The First Lackey Under The Empress

"Accompany me back to the palace…" Zhao Du'an took a deep breath and joked:

"If Your Majesty returns to the palace in this state, I wonder how many eyes will pop out. After today, what kind of storm will be stirred up in the Nine Paths and Eighteen Prefectures?"

It hasn't been long since the Empress advanced in cultivation. Except for a very small number of people like Xuan Yin, Prince Jing, and Prince Mu, who either know or have guessed, the vast majority of people in this world are still unaware of this matter.

"I hope this turmoil can be quelled as soon as possible," Xu Zhenguan said softly.

Even she understood in her heart that completely resolving the Rebellion of the Eight Princes would not be simple or easy.

The two, ruler and subject, walked out of the inn together. As they went downstairs, they encountered the inn's waiter coming up.

The latter stared blankly at the pair of men and women wearing dragon robes and official robes, their appearances and bearing astonishing. The water pot in his hand "clanged" and fell onto the stairs, rolling down.

Not only him, but the shopkeeper and the guests on the first floor were also as if they had been put under a petrification spell, blankly watching the ruler and her subject leave.

Then, it was the turn of the pedestrians on the street to cast surprised glances.

Zhen Bao was doing this on purpose… She wanted to expose herself to the public. Even if the common people didn't recognize her true face, they would recognize the dragon robe that no one in the city dared to overstep and wear.

She wanted to use this to calm the people's hearts and announce her return in a high-profile manner.

However, just as the ruler and her subject had taken only a few steps.

Suddenly, from the crowd ahead, a Grand Inner Shadow Guard rushed over frantically, kneeling on one knee on the street without any hesitation:

"Your Majesty, disaster! Li Yanfu is leading a large group of martial artists and has already stormed towards the palace…"

What? Zhao Du'an was stunned, then turned to look at Zhen Bao, and they both saw the shock in each other's eyes.

"Quickly enter the palace with me!"

Xu Zhenguan's expression changed slightly. Unable to care about making a high-profile display, she raised her hand and pulled Zhao Du'an up, ready to set off.

Zhao Du'an suddenly said:

"Considering the time it takes to transmit information, Li Yanfu is probably already storming into the palace at this moment. I'm afraid it's too late."

Xu Zhenguan's expression remained calm:

"There's still time. He won't succeed so easily."

… …

… …

Inside the palace, in the hall where the court meeting was held.

Early in the morning, the ministers entered the hall one after another. By this time, almost everyone had arrived.

Ma Yan was already late. When he stepped into the hall, he scanned the area, not finding Li Yanfu. He only saw Grand Preceptor Dong and Yuan Li, each sitting on a chair, closing their eyes to rest.

In the hall, only the two of them were seated, while the other ministers stood, to show their respect.

"Grand Preceptor," Ma Yan stepped forward, walked to Dong Xuan's side, and said in a low voice:

"I have something I would like to discuss with the Grand Preceptor."

Grand Preceptor Dong, who had been busy for several days and was tired and exhausted, was snoring softly with his head tilted back. But at this moment, he suddenly opened his eyes and asked in confusion:

"What is it?"

Ma Yan took out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it to him:

"It is related to the recent anomalies of the 'Prime Minister's Residence'."

Li Yanfu had not arrived. Ma Yan knew that he was not good at the power struggles in the court. He wanted to discuss and coordinate with the Imperial Preceptor, who was temporarily in charge of the "Inner Cabinet", in advance.

"Oh?" Grand Preceptor Dong perked up, took the memorial, unfolded it with both hands, and read it carefully. Then, his face trembled, and his eyes narrowed:

"There is such a thing?"

Ma Yan nodded: "Although it has not been accurately verified, the Prime Minister's Residence making small moves at this time must be guarded against."

Grand Preceptor Dong's heart sank. He subconsciously cast his gaze towards the Censor-in-Chief, who was closing his eyes to rest on the opposite side.

He remembered that yesterday, when the court adjourned, Yuan Li mentioned being careful of Li Yanfu's faction. Was he right? However, would Li Yanfu really dare to run wild in the capital?

Dong Xuan was uncertain, but compared to Yuan Li, whom he also needed to be wary of, Ma Yan, this eunuch, undoubtedly made him believe more—

Ma Yan was almost impossible to rely on the Eight Princes, just like the Dong family, who had strongly supported the Empress's ascension to the throne, no longer had a way out.

"Lord Yuan, why don't you take a look," the old Grand Preceptor pondered for a moment, called Yuan Li to his side to speak, and handed the memorial to the latter.

This scene, in the eyes of the other ministers, was not surprising.

After Yuan Li read the memorial, his eyes narrowed, and he exhaled deeply:

"The thing I was worried about has still come."

He turned his head to look at Ma Yan, his gaze sharp:

"This information is from a few days ago, right?"

Ma Yan nodded:

"Therefore, I believe that if Li's faction takes action, it will not be delayed for too long. The so-called success is achieved in secrecy. Such a large-scale 'troop deployment' is too unusual. I suggest that when he enters the hall, he should be questioned face to face. No matter how he answers, he should be placed under the custody of my Zhao Yamen to prevent trouble."

"You also believe that Li's faction may be restless? What dare he do? And what can he do? The six major forbidden armies in the city are enough to suppress everything," Grand Preceptor Dong's forehead veins throbbed, and his breathing was slightly rapid.

But Yuan Li suddenly said:

"Three years ago, during the Xuanmen Coup, the reason why it almost succeeded was because the then Grand Commander Qi Yuchun betrayed us."

Thump!

Mentioning this matter, the other two felt a tightness in their hearts and couldn't help but be dragged back to the memories of that time.

That day was in the cold winter, the world was snowing, although it was different from today, the gloominess of the sky was exactly the same.

It was also after the Xuanmen Coup that the Empress ascended the throne and simply abolished the position of "Grand Commander." The six major forbidden army commanders were of the same level, each responsible for their respective areas, checking and balancing each other.

And Yuan Li's mention of this at this moment, the meaning behind it, could not help but make people think more.

Grand Preceptor Dong's face twitched, and he gritted his teeth and said:

"Since this is the case, then wait for him to come and interrogate him on the spot. At this crucial moment, His Majesty does not know when she will return, we must not allow any trouble!"

To rashly move against the current Prime Minister was an action that carried great risk in itself.

But Dong Xuan weighed the pros and cons and still made this decision.

Yuan Li did not refute, only his eyes flickered, Ma Yan looked calm, and turned to look at the entrance of the hall.

With his cultivation in the Worldly Realm, as long as Li Yanfu arrived, he would not be afraid of him stirring up any waves.

However, as the fine sand flowed in the hourglass in the corner of the hall, Li Yanfu was still nowhere to be seen.

In the hall, the ministers' discussions had unknowingly subsided, and everyone had noticed something was wrong.

"It has been quite a while, why hasn't the Prime Minister arrived yet? If he is unwell, Li Yinglong should also come, but neither father nor son has appeared," the Minister of War couldn't help but say.

"Send someone to pick them up, perhaps they have been delayed," the Minister of Revenue said lightly.

Ma Yan's thin face became increasingly gloomy, suddenly his ears twitched, and he suddenly raised his head:

"Something's wrong!"

The heavy palace doors were extremely soundproof, to prevent the conversations inside the hall from being heard by the palace servants outside.

But at this moment, outside the thick palace doors, the sound of horses' hooves and shouts of killing came. At first, it was still vague, but gradually it became clear.

"Go out and see!" The old Grand Preceptor also noticed something was wrong and ordered the eunuch in the hall.

The latter was about to push the door open with small steps, when suddenly, the palace door suddenly "bang" vibrated, accompanied by exclamations!

Ma Yan subconsciously reached for the knife at his waist, but he grabbed empty air!

Because he did not carry weapons to the court meeting.

And at this moment, the heavy palace door creaked and was violently pushed open from the outside!

Cold wind swept in!

The wind, carrying the smell of blood, suddenly swept into the hall. Strong, pale white light poured in from outside the door, and many civil officials subconsciously covered their faces with their sleeves, squinting their eyes.

The dense shouts of killing, however, were like raging waves, pouring into everyone's ears!

On the Meridian Gate Square, thousands of forbidden soldiers had appeared at some unknown time, surrounding the palace hall, sealing it off, and confronting the patrolling forbidden soldiers who had come after hearing the news!

Those were the Feathered Forest and Tiger Brave Guards who had been alarmed!

The Capital Garrison Guard was too far away and had not yet noticed anything unusual!

Inside the imperial city, different forbidden army teams were actually confronting each other? Fighting?!

What happened?

The minds of a group of ministers in the hall crashed, and they were briefly unable to recover until Ma Yan's roar of shock and anger awakened everyone: "Li Yanfu!? Are you rebelling?!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Outside the pushed-open palace door, on the long steps, Li Yanfu, wearing an iron helmet, soft armor, and a crimson robe, stood outside the threshold.

Beside him were two masked guards, and behind them were hundreds of door guests wearing red clothes and tied with white silk on their foreheads, holding knives!

"Li Yanfu?!"

Grand Preceptor Dong stood up from his chair in shock, almost staggering, desperately supporting himself on the armrest of the chair. Yuan Li on the opposite side also almost lost his composure, shocked.

A thought had already exploded in his heart:

A coup d'état?

A coup d'état once again after three years?

A once-in-a-lifetime, daring and lawless minister's coup d'état?!

"Ah…" The ministers suddenly became noisy, almost subconsciously retreating backward, looking at Li Yanfu stepping forward in disbelief, crossing the threshold, stepping on the floor that could reflect people's images.

Li Yanfu stood upright, although old, he was as fierce as a wolf king.

Every step he took forward, the ministers retreated several feet, while the red-clothed door guests behind him slammed the heavy palace door shut again, and the shouts of killing outside almost immediately subsided.

And at this time, taking advantage of a scene of chaos, several high-ranking members of the Li faction in the crowd went against the flow and stood behind Li Yanfu, turning around and showing smiles:

"Congratulations to the Prime Minister for successfully entering the palace. Now these rebels are all in our urn!"

Rebels? Us?

Hearing these words, many ministers who had not yet recovered showed blank expressions.

Li Yanfu's eyes were cold, his tone indifferent, and unquestionable:

"Rebellion? No, Ma Yan, you are wrong. This Prime Minister is a loyal minister of Yu, and some of you are colluding with thieves, framing His Majesty's treacherous officials. Today, this Prime Minister, in order to save Yu from collapse, boldly leads his family into the palace to clear the Emperor's side, eliminate treacherous officials, and restore my Yu country to a bright and clear world!"

The ministers were shocked, and Ma Yan's face was ashen!

Grand Preceptor Dong and others widened their eyes, their beards trembling with anger, while Yuan Li on the side seemed to understand something, revealing a wry smile.

All of this was too similar to three years ago!

That year, when the late Emperor passed away, the Crown Prince had not yet ascended the throne, and the Second Prince Jianwen also led his door guests into the palace in this way, colluding with Qi Yuchun from the inside, and raising the banner of "clearing the Emperor's side."

Today, it has been replaced by Li Yanfu.

The scale is much smaller compared to that year.

However, Li Yanfu's timing was better. His Majesty was not present, the forbidden army in the capital, as well as the Jing camp outside the city, all only followed the orders of the Inner Cabinet, and not a certain person.

Therefore, Li Yanfu did not need to make a big move to reach the level of Xu Jianwen back then. He only needed to control Grand Preceptor Dong and Yuan Li with thunderous means, and then, with the cooperation of Li's faction officials, take over the Inner Cabinet and steal temporary control of this city.

He had long thought of this and tried to remind Dong Xuan and others, but unfortunately, Yuan Li, as the "leader of the Qingliu Party," was also not trusted.

And the Li faction's rebellion came faster, more suddenly, more fiercely, and more unprepared than expected!

"Nonsense! Outrageous!"

Grand Tutor Dong's face flushed crimson, his eyes fixed on the chancellor who was staging the coup: "Your Majesty is right, you are the greatest hidden danger in the court!"

He regretted it!

If he had known that Li Yanfu truly possessed such audacity, he would have imprisoned him the moment the news of Her Majesty's disappearance arrived, even at the risk of turmoil in the court!

But now, it was all too late!

Who could have imagined that Li Yanfu, who had always yielded and endured in the face of the Empress's repeated suppression, and who had maintained a posture of bearing humiliation even during the late Emperor's reign, would erupt with such fierce courage?

Now, it was evident that a portion of the palace guards had defected and formed an alliance with Li Yanfu. Even if only a fraction of the guards were rebelling, it would still take time for the remaining battalions to gather a large force and rush over!

And would Li Yanfu give them that time?

"Ma Yan! Act! Capture the leader to defeat the whole lot!" Grand Tutor Dong suddenly roared.

Most of the military generals were out of the city defending against the enemy, and the strongest person in the hall was Ma Yan. A warrior of the Mortal Realm should be able to control the situation.

Please... You... Collect 6... Books... Bar...!

However, Ma Yan did not move. His fists were clenched, and he vigilantly stared at a masked guard beside Li Yanfu.

"Heh," Li Yanfu chuckled. At this moment, he no longer concealed his wolfish ambitions, truly revealing his untamed and fierce true nature:

"Dong Xuan, are you perhaps senile? How could this chancellor dare to enter the palace today without accounting for the fierce general Ma Yan?"

His eyes held contempt:

"Or do you believe that this chancellor wouldn't be able to find even a Mortal Realm expert by my side?"

As his words fell, the masked guard on his right suddenly removed his mask, revealing a man's face also branded with tattoos.

"Kong Wu!" Someone in the crowd exclaimed.

Many were awakened and recalled the name: a death row inmate who had once been imprisoned in the imperial prison, also one of the military generals.

"Isn't he already dead?" The Minister of War's expression changed.

The man named Kong Wu smiled, ignoring the others, and took a step forward, his aura firmly locking onto Director Ma:

"Ma Yan, long time no see. You should still remember me. Back then, when I was wanted, it was a group of Grand Eunuch who joined forces to capture me. Heh, you were among them at the time. It's laughable. If not for ganging up on me, do you think you could have caught me?"

Ma Yan stared intently at him, shaking his head and saying:

"When I took over the Imperial Prison, I once reviewed the files and felt that the timing of your death was suspicious. It was during the period of the Profound Sect Coup that you mysteriously died in prison. Now it seems that Li Yanfu took advantage of the chaos in the capital at that time, when no one had the leisure to pay attention to the Imperial Prison, and replaced you, raising you in secret."

Kong Wu did not deny it, and a somewhat crazed smile touched the tattoos on his face:

"I thought I was destined to die, but I never expected to be able to return today. Heh heh, I heard that you have entered the Mortal Realm, not bad, now you finally have the qualifications to fight me. You can try, at this distance, whether you can kill Chancellor Li first, or die first."

Ma Yan's expression was solemn, as if facing a formidable enemy!

As one of the Grand Eunuch who participated in the capture of Kong Wu back then, he knew this guy's combat power well.

Even if he cultivated the imperial family's secret arts, he would at most be evenly matched with Kong Wu without a weapon. If he wanted to kill someone in front of him, the chances were slim.

Li Yanfu smiled, looking down at the old Grand Tutor:

"Dong Xuan, you are too old, your mind is no longer useful. With Kong Wu holding back Ma Yan, this chancellor also has hundreds of retainers behind me, all of whom are experts. With a single order, they can slaughter you all in a few breaths.

However, this chancellor has a virtue of cherishing life, and will only punish the ringleaders. Apart from you, Dong Xuan, and a few others like Yuan Li, if the rest are willing to abandon the darkness and turn to the light, this chancellor is also unwilling to start a major war."

The officials were silent!

The hall was quiet, and a sense of unease surged. Faced with the crisis of life and death, many officials hesitated.

However, Grand Tutor Dong, facing the threat, was surprisingly calm, so calm that it was abnormal.

"Li Yanfu, you have indeed deceived almost everyone. This old man admits that I underestimated you too much, but..."

A hint of a smile suddenly appeared on the face of Grand Tutor Dong, who was in his twilight years: "Do you think you can deceive Her Majesty?"

Her Majesty? Li Yanfu's heart stirred, and he sneered:

"Stop pretending to be mysterious. Her Majesty's whereabouts are currently unknown, thousands of miles away from the capital."

"That's right," Dong Xuan sighed softly, "but who said that when Her Majesty went south to perform the Fengshan ceremony, she really took away all the experts from the palace?"

As his words fell, suddenly, in a corner of the hall that had been almost ignored, four female officials walked out.

They were extremely inconspicuous, wearing uniform low-ranking female official robes, with plum blossom makeup adorning their foreheads, imitating Mo Chou.

Each time there was a court assembly in the hall, there would be some eunuchs and female officials in the hall to record the assembly, maintain order, and clean up benches, tables, and other miscellaneous items.

And no one ever paid attention to them.

However, at this moment, as these four female officials walked, they seemed to shed their disguise, their temperament suddenly changing, and they tacitly drew four soft swords with a cold gleam from their lower backs!

At the same time, an aura of at least Divine Seal Realm or higher swept over, and the four of them moved in perfect unison, their sword tips thrusting towards Li Yanfu from four angles, following the positions of the constellations!

The sword's edge was biting!

Ma Yan's eyes flickered, and he also took a bow stance and punched out at the same time! Striking towards Kong Wu!

"Outsiders only know that the imperial palace gathers eunuchs to cultivate the imperial family's secret arts, serving as Grand Eunuch. But who would have thought that the imperial palace's Grand Eunuch are truly only men? How could there be no female Grand Eunuch in the palace?"

Grand Tutor Dong's voice echoed in the hall.

In Li Yanfu's pupils, the four soft swords rapidly magnified.

… …

… …

Outside the imperial palace, it was a scene of solemnity and slaughter.

The fighting in the Meridian Gate Square was perfectly blocked by the high palace walls.

And the South Gate, controlled by the rebellious palace guards, looked perfectly normal from afar.

Those outside the palace would never have imagined that at this moment, within the high palace walls, a major event that could change the world was unfolding.

Outside the imperial palace, on Vermilion Bird Avenue, it was also a scene of solemnity and slaughter.

An official of Li's faction, under orders, led a group of death warriors disguised as patrolling constables, wandering the streets, driving away outsiders who might approach the imperial palace.

To ensure that no news leaked from outside the South Gate before the coup ended.

"Who is it? Stop!"

This official of Li's faction, riding on a tall horse and holding a long whip in his hand, suddenly noticed that at the end of Vermilion Bird Avenue, two figures were rapidly approaching for some reason.

The other party seemed to be walking, but their speed was extremely fast, as if shrinking the ground into inches. One moment they were still in the distance, and the next moment they had closed in a large distance.

Before he could think, this official, who was not a pillar-like important minister within Li's faction but was able to participate in this major event, showing his position and power in the court, spurred his horse to stop them.

The whip in his hand trembled, lashing out at the air in the direction of the two people in front, and he sternly rebuked:

"The imperial palace is an important place, and idlers are forbidden from approaching without permission!"

In the past, he would not have been so arrogant and domineering, but because this major event could not be lost, and also because... once it succeeded, his future prospects would be limitless.

Perhaps he had prematurely imagined the great prospects of his smooth rise to prominence as a meritorious official after the new emperor ascended the throne, and the whip he wielded could not help but be even more fierce.

However, the whip did not strike the air, but was suddenly grasped by a palm.

A man and a woman, who were clearly still a great distance away, suddenly appeared in front of the horse.

Zhao Du'an casually grabbed the horsewhip and pulled it with a calm expression, causing the official on the horse to stumble and fall off, prompting a group of "constables" behind him to rush over to protect their master.

"Bold commoner..." Although this official had already sensed that something was wrong, he still subconsciously cursed, propping himself up to get up, and then he finally saw the clothing of the man and woman clearly, and could not help but be stunned.

The man was wearing a scarlet official robe that only officials of the fourth rank or higher could wear, and the embroidered pattern on his chest was a rare style, vaguely of the specifications that only the third rank had.

Which third-rank official was rushing over?

But at this time, shouldn't they all be in the palace? Could it be a military officer?

And when he caught sight of the golden dragon robe next to him, his whole body completely froze.

Who in the world could wear a dragon robe? Even with four claws, only princes of the first rank were qualified, let alone that in his hasty glance, the dragon on the sleeve of the dazzling golden robe seemed to be... five claws?

Five-clawed golden dragon... third-rank official robe... a man and a woman...

The official of Li's faction suddenly raised his head, clearly seeing the faces of the man and woman, which were cold but known to every official in the court.

The Junior Mentor of the Crown Prince, Zhao Du'an.

The current Empress, Xu Zhenguan.

Zhao Du'an casually threw the whip on the ground, and he and the Empress walked towards the city gate one after the other, their steps unceasing.

This core official of Li's faction knelt on the ground with a thud, the world spinning, his hands and feet ice-cold, and suddenly began to kowtow desperately as if mad, leaving a large pool of scarlet bloodstains on the stone slabs.

The Empress, dressed in a dragon robe, walked towards the tightly closed South Gate.

Zhao Du'an saw the gate creak open, as if pushed by some invisible force.

On the city wall.

The rebel soldiers of the Golden Guard and the Thousand Bull Guard were petrified, standing in place in horror and disbelief. They tried to shout and run away, but were horrified to find that their whole bodies were imprisoned.

Then, that invisible hand squeezed their armor, and blood seeped out from the armor, silently, and all the rebel soldiers on the entire city wall died.

One corpse after another fell straight down, like steel graves.

The holes in the city gate were somewhat dim.

After walking out, Xu Zhenguan's face, like frost and snow, was bathed in the warm sunlight, and she squinted to look at the distant hall.

Zhao Du'an heard the sounds of battle in his ears, but he raised his head and looked at the gray sky.

He found that the clouds had unknowingly split into a straight and long thin line, as if cutting the sky in half, and brilliant sunlight shone through the crack.

Zhao Du'an suddenly focused his energy in his dantian and said loudly: "Welcome Her Majesty back to the palace!"