The old Chancellor Fang Zheng waved his right hand in the air twice.
"Your Highness, please enter the palace immediately. Let the Emperor issue a decree to depose the Crown Prince and establish you as the heir. Then, under the guise of regency, order the execution of the Imperial Advisor. After that, dispatch people to Qingniu Mountain to eliminate the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, the Princess couldn't help but feel a little nervous. "But will my father listen to me?"
Fang Zheng's eyes were firm. "Your Highness, whether he listens or not, it depends on you."
"You mean I should..." Princess Zhaoning was very surprised.
The old Chancellor Fang Zheng appeared very calm.
"Your Highness, this is your best opportunity."
"If the Crown Prince returns, you might not have a chance."
After hearing Fang Zheng's words, Princess Zhaoning pondered for a moment and stamped her foot fiercely.
"So be it. Things have come to this, I can only fight for my life."
Fang Zheng nodded and shouted outside, "Someone!"
Soon, a servant walked in.
"Go and call the little maid."
The little maid was Fang Zheng's granddaughter and was about the same age as Princess Zhaoning.
Upon entering and seeing Princess Zhaoning, she couldn't help but beam with joy. "Princess sister, why are you here?"
Princess Zhaoning exchanged pleasantries and looked at Fang Zheng with surprise, her gaze asking why he had called his granddaughter.
Fang Zheng's expression was solemn, and he said to his granddaughter, "Little maid, how is the training of those people going?"
The little maid cupped her fist and replied, "Grandfather, I have been training them for over three years, and they are fully capable of taking on responsibilities."
Fang Zheng nodded with satisfaction. "Very good."
He then turned to Princess Zhaoning and said, "Your Highness, the little maid has meticulously trained twenty young women, each highly skilled in martial arts. I had intended to tell you about them later, but since you are going to the palace today, take them with you."
Princess Zhaoning instantly understood Fang Zheng's intention and was deeply moved. She bowed deeply to Fang Zheng again. "Old minister's great kindness will be forever remembered by Zhaoning. Once I achieve my goal, I will ensure the Fang family's prosperity."
Fang Zheng smiled and cupped his fist. "I bid Your Highness farewell."
Princess Zhaoning, accompanied by the little maid and others, grandly departed the Chancellor's mansion and returned to her Plum Blossom Palace.
Soon, all of this was reported to the Imperial Advisor's mansion.
Several people had gone out and returned with over twenty individuals. This clearly indicated they were seeking help from the old Chancellor's mansion.
But what would they do next after finding help?
The Imperial Advisor Sun Yuliang couldn't quite figure it out.
The peerless Daoist monk said in a deep voice, "Old Imperial Advisor, no matter what the Princess intends to do, it's best to have Marshal Zhu mobilize some troops quickly to protect the capital first."
Imperial Advisor Sun Yuliang nodded. "That makes sense."
He then turned to Sun Qi beside him. "Go immediately to see Grand Marshal Zhu Meng and have him bring troops into the city tomorrow morning to guard against any unforeseen events."
At this time, Princess Zhaoning also made a fatal mistake. After all, she was a woman.
If she had acted overnight, she might have had a chance of success. However, she chose to wait until the next morning, after her father woke up, and then use the excuse of paying respects to the Emperor to make her move.
The next morning, Princess Zhaoning washed up and, with the little maid and over twenty others, hurried to the palace.
As soon as Princess Zhaoning left, the news was immediately relayed to the Imperial Advisor's mansion.
Bringing so many people into the palace was unusual for her.
Imperial Advisor Sun Yuliang immediately sensed that something was amiss.
"Quick, follow me into the palace!" Sun Yuliang hastily put on his official robes and called out to Sun Qi.
Meanwhile, Emperor Xiao An had also risen early.
The reason the imperial throne was coveted by so many had much to do with Xiao An himself.
Xiao An was addicted to cultivation daily, yearning for immortality, and rarely concerned himself with state affairs.
The Imperial Advisor catered to his desires, procuring various strange and rare medicinal herbs for him from all over.
Gradually, Sun Yuliang gained the Emperor's trust. He even entered and exited the palace without reporting, his words carrying more weight than those of the Emperor's concubines.
Thus, Imperial Advisor Sun Yuliang was able to gradually replace the Grand Marshal of the Army with Zhu Meng, gaining control of the military power and thus having the capital to contend with Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun.
This morning, Xiao An rose early again and began lighting a fire in the grand hall.
As he was busy, he heard hurried footsteps. Turning around, he saw Imperial Advisor Sun Yuliang arriving in a hurry with the Imperial Guard.
Seeing this scene, Xiao An couldn't help but frown.
"Imperial Advisor, what is the meaning of this?"
Sun Yuliang bowed. "Your Majesty, while entering the palace just now, I heard reports of a dark figure being spotted. Your humble servant was concerned for Your Majesty's safety and therefore brought the Imperial Guard."
Upon hearing this, Xiao An couldn't help but break into a smile. "Your loyalty is deeply appreciated by this Emperor."
As they were speaking, a eunuch hurried over. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Princess Zhaoning has come to pay her respects and is waiting outside the hall."
Xiao An waved his hand without a second thought. "I understand. Tell her to go back and say I am well."
Just then, Imperial Advisor Sun Yuliang suddenly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, your humble servant believes this is not appropriate. The Princess has come with filial piety. Since she is here, you should at least grant her an audience, otherwise, she will not rest assured upon her return."
Hearing Sun Yuliang's words, Emperor Xiao An nodded. "That makes sense. Let her in."
Soon, Princess Zhaoning entered the hall with her entourage. Upon entering, she discovered that the sides of the hall were densely packed with Imperial Guards.
Seeing this, she inwardly knew it was bad. She would likely not have an opportunity to act today.
The little maid behind her clearly understood the situation and immediately stood at the entrance of the hall, not venturing further inside.
Princess Zhaoning forced herself to remain calm and stepped forward, kneeling to kowtow to her father.
"Jingfeng greets Father Emperor. Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"
Xiao An looked up at her. "Very well, you may rise."
Princess Zhaoning, Xiao Jingfeng, then stood up.
"Father Emperor, how have you been recently?"
Xiao An nodded. "All is well, all is well. You may withdraw."
Princess Zhaoning cupped her fists again. As she looked up, she saw Imperial Advisor Sun Yuliang beside her, looking at her with a smug expression.
Could it be that this Sun Yuliang had sensed something?
Princess Zhaoning had an ominous premonition.
Just as she turned to leave, Sun Yuliang suddenly spoke.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant has something to say, but I know not if I should speak it."
Xiao An looked at him and gestured slightly. "Speak."
"Your Majesty, look at how many people the Princess has brought to pay their respects. Her loyalty is evident!"
Hearing this statement, Princess Zhaoning's teeth ached with anger. She was already leaving, so why did he have to step out and say this?
Emperor Xiao An looked at the little maid and the others standing at the entrance of the hall.
"Jingfeng, why have you also brought so many people? Have you also discovered assassins?"
Princess Zhaoning, being sharp-witted, immediately understood from her father's words that Sun Yuliang must have detected her movements and used the excuse of assassins in the palace to bring the Imperial Guard in advance.
Fine, if you can use that excuse, so can I.