Forcing me to become a concubine? Remarrying the Ninth Prince, she'll be pregnant all over the

"Should we wait for the Eastern Depot to arrive?"

Xiao Renxiong approached Shen Huai'an, bowed, and then looked at the commander and Hua Ershisan with a cold smile. "As the year drew to a close, Lord Cui strongly advised the Emperor to send the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to camp outside the capital, as in previous years. Now those henchmen are being held outside the city, while this place, including the entire palace, is full of our people!"

Cui Lijian also said, "His Majesty has been bedridden for a long time and is unable to govern. Now, he insists on defying the world and deposing the emperor, disregarding the court and the people. We, your subjects, humbly request Your Majesty to abdicate and pass the throne to His Highness the Crown Prince, so as to bring peace to the court, support the people, and stabilize the nation!"

The other senior officials echoed, "We earnestly request Your Majesty to abdicate and pass the throne to His Highness the Crown Prince! This will bring peace to the realm and comfort to the people!"

Shen Huai'an smiled coldly, paced around, straightened his wide sleeves, and let Li Fuhai, who was running over with the dragon robe in his hand, obediently drape the dragon robe over his body: "Father has fainted. If he wakes up, he will probably agree with what you all said."

"By my decree, the enthronement ceremony will be held on the second day of the second month. My father, the Emperor, is benevolent and compassionate. However, due to his poor health, he is willing to retire and enjoy his remaining years. He will abdicate in favor of me and be honored as the Retired Emperor."

"yes!"

Cui Lijian was the first to respond and accept the decree, and immediately bowed deeply, performing the most respectful kowtow: "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

The other senior officials hurriedly bowed and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Renxiong and his troops also knelt down in worship.

Shouts of "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" almost echoed through the night sky.

With the great task accomplished, Shen Huai'an arrogantly raised his head slightly, looking coldly at the unconscious emperor in the imperial carriage, and then sweeping his gaze over the kneeling crowd around him. This throne was something that was rightfully his.

He can easily get it if he wants to.

Upon witnessing this scene, Lin Wantang's mind went blank as if struck by lightning. She stumbled, but fortunately Chunhen caught her in time. However, her terrified face was already as pale as paper.

How could this be...?

This wasn't part of her plan; everything went wrong!

Would Wei Wujiu have considered this? Lin Wantang could still hear Hua Ershisan's angry shouts and curses. Judging from his reaction, Wei Wujiu probably didn't expect Shen Huai'an to have such a move. It was too sudden and too...unprepared!

In her fear, anxiety, and indignation, she was suddenly struck by a chill from behind, and then a sharp blade pressed against her neck.

"Miss Lin, I advise you not to make a move."

Lin Wantang froze in shock as a cold male voice came from behind her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Chunhen beside her, who was horrified and speechless, probably also being threatened by a sharp blade behind her.

The sedan bearers and servants had vanished without a trace, and it was unknown whether something bad had happened to them. Lin Wantang tried to calm herself down and was about to say something when suddenly someone pressed an acupoint on her back.

Although she was immobilized by acupressure, she still had her mind, but could not move an inch and could not speak!

Meanwhile, Shen Huai'an, enjoying the satisfaction of seizing power, gestured for everyone to rise, ignoring Hua Ershisan and the commander who were still cursing, and ordered Xiao Renxiong: "Control all the gates of the imperial city, block the news, and kill anyone who resists!"

"Father, don't blame me for being heartless and cruel, disregarding human ethics and filial piety. I'm just following your example. If you could usurp the throne, why can't I? Today, I'm going to purge the court of corrupt officials and secure the country!"

Shen Huai'an threw his head back and laughed loudly, feeling smug that victory was already in his grasp.

Xiao Renxiong received the order and gave it to the Imperial Guards. The Imperial Guards were all elite and well-trained. Under the cover of night, they quickly approached the Imperial City. The Imperial Guards along the way were caught off guard and were defeated one after another.

Shouts of battle, the clash of weapons, and screams of agony echoed through the bustling capital.

But in the midst of this dangerous stalemate, a cloud-piercing arrow pierced the clamor of the night sky, carrying the chill of the cold wind, and struck straight at Shen Huai'an's chest!

Seeing this, Li Fuhai shouted, "Protect the Emperor!" and used his body to block the arrow. He was struck in the chest and fell to the ground, spitting out blood. Before he could struggle, he heard a series of arrows flying in, hitting the people nearby with perfect accuracy, all aimed at killing him!

The veteran officials fled in panic and hid, but Cui Lijian was a step too slow and was stabbed in the throat, losing his life instantly.

Shen Huai'an was stunned. He deflected the incoming arrow, then looked at Li Fuhai as he breathed his last. His angry eyes were bloodshot. When he looked up, he first heard a series of orderly hoofbeats.

Then Li Jinzhi charged ahead, leaping from his horse, drawing his bow, and firing an arrow. He then attacked Shen Huai'an, shouting, "You audacious traitor! Who taught you to wreak havoc on the court and deceive the emperor!"

"Your Majesty, be careful!" Xiao Renxiong deflected the arrows coming from all around and immediately flew to protect Shen Huai'an, and quickly engaged in a fierce battle with Li Jinzhi.

Soon, horses neighed and charged in. With one horse blocking the way, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrived with great force. They moved swiftly and without hesitation, dismounting and engaging the Imperial Guard in combat!

Wei Wujiu reined in his horse, his cold and resolute face contorted with stern anger. He peered through the surrounding chaos at Shen Huai'an, who stood on the bridge, and roared, "The Crown Prince harbors treacherous intentions, plotting to usurp the throne! Execute him immediately!"

The Imperial Guards received their orders and fought even more fiercely against the Imperial Guards.

Shen Huai'an was furious, and sneered, "You've come fast enough! It seems you were prepared for this, huh? But how many men does your Eastern Depot have? How can a mere hundred men possibly stand against my hundred thousand soldiers!"

"Your eunuch faction's monopolization of power wasn't enough; you also oppose me at every turn. Today, I will send you and your pack of lackeys to the Yellow Springs!"

Although the Imperial Guards did not have that many men, the Northern Camp stationed in the surrounding counties of the capital had long since submitted to Shen Huai'an. It had more than 100,000 troops and was a force of elite soldiers comparable to the Northern Army of his maternal family!

Wei Wujiu snorted disdainfully, dismounted, and walked calmly and unhurriedly onto the Vermilion Bird Bridge.

"Are there still 100,000 left? Zhang Qian has already taken the Tiger Tally to the outskirts of the capital to gather troops and ambushed and killed the Northern Camp that came to reinforce. Shen Huai'an, have you forgotten? There has been unrest in the western border these past few days. Has His Majesty restored my Tiger Tally and military power, and ordered the Northern Army to enter the pass immediately?"

Shen Huai'an was startled upon hearing this. He knew that because of the sudden invasion from the west, the emperor had restored Wei Wujiu's military power when he needed people. However, it had only been two days. The northern army's main force was stationed at Sangutun outside the pass. Even if they rode at full speed, it would be impossible for them to gather and enter the pass in just two days.

"You don't believe me, do you?" Wei Wujiu stepped onto the bridge steps, a cold, cruel, and bloodthirsty sneer playing on his lips. "Then let me tell you, long before the twelfth lunar month, I had already gathered and mobilized troops, secretly transferring them into the pass."

Before the twelfth lunar month, Judge Liu had already deduced the emperor's condition and told Wei Wujiu the truth. He had been plotting for many years, not waiting for the emperor to be critically ill, but for himself to be fully powerful. He was not waiting for the emperor to die and abdicate, but for the emperor to admit the fact that he had usurped the throne and rebelled when he was alive, so that he would be forced to issue an edict to abdicate!

It was not Shen Huai'an who abdicated, but his true rightful heir, Shen Chengji, the legitimate son of the former dynasty!