Great Dao Lord through Deducing Myriad Arts

Chapter 280: Chapter 231: Regicide and Filicide, a Night of Bloodshed

After being carried into the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber, Wang De forced himself to lift his head from the stretcher. "Empress Dowager," he said miserably, "your servant was careless and fell from a palace wall. I can no longer move, so I’m afraid I cannot be of service to you."

Upon seeing this, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but feel both angry and annoyed. She felt that something about this was suspicious.

’After all, Wang De isn’t seventy or eighty years old, and his legs have always been quite nimble. So how could he have suddenly fallen from a palace wall?’

But since things had come to this, there was no point in saying anything else. She could only glare hatefully at Wang De.

"You old dog, you picked a fine time to fall. Now get out."

"Yes!"

Wang De responded and was promptly carried out by several young eunuchs.

Only after leaving the bedchamber did Wang De let out a long sigh of relief. Then, with lingering fear, he glanced back at the gloomy palace chambers.

’Luckily, I acted decisively. By risking my old bones and jumping, I’ve managed to secure a sliver of a chance to live.’

Wang De knew full well what this woman, who had already descended into madness, planned to do after sealing the city gates.

And as her most capable subordinate, he would obviously be the one sent to carry out the task.

’But was this some kind of joke?’

’This is... regicide!’

The mere thought of the word sent a chill down Wang De’s spine.

He knew full well that if he actually went through with it, he would be walking into a dead end.

The court officials would surely not spare him, and the Empress Dowager would certainly not protect him.

After serving her for so many years, he knew her temperament all too well.

To put it nicely, she was cold; to put it bluntly, she was truly harsh and ungrateful.

When the time came, she would definitely hand him over to appease the court’s anger.

And a eunuch, especially one who had committed the grave crime of regicide, would receive no sympathy. The best he could hope for would be a swift beheading; it was far more likely he would suffer death by a thousand cuts.

It was precisely because he saw this so clearly that Wang De had risked serious injury to jump from the palace wall.

’Looks like I made the right move.’

’Still, the imperial palace is no place to linger. That woman has gone mad. Sticking with her is a death sentence.’

’It’s time to put my escape plan into motion.’

Wang De plotted silently.

Meanwhile, in the bedchamber, the Empress Dowager looked around, searching for a capable and trustworthy person to handle this matter for her.

But... there was no one!

With Wang De gone, the rest were either too young and useless, or simply dull-witted.

Amidst her anger, she also felt a sliver of desolation.

’So, after all this, the only useful person I had was Wang De.’

But it was too late for regrets. Seeing the blizzard outside worsening and the sky growing darker, she knew she could not delay any longer.

She understood the principle that one must not tarry, for delays breed complications.

Steeling herself, she gave a cold command: "To Yangxin Hall!"

The snow outside was already half a foot deep. In such weather, it was naturally impossible to assemble the usual majestic procession.

The Empress Dowager rode in a heated sedan chair, heading straight for Yangxin Hall.

At the same time, her edict was passed down, and the Imperial Guard immediately surrounded Yangxin Hall and its vicinity.

Watching the indistinct dark figures in the distance and hearing the occasional clatter of armor, Liu Sanhai felt not fear, but a heart-wrenching anguish.

Because he knew that disaster had already befallen them.

His own death was of no consequence. The only tragedy was the Emperor.

He would be killed by his own mother before he ever had the chance to realize his ambitions.

’Could there be anything more despairing in this world?’

"Utterly depraved... this is utterly depraved!" he murmured, his face full of hatred.

"Sanhai!" a voice called from behind him.

Liu Sanhai turned to see Yan Sheng standing by the window, his face devoid of emotion.

"Attend me and help me dress!"

"Yes!"

The bright yellow Five-Clawed Dragon Robe was a work of exquisite craftsmanship. He wore the twelve-tassel ceremonial crown on his head and the Emperor’s Sword at his waist—attire reserved only for the grandest court assemblies.

Yan Sheng donned each piece, then sat upright on his throne, filled with the majesty of an emperor.

The sight momentarily stunned the troop of Imperial Guards who had burst in.

Although they were all trusted men personally promoted by the Empress Dowager, they couldn’t help but feel intimidated when facing the Emperor of Great Yan.

"Who are you to dare trespass in my bedchamber? Get out at once!" Yan Sheng roared, his hand on the Emperor’s Sword at his waist.

His overwhelming presence caused the soldiers to stir uneasily.

But just then, a cold sneer came from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty has such a grand presence. What, am I, the Empress Dowager, also forbidden from entering your bedchamber?"

As the voice fell, the Empress Dowager, wrapped in a heavy cloak, strode into the hall.

Upon seeing her enter, the Imperial Guards all retreated in unison.

Yan Sheng simply watched his birth mother, his face showing no sign of grief, indignation, or resentment.

There was only endless exhaustion.

At that moment, Liu Sanhai, who stood to one side, suddenly dropped to his knees. He said nothing, but began to kowtow forcefully. THUD! THUD! THUD!

But the Empress Dowager didn’t even spare him a glance, only saying coolly, "Since you’re so loyal, drag him out and kill him first."

Imperial Guards immediately stepped forward to drag Liu Sanhai away.

Just then, Yan Sheng suddenly drew his sword and slashed at the Imperial Guard.

CLANG! Sparks flew.

The heavy armor blocked Yan Sheng’s sword, but the loud noise startled everyone present. Intimidated by the force of the blow, the Imperial Guard couldn’t help but take a few steps back.