Chapter 102: The Palace Coup at Western Wall

Inside the Imperial Study of the Xiyuan Palace, it was nearly midnight by the time Yang Rui finished reviewing the day's memorials. Rubbing his tired, aching eyes, he reflected on how taxing it was to be an emperor; to be a good one required double the effort. He had been on the throne for over four months, yet the court remained in disarray. Xiyuan was little more than a hollow shell—the national treasury was empty, and the officials were mostly mediocre, with few capable of accomplishing anything.

Yang Rui called out to Wei Yan, who was hidden in the shadows. Wei Yan appeared instantly, bowing respectfully, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Yang Rui waved a hand. "Rise, Wei Yan. How goes the investigation?"

"Your Majesty, it has been confirmed. Over a dozen high-ranking officials have been controlled by drugs. Here is the list for your review."

As Yang Rui scanned the list, his brow furrowed. These officials all held critical positions; who could possibly possess the power to control them all? It seemed Xiyuan was once again on the brink of a bloodbath, he thought with a sigh.

Looking at Wei Yan, Yang Rui remarked, "It is truly a difficult task to make Xiyuan as prosperous as Dongling."

Wei Yan felt a pang of heartache. Having been by the Emperor's side every day, he had witnessed his tireless dedication to improving the lives of the Xiyuan people. Yet, there were those who refused to let him rest.

"Your Majesty," Wei Yan said earnestly, "you are the best emperor I have ever known. I believe that one day, Xiyuan will surely flourish."

Yang Rui shook his head with a bitter smile. "Do you not feel it, Wei Yan? I sense that some great calamity is approaching—one that seems to have slipped beyond my control. I feel quite unsettled."

"Your Majesty..." Wei Yan did not know what to say. Xiyuan was a mess; aside from its large military force, it lacked everything else, and the common people lived in great hardship.

"Wei Yan, you may go. What must come will come; there is no escaping it."

It had been three days since the wedding of Gu Qinghan and Bi Rou. The newlyweds were living in blissful harmony.

That day, after lunch, the couple was strolling through the courtyard. Gu Yan, who had just entered, looked at the pair and felt a twinge of envy. He, too, had been young once and had known the feeling of two hearts intertwined. Alas... Gu Yan shook off the distant memories, put on the mask of a mischievous old man, and chuckled, "You two lovebirds, stuck together all day—don't you get sick of each other? I can't bear to watch it anymore. I'm heading back to Dongling."

Hearing his voice, Gu Qinghan and Bi Rou turned quickly. Seeing Gu Yan smiling at them, both felt deeply moved. Gu Qinghan was touched by his master, who had raised him with care that exceeded that of a biological father.

Bi Rou recalled what Gu Yan had told Gu Qinghan on their wedding day. He had looked at Gu Qinghan earnestly and said, "Boy, by marrying Princess Bi Rou today, you take on a lifelong responsibility. I hope you remain devoted to her. The men of the Gu family are faithful, and I hope you will not be the exception. If you ever do anything to wrong her, your grandfather will be very disappointed."

Gu Qinghan had replied solemnly, "Grandfather, rest assured. I will treat Bi Rou well for a lifetime, never leaving her side, and she will be the only woman for me. I will cherish her more than my own life."

Gu Yan had smiled, satisfied. "Only then are you a true man of the Gu family."

Bi Rou had cried tears of joy. She realized for the first time that this seemingly jolly old man possessed a delicate heart and held his disciple to such rigorous yet moving standards. In that moment, she felt like the happiest woman in the world, having received a vow rarely seen in this world—a promise of a lifetime with only one partner. Having grown up watching the endless strife in her father’s harem, she had never dared to hope for such a thing. How could she not be grateful?

Not letting Gu Yan's comment about leaving slip by, Bi Rou said with reluctance, "Grandfather, you rarely visit Xiyuan. Why not stay a few more days? I haven't even had the chance to show you proper filial respect."

Gu Yan dismissed it lightly. "Silly girl, I can come whenever I like. Now that Yan is pregnant and Qingyang is getting married, Dongling is in a state of unrest. I cannot rest easy unless I return, so I shouldn't linger here."

Knowing he spoke the truth, Bi Rou could not bring herself to press him further.

Gu Qinghan looked at his master. "Grandfather, travel safely, and try to drink less."

Gu Yan rolled his eyes. Yan had said the same thing when he left Dongling. He sighed helplessly, "You brat, you sound just like Yan. I may love my wine, but I know my limits, don't I?"

Gu Qinghan nodded. "As long as you are careful. We will come to Dongling to visit you in a while."

Gu Yan replied happily, "That would be wonderful. It will be livelier with you all home." Perhaps because he was aging, he had begun to crave the warmth of home.

"As you say, Grandfather."

"Right, I'm off. No need to see me out."

As Gu Yan turned to leave, a servant rushed in, shouting, "Third Princess, it's terrible! Something has happened at the palace!"

Bi Rou was startled. "What happened?"

The servant gasped for air. "Conceited Concubine Liang and the Second Prince have stormed the Golden Throne Hall! The Concubine is highly skilled—she has already subdued the Emperor."

Bi Rou turned pale. If her brother fell into the hands of Concubine Liang, would he survive? Her voice trembled. "Is my... is my brother still alive?"

"He is, but the Retired Emperor claims the Emperor forced him to abdicate, labeling it an act of great unfilial conduct. He claims he intended to pass the throne to the Second Prince, and that the Emperor launched a coup when he was refused. He has declared it an intolerable crime and intends to have him beheaded in public."

Bi Rou nearly fainted. Grabbing Gu Qinghan’s hand, she shook, "Husband, we must save my brother. He cannot die."

Gu Qinghan held her firmly. "Do not worry, Rou. I will risk my life to save him."

Gu Yan, who had not yet left, frowned upon hearing the news. "Boy, this brooks no delay. Let us go at once and rescue Yang Rui before Yang Yuxiong executes him."

Gu Qinghan nodded. "Rou, take advantage of the chaos and leave the city first. We will rendezvous outside the city gates and head back to Dongling together."

Knowing she would only be a burden, Bi Rou nodded. "I will wait for you at the gates. Please, stay safe."

Gu Qinghan looked at her deeply. "Be careful." He then turned to the servant, "Where is the execution to take place?"

"Right in front of the palace gates."

Gu Qinghan nodded, and together with Gu Yan, they used their light-agility skills and vanished from the manor.

When they arrived at the palace, a large crowd had gathered. Yang Rui was surrounded by Imperial Guards holding swords.

Yang Yuxiong stood majestically on a high platform, accompanied by Consort Liang, who had been his favorite for over twenty years. Liang Wei wore a lake-blue gown, her hair adorned with golden pins. Despite the recent struggle, she remained beautiful and composed. She stood quietly by his side, appearing as gentle and innocent as ever. Yet everyone present knew that this "gentle" woman had just used peerless martial arts to subdue the Emperor. The officials, especially those under the influence of her drugs, trembled as if facing a demon from hell.

Yang Yuxiong looked down at the bound Yang Rui. "Yang Rui, do you admit your guilt?"

Yang Rui gave a cold, hollow laugh. He refused to look at his father. He had long since lost all hope in this man; to have been born his son was his greatest misfortune. Perhaps it was better to die now and be reborn into a better family. Yang Rui slowly closed his eyes.

Gu Qinghan and Gu Yan watched from the crowd. A guard stood by with a blade, waiting for the order to strike.

Gu Yan scanned the crowd and spotted eight strangely dressed, elderly men with their heads wrapped in cloth. His sharp eyes recognized their formidable cultivation—these must be the ones who had subdued Yang Rui's hidden guards, allowing Liang Wei to defeat him.

Gu Yan whispered to Gu Qinghan, "Boy, pretend to attack Yang Yuxiong to create a distraction. Once I rescue Yang Rui, we will flee the city."

Gu Qinghan nodded. As Yang Yuxiong began to lose his temper at Yang Rui's silence, Gu Qinghan shouted, "Yang Yuxiong, you scoundrel, pay with your life!" He lunged with his sword, forcing the guards to shield the monarch.

Amidst the chaos, someone cried out, "It's terrible! Yang Rui is gone!"

Hearing this, Gu Qinghan immediately turned and raced toward the city gates. Gu Yan, using his superior skills, vaulted over the walls with Yang Rui, bypassing the heavily guarded gates entirely.

Liang Wei, seeing Yang Rui rescued, dropped her facade. She commanded the Eight Elders, "Quickly, pursue them! Bring them back!"

"Understood!" The elders took flight, vanishing in an instant.

Yang Yuxiong was stunned by the sudden appearance of so many masters. "My love, how did you recruit such experts?" The suspicious man realized, for the first time, that he did not truly know the woman before him.

Liang Wei did not answer. "Your Majesty, this is no time for explanations," she said, before leaping away in pursuit.

Because Gu Qinghan had left a step later, he had not yet reached the rendezvous point. Gu Yan, worried, untied Yang Rui and said, "Rui, find a place to hide. I must go assist the boy."

Yang Rui nodded. Though he was despondent, he was grateful for the help.

As Gu Yan turned back, he saw Gu Qinghan approaching. "Grandfather, hurry! They are closing in!"

Gu Yan returned to Yang Rui. "Can you still use light-agility?"

Yang Rui shook his head. "Senior, I am badly wounded. Please, leave me. I do not wish to implicate you." He did not know that the old man before him had been an unrivaled master of the martial arts world for forty years.

"Nonsense. If I couldn't protect you, I wouldn't have saved you." Gu Yan grabbed Yang Rui by the waist and lifted him. "Boy, let's go!"

Gu Yan’s speed was far greater than Gu Qinghan’s. Realizing Gu Qinghan was being overtaken, Gu Yan set Yang Rui down. "Wait here." In a flash, he was gone.

When Gu Yan arrived, the Eight Elders were only a dozen paces behind Gu Qinghan.

Gu Yan sent a telepathic message to Gu Qinghan: "Go, meet your wife. I will join you shortly."

Knowing he could not stay, Gu Qinghan left. The Eight Elders stopped when they saw the old man blocking their path.

"Who are you? Why interfere?" Elder Xue demanded.

Gu Yan recognized them. "You are the Eight Elders of the Thousand Poisons Sect?"

The elders were shocked. "Who are you to know of our sect?"

Gu Yan’s expression darkened. "Your sect is my sworn enemy. Forty years ago, your sect leader, Zhou Xiang, murdered my wife. I have spent these forty years waiting to settle this debt."

The elders gasped, "You are Gu Yan?"

Gu Yan chuckled coldly. "Indeed. You enjoy competing, do you not? Come, let us see if you have improved in forty years, or if you are as incompetent as that pig Zhou Xiang, who couldn't even last ten moves against me."

Infuriated by the insult to their former leader, the elders lunged forward. Gu Yan stood his ground, his hatred for the Thousand Poisons Sect burning as bright as it had four decades ago.