Chapter 2639: The City Is Breached

King Yan’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Zhao Yuan looked at him with deep eyes. “Do I look like the type to joke around?”

“That’s true...” King Yan figured that Zhao Yuan was a highly reliable and calculating individual. “How do you intend to deal with him?”

“It won’t do to reveal the answer beforehand. You’ll naturally know what it is if we ever reach that point.” Zhao Yuan stood up and left.

After Zhao Yuan was gone, King Yan’s aide walked over and said, “Your Highness, Zhao Yuan is keeping many things from you. He doesn’t seem to respect you.”

King Yan narrowed his eyes. “He must be guarded against.”

The world believed he was leading the rebellion, but the true mastermind was Zhao Yuan. Granted that he had contributed by reaching out to several kings, it was insincere and dishonest from Zhao Yuan’s side to withhold intelligence from him.

Who’s the boss here?

Unfortunately, Zhao Yuan had served the imperial guards a few years back and knew the imperial court’s secrets better. On top of that, he had close ties with the other kings and key officials. For the time being, King Yan couldn’t cut off Zhao Yuan yet.

Hmph, I’ll first use him to take down the capital before slowly settling the scores afterward.

He wasn’t worried, as he had the largest army among the eighteen rebelling kings. He had always wanted the throne and had been secretly making preparations for it. The other kings, who had decided to participate in the rebellion on a whim, couldn’t hope to match him.

...

In the capital, the empress dowager was still explaining the details of the rebellion to Zu An. She lay in Zu An’s arms like a kitten, her face flushed. Her usual solemnity was nowhere to be seen. Even her voice felt much gentler and sweeter than usual.

Zu An recalled what had just happened, and he had to concede that the empress dowager was indeed in her prime. He could always go all out with her.

“Shall I call Miss Sang to join us?” The empress dowager drew circles on her lover’s chest, her eyes reflecting a hint of fear.

It has only been a few years, but Ah Zu’s body has become much stronger than before. Can he still be considered a human now?

Zu An huffed. “Don’t change the subject. Let’s continue talking about the rebels. Have they not tried anything else after being stuck at a standstill at Phoenix Pass for several months?”

“Indeed. Linglong and I were worried that they were merely tying down our troops while ravaging the other provinces, spreading chaos everywhere. But they didn’t do so. Perhaps the eighteen kings aren’t as united as we thought,” the empress dowager replied.

“The rebel army must have smart people in their ranks for their movement to even grow to such a scale. They would have considered doing that, and there must be a reason they aren’t doing so.” Zu An spent a moment in thought before suddenly murmuring, “Could they be confident in taking down Phoenix Pass?”

The empress dowager was startled. “That can’t be. We've already overcome the most dangerous phase, and Linglong is holding the fort at the frontlines. The situation has already stabilized. With Linglong’s ability, the rebel army shouldn’t be able to breach Phoenix Pass.”

“Let’s hope so.” Zu An still felt unnerved despite saying so. “This won’t do. I should quickly make my way to Phoenix Pass.” There were too many people he cared about there. He was worried they would face danger.

As Zu An hurriedly put his clothes on, the empress dowager harrumphed. “What a heartless man. Wiping your hands and leaving right after the deed is done.” Despite her grumbling, she still got up to tidy her lover’s clothes.

Zu An kissed her. “I’ll come back to accompany you once I quell the rebellion.”

The empress dowager walked him to the entrance. She couldn’t leave in her current state, or else anyone who saw her would immediately understand what had just happened.

She watched as Zu An’s figure disappeared before returning. Barely after taking a few steps, she suddenly realized something and quickly flitted to the bed by the side. She lay down flat and raised her legs against the wall. She couldn’t let any of it go to waste.

She thought about the earlier warmth and bit her lip.

I hope I can have his child this time.

...

After leaving the imperial library, Zu An found Sang Qien and Sisi playing in the imperial garden.

Rather than playing, however, perhaps it was more apt to say that they were dining. A magnificent spread had been laid out in a gazebo. Sisi held a chicken thigh in one hand and a sweet beverage in the other while still chewing on a cake.

Sang Qien sighed as she wiped Sisi’s mouth. “Slow down. No one is going to steal your food.”

Glancing at the nearby maids, who were smiling warmly at them, Sang Qien felt so embarrassed that she wanted to hide in a pit. She felt as if she would die of shame if the empress dowager and Linglong learned about this.

“It’s good to be able to eat well. It shows that she’s healthy,” Zu An said with a chuckle as he walked over and lifted Sisi up.

“Father, the food is yummy. Do you want some too?” Sisi asked as she offered him an oily chicken drumstick.

“Look at how dirty your hands are!” Sang Qien anxiously wiped the grease off Zu An’s robe.

The maids were startled.

This girl calls the regent her father! And looking at how Miss Sang doesn’t hesitate to wipe the regent’s clothes, there's no question that they are a family.

They had guessed that the girl was from a distinguished background, but they'd thought that the regent was only doting on her because of Sang Qien. They hadn’t expected her to be the regent’s blood daughter. They patted their chests, relieved that they hadn’t been perfunctory when serving the mother and daughter duo.

Sang Qien noticed the maids’ expressions and realized what was going on. She wanted to teach her daughter not to recklessly call Zu An ‘father’ in public, but she didn't know how to say it in front of so many people.

Zu An gestured that it was fine with a shake of his head before munching down on Sisi’s chicken drumstick with a smile. “Mm, Sisi’s chicken drumstick is the best!”

He took such a huge bite that Sisi was startled. Her mouth quivered, and she looked as if she was about to burst into tears. “How can you eat it all? Bad father!”

Her adorable demeanor made Zu An burst into laughter. “Yes, it’s father’s fault. I’ll get ten more drumsticks for you.”

The heartwarming interaction between the father and daughter brought a tender smile to Sang Qien’s face. Hearing Zu An affirm Sisi’s identity lifted a boulder that had been weighing on her heart for many years.

The maids, however, were on the verge of tears.

Are we allowed to know this? Will we be silenced for knowing too much?

The regent had a righteous reputation, but having worked in the imperial palace for many years, they understood that knowing too much could spell one’s death.

Looking at the nervous maids, Zu An chuckled. “You may leave first. I’d like to talk to Miss Sang privately.”

“Yes!” The maids exhaled in relief and quickly took their leave.

Zu An placed his daughter down before the table, allowing her to gorge herself, before heading to the lakeside with Sang Qien.

“Thank you.” There had been much to say at the back of Sang Qien’s throat, but it eventually came out as those two simple words.

Zu An embraced her. “I won’t let the two of you suffer any grievances.”

Sang Qien smiled sweetly as she nuzzled her cheek against his chest. All of a sudden, she raised her head and stared at him. “You’re covered in the empress dowager’s scent.”

Zu An sweated profusely.

I got careless!

“Did you satisfy the empress dowager?” Sang Qien had initially felt stifled when the empress dowager sent her away, but the earlier interaction lifted her spirits. She was now in the mood to tease Zu An.

“It should be the empress dowager satisfying me.” Zu An harrumphed.

“Ah?” Sang Qien was initially surprised to hear those words, but on second thought, it made perfect sense. Her face reddened. “You always defy conventions. I wonder what the empress dowager is like when she’s satisfying you...”

“I can call you along if you want to know. The empress dowager was thinking of it earlier.”

“Pui. I’m not going to go crazy with the two of you.”

After some joking around, Zu An finally revealed his purpose.

Sang Qien was saddened to hear that he was going to leave again, but she replied, “Your worry isn’t unfounded. Dandan and the Crown Prince Consort are there. It’ll be disastrous if something happens. You should hurry there.”

After exchanging farewells, Zu An rose into the sky and made a beeline toward Phoenix Pass.

The capital had rules against flight. A formation swiftly whirred into action as experts rushed out from all directions to stop the lawbreaker, but when they saw that it was Zu An, they froze up.

Zu An exchanged pleasantries with them before he morphed into a rainbow and disappeared into the distance. He was intentionally revealing his face to let the entire capital know that he had returned safely.

This should make those who are wavering settle down.

...

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Night descended upon Phoenix Pass.

Shortly after Bi Linglong completed her military duties and went to sleep, she was awakened by an uproar. She immediately sat upward. An ominous feeling gripped her heart. It was abnormal to hear such a commotion on a silent night.

Soon after, a golden-armored Murong Qinghe marched into her tent and reported, “Bad news, Your Majesty. The rebels have breached the city!”