Free Web NovelChapter 2423: Chapter 2421: A Cornered Dog Will Jump Over the Wall
Inside Chang’an City, when the people heard that Princess Taihua was returning with the Shu State Army, they were so overjoyed that they all wanted to open the city gates immediately to let them in.
These days, they had endured enough from the Yuzhou Army.
The Daming Palace was in chaos, with no court sessions held, leaving only Empress Wei and Li Fengyi with their entourage.
Empress Wei was pacing around in a frenzy, smashing things in the room and cursing loudly, "Useless, all a bunch of useless fools. How in just a few days has the Shu State Army reached the gates of Chang’an City?"
Li Fengyi was also full of shock, as ever since the Shu State Army launched their campaign, there had been constant reports of victories from the front.
How many bandits were killed today, how many were slaughtered tomorrow.
Who knew these bandits would enter the Capital City so quickly.
Empress Wei asked Li Fengyi, "Are there any updates from your husband? Does the ancestral elder of the Twelve Exposition Sect intend to intervene or not?"
Li Fengyi replied hastily, "Not yet."
Empress Wei cursed in anger, "I knew this fool was incapable of great things. After all these days, how is it that he still has no updates?"
Li Fengyi hung her head, not daring to speak, internally blaming herself, who was it back then that fancied this guy.
Old and ugly, a whole generation apart from her.
If not for her mother Empress, she would have found a younger, more handsome husband.
After a while, someone excitedly rushed into the main hall outside, cheerfully reporting to Empress Wei and Li Fengyi, "It’s settled, it’s settled. My master, the Samadhi Daoist, has already arranged for the elders of the Twelve Expositions Sect from Qian Yuan Mountain to come to Chang’an City as reinforcements. Long Fei, the bandit, won’t be able to overturn the heavens."
"This is excellent!"
Empress Wei was instantly overjoyed, her face breaking into a smile, praising Wu Shansi, "Shansi, you truly are the pillar of the nation!"
Wu Shansi bowed, coughing dryly, and said to Empress Wei with some embarrassment, "However, the elders also have a decree!"
Empress Wei frowned and asked, "What decree?"
Wu Shansi replied, "The master’s intention is for Fengyi to immediately ascend the throne, proclaim it to the world, and stabilize the court."
"What?"
Empress Wei’s eyes slanted in anger, pointing at Wu Shansi, "Let Fengyi ascend the throne, then what about me, the Empress?"
"Well?"
Wu Shansi stood there with his head hanging, full of embarrassment, "I have tried to advise them kindly, but the masters say Fengyi has the destiny of an emperor. Only if Fengyi ascends the throne can the world be stable."
Empress Wei glanced at Li Fengyi, then at Wu Shansi, and immediately understood; her son-in-law and daughter had conspired together to set her up!
Li Fengyi quickly knelt down, softly advising Empress Wei, "Mother Empress, isn’t it all the same within the family, who ascends the throne? If your daughter ascends as emperor, the first thing I will do is confer upon you the title of Empress Dowager. Once the country’s foundations are stable, I will immediately abdicate in favor of a more capable person, and will never let you suffer."
"You make it sound so nice!"
Empress Wei, having fought in the power struggles for many years, was not so easily convinced.
At that moment, a general leading troops entered from outside, bowing to Empress Wei, "Your lowly servant pays respects to the Empress."
Empress Wei asked coldly, "Wei Liang, what are you here for?"
This general was Empress Wei’s brother by blood.
Wei Liang bowed and said, "Empress, the country cannot be without a monarch for a single day. The enemy is at our gates, and our troops are restless. If we do not establish a new army soon, our army will fall into chaos even without a battle."
Empress Wei laughed coldly at him, "So, in your opinion, who should be established as the new monarch?"
Wei Liang didn’t hold back, "Princess Li Fengyi, she has the demeanor to rule over all. Establishing her as the new monarch will surely stabilize the troops and defeat the rebels."
Empress Wei understood; today, Wu Shansi had already connected with her beloved daughter and Wei Liang and his people.
They were here to force her hand; whether she agreed or not, she had to comply.
She let out a bitter laugh, cursing aloud, "Very well, very well! I truly underestimated you all. You’ve grown up, and your wings have hardened. Fine, this world is yours. I look forward to seeing whether you can truly rule over it!"
Wu Shansi, Li Fengyi, and Wei Liang exchanged glances, knelt together, and spoke in unison to express their gratitude.
As the Shu State Army besieged Chang’an City, the Daming Palace quickly announced to the world, declaring Li Fengyi as the new emperor.
The reign title was set as "Fengchu" (First of Feng).
Additionally, Empress Wei was conferred the title of Empress Dowager.
In the Cold Palace, the aging Heavenly Empress heard this news and laughed hysterically, coughing blood in the hall.
Upon hearing this, Empress Wei had people add something to the pill that the Heavenly Empress consumed.
After the Heavenly Empress took it, she suddenly died on the spot, her Primordial Spirit crumbling together with her.
In the military camp outside the city, Princess Taihua, who was sleeping soundly, suddenly rose with a start and shouted, "Mother Empress!"
Her heart felt chilled, and her eyes were inexplicably filled with tears.
Long Fei entered her tent, and she immediately rose, anxiously speaking to him, "Master, I just saw Mother Empress suddenly. She was crying towards me, crying so pitifully, saying it was my fault for not visiting her."
Long Fei patted her head, telling her with a frown, "News just came from the palace, saying your Mother Empress has passed away!"
Princess Taihua’s head spun, and she sat on the camp bed in a daze.
She found it hard to believe, "After Mother Empress abdicated, her health was never in grave condition, how could she suddenly die?"
Long Fei said, "It might have been the doing of Empress Wei."
"This wicked woman!"
Princess Taihua felt a burning in her chest, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
In a hoarse voice, clenching her fists, she cursed angrily, "She harmed my Imperial Brother first, and now my Mother Empress; I, Li Lingyue, will not rest until she is dead!"
Long Fei looked at this pale-faced young girl, and couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow for her.
Those carefree days would forever be beyond her reach.
In the future, she would have to bear the responsibility of a nation.
The next day, before dawn.
The attacking army was already prepared, standing solemnly at the front lines.
Princess Taihua’s eyes gleamed sharply, she stood at the very front of the ranks, sword in hand.
The army was equipped with the latest model of Light Particle Cannons, all targets correctly adjusted.
From atop the city walls, a voice suddenly called out, "Shu Army across the way, hold your fire; our general has words to speak."
A group moved along the city wall, soon dragging out several officials dressed in robes onto the wall.
These were Di Renying and his companions.
Aware of the Shu Army’s formidable weapons, the general dared not show his face but shouted towards the distant troops, "Soldiers of the Shu Army, listen up, I am Wei Fu, the nephew of Empress Wei! I advise you, lay down your arms. Princess Taihua’s friends are all in our hands now. If you dare act recklessly, they and their families will be beheaded in an instant. The New Emperor has said, as long as you cease fire, any terms can be negotiated!"
Di Renying stood on the city wall, his figure now elderly and frail, completely unlike how Long Fei remembered him.
He laughed boldly without fear, "Her Royal Highness The Princess, do not yield to this treacherous general’s threats. We live and die for the land and people of the Great Tang Empire, and we have no regrets. Attack the city, reclaim a clear sky for the people of the Great Tang Empire."
