causing commoners to stay indoors, too terrified to venture out. Shops along the streets tightly shut their doors, and not a single commoner could be seen on the main roads.
Countless soldiers in shining armour ran back and forth, accompanied by occasional screams and cries, resembling that from the depth of hell.
Inside Lu Wangs residence, Lu Wang cursed, Hes too daring!
What didnt he dare to do? He had already done it all!
His advisor asked, Your Highness, what should we do now?
But this was not the time for strategizing, so even the renowned advisors were powerless.
Gather all the guards in the residence and be prepared. If benwang didnt miscalculate, they will come again soon, and this time, it wont be as easy to deal with as before. We might face a fierce battle.
Similar orders were given in An Wang Manor, Jin Wang Manor, and Wu Wang Manor simultaneously. While Dai Wang dared to kill the emperor and usurp the throne, no one knew what caused him to take such a drastic step. However, if he wants to eliminate all potential threats so that there would be no one to contest him, the people Dai Wang would want to eliminate the most now would be these princes, his own brothers.
As expected, several forces quickly attacked the residences of the various imperial princes, with Jin Wang Manor facing the most intense assault.
Fortunately, Jin Wang Manor was not entirely unprepared. Before the enemy even reached the main entrance of Jin Wang Manor, they were intercepted on the streets outside.
In Rongxi Courtyard, the sounds of fighting from outside could be faintly heard.
The courtyard remained quiet. Although the servants couldnt hide their fear, they continued to perform their duties as usual.
Inside the main hall, Erbao had an innocent and carefree expression as he asked Yaoniang, Mother, why is it so noisy outside?
Theres a wedding procession outside, and weddings always tend to be noisy.
Whats a wedding?
A wedding is when someone gets married.
What does it mean to get married? Is it like what older brother and Sister Yueyue have? Sister Yueyue is big brothers wife, right?
Yaoniang smiled and rubbed Xiaobaos head, asking, You naughty little child, who told you this?
I heard it from Brother Xuan. He said Sister Yueyue was chosen by Grandfather Emperor as a wife for big brother.
Upon hearing this, Xiaobao didnt care about the situation outside anymore and hurriedly said, Dont listen to him, hes always talking nonsense.
Isnt Sister Yueyue big brothers wife? If not, can Sister Yueyue be my wife?
What nonsense are you talking, you stinky brat? Are you asking for a beating? Sister Yueyue is much older than you. Youre just a little child. As a husband, you should be marrying someone younger, not older.
But Sister Yueyue is older than big brother too. I heard it from Brother Yan
As the two young children argued, Yaoniang became worried about the situation outside. She looked at the dark and oppressive sky outside and sighed deeply.
Niangniang, dont worry. Nothing will happen, Yuchan reassured her.
But Yaoniang sighed heavily and said, I wonder how my parents and sister are doing and whats happening at Qing Wang Manor.
Qing Wang is not in the residence, which is why Qing Wang Manor is probably the safest place right now. The rebels are unlikely to attack there. As for the old master and the others, they live in a remote place. The rebels wont attack there either.
Thats good.
Xiaobao, who was scolding his younger brother, glanced at the worried Yaoniang and felt a heavy weight in his heart.
If his parents didnt want him to know, he would pretend not to know. It had been a shock for him to realize how quickly the outside world descended into chaos. Could something have happened in the palace? Did Grandfather Emperor encounter some sort of trouble?