Chapter 774: Chapter 485: The Night Before the Coup (5k)
However, she didn’t dare to wait any longer, so she chose to officially return early tomorrow morning.
"By the way, over at the Divine Dragon Temple..." Zhao Douan suddenly spoke up.
Xu Zhenguan shook his head and calmly said:
"Xuan Yin has already left the Capital."
Zhao Douan was stunned. So, Zhenbao had already quietly used the Divine Sense to investigate after entering the city?
He remained silent, waiting for the emergence of the inner court’s Hidden Guard, looking out onto the bustling street and thinking that on this last day, no unforeseen incidents should occur.
...
...
The entire day, the Capital remained as usual, almost no one knew of the Empress’s return.
After dusk, the flow of people on the street lessened. As one by one, cooking smoke dispersed into the darkness, the night arrived.
"Young Master" Li Yinglong waited quietly in the darkness with two confidants, his androgynous face mixed with excitement and anxiety, pacing restlessly.
This was a secluded street, and his carriage stood in front of a closed drugstore.
Suddenly, a light appeared in the drugstore, and the Young Master perked up and, cloaked, walked over.
In the deep night, the drugstore’s door opened, and two figures emerged one after the other.
One carried a lantern, trailing behind, with eyes vigilant and fierce, unmistakably a skilled expert.
The one in front walked steadily but was completely hidden under a black hood.
"Father, everyone has arrived, just waiting for you." Li Yinglong urged in a low voice.
The dim lantern swayed, revealing faintly the stern face of Li Yanfu:
The hair at his temples and beard merged together, coarse and spiky like the bristle of a hedgehog; purple-tinged eyebrows like twisted scars welded above his eyes, his icy gaze sweeping through, sending chills down one’s spine.
At this moment, where was the frail and weak appearance Li Yanfu showed outsiders? Clearly strong and vigorous!
"Enough nonsense." Li Yanfu scolded expressionlessly, stepping into the carriage, with the Young Master following closely behind.
Soon, the wheels rolled, racing on the cold street veiled like with light gauze.
Inside the carriage, a smile appeared on Li Yinglong’s androgynous face:
"Father’s demeanor during the day, as seen by outsiders, would certainly not lead them to guess that you’ve long made all preparations."
Li Yanfu grunted, his face in the darkness only an outline, unclear, but his vague voice was deep and powerful:
"At this time, countless people in the Capital are watching your father. To avoid showing any slip, it’s as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
So, the best is to be open and display everything for them to see."
Li Yinglong laughed and said:
"Father is right. Our Li family’s servants entering the Capital will always be watched, and if they don’t come, it would seem false.
And the more agitated and furious I appear outside, the more it shows your delay in making a decision, thus easing many in the court’s suspicions, catching them off guard."
Li Yanfu was too lazy to engage further in conversation, his elderly voice somewhat ethereal in the darkness:
"Success lies in secrecy. After tonight’s meeting, it will likely be impossible to hide any longer."
Li Yinglong also fell silent for a moment, then said earnestly:
"But for such a major matter, if Father you do not personally appear, relying solely on me won’t hold the scene, making it hard to gain people’s trust.
Yet by tomorrow, there will be no need to conceal it. We father and son have acted for so long, I have pretended for so long to be a impatient Young Master, you have feigned illness for so long, it is finally ending.
The Empress is severely injured and on the run, that detestable Zhao Douan is not in the Capital either, and the greatest obstacle, Xue Shence, has also been forced to lead troops to Linfeng, even the Capital Camp outside the city is held up by Prince Heng of Qingzhou...
It’s simply a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and if missed, it will never come again."
At this moment, he showed no immaturity in the slightest.
The fierceness in the eyebrows of the father and son was carved from the same mold.
...
"Prime Minister, we’ve arrived."
At this moment, the carriage stopped within an alley, and the father and son got out, entering a courtyard.
Upon pushing open the room whose windows were covered with black cloth, they saw a room full of people gathered around a table, with candlesticks spreading dim light.
The light highlighted the faces in the room, most of whom were the mainstays within the "Li Party," powerful officials in the court who held real power over various government offices.
There were also a few unfamiliar faces, two of whom were military generals, whom Zhao Douan would surely recognize if he were here.
No less than the commanders of the Imperial Guard’s "Twelve Guards" Jin Wu Guard and Thousand Cows Guard!
"Prime Minister!"
"The Prime Minister is here!"
The people in the room stood up one after the other, visibly excited.
Li Yanfu stepped through the door, lifted his hood with both hands, and smiled slightly:
"Everyone, sit, those gathered here tonight are brothers, no need for formalities."
"Prime Minister, you’re too kind!"
After everyone sat down in a circle, Li Yanfu, seated at the head, lowered his eyes to look at the map of the Capital spread on the table and said calmly:
"Today’s gathering cannot last too long, so I won’t waste words.
Everything is ready. Tomorrow at the early morning assembly, when the ministers gather in the palace, we will launch a coup under the name of ’cleaning the court.’ At that time, it will be Jin Wu and Thousand Cows patrolling the palace gates..."
The two commanders named straightened their backs—they were somewhat nervous, but there was no fear in their eyes.
The Empress is missing, five routes of rebel armies are approaching the Capital, everyone with eyes knows that Yu Country is about to change hands.
At this time, they considered themselves wise for siding with the Huai River, supporting the "Li Party" backed by the Jiancheng clan.
Once they seize control of the Capital, then choose a Prince to support his ascension; it will be a meritorious achievement!
"...When the time comes, I will personally lead the troops into the palace, controlling Dong Xuan, Yuann Li, and others, taking control of the Xiuwen Pavilion.
Now the court is leaderless, and the orders inside the city, big and small, are all controlled by the Xiuwen Pavilion. As long as we secure this new cabinet, I can immediately use the cabinet’s power to take over the Capital’s defenses. At that point, everyone will rise to respond, and great success can be achieved!"
Li Yanfu pressed his hand firmly on the "Imperial Palace" on the map and spoke in a deep voice.
The gathered individuals felt invigorated, one after another placing their hands over Li Yanfu’s, stacking high.
Finally, Li Yanfu placed his other free hand on top of the "Zhang Mountain," pressing down hard:
"After tomorrow, a mark will be left in history. Three years ago there was the Xuanmen Coup, tomorrow will see the ’cleaning the court’ transformation!"
...
...
On the same night, at the Zhao Residence.
The night was as cool as water, and the entire Zhao’s Mansion was peaceful, with only the summer insect chirping, and flying insects silently bustling about the bamboo basket lanterns under the eaves.
You Jinhua, wearing silk undergarments, walked softly in green embroidered shoes, the white and pinkish back half of her feet exposed, nearly dragging her shoes.
Holding a delicate Lotus Lamp in her hand, she opened the bedroom door and walked to the steps under the rear courtyard eaves.
She bit her full lips, carefully covering a thin blanket over her daughter, who was sitting on the steps hugging her knees, also in light clothes, lost in thought staring at the scattered dim stars in the night sky.
"Mother?" The young girl Zhao Pan turned her head and softly murmured.
...
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