Chapter 461 - 461: Who Wants to Kill the Emperor?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Not long after, most of the assassins had been subdued by the imperial guards.
However, one of the assassins actually circled back and threw a dart at Chu Zai.
Upon seeing this, Chu Yuemu felt that this was the best time for him to show off. He leaped over as he cried out, “Father, be careful!”
Chu Yuemu was certain that with so many experts among the imperial guards, the dart would definitely not hurt his father and him. He only did this to show his filial piety to his father.
As expected, the dart only flew halfway out before it was intercepted by the imperial guards.
The assassins were beheaded on the spot.
Fresh blood splattered everywhere in the hall, and heads rolled, causing many noble ladies to scream.
At this moment, Chu Yuemu also discovered that his body was out of control due to the huge momentum. He tried to stop, but a stone came out of nowhere and hit his kneecap, causing him to fall forward in pain. The sword in his hand also stabbed forward, and the sword was pointed in Chu Zai’s direction.
The atmosphere turned chaotic again in just a blink of an eye.
Someone shouted anxiously, “Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor! The Seventh Prince wants to assassinate the Emperor!”
A soft ripping sound rang in the air at this moment. Consort Mu had torn the handkerchief in her hands. She was panicking as she said, “No, why would Yuemu assassinate the Emperor? No!”
On the other side, unsurprisingly, Chu Yuemu’s sword did not touch Chu Zai at all. He had already been kicked to the ground by someone.
Chu Ruishi looked at Chu Yuemu coldly and berated, “Seventh Prince, are you so eager to seize power and usurp the throne when your father and I are still alive?”
Only then did everyone realize that while the Emperor was being protected, the Emperor Emeritus had picked up a sword and killed the assassins along with the imperial guards.
Chu Ruishi’s robe was stained with blood. Although he was old, it was clear that he could not be underestimated.
Everyone suddenly recalled that Chu Ruishi had personally led expeditions all year round in the past. During the years when he ruled over Xichu, no foreign enemies dared to invade at all. However, ever since Chu Zai ascended the throne, Chu Zai had never led an expedition before.
‘They’re both emperors… Why is the Emperor Emeritus still able to exchange blows with the assassins at his age while the Emperor has to be protected by so many imperial guards?’
For a moment, everyone’s expressions were indescribable.
Chu Zai was so angry that his heart ached. Ever since he ascended the throne, the commoners and officials had been secretly comparing him to his father, and every time, they would think he was inferior to his father. After what happened today, they would definitely think he was even more useless as the emperor. Not only that, but he had also raised an unfilial son who wanted to kill him.
Chu Zai stared at Chu Yuemu murderously with anger brewing in his eyes. He pushed the imperial guards in front of him away and drew a sword before he strode over to Chu Yuemu, saying, “I’ll kill you, you evil creature!”
Consort Mu panicked. She rushed over without caring about anything else and stood in front of Chu Yuemu as she pleaded in tears, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you can’t! There must be a misunderstanding! Yuemu was trying to protect you! Why would he try to kill you?”
At this time, the few surviving assassins seemed to be invigorated. They began to shout.
“Seventh Prince, don’t be afraid! Even if we die, we’ll kill the useless Emperor for you!”
‘Useless Emperor?’
Chu Zai laughed darkly before he said, “Old Seventh, it’s really you. You actually want to take my life. Good, very good!”
“No, Imperial Father. I don’t know these assassins at all!” Chu Yuemu explained in a panic. He was so frightened that his legs went weak.
At this time, Chu Ruishi ordered the imperial guards, “Capture them alive for interrogation!”
“Yes, Emperor Emeritus!”
However, when the imperial guards finally caught the few remaining survivors, they began to spit out dark blood.
“No! Emperor Emeritus, they committed suicide by taking poison!”
The strong stench of blood permeated the hall, and the ground was strewn with corpses.
Many women had already fainted from fear, and even many ministers’ faces had turned pale. However, compared to the bloody scene in front of them, they were more frightened of the truth of the assassination.
Chu Zai threw the sword on the ground and ordered gloomily, “Guards, detain
Princess Changlin, the Seventh Prince, and Consort Mu.”
Chu Changlin, Chu Yuemu, and Consort Mu ran over and fell to their knees immediately, begging for mercy in a panic.
“No, Imperial Brother! I really don’t know anything about this!”
“Imperial Father, those assassins are really not my people! They’re deliberately framing me! ”
“Your Majesty, why would Yuemu and I want to take your life? Don’t be deceived by the villains!”
Chu Zhihe also realized the gravity of the situation, and she quickly ran over and kneeled as well. She said nervously, “Imperial Father, Mother and Seventh Imperial Brother care about you so much. Why would they try to kill you? Imperial Father, please investigate this matter thoroughly.”
“Are you saying that I’m a fatuous ruler and have misunderstood the situation?” Chu Zai asked. His expression was extremely unsightly at this moment.
Chu Zhihe’s face turned ashen immediately. She shook her head frantically and denied it. “No, Imperial Father, that’s not what I meant!”
“You just reminded me of something. If your brother and your mother want to harm me, how can you be free of responsibility? Guards, detain the Sixth Princess as well,” Chu Zai said angrily.
When the Empress Dowager saw Chu Changlin being forced to kneel, she wanted to plead for leniency. After all, Chu Changlin was her biological daughter. However, she had just opened her mouth when she met Chu Zai’s dark gaze. With that, she did not dare to say anything. She knew Chu Zai could not tolerate others coveting the throne at all.
Chu Zai turned around and looked at Empress Qin and Chu Yuefu gloomily as he said, “Empress, Crown Prince, you’re in charge of the state banquet. How could you allow assassins to sneak in with weapons?”
Upon hearing this, an idea appeared in Consort Mu’s mind. She hurriedly kowtowed and said, “Your Majesty, the Empress and the Crown Prince must be behind this matter! They want to frame Yuemu!”
Empress Qin’s expression turned cold. She strode over and slapped Consort Mu on the face as she scolded, “Who gave you the courage to slander me? It’s the Seventh Prince who’s ambitious and wants to harm the Emperor. It’s fine if you don’t admit to your crimes, but you actually want to pour dirty water on me and the Crown Prince!”
After that, Empress Qin kneeled in front of Chu Zai and said, “Your Majesty, I’m in charge of the banquet, and it’s my fault that the assassins managed to sneak in with weapons. I didn’t do my job well. However, Your Majesty, I’m sincere to you and have no intention of harming you. I’m willing to be grounded for a year and hand over the phoenix seal to make up for my mistake.”
Empress Qin’s reaction was much better than that of Consort Mu. She retreated in order to advance. Although she would temporarily lose possession of the phoenix seal, as long as she was still the Empress, she was confident she would be able to regain the phoenix seal.
Chu Zai narrowed his eyes and stared at Empress Qin for a long time. No one knew what he was thinking at all.
Consort Mu panicked even more.
‘No, we have to get rid of these charges. Otherwise, we’ll die! Wait, there’s another person!’
In the next moment, Consort Mu said shrilly, “Your Majesty, the King of
Youshan is absent today.. He must have done this! He deliberately framed us!”
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