At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

In the Imperial Concubine's palace.

Xu Jinniang sat gracefully before the gilded bronze mirror, her fingertips gently stroking the pearl and jade headdress at her temples, her eyes sparkling with spring, her gaze captivating.

The bronze mirror reflected a stunningly beautiful face with skin as smooth as jade.

With her charming eyes and delicate figure, every smile and frown exudes captivating allure.

She slowly combed her cloud-like black hair, her mind replaying the tender moments on the dragon bed last night. The corners of her lips involuntarily turned up slightly, and she couldn't help but chuckle softly.

She had been in the palace for many years and was deeply favored by Emperor Xiao Jinghuan. She held the rank of Noble Consort, was pampered with fine clothes and delicacies, and held the most power in the harem. She seemed to be living a life of endless glory and envy of everyone.

But only she knew how much loneliness and emptiness lay hidden beneath this favor.

Xiao Jinghuan was already old and frail from years of hard work in state affairs. He was no longer energetic enough to enjoy romantic relationships with women.

Despite spending many years together in the deep palace, seemingly a deep bond between emperor and concubine, she was actually alone in her empty chamber, feeling cold and lonely, and never experienced true intimacy.

But last night was completely different!

The fake emperor, Yun Jizi, who possessed the appearance of an emperor and resided in the Dragon Court, was physically strong and energetic, completely different from the old and frail real emperor.

In just one night of intimacy, she experienced a pleasure she hadn't felt in years, becoming completely immersed in it and developing a deep longing for it.

Xu Jinniang raised an eyebrow slightly at the bronze mirror, a hint of greed and ambition flashing in her eyes, and she sneered inwardly.

The change of imperial power and the change of the dynasty had nothing to do with legitimacy for her, a mere concubine in the harem!

Whoever sits on the dragon throne is the ruler of the world!

She will attach herself to whoever can give her the ultimate favor, the highest position, and the greatest honor!

Emperor Xiao Jinghuan was old and frail, and even though he doted on her, he could not give her the warmth and happiness she wanted, nor could he give her a long-term future.

But this fake emperor, Yun Jizi, is completely different!

If she could take advantage of this upheaval and firmly attach herself to Yun Jizi, once he had completely secured his throne and purged the court, she could take off the title of Imperial Concubine, ascend to the top of the palace, and become the Empress of the Great Qian Dynasty!

Such glory is something that Xiao Jinghuan, who is old and frail, could never obtain in his entire life!

With this thought in mind, Xu Jinniang's smile deepened, her heart filled with longing and anticipation for the future.

A personal maidservant, holding a flowing cloud-embroidered gold phoenix-tail silk dress in both hands, stepped forward lightly, bowed, and whispered:

"Your Majesty, it's getting late. His Majesty has been visiting frequently lately, and he should be here soon."

"Shall I help you undress, do your hair, and change into your formal attire?"

"No rush."

Xu Jinniang raised her hand in a polite refusal, her eyebrows and eyes haughty, a smile playing on her lips, her tone filled with undisguised joy and pride:

"Today, I will dress up meticulously and with utmost care."

"I must outshine all others, so that when His Majesty arrives, he will be captivated and utterly charmed!"

Having said that, she rose and moved gracefully, slowly adjusting her makeup and attire, filled with joy, awaiting the emperor's arrival.

Just as Xu Jinniang was filled with anticipation and secretly pleased with herself!

A flustered and hurried figure stumbled through the palace gates and rushed into the bedchamber in a disheveled state!

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"Something terrible has happened!"

The palace maid was deathly pale, trembling all over, staggering, her eyes filled with extreme fear, and her voice was shaking uncontrollably.

The sudden commotion shattered the tranquility of the palace.

Xu Jinniang's good mood was completely shattered. Her face instantly darkened, and a sharp, fierce aura filled her eyes. She turned around and angrily rebuked:

"presumptuous!"

"What kind of behavior is this – rushing around in such a panic, acting recklessly!"

"In broad daylight, deep within the palace, did you encounter some ghost or demon?"

"Such a loss of composure has disturbed my peace of mind. Be careful, or I'll skin you alive and chop off your head!"

The imperial concubine was furious, her imposing aura overwhelming!

Ordinary palace maids and eunuchs were already so frightened that they knelt on the ground, trembling.

But at this moment, the palace maid no longer cared about the fear of death, and hurriedly prostrated herself and reported in a loud voice:

"Your Majesty, please forgive me! Something terrible has happened!"

"Commander Han You of the Imperial Guards personally led a large contingent of the Imperial Guards, surrounding the entire Zixia Palace!"

"Seal off all palace gates, passageways, and exits..."

One sentence struck Xu Jinniang like a thunderclap!

Xu Jinniang, who had been all smiles and smugness, suddenly froze!

My heart skipped a beat, and endless surprise and doubt welled up inside me!

Han You?

A mere commander of the Imperial Guards, wielding military power within the palace, should, in principle, only obey the emperor's orders!

Who would dare to give him the audacity to surround the palace of the imperial concubine with a large force without imperial decree or reason?

Are you out of your mind?!

After a brief moment of shock, a surge of rage instantly dispelled all doubt and disbelief!

Xu Jinniang's eyes flashed with a cold light, her face contorted with rage, and she shouted sharply, "How dare you!"

"Han You is merely a military man, a commander of the Imperial Guards kept by the royal family, yet he dares to be so presumptuous and disrespectful, privately surrounding my palace and offending the dignity of the Noble Consort!"

"Does the palace truly think it's deserted and the imperial power is powerless?"

"Today I'll see what he's really up to!"

Enraged, Xu Jinniang lost all interest in dressing up. She turned around with a flick of her sleeve, her skirt billowing, and with the majesty of a noble consort, strode out of the main hall of the palace, intending to confront and punish Han You face to face!

Just as they stepped out of the palace gate and corridor, they ran into Han You, who had led his troops in!

At this moment, the entire Zixia Palace was completely surrounded, filled with a chilling murderous aura, devoid of any trace of its former extravagance and gentleness.

As the arrogant and domineering Consort Xu approached, Han You's years of pent-up resentment completely dissipated.

In the past, the emperor favored his concubine, and as a subject, he could only tolerate and be respectful at every turn. He had had enough of the arrogance and disdain of this woman in the harem!

Now that the dramatic changes have been made, he no longer needs to back down in the slightest!

Before Xu Jinniang could rebuke him, Han You's gaze turned icy and his voice sharp as he shouted in front of everyone!

"Xu Jinniang is colluding with foreign traitors and plotting to assassinate His Majesty!"

"I, the commander, have been ordered by the Third Prince Xiao Jingyu and General Su, the Protector of the Nation, to lead my troops here to arrest Xu Jinniang and thoroughly investigate this treasonous case within the palace!"

"Guards! Seize him immediately!"

To assassinate His Majesty?

Colluding with foreign traitors?

These eight words, though brief, are utterly piercing!

Upon hearing this, Xu Jinniang's heart tightened, and she was extremely surprised.

The rage, arrogance, and domineering expression on her face instantly froze!

He froze completely, his mind went blank, and his blood turned ice-cold in an instant!

The panic of feeling guilty instantly swept over my entire body!

Her heart trembled violently, and her thoughts raced wildly!

Half a month ago, it was under the guise of accompanying the emperor in his seclusion that she led Emperor Xiao Jinghuan to the Ziyun Temple for seclusion, isolating him from the outside world and cutting off communication, thus creating the perfect opportunity for the traitor Yun Jizi to switch out and hijack the emperor!

She was one of the initial accomplices and instigators in the entire case of the theft of state power!

At this moment, Han You suddenly led his troops to arrest her, and even charged her with plotting to harm the emperor and colluding with foreign traitors!

Could it be... could it be that the trapped Emperor Xiao Jinghuan has already escaped and been rescued?

Or perhaps... Yun Jizi's shocking conspiracy to impersonate the emperor and seize control of the Dragon Court has been completely exposed and revealed?

In an instant, countless fearful thoughts swept over her mind, making her feel cold all over and her hands and feet go numb!

Years of navigating the inner palace, engaging in deception and scheming, had already forged her into an extremely strong-willed person.

The panic lasted only a moment, but she forcibly suppressed the extreme fear in her heart and did not show the slightest flaw on her face!

Maintaining her haughty and aloof demeanor as a noble consort, her brows furrowed, her voice sharp, feigning rage and injustice, she roared at Han You:

"Nonsense! This is a complete frame-up!"

"I reside in the inner palace, serving Your Majesty, faithfully attending to your master and diligently fulfilling my duties. My life has been devoted to Your Majesty and to the Great Qian Dynasty!"

"How can you claim that we colluded with foreign invaders and plotted to assassinate His Majesty?"

"Han You! How dare you! You fabricate charges against the imperial concubine!"

"If you cannot provide evidence or explain your reasons today, I will certainly report this to His Majesty and have your entire family executed!"

She still clung to a sliver of hope, attempting to use her status as a concubine to intimidate everyone, deceive the officials, and intimidate them.

But as soon as she finished speaking, two steady and dignified figures slowly stepped into the courtyard of Zixia Palace.

The visitors were none other than Su Mu and Xiao Jingyu.

Su Mu's gaze was icy cold, and he saw through Xu Jinniang's feigned composure and hypocritical bluster from afar. Before she could continue to argue, he spoke in a cold voice that shook the courtyard!

"Xu Jinniang!"

"Even on the verge of death, you still dare to be so arrogant and domineering, spouting nothing but sophistry!"

The authoritative and stern rebuke fell, instantly silencing the entire courtyard!

When Xu Jinniang saw that Su Mu was safe and sound, standing steadily in the courtyard, the last bit of hope in her heart completely collapsed!

The fact that Su Mu was safe and sound, unharmed, and firmly seated in the court meant that Yun Jizi's side had been exposed.

All her scheming, all her attempts to curry favor, all her dreams of becoming empress were shattered completely!

Overwhelmed by panic and despair, she trembled slightly, her eyes flashing with extreme panic, fear, and regret, but she forced herself to remain calm on the surface.

Su Mu stepped forward slowly, his cold gaze locking onto the panicked and pretentious Xu Jinniang, and threw her away!

pat!

A human skin mask was thrown from Su Mu's hand and landed heavily on the bluestone ground at Xu Jinniang's feet!

It was the face-changing mask that was torn off the face of the fake emperor who died tragically just now in the Golden Palace!

"Xu Jinniang, open your eyes wide and look carefully!"

"What is this?"