Chapter 188 Resonance: Imminent Peril (2/2)

It was in a state of chaos. Feng Luodi stared at her surroundings indifferently. When she reached out a hand towards Situ in the next second, her gaze softened and her expression turned gentle. At this instant, the surrounding commotion had seemingly nothing to do with her.

The surrounding scenery blurred out and vanished to the back of her mind immediately. Only Situ, clad in armour, was in her sight and everything around her faded away.

The disorderly scene didn't affect them one bit.

Seeing him inching closer, Feng Luodi let out a chuckle in an attempt to soften the stern look on his face.

“The hero always appear at the last moment.”

Situ used the hand that wasn't stained with blood to caress Feng Luodi's face.

Feng Luodi shut her eyes for a moment to thoroughly take in the familiar warmth she hadn't felt in a while.

“You know why I've come. You understand all of it.”

His tone was still as methodical as ever, yet it carried an appeal that was hard to ignore.

Feng Luodi raised her head and looked at Situ, her tone calm as she said, “I know all of it…you don't have to explain.”

The Emperor was forcing Situ. Everyone was using her to force Situ.

As for Situ, he was also pressuring the Emperor.

The Emperor presumably never would have thought that Situ had, in fact, long made his decision. The security around the court prison was extremely lax the past ten days, but Situ didn't come on the first day nor did he come on the fifth day. He'd waited until the last moment to make a move. He'd wanted the Emperor, who was debilitating with age, to worry about it every day and rack his brains before he made his appearance in style.

*These past few days, Situ had probably put on an 'I'm very fretful, I'm in a very bad mood, don't come to provoke me, I'm forced by the Emperor' appearance.

*Everyone must have thought that Situ had made a choice at the last minute while, in fact, he had already drawn up this plan at the beginning.

“You're too wilful.”

Feng Luodi faintly glanced at Situ while sighing in her heart.

Although Situ had duped everyone, it wouldn't change the outcome. Situ had broken into the court prison as the Emperor had desired. This was a capital offence and he would have no choice but to hand over his military power.

Of course, Situ definitely had another card up his sleeve. In that case, the outcome would turn into Situ taking her to escape to a faraway place while the others remained peacefully in Chang'an.

But, if Situ took her away and realise that she would leave one day, what would he think? He would definitely hate her to the core, right?

Remain here. An inner voice was constantly telling her this.

Just leave. You're Situ's burden. You'll bring him harm.

Leave this place. Your father and mother are still waiting for you. They have waited for you for so long already.

“Do you want to go to the deserts of the North or Jiangnan?” Situ suddenly asked with great interest.

Feng Luodi glared at him and turned her head to look at the scenery before her eyes.

The covert guards had dealt with all the people inside and outside the court prison. The corpses on the floor were appalling to the eyes and the tang of the b.l.o.o.d.y smell wafting into her nose was especially strong.

Feng Luodi restrained her urge to vomit and steadied herself as she looked towards the only path leading to the court prison. *The person who'd caused all of these, the Emperor of this country, was about to arrive right from there. *

“Duke of Anping, you have disappointed me too much. I trusted you so much, yet you've committed the capital offence of breaking into the court prison.”

The Emperor was tightly encircled by the Imperial Army as he shouted in Feng Luodi's direction.

Situ naturally thought nothing of it while Feng Luodi noticed that the Emperor's body was very weak. The words 'emaciated' and 'sallow' were no longer sufficient to describe his current appearance; he was currently all skin and bones. That bright yellow dragon robe that was originally well-fitting on his body was very loose now. As for the Emperor himself, it looked like he could collapse at any moment.

“Your Majesty, haven't you long expected this day?”

Situ who stood by Feng Luodi's side didn't use any honorifics. This angered the Emperor so much that he started gasping for air. At his side, Palace Attendant Yu was trying to calm him down while continuously peering at Situ.

Feng Luodi was rather regretful that the First Prince, Gan Qingjia and the others couldn't come. Perhaps, after leaving with Situ this time, she wouldn't see them ever again.

“Someone, come!”

the Emperor seemed to have lost his patience and directly commanded the Imperial Army.

“Seize these rebellious convicts. You're not allowed to let even one of them off.”

“As you've commanded, Your Majesty!”

Orderly footsteps that shook the sky could be heard as the Imperial Army troops dressed in a monotone grey-black armour instantly encircled Situ and the others.

Just as Feng Luodi thought that something was out of place, she noticed someone in the Imperial Army nodding at Situ and a sudden realisation hit her. These people were also on Situ's side.

Situ is so powerful. No wonder, all the Emperor could think of before his death is pulling Situ down from power.

“Palace Attendant Yu, announce my decree. Duke of Anping incited this bunch of people to break into the court prison and s.n.a.t.c.h the prisoner away. He has committed a heinous crime and all his actions contain heinous motives. Thus, I command the Imperial Army to arrest him here.”

Palace Attendant Yu took a step forward, but he didn't speak yet.

Feng Luodi noticed that there were also few civil officials standing behind the Emperor. They were holding bamboo slips including brush and ink in their hands.

They must be the court historians. Feng Luodi instantly recognised their ident.i.ties. The Emperor wanted to record Situ's operation this time into the annals so that he could erase all of Situ's meritorious contributions. How vicious and despicable!

Feng Luodi glanced at Situ in bewilderment, hoping that he would stop.

Yet, Situ didn't waver in the least.

Palace Attendant Yu was about to open his mouth when a voice sounded. A voice that Feng Luodi would never be able to forget again in this lifetime.

“Wait. Your Majesty, things have to be investigated clearly before a decision is made. I was the one who planned and prepared the operation this time. It's me who has committed the capital offence.”

It's Jiang Moyin.

1. Family members and relatives related to the criminal are punished, up to nine degrees of relation.

2. A food box has a few layers of compartments