“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re plotting. I advise you to give up this idea. You’d better pray that your grandmother is safe. Otherwise, I won’t waste this bargaining chip. If I want the throne, I’ll seize it myself. I won’t tolerate anyone threatening me! Do you understand?”
Han Shu Ya nodded, her pupils trembling. Si Zhan let go of her with disgust and walked aside to wipe his hands.
“Hack cough…” Han Shu Ya knelt, covering her neck and coughing violently.
“Someone, take Miss Han away and treat her well.”
Yuan Zhu immediately entered and dragged Han Shu Ya out.
“Yuan Bi.”
Yuan Bi entered and knelt on one knee, awaiting orders.
“Send a message to Miyue. Release the palace maid rescued from the Cold Palace and have her spread rumors in crowded places about Si Suo’s background, ensuring everyone knows he is the illegitimate child of the Empress Dowager’s affair with a guard.”
“Yes!”
In the fifteenth year of Zhaoren’s reign, spring, Si Zhan ascended the throne in Qianan as the legitimate royal heir, proclaiming himself Emperor Jing. A month later, he personally led a 50,000-strong Southern Pacification Army northward, moving through an empty land. Citizens opened city gates to welcome the disciplined army.
The kings of Chen and Yan, who had falsely claimed an imperial edict to exploit the chaos, were unable to capture the city despite a long siege. Rumors of Si Suo’s illegitimacy damaged their cause. Frustrated by the prolonged siege, soldiers began harassing nearby villages, tarnishing their reputation.
As the Chen and Yan kings contemplated retreat, black-armored cavalry attacked from all directions, their banners displaying a large “Jing” character.
They knew Si Zhan had proclaimed himself Emperor in Qianan.
They had hoped to capture Biandu and then Qianan, making the realm theirs, but instead, Si Zhan himself came to fight.
The two kings prepared for battle, but before they could form a formation, the city gates opened, and Mu Rong’s small general attacked from behind. Caught between two forces, the Chen and Yan kings were decisively defeated.
The people welcomed Emperor Jing’s army into the city.
