I Rely On The Collapse Of The Character Setting To Survive In The Hands Of The Male Lead Chapter 268

Chapter 268

As Lin Qingyang and Yuan Ran crossed Tongjia Pass, Tianheng Kingdom plunged into chaos.

Yuan Ran initially reassigned a portion of Tianheng Kingdom’s troops from the hands of all the generals to be stationed at Tongjia Pass. This move had already unsettled these generals. Then, he separately informed each of them about the suspicious activities of others in secretly relocating troops. While these generals might not easily believe the words of the Royal Tutor, their growing suspicion gradually escalated. No one wanted to be the last to lose control of their troops, and everyone sought to grasp their military strength as quickly as possible to gain the upper hand and ensure their safety.

With Yu Suoxi’s ruthless methods suppressing them in the past, they dared not act recklessly. However, when Yu Suoxi was no longer present, Yuan Ran easily incited their ambitions. Everyone wanted a role in the history of Tianheng Kingdom.

In the end, Yuan Ran used the period of kidnapping the young emperor to give various factions in Tianheng Kingdom the opportunity to abandon the traditional hierarchy, tearing apart this facade of unity. By the time the young emperor was released, the internally unstable Tianheng Kingdom had already splintered into five factions. Apart from the central royal family, the others had already seized their own territories, each with their own military forces, establishing themselves as independent rulers. Some focused on recuperation and development, while others clashed with each other, seeking to dominate and absorb.

Even when the young emperor returned, they had excuses to declare him a false emperor orchestrated by the Yu family, refusing to recognize him. Moreover, they didn’t know where the supposed royal descendant puppet came from, asserting that only they could represent Tianheng Kingdom.

Major families and factions in Tianheng Kingdom also began choosing more worthy leaders to follow, attempting to gain an advantage in the divided struggle, ready to seize opportunities.

The situation of warlords ruling their own territories had already begun to take shape, and Tianheng Kingdom was effectively a shell of its former self. It could be said that Yu Suoxi spent many years creating the right conditions, but lacked “harmony among people.” Since he couldn’t achieve this, Yuan Ran had to step in.

For the people of Tianheng Kingdom, it was like a bolt from the blue. Just recently, they were the strongest nation, forcing neighboring countries to retreat and negotiate. How could things change so quickly?

They probably wouldn’t have imagined that it was their young emperor’s attempt to deal with the regent, who they looked down upon, that brought about the arrival of a mysterious Royal Tutor, leading to the chaos in Tianheng Kingdom.

This was also the result of the seeds of disaster sown by Tianheng Kingdom itself many years ago. A giant collapsed in just a few moments.

Decades later, the once towering Tianheng Kingdom ceased to exist after a century. Those divided generals would realize that they were evenly matched and unable to devour each other. Together, they were strongest and unassailable, but divided, they became small states. Even if the mighty Great Zhou couldn’t be bothered to attack them, they would be vulnerable to everyone’s exploitation.

However, this is a story for another time. For now, the chaos in Tianheng Kingdom naturally caught the attention of other countries. Most of them remained in a wait-and-see mode since they couldn’t be sure if Tianheng Kingdom would revive. They could only observe the internal strife for now.

However, the people of the Great Zhou saw this as a prime opportunity to attack Tianheng. With Tianheng gone, the Great Zhou would be the top dog, and years of resentment fueled a desire for revenge among the common folk. They didn’t care about the situation; they were just filled with hot-blooded fervor. Furthermore, recent reports from the border revealed that a faction of Tianheng forces near the Tongjia Pass attempted to cross the border and occupy the cities vacated by the withdrawal of the Huo family army. They even tried to continue their advance but were counterattacked by the Huo family army, driven back across the border, and returned with the civilians to their original homeland, holding the Tongjia Pass.

This significant victory led many to believe that they should continue the offensive rather than just holding the border. However, Huo Luo, as a general, could only follow the orders of the Grand General and the court. Without orders from above, he could only guard the border of the Great Zhou. The faction that crossed over naturally couldn’t launch attacks without authorization.

This further fueled dissatisfaction with the court.

Scholars began writing articles satirizing the current regime, essentially targeting Empress Dowager Xu. They believed that Empress Dowager Xu’s decision to prevent Huo Luo from attacking Tianheng was driven by a desire to retain military strength and prepare for internal strife. They argued that at such a critical time, the focus should be on unity and revenge, not creating internal conflicts.

They directed their criticism towards Empress Dowager Xu while turning a blind eye to the rebellious actions of the noble families.

The inflammatory rhetoric escalated, fueled by longstanding biases against female rule and deliberate manipulation by the rebellious noble families.

“Prince Nanjiang’s proclamation to the realm states… states… that the unborn prince has no inheritance rights, let alone becoming emperor, which is the biggest joke in the realm. Empress Dowager Xu should… should return to the palace and properly take care of the prince for the Yuan clan. Stubbornly persisting in this manner… is tantamount to being a menace to Great Zhou, siding with the demonic rebels. They are undoubtedly aiming to restore Great Zhou and eradicate the rebels.”

“Insolent scoundrel!” Xu Lianxin exclaimed, sweeping her hand and sending the memorial scrolls on the dragon desk crashing to the ground.

The courtiers had no choice but to bow their heads and remain silent like ostriches.

Xu Lianxin’s cold and stern gaze swept over the crowd as she uttered with a disdainful snort, “Continue.”

Chief Steward Sheng could only continue relaying, “Prince Nanjiang also said that Empress Dowager Xu should send troops to attack Tianheng to avenge the past shame of Great Zhou, instead of targeting her own people… Great Zhou has become so weak because of female rule.”

“The audacity of such shameless individuals! They want me to send troops to attack Tianheng, just so they can effortlessly infiltrate the capital?” Xu Lianxin chuckled incredulously. “Do all of you ministers also believe that I should attack Tianheng? Is it necessary for me to explain the basic principle of securing internal stability before dealing with external threats?”

“We dare not, Your Majesty,” the crowd replied in unison.

“Allow me to remind you all of the absurd words of the Prince of Nanjiang, just so you are aware. Can someone like him, who aims to seize the throne, truly safeguard the stability of the Great Zhou? You are all not fools. Even if it means avoiding the fate of Tianheng, it should be clear whose side to stand on at this moment. Here is a report: the Prince of Nanjiang, in his rebellion, has allied with the Shu Kingdom in the south, using their troops to attack our cities. How disheartening. How is this any different from the late Emperor’s collaboration with Tianheng against Crown Prince Yuan Ran? If we lose control and are bitten back by the Shu Kingdom, what then? The late Emperor made mistakes, but we cannot afford to make the same mistakes again, disregarding the lives of the people…”

As soon as the past involving Crown Prince Yuan Ran was mentioned, the expressions of the crowd indeed changed.

Xu Lanxin clarified the situation in an attempt to stabilize the minds of those in court. After the morning court session, she stayed behind, leaving only Zhao Cheng.

Zhao Cheng, with a stern expression, immediately spoke up, “What do you mean by this, Your Majesty? Bringing up the matter of Crown Prince Yuan Ran in front of everyone, when you know full well that I followed the late Emperor…”

“The wrongful edict did not detail your charges, did it? Why are you so flustered? Besides, you were just following orders, weren’t you?” Xu Lanxin responded calmly. “Now is the time to stabilize the people’s hearts. Grand General, don’t make trouble for me.”

Zhao Cheng suppressed his emotions and asked, “Your Majesty, what are your orders for me?”

“Zhao Cheng, how many troops do you need to attack Prince Nanjiang?” Xu Lanxin asked directly.

“Considering their forces, fifty thousand should suffice,” Zhao Cheng replied.

“Good. Lead fifty thousand troops and depart immediately. Bring back Prince Nanjiang’s head to me.”

Zhao Cheng paused for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice, “Allowing me to go to battle is acceptable, but I must bring them, the mother and son, with me.”

Xu Lanshin’s expression finally changed, and she smiled before tilting her head back slightly. “They, pampered as they are, would be in great danger on the battlefield. What if they took advantage of your busyness and fled? Wouldn’t that be a loss outweighing the gains? Stay in the capital. I will take care of them for you. You are the Grand General, and I will ensure that both the mother and son are treated well.”

Zhao Cheng narrowed his eyes. “Does the Empress Dowager not trust me?”

“You are my Grand Master. If I didn’t trust you, how could I have entrusted such great power to you? But since you can’t be separated from them, mother and son, why not delegate your military authority to the commander in the south? Choose someone you’re satisfied with and let him fight in your place.”

Before, when Xu Lanxin asked Zhao Cheng to fight in Tongjia Pass, she found that cooperation with Zhao Cheng wasn’t as simple as she had imagined when he refused to fight. Initially, their interests aligned, and they were important allies. Zhao Cheng indeed had no ambition to become a king; he just wanted to defend what he could. But a disobedient dog is definitely not a good guard dog. Its teeth must be pulled out before it bites back when cornered.

Upon hearing the new proposal, Zhao Cheng’s expression turned extremely grim. It was obvious that they were trying to weaken his military authority. Concubine Mei was right; even if he harbored no ill intentions, Xu Lanxin ultimately couldn’t tolerate him.

But he couldn’t leave Concubine Mei and her son. So, in the end, he could only temporarily compromise, releasing a portion of his military authority. Fortunately, Xu Lanxin didn’t go too far; she allowed Zhao Cheng to choose the personnel himself.

In the end, the two reached an agreement. Zhao Cheng chose the personnel, but there were only two slightly capable commanders. One, who was quite aged, had recently resigned, and the other was rumored to have been attacked by Prince Nanjiang and was recuperating. Thus, they could only select a capable commander from the south to send the imperial seal to.

After General Zhao left, Xu Lanxin finally couldn’t hold on any longer and sat down, her belly already eight months swollen. Her energy was truly limited.

Xie Yiqing emerged from behind the screen and looked at Xu Lanxin, saying, “Should I call the imperial physician?”

Xu Lanxin’s expression remained calm as she lifted the teacup, but before she could take a sip, she slammed it down heavily, the hostility on her face bursting forth along with the sound of shattering porcelain. “They’re all a bunch of useless people, each one trying to hinder me. They’re short-sighted, only caring about their own interests. It’s because of their existence that this world can’t be better! Clearly, if they just listened to me, we could have had a better Great Zhou, but they all refuse to do so!”

Xie Yiqing wanted to offer comfort but didn’t know how to articulate it. After all, the current situation really wasn’t favorable for Xu Lanxin. Ideally, the best course of action would be to mobilize forces from the Huo Luo faction. Huo Luo could go and defeat Prince Nanjiang, and they would certainly win. However, they happened to encounter some forces from Tianheng Kingdom attempting to harass the border in an attempt to expand their territory. If Huo Luo were to be moved away at this moment, it could easily provoke public outrage, especially considering the bloody memories everyone had of Tongjia Pass. Not only refraining from attacking Tianheng but also moving away the most reassuring commander just for internal struggles among the royal family would further undermine Xu Lanxin’s already precarious position.

So, Huo Luo couldn’t be mobilized.

One could only sigh at how everything seemed to be too coincidental. Tianheng Kingdom was in turmoil, with various factions vying for rampant expansion. At the same time, rumors of prophecies surfaced, providing Prince Nanjiang with a reason to rebel. Xu Lanxin couldn’t use Huo Luo, so she had to resort to Zhao Cheng. However, Zhao Cheng couldn’t be separated from Concubine Mei and her son. Moreover, Xu Lanxin harbored suspicions toward him due to his previous disobedience. She had no choice but to resort to the risky method of weakening his military authority to gather forces to deal with Prince Nanjiang.

In this way, although a precarious balance was barely maintained, it had already created a situation akin to walking on thin ice.

Zhao Cheng would undoubtedly be displeased by the weakening, Huo Luo remained under threat, and was the commander sent to fight Prince Nanjiang really capable of winning?

Everything had become uncertain.

Xie Yiqing couldn’t shake off the faint feeling that perhaps this wasn’t just a coincidence; there seemed to be hands manipulating everything behind the scenes.

“The calamity shatters, the rising sun in the east, the Purple Star unobscured, the true dragon returns to its throne.” What exactly did that mean?

Not long after, Xu Wenze came over again and immediately asked, “Your Majesty, is there any news from Lin Qingyang?”

Xu Lanxin lifted her head with displeasure. “None of my people have any news. Either he’s encountered trouble, or Chu Lishu has rescued him. In any case, it’s none of your concern. Just focus on your own tasks.”

“But…” Xu Wenze was deeply worried. After all, news about Lin Qingyang disappeared just before they were about to enter the Tianheng Imperial City, and none of their companions had sent back any information. With the tremendous changes happening in Tianheng Kingdom, Xu Lanxin dared not assert that Lin Qingyang had definitely been rescued by someone else. Xu Wenze feared that if things went awry, it might actually harm Lin Qingyang.

Just then, Duke Wei Guo arrived in haste, clearly bearing urgent news.

“Empress Dowager, look, this is the intelligence sent by General Huo’s spy network regarding the border.” Duke Wei Guo’s face turned ashen, as if he had received a tremendous shock.

The encrypted message was unfolded before everyone, instantly plunging the atmosphere into silence.

In just a few sentences, the content made people unwilling to believe it, reading it over and over again. After a long while, someone finally spoke up.

“How… is this possible…” Xie Yiqing retreated a step in disbelief. “Yuan Ran… His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince?”

The encrypted message didn’t report the activities of the Huo family’s army but rather a rumor from the border. It spoke of a village being attacked by bandits, and several passersby rescued the entire village. Among the villagers was a young man who happened to have experienced the disappearance of people from the border years ago. At a glance, he recognized someone among the rescuers who bore an uncanny resemblance to the former Crown Prince Yuan Ran.

Furthermore, there were rumors that the Crown Prince Yuan Ran came from the western Tianheng Kingdom. So, the turmoil in Tianheng Kingdom might actually be the doing of His Royal Highness, seeking revenge for the people of the Great Zhou.

Another suspicious point is that when the factions from Tianheng Kingdom, which had split apart, were preparing to attack the border cities of the Great Zhou, someone shot a signal arrow at night to warn the people. This allowed the civilians to evade in time and the Huo family’s army to respond promptly. At that time, they all thought it was the scouts of the Huo family’s army, but the Huo family’s army did not admit to it. So, people also suspected if it was a reminder from the Crown Prince.

Not only did it save them from the attack, but it also helped the Huo family’s army seize the opportunity to counterattack and drive away the Tianheng forces that had occupied the empty cities.

All these signs mixed together have led to rumors at the border. They believe that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince didn’t actually die but instead, after being framed, lay dormant for many years, only to return after seeking revenge on Tianheng.

So, that prophecy must be referring to Crown Prince Yuan Ran.

“Could it be that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince really didn’t die?” Xu Wenze looked at Xu Lanxin in shock. If His Royal Highness didn’t die, then what about his sister…

Xu Lanxin seemed to suddenly awaken and immediately ordered, “Father, you take the imperial decree and go personally. Command Huo Luo to bring his own troops and return to the capital with you.”

Duke Wei Guo was taken aback. “What… What is this for?”

Xu Lanxin stated directly, “If Huo Luo disobeys the order, use his family as leverage. We can’t afford to waste time. Go immediately.”

Seeing Xu Lanxin’s urgency, Xu Wenze became anxious. “Sister, didn’t you say before that we couldn’t let Big Brother Huo leave Tongjia Pass? You said it would lose the people’s trust.”

“You don’t understand!” Xu Lanxin was about to say something when she choked up suddenly. “It’s obvious that someone is trying to capitalize on the situation, using the Crown Prince’s reputation to rebel. This is even more dangerous than Prince Nanjiang. Winning the people’s trust is no longer the priority. Huo Luo must come back to guard the capital.”

Xu Wenze felt that the explanation was quite strained. “Aren’t the ones left at the border all under Zhao Cheng’s command? Don’t you… distrust Zhao Cheng?”

Xu Lanxin’s expression turned grim. “At the very least, his men at the border will hold their ground. And they will definitely eradicate the rebels who are trying to manipulate people using the Crown Prince’s influence.”

“But what if it’s true, sister?” Xu Wenze couldn’t help but ask.

Xu Lanxin almost reflexively exclaimed, “How could it be true? The Crown Prince has been dead for a long time. By doing this, they are disturbing the peace of his departed soul. Whoever dares to use him to cause trouble, I will make sure they have nowhere to hide!”

Before Xu Wenze could say anything else, Xu Lanxin interrupted, “Go and issue an order to the entire city for Yue Chen to appear within three days. Otherwise, I will have to execute members of the Yue family.”

“What are you planning to do?” Xu Wenze was shocked, completely unaware of Xu Lanxin’s intentions.

Xu Lanxin knew that Yue Chen had long separated from Huo Luo. The most likely place for him to be was the capital. She hadn’t had time to deal with it before, but now she had no choice but to deal with it! “Don’t waste time with me. Think about how to force him out. This time, I won’t show any mercy.”

Seeing Xu Lanxin’s terrifying expression, Xu Wenze felt like his sister had suddenly changed. Finally, under the implicit hint from Xie Yiqing’s eyes, he had to leave.

Now, only Xu Lanxin and Xie Yiqing remained in the hall. Xu Lanxin sat down with a stern face, ready to attend to official business, while Xie Yiqing looked at her with a complex expression.

“Lin Qingyang disappeared in Tianheng Kingdom, and news of Yuan Ran appeared in Tianheng Kingdom. I’ve always felt that Chu Lishu and the others have been acting strangely. It’s also strange that Yue Chen and Huo Luo are willing to help them. Initially, I thought they had grown up and were willing to compete for power, truly wanting to support the Fourth Prince and control a puppet emperor. But it all feels very unsettling. However, if they are all acting for one person, does that make sense?”

Xu Lanxin’s gaze turned fierce. “Are you also suggesting that His Highness didn’t die? Don’t forget that you were the one who personally harmed him. If he didn’t die, he would have come to retaliate against you long ago. Why wait so many years?”

“If you didn’t suspect anything, why rush to control both Huo Luo and Yue Chen, disregarding the concerns about public opinion? Because you know that these two idolize Yuan Ran and harbor grievances against you. So, if Yuan Ran truly appears, they will undoubtedly turn to him without hesitation, betraying you. With Huo Luo’s army combined with Yuan Ran, you would surely lose. Leaving only Zhao Cheng’s men at the border is because Zhao Cheng has a grudge against Yuan Ran. If Yuan Ran appeared at the border, Zhao Cheng’s men would not let him escape. Do you… want to kill His Highness?”

“What do you mean by that? Do you think I would harm His Highness? He is my…” Xu Lanxin immediately protested. “I only know that His Highness is deceased. Any news regarding him is just someone exploiting his name. I fear that others might be deceived.”

“What if it’s true?” Xie Yiqing asked.

Xie Yiqing observed Xu Lanxin while speaking. He noticed her hand involuntarily reaching for her belly, but the pressure of her fingers wasn’t gentle; it was as if she was gripping it fiercely.

Xie Yiqing’s expression changed slightly. “Have you had suspicions long ago? Since a very, very long time ago… But you didn’t dare to confirm it because… you were already in the palace, and there was no turning back?”

Xu Lanxin’s complexion changed abruptly. “Xie Yiqing, are you trying to play mind games with me now? Well, we are enemies after all. Are you trying to take advantage of me being surrounded by enemies to attack me? Don’t forget, I’m the only one with the antidote to your poison!”

Xie Yiqing finally took a deep breath and sneered, “Xin’er, I always thought your love for Yuan Ran surpassed your ambition, but it seems I was mistaken. To cause such chaos within the Tianheng Kingdom, which has been under the control of the imperial palace for many years, if it’s indeed man-made, then only Yuan Ran could have done it. No one else could. If he returns, I will surely plead guilty with my life. What about you? How will you handle this?”

Gritting her teeth, Xu Lanxin replied, “I’ll say it again: His Highness is dead. Whoever dares to use him to sow discord, I will kill them! Get out!”

Xie Yiqing gazed deeply at Xu Lanxin before finally saying, “Don’t forget your initial intentions.”

As soon as Xie Yiqing left, Xu Lanxin smashed the study.

In the chaotic room, Xu Lanxin slumped to the side, murmuring to herself, “His Highness must be dead. Everything is a conspiracy, just to prevent me from changing the Great Zhou.”

A few days later, Yue Chen voluntarily showed up and was imprisoned in the imperial palace. Huo Luo also successfully led his troops back to the capital. Nearly seventy thousand troops from the Huo family were dispersed to various cities outside the capital to garrison. Huo Luo entered the palace alone and did not mention Yuan Ran’s matter at all, as if this rumor had not reached his ears. Eighty thousand troops remained at the border to confront the forty to fifty thousand enemy troops closest to them from Tianheng Kingdom, which was more than enough to handle the situation.

Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard of the Grand Master’s Mansion, there was constant noise day and night. Concubine Mei hysterically cursed Zhao Cheng, while the Fourth Prince, in another room, numbly played with woodwork, having shut out all external stimuli.

“You fool, can’t you see it yet? She wants to kill you. If you don’t act now, we’ll all die sooner or later! Don’t you just want to have me? As long as you support our son to become emperor, I’ll willingly be your woman. Think about it, with the emperor being your biological son and me, the empress dowager, in your bed, what more could you want?” Concubine Mei desperately tried to manipulate him, but Zhao Cheng was no longer the brainless lackey he used to be.

The conflict between Zhao Cheng and Concubine Mei, mother and son was irreconcilable. After all, Prime Minister Li was killed by Zhao Cheng himself. Zhao Cheng knew that as long as he satisfied Concubine Mei’s demands, she would immediately find a way to get rid of him. Compared to that, Xu Lanxin might not necessarily want to kill him.

“That’s enough. Anyway, the matter is settled.”

Concubine Mei looked at Zhao Cheng angrily. She had always regarded him as a spineless and useless man, a mere lackey. She was infuriated now, even more so than before. “You fool, you won’t even help your own son, let alone the woman who harmed you.”

“What do you want to say now?” Zhao Cheng said impatiently.

“I’ve figured something out these past few days. Do you know why we ended up like this? It’s all because of that vile woman, Xu Lanxin. When the Emperor began to suspect you, she deliberately led him to catch us together, knowing exactly when I would go to fetch the prince. So, it was all intentional from the beginning.”

Zhao Cheng was stunned. At that time, he had already been suspected by the Emperor due to the issue with the portrait, but the Emperor hadn’t taken any action against him. It was only after they were caught in the small garden due to an accidental slip that the Emperor couldn’t bear it anymore.

“Think about it, isn’t it her who harmed us first, then pretended to be a good person to use you? And you’re helping her!” Concubine Mei  accused angrily.

But Zhao Cheng wasn’t stupid. “So what if she did? Isn’t it you who concealed the truth between us, and even hid the truth from our child, just to use me?”

Concubine Mei was taken aback by his words. Zhao Cheng, speaking in anger, continued, “If it weren’t for her, I would have been kept in the dark by you for my whole life! Watching my own son call someone else father!”

After Zhao Cheng finished speaking, he angrily left, while Concubine Mei’s curses continued to echo. “It’s ridiculous that you’re a Grand General. Your military power is scattered all over the place. If someone wanted to kill us, could you resist?”

Pretending not to hear, Zhao Cheng couldn’t deny that Concubine Mei’s words had shaken him. Although it was just a small matter, Zhao Cheng had always thought that his relationship with Xu Lanxin was one of mutual assistance and alliance. He never imagined that she would be one of the perpetrators pushing him into this situation. Now, looking back, although he wielded great power, it was scattered across various regions. It wasn’t as loyal as the Huo family army. If those generals didn’t follow his orders, then…

This incident completely fueled Zhao Cheng’s dissatisfaction with Xu Lanxin. He felt uneasy and attempted to secretly contact his subordinates stationed at the border, as they controlled a significant portion of his military power. However, he discovered that… he couldn’t reach anyone. Yet, there was no news from the court, indicating that everything at the border remained unchanged; it was just that he couldn’t make contact.

Zhao Cheng believed that Xu Lanxin had already moved to eliminate his trusted subordinates, and he feared that he was already trapped. Therefore, he didn’t even consider questioning Xu Lanxin about this matter. Instead, he began to gather his remaining forces to protect himself against any sudden changes.

However, Xu Lanxin was completely unaware that even Zhao Cheng couldn’t control his subordinates at the border. She believed that everything was still normal, as her informants hadn’t reported anything unusual.

Meanwhile, rumors about Crown Prince Yuan Ran were spreading like wildfire. After all, people were uneasy now, not knowing whom to trust. They needed a miraculous reassurance for their souls. And just at that moment, news about Yuan Ran surfaced.

The southwestern battle report arrived, indicating that the commander with a large army couldn’t resist Prince Nanjiang’s forces. They deemed their current city easily attacked and difficult to defend, opting to retreat to a more defensible position. Despite both sides having roughly equal numbers, around fifty thousand soldiers each, this commander was conservative and unwilling to take risks. Their strategy aimed for stability rather than sacrificing troops for a swift victory. Consequently, they decided to temporarily abandon the city to avoid direct confrontation, urgently evacuating civilians. However, due to inadequate evacuation efforts, many civilians were captured before they could flee.

Thus, the commander chose retreat over battle, losing three consecutive cities before crossing a major river and settling in a strategically advantageous city.

But because the population of the three cities was too large, they couldn’t all retreat to the last city together, and were actually left far behind by the army, following in distress. It wasn’t until they were all trapped in the third city that they were blocked by the troops of Prince Nanjing.

Most of Prince Nanjing’s troops were from the Shu Kingdom, and even though they were ordered not to kill, loot, or burn, their presence still caused serious losses to the civilians wherever they went.

For the civilians trapped in the city, it was like recalling the horrors of many years ago. Even though there were some conscientious city defenders struggling to resist, they couldn’t possibly withstand an army of fifty thousand.

In the midst of despair among the city’s residents, the newly appointed Chief of the Seventy-Two Fort, Dai Heng, stepped forward. Leading the people from the nearby mountain villages, he charged down from the mountains, creating an opening and daringly entering the city to serve as its temporary defenders.

With the guidance of the Dai siblings, the thousand or so people managed to actually hold the city, directly challenging both the city’s defenders and the imperial court behind them, making them the laughingstock of the entire Great Zhou. The court even sent people to reprimand the behavior of the city’s defenders.

Enraged, the city’s defender directly ordered his subordinates, “Quickly send someone to inform them: they are not allowed to defend the city. Everyone should escape together. Don’t make pointless sacrifices!”

“But, General, Dai Heng is already in charge over there. They are rallying all the city’s residents to work together to overcome this crisis. Without soldiers, they have armed themselves temporarily.”

“These are armed rebels. Tell them that if they don’t withdraw, they’ll be treated as traitors,” the commander said, his face flushed with anger.

But the subordinate hesitated, “They were originally bandits, and… and… there are rumors that the Dai siblings were also implicated in the incident with Crown Prince Yuan Ran back then. They claim that they are here to defend the city under orders from the Crown Prince. They say that if we hold out for a few days, the Crown Prince will come with his army to save everyone.”

The commander shouted, “Nonsense! These are all lies spread by the rebels to deceive people! I believe the Dai siblings are just trying to emulate Tianheng and establish their own rule amidst the chaos! I must report this to the court!”

On both sides of the river, the people of Dai Heng’s side, hearing the miraculous hope, endured despite the scarcity of food. On the other side of the river, although temporarily safe, the residents watched anxiously as each city was abandoned by the defending forces one after another. They feared they would be the next to be abandoned. Many residents couldn’t help but flee in advance, leaving everyone unsettled.

On the court’s side, Xu Lanxin also realized the situation was dire. She hadn’t expected her carefully selected officials, including Zhao Cheng, to lack courage to this extent, leading to widespread public discontent. But now, the only people she could dispatch who had a chance of winning were Zhao Cheng and Huo Luo.

After hesitating for a moment, Xu Lanxin decided to send Huo Luo. However, she didn’t intend for him to go with the generals of the Huo family’s army. Instead, she planned for him to go alone and take over the position of the commander.

But just as Xu Lanxin was preparing to announce this decision at court the next day, an urgent military report from the commander arrived.

In front of the entire court, the situation regarding the Dai siblings was explained, along with the rumors implying their intent to rebel, suggesting they sought to avoid blame from the court.

But when Xu Lanxin heard the rumors about Yuan Ran, her whole demeanor changed, and the court erupted in turmoil.

“Is it true? Did the Crown Prince really not die?”

“I’ve heard of the Dai siblings before. They used to follow the Crown Prince.”

“Could it be that the previous rumors about the Crown Prince causing trouble in Tianheng were true?”

“Furthermore, that prophecy… ‘The true dragon returns.’ Who else can be deemed a true dragon?”

Suddenly, a loud bang reverberated through the hall as Xu Lanxin forcefully struck the dragon desk, immediately silencing the chamber.

“Look at yourselves, what have you become? They want to revolt, using the reputation of Crown Prince Yuan Ran to gain support. Have you ever considered, if the Crown Prince were truly alive, why hasn’t he returned after all this time?” Xu Lanxin spoke calmly, suppressing the tumultuous emotions in the room.

Upon hearing Xu Lanxin’s words, the court officials dared not say much, as such matters indeed lacked certainty.

Suddenly, Huo Luo stepped forward and asked, “Your Majesty, what should we do about the citizens of the entire city? Should we rescue them or not?”

Huo Luo’s question struck at the heart of the matter. Although the siblings from the Dai family took the lead in defending the city, what about the citizens of the entire city, which consisted of the three cities? Relying solely on them would quickly deplete their resources, and they would certainly be unable to win unless the rumors of the Crown Prince’s return with a large army were true.

If Xu Lanxin were to declare that the rumors about the Crown Prince were false, it would prove that there would be no large army coming to rescue them. In that case, the court would have to decide whether to rescue them or not.

Xu Lanxin’s gaze rested on Huo Luo’s face for a moment, and she instantly abandoned the idea of sending him.

“General Zhao, you are ordered to depart immediately, take over the duties of the incumbent, and lead the troops to drive them back. Prince Nanjiang as well as… the rebels of the Seventy-Two Fort and other traitors, are to be killed without mercy.”

Zhao Cheng frowned slightly, about to speak, when Xu Lanxin’s deep eyes gleamed with a cold light. “I know that General Zhao has always been concerned about the front-line situation, and recently you have been gathering a lot of information. I believe you can handle this battle well.”

Zhao Cheng’s face darkened. Xu Lanxin knew about his recent contacts with other forces?

“Time is of the essence. I will have someone escort you there as quickly as possible, without the need for anyone else’s assistance.” Xu Lanxin struck decisively, not giving Zhao Cheng a chance to react. “We await the Grand General’s triumphant return.”

In this situation, not only the parties involved but also other courtiers couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat. If Zhao Cheng had been prepared beforehand, Xu Lanxin would likely have had difficulty controlling him. Fortunately, Xu Lanxin caught Zhao Cheng off guard. Due to his previous loss of contact with his subordinates, Zhao Cheng had already harbored some fear towards Xu Lanxin. Hence, this time, he had no choice but to comply obediently. He would focus on winning the battle first, and once he had fifty thousand troops under his command, he wouldn’t have to be constrained at every turn.

Zhao Cheng accepted the command and could only manage to have his family guards defend the Grand General’s residence before he was urged to leave.

And not long after Zhao Cheng left…

At the same time, Xu Lanxin’s shadow guard reported.

“Mistress, someone has contacted us using the passphrase you gave before and sent this jade pendant.”

Xu Lanxin took a look at it and her expression changed instantly. “Bring him in.”

Shortly after, a cloaked man appeared in the palace.

Xu Lanxin stared at him and finally spoke, “I never expected to see you in such a desperate situation.”

“I am defeated, naturally leads to such an outcome. But, Empress Dowager Xu, aren’t you in dire straits now too? Aren’t you on the verge of defeat?”

“I haven’t lost yet!”

“Can’t you see it? From the encroachment of the three hundred thousand troops, to the internal turmoil in Tianheng, to the spread of prophecies, and now with Prince Nanjiang’s rebellion, everything seems to be connected in a line. According to my covert observations, although the commanders stationed at the border are all under your and Zhao Cheng’s command, two of them have been turned, and the remaining three are controlled by poison. Among them, the ones who took away the thirty thousand troops are the two who were turned. The rest… are completely under the control of Qi Ci. Now, Qi Ci calls the shots at the border.”

“Qi Ci? General Qi, who’s already dead.” Xu Lanxin exclaimed in shock.

“Yes, they stayed behind at the border to prevent Tianheng’s invasion. They’re also the last reserve force, and won’t act until it’s crucial. But you can’t mobilize them now. How many people can you still fully control?”

Xu Lanxin’s eyes widened, her breathing becoming more rapid. “They’re all rebels, even if one or two betray me, I’m not afraid. I am the ruler of the Great Zhou Dynasty, they are just a bunch of clowns.”

“Is that so? Have you ever considered how many people in the Great Zhou Dynasty truly support you and the emperor in your belly? Why have you repeatedly lost the support of the people without realizing it?”

Xu Lanxin was taken aback. It was all just coincidences, all caused by unstable situations. It was because the heavens didn’t help, because people across the land had grievances against her as a woman.

The visitor chuckled lightly.

“Tianheng Kingdom presses on your borders, and you can’t strike back. Isn’t it because Huo Luo is unwilling to act? Tianheng Kingdom is in turmoil, and you dare not seek revenge to prevent civil war. It’s also because the sudden emergence of prophecy gave Prince Nanjiang an opportunity to rebel, causing you to be unable to act. Now, the defending troops you sent out have abandoned their posts. Why did you choose such a cowardly commander who abandons the people of the city and refuses to fight? Is it because he’s the only option available, and others have excuses for not leading troops within one or two months? Why did the Seventy-Two Fort suddenly emerge? Now, because of the Seventy-Two Fort stealing the limelight, you order the heroes who protect the city to be treated as rebels. Such actions will undoubtedly provoke strong dissatisfaction among the people. They will undoubtedly blame you for not protecting them. Why do you not only abandon them but also rush to kill those who sincerely defend them? Why?! How do you think the people of this world view you?”

The continuous probing and questioning made Xu Lanxin break out in a cold sweat, feeling utterly powerless, as if an invisible hand was pressing down on her, suffocating her.

“Empress Dowager Xu, everyone has their luck. Your past victories were simply due to good luck, but now your luck has run out. Everything at present is controlled by one person. You have fallen into his trap and become a stepping stone for him to reclaim everything. The defeat is already apparent.”

Xu Lanxin collapsed into the chair, her face turning deathly pale, staring at the person in disbelief, her hand involuntarily reaching for her stomach.

“I refuse to accept this. He ruined all my efforts, making me very unhappy. That’s why I came to find you. I’ll help you, but do you want my help?” Xu Lanxin finally questioned hoarsely, “Who are you talking about?”

“Didn’t you hear? Who else could it be besides Yuan Ran to accomplish all this?”

Xu Lanxin’s pupils suddenly contracted, “No… it’s not the Crown Prince. It can’t be. It’s just malicious rebels deliberately rebelling in the name of the Crown Prince. Yu Suoxi! Tell me the truth!”

Yu Suoxi looked at Xu Lanxin’s expression and sarcastically remarked, “Oh, not Yuan Ran? The rumors were false then.”

Xu Lanxin seemed to grasp onto hope, “Right, it’s false, it’s okay. I’ve already sent Zhao Cheng over. This kind of scoundrel will surely be eliminated by Zhao Cheng. The successor of the Crown Prince can only be me. I will fulfill the Crown Prince’s wish and create a beautiful Da Zhou.”

Yu Suoxi smiled at the corner of her mouth, but his eyes were cold, “Is that so? I’ll wait and see. If Zhao Cheng loses, come find me again.”

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