Chapter 254: 254: As the Imperial Uncle, I should let them meet me too!

Words : 1256 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 254: Chapter 254: As the Imperial Uncle, I should let them meet me too! Zhan Xuerou felt as if her heart was being torn apart when she saw her grandfather kneeling at the grand hall’s entrance as they left the palace. To think that her grandfather had gone to such lengths for Zhan Lan! The one her grandfather had always cherished from her childhood to this day was Zhan Lan, not her! Tears streaming down her face, Zhan Xuerou mounted the carriage and departed, wiping away her tears while her heart was filled with unwillingness and anger. Why could her grandfather never see her worth? Why did he always favor Zhan Lan? This was one of the reasons she had disliked Zhan Lan since her childhood! She, the true granddaughter, while Zhan Lan was an outsider – why should he enjoy their grandfather’s affection? Zhan Xinzhang kneeled in front of the grand hall, with ministers who had left court beginning to discuss the matter. “Why is His Majesty so angry to treat the Brave General like this?” “It is said that His Majesty intends for General Zhan Lan to enter into a marriage alliance with Beiyue, but Zhan Lan claimed that as a General, he would rather die in battle than accept the alliance!” “The integrity of General Zhan moves me! Even I, a man, lack such valor. How shameful!” Zhan Beicang saw his elderly father kneeling outside the hall, and upon hearing the news, he also kneeled beside his father. Subsequently, more and more ministers kneeled down, pleading for mercy for Zhan Lan. “Your Majesty, please be merciful!” These overlapping voices rose within the palace. At the same time, the words of Zhan Lan’s confrontation with Emperor Xuanwu were accurately conveyed amongst the common folk. After hearing about the incident, the people of Ding’an City took to the streets and knocked on the palace’s alarm drum to petition for Zhan Lan. “Your Majesty, General Zhan Lan fought against our enemies for our nation. She would rather die in battle than enter into a marriage alliance. With such integrity, how could she possibly marry an enemy emperor!” “Your Majesty, we plead for mercy for General Zhan Lan!” “Your Majesty, please show mercy!” The number of people gathered increased to the point that the palace gate commander whipped the leading protestors, yet they could hardly suppress their anger. Four old Generals who hadn’t attended court in a long time also arrived at the palace gate in their carriages. Listening to the passionate speeches of the people, they were profoundly stirred. A spirited scholar stepped forward and said, “General Zhan Lan has fought for the safety of us, the people, and for Nanjin. She has done nothing wrong. Why beat her and imprison her!” An elderly man with white whiskers said, “Through the ages, it has always been princesses and Commandery Princesses who enter into marriage alliances. Why should it fall upon a General who has fought in countless bloody battles!” A man with a sword at his side said, “It is said that General Zhan Lan has been wounded all over these recent years. Open your eyes and look! Which family’s daughter could do so much for Nanjin!” The people were filled with fervent indignation and impassioned fervor! The palace gate commander was so overwhelmed by the crowd’s momentum that the guards pointed their spear tips at the people. “Silence!” “Step back!” The four old Generals, boiling with rage, restrained the guard’s weapons. Zhang Zhao, with his hand on a guard’s spear, shouted angrily, “Spears are meant to be pointed at enemies, not at our own people! Anyone who dares hurt them today will not have our approval!” The old Generals resolutely stood in front of the crowd, and the suppressed dissatisfaction of the common folk found an outlet, reaching a peak of fury. The gate commander urgently asked his subordinate, “Go, have you sent the message yet?” “Commander, someone’s already gone!” his subordinate replied in a panic, holding his weapon. Meanwhile, Emperor Xuanwu received the news shortly after leaving court. A eunuch reported, “Your Majesty, half of the ministers are kneeling in front of the grand hall, begging Your Majesty to revoke the order!” Emperor Xuanwu stood up, “What!” Another eunuch reported, “Your Majesty, the people have gathered at the palace gate and surrounded it, petitioning for General Zhan Lan!” Emperor Xuanwu felt a sudden tightness in his chest, and he spat out blood that sprayed onto the nanmu desk. Supporting himself on the desk, he suddenly realized the severity of the situation. He had only imprisoned Zhan Lan based on her disrespect; no one had been informed about the marriage alliance. How did the people find out? Suddenly, Emperor Xuanwu considered the possibility that Zhan Lan was using the people to force him to withdraw his decree. Such a formidable girl! Emperor Xuanwu’s coughs became relentless as he clenched his fist. Eunuch Li, noticing that Emperor Xuanwu was looking unwell, shouted, “Quickly, summon the Imperial Physician!” Lying on his sickbed after drinking the medicine Eunuch Li handed him, Emperor Xuanwu closed his eyes to rest. Suddenly, his body started losing strength, and he couldn’t cry for help. He violently slapped the bed, trying to ask Eunuch Li what was happening. Eunuch Li calmly said, “Your Majesty, do not rush.” As Emperor Xuanwu lay on the bed, a person emerged from behind Eunuch Li. Dressed in white with a golden crown, his black hair falling behind him, the man had an icy demeanor with eyes brimming with thick, indissoluble murderous intent. His steps were firm and powerful, carrying a heavy authority as he approached the bed and looked down upon Emperor Xuanwu. The Emperor was shocked; the person before him was Mu Yan! Eunuch Li bowed and saluted Mu Yan, “My lord, all is taken care of.” Mu Yan nodded slightly, looking at Emperor Xuanwu, “You could have been a good emperor for a while longer, pity, you have touched my reverse scale today!” Emperor Xuanwu suddenly came to a clarity. Mu Yan had been playing along with him all this time. Was his previous pursuit of alchemy and meditation all part of Mu Yan’s plan? His health deteriorated, and it was too late even after giving up the elixirs! Even Eunuch Li, whom he considered loyal after many years, turned out to be Mu Yan’s man! So, his intelligence network, Tingyu Tower, was also under Mu Yan’s control! Emperor Xuanwu, burning with rage, veins bulging, frantically beat the bed, trying to alarm the guards outside. Mu Yan glanced at him, his royal presence pouring out. Holding an imperial edict in his hand, he said, “Save your energy.” “I have seen your edict wanting me to be Regent King and assist your son. I shall fulfill your wish, but it’s no longer up to them to maintain the throne!” Emperor Xuanwu, struggling for his edict but completely powerless, glared fiercely at Mu Yan. Mu Yan was the one with the true ambition of a wolf! Mu Yan stood with his hands behind him, “Your four Princes have been waiting outside. As the Imperial Uncle, it’s time they saw me!” Looking at Emperor Xuanwu’s ferocious expression, Mu Yan’s eyes pressed down, “If you show any trace of unhappiness, I wouldn’t mind killing them all and taking the throne directly.”

Chapter 254: 254: As the Imperial Uncle, I should let them meet me too!

Comments (0)