Chapter 685: Counterattack (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Squeak—”
The middle door of the Long’en Gate was suddenly pushed open.
Chu You saw Long’en Hall in front of him at a glance. There were many officials outside the hall, facing the Emperor in the hall.
There were only a few Embroidered Uniform Guards protecting the Emperor. Compared to the officials and a team of guards outside the hall, they seemed to be alone and weak.
Even if there was no conflict of words and weapons between the two parties for the time being, the tension in the air that was like lightning and thunder could be seen.
The ear-piercing sound of the door opening attracted everyone inside to look at Chu You. Hundreds of gazes focused on Chu You alone.
Several people in the crowd shouted “Your Highness” with complicated voices.
Xiao Shoufu and Li Yunrong also turned their heads and looked over. Xiao Shoufu had his head held high in pride, while Li Yunrong’s smile was bright and happy.
When their gazes met, Li Yunrong gently nodded at Chu You.
Success! It really succeeded! Chu You curled his lips and smiled, a sharp gaze shooting out of his eagle eyes.
Last night, he didn’t sleep all night. On the way here, he was actually a little nervous. He was worried that something uncontrollable would happen to their plan like 21 years ago, and he was worried that Li Yunrong would take the risk herself. If she was accidentally injured…
As the saying went, a wise man wouldn’t stand under a dangerous wall. He had advised Li Yunrong to simply report sick and not come to the imperial mausoleum, but Li Yunrong insisted on coming, saying that only with her here would the Emperor not be suspicious. She said that if he wanted to achieve big things, he had to take risks.
He knew that everything his Rong’er did was for him!
Only at this moment, when he saw that Li Yunrong was safe and sound, did Chu You’s heart really calm down.
It was good that she was fine!
The two of them exchanged lingering gazes in midair. Chu You’s cold and hard eyebrows became as gentle as water as he stared at Li Yunrong.
The smile on Li Yunrong’s lips deepened, revealing a pair of familiar dimples, as if she was saying that she didn’t disappoint him.
Chu You also nodded slightly at her. Then, he shifted his gaze to the Emperor in the Long’en Hall.
He stared at the Emperor steadily and approached the Dragon Grace Hall with a slow, firm, and oppressive pace. As he walked, a noble and dignified aura naturally erupted.
This was the posture of a winner.
Wherever he passed, the civil and military officials outside the hall automatically retreated to the sides, making way for him.
Silence fell inside and outside the Long’en Hall. Everyone was silent for a long time.
Chu You walked straight to a place only ten feet away from the Emperor in the hall before stopping. He announced with a smile, “Big Brother, you lost.”
He said these six words extremely slowly, neither light nor heavy, but it clearly reached everyone’s ears. It was as if his words were not only for the Emperor to hear, but also to announce a fact to the ministers present.
The officials outside the hall couldn’t help but look back and forth at this pair of brothers with different appearances.
The Emperor was already past the age of knowing his fate. He was thin, had gray hair at his temples, and had wrinkles on his face. It was difficult to hide his old appearance. As for the Kang Wang, Chu You, he had just become a crown prince. He had an imposing aura, and his tall and straight figure revealed an unshakable proud aura.
The former was old and weak, while the latter was energetic and aggressive.
At the side, Xiao Shoufu, the first advisor, stared at Chu You’s cold side profile and frowned slightly.
In his opinion, Kang Wang was still a little too radical. It involved the overlapping of imperial power. He should do it more dignifiedly so that outsiders couldn’t find any fault on the surface.
For example, Emperor Taizong of the previous dynasty was also a brother. He left behind the phrase “the sound of axes and the light of candles” in historical records, and many people questioned whether he had killed his brother to seize the throne.
If Chu You were to ascend to the throne through illegitimate means, even his loyal subjects who supported him would be considered traitors and villains by the people, subject to condemnation and punishment.
Xiao Shoufu, Wang Kangyin, and Pei Wenrui exchanged a look. They were all unhappy, but at this moment, it wasn’t convenient for them to criticize Chu You in public.
Behind him, Li Yunrong acutely noticed the expressions of Xiao Fengyuan and the others. Her feather eyelashes trembled, and her nails dug into her palms in her wide sleeves. She thought to herself, These aristocratic families and gentry clans that are enough to challenge the royal power indeed shouldn’t exist.
“Brother.” Chu You saw that the Emperor’s gaze hadn’t shifted for a moment. He smiled coldly and continued saying, “For the sake of our brotherhood, 1 can bestow upon you the title of ‘Carefree King,’ allowing you to live a carefree life for the rest of your days.”
“Brother, quickly write the abdication edict.”
Chu You urged him mockingly and thought to himself, Chu Qi is more than 50 years old. In the past few years, not only has he not been energetic, but he has also been weak and sickly. He can’t deal with political matters at all. The Great Jin Dynasty will only deteriorate in his hands..