Chapter 217: Chapter 216 Coup"You really have some nerve!"


    He Ying glared at Feng Yicheng, anger and disappointment filling his eyes.


    Feng Yicheng could see the Emperor’s dissatisfaction and felt a bitter taste in his heart—he had actually heard the news first-hand during his travels to Beiqi. He had just learned of it in Beiqi and was on his way back when he was discovered by Qi Wuya. He had no idea how Qi Wuya had found out that he had gone to Beiqi, but he had sent quite a few men to intercept him. It had taken considerable effort to safely return from Beiqi.


    But this, he could not disclose.


    His Emperor was so sensitive and suspicious; if he mentioned that he had been to Beiqi, who knows what misunderstandings it could lead to.


    "Your Majesty, this humble one only just found out the news and thought that, after so much time had passed, Your Majesty would have known. To think... Your Majesty did not."


    His voice grew weaker towards the end.


    He felt he had misspoken, implying that he underestimated the Emperor.


    As expected, the Emperor was displeased.


    "So you say; it’s just that my sources are not as informed then."


    He Ying had calmed down but felt quite embarrassed: the intelligence network of an Emperor was worse than that of a "commoner"! Were all his subordinates just idling their lives away?


    "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This commoner did not mean it that way."


    "Whatever you mean, I don’t care; when I return, you will come back with me!"


    He Ying was out of patience, and after saying this, he stood up.


    What was urgent now was to return to the State Mansion and thoroughly investigate the turmoil in Beiqi.


    "Let’s head back."


    He Ying took Sang Yan’s hand, and before leaving, he said sternly, "You stay put in Quanzhou. Don’t go running around anymore. I will have people watching you."


    Feng Yicheng: "..."


    This was the main reason he dared not face the Emperor and report the matters of Beiqi.


    He knew that once he saw the Emperor, he would be forced to return to court.


    Sigh.


    After all, he could not avoid it.


    "This humble one will see off Your Majesty."


    He sent him off with a smile.


    In his heart, though, he thought: I definitely have to run. As long as I’m not watched, I will surely escape.


    He Ying, unaware of Feng Yicheng’s thoughts, instructed Lu Zijin before leaving the teahouse: "Leave two men behind to ensure Mr. Feng’s safety. Remember! They must not leave his side, day or night!"


    Lu Zijin knew that the Emperor valued this man and promptly responded, "Yes."


    He left two trusted men to keep an eye on him.


    He Ying, looking at the still busy marketplace, turned to Sang Yan with an apologetic face: "Ah Yan, about tonight’s Chinese Valentine’s Day—"


    Tonight’s Chinese Valentine’s Day celebrations could only end here.


    "I understand. Hurry back."


    Sang Yan thought about what Feng Yicheng had said; how could she be in the mood to enjoy herself anymore?


    "We will have many more opportunities in the future, but our immediate concern is to confirm the situation with Qi Wuya."


    Feng Yicheng would not lie.


    Qi Wuya was really in power?


    The thought of his tactics sent a strong wave of anxiety through her: this world was probably about to become unsettled!


    As midnight approached.


    He Ying returned to the State Mansion with Sang Yan and called Gao Wenliang, Lu Zijin, and others to discuss countermeasures.


    Although he had not received exact information, he still believed Feng Yicheng’s words.


    "Such a significant change in Beiqi?"


    Gao Wenliang was shocked and dumbfounded: "Your Majesty, I have not heard a whisper of this; may I ask where this news comes from?" sea??h thё N?velFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was somewhat incredulous in his heart: It had only been a little over a month since Qi Guanglie and Da He had negotiated peace, did Qi Wuya have the capability to turn Beiqi upside down?


    Lu Zijin was not as curious about the source of the news as he was thinking of strategies: "Qi Wuya is ruthless and ambitious, a wolf in human’s guise; we must be vigilant."


    He Ying sat at the head of the table, his fingers resting on it, rhythmically tapping, with his handsome face casting a gloomy expression, saying nothing.


    Sang Yan sat beside him, full of worry: It seemed their peaceful days were at an end. He Ying’s poison injury hadn’t fully healed yet.


    The study was as silent as death.


    Just then, the sound of horse hooves approached from outside.


    Followed by the sound of some heavy object falling.


    Everyone heard it and faced the sudden noise with vigilant expressions, looking outside—


    Pei Muyang pushed open the door to the study, hastily entered, and urgently said, "Emperor, the messenger has arrived!"


    His voice fell, and several eunuchs entered, supporting a soldier who was dripping with blood.


    The soldier’s face was smeared with blood, making it impossible to discern his features, but his extreme weakness was plainly visible, his body limp as if he might faint at any moment.


    Yet, as he kneeled on the ground, his spine was straight, he gasped for air, and though he struggled, his words were clear and strong: "Emperor, I bring a secret missive from Marshal Rong’s vanguard, Rong Bing."


    He was Rong Ye’s younger brother.


    As he spoke, he pulled a blood-soaked brocade bag from his chest.


    Opening it, within the brocade bag was a golden mechanical box, which contained the secret missive.


    Pei Muyang immediately took the mechanical box and presented it to He Ying.


    Seeing this, He Ying already guessed the reason for the delay in news: "You encountered an ambush by Bei Qi?"


    Rong Bing nodded: "Yes. Fortunately, I have not failed in my duty."


    "Well done."


    He Ying, taking the mechanical box, did not rush to open it and instead ordered that the wounded man be taken for treatment: "Have Imperial Doctor Liu attend to his wounds. Use the best medicine."


    "Yes."


    After Pei Muyang responded, he signaled to the eunuchs who had supported Rong Bing to take him away.


    Only then did He Ying turn the mechanism, open the mechanical box, and begin to read its contents.


    He had been silent for so long previously because he was waiting for Rong Ye’s secret missive.


    If Feng Yicheng had received news, then surely Rong Ye would have as well, and would have sent it to him as swiftly as possible.


    Everything was as Feng Yicheng had said.


    Bei Qi—there had been a coup.


    Sang Yan, standing beside him, was nervously on edge, subconsciously clutching He Ying’s arm.


    How she wished Feng Yicheng’s words were not true.


    She and He Ying had barely begun their happy days together.


    If Qi Wuya truly seized control of Bei Qi, he would likely turn his sights on Da He soon.


    Just thinking of Qi Wuya’s sinister and cold face made her scalp tingle with dread.


    She considered herself worldly but feared Qi Wuya’s madness.


    He Ying, noticing Sang Yan’s fear, tried to calm his own troubled heart and cooed, "Ah Yan, don’t be afraid. I’m here, and I won’t let you go through that ever again."


    She had suffered so much in Qi Wuya’s hands.


    This time, if he really faced off against Qi Wuya, he would cut off his hands and feet, gouge out his eyes.


    To make him yearn for his woman!


    Gao Wenliang and Lu Zijin witnessed the Emperor and Empress’s tender moment and tacitly lowered their heads, feigning ignorance respectfully.


    They understood too well the Emperor’s affection for the Empress. Which Emperor could abandon his throne and venture into Puluo Country with merely a few followers?


    "Okay. I believe you!"


    Sang Yan held tightly to He Ying’s hand.


    Yu Guang, meanwhile, looked at the letter: "May I see it?"


    The letter had been inside the metal schematic box, stained with traces of blood, hinting at the dire peril faced by the messenger who had delivered it.


    He Ying did not hesitate to pass the letter to her.


    Its contents, as described by Feng Yicheng, were identical.


    The Emperor Bei Qi had been recuperating for many days in his traveling palace when he suddenly passed away.


    The Crown Prince, Qi Guanglie, while rushing to mourn, fell from his horse and lay unconscious.


    Qi Guanglie was the third in line; his elder brothers had died young, the fourth Prince was in poor health, the fifth and sixth Princes were implicated in an assassination plot against the Crown Prince and were temporarily confined to their respective Prince Mansions, while the seventh and eighth Princes supported the Ninth Prince, Qi Wuya, as the acting Crown Prince.


    Sang Yan read through once and straightforwardly surmised: "I dare say, the simultaneous misfortunes of the Bei Qi Emperor and the Crown Prince must certainly be the doing of Qi Wuya."


    That madman was definitely capable of killing his father and brothers!