After the marriage, the cousin was spoiled by the whole family of the Marquis's Mansion

Chapter 94 Usurping the Throne
Chief Steward Wu came in panting heavily, "Madam, it's bad, there are many soldiers outside!"

The teacup in Mrs. Zhong's hand trembled and the tea spilled out.

Rong Peilan put down the tiger-head hat made of Qingtan in her hand, looked at Manager Wu's face which looked like he was about to face a disaster, and slowly frowned.

A trace of panic flashed across her face, "Where's Zhang'er? Go and inform the prince!"

Wu Zongguan looked sullen, "The streets are full of soldiers, and the servants I sent out were all captured and brought back."

"I just looked from the edge of the wall, and the official residences in the West Market are all surrounded!"

Rong Peilan looked solemn, "Which battalion's clothes are the officers and soldiers wearing?"

Manager Wu shook his head, "I haven't seen it."

Her frown deepened. "Did the leader see it? Can he recognize it?"

Chief Steward Wu frowned and continued to shake his head, "I don't know him either, but I saw the chief steward of Prince Qing's Mansion talk to the commander for a few words and then left."

Rong Peilan's expression also turned ugly, "I'm afraid something happened in the palace."

Mrs. Zhong's hands were shaking a little. "Zhang'er was on duty during the day yesterday, and he should have been back in the evening."

"He only sent Jixing back to say he would be on night duty, but there has been no news until now..."

Rong Peilan pursed her lips, "Is there a secret passage in the mansion?"

After looking at his wife, Chief Steward Wu nodded to the young lady and said, "Yes, it is in the library. The tunnel leads from the Marquis' Mansion to a residence on West Street."

She nodded and said, "Take two trustworthy people with you and go out of the tunnel. If the streets are heavily guarded and there are many soldiers, come back."

"If only the official residence is surrounded, you can go to the west gate to find Lord Tang."

She paused and said, "If there is something unusual at the city gate and Lord Tang is in trouble, you should go to Prince Qing's Mansion."

"Tell the messenger to pass on a message to Mr. Mu in the mansion. A thousand ships are passing by the side of the boat, and a thousand trees are blooming in front of the dead tree. Is it bright and easy to change trees?"

Zhong looked at Rong Peilan in confusion, "Prince Qing's Mansion?"

Rong Peilan gently shook her head at Mrs. Zhong, "I don't know if my guess is right. If there is something fishy in this palace, this is a chance to survive."

Mrs. Zhong knew that now was not the time to chat or ask questions, so she nodded to Butler Wu and said, "Go ahead."

But before Manager Wu could even leave.

Guan Jinghong walked in with a dozen officers and soldiers, with a slight smell of blood on his body.

"Your humble servant Guan Jinghong greets Madam Hou, Madam Ji."

Zhong protected Rong Peilan behind her and looked at him defensively, "Master Guan is not on duty at the Palace Front Department, what are you doing in my Xinling Marquis Mansion?"

Guan Jinghong curled his lips and smiled, "Of course I'm here to invite my wife to be my guest."

None of the men in Xinling Marquis's mansion were at home. Looking at the group of women and children in front of him, he raised his hand and waved lightly, and a dozen soldiers behind him rushed up and surrounded them.

Rong Peilan looked at the dozen or so swords emitting cold air all around him, and clenched his cold fingertips into fists.

She looked at Guan Jinghong, her voice trembling slightly, "Do you know that killing a woman of the imperial court is a capital crime?"

Guan Jinghong slowly drew out his long sword, as if he was looking at himself in the mirror with the reflection of the sword, "Your humble servant naturally knows that the imperial ladies cannot be killed, but others——"

As he spoke, his tone turned cold, a cold light flashed, and with a "pu" sound, blood splattered everywhere, even spraying all over his body and face.

The long knife pierced through Manager Wu's body before he even had time to shout.

The maids in the flower hall were frightened and trembling like quails.

Only Chen Chun and Qing Tan managed to remain calm.

Zhong held Rong Peilan's hand tightly, her eyes blazing with anger, "My husband Xinling is at the border fighting against the barbarians of the Western Jin Dynasty, and you are bullying the officials' wives in Yanjing!"

Guan Jinghong just sneered, didn't answer her, and turned his body to the side, "Take him away!"

Several officers and soldiers came up and started pushing and shoving. Chen Chun and Qing Tan immediately came up to protect the young lady on the left and right.

Bai Yu, however, was trembling as she crawled on her knees to Guan Jinghong.

"My lord, I am just a maid. I know nothing. Please let me go!" The maids in Yuhui Garden were all good-looking. When Bai Yu cried, she even looked as beautiful as pear blossoms in the rain.

Guan Jinghong, with half of his face stained with blood, slowly bent down, hooked Bai Yu's chin, and forced her to raise her head.

The corners of his lips curled up slightly, and his eyes were full of bloodthirsty light.

"Why not refuse something that's delivered to your door? Keep this."

The officer standing behind Bai Yu put away the long knife that was against the back of her neck and said, "Yes."

Only after walking out of the Xinling Marquis Mansion did I see that there was no pedestrian on the street, only a few horse-drawn carriages passing by, and the drivers were all dressed the same as the group of officers and soldiers.

These carriages should all be occupied by officials' families.

Several people huddled together, and the officers and soldiers behind them looked ferocious.

At this moment, a shrill scream was heard from the mansion.

The few people still at the door were so shocked that they turned around suddenly.

Xiang Wu's face turned pale as she trembled and asked, "Did Sister Bai Yu get killed..."

Chen Chun said coldly, "You brought this upon yourself."

Seeing that they were standing still, the soldiers drew their swords and said, "What are you looking at? Get in the car!"

"Could it be that you guys also want us to have some meat?"

These words made the maids look even uglier.

Bai Yu was afraid that he was going to die.

The small carriage was very crowded. The two mothers-in-law and their daughters-in-law, three maids and a woman-in-law could barely fit in.

The carriage started moving, and the curtains swayed with the movement of the carriage, allowing one to vaguely see the situation outside the carriage.

This road was extremely familiar, and Rong Peilan and Zhong looked at each other.

This is the way to enter the palace!
They did not get off the carriage, which drove straight into the palace gate.

Even after the carriage stopped, Rong Peilan still saw several more carriages through the gap in the curtains.

The door of the carriage was opened, and an officer knocked the shaft with the handle of his knife impatiently, "Get off quickly!"

After getting off the car, she saw a plaque with the words "Qinzheng Hall" hanging on the spacious and majestic hall.

There were not just a few carriages, but dozens!
Those who got off the car were all officials' families, and they were all pushed into the Qinzheng Hall by officers and soldiers.

In the main hall, there was a bed on a high platform. The person sitting on the bed had his eyes closed, with a peaceful look on his face.

Rong Peilan was horrified, Your Majesty!

The officials below were sitting on the ground one by one. There were many stools on both sides, and several officials were sitting on the stools.

When the officials on the ground saw the families being expelled one by one, their faces were filled with indignation.

"Prince Qing, what you are doing is tantamount to plotting to usurp the throne!"

The platform has only four steps, symbolizing the changing of seasons. Prince Qing sits on the steps with his hands propped behind his back. His expression cannot be seen clearly, but his slightly low voice can be heard.

"I usurped the throne? What throne? I helped my brother ascend the throne, so why can't I help my nephew ascend the throne today?"

As he spoke, he slowly sat up and waved down. A three-year-old kid staggered up the stairs.

His voice was childish, his two little hands were folded in front of his abdomen, and his small body was bent to salute.

"Uncle Qing is well."

Prince Qing laughed loudly twice, picked up the little guy, and said to the officials below.

"The emperor of Daqi is a man of great courtesy and politeness. Do you have a better candidate?!"

(End of this chapter)