Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

”Ruoqing, what happened?” Luo Zhen couldn’t wait to see Chen Mo after Jiang Ruoqing returned and immediately asked.

”Something happened. Someone is attacking Bianliang with troops again.” Jiang Ruoqing’s words were filled with worry.

Although she had no feelings for Chen Mo, her body belonged to him. For her, extremely traditional, it was as if a rope invisibly tied her to him, preventing her from leaving.

Luo Zhen’s expression changed; Xu Miaozhen was also frightened and a bit at a loss, quickly saying, ”Then... what should we do?”

”We definitely can’t go in tonight. I’ll see if I can sneak in quietly once things settle down,” Jiang Ruoqing said.

...

Chen Mansion.

Since the Chen Mansion was on Vermilion Bird Avenue, not far from the Xiao Mansion, Xiao Yunqi’s rebellion naturally led him to send people to protect his family, and the Chen Mansion could also provide some support.

Thus, the Chen Mansion was filled with various Imperial Guards and guards wearing armor, making it impregnable.

These were the guards of the Chen Mansion and the Imperial Guards brought by Gao Zheng, as well as some servants from Xiao Mansion.

And outside the Chen Mansion, countless Imperial Guards, numbering in the thousands, were present.

Because no news had come from the Imperial Palace, and the information they received was to enter the city to protect, but the Imperial City was besieged so tightly they couldn’t even squeeze in. So a clever general led them to surround the Chen Mansion.

If the rebellion was suppressed, they would immediately rush in and seize the people inside.

And if Xiao Yunqi’s rebellion succeeded, they would pretend to protect the Chen Mansion and then take the opportunity to side with Xiao Yunqi.

Therefore, they surrounded the Chen Mansion for a long time without launching an attack.

After all, the Imperial City had so many people, and the situation was still unclear.

The Chen Mansion was brightly lit.

Especially in the room at the back courtyard, there were shadows moving around.

However, these were all just Blinding Techniques.

Yi Yao, along with Chun Lan and the others, had long left through the tunnel.

...

Since Hu Mei’Er dared to bring people to Weiyang Palace to rescue Xiao Yunxi and the others, she was naturally well-prepared and had many experts around her.

Plus, due to her own identity.

Wang Ze was always constrained in fighting against them.

After all, Zhao Ji only instructed Wang Ze to capture Hu Mei’Er, Xiao Yunxi, and Zhao Fujin alive; if they were harmed, he might be blamed. So during the fight, he did not exert full force.

Therefore, Hu Mei’Er and the others managed to break out.

...

On the other side, Chen Mo led Xu Dabong and a group of people toward the Imperial Palace. Upon arrival, they found the city gates turned into a river of blood, with two factions clashing violently.

Most of the Imperial Guards wore the same armor, never expecting to one day fight against their own people. Thus, in the chaos, it became hard to distinguish who was who.

As Chen Mo and his people arrived, he knew Xiao Yunqi’s troops had already entered the Imperial Palace, so the outer Imperial Guards must be under Gao Qiu’s command and directly led his men to charge.

This group had suppressed the rebellion in Nanyang, and just practiced with bandits at Haiqing Lake in the morning. The battle array was perfectly in sync; with this sudden charge, the outer Imperial Guards were thrown into disarray, cutting down enemies like chopping vegetables.

Under such encirclement, with attacks from both sides and no direct commander, they dared not resist, scattering like birds, making way for Chen Mo and the others.

But Chen Mo couldn’t get inside; the path to the Imperial Palace was crowded, impossible to enter.

”Dabong, take people to the mansion and check. I’ll slip inside to see the situation,” Chen Mo instructed Xu Dabong before leaping onto the city wall to sneak inside.

Familiar with the route, Chen Mo headed straight for Weiyang Palace.

By then, Weiyang Palace was already deserted.

Chen Mo captured an eunuch to ask where the Empress had gone.

Upon learning Xiao Yunxi was taken by Hu Mei’Er, Chen Mo sighed in relief.

This was what Xiao Teng referred to as having someone on the inside.

Since Xiao Yunxi was safe, Chen Mo headed for Jingru Palace.

Amid the palace chaos, it was a good chance to take Wanqiu out of the palace.

Half an hour later, a fierce fire broke out at Jingru Palace.

Due to the rebellion, no one was available to put out the blaze.

...

After He Mu’s death and with the Inner Palace breached, Xiao Yunqi led his people straight to Taihe Palace.

Along the way, many defected to him, swelling his ranks.

With the Inner City broken, there was no other defensible position inside. His army could march straight in to encircle Taihe Palace; the situation was clear now.

Those unwilling to die naturally shifted to Xiao Yunqi’s side.

Now only the remaining personal guards, the East and West Factory eunuchs, and the Imperial City Department were outside Taihe Palace.

However, after the Inner City fell, the Imperial City Department sided with Xiao Yunqi.

The army surged around Xiao Yunqi, smiles on their faces, besieging Taihe Palace—it was mostly accomplished now. What awaited them was wealth and beauty.

”I’m here to kill Cai Si and Gao Qiu. If you step aside, I’ll spare your lives,” Xiao Yunqi chuckled, feeling incredibly excited, sensing the event’s success.

Yet those still guarding Taihe Palace were Zhao Ji’s diehards, unmoved by Xiao Yunqi’s words.

Just as Xiao Yunqi ordered a massacre.

”Impudent!”

”Roar!”

A commanding voice echoed from Taihe Palace, accompanied by a dragon’s roar. The palace door opened, and Zhao Ji emerged with Wei Xian, ministers, and Inner Palace experts.

Zhao Ji wore a Dragon Robe, holding the floating Heirloom Seal of the Realm in his right hand.

After stepping out, Wei Xian stood in front of Zhao Ji and scolded, ”Grand Commandant, His Majesty has treated you well, do you intend to rebel?”

Zhao Ji exuded regal authority, saying, ”Xiao Yunqi, do you still intend to commit regicide today?”

Xiao Yunqi stepped forward, smiling, and pointed at Cai Si and Gao Qiu behind Zhao Ji, saying, ”Your Majesty, fear not, these traitors holding court, framing the loyal, forming factions for private gain, deceiving above and below...”

Xiao Yunqi listed a litany of their crimes before saying, ”Minister Xiao Yunqi is here to rescue the sovereign.”

At this moment, Xiao Yunqi portrayed himself as a loyal minister and patriot.

In this life-and-death moment, Cai Si and Gao Qiu knew surrender wouldn’t spare them from Xiao Yunqi’s wrath, so they cursed loudly.

”Seeking power through rebellion, distorting facts, inhuman!”

”Traitor, rebel, scoundrel!”

”Curse you to a terrible end!”

”...”

All the harsh words they could think of.

”Feel better after cursing?” Xiao Yunqi smiled, then coldly said, ”Feeling better, time to hit the road.”

But just then, Zhao Ji acted.