The prince is fierce: Who dares to steal my woman?

Upon hearing this, Liu Kun's brows relaxed slightly, clearly indicating his approval of Wei Wuji's strategy: "Good! Let's proceed according to the Right Minister's plan."

However, Wei Wuji's expression did not relax despite Liu Kun's approval; instead, it became even more solemn: "However, Your Majesty, we still need to be prepared for both possibilities. If the persuasion fails, we must be prepared for a hard fight. Therefore, we must immediately mobilize the 50,000 troops led by Xue Wenyi and Zhan Ying into the city to prevent any unforeseen circumstances."

Upon hearing this, Liu Kun's eyes flashed with approval. He knew that Wei Wuji's caution and foresight were indispensable.

"Very well! I will immediately order the troops to be deployed into the city to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the main hall. Looking around, a massive army in full armor surged toward them, creating a truly spectacular scene.

Immediately afterward, a tall, imposing general, around thirty years old and clad in iron armor, strode over. His face was resolute, his eyes piercing, and he exuded an indescribable aura of authority and dominance. This man was none other than Zhan Ying, a fierce general under Liu Kun's command.

"Your humble servant Zhan Ying pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Zhan Ying's loud and powerful voice broke the solemn atmosphere of the palace.

Before Liu Kun could even mobilize his troops, Zhan Ying arrived on his own.

Liu Kun said incredulously, "Ah Zhan, what brings you here?"

Zhan Ying's voice was firm and steady: "Your Majesty, it was Xiao Jinyan who opened the gates of Jiankang and allowed my troops to enter the city. He also specifically instructed me to go to the palace as soon as possible to ensure Your Majesty's safety."

Upon hearing this, Liu Kun's eyebrows shot up sharply, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes: "What? Xiao Jinyan? That Xiao Jinyan who spends his days in brothels and is known as a playboy?"

Wei Wuji could not contain his shock either, and the feather fan almost slipped from his fingers. He hurriedly asked, "What about Han Xiu? How is Han Xiu doing?"

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Zhan Ying's lips, a smile of confidence that victory was imminent: "Your Majesty, Right Minister Xiao Jinyan has already devised a plan to capture Han Xiu and seize his military power. At this moment, there is no force in Jiankang that is hostile to Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Liu Kun's face broke into a radiant smile, a joy that came after weathering the storm: "Excellent! Xiao Jinyan, truly outstanding! I knew he was no ordinary man. After ascending the throne, I will certainly bestow upon him a great reward and grant him the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"

Wei Wuji's heart was filled with ripples. He pondered to himself: How could Xiao Jinyan, who was usually so unrestrained, possess such deep scheming and decisive methods? Could it be that all those rumors about him were just lies to cover up his true nature? What secrets and schemes were hidden behind all this?

---------

The next day, at Mianyue Tower.

Although it was daytime, Mianyue Tower was still a scene of singing and dancing, extravagance and debauchery. Light gauze fluttered, melodious zither music played, and literati and beautiful women strolled among the tower, laughing and chatting, as if the turmoil of the outside world had nothing to do with this place.

However, this joy is about to be torn apart by a sudden storm.

Sunlight streamed through the delicate window frames, dappling the polished marble floor, but failed to dispel the impending gloom.

Xiao Jinyan led the Tiger Warriors, surrounding Mianyue Tower with overwhelming force. Beside him, Luo Chuan and Wang Xuanyu stood side by side, their eyes gleaming with unwavering resolve.

At Xiao Jinyan's command, the soldiers surged into Mianyue Tower like a tidal wave, shattering the original tranquility and prosperity.

The literati and courtesans who were originally immersed in poetry and wine were suddenly terrified by this unexpected force and fled in all directions. Screams and crashes mingled together, creating a chaotic scene.

Wang Xuanyu stepped forward, his voice booming like a bell, echoing throughout the entire Mianyue Tower: "By order of the Crown Prince, seal off Mianyue Tower! All irrelevant people, get out!"

His voice carried an undeniable authority, which further panicked the crowd, who scrambled to find a way to escape.

In an instant, the literati and poets who had come seeking pleasure were released and scattered in all directions. However, the prostitutes, servants, madams, and even the old women responsible for buying groceries and cooking at the Mianyue Tower were blocked at the entrance by the inspecting soldiers, unable to move forward or backward.

The large, fat madam asked in a trembling voice, "Young Master, what are you up to?"

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Jinyan interrupted her, his gaze sharp as he stared at the madam: "Where is that slut Yang Rong?"

The madam trembled, realizing this was no small matter, and hurriedly pointed upstairs: "My mistress is... she's having tea in the upstairs room."

Damn it! You slut, you still have the mind to drink tea? I'll invite you to my mansion for tea!

The madam tried to get more information: "Oh dear... my young master, what brings you here with your troops? Why are you so angry..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's face darkened further, and he roared, "Go to hell!"

After saying that, he kicked the madam to the ground.

The madam lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to utter another word.

Xiao Jinyan's face was cold and his eyes were sharp as an eagle. He said in a stern voice, "Wang Xuanyu, guard the entrance. Do not let a single person from Mianyue Tower escape."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xuanyu's body stiffened, and he said in a deep voice, "Yes, General."

Xiao Jinyan then said, "Luo Chuan, bring your men upstairs with this general!"

Luo Chuan responded just as firmly and forcefully: "Yes, General."

The secret intelligence battalion under Luo Chuan's command consists of shrewd and capable individuals handpicked by Luo Chuan, and they are absolutely loyal to Xiao Jinyan.

With a command, Xiao Jinyan and Luo Chuan charged like tigers descending a mountain, leading their soldiers into the deepest room of Mianyue Tower.

Inside the room, sunlight streamed in, illuminating two strikingly different faces—Yang Rong sat calmly in her chair, her expression serene, as if she already knew everything; while Green Pearl stood anxiously to the side, her eyes filled with fear and unease.

Yang Rong seemed to have anticipated everything. Judging from the situation, Guan Lingxuan had failed to kill Xiao Jinyan again and had also betrayed her, spilling everything.

A cold smile crept onto Yang Rong's lips as she thought to herself, "How could I be so stupid? I was bewitched and used that shameless little vixen, Guan Lingxuan. I already learned my lesson once, yet I still chose to believe her this time. Utterly foolish..."

Yang Rong, in her quest for revenge, fueled the death of the Crown Prince and nearly plunged the Song Dynasty into chaos. One can imagine Xiao Jinyan's fury towards her.

"Take them all down!"

Xiao Jinyan's voice boomed like thunder, shattering the tranquility of the room.

Two soldiers moved swiftly, pinning Green Pearl to the ground like iron clamps. She struggled, her cries filled with despair and resentment...

"Do not touch me!"

"Get your dirty hands off!"

At the same time, two other soldiers ruthlessly pressed Yang Rong onto the table. Although Yang Rong appeared calm, a hint of tension was visible between her brows.

"Let go of my wife! If you have a problem, come at me!"