owlsbooks Chapter 18 Such an arrogant person, who has no respect for the emperor, deserves to die!
Chapter 18 Such an arrogant person, who has no respect for the emperor, deserves to die!
At this moment, Grand Tutor Zhao Wuji's hands, covered with age spots and trembling slightly, gripped the wide cuffs of his sleeves tightly, as if he wanted to crush the fine brocade fabric in his palms to suppress the surging blood and qi within his body that was about to burst through his chest.
His aged and dignified face was now filled with despair and helplessness.
The reason he ultimately gave up trying to persuade Gu Xiaoxiao was because he knew the young emperor in front of him too well, or rather, he knew too well the distorting effect of power on someone who had been deprived of power for a long time.
"Your Majesty..." Zhao Wuji could only let out a long sigh, a sigh so heavy it seemed to bear the weight of a thousand pounds, carrying an undisguised sorrow, "This old minister... obeys the decree!"
He bent his back deeply, a posture that had never been so bent before generations of monarchs, his white head drooping to his chest, making him appear exceptionally desolate.
"However... this matter of troop deployment, I believe requires careful consideration. We must not act rashly, lest... it lead to a great disaster!"
Grand Tutor Zhao Wuji ultimately couldn't hold back his words and whispered a word of advice.
However, Gu Xiaoxiao clearly did not understand Grand Tutor Zhao Wuji's good intentions.
When Gu Xiaoxiao heard Zhao Wuji finally relent and say "As you command," her tense shoulders visibly relaxed, and the five fingers of her tightly clenched fist slowly loosened as well.
"Grand Tutor, rest assured, I know what I'm doing!"
Gu Xiaoxiao's voice became much lighter, even carrying a hint of undisguised excitement. She seemed to already see herself stopping the Empress Dowager's conspiracy and then seizing power.
"Once Prince Su enters the city, he will have no chance of escape!"
At this moment, Gu Xiaoxiao's words were full of arrogance, as if she was not trying to capture the war god who had shed blood and sweat for the Great Liang in the Western Frontier and resisted foreign enemies, but an insignificant ant.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji's last shred of hope vanished completely.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze passing through the graying eyebrows, and took a deep look at the emperor who had been suppressed by the Empress Dowager for too long, and now, having finally tasted a bit of power, was rushing towards it with a thirsty hunger.
Since this brat is not worth discussing things with, then... he should also carefully consider how he and his family can protect themselves as much as possible in the coming monstrous storm!
In any case, he could not place his hopes on Gu Xiaoxiao, who was only good at daydreaming and had no political wisdom.
He had to find a way out for himself and the Zhao family, or... find another wise ruler!
……
……
Time flies, and it's already the second day.
On this day, the capital of Daliang welcomed a long-awaited clear sky.
However, although the sky was cloudless today, a suffocating and chilling atmosphere permeated the air.
The city gates had already been heavily sealed off by the Jingji Guard.
Five thousand elite soldiers, clad in heavy armor and wielding long spears, lined up on both sides of the official road.
The black flags fluttered in the wind, embroidered with ferocious tiger patterns; they were the "Tiger Warriors" that Zhao Wuji had brought in.
Gu Xiaoxiao, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and wearing a twelve-tassel crown, sat regally in the main seat on the city tower.
Although her face was still sickly pale, her eyes burned with an almost insane flame.
Behind her stood hundreds of palace guards she had carefully selected, each with a tense expression and their hands on the hilts of their swords.
Zhao Wuji stood to her side and slightly behind, dressed in a purple robe and jade belt, his expression unusually calm, as if today's events had nothing to do with him.
"Grand Tutor, look at this spectacle!" Gu Xiaoxiao pointed to the army below, which looked as if facing a formidable enemy, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Is my 'welcoming' procession up to par?"
Zhao Wuji bowed slightly, his tone calm: "Your Majesty's intentions are profound. If Prince Su could know this in the afterlife, he would surely be grateful for Your Majesty's 'great favor'!"
Gu Xiaoxiao may not have noticed the sarcasm in his words, or perhaps she simply didn't care—at least she couldn't care less about such things at the moment!
"It's not necessarily true that he knows this from beyond the grave. In any case, he is still my younger brother. As long as he knows what's good for him, I will naturally treat him with the respect due to a brother. But if he dares to resist... hmph..."
The words were unfinished, but the meaning was clear!
Before Zhao Wuji could say anything more, at the same time, a black line suddenly appeared on the distant horizon.
The lines expanded rapidly, turning into billowing dust, accompanied by the dull yet rhythmic sound of horses' hooves, as if the earth itself was trembling.
"They're here!"
Gu Xiaoxiao suddenly stood up, gripping the railing tightly with both hands, her knuckles turning slightly white from the excessive force.
A cavalry unit, like a black torrent of steel, slowly appeared at the end of the official road.
They did not slow down upon seeing the large army ahead; instead, they maintained a steady pace, and their indomitable spirit caused a strange sense of unease among the Jingjiwei soldiers who were waiting in battle below the city walls.
The lead rider was not wearing a helmet, revealing a young and resolute face.
He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a high nose bridge, but his eyes were now filled with icy anger.
This man was none other than Prince Su, Gu Suyue!
"Whoa—"
Gu Suyue abruptly pulled on the reins, and the three thousand elite cavalrymen from the Western Frontier behind him also stopped instantly, their movements perfectly synchronized and without a single sound.
That level of discipline stood in stark contrast to the Imperial Guards below the city.
Gu Suyue raised his head, his gaze passing over the layers of soldiers and armor, and shooting straight at Gu Xiaoxiao on the city wall.
"Your Majesty, my younger brother Gu Suyue, has been ordered by the Empress Dowager to return to the capital to report on his duties!"
Gu Suyue's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.
Gu Suyue reined in his horse at the front of the formation, but did not dismount. He simply clasped his hands slightly as a gesture of respect.
Looking at Gu Suyue, who was staring intently at her, Gu Xiaoxiao felt no guilt whatsoever; all she felt was anger at being offended!
In Gu Xiaoxiao's view, how dare the people below the city walls?
He was the emperor, and the other party was just a prince. Why wouldn't the prince dismount and kneel before him, or even surrender?
Gu Xiaoxiao had initially wondered if it was a bit too much for her to directly take down Prince Su, Gu Suyue, but now it seems that what she did was not excessive at all!
Such an arrogant person, who has no respect for the emperor, deserves to die!
Immediately, filled with shock and anger, Gu Xiaoxiao slammed her hand on the railing and shouted sternly, "Gu Suyue! You bear the heavy responsibility of guarding the western frontier, yet you have abandoned your post and returned to the capital without permission. Do you know your crime?"
"Dereliction of duty?"
Gu Suyue sneered, pulled a bright yellow scroll from his robes, and held it high.
"Your Majesty, I have returned to the capital on the orders of the Empress Dowager herself! If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may send someone to verify!"