“The two of you must have plenty of things to say to each other. Take your time to chat. This prince won’t bother you.” Zhao Zhe was smiling as he walked out. 

  The two siblings bowed as Zhangjun Prince left. Once they were alone, Nie Qingyun grabbed Ji Man and said with a furrowed brow, “Did you know that after you left, Errong was so worried about you that she couldn’t sleep well for a long time? She almost miscarried!” 

  Shocked, Ji Man hurriedly asked, “Is she okay?” 

  “Errong and the child are doing well. She wanted to come here too, but the child couldn’t part with her, so she’s staying in Jing Province to care for him.” Nie Qingyun let out a long sigh. Seeing his younger sister’s face, which had become considerably haggard, he said in a hollowed voice, “I should be the one getting revenge for our family. You don’t have to take part in this.” 

  Ji Man grinned at him. “Older brother and father have treated me so well, I can’t just stand by and do nothing. So what if I’m a woman? A woman is still a person. Why can’t a woman get revenge for her family?” 

  “You……” Nie Qingyun sighed. Furrowing his brow, he asked, “Do you still like Marquis Moyu that much?” 

  Ji Man froze in surprise. She wasn’t sure how to reply. 

  From Nie Qingyun’s perspective, Nie Sangyu was madly in love with Ning Yuxuan. Nie Sangyu had shared all sorts of her lush feelings to her older brother, ah. But, right now, Nie Qingyun wasn’t aware of Marquis Moyu’s plans. He thought that Marquis Moyu still wanted to help the emperor maintain his power. Since they were at opposing sides, how could he possibly support their relationship? 

  Ji Man thought it over before answering, “Older brother, you don’t have to worry about me. Let things remained as they are.” 

  Nie Qingyun thought she was torn by two difficult choices, so he didn’t question her further. Instead, he asked her how she had been doing during that past two years as well as mentioning stuff about Jing Province. 

  After that, someone came to report, “The commoners in the capital are rioting. Several thousands of commonfolk have gathered at the capital’s gate requesting to be let out of the capital.” the person’s voice was loud enough that half of the military camp had overheard his words. 

  Nie Qingyun froze in surprise for a moment. Parting the tent flap, he went outside with Ji Man. 

  Zhao Zhe was standing outside. He calmly issued the commanded, “Attack the capital!” 

  “Yes!” roared the soldiers. 

  Zhao Zhe would personally lead the army. As he was mounting the horse, he turned back to look at Ji Man and asked, “Want to come along to look?” 

  Nie Qingyun furrowed his brow. “Your Highness, it’s dangerous on the battlefield.” 

  “That’s okay, this prince will protect her.” Zhao Zhe ordered someone to lead over a horse. He grinned as he looked at Ji Man and said, “Come on, this prince will take you to see the how this country will change hands.” 

  Ji Man was slightly stunned. From nearby, Shen Youqing’s tent flap was slightly opened. 

  The soldiers were rowdily heckling, so Ji Man could only put on a brave face and mounted the horse. “Thank you, Your Highness.” 

  “Make sure to follow me closely.” Zhao Zhe smiled at her, then raise his sword to the sky and shouted, “Charge!” 

  Hearing the rising chorus of voices, Ji Man desperately held onto the reins. She was scared that the horse would fling her off. Fortunately, this horse was relatively docile, and Zhao Zhe wasn’t going too fast. 

  When the billowing clouds of dusts had settled, she had disappeared from the military camp with the army. 

  “Your Highness,” a servant girl quietly called out to Shen Youqing, who was standing by the entrance of the tent. 

  Shen Youqing turned her head back and said with her eyes lowered. “Never mind, let’s take off my hair accessories.” 

  “Understood.” 

  The rioting common people were a godsend golden opportunity for Zhangjun’s army to break into the capital. Sure enough, having control over the grain supply was the same as having a chokehold on the capital. The families of officials could stave off starvation because they had their own supply of grain, but it was different for the commoners. The common people didn’t care who the emperor was. They only cared about having enough food to eat. 

  Zhao Zhe had personally led the army this time because he had determined that his army would break through the capital’s gate today. 

  Shen Youqing had been by his side since he had been a crown prince as his princess consort. And so, she thought that they would be able to share this moment of glory together. Her hair had been done up in a style that was befitting an empress, and she had on a golden xiapi. 

  (T/N: Below is a picture of a golden xiapi.) 

  However, he pulled another woman onto the horse. 

  Back then, Shen Youqing hadn’t been able to understand why Zhao Zhe would allow a rice merchant to enter his household and become one of his advisors, or why he had been willing to so simply lend Zhangjun’s grain to that person. She had felt even more confused on why Zhao Zhe had been so happy when he heard that person was coming back to Zhangjun. 

  Shen Youqing had felt puzzled right until that moment when that person took off the mask, then she finally understood everything. 

  Nie Sangyu. 

  Zhao Zhe had once jokingly said to Nie Sangyu, “If I become emperor, I would want a woman like you as my empress.” 

  Zhao Zhe had said plenty of things in jest before, but this was the only thing that she brooded over. When she had first heard these words from her personal servant, she had stared blankly at her in response. 

  (T/N: Zhao Zhe’s original wording was, “Nie Sangyu, you’re truly a woman that’s suitable to be the empress.” in chapter 99. It was a conversation between him and Nie Sangyu/Ji Man, which was eavesdropped by Ning Mingjie and Shen Youqing’s servant.) 

  So, she had remembered Nie Sangyu’s name. 

  Was her worry going to become reality? Her greatest fear was that he would arrogantly smile as he embraced a new woman after taking over the throne. She had already given her best years to him. 

  Her fingers slightly tightened up. Shen Youqing tried to calm herself down. She had to remain calm. She was someone that weathered through countless women. How could she possibly lose to a divorced woman that had already been thrown away once? 

  — 

  Ji Man repeatedly sneezed while riding the horse. Fortunately, the surrounding sounds of the horses’ hooves were very loud, so no one noticed. This stretch of road to the capital was desolate and uninhabited, but when they got near the capital’s gate, they could hear the bellowing voices of the people. It sounded like a cauldron that was boiling over. 

  “Let us out!” The shouts of thousands of people became increasingly loud. It sounded as if they were going to crash the capital’s gate at any moment.

  Chapter 414 – The capital’s gate can be opened with grain (1) 

  Zhao Zhe stopped his horse on the other side of the moat. He looked at the capital. He could hear the clamoring sounds even at this distance. 

  Zhao Zhe slightly smiled, turned his head back to look at Ji Man, and said, “You once said that you would open the capital’s gate for this prince. That gate is right in front of us now.” 

  Ji Man couldn’t refrain from laughing. “Your Highness, you don’t need to feel too anxious. You can’t be asking for Sangyu to push down the gate with my hands, right? Sangyu has already arranged for people to create mayhem inside and spread the news that Ji Store’s largest granary is right outside of the capital. A huge amount of grain is stored in granary, and no one is guarding it. The common people can go get grain from Ji Store’s granary as soon as they breakthrough the capital’s gate.” 

  Zhao Zhe pursed his lips. “This prince still wants to go over there and directly attack. It’s unlikely that the gate will be open if we rely on the efforts of those common people. 

  “Your Highness, you shouldn’t underestimate the power of the common people,” Ji Man sternly said, “Water can move a boat as well as capsize it. It’s the commoners that are the foundation of a country. The current emperor doesn’t have the hearts of the people because of his tyrannical ways. Once the grievances of the people have accumulated to a certain level, it’ll naturally become a flood that will drown the capital.” 

  “Really?” Zhao Zhe’s gaze showed that he didn’t really believe her. “This prince will wait one more hour. If the capital’s gate isn’t open by then, this prince will order for the battering ram to be used.” 

  “Okay.” Ji Man nodded. 

  — 

  Ning Yuxuan was standing on the capital’s wall. From far away, he was able to spot Ji Man, who was wearing her red outfit, in the crowd. The sight of her and Zhao Zhe sitting side by side on their horses felt a bit offensive to his eyes. 

  “Master, there’s at least three thousand commoners gathered below. The emperor has ordered for these people to be killed without exception. What……” 

  Turning his gaze to Guibai, Ning Yuxuan slightly furrowed his brow. “If those three thousand people are all killed, it will only cause more people to rise up in rage. Why would the emperor issue such an order?” 

  Guibai shook his head. “The palace is already a mess, and the emperor has lost his temper.” 

  Guibai reported that the emperor had even roared out, “Those who submit to me will prosper, those who rebel will be executed.” 

  In the end, Zhao Li was an emperor that had once been oppressed and bullied for a long time. After he had a change in fortune, it was inevitable that he would be obstinate and do whatever he pleased. 

  Ning Yuxuan was stunned for a moment. He glanced down at the person below the capital’s gate tower, pursed his lips, and said, “Since it’s like that, follow the emperor’s order. I’m going to take a trip to the palace.” 

  Even people with discerning eyes could see that he had done his best in guarding this country for Zhao Li. Seeing that the capital’s gate would soon be broken down, it was time for him to pick up Haohao. 

  — 

  The virtuous consort was standing in Zichen Hall. In a fluster, she said, “Your Majesty, please calm down. Those people outside are just rebels and traitors. My father has already brought his army over. Don’t let yourself fall into panic.” 

  Zhao Li’s eyes were thoroughly red. Sitting in his wheelchair, he said, “It wasn’t easy for me to seize this country. Why should I submissively hand it over to someone else? Oldest imperial brother has always made life difficult for me. Now that I’m sitting on the throne after going through such great difficulties, why is he trying to snatch it away from me?” 

  These words were a bit too naive. It was because he was so angry that he had gotten muddle-headed and couldn’t think of anything else. He only had Fan Tianxing by his side. This trusted aide had followed him up step-by-step from the bottom. 

  “Your Majesty, Marquis Moyu is currently guarding the capital, but how about replacing him with a general?” Fan Tianxing furrowed his brow and said, “Marquis Moyu had once opened the capital’s gate for you. This subject is worried that he’ll open the capital’s gate for the first prince too.” 

  Zhao Li turned his head to glared at him. “I spent so much effort on Ning Yuxuan. Other people might not know that, but shouldn’t you know better?” 

  Fan Tianxing froze in surprise for a moment. 

  Back when the princes were competing, the first prince and third prince had both tried to pull Marquis Moyu to their respective faction and even meddled in his harem. At that time, the second prince was powerless, and could only rely on a few loyal officials to do his bidding. However, in the end, Marquis Moyu had chosen Zhao Li instead of the first prince and third prince. 

  Zhao Li had been able to succeed in the past by keeping a low profile and bidding his time. He secretly accumulated power until he was able to seize control in one successful swoop. 

  However, Fan Tianxing had to admit to himself that Zhao Li’s temperament had greatly changed once he had successfully seized the throne. He had once been a reserved and low profile person, but after becoming the emperor, he had become egotistical. He wouldn’t listen to other people’s advice or admonishments. Even someone like him, who had wholeheartedly followed Zhao Li, felt bitterly disillusioned. 

  Although it was disloyal of the first prince to revolt, it was truly Zhao Li’s actions that paved the way for his army to easily come all the way to capital without difficulties. 

  Fan Tianxing sighed and said, “Your Majesty, although it’s true that you spent a lot of effort on Marquis Moyu, and he’s seems very loyal, this subject still feels worried.” 

  Zhao Li lightly sneered. “What’s there to worry about? The civil and military officials have all fled. It’s only him that persists in defending the capital for this emperor. Can you really not discern his stance?” 

  Fan Tianxing hesitated. He wanted to say more, but in the end, he just let out a long sigh. 

  — 

  Ning Yuxuan entered the palace. There was no restriction to where he could go, and he headed straight for the empress’s palace. 

  Pengyue had already deteriorated to half consciousness, but Haohao remained under the care of her palace servants. It was just that his little face was crumpled and looked very sad. 

  “Dad!” Haohao rushed over as soon as he saw him. With tears falling down to the floor, he said, “Dad is a liar. You clearly said that you would come pick up Haohao up very soon, but Haohao hasn’t seen you in forever.” 

  His tender little face looked so pitiful with tears. Ning Yuxuan hurriedly picked him up. “Dad said that the next time I come, I would be picking you up. I wasn’t lying. It’s only that dad has been delayed, so I came here a bit late.”


  Chapter 415 – The capital’s gate can be opened with grain (2)

  (T/N: Zhao Li changes Haohao’s official name to Ning Jinchen after he was taken into the palace in chapter 366.) 

  Pengyue, who was in the inner room, was startled awake by the sound of Haohao’s crying. She anxiously called out, “Chen-er.” 

  Haohao momentarily froze in surprise, then he quickly wiped away his tears, grabbed his father’s clothing, and pointed towards the inside. “Her Majesty is calling me.” 

  Haohao, who had been living in the palace for almost a year, always called Pengyue, “Her Majesty” in a milky-sweet voice that gave off a pleasant, warm feeling. 

  While Ning Yuxuan was briefly startled, the nearby palace servants had already put down the gauzy curtain to block the view. 

  Putting down Haohao, Ning Yuxuan went over to salute. “This official, Ning Yuxuan, greets Your Majesty.” 

  The person on the bed seemed to relax. “Oh, it’s you……” After thinking it over, she smiled and said, “You still regard me as the empress? Right now, the turmoil and chaos of war is running rampant, and there aren’t even many people left in the palace. It’s alright, you don’t need to keep saluting.” 

  After these words were said, the sound of gasping for breath was heard from the bed. 

  Ning Yuxuan pursed his lips and said, “Your Majesty, you took such good care of my heir. It’s only right that this official salutes you.” 

  Pengyue somewhat absent-mindedly asked, “Is the capital going to be taken over soon?” 

  Marquis Moyu didn’t answer her. Instead, he said, “Your Majesty, you need to take care of your health.” 

  “What’s there left of this body to care for?” Pengyue softly coughed a few times, then she sighed. “I told him a long time ago to not be so outrageously obstinate. Conquering a country and being able to holding onto it afterwards are two different things. But, he wouldn’t listen to me. He’s such an arrogant person. Once he falls, he won’t have another chance to climb back up again.” 

  At the end, she actually smiled as she said, “He’s probably throwing a self-righteous tantrum right now. That person……” 

  Ning Yuxuan stayed silent. 

  “Marquis, take Chen-er with you.” Pengyue said, “Although he was forcibly brought into the palace by the emperor, this empress is grateful for his company. He helped this empress endure many especially painful days. Having him, it felt as if I had been able to give birth to my own child. Because of him, I wasn’t doomed to a lifetime of being unable to walk out of that dark place.” 

  Pengyue had once been pregnant. After the execution of Nie Clan ended, she had felt unusually tired. It was only after she had returned to the palace, and the imperial physician checked her pulse that she found out that she was pregnant. 

  Back then, she had been overjoyed. They were going to have a baby! Zhao Li had also seemed very happy too. 

  However, she inexplicably suffered a miscarriage. Every night, she would have a nightmare that her baby had come back to blame her for failing to protect him. 

  Protect him? She didn’t even know how she had lost her baby. How could she have protected him? 

  She blamed herself for being too stupid and couldn’t forgive herself. Even after Zhao Li had built Wangyue Building for her, she couldn’t come out of her depression. 

  Later on, she had Chen-er to keep her company. The child was lively, clever, and exceptionally considerate for someone of his young age. As soon as he saw that she was feeling sad, he would put on a show to cheer her up. As time passed, she slowly walked out from that dark cloud. 

  He had originally come here as a little hostage, but she had unwittingly come to deeply care for him. 

  Ning Yuxuan deeply bowed at her. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” 

  “Hurry, leave.” With difficulty, Pengyue turned her body over to face the wall. 

  Haohao thought it was only an ordinary parting. He very properly knelt down and kowtowed with his small hands out for support just like how an older palace servant had taught him. “Goodbye, Your Majesty.” 

  Pengyue bit her lips as her tears flowed down. Hearing the sound of departing footsteps, she finally couldn’t resist parting the privacy curtain to look outside. 

  Chen-er’s small figure had already disappeared behind the partition, but she could hear his lively voice asking, “Dad, have you seen teacher? Is he waiting outside for Chen-er?” 

  “En, you’ll be able to see him in a few days.” 

  Pengyue slowly closed her eyes. 

  After retrieving Haohao, Ning Yuxuan secretly left the palace. 

  — 

  By now, the capital’s gate had already been open by the commoners. Countless officers, who had wanted to suppress these people, were instead beaten to death by these enraged commoners. Several thousands of people rushed out of the capital’s gate and proceed in force to Ji Store’s granary. 

  Ji Man sighed in relief. The deadline of one hour had been enough. She saluted with her hands and said to Zhao Zhe , “Your Highness, Sangyu has fulfilled my promise.” 

  Zhao Zhe loudly laughed. He triumphantly glanced at Ji Man, then he waved his hand and shouted, “Attack!” 

  The responding rallying cries shook the heavens. With the capital’s gate wide open, Prince Zhangjun’s army poured into the capital and started to battle with the remaining defenders. 

  — 

  Although the capital was currently an abyss of suffering, the palace’s gate was left wide open. 

  Fan Tianxing was overcome with panic as he reported, “Your Majesty, this official had said a long time ago that Marquis Moyu couldn’t be allowed to stay! The army has already broken through the capital’s gate, and Marquis Moyu opened the palace’s gate. He’s clearly welcoming the first prince into the palace! Your Majesty, we should hurry and leave!” 

  Zhao Li’s expression showed his utter incredulity. Grabbing Fan Tianxing’s sleeve, he said, “How could that be possible? Impossible! This emperor has his heir. How could he possibly dare?!” 

  The virtuous consort half-stumbled and half-ran inside. Extremely angry, she said, “Your Majesty, the empress secretly return Marquis Moyu’s heir! By the time this servant received the news and went over there, it was already too late!” 

  “What?!” Furious, Zhao Li turned his wheelchair and headed towards Wangyu Building. 

  “Your Majesty, as long as you live, there will still be hope! The most important thing is for you to quickly leave the palace!” Fan Tianxing took a few steps forward to stop Zhao Li. “Don’t mind the empress. You should leave here first!” 

  The group of imperial guards came forward, and Zhao Li’s wheelchair was pushed towards exiting the palace. 

  “Let go of this emperor!” Zhao Li angrily shouted, “How dare you be so insolent! Bring this emperor to Wangyue Building! This emperor refuses to go anywhere else!”