TGFH Chapter 29: Rebellion

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On December 10th, an auspicious day, Emperor Jiaxu conducted a grand ceremony at the Ancestral Temple to offer thanks to the heavens and ancestors, praying for favorable weather and peace for the nation of Zhao in the coming year.

This marked the third major sacrificial ceremony since Emperor Jiaxu ascended the throne five years ago. The previous two ceremonies had been fully arranged by the Marquis of An. However, due to the Marquis’s severe illness, this year’s arrangements were managed entirely by Yan Langyue, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, and Qin Hong, the Administrator of Shengjing.

The ceremony began at dawn and concluded by noon. Following the heavenly sacrifice, Emperor Jiaxu proceeded to the rear hall of the Ancestral Temple to pay respects to his ancestors. Since Luo Wang (Prince Luo) had yet to formally participate in an ancestral ceremony after being acknowledged as part of the imperial family, Emperor Jiaxu brought him along for this occasion. At this time, the Imperial Guards were stationed outside the temple, while the inner hall was guarded by the Emperor’s personal bodyguards.

It was during this critical and weakest moment of defense that Rong Chuhuan planned to strike. Once Rong Chuhua entered the rear hall, Rong Chuhuan acted to take him hostage, sending men to secure all entrances and prevent any news from leaking out.

At this moment, Rong Chuhua and Rong Chuhuan stood face to face. A blade pressed against Rong Chuhua’s neck, held by one of Rong Chuhuan’s men. The bodyguards inside the hall dared not act rashly and could only encircle the two.

Rong Chuhuan had only four guards with him, while the hall was defended by twenty bodyguards. Under normal circumstances, Rong Chuhua would not have been so easily subdued. However, with Mu Qi’s arrangement, Rong Chuhuan had planted five infiltrators among the bodyguards, enabling him to take control with surprising ease. Even so, nine against fifteen left little chance of outright victory.

“You’ve taken me hostage. What do you plan to do next?” Rong Chuhua asked, his eyes meeting Rong Chuhuan’s directly. Despite being held at knifepoint, his expression remained unchanged, though a trace of sorrow flickered in his gaze.

“Kill you,” Rong Chuhuan replied indifferently.

“If you kill me, it will be outright rebellion. How will you command loyalty?”

“If I kill you and sustain injuries myself, with the bodyguards here as witnesses, the story will be that an assassin targeted the Emperor, and Luo Wang saved him. Who would dare question that? With you gone and no heirs, the Zhao imperial family would be left with only me. Naturally, I would ascend the throne.”

The two stood face to face, their tones casual as they discussed, their similar appearances and calm demeanors creating the illusion of an ordinary familial conversation.

Rong Chuhua lowered his gaze. “Since your return, I’ve treated you sincerely. Why rebel? Does the throne mean so much to you? You should know that if you truly wanted it and proved yourself capable, I could have willingly abdicated it to you.” He no longer referred to himself as “Zhen” (the royal first person) but instead spoke as a brother.

"Because I don’t want you to give it up." Rong Chuhuan curled his lips into a smile, the first smile since entering the hall. "My purpose for returning is to seize it; why would I let you give way?"

Rong Chuhua closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before opening them again, his gaze piercing as he stared at Rong Chuhuan. "Brother, if you turn back now and expose your accomplices, I will not pursue this matter."

Rong Chuhuan smiled innocently, shrugging his shoulders as he softly replied, "Accomplices? Don’t you already know? They should be arriving soon."

As the two faced off, a faint "click" sounded from a corner of the hall. A section of the wall caved in, revealing a hidden passage through which over a dozen people entered. Leading them was Prime Minister Mu Qi, followed by the Crown Prince of Yan Country, Murong Yao, and a group of elite assassins dressed in uniform. The balance of power instantly shifted.

"Rong Chuhua, I didn’t expect you to have today, being betrayed by your own close ministers. How does it feel?" Murong Yao entered the hall, his laughter filled with glee as he looked at the captured Rong Chuhua.

Rong Chuhua glanced at them coldly, showing no signs of emotion or surprise at their appearance. He ignored Murong Yao’s provocation and continued speaking to Rong Chuhuan with a calm face. "Are these your accomplices? I’ll give you one more chance: take them down, and I will not pursue this matter further."

Rong Chuhuan observed the situation before him, his smile growing warmer. "What if I don’t?"

"There are fewer than fifty people here. Do you really think these people can succeed?" Rong Chuhua's eyes hardened as he looked at Rong Chuhuan and said sharply, "The ministers who support you only do so because Mu Qi is close to you. If Mu Qi stops aiding you, how will you calm the factions both inside and outside the court? You have no military power, no political power, and you're not even listed in the Zhao imperial family’s genealogy. Even if you kill me today, do you think you can peacefully ascend the throne? Don’t make another mistake, brother!"

"Shut up, Rong Chuhua!" Murong Yao shouted angrily as he stepped forward, slapping Rong Chuhua's face to interrupt him. "Stop struggling when death is near." He watched as the slap caused Rong Chuhua's head to tilt, a faint trail of blood appearing on his cheek, and laughed even more loudly. "Ha! You might as well kneel and beg for mercy now, and see if I’ll spare you!"

The bodyguards, seeing that Rong Chuhua had been injured, drew their swords and rushed to his aid. In response, Murong Yao’s men immediately revealed their weapons to block them. The atmosphere grew tense. Rong Chuhua remained calm, unshaken, while Murong Yao stood to the side with an arrogant smile, watching the blocked bodyguards. Mu Qi stood emotionless at the side. Rong Chuhuan, standing opposite, suddenly let out a soft laugh.

"What’s so funny?" Murong Yao turned and glared at Rong Chuhuan. If not for the fact that Rong Chuhuan still had some use and he needed his position to stabilize the situation, he would have killed both brothers right then. But he couldn’t, for his father had warned him that Yan Country couldn’t take on Zhao Country at this time. He had been tasked with helping Rong Chuhuan ascend to the throne, to control Zhao Country through him. But every time he saw Rong Chuhuan, he thought of the humiliations he had endured in Zhao Country over the years, the things he had been forced to do with Rong Chuhuan. The thought of continuing like this made him feel disgusted.

"It’s getting late. You should act yourself." Murong Yao took a knife from one of the assassins and handed it to Rong Chuhuan. "Once you’re done here, I’ll leave first and wait for your good news." He had come to the temple to personally witness the brothers kill each other. Once Rong Chuhua was dead, he would return through the secret passage. After all, the imperial family’s ancestral ceremony was not a place he should be.

Rong Chuhuan took the knife but didn’t act immediately. Instead, he looked at Murong Yao and asked with a smile, "Have you brought all of your people?"

"Don’t waste time, just do it." Murong Yao frowned, irritated. He had indeed brought his father’s elite forces, because he had to be prepared for the Imperial Guards outside the temple and Rong Chuhuan’s personal bodyguards inside.

Rong Chuhuan still wore his smile as he turned to Mu Qi, who had been standing quietly to the side. "What about the matter I spoke to you about?"

Mu Qi closed his eyes and didn’t respond. Rong Chuhuan’s smile deepened. Finally, he looked at Rong Chuhua and raised his hand, pointing the knife at him.

Rong Chuhua frowned, casting a glance between Rong Chuhuan and Mu Qi before speaking in a low voice, "Chuhuan, it’s not too late to turn back."

Rong Chuhuan tilted his head and smiled, then, with a light step, he charged at Rong Chuhua, the knife aimed directly at his heart. His lips moved, and his voice was almost drowned out by the wind, "It’s already too late."

"Mu Qi!" Rong Chuhua shouted angrily, but Mu Qi remained motionless, eyes still closed. Just as the blade was about to pierce his chest, the bodyguard who had been holding Rong Chuhua back with the knife gently pulled him back, pushing him toward another bodyguard. With a swift motion, the bodyguard blocked the attack and swung his own knife, striking Rong Chuhuan’s blade aside before swiftly twisting the blade back toward him.

"Stop!" Rong Chuhua shouted, but he was a step too late. The bodyguard’s knife had already plunged into Rong Chuhuan’s chest, and with a powerful yank, blood poured from the wound.

With a "clang," the knife fell from Rong Chuhuan’s hand as he staggered, still smiling, clutching the wound on his chest. He turned his head towards Mu Qi, silently mouthing something, before closing his eyes and slowly collapsing.

"Chuhuan!" Rong Chuhua broke free from the bodyguards holding him back and rushed to Rong Chuhuan’s side, but he was stopped by the very bodyguard who had struck the blow. Furious, Rong Chuhua struggled against them but could not break free.

Seeing that Rong Chuhuan had been killed, Murong Yao’s expression changed dramatically. He turned to the assassins behind him and shouted, "Go! Kill Rong Chuhua!"

As the Yan Country assassins began to move, Mu Qi acted immediately. The bodyguards, who had been wary of Rong Chuhua’s capture, joined the fray. The five former inner agents also switched sides, and soon, the bodyguards and assassins were at odds. The tide of the battle shifted once more.

"Mu Qi! You’re betraying us?" Murong Yao shouted, hiding at the back, his eyes filled with hatred as he glared at Mu Qi and the five former inner agents who had now turned against him. "We agreed that Rong Chuhuan would become the Emperor of Zhao, and you would remain as Prime Minister. We’d even help you eliminate your enemy, Bu Huaiyuan. Why are you betraying us?"

Mu Qi calmly looked at Murong Yao and said, "I have always been the Prime Minister of Da Zhao, never allied with you. How could I betray you?"

Murong Yao suddenly understood, looking at Rong Chuhua in anger. "Was this all your scheme?"

Rong Chuhua ignored him, his eyes fixed tightly on the motionless body of Rong Chuhuan on the ground. Once the bodyguard confirmed that Rong Chuhuan had passed away, he relaxed his grip and immediately ran to pick up Rong Chuhuan’s lifeless body, kneeling beside him.

"Chuhuan..." Rong Chuhua’s voice cracked, and he desperately checked for any signs of breath. After repeated attempts, it was clear: it was all in vain. The knife had struck directly into his heart, and the blood covering the ground filled the entire hall with the scent of death. Rong Chuhuan lay in his arms, eyes closed, pale, as if he were sleeping. His lips curved slightly into a smile, a smile as gentle and light as always.

"Your Majesty, please send the Imperial Guards into the hall to capture the rebels!" The bodyguard spoke in a hushed tone, and it was revealed to be Xiao Yiran’s voice. It turned out that the five "inside agents" were actually Xiao Yiran, Xiao Mo, Mo Yan, Feng Jing, and Qin Zhenli, all wearing human skin masks. When Rong Chuhuan had asked Mu Qi to secretly arrange for spies to infiltrate Rong Chuhua’s bodyguard team, Mu Qi had agreed, but had also informed Bu Huaiyuan about the plan. Bu Huaiyuan, along with Xiao Yiran, took advantage of the situation, capturing the five original infiltrators, and having them disguise themselves as inside agents. Meanwhile, Yan Langyue led the Imperial Guards, still stationed outside.

Now that Murong Yao’s plan had been exposed, the five agents removed their human skin masks. Xiao Yiran and Qin Zhenli protected Rong Chuhua, while the remaining three, along with Mu Qi and the bodyguards, engaged the Yan Country’s assassins. Due to the fierce protection by the assassins and the overwhelming numbers, they couldn’t defeat Murong Yao immediately. Xiao Yiran then suggested sending the Imperial Guards in to help.

"No!" Rong Chuhua shouted sternly. If the Imperial Guards entered now, it would confirm the accusation of rebellion against the Prince of Luo. He didn’t want Rong Chuhuan to die and carry the burden of disgrace for the rest of his life.

Seeing that the situation was lost, Murong Yao no longer wanted to fight. Under the protection of his assassins, he moved towards the secret passage. Mu Qi saw this and quickly unsheathed his sword, cutting through the assassins blocking his path, and hastened after Murong Yao. Murong Yao, hiding behind his assassins, looked at Xiao Yiran and Mu Qi with a glint of hatred in his eyes. He quickly pulled out a small spherical object from his robes and threw it forcefully to the ground.

With a loud "bang," Mu Qi narrowly avoided the explosion. A thick cloud of smoke filled the hall. Outside, Yan Langyue heard the explosion and immediately led the Imperial Guards in to break through the door. Xiao Yiran and Qin Zhenli protected Rong Chuhua as the smoke engulfed the room. After a while, when the smoke cleared, Murong Yao had vanished, leaving behind only several bodies of Yan Country’s assassins who had been blown apart. The bodyguards closest to the explosion were injured to varying degrees.

Although Mu Qi had dodged most of the blast, he still suffered slight injuries, while Xiao Yiran and the others, who were further away, were relatively unharmed. Rong Chuhua remained kneeling on the ground, holding Rong Chuhuan's body, his face as cold as water.

"Your humble servant arrived too late to protect you, Your Majesty. Please forgive me." Qin Hong, the Minister of the Interior, was the last to enter. Seeing the situation in the hall, he immediately trembled and knelt to apologize to Rong Chuhua.

Yan Langyue took charge of the Imperial Guards. Bu Huaiyuan had already informed him of the arrangements, so he was aware of the situation. However, Qin Hong had no knowledge of this plan. Although Qin Zhenli had been included in the plan, Qin Hong had never been told about it. Seeing the scene before him, Qin Hong was understandably shocked, and he didn’t even notice his own son standing next to Rong Chuhua.

"Qin Minister..." Xiao Yiran was about to speak, but Mu Qi interrupted him coldly, saying, "The Prince of Yan, Murong Yao, attempted to assassinate the Emperor. The Prince of Luo sacrificed himself to save His Majesty. Deputy Commander Yan Langyue, immediately lead people through the secret passage to pursue him. The rest should prepare to escort His Majesty back to the palace. Minister Qin, order a nationwide manhunt for Murong Yao, the traitorous Prince of Yan."

Xiao Yiran furrowed his brow but didn’t argue. Hearing the command, Yan Langyue personally led a team into the secret passage, while Qin Hong remained kneeling, unsure of how to respond. After all, Murong Yao was the Prince of Yan. He couldn’t simply follow Mu Qi’s words and issue a manhunt order. He raised his eyes slightly to look at Rong Chuhua.

Rong Chuhua lifted his head, his face grim, and said, "Do as Mu Qi has said." Without another word, he picked up Rong Chuhuan’s body and left the hall.

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