The rest of the Imperial Guards, seeing someone attacking the Emperor, drew their weapons and moved forward.
Liu Ce shouted a command, and Liu Ziming, Liu Ziliang, and Xiao Qing also grabbed plates, bowls, and other objects and charged at the nearby guards.
Seeing the scene descend into chaos, Liu Xiangnan immediately raised his arm and shouted, "Everyone, retreat to the corner."
Fang Zheng also called out to everyone to hide quickly.
After a brief period of chaos, all the civil and military officials retreated, leaving the battlefield to Liu Rumei and her group.
At this moment, Huang Ying and Lu Jia were already locked in combat. Huang Ying's disadvantage was the lack of a weapon, and due to the chaos, she dared not use her hidden weapons to avoid harming innocents. She could only fight hand-to-hand, and for a time, she could not gain the upper hand against Sun Lujia.
As for Liu Rumei and the Lotus Cult Leader, they fared much better. Although Sun Yuliang knew a few moves, he was like a child in front of them.
After a few exchanges, Sun Yuliang was struck on the shoulder by Liu Rumei's palm. He lost his balance, stumbled forward a couple of steps, and fell face-first onto the imperial desk with a thud.
Then, the Lotus Cult Leader swung her fist and struck the young man's temple fiercely.
Sun Yuliang's eyes immediately saw stars, his limbs went limp, and he lay there unable to move.
At this point, Liu Ce had already killed two Imperial Guards. With a flick of his toe, he picked up a long sword and sent it flying towards Liu Rumei with a slight push.
Liu Rumei, now armed with the sword, placed it at Sun Yuliang's throat. Grabbing the young man's head, she shouted to the scene.
"Stop, stop quickly."
Lu Jia, seeing Sun Yuliang captured, knew that the tide had turned. With a feigned move, he turned and fled.
Huang Ying, who had been hesitant to use hidden weapons for fear of harming others, now saw a golden opportunity as Lu Jia turned to escape. She raised her hand again, and two points of cold light flashed and disappeared, embedding themselves in Lu Jia's upper thighs.
"Ah!" Lu Jia cried out, his legs giving way as he collapsed to his knees.
Then, Liu Ce stepped forward with his saber and placed it at Lu Jia's throat. Su Dan Novels
With Sun Yuliang and Lu Jia controlled, the surrounding guards immediately ceased their actions.
Those among the civil and military officials who were loyal to Sun Yuliang now felt their legs tremble.
All eyes in the hall were focused on Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei surveyed the crowd and announced loudly, "Esteemed officials, brothers of the Imperial Guards, I am Liu Rumei."
Although many did not recognize her, the name Liu Rumei was known to all. The crowd then looked at Liu Xiangnan with a hint of admiration.
Liu Xiangnan, however, remained calm and gave a slight cough.
The crowd finally understood and turned to look at Liu Rumei again.
Liu Rumei continued, "Sun Yuliang has committed treason and instigated rebellion. I am here on the Prince's command to apprehend the rebel, restore the nation of Da Cang, and rectify the court's order."
With that, she gave a signal to Xiao Qing below.
Xiao Qing immediately stepped forward, took out Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's imperial decree, and approached Fang Zheng. She did not give it to Liu Xiangnan to avoid any misinterpretation that this was a staged act by the Liu father and daughter.
Fang Zheng opened and read it, his face filled with joy. "It is the Prince's decree. Everyone, please take a look."
He then passed it to Zhu Ziming, the Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, who was beside him.
Soon, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's imperial decree was passed around among everyone.
After everyone had finished reading the decree, Liu Xiangnan slowly stepped forward and addressed the Imperial Guards present. "Many of you served with me in campaigns years ago. I do not hold you accountable for being coerced by Lu Jia today. However, if you persist in your defiance, you will face certain death."
As Liu Xiangnan spoke, almost all the Imperial Guards present knelt on one knee, saluted him, and then tacitly retreated.
At this point, Fang Zheng also stepped forward, pointed at Sun Yuliang, and declared loudly, "The Emperor treated you well, bestowing upon you high office and great power. You were already second only to the Emperor, yet you were still not satisfied. What use is there for such a treacherous individual?"
Unexpectedly, Sun Yuliang straightened his neck and said sternly, "The former Emperor already issued an edict of abdication. I am the current Emperor. Your actions are grave disrespect towards me and demonstrate disloyalty and filial impiety."
Hearing his words, Liu Xiangnan burst into laughter. "Sun Yuliang, you are truly shameless! Do you think you can ascend the throne just by forcing the Emperor to write an edict? You are delusional."
He then scanned the assembled crowd. "You, you, and you, remain. The rest of you may go home."
Liu Xiangnan pointed out Sun Yuliang's staunch loyalists. Once these few were apprehended, the rest posed no threat.
Sun Yuliang continued to roar, "Without my decree, none of you shall leave the imperial palace."
Liu Xiangnan remained silent. Instead, he raised his hand and made a gesture to Liu Ce.
Without a word, Liu Ce raised his saber and brought it down. With a "crack," Lu Jia's head was severed and rolled across the ground.
Seeing Lu Jia killed, Sun Yuliang flinched, fearing he would suffer the same fate.
Next, Liu Ce retrieved the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards' golden seal from Lu Jia's person.
He strode quickly to Liu Xiangnan's side and respectfully handed it over with both hands.
Receiving the golden seal, Liu Xiangnan nodded and looked at Liu Ce, Liu Ziming, and Liu Ziliang.
"You few, accompany me to open the palace gates and let these esteemed officials return home."
Just then, Liu Rumei's thoughts stirred. She beckoned Xiao Qing over and sternly instructed her on a few matters.
Xiao Qing nodded and hurried out with Liu Xiangnan.
"Marquis, Miss has a few words she asked me to convey to you."
Liu Xiangnan frowned slightly. "Oh? Then tell me."
Xiao Qing recounted how Chen Xiaobei had been devising strategies all the way.
Upon hearing Xiao Qing's account, Liu Xiangnan furrowed his brow. He had heard Chen Xiaobei's name mentioned by others on multiple occasions.
He also recalled that Chen Ermao, whom he had imprisoned in the cellar, had also mentioned Chen Xiaobei repeatedly.
His eyes lit up with interest, and he nodded with a slight smile. "Where is this Chen Xiaobei now? Once this matter is concluded, I truly wish to meet him."
Xiao Qing bowed slightly. "Reporting to the Marquis, Chen Xiaobei is at our estate."
Liu Xiangnan heard this and his brow furrowed again. "At my estate?"
Xiao Qing nodded. "Yes. He doesn't know martial arts, and Miss was worried about his safety if he came to the palace, so she had him stay."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiangnan burst into laughter. "Fate, it is fate!"
Seeing his elated demeanor, Liu Ce and the others were bewildered, unable to comprehend the meaning of this "fate."
With Liu Xiangnan present, his prestige among the troops was already extremely high. Coupled with the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards' seal, the soldiers guarding the palace gates were quickly dispersed, and the palace gates were reopened.
Fang Zheng led the civil and military officials out in two neat rows, marching with vigor. They waved goodbye to Liu Xiangnan one by one at the palace gates.
Once everyone had dispersed, Fang Zheng looked at Liu Xiangnan, and they exchanged a knowing smile.
Liu Xiangnan clasped his hands. "Prime Minister, what shall we do next? We still need your guidance."
Fang Zheng nodded. "Let's go. First, we must rescue the Emperor. His word is still needed."