You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 166 Your Majesty, the Shu Prince's Mansion and the Prime Minister have made a move.

The Palace of the King of Shu.

Meeting hall.

The atmosphere was a bit tense.

The Empress Dowager gave the order, but to everyone's surprise, it was not her people who entered the council hall, but Ji Wusheng and San De.

Ji Wusheng and San De, along with more than ten guards from the Shu King's Mansion, entered the council hall and knelt down.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I took it upon myself to allow those who accompanied you out of the palace to retire and rest."

"Whatever Your Majesty commands, I will carry them out."

Ji Wusheng knelt down and said.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's expression changed immediately.

How could the Empress Dowager not understand the deeper meaning behind Ji Wusheng's words?

What made those who followed her, the Empress Dowager, retire and rest?

This clearly shows that she has already taken control of those who followed her out of the palace as the Empress Dowager.

Ji Wusheng's last words, in particular, enraged the Empress Dowager.

"Bold."

"How dare you control my people? Do you intend to imprison me?"

The Empress Dowager's phoenix eyebrows were raised, and she glared angrily at Ji Wusheng and the others kneeling on the ground.

Ji Wusheng told the Empress Dowager what instructions she had, and they could carry them out.

Doesn't this mean they want to restrict her freedom as the Empress Dowager?

The Empress Dowager never expected that Ji Wusheng and his group would dare to control her people and even try to restrict her freedom.

That's incredibly audacious.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I know I have offended you, and I am guilty."

"But the King of Shu's great cause is imminent, so as not to disturb the Empress Dowager, I humbly request that the Empress Dowager stay at the King of Shu's residence for the time being."

"We will return to the palace tomorrow."

Ji Wusheng said loudly.

"I humbly request that Your Majesty remain at the Prince of Shu's residence for the time being, and return to the palace tomorrow."

San De and the other dozen or so guards kneeling on the ground all spoke in unison.

Upon hearing Ji Wusheng's words and seeing their attitude, the Empress Dowager's face contorted with rage, and her mind went blank for a moment.

This is hardly a plea.

This is clearly coercion.

"King of Shu, you...you actually dare to threaten and coerce me."

"you……."

The Empress Dowager pointed at the Prince of Shu, and before she could finish speaking, she fainted in her chair.

"Mother."

When Zhou Zhi saw the Empress Dowager collapse into the chair, his expression changed drastically, and he immediately got up and rushed to her side.

The old eunuch Wu She was even faster than the King of Shu.

Rushing to the Empress Dowager's side, Zhou Zhi and the old eunuch hurriedly checked on her condition.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager had only fainted due to anger and there was no other major problem, Zhou Zhi and the old eunuch breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhou Zhi turned around and looked at Ji Wusheng and the others kneeling on the ground with a gloomy expression.

At this moment, Ji Wusheng and the others also turned somewhat pale.

If something were to happen to the Empress Dowager because of their actions, then they would all be finished.

"Ji Wusheng, how dare you!"

"Who told you to do it this way?"

Zhou Zhi looked at Ji Wusheng and the others and said in a gloomy tone.

"Your Highness, we have offended the Empress Dowager, and we are guilty."

"But Your Highness is facing a very important matter, and there can be no mistakes."

"The Empress Dowager's departure from the palace and arrival at the Prince of Shu's residence presents the perfect opportunity."

“I, Ji Wusheng, know that I have acted without authorization and offended the Empress Dowager. I beg Your Highness to punish me after today.”

Ji Wusheng knelt on the ground and bowed his head as he spoke.

Coercing and threatening the Empress Dowager was a serious crime, and Ji Wusheng knew this better than anyone else.

But Ji Wusheng had no choice.

If he hadn't done that, who knows how things would have ended between the Empress Dowager and the Prince of Shu today!

We can't let the King of Shu personally issue an order to coerce or threaten the Empress Dowager!

Therefore, only Ji Wusheng, who was Zhou Zhi's right-hand man, could do this to share Zhou Zhi's burdens.

He took the blame for Zhou Zhi.

Even San De, the steward of the Shu King's mansion, was not qualified to share Zhou Zhi's burdens in this matter.

This is the biggest difference between internal slaves and external officials.

Upon hearing Ji Wusheng's words, Zhou Zhi's face darkened and his eyes flickered.

After a while.

"Alright, let's send the Empress Dowager to rest first, and find a doctor to examine her. We can't afford to make any mistakes."

Zhou Zhi waved his hand and said.

If it weren't for Ji Wusheng, Zhou Zhi really wouldn't know how to handle the situation.

As a son, he couldn't very well force his mother directly!

Fortunately, Ji Wusheng shared his burden, which relieved him.

However, although the Empress Dowager fainted from anger, Zhou Zhi still needed to have a doctor examine her to be on the safe side in order to avoid any problems.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

San De quickly got up and summoned several palace maids who served the Empress Dowager to escort her to rest.

After the Empress Dowager was taken away, Zhou Zhi looked at Ji Wusheng, who was kneeling; "Ji Wusheng, you have offended the Empress Dowager. I will deal with you after today."

"Immediately notify the three major families to begin preparations!"

"It's just as well that the Empress Dowager has left the palace, making it easier for us to enter."

Zhou Zhi said sternly.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ji Wusheng's eyes flashed, and he immediately understood Zhou Zhi's meaning.

……

Prime Minister's House.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo sat in the main seat, listening to the steward's report, his brows furrowed slightly.

The Empress Dowager left the palace and went to the Prince of Shu's residence.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo's eyes flickered slightly.

At this critical juncture, any unusual movement could have unforeseen consequences.

Therefore, Prime Minister Yuan Bo has been keeping a close eye on all the movements inside and outside the palace and the court these days.

When the Empress Dowager left the palace for the Prince of Shu's residence, it was naturally not kept secret from Prime Minister Yuan Bo.

"What was the Empress Dowager doing at the time, going to the Prince of Shu's residence?"

Prime Minister Yuan Bo frowned as he thought.

Just then, a figure appeared silently in the hall.

"Master, news has arrived from the King of Shu." The figure said, handing a slip of paper to Prime Minister Yuan Bo.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo took the note from the other party, opened it, and glanced at it.

After reading the contents of the note, Prime Minister Yuan Bo immediately looked at the steward and said, "Steward, go and inform the Zheng and Fan families right away!"

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne, looking at a piece of paper in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed.

The note contained only one sentence: 'The Empress Dowager left the palace and went to the Prince of Shu's residence.'

This was just delivered to Zhou Chen by the eunuchs and imperial guards.

Zhou Chen was surprised that the Empress Dowager had actually left the palace and gone to the Prince of Shu's residence.

This left Zhou Chen somewhat bewildered.

What was the Empress Dowager doing at the Prince of Shu's residence?
It should be noted that the Empress Dowager rarely left the palace.

If the Empress Dowager wanted to see the Prince of Shu, she would always summon him directly to the palace and would never personally go to the Prince of Shu's residence.

Why did the Empress Dowager leave the palace to go to the Prince of Shu's residence today?
And this happened at such a sensitive time.

Zhou Chen frowned as he thought.

Just then, a palace eunuch entered.

"Your Majesty, Supervisor Cao Shaoqin requests an audience," the eunuch reported.

"Let him in."

Zhou Chen temporarily put down the note in his hand and said something.

The eunuchs and guards bowed and withdrew.

A moment later, Cao Shaoqin walked in looking very anxious.

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Shu's residence and the Prime Minister have made a move."

"These are all the messages that the Eastern Depot received in a timely manner." "Please take a look, Your Majesty."

After entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Cao Shaoqin hurriedly presented the message in his hand to Zhou Chen.

Uh!
Zhou Chen was shocked.

Seeing Cao Shaoqin's hurried appearance, Zhou Chen knew that the other party was probably about to make a move.

Zhou Chen quickly took the news from the Eastern Depot from Cao Shaoqin and began to read it.

really.

Just as Zhou Chen had guessed, all these messages from the Eastern Depot proved that the other side had begun to take action.

After reading the news from the Eastern Depot, Zhou Chen's expression was somewhat uncertain.

It wasn't that Zhou Chen couldn't suppress the other party, but rather that Zhou Chen was considering that the other party had made a move as soon as the Empress Dowager left the palace for the Prince of Shu's residence.

What exactly is going on here?

"Cao Shaoqin, immediately issue orders to Marquis Weiwu and the Minister of War, instructing them to proceed according to the plan."

"If the Divine Martial Guard and the City Defense Guard cause any trouble, then they need not come to see me again."

Zhou Chen hesitated for a moment, then spoke directly.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Cao Shaoqin bowed.

"besides."

"Summon Jinhe to see me immediately."

"Notify Du Ruhui, Liu Ye, and the Eighth Prince to enter the palace immediately."

Zhou Chen continued.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Shaoqin bowed again.

"Go!"

Zhou Chen waved his hand.

Cao Shaoqin left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After Cao Shaoqin left, Zhou Chen's face darkened.

Everything was planned perfectly, but now that the Empress Dowager has left the palace for the Prince of Shu's residence, this unexpected incident has occurred.

This forced Zhou Chen to immediately summon Du Ruhui and the others to the palace to discuss the matter.

……

The technique was completed in no time.

A golden crane clad in armor entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"This humble general greets Your Majesty."

After entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Jin He bowed respectfully to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen looked up at Jin He and asked directly, "Have you finished arranging everything I asked you to do before?"

"Your Majesty, the arrangements have been made."

"As His Majesty instructed, the Imperial Guards have been deployed."

Jinhe bowed and said.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen nodded; "Alright, except for those guarding the palace gates, you can start moving the people inside the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After receiving the order, Jin He hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, what about the Cining Palace..."

Jinhe didn't finish his sentence, but everyone could see the meaning on his face.

The Cining Palace was no ordinary place, and even Jin He, as the commander of the Imperial Guards, had to carefully double-check.

"Anyone connected to that old eunuch, arrest them all."

"The Cining Palace is no exception."

Do I need to teach you this?

Zhou Chen glanced at Jin He and said indifferently.

"The general will obey the order."

Sensing the indifference in Zhou Chen's tone, Jin He was startled and quickly bowed to accept the order.

After Jin He left, Zhou Chen's gaze became somewhat profound.

The old eunuch without a tongue thought that no one knew what he had done.

Little did he know that Cao Zhengchun had already investigated him.

The reason Zhou Chen didn't rush to take action against him was because Zhou Zhi was involved.

Of course, the Empress Dowager's face also had to be considered.

Zhou Chen originally intended to give Zhou Zhi a chance, but unfortunately Zhou Zhi was stubborn and did not cherish it. Instead, he colluded with the three major families to usurp the throne.

This completely disappointed Zhou Chen.

……

Not long after Jinhe left.

Du Ruhui, Liu Ye, and the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian also arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation together.

"I have met His Majesty."

Upon entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Du Ruhui, Liu Ye, and the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian bowed to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen looked up at the three of them and, without any unnecessary words, said directly, "The Empress Dowager has left the palace and gone to the Prince of Shu's residence. Just now, the Eastern Depot sent word that the Prince of Shu and his men have begun to make their move."

"What do you think about this matter?"

Has the Empress Dowager left the palace for the Prince of Shu's residence?
Upon hearing this, all three of them frowned and their expressions became somewhat serious.

After pondering for a moment.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, spoke up: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has probably noticed what happened to the Prince of Shu, which is why she left the palace and went to the Prince of Shu's residence."

Previously, the Empress Dowager had specially summoned the Eighth Prince for Zhou Zhi's sake, hoping that he would keep an eye on Zhou Zhi.

At that time, the Empress Dowager probably already noticed that something was wrong with the King of Shu.

The Empress Dowager has now left the palace and gone directly to the Prince of Shu's residence.

In the eyes of the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, the Empress Dowager must have noticed Zhou Zhi's affair, which is why she went directly from the palace to the Prince of Shu's residence.

Liu Ye nodded in agreement. "Your Majesty, the Eighth Prince's guess is probably correct. I also think that the Empress Dowager may have noticed something about the Prince of Shu."

"However, now that the Prince of Shu's residence has been disturbed, the Empress Dowager has gone there."

"This is getting a bit complicated."

Liu Ye said with a somewhat solemn expression.

"how?"

"Could it be that the King of Shu dares to make a move on the Empress Dowager?"

Zhou Chen looked at Liu Ye.

No matter what, Zhou Zhi was born to the Empress Dowager, and Zhou Chen did not believe that his ninth brother would have designs on the Empress Dowager.

Unless he has completely lost his mind.

It should be noted that the Empress Dowager was the mother of Zhou Zhi, the King of Shu, and his biological mother.

If the King of Shu dares to plot against the Empress Dowager, not only will he fail to usurp the throne, but even if he does, he will not be able to sit on the dragon throne.

His reputation for being unfilial was enough to make him unacceptable to the world and the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

……

While Zhou Chen, Du Ruhui, and the other two were discussing matters concerning the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Guards in the palace had already begun their operation.

Squads of imperial guards stormed into the palaces and began arresting people.

Even some people within the Imperial Guard were arrested on Jin He's orders.

Anyone who dared to resist in the slightest was immediately killed.

Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager's long-time residence was no exception.

Normally, no one would dare to barge into the Cining Palace and act recklessly.

But today is different from the past.

Jin He, the commander of the Imperial Guards, personally led the Imperial Guards to Cining Palace.

"Commander Kim, what are you doing?"

"This is the Cining Palace. What do you want with the Imperial Guards here?"

Jin He and the Imperial Guards had just arrived at the entrance of Cining Palace when they were stopped by people inside.

"This commander knows that this is the Cining Palace."

"His Majesty has decreed that Wu She from Cining Palace poisoned His Majesty, and all those associated with Wu She must be arrested."

"Anyone who dares to obstruct us will be considered a traitor and taken down."

"Golden Crane said loudly."

what?
Did the tongueless eunuch poison His Majesty?

How can this be?

Upon hearing Jin He's words, everyone in Cining Palace was shocked, some even finding it hard to believe that it was true.

"Do it."

Jinhe stopped talking nonsense and simply waved his hand.

Squads of imperial guards stormed into the Cining Palace.

Although Cining Palace was the residence of the Empress Dowager, Jinhe was acting on imperial orders and had nothing to worry about.

(End of this chapter)