Harem Daily Life

Chapter 1064 Assassinating the Empress, an Act Against Heaven and Earth

The head guard's eyes darkened. If he weren't under the orders of the Marquis to protect the safety of this fallen emperor, he would have been home with his family long ago. Why should he suffer this indignity here?

“Master Wusheng, please calm down. The temple is a quiet place. If you shout like this, it might attract the monks. After all, it is a peaceful Buddhist place. The abbot is already very kind to give you face and let you stay here for a while. Please play the role of a high monk well and don’t let anything slip.”

After the head guard finished speaking, he ordered someone to clean up the bowls and plates and the vegetarian food scattered all over the ground, gave a light snort, and left.

Kang Qitai clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with anger. He secretly vowed that when he returned to Xia Kingdom one day, he would teach these ignorant servants a lesson.

"Chief, the late Emperor of Xia is too ungrateful. He refused to eat the vegetarian food we offered him and kept cursing. We brothers can't even go home because we have to guard him and have to put up with his attitude. Humph!"

The head guard sneered, "He's just a stray dog. It's only because the Marquis gave him face. Otherwise, with no soldiers and no generals, who would care about him? It's already a great favor that we've arranged for him to stay in Zhenguo Temple and keep him safe."

The guard beside him sneered, "I've heard that he was spared only because his second daughter-in-law kept the Marquis happy..."

The head guard slapped him on the back of the head: "Stop talking about the master's affairs."

The guard chuckled, "I only dare to speak to the leader in private. But speaking of which, we've been guarding the temple on the mountain for several months now. Not only are we starving, but we can't even find women... Hehe, why don't we take advantage of the New Year's holiday to go down the mountain tonight and find a place to have some fun?"

The head guard had a sudden thought, but looked somewhat troubled.

The guards advised, "We've been guarding for so long and nothing's happened. Who would have thought that the down-on-his-luck emperor would be living in a temple? Tonight, every household is celebrating a festival. If we don't go and have some fun, wouldn't we be doing ourselves a disservice?"

The head of the guards was persuaded by him, so he summoned his deputy and ordered him to guard the mountain while he led a group of people to go have some fun.

"Pah! You guys went out to have fun without me, but I'll make sure my brothers have a good time too!"

After saying this, he had someone bring out the fine wine that had been hidden in advance, and they gathered together to gamble and drink.

Shadow Three and his men, who had been lying in ambush, exchanged a secret signal. Once the group was thoroughly drunk, they revealed themselves and knocked out all the remaining guards. They quietly entered Kang Qitai's room, kidnapped him, and handed him over to the waiting men to be sent to Xia Kingdom that very night.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, He Linzhang got up early, while Tao Yanyan was reluctant to leave her warm bed and slept until noon.

After she got up, the children had already gone out to play with the Empress Dowager and Mu Yu. The backyard was very quiet. She ate lunch alone before asking where His Majesty was.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has gone to inspect the garrison in the city. He said it was the first day of the Lunar New Year to visit and comfort the soldiers. He also brought two boxes of silver, which he exchanged a few days ago."

Tao Yanyan nodded: "Then go and make your preparations. I'll go out for a stroll in a bit." As soon as she finished speaking, a person hurriedly walked in. It was a guard responsible for guarding the front courtyard.

"Your Majesty, Marquis Jing has arrived. He says he has important business to discuss with you."

Tao Yanyan frowned: "What could I possibly have to talk about with him?" Nevertheless, Tao Yanyan still sent someone to invite him in, to hear what he had to say.

Meanwhile, on Lord Jing's side, he received news of the late Emperor of Xia's disappearance before dawn. Enraged, he immediately summoned the head of the guards for questioning. The head of the guards had been captured from the Yichun Courtyard and was still drunk, unable to speak clearly. Later, the deputy head of the guards, who had rushed back from Zhenguo Temple, reported everything.

Lord Jing was very angry, but even more so, he was wary and worried.

The Second Prince's wife also received the news and hurriedly sent someone to invite him. Marquis Jing immediately went out to discuss the matter with the Second Prince's wife. In the end, the two decided to take advantage of the emperor's inspection of the military camp to arrest Empress Tao first. Marquis Jing urgently mobilized his secret forces and launched an uprising.

Over the course of three days, Lord Jing was gradually pushed to this point.

In the front hall, Tao Yanyan frowned slightly as she looked at Marquis Jing in full armor: "Your Excellency has come to see me wearing armor? Could it be that Your Excellency is going to the barracks to train the troops later?"

Shuang'er stood beside Tao Yanyan, her hand already gripping the sword at her waist.

Lord Jing chuckled and said, "Indeed, I must go to the military camp. Before that, I've come to fetch Your Highness. Please come with me."

Tao Yanyan lowered her eyes: "I'm not going anywhere. The children haven't returned yet. I have to wait for them."

Marquis Jing smiled and said, “Your Majesty has no say in this. You should not waste your energy on futile resistance. I have already found out that His Majesty went to the army’s camp and took most of the guards with him. Now, the area outside this mansion is full of people that I have already laid in ambush. If Your Majesty wants to break ties with me, then I will have no choice but to be unreasonable and deal with Your Majesty directly.”

"Lord Jing, how dare you!" Xianglan shouted, "Do you know who you're talking to?"

Marquis Jing stroked his beard: "Of course I know. I am speaking to the Empress, the most beloved consort of His Majesty the Emperor of Great Zhou. I ask that Your Majesty behave yourself and resist less. I will not make things difficult for you. As long as Your Majesty is in my hands, I believe His Majesty will not act rashly and will agree to some of my small suggestions."

Tao Yanyan narrowed his eyes: "Lord Jing, our two families are related by marriage, how could you... have come to this? Are you senile?"

Lord Jing looked displeased and said coldly, "Enough with the nonsense. I was forced into this situation by His Majesty! I didn't want to do anything in the first place. Taking in the former emperor of Xia was just to make some money and have a few more connections. Why did His Majesty have to kidnap him and expose my actions?"

"Ha, you've already done it, why are you afraid of being exposed? If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place!" Tao Yanyan's eyes were cold as she looked at him: "Have you thought this through? Once you take this step today, there's no turning back! If you know what's good for you, back out now and remove your people. I can still plead for you in front of His Majesty and not implicate your family."

Lord Jing clenched his fists. There was no turning back once the arrow was released. He raised his hand and made a grabbing gesture. The men who had followed him in immediately revealed their vicious nature and drew their swords.

Tao Yanyan's guards were no pushovers either; they rushed forward and engaged in a fight with several of them.

"Your Majesty, don't waste your energy. The area outside the manor has already been taken control by my men. Your Majesty should quickly tell them to stop and surrender. Perhaps the casualties can be reduced."

"Enough with the nonsense, take this!" Shuang'er gripped her sword and charged straight at Jing Hou's face.

Tao Yanyan pulled Xianglan back, grabbing a bottle in her hand for defense.

"How dare you! You dare to commit treason and assassinate the Empress! Who gave you the audacity, you traitorous official!" He Xiaoqi flew in and hovered above the Marquis of Jing's head, cursing him repeatedly.

"You worthless bird, how dare you insult me? Take this sword!"

He Xiaoqi quickly dodged and cursed even more fiercely: "A traitorous minister, a heinous criminal, assassinating the Empress, an act against all reason!"

An arrow whistled as it flew towards Lord Jing, piercing his shoulder armor just as he was about to curse the parrot.

Lord Jing felt a numbness in his arm, and the sword in his hand fell to the ground.

"His Majesty has arrived! Traitor Shuji, your death is nigh!"

He Xiaoqi flapped its wings and flew toward He Linzhang, who was striding toward him. It hurriedly landed on his shoulder and said in a pitiful voice, "Your Majesty has finally come! Xiaoqi was so scared!"

He Linzhang walked straight to Tao Yanyan and examined her from head to toe. Seeing that she had no injuries, he was relieved and said, "Don't be afraid, Empress. I was prepared."

Tao Yan smiled and said, "I am not afraid."

He Xiaoqi tilted her bird head and continued to whine, "Xiaoqi is so scared."

Hmph, you're busy comforting those who aren't afraid, but you ignore those who are scared. Am I still your most beloved baby bird?