Chapter 563: The Army Enters the Capital

Chapter 563: The Grand Army Enters the Capital

"To maintain the peace of the imperial family, I hereby order the execution of their entire nine clans, and this decree shall be proclaimed throughout the realm, so that all may know and be warned."

As Empress Dowager Yuan's order of "summary execution" fell, Zhu Wei, upon receiving the command, dared not delay and immediately led his men to the four great clans.

The members of the four great clans were still unaware that their patriarchs had been captured and that disaster was about to befall them. They were still reveling in the joy of their clans' rise to power.

It was not until the imperial troops surrounded their mansions that the crowd began to sense something amiss.

An elder from the Qi family stepped forward, intending to ask Zhu Wei what was going on.

Before he could even approach, Zhu Wei cut his throat in one swift stroke.

Blood gushed forth, and the elder died with his eyes wide open in shock.

This sudden, bloody scene terrified the members of the Qi family, who screamed and fled in every direction.

Zhu Wei's face darkened as he raised his sword high above his head and shouted loudly.

"By order of the Empress Dowager, the patriarchs of the four great clans have committed treason and plotted to assassinate Her Grace. Their nine clans are to be executed—kill on sight, no exceptions!"

At these words, the people of the Qi mansion panicked and scattered, the faint-hearted passing out from sheer terror.

The soldiers who had entered rushed in all at once, raising their swords and slaughtering everyone they saw.

Within just a quarter of an hour, the Qi mansion was filled with bodies strewn everywhere and blood flowing like a river, not even sparing a three-year-old child or the family dogs.

The other three clans met the same fate, their entire households exterminated and their estates seized within the hour.

This upheaval plunged the capital into turmoil, with panic gripping the populace.

Empress Dowager Yuan held Yuanchao's body, consumed by grief and choked with tears.

"Chao'er, Mother has avenged you."

Since they dared to harm Yuanchao, she would ensure that every member of the four great clans went down to accompany him in death.

Xie Liuzheng, upon learning of Yuanchao's demise, felt a pang of sorrow as well.

In his view, Yuanchao was naive and kind-hearted, nothing like Empress Dowager Yuan or the National Preceptor.

The ones who deserved to die were the Empress Dowager and the National Preceptor, not him.

Seeing Xie Liuzheng feeling down, Ji Yuntang spoke up to console him.

"Brother, Yuanchao had already come to see you as a friend. He must have been happy to have known you."

"Don't be too sad. Once Prince Chengxuan's army arrives, we can avenge Yuanchao!"

Just as the words left her mouth, she saw a guard rush frantically into Cining Palace with a panicked look.

"Empress Dowager, we're in big trouble!"

Empress Dowager Yuan, already consumed by grief over Yuanchao's death, was furious at the guard's sudden intrusion.

"Insolent! Who gave you permission to barge in here?"

"You've disturbed my Chao'er's rest—drag him out and beat him to death with clubs!"

The guard's legs went weak, and he fell to his knees, his face mournful. "Empress Dowager, please calm down! I really have something important to report."

"Just now, word came from the watch post that a large contingent of troops, roughly a hundred thousand strong, has been spotted about ten li outside the city, heading toward the capital. They should arrive in less than half an hour."

"Our men have repeatedly approached to dissuade them and even showed them a show of force, telling them to turn back, but they paid no heed and continue advancing toward the capital. Deputy General Peng fears they come with ill intent!"

"Empress Dowager, make a decision fast!"

"What did you say?" Empress Dowager Yuan's hand shook, and she plopped down onto the stool behind her in shock.

Her first instinct was whether this was another reinforcement summoned by the four great clans.

But on reflection, that didn't make sense—if the four clans had the means to call in a hundred thousand reinforcements, why hadn't they come sooner instead of now?

The four clans had already been wiped out, so summoning reinforcements now was way too late.

With this in mind, Empress Dowager Yuan pressed on, "Have you determined who they are?"

The guard shook his head. "Not yet. They carry no insignia or documents to identify themselves."

Empress Dowager Yuan's heart skipped a beat. For the first time, she felt beset by internal strife and external threats, caught between two fronts.

The affairs within the palace were unresolved, the four clans had yet to be dealt with, her son still lay on a cold bed, and now another army was marching toward the capital.

Troubles never come alone, and the immense pressure nearly drove her to the brink.

But now was not the time to fall. She had to get it together and resolve this matter.

Otherwise, if those troops entered the capital and stormed the palace, the consequences would be disastrous.

Empress Dowager Yuan sent word and summoned the Grand Marshal.

"Father, I've just received word that a force of a hundred thousand is approaching the capital from outside the city. I fear they intend us harm. Please take the commander's seal and lead our troops to deal with them."

The Grand Marshal commanded two hundred thousand soldiers, more than sufficient to handle this threat.

Empress Dowager Yuan continued, "Father, you're the only one I can trust now. You must help me—if I fall, the Yuan family will not fare well either."

The Grand Marshal had been in a foul mood over the day's events, but hearing the Empress Dowager's words, he too recognized the gravity of the situation.

He and the Empress Dowager were one—though she had indeed committed shameful and reckless acts, he was still her father.

They rose and fell together.

If he didn't help her and she collapsed, the fate of the four great clans would become that of the Yuan family.

With this in mind, the Grand Marshal spoke, "Very well, Empress Dowager, rest assured. Leave this to this humble official. You only need to guard the palace and handle matters within."

Empress Dowager Yuan nodded and watched the Grand Marshal depart.

Yuan Jiuan's forces were halted by the Grand Marshal's troops five li outside the city.

Without hesitation, the Grand Marshal ordered his men to engage, intending to drive them out of the Xishu Kingdom.

Leading Yuan Jiuan's side was a general surnamed Ming, a seasoned commander with extensive combat experience.

As the Grand Marshal's troops advanced, he calmly directed his forces to mount a defense.

When Ji Yuntang and Xie Liuzheng arrived outside the city, they saw the two sides already going at it hot and heavy.

Grand Marshal's side had the numbers advantage, while General Ming's side was a bit short-handed.

Ji Yuntang mulled over how to give them a hand, and after just a moment's thought, an idea hit her.

She lowered her voice and said to Xie Liuzheng, "Bro, here's the plan..."

After Xie Liuzheng heard it, his eyes immediately lit up.

"Sister Yuntang, that's a great idea. Let's do it that way."

They were on the same page and got moving right away.

At the rear of Grand Marshal's troops, Ji Yuntang and Xie Liuzheng silently took out two soldiers and swiftly changed into their clothes.

------------