The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

The walls of the palace stand tall and majestic, like a giant beast overlooking everything below.

On the city wall, Li Chenghao, clad in golden armor and clutching the Emperor's Sword, could hardly conceal his inner panic. He paced back and forth, his eyes bloodshot beneath his helmet, a stark contrast to the figure beneath the wall, chatting and laughing freely, wearing a feather fan and a long scarf.

Li Chengfeng was seen wearing a black robe with a smooth jade pendant on his waist. Standing at the head of the army, he looked handsome and extraordinary.

Looking up at Li Chenghao, who was like an ant on the hot pan on the city wall, a sarcastic smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Your Highness, are you all right?"

The sound was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone on the city wall.

Upon hearing this, Li Chenghao's body trembled violently, and the hand holding the Emperor's Sword turned slightly white due to excessive force.

He took a deep breath and pretended to be calm.

"Third brother, what do you mean by this? Are you planning a rebellion by leading an army to besiege the imperial palace?"

Li Chengfeng chuckled and asked, "Rebellion? Your Highness, you're joking. I just want to mourn my father."

"You!" Li Chenghao was furious and was about to lose his temper, but was stopped by Concubine Liu, who was dressed in a phoenix robe and looked graceful and elegant.

She took a step forward, glaring fiercely at He Sheng below the city walls. Ignoring Li Chengfeng, she shouted, "How dare you, Marquis Zhenbei! As a subject, you don't even think about serving your country, and you actually dare to lead your army to besiege the imperial palace. You're simply disrespectful to your king and father, and your crime is unforgivable!"

"In consideration of your great contributions to Daqian, I will forgive you for your past mistakes as long as you withdraw your troops immediately. I will ensure that you will enjoy endless wealth and glory for the rest of your life!"

She knew clearly that this time, the emperor was forcing the emperor to abdicate under the name of Li Chengfeng, but He Sheng, who held the military power, was the most important target!

Under the city wall, He Sheng was stunned at first, and then he laughed out loud as if he had heard a joke, his voice shaking the whole area.

"Hahahahahaha!"

"I, the Marquis of Zhenbei, have fought in hundreds of battles, expanded the territory for Daqian, and made great military achievements, which is why I was finally granted the title of marquis and appointed as prime minister."

"Now, fate is in the hands of a woman who is proud of her son?"

He suddenly turned his head to look at the soldiers behind him and shouted loudly: "Soldiers, tell me, when did it become the turn of a woman to make decisions in the Daqian court?"

Not to mention the personal soldiers of the Marquis of Zhenbei behind him, even the imperial guards on the city wall looked at each other in confusion and were a little agitated for a moment.

The Marquis of Zhenbei has been through many battles. Although he can hardly read, his words are insightful and thought-provoking!

"How dare you!" Concubine Liu also realized something was wrong and immediately pointed at He Sheng's nose and cursed, "I am the Empress Dowager, how can I allow you...you vulgar warrior to humiliate me!"

"Rude? Hahaha! I'm rude today, what can you do to me!" He Sheng snorted disdainfully, with a fierce look flashing in his eyes.

"You...you..." Concubine Liu was so angry that she couldn't speak. She cast her eyes directly at Li Chenghao, "Hao'er, issue an imperial decree to accuse the Marquis of Zhenbei of treason and execute all nine generations of his clan!"

Li Chenghao's face turned even more ashen, and he stared at Li Chengfeng, who was in high spirits under the city wall, as if he wanted to eat him alive.

"Third brother, you are really good at it!"

"You've been acting like a loser for so many years, but now that you've lost that skin, you really think you're a big shot?"

Li Chenghao gnashed his teeth, his tone filled with disdain, "I've long seen that the Marquis of Zhenbei has treacherous intentions. Perfect, let's deal with him today!"

Li Chengfeng smiled instead of getting angry, and leisurely played with the badge in his hand, "Your Highness, you are joking. The imperial badge is in my hand. It's hard to say who is plotting a rebellion..."

"Waist badge?" Li Chenghao seemed to have heard a huge joke. "My father has passed away, and I am now the Son of Heaven. You want to use the sword of the previous dynasty to execute the officials of this dynasty?"

Concubine Liu snorted coldly, "Get out of here if you know what's best for you, or else once the five battalions arrive, you won't be able to return!"

He Sheng spat on the city wall with a look of disdain on his face.

"Five major camps? When I was fighting on the battlefield, those bastards were still nursing!"

"Just based on them, do they think they are worthy of being compared with me?"

"Enough!" Li Chenghao turned to look at Li Chengfeng, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Third brother, the capital is narrow, and your siege equipment is completely useless. Considering our brotherhood, if you surrender, I might even spare your life!"

"Noisy!"

Seeing the verbal battle between the two sides, He Sheng had already lost his patience. He waved his hand violently and shouted: "Attack the city!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The deafening sound of war drums rang out, and the Zhenbei Army surged towards the walls of the imperial palace like a tide.

"Shoot! Shoot!" Li Chenghao saw this, his eyes were bloodshot and he shouted hysterically.

For a moment, arrows rained down from both sides and screams were heard everywhere.

However, the Zhenbei Army was an elite force that had experienced hundreds of battles. Facing such an attack, they remained calm. The shield bearers were at the forefront, and the archers kept fighting back. Even though the Royal Guards had the advantage of the city walls and terrain, they still had the upper hand outside the city for a while!

"Hao'er, we can't go on like this!" Seeing the Royal Guards falling down like wheat being cut, Concubine Liu's face became increasingly ugly.

"The Imperial Guards are all your personal soldiers. Losing too many of them would be disadvantageous to you! Moreover, those people in the Five Camps always obey orders but not announcements. What if..."

Li Chenghao's expression darkened upon hearing this. "Then, mother... do you have any good strategies for repelling the enemy?"

"Open the palace gates and have the Left Prime Minister lead all officials out of the city!"

"Open the palace gate?" Li Chenghao frowned, his eyes full of confusion, "Doesn't this mean..."

The officials standing by were even more furious. If they had not read the books of sages, they would have probably started cursing!

"Your Majesty, I am too weak to fight the enemy. It is truly inappropriate!"

"A scholar is useless. I, an old minister, feel ashamed that I haven't learned a few tricks. I'm afraid I can't be loyal to my country!"

"Your Majesty, I am old and have difficulty moving. Your Majesty should find someone else to help me leave the city..."

Seeing the officials' wandering eyes, Li Chenghao felt a little angry and had no place to vent.

"My dear ministers..."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to be the leader!"

Without waiting for Li Chenghao to mobilize, Song Zelin suddenly stepped forward and spoke first.

"I am a servant of your majesty, and I am here to share your worries. As long as I can ensure your majesty's safety, I will go!"

Li Chenghao's face was filled with joy, and he nodded repeatedly, "Okay! I'll do as Lord Song says!"

"Once this is accomplished, I will personally bestow the Nine Gifts upon the Left Prime Minister, performing the teacher-student ceremony!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Song Zelin bowed respectfully, then turned to face the ministers and said loudly, "My lords, when the country is in crisis, every citizen has a responsibility! As pillars of the court, we should lead the charge and defend our country!"

"I also ask my colleagues to follow me out of the city for the sake of our common government. I have a brilliant plan!"

After saying that, he took the lead and walked towards the palace gate.

Seeing this, the civil servants looked at each other, thought for a long time, and had no choice but to follow.

Li Chenghao couldn't help but sneer, feeling somewhat smug in his heart: "Do you really think I will just sit there and wait for death? Once the reinforcements from the five major camps arrive, these rebels will be dead!"

"Open the door!" With Li Chenghao's order, the heavy palace gate slowly opened in full view of everyone.

Song Zelin walked out of the palace slowly with a group of civil servants, his eyes calm.

"Third Prince, you are well."