The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 153p2

Chapter 153: Taken Home by the Princess Part 41 (2)

A gust of wind seemed to sweep through the hall, the curtains fluttering, the candles flickering, the incense almost extinguished.

As if a question, a challenge from an angry spirit, but Qin Yang didn’t flinch.

Facing the wind, she could almost imagine her father’s accusations, his condemnation of her disloyalty, of her treason, of the infamy that would follow.

Qin Yang said calmly, “I’m not here to ask for your forgiveness, Father, I’m just informing you, if you think I’m unfilial, I’ll explain myself after death.”

The wind continued to blow, her sleeves fluttering, and something was knocked over, shattering into pieces with a crash.

It was a vase, usually filled with fresh flowers, but with the cold weather, the flowers had withered, and the vase was now empty.

Qin Yang looked up and asked, “If anyone can rule, why not me?”

“Whether you agree or not, I’ll take this throne.”

With that, she stood there, unmoving, her resolve unwavering, unless the heavens struck her down.

Finally, the wind subsided, and the hall returned to its usual silence, as if accepting her decision.

Qin Yang didn’t care about acceptance or the challenges ahead, how history would judge her, at this moment, her conscience was clear.

“The next time I come here, it will be for my coronation.”

With that, she turned and left.

Outside, the wind had also picked up, chilling her cheeks.

The guards looked at Qin Yang, standing at the entrance, her wide sleeves billowing in the autumn wind, yet her figure unwavering, her eyes bright with determination.

Qin Yang said, “Return to Yongning Palace.”

As the farewell banquet approached, a new set of clothes was delivered from the palace, a crimson robe with a vermilion bird insignia, similar to her usual court attire.

Tao Ning took the clothes and helped Qin Yang dress, her hand pausing as she fastened the buttons on Qin Yang’s shoulder, Qin Yang’s warm breath against her ear.

Qin Yang said, “An Ning, be my Empress.”

They stood before the dressing mirror, the other maids dismissed, alone in the room, and Qin Yang, taking advantage of their privacy, placed a hand on Tao Ning’s shoulder, her fingers tracing her cheek, then gently rubbing her earlobe.

Tao Ning caught her hand and kissed it softly: “Your Highness, you’re teasing a palace maid.”

Qin Yang chuckled, her lips, painted red, curving into a seductive smile: “You’re beautiful, attentive, and charming, I’ve never met anyone so agreeable, why not join my household, there’s no need to be a palace maid anymore.”

Tao Ning smiled, leaning in to kiss her, but Qin Yang dodged: “Not now, you’ll ruin my makeup.”

That was true, they were about to attend the banquet, and Tao Ning reluctantly pulled back.

“Wait.” Qin Yang, however, didn’t release the hand on the back of Tao Ning’s neck, her other hand touching her lips, then transferring the rouge to Tao Ning’s lips.

Qin Yang said, “Since I can’t kiss you, let this be a substitute.”

Tao Ning instinctively tightened her embrace around Qin Yang’s waist, then, remembering she shouldn’t wrinkle her clothes, loosened her grip.

She was about to say something when a voice came from outside: “Your Highness, His Majesty has sent someone to urge you.”

A moment of silence, then Qin Yang’s reply: “I understand.”

After a while, Qin Yang emerged, dressed and ready, and was carried to the banquet hall in the emperor’s palanquin.

This was a banquet with ulterior motives, a well-laid trap, its simplicity its strength.

And Qin Yang couldn’t refuse.

As expected, there were no other guests at the banquet. Chongxi and his attendants hadn’t arrived yet, music playing softly as Qin Yang was led to her seat.

After waiting for a while, Chongxi finally arrived, his entourage small, but the figure behind him looked familiar.

Qin Yang immediately recognized him as Chen You, Chief Councilor Chen’s youngest son.

She had heard that he had left home and become a monk, but he had unexpectedly found another path, becoming a eunuch.

Qin Yang quickly looked away, not giving him another glance, and stood up to greet the emperor.

Chongxi, seeing the increasingly docile Qin Yang, couldn’t suppress his smugness, forcing a smile as he said, “Today is just a farewell banquet for Elder Sister, a family gathering, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Qin Yang straightened up: “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.”

Chongxi: “…”

His words, like spilled water, couldn’t be taken back, and he sat down, his face grim, feeling embarrassed.

Chen You stepped forward, pouring wine for Chongxi: “Don’t be angry, Your Majesty, they’re just defeated dogs, not worth your attention, have some wine and relax.”

That made sense, and Chongxi immediately dismissed his annoyance.

A well-rested Chongxi was indeed easy to appease, and Chen You reminded himself not to be impatient, tonight was the night.

At a signal, dancers entered the hall, their graceful movements accompanying the music.

The banquet seemed ordinary, a simple farewell for Qin Yang, and after another group of dancers left, Chongxi offered some fine wine, inviting Qin Yang to share it with him.

Qin Yang, looking at the wine, thought, Here it comes, and said, “The poison in my body hasn’t been completely purged, the physicians advised against alcohol.”

Chongxi, however, was displeased: “Elder Sister is leaving the capital soon, we might not meet again. You used to say alcohol clouded one’s judgment, forbidding me from drinking, but now, even when I offer to share a drink with you, you refuse?”

Recalling a subject to the capital from their fief was just a matter of an imperial decree, “not meeting again” was just a poor excuse.

After several refusals, the wine cup was dropped, spilling its contents on the table.

Chen You immediately shouted, “Insolent! Refusing His Majesty’s offer, are you rebelling, Princess?!”

Chongxi’s delicate face darkened, his constant insomnia making him look even thinner than his peers: “Qin Yang, are you truly refusing?”

Qin Yang countered, “What if I am?”

Chongxi became agitated, disliking Qin Yang’s gaze, she used to look at others like that, how dare she look at him that way now: “Do you truly have rebellious intentions?”

Qin Yang pointed at the spilled wine: “So Your Majesty truly doesn’t trust me, afraid I’ll die in the palace and tarnish your reputation, it would be better if I died on the road, wouldn’t it?”

Chongxi, however, didn’t object: “Elder Sister is resourceful, I can’t rest easy unless I see it with my own eyes.”

He slammed the table: “Someone! Force Princess Danyang to drink!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

As a few eunuchs stepped forward, they were suddenly attacked and killed by the others, their bodies falling with a thud.

Everything happened so fast, the maids screaming in terror.

“Protect His Majesty! Protect His Majesty! Princess Danyang is rebelling!” Chen You shouted desperately.

Chongxi frantically called for his guards, and the hidden guards on the roof beams jumped down, but a crash came from behind the screen, as if something heavy had fallen.

A musician had kicked down the screen, smashing his pipa to reveal a hidden sword, leaping forward to intercept the guards rushing towards Qin Yang.

Not just him, but the woman playing the yangqin also threw aside her instrument, shattering it with a single palm strike, drawing a short sword and joining the fight.

Unexpectedly, more than half of the musicians were Qin Yang’s assassins!

Chongxi, with nowhere to hide, was shielded by the remaining eunuchs and maids, hoping they could hold off Qin Yang’s assassins and that someone outside would notice and come to his rescue.

In an instant, his remaining guards were defeated, the assassins closing in.

Chongxi, terrified, pushed a eunuch before him to block a sword strike.

Perhaps it was fate, but a louder commotion came from outside, as if a battle was raging, approaching the hall.

By now, Chongxi had no one left to use as a shield, and Chen You was also captured, both dragged out.

It was indeed reinforcements, led by Wu Bing, the Commander of the City Guard, dressed in silver armor.

She came from a family of generals, generations of loyal service, and if it weren’t for the current generation’s incompetence, and Wu Bing’s talent catching the princess’s attention, she wouldn’t be the commander, but just another forgotten soul.

Chongxi, overjoyed, shouted, “Commander Wu, are you here to rescue me? Princess Danyang is rebelling, quickly arrest her…”

Wu Bing, her face and armor splattered with blood, ignored him, kneeling before Qin Yang: “Your Highness, we’ve taken care of the outside.”

Qin Yang: “Mm.”

She turned to look at Chongxi.

“I’ll write my abdication edict, just spare my life!” Chongxi, finally panicking, found a surge of strength, pushing aside the hands holding him and running.

But his guards were dead, and the reinforcements couldn’t enter. He didn’t get far before being caught and brought back, thrown before Qin Yang.

This was the emperor she had personally groomed, how did he end up like this?

Qin Yang’s gaze turned cold, he had brought this upon himself.

Chongxi, supporting himself with his hands, crawled backwards: “Elder Sister, I… I’m willing to abdicate, to yield to a more capable ruler, I’ll write the edict immediately, just spare my life!”

Qin Yang approached him slowly: “Qin Rui, it’s not about your willingness to abdicate, I’m deposing you.”

“The deposed emperor, Qin Rui, will be confined to Youquan Palace, not allowed to leave without permission.”

“As for Chen You,” Qin Yang said casually, “for deceiving the emperor and sowing discord, he shall be executed.”

Chen You’s face paled: “No, you usurper, how will you face…” our ancestors in the afterlife?

Before he could finish, he felt a coldness in his throat, and Wu Bing swiftly slit it.

Blood sprayed everywhere, his throat like an exploding firework, staining the surroundings red.

“Ahhh!!! Blood!!!” Chongxi, drenched in blood, the dying body collapsing against him, screamed in terror, scrambling backwards and frantically wiping the blood from his face with his sleeve.

But the more he wiped, the more it spread, and seeing the blood on his hands and sleeves, his face turned pale, and he fainted.