The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

"By the time you cook a meal, the firewood has all gone out."

Lee Kyung's gaze returned to Lee Geon-kyu.

Well, once we capture Father Emperor alive, we might be able to let him and his son see each other one last time.

Li Jing maliciously imagined that scenario. Li Sheng was more filial than him and would definitely rush over if he knew Li Jiangui was in trouble.

He has his men at the city gate now, so the reinforcements can't get in for a while, but they still need to get to work.

The two sides fought fiercely until blood was drawn, and Empress Wang slightly shifted her gaze.

Because of Li Jing's affair, the Imperial Concubine was temporarily confined to the palace. When the incident occurred, Li Jiangui ordered someone to take the Imperial Concubine away, but it is unknown where she was sent.

Empress Wang's eyes flickered, sensing that Li Jiangui would not let the Consort go.

There was also the Empress Dowager, who hid in a disheveled state amidst the chaos of the army. Someone stepped on her palm, and she was in so much pain that she dared not cry out.

Empress Wang led Li Jun and Princess Yongning into the main hall. She knew that Li Sheng would definitely try his best to come over, otherwise Li Jiangui would not have sent someone to meet him.

The sounds of clashing swords and spears filled the air as Empress Wang looked at the two of them.

"The rebels haven't broken in yet. You should go through the secret passage to leave the palace."

Although they are not his own children, Li Jun and Princess Yongning have been very well-behaved over the years. Perhaps it is safe for them to stay by Li Jiangui's side, but who would dare to gamble on that one in ten thousand chance?

Princess Yongning couldn't help but ask, "And you, Mother?"

"I'm worried about Sheng'er if I stay here."

Empress Wang lowered her head, already preparing for the worst.

Princess Yongning and Li Jun exchanged a glance. They hadn't originally planned to leave because they trusted their father.

However, Li Jing entered the imperial city much faster than they had expected.

Some of those who had previously followed Li Jing were still with him, while others had hidden themselves away.

Li Jiangui glanced behind him. Empress Wang must have arranged everything. Just in case, he still planned to send Li Jun and Yongning away first.

Pei Du and his group, who entered through another path, encountered the people Li Jing had left behind. The sounds coming from inside were unsettling.

"You hide."

After settling Shen Hanyu aside, Shen Hanyu found a corner to hide in.

She didn't know the layout of the palace, but Li Jing did.

Li Jing had arranged for people to be stationed at all entrances and exits in advance. Just as he said, the entire palace had been surrounded, except for the secret passage known only to Li Jiangui and Empress Wang.

His subordinate whispered something to Li Jing, and Li Jing drew his sword.

"Come so fast?"

He wiped away the bloodstains, his tone indifferent.

"Your Highness, we have spotted Li Sheng outside the palace gates."

Upon hearing Li Sheng's name, Li Jing's expression changed slightly.

“We captured him and brought him to the front lines. The Empress Dowager was useless, so we used him to make the Emperor hesitate to act rashly.”

His men were in a bit of a dilemma; that man might not be so easy to catch.

Li Sheng and Li Huaijiang sensed something was wrong as soon as they arrived outside the palace gates. He and Pei Du had similar ideas, so they took another route to go around and enter.

Although it takes some effort, it's safer than just barging in from the other side.

Li Huaijiang heard the sounds of fighting inside, some distance away, but it still made her anxious.

"Father and Mother are inside. Brother, we must not let him succeed."

Li Huaijiang held a long sword. She was not as good as Li Sheng, but she was still good enough to protect herself.

Li Sheng looked at the palace wall. Li Jing was between them and Li Jiangui, and it would be difficult to get past Li Jing and enter.

As the group turned, they ran into Pei Du and Wei Zhengting.

Pei Du had just dealt with one group of people when he heard footsteps and thought another group was coming. When he turned around, he realized it was Li Sheng.

Li Sheng's survival is the best outcome for them.

"Your Highness."

Pei Du helped Shen Hanyu up, and the two groups of people joined together. Now they seemed to have a better chance of breaking in.

Li Sheng nodded: "This place is not safe to stay for long. Li Jing must have received the news when I came in. He is most likely going to take me away."

He had barely finished speaking when a number of people started heading his way.

Li Jing sent his most elite troops, but they were clearly surprised when they saw Pei Du and Wei Zhengting.

Logically speaking, these two shouldn't be here at this time.

If Pei Du returns, something must have happened at the city gate.

Li Sheng gripped his sword tightly. Li Jing wanted to capture him to throw his father into disarray, but now that they were in the palace to rescue the emperor, they couldn't afford to be a hindrance.

Shen Hanyu stood at the back, with Li Huaijiang. Li Huaijiang glanced at her.

"Did you open the city gates?"

Pei Du appeared, and Li Huaijiang also figured out the key to it.

"Yes, I took the Pei family guards to help and captured Zhang Jue, who was guarding the city gate."

“Zhang Jue?” Li Huaijiang thought for a moment. “It was him. He even sided with Li Jing.”

Zhang Jue was Qin Shoujie's student. If Qin Shoujie knew that Li Jing was plotting a rebellion and that Zhang Jue had still sided with Li Jing, he would probably die of shame.

Although they were teacher and student, Zhang Jue did not inherit Qin Shoujie's spirit.

Although Qin Shoujie was a bit pedantic, he was wholeheartedly devoted to the people and would never aid and abet evildoers.

"Zhang Jue is currently imprisoned on the city wall. We will deal with him after this matter is resolved."

"I trust you to do things, just stay close to me."

Shen Hanyu saw Li Huaijiang bend down and peel away a pile of rubble, revealing a small, narrow passageway through the bricks.

"Brother, don't get entangled with them for too long. Seeing Father and Mother is the priority."

Li Huaijiang didn't want to waste time with this group of people; he'd rather let as many of them leave as possible.

Li Sheng nodded. Because of the fighting, some parts of the place were damaged, which just happened to allow them to pass through.

A group of people went in first, with Shen Hanyu sandwiched among them.

Shen Hanyu never expected that her return to the palace would be like this. She took out her short sword and looked up at the dark night sky.

This night is just too long.

Dark clouds obscured the moon, and there was nothing to be seen except for the light of torches.

Li Huaijiang walked in the middle. She was very familiar with the palace, so she wouldn't get lost.

And the sound was getting closer.

Li Jing was covered in blood; it was from people who had died at his hands.

Qin Shoujie and several ministers stood before Li Jiangui. They had rushed over when Chang'an was in chaos, appearing ready to live and die with their monarch.

"This old minister is ashamed that he taught Zhang Jue, a student who committed treason. I am truly ashamed."

Qin Shoujie already knew what Zhang Jue had done. No wonder he joined Li Jing after their falling out; it turned out he was after this move.

Li Jiangui indicated that he didn't need to say these things at this time.

“You lot should have stayed at home, not come here.”

Although Li Jiangui said this, he was also deeply moved.

"Your Majesty, we'll all die if we stay at home anyway. The Second Prince won't let us go."

They were only loyal to the emperor, and since Li Jing wanted to seize power, he naturally wouldn't spare their lives.

Qin Shoujie had already made arrangements for his family, and now that he was all alone, he had nothing to fear.