Chapter 2112: A Dilemma
Bi Linglong narrowed her eyes as she noticed a group of palace guards moving in their direction. She called out, “General Zhao, what is the meaning of this?”
The leader of the group was Zhao Si. He was actually a senior of the royal family, but suddenly leading troops over to the empress palace really was a bit strange.
Zhao Si bowed and said, “I greet the empress. There is someone invading the palace, so this general brought my troops to protect your highness!”
Bi Linglong’s brows furrowed as she replied, “No need. This empress is extremely safe here and doesn’t need your help. It is the empress dowager’s palace that seems to be the main target of the assassins’ attacks. Hurry and provide her with reinforcements instead.”
Zhao Si didn’t move at all, saying, “This general’s duty is to protect your highness. As for the empress dowager, there are others who will save her.”
Bi Linglong remained silent for a few seconds. Suddenly, she asked, “In that case, why are you stopping this empress’ messenger guards?”
“Please forgive me, your highness, but the palace is currently in chaos and the situation is unclear. There might be people colluding with the enemy from within. In order to minimize the chaos, the generals are all guarding their respective positions and carrying out a strict lockdown everywhere. That way, there will be nowhere for the traitors to go!” Zhao Si replied.
“Are you saying that this empress’ subordinate guards might have also colluded with the enemy?” Bi Linglong retorted with a sneer.
“This general wouldn’t dare,” Zhao Si said. Despite that, he didn’t show any intention of moving aside.
“In that case, then, this empress will personally go out on a visit. You can’t possibly claim that I am colluding with the enemy, right?” Bi Linglong got up and walked out.
However, Zhao Si raised his hand to stop her. “Your highness, please do not make things difficult for us!”
“How audacious! You dare block the empress’ path?!” The fiery-tempered Rong Mo could no longer take it. She planted her arms on her waist and berated Zhao Si.
The guard captains Piao Duandiao and Jiao Sigun also voiced their agreement. The other guards drew their weapons and faced the other side with unhappy expressions. Even though Zhao Si was part of the royal family, Bi Linglong was the empress. Zhao Si was a nobody in comparison!
Zhao Si’s expression changed slightly as he said, “We are also acting on orders. If your highness insists on causing trouble, you will force us to act rudely.”
With a wave of his hand, his subordinates aimed their weapons at the empress palace’s people as well, creating an atmosphere of mutual hostility.
Bi Linglong gave the soldiers a look and sneered. She walked forward as she remarked, “I wonder whose orders you are acting on? Are you thinking of rebelling?!”
Ever since she became the crown princess, practically everything in the Eastern Palace had fallen under her management. Now that she was the empress, her authority was even greater than before. She already carried the dignity of a ruler. Her usual decisions were swift and decisive, with clear separation of punishment and rewards, to the extent that many of the imperial guards respected her greatly. Now that they were watching her walk toward them, Zhao Si’s palace guard subordinates swallowed with difficulty and continued to back up for fear of hurting her.
Suddenly, a cold and indifferent voice barked, “We are, of course, acting on his majesty’s orders!”
Li Guanshi led a large group of Tiger Guardian soldiers their way. With them joining the fray, Zhao Si’s subordinates immediately regained confidence. They no longer cowered, and pressed forward a few steps instead.
The empress palace's guards had initially held a numbers advantage, but now that more forces had joined the other side, the advantage immediately shifted to the opposition.
“His majesty?” Bi Linglong’s expression changed as she recognized Li Guanshi. She naturally knew that Zhao Ruizhi wouldn’t give such an order, but he was too stupid. He’d inevitably be fooled by others. Thus, she asked, “Then I wonder what orders they are?”
Li Guanshi cupped his hands and said, “The Liu clan has colluded with the Fiend races and attempted to bring upon the downfall of our empire. Our loyal subjects are currently capturing those traitors.”
They had deliberately used Zu An to incite and anger the emperor in order to get the emperor’s seal, but they all knew that Zu An had killed an earth immortal and eradicated the Meng clan. His undefeated image was too cemented in the hearts of the people. Furthermore, there were too many forces that were on friendly terms with Zu An. Rashly claiming his rebellion would easily incur harsh retaliation. As such, they'd planned to get rid of the Liu clan first. Once they established a foothold, they would then slowly whittle away Zu An’s power.
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone in the empress palace broke out into a commotion. They had never expected to hear such news!
Bi Linglong’s expression changed several times. With her ability and wisdom, she instantly thought of many possibilities. No wonder she'd felt that something wasn’t quite right in the capital. So it turneds out people had been plotting this affair.
My father and older brother are probably a part of this plot too.
There’s also King Wu’s side. He's full of ambition and is clearly contributing to the chaos.
Even though she normally didn’t get along with Liu Ning, she couldn't bring herself to feel happy about this at all.
Father probably knew that I most likely wouldn’t agree, so he deliberately kept it from me.
Are they insane? Did they forget about what happened to the Meng clan?
She suddenly remembered something. Her father seemed to have killed the previous dynasty’s princes and concubines. Could it be because he felt that he was already too deeply involved, and that Zu An would one day get revenge if he found out the truth, so he struck first to gain the upper hand?
But where does that leave me?!
On one side were her father and brothers, and on the other was the one she loved. Bi Linglong suddenly felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
“General Li, you really did hide your true colors well,” Bi Linglong said through gritted teeth. This Li Guanshi was usually a quiet person who put on quite the loyal and devoted act. She'd never expected that he had already become the chess piece of some power a long time ago! She wondered if he worked for the Bi clan, or if he had been bought out by King Wu.
“Your highness overpraises me,” Li Guanshi said calmly. He didn’t even try to argue.
Just then, another group of men hurried over. The eyes of those on the empress’ side immediately lit up, because they recognized those men to be the Armed Escort Army - the regent Zu An’s personal forces! The two generals in the lead were none other than the Armed Escort Army Deputy Generals Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang.
“Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang greet your highness the empress!” The two bowed to Bi Linglong to directly express their stance. They began to spread out around Li Guanshi’s Tiger Guardian Army.
As it t urned out, they had immediately gone on the alert as soon as something happened in the Imperial Palace, and had quickly gathered their subordinates to assemble. After the two of them privately discussed everything that was happening, they'd quickly realized what was going on. Cloud Dragon Gate seemed to have encountered some sudden developments, and there were assassins by the empress dowager palace. At the same time, the palace’s military also seemed to be moving really strangely.
Wang Bolin had wanted to bring their people to save the empress dowager. After all, Zu An’s relationship with the empress dowager was normally really good.
However, Zhang Zijiang had stopped him, saying, “Brother Wang, you need to take a moment to consider just who could even touch the empress dowager in the first place.”
“Are you talking about the empress?” Wang Bolin’s expression changed.
“Apart from the empress and the Bi clan, who else would have such guts?” Zhang Zijiang replied with a bitter smile.
Wang Bolin had felt as if he was about to go mad. Zu An and the empress dowager were political allies, but he was similarly close to the empress. Furthermore, he had even come from the Eastern Palace in the first place, so he was supposed to be a bit closer to that side than even the empress dowager. Who were they supposed to help then?
It was Zhang Zijiang who had come up with a plan, saying, “The situation in the palace is currently unclear. How about we head over to the empress’ palace to ask her for advice? We’ll make a decision after seeing the situation over there.”
Wang Bolin had agreed to that plan, and the two of them quickly brought the Armed Escort Army over. Then, even from afar, they had seen that there was an army that was surrounding the empress’ palace! As such, they decided to surround those forces with their own men.
“Please hurry and rise!” Bi Linglong said, overjoyed to see these two. With their help, the situation in the palace could have a chance to stabilize.
Li Guanshi exclaimed loudly, “Wang Bolin, Zhang Zijiang, are the two of you planning to revolt?!”
Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang said with a sneer, “Li Guanshi, you’ve brought so many people to surround the empress’ personal palace. That's closer to what a rebellion looks like, right?”
Li Guanshi raised a golden medal, saying, “I am acting on his majesty’s orders to protect her highness with my troops. What crimes have I committed?”
The expressions of everyone in the Armed Escort Army changed when they saw that golden medal, because that was indeed the personal token that the emperor carried with him. As such, this order was equivalent to the emperor’s own words.
“Long live his majesty!” Everyone present could only bow down in greeting. Even though they all knew that the emperor was a stupid puppet, they didn’t dare to slack off on the proper etiquette.
Li Guanshi then said, “Wang Bolin, Zhang Zijiang, make sure to guard your positions with your own troops. No one is to move around without his majesty’s own orders, or else you will be punished for treason.”
Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang’s expressions changed. If they weren’t allowed to go anywhere, didn’t that mean the empress dowager’s side...
They quickly gave Bi Linglong a pleading look, hoping for some instructions from her.
Bi Linglong’s expression changed greatly. She knew that today’s affairs had to be her father’s plot. Could it be that she really did have to ruin his plans? Still, if they were really allowed to do as they wished and end up provoking Ah Zu, the consequences would be too horrible to imagine.
Why did father act without thinking properly like this? Did he really forget how the Meng clan and King Dai were finished?
But father has never been the exceedingly rash type. He definitely took Ah Zu’s strength into consideration.
Could it be that he still has something else to rely on? But there aren’t any opponents who could compare to Ah Zu!
Her expression changed greatly. But when she recalled what had happened between her and Zu An, and the vow she'd made in the past, she made up her mind. She took a deep breath before shouting coldly, “Armed Escort Army, heed my orders!”
Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang were alarmed. They both stood tall and replied loudly, “We will carefully obey your highness’ orders!”
The situation in the Imperial Palace was too chaotic, and they couldn't figure out what was really going on. However, they still remembered one thing well, which was that they were the regent’s troops. They would only listen to the orders of the regent’s personal people. And as far as they knew, the one closest to the regent in the Imperial Palace was none other than the empress, and the second was the empress dowager. There was no way following the empress here would be wrong.
Li Guanshi’s expression changed. He asked, “Your highness, what are you trying to do?”
Bi Linglong completely ignored him and said to Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang, “Escort me to meet his majesty. This empress suspects that his majesty has been deceived by a crafty scoundrel and is currently in danger.”
From that act, one could see how talented and brilliant she was. She didn’t say that she was going to save the empress dowager, but rather said that she was going to meet the emperor. Everyone in the capital knew that she and the emperor were united in honor and disgrace. Over the years, however, everything important had been achieved through her own efforts alone. That was why in their eyes, she was the spokesperson for Zhao Ruizhi.
Now that she was saying that she was visiting the emperor, such an action could only be interpreted as right and proper. There would definitely be no one who suspected her of carrying any ill will. Furthermore, once she met Zhao Ruizhi, she would be able to completely control him. If they acted with one will, unless these Palace Guards really had plotted a rebellion, who would still dare to go against her?
Sure enough, Li Guanshi’s expression changed when he heard what she said. The Tiger Guardian Army under him also looked at each other in dismay. In truth, apart from his few trusted aides, most of the soldiers didn’t know what was going on either. They only listened to their commander’s orders. Previously, they'd still had the emperor’s orders to rely on, but now, how were they still going to stop the empress?
The Armed Escort Army’s morale immediately shot up. They shouted loudly, “We will obey!”
Meanwhile, Li Guanshi could sense that his own subordinates’ morale was dropping and immediately said, “Your highness, his majesty’s orders are for your respected self to remain in your palace. We are in charge of your highness’ safety, so I hope that your highness won’t place yourself in danger.”
Bi Linglong walked forward with a sneer, retorting, “What, do I need your approval to meet with his majesty too? You keep using all sorts of excuses to prevent me from meeting with his majesty. Could it be that you did something to him?”
She had already carried a lot of awe and prestige while she was the crown princess, let alone now that she was the mother of this empire! At this rate, even many of the people in the Tiger Guardian Army who were starting to have doubts. As such, no one stopped her when she walked straight forward.
Li Guanshi’s expression changed several times. He pressed his hand against his blade several times, but in the end, he didn’t dare draw it. He knew that the Armed Escort Army troops were glowering at his side, and that his own soldiers were shaken. Even if he compelled his subordinates to use force to stop them, if there was a battle, they would definitely lose.
However, if he really allowed the empress to meet the emperor, that stupid fatty didn’t have an ounce of wits and would spill everything. At that point, he would be dead for sure. When he realized that, he no longer hesitated. He drew his blade with one hand and held the emperor’s golden medal in the other, calling out, “Soldiers, obey my orders! I carry his majesty’s orders, all who resist are to be regarded as traitors!”
There wasn’t even the slightest trace of fear visible on Bi Linglong’s face. She said, “The emperor’s current condition is unknown. Li Guanshi is faking his majesty’s orders. Soldiers, arrest him!”
When they heard those words, her subordinates Jiao Sigun and Piao Duandiao roared. The empress palace’s soldiers all prepared for battle.
Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang had already been prepared. They shouted, “We will completely obey the empress’ orders!”
The Armed Escort Army prepared to attack.
It was actually the Tiger Guardian Army that wasn’t completely united. Apart from Li Guanshi’s personal troops, who immediately drew their blades, close to half of the other soldiers stood in place, completely at their wits' end.
Just as a battle was about to erupt, a lazy voice called out, “What is going on here? What is everyone getting so worked up for?”
The soldiers turned around and saw a lavishly dressed prince arrive with a group of soldiers.
When she saw who it was, Bi Linglong’s expression changed. It turned out this was her older brother Bi Ziang.
Piao Duandiao was really happy to see him, saying, “This is great! Now that the empress’ older brother is here, victory is surely in our grasp!”
Jiao Sigun chuckled, replying, “It might not be. That’s hard to say.”
On the other side, Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang exchanged a look. They secretly said through voice transmission, “It seems that it was indeed the Bi clan who started this political struggle, targeting the empress dowager and the Liu clan.
“The only confusing part is why the empress doesn’t seem to understand the details, and seems to be in a completely different camp from them.”
The two of them were high-ranking military officers in the palace, so they still had some degree of sensitivity. Bi Ziang was a subject who served outside the palace, so the fact that he had entered with troops in the middle of the night already answered many questions.
Li Guanshi used the chance to say, “Young master Bi, you’ve come at the perfect time. We bear the emperor’s orders to ensure her highness’ safety, and yet she insists on leaving. The outside is still extremely dangerous!”
“Who knows what the emperor’s current situation is like? It could very well be that you just falsely created an imperial decree!” Bi Linglong retorted, still struggling with the last bit of effort. Even though she talked about Li Guanshi, she were staring straight at Bi Ziang, hoping to obtain some information from his attitude.
Bi Ziang roared with laughter and said, “Little sister, you’re worried about too many things! I just came from his majesty's side. He did send Officer Li to protect you. Little sister, please empathize with his majesty’s painstaking effort and don’t put yourself in danger.”
When she heard that, Bi Linglong’s heart sank to rock bottom. It seemed this was indeed her father and brother’s plot. What else could she do? Was she still going to use the same argument as before? But her older brother had just testified for Li Guanshi. If she continued with her story,wouldn’t that be the same as saying that her own father and brother had rebelled? That way, even if this matter was resolved, the entire Bi clan would face eradication.
Her brother’s words were more of a hint for her. He wasn’t trying to tell her to empathize with the emperor at all, but rather reminding her to empathize with himself and their father.