In summary, after swiftly resolving all matters like cutting through tangled knots, Zhao Ya set off on the return journey with Zui’Er.
Meanwhile, as Zhao Ya and Zui’Er made their way back, the previously simmering situation in the Yan Capital City was gradually reaching a boiling point.
The Wei Family, Lin Family, and many other Noble Families, along with the Profound Sun Sect from the three sects, two academies, and one manor, formed a considerable force.
Furthermore, Yan Sifu successfully connected many of the Great Yan royal lineage, making his strength not to be underestimated.
Besides, many high-ranking officials chose to keep their distance, adopting a wait-and-see approach.
They didn’t take sides, nor did they oppose anyone, preferring to see which side would win before deciding whom to support.
Though this approach yields smaller benefits, it is the most prudent.
This is the logic of the court; you may achieve ninety-nine victories, but one failure can render all efforts futile.
Therefore, being prudent is more important than anything else.
While the various powers engaged in overt and covert battles in the court and the common populace, a person arrived at the palace.
"Your Highness, it’s not that we wish to stop you; the Emperor has just taken his medicine and is asleep. If you enter now, won’t you disturb His Majesty?" explained a Chief Eunuch.
However, Yan Xizhao paid no heed to their words, merely casting a cold glance at the eunuchs.
"Last time I came, you said the same thing. Is this your excuse again, trying to bar me from seeing His Majesty?"
"This servant wouldn’t dare."
The leading eunuch, hearing this, hurriedly knelt to the ground, followed by the other eunuchs who also kneeled in unison.
"If you truly don’t dare, then clear the way for me now. Otherwise, though my words may be soft, my sword does not listen to excuses."
Yan Xizhao was indeed furious.
Initially, upon hearing the news, she rushed to the palace to visit, only to be rebuffed with various excuses.
She visited several times afterward, but all her efforts were in vain.
This time, Yan Xizhao had finally lost her temper. Seeing this, the eunuchs dared not speak further and quickly stepped aside.
Yan Xizhao snorted coldly and stepped inside.
As she departed, the leading eunuch gestured to someone.
This Junior Eunuch understood and quickly slipped away, running all the way to Rongxi Palace to report the events to Noble Consort Rong.
Upon hearing it, Feng Rong felt a tightness in her heart.
She knew she couldn’t stop Yan Xizhao on her own.
Her initial plan was to delay Yan Xizhao as much as possible, hoping to hold out until Yan Tingshan was too incoherent to speak when the siblings finally met.
But now, that plan was evidently futile.
She had no idea how Yan Xizhao would react.
Feng Rong was filled with confusion and didn’t dare approach. She waved off the Junior Eunuch and then contemplated how she would deal with Yan Xizhao if she were to storm in later.
Unexpectedly, not long after, the Junior Eunuch returned with news that Yan Xizhao had already left the palace.
"What? She left without saying anything?"
"Yes, she said nothing."
Feng Rong was utterly baffled, not knowing what the siblings had discussed or what Yan Xizhao was planning.
She quickly passed this information on to Wei Tianlin.
Currently, Wei Tianlin was full of vigor, feeling that the goal he had strived for most of his life was within reach, filling him with enthusiasm.
When he learned that Yan Xizhao had entered the palace and had a secret meeting with Yan Tingshan, he wasn’t overly concerned.
Because at this stage, whether it was Yan Tingshan or Yan Xizhao, or even Washing Sword Manor, none had many aces left to play.
No matter how much they conversed secretly, they couldn’t concoct anything significant.
On the other hand, with the support of the Profound Sun Sect and the covert assistance of the Paradise Sect, his strength was formidable, making these minor details negligible.
Wei Tianlin merely instructed his subordinates to keep an eye on Washing Sword Manor, monitoring their activities.
As for anything else, he paid no heed.
Capital Prefecture.
Dressed in male attire, Shang Luoluo was organizing documents.
Recently, with the tense situation in Yan Capital City, the workload at Capital Prefecture had increased significantly.
Even Shang Luoluo hadn’t returned home for several days, continuously staying in the Inner Yamen.
At this moment, Shang Jingchuan pushed the door open and sat down heavily on the lounge chair, his face full of fatigue.
Seeing this, Shang Luoluo got up and poured a cup of hot tea, bringing it over.
Shang Jingchuan took the cup, drank deeply, and then let out a long sigh.
"Phew, truly exhausting."
Shang Luoluo chuckled, "You’ve gone through every market in Yan Capital City; how could you not be tired?"
"There’s no helping it. The household registration data from back then is outdated. To grasp the real situation, we have to use this cumbersome method." Shang Jingchuan said.
"Now I can say that I understand the household registrations in Yan Capital City better than anyone. This way, I can implement policies for each market, conserving manpower while maintaining peace."
This approach was Shang Jingchuan’s only option.
Because, after all, the manpower at Capital Prefecture was limited, even with the help of the Yun Family, it was still the case.
With the impending chaos due to the turbulent times, Yan Capital City was bound to become unruly.
That would be the real severe test.
For this reason, Shang Jingchuan was willing to go to great lengths to investigate the specifics of Yan Capital City.
Seeing his father, who had become sunburned and thin from all the fieldwork, Shang Luoluo was filled with emotion.
Once upon a time,
Shang Jingchuan was just an idle scholar who only sat in his study discussing global affairs.
In less than a year, he had transformed into a truly hands-on, astute commander.
The change was remarkable.
While father and daughter were deep in conversation, a sudden bell sound echoed from a distance.
Normally, this wouldn’t be unusual, as Yan Capital City had two bell towers, and bell ringing was common.
But this time was different; the bell sound was urgent and piercingly sharp.
Upon hearing it, Shang Jingchuan and Shang Luoluo’s faces changed dramatically.
"Oh no!"
They both rushed outside, looking towards the direction of the bell, and tears welled up in Shang Jingchuan’s eyes.
"Your Majesty!"
The bell was coming from the direction of the palace.
Clearly, it signaled the passing of Emperor Yan Tingshan of the Great Yan.
Otherwise, such a disturbance would not occur.
Though Shang Jingchuan had often criticized Emperor Yan’s actions,
when he truly passed, Shang Jingchuan still wept bitterly.
Shang Luoluo didn’t have the same sentiments.
She merely watched the birds startled from the distant sky by the bells and sighed silently.
Great Yan draws another step closer to its downfall.
Meanwhile, the whole of Yan Capital City was in an uproar.
Even though Emperor Yan Tingshan had ruled for over twenty years without accomplishments, many were still grieved by his passing.
The common folk were filled with fear and unease, with many shops closing early.
Yan Sifu was overjoyed, immediately donning mourning attire prepared in advance, and headed to the palace with his entourage.
The sooner he arrives, the more advantage he could potentially gain.
However, at this very time, many within the Great Yan royalty were also stirring restlessly.
After all, Yan Sifu was not the only one coveting the throne.
Even though he’d aligned much of the royal family, there were still many who defied him.
In the heavily guarded inner residence of the Wei Family,
Wei Tianlin looked solemnly at the individuals within the room.
The small room was packed, all of whom held real power in Yan Capital City.
Among them were patriarchs from the Lin Family, Liu Family, and other Noble Families, as well as heads of several major mercantile firms.
"Everyone, now that Yan Tingshan is dead, internal strife within the Great Yan royal family over the throne is inevitable. The private army cannot intervene now, making it the perfect time for us to act."
"Therefore, I propose that tomorrow night, we move together to overthrow the three-hundred-year-old Great Yan and establish a new dynasty. What do you all think?"
"Good!" The patriarchs’ eyes shone brightly, nodding in agreement.
"Alright, since everyone agrees, let’s start preparing now."