nycdaug Chapter 509: Captured without mercy
Chapter 509: Captured without mercy
They didn't want Yang Xiaoqian to fall into Wei Zhongxian's hands, because if she did, she would be in Wei Zhongxian's clutches.
If Wei Zhongxian uses Yang Xiaoqian to threaten Zhang Xingchen, then Zhang Xingchen will surrender again. This is not the outcome Chen Er wants to see. Zhang Xingchen can turn Yang Xiaoqian back into an ordinary person.
However, Zhang Xingchen would never kill Yang Xiaoqian, nor would he want to see her suffer in Wei Zhongxian's hands.
That's why Chen Er made such a decision. Ma Dazhi never asked why Chen Er did it, because in Ma Dazhi's eyes, Chen Er was his boss.
They would do anything Chen Er asked them to do without hesitation. If Chen Er asked them to kill the emperor now, they probably wouldn't hesitate at all.
When Ma Dazhi and Liu Chengdong left, Chen Er smiled indifferently and led the Emperor out. That's right, that was the impression Chen Er gave to others at that moment.
It seemed that Chen Er was the emperor, and the emperor was following behind Chen Er. Everyone could see that after a fierce struggle, it seemed that Zhang Xingchen was about to change his mind.
This was not the outcome the Empress Dowager wanted, so when she saw Zhang Xingchen come out expressionless, she took the initiative to strike first.
"What is Zhang Xingchen doing? Didn't I tell you? Have your Imperial Guards capture the Emperor. As long as you listen to me, I promise you that I will make sure you enjoy all the riches and honors in the future."
After saying this, the Empress Dowager spoke again.
"I just saw Yang Xiaoqian leave, but don't worry, I will definitely send someone to bring her back to you."
The Empress Dowager was unaware that Yang Xiaoqian was now Zhang Xingchen's confidante, and that Zhang Xingchen seemed to have entered a dead end.
Whether Zhang Xingchen went east or west, he always felt that his choice was a mistake.
In other words, Zhang Xingchen didn't want to hear the Empress Dowager bring up Yang Xiaoqian again.
"Are you ever going to stop? Why are you, a woman, interfering in court affairs? Don't you even respect the Emperor?"
"I really don't understand, what's there for you to fight with the Emperor for? Isn't the Emperor your own son?"
"That's how the previous emperor treated you. Now that the late emperor has passed away, he's effectively stripped your son of all his power."
So, to put it bluntly, the Empress Dowager still has some value to Wei Zhongxian, and she is truly furious.
The Empress Dowager was surprised that Zhang Xingchen changed his mind in such a short time. Wasn't it agreed that Zhang Xingchen would help her capture the Emperor?
This made it seem as if the Empress Dowager was in danger. Sure enough, Zhang Xingchen chose to stand with Chen Er. It all depended on the Emperor's decision.
If the emperor is willing, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Guards can unite to fight against the Eastern Depot. But what will happen to the Ming Dynasty then?
The Ming Dynasty would be turned upside down, the sky would collapse, and the people would be displaced. This was not what Chen Er wanted to see, so Chen Er tugged at the emperor's clothes.
"Your Majesty, please don't get too agitated. Even if you turn against the Empress Dowager now, you won't gain anything. We must plan carefully and gradually reduce the power of the Eastern Depot."
Chen Er spoke from the heart. He was afraid that the emperor would get agitated and, in his passion, take action against the empress dowager, ultimately harming the common people.
Upon hearing Chen Er's words, the Emperor clenched his fist, then involuntarily relaxed it. Chen Er's guess was correct; it was in the Emperor's subconscious.
The Emperor believed that the Empress Dowager must be arrested first. Only when I had complete control over the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Guards could I fight the Eastern Depot to the death.
However, now that Chen Er has spoken, the Emperor has no choice but to consider the bigger picture. The Emperor is not stupid; he understands that if he fights against the Empress Dowager, the common people will ultimately suffer.
They wouldn't gain anything from it, and might even let Wei Zhongxian benefit at that time.
To be frank, the most dangerous enemy right now is not the Empress Dowager but Wei Zhongxian. As for the Empress Dowager, she has always been used as a weapon by Wei Zhongxian, and she is happy to do so.
If it weren't for the Empress Dowager supporting Wei Zhongxian, the Emperor wouldn't be in such a miserable state now. Everyone understands this, and everyone knows it.
The Empress Dowager was happy to support Wei Zhongxian, and the Emperor hesitated for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"I say, Empress Dowager, you are not young anymore, you should go back and rest. I will handle things here." The Emperor's words were very calm.
It was as if the Empress Dowager's order for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest the Emperor had never happened. The Empress Dowager felt that the Emperor had changed too much.
All these changes stemmed from Chen Er's appearance. The Empress Dowager was a little confused and didn't understand what had happened between her, the Emperor, Zhang Xingchen, and Yang Xiaoqian who had left.
Or rather, what conditions were met? Why was Zhang Xingchen allowed to betray them again in such a short period of time?
The Empress Dowager believed that Zhang Xingchen was truly untrustworthy, like a weather vane. She would not leave now, nor would Wei Zhongxian allow her to leave.
At least with the Empress Dowager here, she can keep the Emperor in check. If she leaves, the Emperor can do whatever he wants, and a battle could break out at any moment.
Although Wei Zhongxian wasn't afraid—after all, his Eastern Depot agents were not just for show—he still didn't want to break ties with the Emperor unless absolutely necessary.
"I'm here today because I want to hear exactly how Chen Er killed Sun Yunhe, and why he killed Sun Yunhe?"
"And I just heard Wei Zhongxian say that Qin Zhongting has become an idiot ever since he returned from Jiangnan." The Empress Dowager's meaning was actually quite simple.
That's what they're trying to say, Chen Er, you're quite capable, aren't you? How did you manage to make one person die and another become an idiot?
The emperor immediately laughed. He looked at Chen Er and nodded, indicating that Chen Er could tell him about what had happened in the Jiangnan area.