Chapter 203 - Palace Coup (1) (1/2)

203 Palace Coup (1)

Today was His Majesty Feng Xuan’s birthday. The entire capital was talking about it, for the Emperor’s birthday was a big event. The imperial palace was decorated with colorful flowers and various ribbons, appearing remarkably beautiful.

Golden roofs and stone walls were patterned with various dragon designs brightly colored. The floors were covered with soft brocade embroidered carpets. Occasionally there burned a few bright red flames. The entire grand hall was full of low tables. Graceful figured palace maids and eunuchs dressed in blue and gray eunuch uniforms busily wove in and out of the grand hall.

Outside the grand hall stood line after line of guards, palace maids, and mamas guiding the young ladies and young masters of prestigious families into the grand hall. Lan You Nian was amongst them. The current mistress of Lan manor, Hua Mu Qing, wasn’t in attendance. Lan You Nian entered the grand hall with Yue Bai Lian.

When passing by those guards, Lan You Nian casually glanced at them, a fog of ice flashing over her eyes. Couldn’t wait anymore, could they? Good, really good. Xuan probably can’t wait anymore either. If clowns jumping around long enough, it becomes quite irksome.

“There seems to be something wrong with today’s birthday feast. Nian’er, be careful!” Yue Bai Lian whispered, sitting beside Lan You Nian. The women were already seated here, while the men haven’t yet arrived. They were accompanying the Emperor to worship the ancestors. Every year, right before the Emperor’s birthday, it was necessary to take all the officials and ministers to the Imperial Mausoleum to worship the ancestors.

Lan You Nian observed all the young ladies of ministerial families animatedly chatting and laughing, a profoundness flashing over her eyes, and asked Yue Bai Lian, “Why do you say so?” They haven’t received any news. Lan You Nian only just guessed from what she saw. Probably not even Feng Yi Xuan knew something was going to happen.

Yue Bai Lian wasn’t panicked, as if she was not any different than any other woman attending the banquet, and poured a cup of tine for Lan You Nian, smiling, “Today is His Majesty’s banquet feast, yet there are so many guards outside. That there is guards isn’t strange, but it’s strange that they’re standing outside the banquet. And these guards aren’t palace guards, for they give off a killing aura.”

Lan You Nian’s eyes flashed with praise. She always knew Yue Bai Lian was smart, but now she knew not only was Yue Bai Lian smart, she was also full of courage and insight; otherwise, if an ordinary woman encountered such a situation, they would be shaking with fear-how could they still smile and make tea for her?

“In a moment, if something happens, remember to stay behind me, understood?” Lan You Nian said with an indifferent expression. Yue Bai Lian doesn’t know martial arts. If something happens, she’ll be able to protect her if she stands behind her. For her own people, Lan You Nian will always protect them.

A picturesque smile bloomed on Yue Bai Lian. It wasn’t that she wasn’t afraid of what was about to happen, but knowing she had Lan You Nian by her side, Yue Bai Lian felt at ease, as if Lan You Nian, who was much smaller and much daintier than her, gave her a great sense of security. If something really goes wrong, she’d risk her life to protect Lan You Nian. But Yue Bai Lian was happy hearing Lan You Nian’s words. They were no longer master and servant, but true friends.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine! Nian’er, you must be careful!” Yue Bai Lian reached out her hand to hold Lan You Nian’s hands that were as white and flawless as bamboo shoots. She cannot become become Lan You Nian’s stumbling block. If she hindered Lan You Nian, even death cannot absolve her from blame.

The corner of Lan You Nian’s eyes curled, her gaze was gentle. Her smile was decorous, possessing a natural aristocratic poise. She nodded.

Just as everyone was still laughing and chatting, suddenly, the guards outside barged into the hall. All of them swung out their swords. No matter how dense they were, everyone knew that something was wrong.

“What are you doing? Drop your weapons!” A supervisor eunuch stood out, reprimanding those guards, but upon the tail of his words, his throat was slit by a guard. Bright red blood sprayed out, dying red the carpet in the hall. The eunuch topped over, holding his throat.

“Ah! Ah! Ah!” The moment the eunuch’s blood sprayed out and crashed onto the floor, the hall rung with shrill shrieks. The usually dignified women held to one another in horror as they screamed. Even more women shook in fear and wept. Even more, there were some who run in the hall to leave this place, but unfortunately, before they could leave the hall, they were slaughtered by the guards with a swing of their word, only leaving those who didn’t dare to run.

Lan You Nian’s gazed at this scene apathetically, without a trace of pity, nor did she offer a hand to save those innocent women. Lan You Nian was cold-blooded and ruthless. For those unconcerned people, she would offer any kindness. If those people caught her interest or made her view them in a new light, she would offer her hand, but when she saw those superficial women dying under the blades of the guards, Lan You Nian sat there watching them as if watching a play.

Sitting beside Lan You Nian, Yue Bai Lian, despite turning pale from seeing the blood splattering everywhere, her eyes did not contain any pity or sympathy. Though she’s dwelled in the brothel for many years, she’s seen plenty of death and killing. The only thing making her ill at ease wasn’t fear but worry that Lan You Nian would be dragged into it.

An Si Yan who was sitting amongst the noblewomen stood up, smiling. Under the disbelieving gaze of the surrounding women, she walked over to the guards. Those guards didn’t kill her; instead, they respectfully greeted her.

“You,” a girl who was usually friendly with An Si Yan reached out her fingers to point at An Si Yan, looking at her fearfully, weeping as she asked, “An Si Yan, what are you doing? What’s happening?”

An Si Yan smiled daintily, a sharp contrast to the horrified noble women. She smirked, saying to the girl, “What am I doing? Can’t you tell? I’m controlling you!”

“Why? Do you know the consequences of your actions?” The girl looked at An Si Yan fearfully. This was a rebellion! “Si Yan, we have such a good relationship. Can you let me go? I promise I won’t say anything. I just want to go home!” the girl hoped An SiYan can consider their many years of sisterhood and let her go. She didn’t want to die; she was so afraid.

“Let you go?” An Si Yan laughed happily. All these years, though her status was pretty high, but An Si Yan felt right now was the best. Look, so many people feared her. She was the most powerful woman in the capital. “Why would I let you go? Rest assured, as long as you’re obedient, I won’t let them kill you!”

An Si Yan was luxuriating in this feeling when she realized Lan You Nian didn’t show a trace of fear. She just sat there like a beautiful painting. Her white face, without any makeup, was enchanting as a celestial maiden. Those pair of eyes, so clear you could see to the bottom, weren’t lacking in allure. Her fine brows were like willows as a apathetic, mocking smirk filled her eyes. A petite nose and full, red lips rippled on that exquisite and flawless palm-sized face.

“Why aren’t you afraid!?” An Si Yan came over to Lan You Nian, roaring, “Lan You Nian, you slut, why won’t you beg for mercy!?”

Yue Bai Lian was already infuriated on Lan You Nian’s behalf, but she knew she couldn’t do anything at this moment. If she did something wrong, it will only implicate Lan You Nian. Yue Bai Lian could only suppress the fury in her heart, expressionlessly looking at An Si Yan.

Lan You Nian lifted her head, the smile on her lips remain unchanged. It was clear her seated position was much lower than An Si Yan who was standing, but her comportment made other feel An Si Yan was looking up at Lan You Nian.

“What is there to fear?” Lan You Nian asked.

An Si Yan stared at Lan You Nian. Her eyes seemed to dripping with poison, making people shudder with fear. She thought she has already become the knife while Lan You Nian has become the fish. An Si Yan’s expression became distorted as she ordered a guard, “Drag her out! Lan You Nian, today I will let you know the consequences of offending this young miss!”