Daughter of aristocratic family

Chapter 506 Forced into the Palace
When Yun Hao arrived at the palace, there was nothing unusual at the palace gate. The guards did not find it strange that he and his party entered the palace at this time. They saluted respectfully and said, "Master Yun."

He rushed to the Yangxin Palace, but was stopped by Gao Quan when he was almost there. "Sir, Prince Zuo is leading the Yulin Army Vanguard, Left Guard, and Rear Guard to confront Lord Hao and Lord Wang. They are in danger."

"Where are Concubine Jing, Concubine Li, and the Eleventh Prince now?" Yun Hao asked as he walked forward.

"When Prince Zuo launched the rebellion, Imperial Concubine Jing was with Your Majesty. Now she is trapped in the main hall of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity. Concubine Li and the Eleventh Prince have fallen into the hands of Prince Zuo." Gao Quan followed closely behind Yun Hao, reporting in a rapid pace.

"What about the cold palace?" Yun Hao asked.

"Lord Xu and Lord Luo are protecting Prince Ji over there. He is safe for the time being. But since Prince Zuo has already taken action, I'm afraid the cold palace won't be able to hold out for too long." Gao Quan's voice was filled with some worry. He was not sure whether Prince Zuo knew that there was a prince without a rank in the cold palace.

He also knew that today's matter was of great importance and that if he was not careful, he would lose everything.

"Eunuch Gao, immediately issue an order to have the commander of the imperial guards, General Wei, lead the imperial guards to the rear of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, listen to my signal, and wait for an opportunity to act. Wu Cheng, you go tell Xu Mao and the others to strengthen the defense of the cold palace and make sure that Prince Ji is safe. If the situation is critical, you can escort Prince Ji to a safe place first." Yun Hao ordered.

"Yes, sir." Gao Quan and Wu Cheng took the order and left.

Yun Hao, along with other followers, continued to move quickly towards the Yangxin Palace.

When we arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, we saw that the atmosphere was tense. The Yulin Army and the court guards stood facing each other. Both sides had solemn expressions and the air was filled with a strong smell of gunpowder.

Yun Hao shouted loudly: "Prince Zuo, what do you mean by this? How dare you secretly mobilize troops to besiege the Yangxin Palace? Are you planning a rebellion?"

Seeing Yun Hao appear, the eleventh prince shouted loudly: "Master Yun, save me."

Concubine Li stood beside the Tenth Prince, her face pale, her hands clenched into fists, her nails almost digging into her palms without her realizing it.

There were complex emotions flashing in her eyes, including gratitude for Yun Hao's timely appearance and deep worry about the current situation.

"Yun Jingyao, I am a prince, older than the eleventh prince. That position should have belonged to me. Today I am going to restore order. If you know what's good for you, you'd better surrender as soon as possible. Otherwise, don't blame me for using you as a sacrifice." Prince Zuo received a secret report and learned that the emperor was going to issue an edict to appoint the eleventh prince as the crown prince. He was furious to the extreme and surrounded the palace regardless of anything. When he saw Yun Hao, he threatened him.

Yun Hao heard this, and a hint of coldness flashed across his brows. He knew very well that Prince Zuo was making a desperate move. "Prince Zuo, His Majesty is still alive, how can you covet the throne? Besides, the appointment of the crown prince is a major national event, and it is His Majesty's holy decision. How can you be allowed to interfere?"

“Yun Jingyao, as the commander of the Dragon Court Guard, you should assist the wise monarch, but at this moment you are aiding and abetting the tyrant and protecting that immature boy! In terms of seniority and prestige, how am I not better than the underage Eleventh Emperor?” Prince Zuo spoke in a loud and sonorous voice, and every word was sonorous. It was obvious that he was unwilling and angry at the emperor’s choice.

Yun Hao's eyes flickered. "Prince Zuo, the succession to the throne is a national event that concerns the stability of the country. How can it be decided by your selfish desires? Your Majesty is wise and has his own considerations. Even if it is Eleven..."

"Shut up right there." Prince Zuo interrupted him, "Yun Jingyao, I'm going to ask you again, will you help me or not?"

Yun Hao shook his head and said firmly: "Zuo Jun Wang, the relationship between the monarch and his subjects should be based on loyalty. Although I, Yun Hao, am not talented, I know that loyalty is more important than Mount Tai. Today, I will never let you set foot in the Yangxin Palace!"

"In that case, I won't have to show mercy to your men." Prince Zuo swung his sword and stabbed at Yun Hao.

Yun Hao Yun Hao flashed and easily avoided the fierce attack. At the same time, he swung his sword with his backhand, and the tip of the sword pointed directly at Prince Zuo's heart. However, he abruptly stopped the attack at the critical moment, leaving only a faint sword wind that passed across Prince Zuo's chest.

The surrounding Yulin Army and court guards have joined the battle. For a while, outside the Yangxin Palace, the flashing of swords and the shouting of killing shook the sky.

Inside the palace, the director of the Imperial Hospital and several imperial doctors were trying their best to treat the fainted emperor. Knowing that the emperor had issued an order to appoint the eleventh prince as the crown prince, Prince Zuo ordered his henchman to drug the emperor and took the opportunity to lead his troops into the palace in order to seize the throne.

Unfortunately, things did not go as he wished. He was stopped outside the Yangxin Palace by Hao Bai, Wang Yan and others who had been wary of him.

Prince Zuo was already anxious as they had been unable to attack the Yangxin Palace. Who could have thought that Yun Hao, who had clearly taken leave at home, would come here so quickly.

Prince Zuo was no match for Yun Hao and was beaten back repeatedly. As Yun Hao gave a signal, the imperial guards arrived and surrounded him and his men.

"Yun Jingyao, did you expect that I would take action?" Prince Zuo's voice was mixed with a hint of unwillingness and resentment. He tightly grasped the broken sword in his hand, staring at Yun Hao with a sharp gaze.

Yun Hao could not possibly admit that he had been keeping an eye on Prince Zuo and the Emperor, and even that Prince Zuo's secret agent was able to successfully drug the Emperor because of his people.

He said calmly, "Prince Zuo, I did not specifically anticipate your actions, but the law of nature is long and wide, and nothing can escape it."

"I don't believe it." Prince Zuo couldn't accept it. He planned it unintentionally, but still lost.

Just as Yun Hao was about to speak, the door to the main hall of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity opened and everyone looked over in astonishment.

The emperor walked out slowly, supported by Concubine Jing and the eunuchs. Prince Zuo was shocked that his father was not dead!

Could it be that Anzi failed to administer the drug?

The bodies of the emperor and others blocked his view, and he did not see the corpse in the hall.

"Rebellious son, do you admit your guilt?" The emperor's face flushed unnaturally, and although his voice sounded weak, it still carried unquestionable majesty.

"Father, your Majesty, is not worried about the scarcity of wealth but the inequality. What crime have I committed?" Prince Zuo retorted firmly.

He knew very well the consequences of the prince's failure to seize the throne. It would be the same whether he admitted his guilt or not, so why should he admit his guilt?
He had to vent the resentment that had been suppressed for so many years before he died.

The emperor was about to speak when he heard Concubine Chun shouting outside: "Your Majesty, Yi'er is really your son, why don't you believe it?"

When everyone present heard this, they all gasped. What kind of palace secret was this? Would they be silenced?

Everyone also understood why the emperor was unwilling to pass the throne to Prince Zuo even though he was so outstanding in every way.

Prince Zuo asked in disbelief, "Mother, what do you mean by that?"

Concubine Chun ran over from the path everyone had given way to, knelt at Prince Zuo's feet, raised her head, and looked at the emperor, "Your Majesty, I have never..."

"Shut up!" The emperor interrupted her, "Jingyao, tell them to leave and bring the rebellious son in."

This kind of royal private matter should be discussed in the palace and not in public.

(End of this chapter)