Free Web NovelChapter 2422: Chapter 2420: The Royal Family’s Tragedy
Chang’an City, upon receiving the urgent report from Shu State, Empress Wei angrily threw the report to the ground.
Princess Taihua publicly accused Empress Wei of ten great crimes, the first being interference in state affairs from the harem, lacking respect for father and ruler.
The second, colluding with traitors and framing loyal subjects.
The third, letting soldiers plunder, bringing disaster to the nation.
...
The ten accusations scolded Empress Wei to the point of disgrace, comparing her unfavorably to even a witch.
Princess Li Fengyi, upon hearing the news, came immediately and waved for everyone to leave, then brewed a cup of tea for Empress Wei to comfort her, saying, "Mother, why bother arguing with a mad woman? She’s probably lost her mind after being confined in Mount Shu, which is why she dares to commit such rebellious acts. Our Yuzhou Army, with a million troops, already controls Chang’an City completely, how could she dare oppose us?"
Empress Wei suppressed her anger and sat on the Phoenix Chair, gloomily staring at Li Fengyi, "What does your master mean? The distinguished Mount Shu can’t even keep a single woman in check?"
Li Fengyi replied, "I just received a message from my master, it is said that someone significant has returned, someone even Mount Shu dare not provoke."
"Who is it?"
Empress Wei was momentarily surprised.
Li Fengyi said, "Mother should have heard of him, the individual who once rose rebelliously in the Capital City, at a young age gathered the Capital City’s Five Guards, and alone eradicated Wu Chengzong’s entire clan, even the Heavenly Empress dared not provoke. Later he ventured abroad and everyone thought he had died. Who knew he would return alive this time."
"You mean Long Fei?"
Empress Wei naturally had heard of this name.
Li Fengyi said, "Indeed, it was him who instigated the Shu State’s rebellious army. Even power figures within the Heavenly Empress Dynasty like Di Renying and Wen Jianzhi are all under his influence."
Empress Wei exclaimed in surprise, "He is a cultivator, does he intend to meddle in worldly affairs?"
Li Fengyi replied, "It seems he is supporting Taihua’s ascension."
Empress Wei slapped the chair back, fuming, "This is the Great Tang’s realm, how could an outsider dominate it? In a vast world, is there no one who can control him?"
Her anger caused her to cough violently.
Li Fengyi quickly soothed her, patting her body to relieve her, "Mother, please be calm, I have already sent Shansi to contact the Twelve Exposition Sect. Right now, the ancestors of the Twelve Exposition Sect have all emerged, he cannot act recklessly."
Empress Wei calmed her anger, with an ominous look asked Li Fengyi, "What punishment has your father decided for Di Renying and Wen Jianzhi?"
Li Fengyi said, "Father considers them long-serving ministers of three dynasties and does not wish to execute them, only ordering exile."
"Such leniency, how can he establish himself firmly in the court? Your father is too compassionate to achieve greatness."
Empress Wei grumbled.
Li Fengyi raised her eyebrows and asked, "What is mother’s intention?"
Empress Wei gestured downwards with a fierce expression, "Since they belong to Taihua’s faction, then we absolutely cannot keep them. Without them, Taihua would have no supporters in court, naturally she won’t be able to cause significant disturbances."
Li Fengyi whispered, "This matter implicates many, if father finds out, he’ll surely blame us, won’t he?"
Empress Wei coldly said, after a long pause, "Your father is frail, if he suddenly passes away, who does the world belong to?"
Li Fengyi’s expression changed, repeatedly advising, "Mother, think twice!"
Empress Wei furiously said, "I have considered thoroughly, but if we consider further, we mother and daughter will certainly be sacrificed. As soon as he gets the throne, he immediately took the Heavenly Empress’s maid, Su Wan’er, as a concubine, completely disregarding the bond with me. Men are ultimately unreliable. If Taihua’s army presses in, can you guarantee your father won’t use us as shields?"
Li Fengyi’s forehead sweated, standing there unsure of what to say.
Empress Wei instructed, "Enough, today I am exhausted. You may go contact the cultivation world people with Shansi, I’ll handle the court affairs."
"Then I shall take my leave."
Li Fengyi could no longer persuade, had to bow and withdraw.
Soon after Princess Taihua raised her army, Chang’an City became increasingly turbulent.
Previously, only a batch of Heavenly Empress Dynasty ministers were imprisoned, now any officials associated with Princess Taihua were all seized by the Yuzhou Army.
Not long ago, Prefect of the Capital Guo Weiyi, who offended the Yuzhou Army, was not spared, his entire family was arrested and imprisoned.
Upon learning the incident, the New Emperor was furious, returning to the palace and arguing violently with Empress Wei.
Soon after, a message spread from the palace.
The New Emperor had a stroke and unfortunately passed away.
The entire nation was shocked.
A person, having consumed various spirit fruits and pills since birth, achieving Divinity Transformation Realm early, who lived for three thousand years in this world.
So inexplicably, died from a stroke.
Rumors swirled in the palace, hearing that the night the Emperor passed away, all the maids attending him were killed, not leaving a single survivor.
Princess Taihua, leading her army, was advancing north, having crossed Sword Sect Pass into Hanzhong.
This place is but a step away from Chang’an City.
She received the news, for a moment sadly laying over the table, immediately ordering all three armies to mourn the Imperial Brother by wearing mourning clothes and raising white banners in the camp.
Such a brief span of a few years is not long for a cultivator.
But Princess Taihua lost so much, father and son turned against, husband and wife turned against, children turned against, brothers turned against.
The Royal Family’s bloody power struggle had already chilled her heart.
She ran to Long Fei, crying, her eyes red, asking him, "Master, can I let go of this courage, I’m really so tired!"
Lin Yingying reserved a seat for her, inside the room, only she and Long Fei were present.
She leaned against Long Fei’s chest, talking about her senior brother and the Imperial Brother, crying until she fell asleep.
Long Fei stroked her head, allowing her to rest for a moment.
The one blessed by destiny cannot be altered.
From entering the Sacrificial Grand Hall, to stealing the Ancient Heavenly Court’s token from the Nine Cauldrons inside, she had begun to bear the Human Race’s fate of the Great Tang Empire on her shoulders.
Throughout Chang’an City, white cloth was hung everywhere, raising white banners.
The Imperial Palace was solemn, while within the city the common people were even more uneasy.
Industries declined, the Yuzhou Army became increasingly reckless.
Initially they were somewhat restrained, now they openly committed robbery against Merchant Sect factions.
The night the New Emperor passed away, in both East and West Markets, over a hundred streets were raided by chaotic troops.
Dozens of streets were even set ablaze with fire, illuminating the night, burning throughout the night.
The people poured out their grievances, daring to be angry but not to speak.
The authorities all turned a blind eye, as the hundred thousand Yuzhou Army stationed in and around the Capital City needed food and supplies.
The Imperial Court had no military pay, so they could only extract from the populace.
Conversely, the Shu State Army advanced north, treating people along the way without disturbing a single leaf.
Officials everywhere opened the city gates to welcome them voluntarily, encountering no formidable resistance along the way.
It took only a month from raising the army to advancing to the gates of Chang’an City.
The Yuzhou Army bases around Chang’an City, under the Shu State Army’s fantastical airship and cannon bombardment, were like paper being easily dismantled.
Chang’an City was surrounded on all sides, fully under Shu State Army control.
