Junior sister took first place again

Chapter 256 Let’s Make a Decision

Capital city, inner courtyard of the imperial palace.

Emperor Ning sat in his imperial study, motionless like a statue. Before him lay a mountain of memorials and secret reports. These had just arrived, and they felt like a heavy mountain, causing his brows to furrow tightly.

Emperor Ning took a deep breath, picked up the urgent report at the top and opened it.

The next moment, he stood up suddenly as if struck by lightning, veins on his forehead throbbing, his eyes blazing with fire, staring intently at the secret report, reading word for word: "Ji - Tang -"

"Somebody come!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Shadow Guard leader Ning Yi appeared below like a ghost, kneeling respectfully on the ground.

Emperor Ning threw the secret report in his hand to the ground fiercely, turned his back and clenched his fists. His voice was as calm as the sea before a storm: "Tell the Left General to come to see me as soon as possible."

Ning Yi lowered his head, and out of the corner of his eye he saw the secret report that read, "...A Zhao's whereabouts were revealed. He was lured to the Chu King's Mausoleum and murdered by Ji Tang."

His heart was shocked, and he said, "Yes." He didn't dare to look again after saying that. He immediately went out and called for the shadow guard with the fastest footwork to tell the Left General to secretly come to the palace to see His Majesty.

A figure in the corner quietly approached, picked up the report and put it away. Emperor Ning stood motionless. "The general has already gained too much military power. I have almost become his puppet." The emperor said quietly to his trusted eunuch with a blank look in his eyes.

Although he was the king of a country, he felt unprecedentedly powerless in the face of Ji Yuan's threat.

The eunuch bowed and replied sorrowfully, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself. Ji Yuan is but a subject, and will always remain only a subject."

Emperor Ning lowered his eyes and looked at the report that he had picked up and put away again. His eyes gradually darkened, and then he went to read the other secret reports.

As General Zuo Zhonglang left the palace, the general's residence also received news from the border. The secret guards who escaped had three horses killed in their escape, and they brought back the news that Ji Tang had died.

At this moment, the study in the General's Mansion seemed to be shrouded in a layer of heavy dark clouds, and an oppressive feeling of impending storm filled the air.

Ji Yuan sat upright in the main seat, and his generals surrounded him like loyal guards, each of them showing a firm determination to fight to the death.

"Tang'er's death breaks my heart, but it's also a great opportunity given by God." The general's voice was cold, like a chilling breeze on a cold night. "Ning Yuan thinks he can use me, but I will use this opportunity to completely eradicate the royal family."

The emperor paced back and forth anxiously in the imperial study when General Ning Hui of the Left finally arrived.

The emperor stopped, his eyes firm, and he made up his mind: "Gather the troops immediately..."

Before Emperor Ning could finish his words, a hurried voice interrupted him like a frightened bird.

"Report——"

Emperor Ning and Ning Hui looked at each other, their hearts sinking. Anyone who dared to interrupt them at this time must have been something earth-shattering happening in the outside world.

The shadow guard who came to report was panting, as if he had just struggled back from the brink of life and death. He knelt on one knee and presented a secret report with both hands stained with sweat. "There are unusual movements in the general's mansion. A large number of troops have been assembled in the mansion. It seems that something unexpected is going to happen!"

Emperor Ning's expression changed. He quickly took the report, his eyes scanning the brief yet menacing lines like lightning. His heart sank to the bottom. Why had Ji Yuan also acted at this moment?

"Ning Hui," Emperor Ning said solemnly, "Ji Yuan can't wait any longer. We must act immediately."

Ning Hui, the Left General of the Imperial Guard, immediately knelt on one knee and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, please give the order."

"You must immediately lead the most elite troops of the Imperial Guard and secretly ambush on both sides of the palace wall. When Ji Yuan enters the palace, shoot him to death at all costs." Emperor Ning's voice was cold and firm.

As soon as Emperor Ning finished speaking, his trusted eunuch immediately knelt on the ground. Ning Hui looked up in shock, "Your Majesty, please think twice! Ji Yuan cannot be allowed to enter the palace!"

Emperor Ning's gaze once again fell on the secret report sent from the border, and he said in a cold voice, "Ning Hui, are you also going to disobey my orders?"

Ning Hui opened his mouth, his eyes gradually becoming sharp and firm, and he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I obey your command."

After saying that, he stood up, turned around, and walked out with big strides.

In the General's Mansion, Ji Yuan had already stood up, with a determined glint in his eyes.

"Everyone!" Ji Yuan's deep voice rang out. "The royal family is arrogant and has slaughtered innocent people. My son died tragically. Today, we will enforce justice on behalf of Heaven and overthrow this incompetent royal family!"

The generals responded one after another, ambition and determination burning in everyone's eyes.

"Let's go!" Ji Yuan waved his hand and led his trusted generals and assembled troops towards the palace like a surging tide.

On both sides of the high walls of the imperial palace, Ning Hui had already led the most elite part of the imperial guards and three heavy crossbows, lurking silently in the night like a ghost.

Emperor Ning stood quietly at the window of his imperial study, like a statue, gazing out at the capital at night. His heart was filled with determination, knowing clearly that he had no way out.

"Come! Follow me to Penglai Pavilion." Emperor Ning gave the order again. His voice was like a huge bell, echoing in the night sky, like the beating of war drums, foreshadowing that a thrilling battle was about to break out.

Emperor Ning then walked towards Penglai Pavilion, where the previous emperor had practiced alchemy and cultivating immortality. It was also the tallest building in the palace. Ever since the current emperor ascended the throne, Penglai Pavilion had been sealed off.

In every corner of the capital, loyalty and betrayal, power and ambition, life and death and glory are intertwined into an intricate picture on this night.

Emperor Ning and Ji Yuan, the two powerful giants of the Great Xia Dynasty, are about to engage in a life-and-death battle that will determine their fate.