Chu Chen took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He stared directly at Qin Yuanshan, speaking word by word.
"You want to use me to lure out the Marquis of Nanling, so you can get rid of me. Your plan is excellent, but you've overlooked one person!"
"Who?" Qin Yuanshan was stunned.
"Our current Emperor," Chu Chen said with a sinister smile. "You thought I would appear here for no reason."
"What!" Qin Yuanshan's expression changed drastically, a terrible premonition surging in his heart.
"Come out," Chu Chen suddenly shouted at the roof.
With a loud bang, a large number of soldiers poured in from outside the door. The general leading them was Zhang Zhiyuan!
"By order of His Majesty, arrest the traitorous Marquis of Nanling!" Zhang Zhiyuan drew his sword and pointed at Nangong Yi, his voice booming and imposing!
"Commander Zhang?" Nangong Yi's face turned ashen, his eyes wide. He had never expected Zhang Zhiyuan to lead troops to surround this place.
"Seize him!" Zhang Zhiyuan roared.
In an instant, a large number of soldiers rushed into the house, quickly subduing Nangong Yi.
"You were prepared!" Nangong Yi roared in anger, his eyes filled with malice.
"Hmph, I've been wary of you for a long time. I didn't expect you to fall into my hands," Chu Chen stood up from the ground, a cold curve lifting the corner of his mouth.
Nangong Yi's eyes were filled with despair and regret. If he had known things would turn out this way, he would never have come to his death.
If he had been a little more cautious just now, he might not have ended up in this situation!
"How did you know I was coming to kill you today?" Nangong Yi gritted his teeth and asked, this was his biggest concern.
Because only he and Chu Chen knew about this matter, and Chu Chen was poisoned, so there was no possibility of a leak.
"Heh heh, it's very simple. Because I had already arranged for people to monitor you in advance," Chu Chen said mockingly. "I had expected this outcome long ago.
That's why I deliberately provoked you, wanting to lure you into the trap. Only if you made a move yourself would I be safe. After all, my life is much more precious than yours!"
"Despicable and shameless!" Nangong Yi trembled with rage. He hadn't expected to be defeated by a junior.
"Old man, do you think these soldiers alone can capture me?" Nangong Yi roared, then charged towards the window, intending to escape.
"Presumptuous!" Zhang Zhiyuan coldly reprimanded, blocking Nangong Yi. "You can't escape today!"
"Swish!" Zhang Zhiyuan drew his sword, cut the ropes, and leaped to pursue.
Chu Chen slammed his palm on the table, shattering the teacup, its fragments shooting out in all directions.
"Nangong Yi, do you think you can really escape!" Chu Chen roared, his voice like thunder spreading through the courtyard.
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Chen's figure vanished from his spot, his speed reaching its limit.
Immediately after, fierce collisions echoed through the courtyard, and bursts of fireworks bloomed, illuminating the dark night sky.
After escaping from Qin Mansion, Nangong Yi fled directly towards the imperial city. As long as he entered the imperial city, he had hope of being saved.
As long as he survived, he would be met with glory and wealth, and wield immense power in court!
However, just as Nangong Yi was about to reach the imperial city, a crack army suddenly charged out, surrounding him!
"Nangong Yi, surrender!" Zhang Zhiyuan was the first to appear before Nangong Yi, his tone cold.
"Who are you?" Nangong Yi's face showed panic. He vaguely guessed something but was unwilling to admit it.
"I am a close confidant of His Majesty, ordered to guard the imperial city. Nangong Yi, you have trespassed into a heavily guarded area of the imperial city, and your crime is punishable by Lingchi!" Zhang Zhiyuan said coldly.
"Lingchi..." Hearing these words, Nangong Yi trembled all over, his face turning deathly pale.
He knew very well that once sentenced to Lingchi, death was certain, and even his soul would suffer torment, never to be reborn!
"No, I am not reconciled! I am a Marquis, I want to see His Majesty!" Nangong Yi roared, attempting to struggle free from the encirclement.
But his resistance was too weak. In almost the blink of an eye, he was pinned to the ground by numerous soldiers.
"Take him back to the Jingzhao Prefecture prison to await judgment!" Zhang Zhiyuan snorted coldly, then ordered his subordinates.
"Yes, sir!" The soldiers accepted the order and immediately escorted Nangong Yi to the Jingzhao Prefecture prison. Zhang Zhiyuan followed behind.
Nangong Yi's affair caused a huge stir, and the entire imperial city knew about it. Various powerful families and official households rushed to gather information.
They all sent people to investigate evidence of Nangong Yi's rebellion, but unfortunately, Nangong Yi had acted flawlessly, and they couldn't find any solid proof.
Meanwhile, in the imperial city, on the dragon throne, a young man in a bright yellow robe sat upright, his face stern, his eyes holding a hint of gloom.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Nangong Yi has been detained at the Jingzhao Prefecture yamen and is currently being interrogated," Eunuch Li said respectfully.
"Oh? Nangong Yi rebelled, why did he still dare to remain in the imperial city? How is Lord Chu now?" The young man on the dragon throne frowned.
"Lord Chu is fine. He is now recuperating in his residence," Eunuch Li replied.
"That's good. Let Lord Chu recuperate for a few days, and I will find an opportunity to help him clear his name." The young man on the dragon throne breathed a sigh of relief.
He continued, "Nangong Yi's rebellion has caused a great uproar. The court must make a decision quickly, or it will lead to a catastrophic disaster!"
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. This old servant has already drafted an imperial decree. We only need to issue the imperial edict."
Eunuch Li said in a low voice, sighing inwardly. Although he was a favored eunuch by the emperor, he could not make decisions on matters of such importance to the nation.
"Good, I will write the decree immediately," the young man on the dragon throne nodded.
"Rumble..." Just then, the deafening sound of war drums suddenly broke the peace of the imperial palace.
"Report! Your Majesty, an urgent report has arrived from the Northern Wilderness Domain!" a young eunuch ran in and knelt on the ground.
The young man on the dragon throne's expression suddenly sharpened. "Present it!"
The young eunuch hastily took out a scroll and unfurled it, showing it to the young man on the dragon throne.
Then, holding the scroll high, he respectfully said, "Your Majesty, this is the urgent report just received."
The young man reached out and took the urgent report, unfolding it. After a moment, his eyes suddenly widened, and his gaze became sharp!
"Your Majesty?" Eunuch Li couldn't help but ask, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
The young man on the dragon throne took a deep breath and slowly uttered a few words: "Something is terribly wrong!"
"What?" Eunuch Li was greatly alarmed, his face becoming extremely solemn. He knew very well what the emperor's words meant.