Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"Okay, I'll go to Kunning Palace to report first."

Zhang Jinlian hesitated for a moment.

"Aunt Chen, just wait here. Tonight, the great matter is accomplished. Once Her Majesty the Empress receives the news, she will surely send someone to take you to heal your wounds."

After saying that, Zhang Jinlian turned around and walked quickly towards Kunning Palace in the south.

"Sigh...what a pity..."

Watching Zhang Jinlian's departing figure, Chen Furong sighed softly.

This little palace maid probably thought that the Empress would reward her upon learning of the Emperor's assassination.

After all, she was a spy secretly sent to Yikun Palace by Empress Fang.

Unfortunately, she didn't know that after hearing the news of the emperor's death, the empress's first target was her!

She couldn't save her own life.

Zhang Jinlian was directly involved in the murder of the emperor; how could the Empress dare to protect her?

At best, she might get a quick death; she would never be able to save her life.

If you're unlucky, you might not escape the agony of being torn to pieces.

Although he did not personally participate in the regicide, several eunuchs who were sent to Renshou Palace by Consort Wang's forged edict can testify to this.

But after all, she was the head maid of Yikun Palace, and the maids who participated in the regicide were all her subordinates. Whether or not she was implicated was entirely up to the Empress.

If I were Empress Fang, I would rather silence the outsider who knows about this than leave them alive.

If he went to Kunning Palace with Zhang Jinlian, he would also be doomed.

The only way out was to force Empress Fang into a dilemma, leaving her no choice but to protect herself.

After Zhang Jinlian disappeared, Chen Furong immediately stood up, took a deep breath, and ran as fast as she could towards the Imperial Horse Stables.

. . .

Inside a guest room in the Marquis of Wuding's residence.

Since the Prince of Ying was already unable to hold his liquor and was staying at the Marquis's residence, there was naturally no point in continuing the banquet.

Guo Xun also arranged a high-end guest room for Duan Chaoyong and his apprentice Wang Ziyan.

However, neither of them undressed and went to bed. Instead, they stood side by side, looking out the window.

"The six elders are highly skilled in martial arts, and the guards stationed at Zhu Houyu's residence are no match for them."

Wang Ziyan whispered,

"Zhu Houyu is drunk and unconscious again, Master, there is no need to worry."

"At the banquet, Guo Xun and I repeatedly urged Zhu Houyu to drink, and he accepted every toast, drinking more wine than the two of us combined."

Duan Chao muttered to himself,

"Even I would probably get drunk if I drank that much alcohol in one go."

I witnessed him getting completely drunk in the end; it was not an act.

But the more I think about it, the more something seems off.

"What is Master thinking about?"

Tonight's task is crucial, so Wang Ziyan's nerves are naturally on edge.

"I was thinking that Guo Xun and I have no personal relationship with Zhu Houyu, and this is the first time Guo Xun has hosted a banquet for him at the Marquis's residence."

Duan Chaoyong said slowly,

"According to the intelligence we have gathered, Zhu Houyu is not a heavy drinker, so why is he in such high spirits tonight at the Marquis of Wuding's residence?"

He actually got himself completely drunk?

Could it be that he did this on purpose, using it as an excuse to stay overnight at the Marquis of Wuding's residence tonight?

"If a prince who is the regent is still not satisfied today and wishes to stay overnight, it is only a matter of saying a word."

Wang Ziyan carefully considered Duan Chaoyong's words.

"The Marquis of Wuding's mansion will only feel honored by this."

Why go through all that trouble to find an excuse, or even get yourself drunk?

unless..."

"Unless it's deliberately done to impress someone!"

Duan Chao's tone carried a hint of fear.

"If that's the case, I'm afraid the assassination attempt on the six elders might not go as smoothly as expected!"

"Bang"!

Just then, a loud bang came from not far away.

Soon after, there were two more loud "bangs".

"That's... the sound of a musket?!"

Wang Ziyan immediately recognized the source of the sound.

"It came from where Zhu Houyu was staying!"

When I dragged Guo Shoulu along that afternoon, pretending to tour the Marquis's mansion, I had already secretly observed the dozens of guards at the Prince of Ying's residence.

They were only equipped with swords and knives; they didn't have any muskets!

"I'm afraid the worst has already happened!"

Duan Chao gritted his teeth.

"The assassination plan had already been leaked, and Zhu Houyu was just using it against him!"

He got himself drunk at the banquet; it was all an act for me and Guo Xun!

He might have just been helped back to his room to rest when someone gave him a hangover cure.

He had been lying in wait there, waiting for the assassin to walk right into his trap!

The six elders have probably fallen into an ambush!

Although they were all masters of internal martial arts, their flesh and blood bodies could not withstand firearms!

If Zhu Houyu had ambushed dozens of musketeers there, the consequences would be unpredictable!

"The guards of the Prince of Ying's mansion clearly did not carry firearms, and it is even less likely that the Marquis of Wuding's mansion would keep firearms on hand."

Wang Ziyan's voice grew softer and softer.

"Could it be... that Guo Xun saw through Master's plan and informed Zhu Houyu long ago!"

The two of them put on a show at the banquet, actually trying to deceive us, master and disciple, and lure the Left Protector's people into their trap!

If that's the case, I'm afraid we're already surrounded!

As soon as he finished speaking, an armored soldier emerged from the shadows, followed by a second, then a third...

Soon, twenty armored soldiers from the Marquis of Wuding's mansion and dozens of unarmored guards wielding sharp blades surrounded the room where the two were.

"You heretic Duan Chaoyong, you have deceived the emperor and committed crimes that deserve to be punished!"

Now they dare to collude with rebels and assassinate a prince of the current dynasty!

Duke Guo Xun, dressed in armor with mountain patterns, stepped forward from the crowd.

"Now that the evidence is irrefutable, why don't you surrender immediately!"

"Hahaha! Hahaha!"

Seeing Guo Xun's righteous and eloquent demeanor, Duan Chaoyong burst into laughter.

"You accuse me of deceiving the emperor?!"

Anyone in the court can say that, but you, Lord Guo, are not qualified!

Who conspired with Duan to present the emperor with ordinary silver disguised as "celestial silver"?

And who is it that, after taking my "Red Lead" elixir, wants to present it to the emperor?!

Judging from Lord Guo's posture, I suppose I, Duan, will not be able to leave this place alive today.

What's wrong with Duan admitting his actions so readily?

I have indeed deceived the emperor, and the assassins who are trying to kill Zhu Houyu right now are my accomplices!

It's just one death anyway, you can't kill me twice, can you?!

But what will become of you, Lord Guo?

Colluding with rebels, not only deceiving the emperor, but also plotting to assassinate a prince, is a clear case of treason!

Even the ironclad certificate of the Marquis of Wuding's mansion cannot protect you!

Moreover, Zhu Chongba's ironclad guarantee had never protected anyone!

During the Hongwu reign, how many noble families, despite possessing imperial edicts and certificates, were still subjected to confiscation of their property and extermination?

This humble Taoist priest may tell you the truth: during the two years that the emperor has been in seclusion, his temper has become increasingly violent, and in recent months he has been beating palace servants to death over the smallest things!

"Lord Guo has committed such a heinous crime, do you really think the Emperor will let you off?"

"Guo was deceived by you, you wicked Taoist priest, and in a moment of confusion committed the crime of deceiving the emperor."

Guo Xun bowed slightly towards the direction of the palace.

"Now I have apologized to His Highness Prince Ying and explained the whole story."

Once His Majesty leaves the pass, I will request to resign from my post as Duke of Yi, pass on the title of Marquis of Wuding to my son, and become a monk.

His Highness has promised to plead with His Majesty on my behalf and not pursue the matter further.

"Today, by cooperating with His Highness to set a trap and capture you traitors, the Marquis of Wuding's mansion has redeemed itself through meritorious service!"