Chapter 694: Seeing the Light of Day

Chapter 694 -695: Seeing the Light of Day

After Empress Ji passed away, the Mystic Armor Order also disappeared.

It was not until Li Ji raised an army that the Mystic Armor Order resurfaced.

When Mu Qing learned that the Xuanjia Army was crushing all resistance on its way to Tianjing, she knew the time for revenge had finally come. She risked everything to return to Tianjing, contacted the Xuanjia Guards she had once served with, and together they devised a plan to rescue Princess Ningyang.

A truth that had been buried for many years was now finally seeing the light of day.

The Empress Dowager desperately tried to defend herself.

“Even if Crown Prince Li Shu was framed, what does that have to do with me? I am but a woman who has lived in seclusion in the inner palace for years. I know nothing of court affairs.”

Mu Qing held up a letter.

“This is the deathbed confession of the man who forged Crown Prince Li Shu’s handwriting. In it, he states clearly that the person who ordered him to imitate Crown Prince Li Shu’s handwriting was none other than the Empress Dowager’s only son and the current Saint’s birth father—Li Yao!”

The Empress Dowager retorted sharply, “Impossible! This is slander!”

Princess Ningyang said mockingly, “The man has been dead for decades. Why would he go out of his way to leave a letter just to slander your son?”

The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth. “If handwriting can be forged, then the letters you hold could have been forged as well! The letter is a fake, and you are spreading lies!”

She had a point.

A few letters alone were not enough to convict the late Emperor.

Everyone’s gazes shifted between the Empress Dowager and Princess Ningyang, seemingly unsure of who to believe.

Li Ji, who had been observing coldly from the sidelines, finally spoke.

“Father-in-law, a little help.”

Hua Dingzong, who had been suddenly called upon, jumped in fright.

He stammered, “Wh-what for?”

Li Ji handed him the sword. “Hold this for me.”

The motion was so natural that before Hua Dingzong’s mind could even process it, his hands had already obediently reached out and taken the sword firmly.

Then, he heard Li Ji say.

“Watch him for me.”

Hua Dingzong followed his gaze and saw the Little Emperor in his grasp. His legs instantly went weak with fear, and he shook his head frantically.

“No, no! Coercing the Emperor is a crime punishable by the execution of my entire clan!”

Li Ji chuckled. “You’re already holding my sword. We’re in this together now. If you don’t help me, and Li Qiong decides to settle scores later, you won’t escape unscathed.”

Li Qiong argued, “Don’t try to sow discord! Elder Zhong’an is Our maternal grandfather. We would never harm Our grandfather!”

Li Ji asked coolly.

“Then why did you send Elder Zhong’an to negotiate with me? Did it never occur to you that in a fit of desperation, I might kill him? Or was it that you were hoping I’d kill him, so you could pin the crime of murdering an elder on me?”

Li Qiong argued desperately, “He’s your father-in-law! You wouldn’t kill him!”

Li Ji retorted, “You’re my nephew, and I can kill you all the same.”

Li Qiong choked on his words.

Li Ji glanced at the pale-faced Hua Dingzong and said slowly.

“The moment Li Qiong decided to use you as a sacrificial pawn, you should have seen his true colors. Your status as his maternal grandfather means nothing to him.”

Li Qiong shouted, “Don’t believe his lies! He’s trying to sow discord!”

Hua Dingzong stared at the sword in his hand and only spoke after a long moment.

“Manman is your aunt. She saved your life many times, yet not only are you not grateful, you even tried to harm her.”

Li Qiong grew increasingly uneasy.

He tried to struggle, but Li Ji’s grip was incredibly strong. His arm was held in a vice-like grip, making it impossible for him to break free.

He could only defend himself frantically. “I didn’t hurt her! I just wanted to scare Li Ji!”

Hua Dingzong tightened his grip on the hilt. “I may not be very clever, but I’m not blind. Just now, you were clearly planning to harm Manman to force the Regent King’s hand. You would even harm your own savior. It seems the Regent King was right—you can’t be trusted.”

Things having come to this, Hua Dingzong had to choose between Li Qiong and Li Ji.

Li Qiong, despite knowing the enemy was dangerous, had specifically ordered Hua Dingzong to negotiate with them.

Li Ji, on the other hand, was willing to give up the throne that was within his grasp to protect Manman, risking his life to enter the palace alone and save her.

One was selfish, the other loyal and righteous.

The difference between them was stark.

Even a fool would know which side to choose.

Besides, five hundred thousand soldiers of the Xuanjia Army were stationed outside the city.

Even if Li Ji were to die, Li Xun was ready to take his place. With a single command, Li Xun could lead the Xuanjia Army to storm the city.

At that point, wouldn’t the Little Emperor just be a fish on the chopping block, left to the mercy of others?!

In heart and mind, Hua Dingzong felt that Li Ji’s side was the more reliable choice.

Li Ji had asked Hua Dingzong to watch the Little Emperor, but Hua Dingzong, fearing the boy would escape, bent down, tore the sash from Zuo Ji’s waist, and used it as a rope to bind the Little Emperor’s hands behind his back.

To prevent the Little Emperor from escaping, Hua Dingzong even tied a dead knot.

Li Ji watched, very pleased.

“You’re a quick thinker!”

Hua Dingzong forced a smile and said sheepishly, “Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.”

Li Ji shoved the Little Emperor toward him.

Hua Dingzong scrambled to grab the young prince’s arm and pressed the blade against his neck.

“Your Majesty, forgive my offense.”

He was so nervous that his voice was trembling uncontrollably.

Li Qiong was filled with hatred. “You’re helping a tyrant! Aren’t you afraid of your entire clan being executed?!”

Of course Hua Dingzong was afraid!

But things had gone too far. He had no way out and could only see this path through to its dark end.

Li Ji looked at the Little Emperor, whose face was ghastly pale, then glanced at the officials standing below the platform and spoke slowly.

“Speaking of letters, I happen to have one right here as well.”

He took a letter from his robes, removed the paper, and unfolded it.

Being close, Hua Dingzong and Li Qiong could clearly see the contents of the letter.

It was an imperial edict posthumously exonerating Crown Prince Li Shu and appointing his only legitimate son as the new Crown Prince!

Li Qiong’s face turned deathly white, and he nearly collapsed.

He muttered involuntarily, “How is this possible? How can this be?”

Li Ji turned the letter over, allowing everyone to clearly see the signature and red seal at the bottom.

“Handwriting can be forged, but the Imperial Jade Seal cannot be, can it?”

Princess Ningyang pushed aside her nanny’s hand and walked up the steps one by one, reaching out to take the thin sheet of paper.

She read the edict word for word, her expression growing very complicated.

“My Imperial Brother actually left behind such an edict.”

It wasn’t just her; even the Empress Dowager had never expected such an edict to exist.

The Empress Dowager was swaying, barely able to remain standing.

She stared fixedly at the edict in Princess Ningyang’s hands, her eyes bloodshot, her heart filled with resentment and hatred.

‘Why?’

‘Why did that old man have to leave behind such an edict even after he died?’

‘I was a daughter of the Ji Family, too! I bore the Emperor a son, too!’

‘Why did that old fool have to screw me over, even on his deathbed?!’