Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1154: Chapter 990: General He Chaoguang

Gu Chengyu distractedly looked over and saw that they were completely surrounded by archers.

Arrows rained down, and everyone had to wield their swords to fend them off. The arrows had a deterrent effect, and once they ceased, no one dared to make a rash move.

Gu Chengyu felt the shout just now was very familiar, and turning to look, he saw someone stepping out. In the torchlight and palace lamps, the person’s face was unusually familiar—it was Lu Chen!

Gu Chengyu sighed deeply; what was going on today? Even the Imperial Palace wasn’t providing any respite!

He glanced at Chengqian Palace in the night; the Emperor had only been dead for two hours, yet chaos had ensued within the palace.

Recalling the Emperor’s oral edict, due to no witnesses, it’s estimated that even if spoken now, it would be unbelieved.

If the testament in the brocade box had clearly indicated whom to summon, it would have saved a lot of trouble—but unfortunately, Gu Chengyu hadn’t had a chance to open the box and take a look.

However, the person had not yet arrived, and now was not the time. Besides, Gu Chengyu had his own considerations; he hadn’t made up his mind. In his view, the Crown Prince was benevolent and maintaining stability was preferable.

Qin Min was extremely surprised to see Lu Chen. Then she thought, Marquis Zhan’s Mansion was Prince Gong’s maternal home, could it be that the Lu Family had come on Prince Gong’s orders?

In the past two years, the Crown Prince’s maternal family and the Yue Family had become prominent figures in the Capital, while the Lu Family, due to its connection with Prince Gong, had started to decline.

Could it be that the Lu Family couldn’t hold back any longer and intended to help Prince Gong usurp the throne today? But among the crowd, there was no sign of Prince Gong.

Prince Gong was far away in Jingyuan Prefecture; could he really issue orders so swiftly?

Gu Chengyu was weighing in his heart whether this person was friend or foe. Given Lu Chen’s background, he shouldn’t be content to assist the Crown Prince.

The capital’s recent years’ situation was very unfavorable to the Lu Family, and if the Crown Prince ascended to the throne, it would be time for retribution.

Even if the Crown Prince was kind, facing those who wanted him dead, would he really show mercy?

"Do not act rashly, you traitors! How dare you attempt to assassinate the Crown Prince just after the Emperor’s passing? It’s utterly unforgivable."

A commanding voice rang out, but it wasn’t from Lu Chen.

Lu Chen looked back in shock and saw it was General He Chaoguang. His pupils contracted—how could this person possibly appear here now?

Gu Chengyu also looked at the newcomer and found he didn’t know them. However, the person was completely clad in armor, indicating he was a General.

The soldiers brought by this person were numerous, and had already surrounded Chengqian Palace.

Previously, Gu Chengyu was focused on fighting, but his eyes weren’t idle; it was impossible for him not to notice. It seemed these soldiers hadn’t lit any torches while surrounding the palace!

Lu Chen and Qin Min realized the situation, and both felt their hearts sink—they had missed the opportunity today.

The black-clothed individuals realized the dire situation; multiple forces gathered, and they couldn’t get a good outcome, so they immediately sprang into action.

The individuals drew the iron claws from their bodies and hooked onto the roof.

The cloaked figure beside Gu Chengyu acted swiftly, even with two sword wounds—it couldn’t stop him from fleeing to the roof.

"No good, they’re escaping!" Gu Chengyu thrust his sword at the fleeing cloaked figure, causing a grunt of evident injury.

But the figure didn’t even turn back, vanishing within breaths.

"Shoot arrows upwards!" Both Lu Chen and He Chaoguang ordered simultaneously, intending to hunt down the fleeing black-clothed individuals to extinction.

Gu Chengyu was shocked, "No, you can’t!"

These damned officials, there were many guards below, and arrows falling downward could easily injure their own people.

But his attempts at prevention were too late; a dense volley of arrows shot into the air. Many black-clothed individuals died instantly, but a considerable number of those below were also mistakenly injured.

Fighting fiercely against the arrows, Gu Chengyu had been battling for so long that he was already exhausted.

Even with all his might, amidst the dense arrows, his arm was hit by one.

"Lu Chen, you idiot, make them stop." Qin Min had been struck by an arrow in the leg, cursing fiercely.

Lu Chen was distracted by a figure fiercely battling the arrows. He glanced at the fleeing black-clothed individuals.

Reluctantly, he ordered, "Stop! All stop!"

"Stop!" The Crown Prince hurriedly emerged from the inner hall, angrily shouting at the remaining archers to halt.

He Chaoguang, seeing the Crown Prince intervene, immediately gestured to cease actions.

In moments, the remaining black-clothed individuals seized the chance to vanish without a trace.

Gu Chengyu panted heavily, leaning on his sword. Damn, today was a huge loss. Since arriving here, he hadn’t suffered such a serious injury!

The wound on his arm was shallow, but it hurt! Today brought who knows how many forces—why were they all so impatient? Truly couldn’t wait a moment.

Darn! Gu Chengyu suddenly thought of someone, "Where’s Zhou Yuancong? He escaped!"

Everyone was taken aback; indeed, Zhou Yuancong, the conspirator, was no longer present. Fearful that amidst the chaotic arrows, he had long since fled.

"Ha! Don’t worry, this person won’t get away. This General has fifty thousand troops stationed outside the palace; can he escape?"

Gu Chengyu gazed at the person—fifty thousand troops? That should be the army stationed a hundred miles from the Capital, but without the Emperor’s Tiger Talisman, could the army leave their station unauthorized?

He looked at the Crown Prince again; could it be the Crown Prince had already secured the Tiger Talisman? It wasn’t impossible!

Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince had taken precautions earlier; clearly, he wasn’t as simple as his surface seemed. This fierce struggle for power, ultimately—who would sit on the Dragon Throne?

Lu Chen sighed, the situation was dire. Stepping forward, he knelt down.

"Your Highness! Because the Commander’s Department troops were dispatched by Zhou Yuancong, I couldn’t help but gather private soldiers from the mansion, hence the delay!"

Qin Min inwardly cursed Lu Chen’s cunning. What was Lu Chen’s true purpose in coming—could he really be here to save the Crown Prince? He didn’t believe it.

But now the situation was stronger than the people; like Lu Chen, he could only temporarily bow in submission.

Recalling his father’s advice, he couldn’t help but sigh again; would the Qin Family continue its decline?

Touching the hard object in his pocket, fortunately, he hadn’t sent the signal, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"At least the Crown Prince is unharmed, so I’m relieved." Qin Min endured his pain, lying on the ground, with blood still flowing from the wound on his leg.

Seeing Qin Min, the Crown Prince looked guilty.

"The Imperial Sister suffered minor injuries and is resting in the inner hall; I’ll have the Imperial Physician treat you!" The Crown Prince called guards to carry Qin Min to the side hall.

"What? Mother is injured? What happened?" Qin Min asked urgently upon hearing this.

"Nothing serious, just needs a period of rest."

Qin Min couldn’t wait for assistance, scrambling up and limping towards the hall.