Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 596: They Are All My Subjects

Chapter 596: Chapter 596: They Are All My Subjects

And the younger He Hao, even though he only knew the surface details, the Shadow Guard never engaged in futile efforts. The young one was indispensable too, either let those Dead Soldiers kill him, inciting the elder to hate the Guo surname to the bone, eager to devour his flesh, by then to seek revenge, he would naturally tell them some truth;

or take the young one into one’s own hands, either to put the elder’s mind at ease, or to threaten the elder, in any case, he couldn’t fall into someone else’s hands, otherwise with the elder concerned about the younger’s safety, his mouth would become even steadfast, and he wouldn’t speak the truth.

On the road, both the elder and the younger kept clamoring to confess, but Hu Miaomiao ignored these two people completely.

Firstly, if they confess too easily, without showing them something severe, they would be slippery.

Secondly, because there was urgency in traveling, there was no time to dawdle on the road.

The third reason was to vent anger, for these two people, the Shadow Guard had paid a huge price, without releasing this foul energy, Hu Miaomiao’s heart would remain unsettled, as long as he didn’t kill these two, anything went.

The Emperor nodded, striding into Star Palace, his brow furrowed, unable to figure out who in the Capital had such expertise and bore such deep enmity with the family of his Little Concubine.

Hu Miaomiao’s plump, fair face still bore a smile.

Following him into the palace, he spoke again, "Your Majesty, the Dead Soldiers who escaped on the road, your servant speculates that they have already returned to the Capital to send word ahead. Their assassination mission failed, and if the person behind the scenes knows their plot has been exposed, they may try to flee immediately."

His implication was that they should find out the mastermind behind the scenes tonight, and deal with the person behind it all in one sweep, lest the night bring more trouble.

The Emperor chuckled coldly, "All under heaven are the Emperor’s lands, where can they flee to?" But he never boasted.

Ascending the throne, he flicked his robe and sat down, then immediately commanded, "Summon Chen Fa from the Internal Guard Bureau."

The Emperor’s majestic and domineering presence was overwhelming.

A Young Eunuch hurried in, responded to the call, and scurried away.

The Emperor looked at Hu Miaomiao, his expression somewhat softened, "For this mission, the Shadow Guard has worked hard. What were the names of the fallen Shadow Guards? Do they have families at home?"

Hu Miaomiao didn’t expect this matter to be brought up, he was stunned for a moment, then his heart warmed, his eyelids laden with flesh gained weight.

He reined in his smile, firmly kneeling and kowtowing, "Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern; this is our duty. From the moment we joined the Shadow Guard, in life, we belonged to Your Majesty, and in death, we would be Your Majesty’s spirits, living only to be loyal and protective. Your Majesty exhausts himself for the sake of the common people and the land, as long as Your Majesty is well, even in death, we will have had our place, unworthy of Your Majesty’s concern."

Being remembered by Your Majesty was their honor, serving Your Majesty, even in death, they bore no regrets.

The Emperor was silent for a moment before speaking quietly, "Beneath the Shadow Guard, you too are my subjects, speak, I wish to listen."

The peace of the nation was bought with countless bones.

The Shadow Guard battled for the country, living their lives unknown behind others; he was not a person of soft heart or pity, he would do what he could.

Hu Miaomiao was surged with emotions, his eyes warmed, and he respectfully kowtowed once more.

Skipping further discussions, he simply stated, "To answer Your Majesty, the fallen Shadow Guard had erased their common names, known as Shadow Eighteen, originating from the Zhang family of Yunan."

One dies for the one who understands them; to serve Your Majesty, Hu Miaomiao found his life worthwhile.

The Emperor sighed softly, "Give Shadow Eighteen a proper burial on my behalf, and see to his family. As for the other injured Shadow Guards, let them recuperate."

Hu Miaomiao kowtowed deeply, his voice loud, "Yes, long live Your Majesty, long live, long live."

"Rise."

"Yes."

Hu Miaomiao stood up, her emotions surging uncontrollably.

She simply bowed and said, "Your Majesty, considering the hour, the He father and son should have almost confessed by now. Your servant will go and see."

At this moment, she needed to calm down, so as to serve His Majesty coolly and to avenge her subordinates.

It would be better to go directly and check on the situation. There should be news by now, she thought as she left Canglan Court, having signaled her people to hurry.

The Emperor nodded, "Go then."

With permission granted, Hu Miaomiao performed the farewell salute and immediately ran off.

In the southwest of the capital...

Guo Neng’s face was ashen, and uncontrollable fury surged within him: "Worthless, a bunch of worthless fools! What’s the use of supporting you in the Guo family if you can’t even take out a disorganized mob, despite claiming to be capable and extraordinary? My entire plan has been ruined by you all, haha!"

With a yell, he lifted his foot, aiming to kick Lai Liang who was lowering his head and clutching his chest, but at the last moment, he restrained himself. Unable to control his fury, he instead kicked a nearby servant boy.

Lai Liang had been recruited for a hefty sum; he had no indenture contract with the Guo family, nor was he a bondservant born in the family like Guo Fu or Guo Shun, with an entire family under their control. A kick from anger could add injury to injury, and if it led to death, a whole set of complications would arise.

And since the Dead Soldiers were to protect him, he wouldn’t harm them either.

The servant boy, caught off-guard by the kick, took the full force in his solar plexus and collapsed to the ground, unable to climb up from the pain, his face deathly pale. Yet, he dared not cry out and bit down hard to bear the pain.

Lai Liang recoiled in his heart, took a step back, and his breathing grew erratic. He pressed his hand to his chest and dared not speak.

As Guo Neng vented his malicious rage, he felt somewhat better.

His bloodshot eyes scanned the people in the courtyard as he squeezed out a sentence through clenched teeth, "Go, tell those bandits that this young master will comply with their wishes tonight, but they must keep their word. Otherwise, if I could catch that old thief once, I can catch them a second time."

He really couldn’t accept it.

Just moments ago, Guo Neng held the situation in his hands and waited in his residence, finally receiving news.

He had expected the Dead Soldiers to bring back good news, but instead, they brought back a stack of papers.

These papers detailed various crimes of the Guo family, not just that incident, but also other shady deeds the family had committed over the years.

Seeing this stack of papers drove Guo Neng to near insanity.

He finally understood that these bandits were not ordinary criminals from the streets. They came prepared against the Guo family, who knows how long they had been watching, ready to slaughter them like fat sheep.

A miss was as good as a mile.

Guo Neng realized that the bandits sending these papers meant they were prepared to sacrifice the old thief. They were giving him one last chance to comply, and if he was smart, he’d trade quietly. Otherwise, after tonight, they’d uphold the code of the streets and would no longer trade, only seek vengeance for the old thief.

Of course, Guo Neng didn’t dare to gamble. The bandits only lost an old criminal, but his Guo family had too much at stake to risk.

Currently, Xue Ping was preoccupied with dealing with the Xu Family and had no time for him. He definitely wouldn’t allow any missteps at this critical juncture, fearing he might be the first to become expendable to Xue Ping.

Guo Neng was afraid, afraid that these matters on the paper, if widely publicized, could ruin the Guo family with just rumors alone, for the voice of the people is powerful enough to melt metal, not to mention if someone dug deeper.