Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Chapter 327: Chapter 260: Court Upheaval

"The Empress’s personal maids... and... and a few guards, including... me." The guard knelt on the ground, his body trembling. He knew full well what fate awaited him after revealing this. However, as one of His Majesty the King’s most trusted men, he would never hide anything from his King.

After a long while, His Majesty the Old King finally let out a long breath. Then, with his eyes filled with grim determination, he stood up and said, "Your eldest son will be made a Hereditary Baron. I will find a rich fief for him! Your family will forever enjoy the Empire’s favor! As long as the Empire stands, your family will be nobles!"

"I... thank Your Majesty!" The guard’s voice was choked and shrill. With bloodshot eyes, he drew a dagger from his waist and plunged it into his own chest, dying on the spot.

"That... bastard!" The Old King turned to look at the dead guard, forcing the frigid words from between his teeth. Ever since the Empress had taken the Anti-Aging Pill, her miraculous transformation from a withered old woman back into a beautiful young maiden had shocked countless people.

And the Empress’s youth and beauty made His Majesty the Old King feel as if he’d found a second spring. He was tireless in the marriage bed, and miraculously, she had given birth to their third son.

His Majesty the Old King doted on this Third Prince beyond measure. Immediately after his birth, the Third Prince was granted the title of Prince. One could say that even if he did not inherit the throne, the Third Prince’s status in the Lanyue Empire was second to none.

He never imagined that the Empress becoming young and beautiful would actually incite the Crown Prince’s covetous desires.

’But... but that’s his own mother!’ The Old King felt his heart about to leap from his chest. His blood throbbed in his veins, and the arteries on his forehead bulged.

After a long while, he finally managed to compose himself. His Majesty the Old King let out a long breath and stood up. He ordered the suicidal guard’s body to be removed, then quietly instructed his confidants to secretly dispose of all the Empress’s palace maids and guards within a few days.

After giving these orders, His Majesty the King stood up and said with a placid expression, "I’m going to the Empress’s chambers."

When His Majesty the King arrived at the Empress’s chambers with his retinue, he found that, just as he’d expected, the eyes of many palace maids darted away fearfully when they met his gaze. Beneath his Blast Flame Lion King robes, the Old King’s body trembled slightly as he struggled to control his emotions.

Entering the Empress’s chambers, his eyes immediately fell upon the Third Prince in his swaddling clothes. Seeing his youngest son, His Majesty the King’s expression softened considerably. He went over and played with him for a moment, then said lightly to the palace maid attending to the Empress, "Leave us."

The palace maid lowered her head and retreated. His Majesty the King came to the Empress’s bedside. He looked at her youthful, stunning face resting among the blankets, sat beside her, and took her hand. "How are you? Are you feeling any better?"

Two tears streamed from the Empress’s tightly shut eyes. Having been married for decades, they knew each other inside and out. They didn’t even need to speak; a single glance was enough to convey their feelings. How could she not have noticed that something was amiss with the Old King?

"Your Majesty, you knew this was a trap. Why... did you still walk into it?"

"My only regret in our long years together was that we could not have been born at the same time. If we can die together, then I will have no regrets at all." The Old King’s face held a serene smile. He knew it the moment he walked in. Everything today was a ruse, a trap set specifically for him.

’Even my loyal subordinate who killed himself was probably bought off by the Crown Prince. The Empress has been under house arrest all this time, completely unable to get any message out!’

"Your Majesty, my life doesn’t matter, but you and our child... I don’t understand. For the sake of the throne, our eldest... why is he so cruel? To kill his own father and mother... he won’t even spare his own little brother, and he’s still so small..." The Empress’s tears flowed ceaselessly.

Just then, the sound of many footsteps echoed from outside, followed by several short, bloodcurdling screams. The guards His Majesty the King had brought with him had been slaughtered in an instant.

The Crown Prince, clad in a full suit of armor, appeared with a large contingent of men and surrounded the chambers. Standing by his side was none other than Night Owl.

The Crown Prince whispered to Night Owl, "Are our people in position?"

Night Owl chuckled. "Rest assured, Your Highness. The Second Prince’s guard is down right now. Our men have already earned his trust. When the time comes, they will act. The Second Prince will not leave this world alive! However, we couldn’t find that Li Tianluo. The boy isn’t at the Imperial Academy right now..."

"Forget him. He’s just a boy. He can’t make any waves!"

A faint smile touched the Crown Prince’s lips as he patted Night Owl’s shoulder. "You, on the other hand, have worked tirelessly and without complaint for all these years. Don’t worry, as soon as this is all over, the title of Grand Duke is yours for the taking! Heh, just don’t get so attached to your position in the hidden clans that you look down on a title in the Mortal World!"

Night Owl bowed, his face flushed with excitement. "Your Highness, you flatter me. I have always been your most loyal confidant—in the past, now, and forever! Nothing can sway my devotion! Besides, I’d much rather enjoy the luxuries of the Mortal World than feel inadequate among those hidden clans!"

"Haha, excellent!" The Crown Prince was all smiles. "Speaking of which, when you went to Penzes City the other day... that Ling Xiao, he still refused to join our side?"

Night Owl nodded. "The boy is completely stubborn. Your Highness, should we... take this opportunity..." He made a sharp, slicing gesture with his hand.

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