Chapter 2033 - The Plot Exposed!

Chapter 2033: The Plot Exposed!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Whoooah!
Upon hearing the old eunuch’s words, Xu Keyi and Su Shixuan instantly paled.
Visitors did not come with good intentions, and those with good intentions did not visit!
The process of announcing and receiving the decree was extremely ceremonial. Even if the Sage Emperor was summoning someone for an audience, some time was left for the subject to bathe and change clothes before they went to court or to have an audience.
But now, right after the decree was read, Wang Chong was being ordered to enter the palace without any time to prepare. This was clearly a compelled summons!
Was there any wise sovereign in history who had given their subject a compelled summons?

Understood! Wang Chong receives the decree!
Wang Chong quickly replied to the old eunuch’s exhortations.

But, Your Highness…

Xu Keyi and the others were anxious and wanted to say more, but Wang Chong cut them off with a wave of his hand.

Sir Eunuch, I’ve troubled you. Wang Chong will follow Sir Eunuch into the palace!

The decrees of the sovereign were as immovable as mountains!
He understood why Xu Keyi and the others were worried, but the other party had clearly come prepared. A verbal command was enough to call him into the palace, but an imperial decree had been used specifically to prevent him from refusing.
Third Son Xuan had long been dissatisfied with him. If he defied the decree, he would immediately be accused of disobedience.
At that point, entering the palace late would be about the same as not entering the palace for Third Son Xuan.

Your Highness!

At this moment, Young Master Qingyang and Sword Dragon charged out from the rear.
The two of them had been resting from their journey in the rear hall, and had rushed over when they heard about what was happening.
Glancing at the old eunuch with the decree and then glancing at Wang Chong, the two immediately understood what was happening, and deep concern appeared in their eyes.
Too fast!
They had just arrived in the capital with the Rainbow Glass Divine Grass, but only a few hours later, Third Son Xuan had responded and sent his men!

Wait in the estate. I’ll be back soon!

Wang Chong’s eyes were grim, and he exchanged a glance with Young Master Qingyang before following the eunuch.

Please enter!


Return to the palace!

Wang Chong boarded the carriage and was quickly escorted by the eunuchs and guards toward the Imperial Palace.
Whoosh!
Not long after he had left, messenger birds took off in every direction.
The news that the Sage Emperor, who was seemingly displeased with Wang Chong, had sent eunuchs to pick up Wang Chong and escort him to the palace was quickly sent to Zhangchou Jianqiong, King Song, and Li Heng.
This incident set off a major shockwave.
Each of them found the matter very suspicious. For the Sage Emperor to suddenly call on Wang Chong was far too abnormal.

Prepare my carriage. I must immediately go and see His Majesty!

And get in touch with Zhangchou Jianqiong. Have him enter the palace with me on the pretext of an important matter in the Bureau of Military Personnel!

In his estate, King Song felt extremely uneasy, his eyes twitching.
A few moments later, the carriages of King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong were heading toward the palace gates.
But when the two of them arrived, they saw the palace gates closing shut.
Atop the high walls, a general made an emotionless proclamation.

The Sage Emperor has decreed that nobody is to enter before noon!

King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong glanced at each other, their hearts sinking.
Boom!
Within the ornate carriage, Wang Chong heard the metallic clang of the gates shutting, and he imperceptibly frowned.
The palace gates should not have shut at this time. This was far too suspicious.
Moreover… the Imperial Palace was too quiet today!

Your Highness, there is no need to overthink things. His Majesty is waiting in Taiji Palace, so we should make haste! We cannot let His Majesty wait for too long!
The old eunuch’s chilly voice came from outside.

Sir Eunuch, please lead the way,
Wang Chong indifferently said.
This old eunuch was merely a messenger, so there was no point in arguing with him.
The carriage passed through the various palace avenues, the surroundings frighteningly quiet.
Wang Chong had been into the palace before, even infiltrated the Imperial Palace in the middle of the night once to force Hou Junji into the open, but even then, the Imperial Palace had not been so quiet.
Moreover, even though Wang Chong was seated in the carriage and couldn’t see outside, his mental waves spread for thousands of feet around him, and he could ‘see’ the reactions of all the soldiers, maids, and eunuchs.
Wang Chong’s carriage attracted a great deal of attention wherever it went.
The Imperial Army soldiers standing guard on the walls stood at attention, their gazes pointed unswervingly ahead, but when Wang Chong’s carriage rode past, these people couldn’t help but shoot the carriage a glance.
Even though they quickly turned their heads back around, Wang Chong had still sensed their movements.
These people… were all transferred over to watch me!
Wang Chong’s heart thumped as this idea flew through his mind.
At this moment, he finally understood.
After taking over the Great Tang, Third Son Xuan had engaged in a major reshuffling of the palace, including in the Imperial Army.
Moreover, Wang Chong’s reputation had risen to a high point in the Imperial Army after the war of the northwest. Normally, the vast majority of the Imperial Army venerated Wang Chong, and they would not be like these sentries, who appeared to be guarding their posts but were actually observing Wang Chong.
At that moment, Wang Chong’s brow lightly creased with worry, but he said nothing.
Whoosh!
The carriage continued forward, and a few moments later, with a great boom, it stopped. At this time, the old eunuch gave a cold chuckle.

Your Highness, we’ve arrived! Up ahead is Taiji Palace. Your Highness, please go in. This lowly one cannot accompany you.

Once Wang Chong came out, the old eunuch left with the Golden Guards and minor eunuchs.
The area was eerily still. Wang Chong looked up and saw that Taiji Palace was just as majestic and soaring as ever, but he sensed that there was something slightly different about it today.

His Majesty has decreed that the King of Foreign Lands is to make haste to enter and see His Majesty!

At the top of the steps stood an old eunuch, his shrill voice resounding across the steps.
Wang Chong blinked and came to his senses, beginning his journey up the white jade stairway.
Bang!
A few moments later, Wang Chong stepped into Taiji Palace.
Incense smoke curled in the air, rising from four-footed incense burners placed at each of the four corners. The entire hall was cloaked in a haze.
Buzz!
Wang Chong sensed that something was wrong the moment he stepped inside. Eyes were peering at him through the incense smoke, constantly inspecting him.
Dragon Guards!
His eyes grew stern. Taiji Palace had a special status, and not even officials of the court could enter as they pleased.
Wang Chong thought that he and Third Son Xuan would be alone for this audience, but he immediately realized how wrong he was when he stepped inside.
The Dragon Guards were the Sage Emperor’s personal guards, but they could only stand guard outside. It was normally forbidden for them to take even one step into this palace, but at this moment, they were clearly lining the sides of Taiji Palace.
In being inside of Taiji Palace rather than outside, these Dragon Guards had broken the law!
Not only that, as Wang Chong scanned the hall, he spotted another figure that made him grimace.
General Li!
General Li was the guardian of the Nine Dragon Blood War Banner, and held a unique status in the empire. Moreover, he had fought together with Wang Chong in several wars, so Wang Chong could recognize him at a glance.
But General Li was not holding the Nine Dragon Blood War Banner this time. He wore an all-encompassing suit of black armor, and the only things exposed were his eyes that stared at Wang Chong.
General Li stood behind the Dragon Guards, and unusually, he did not have a very friendly look in his eyes. In fact, he was constantly blinking as if he was trying to communicate something.
Wang Chong’s heart slightly sank, but he had no time to deeply ponder this. A moment later, loud laughter came from the throne.

Hahaha, King of Foreign Lands, you’ve finally arrived!

The majestic figure seated upon the throne heartily laughed, his voice containing so much strength that the roof slightly trembled.
Wang Chong raised his head and spotted the figure of Third Son Xuan through the incense.
He wore a dragon robe and hugged a Hu beauty with each hand.
He had apparently been playing around with these two beauties right before Wang Chong came in.

The lowly subject pays respects to His Majesty!

Wang Chong took several steps forward and deferentially bowed.

Haha, good! Truly a supporting pillar of Our empire!

Third Son Xuan stared at Wang Chong as he laughed, deep hatred and killing intent in his eyes.
This treasonous scoundrel had opposed him again and again, and now, he had dared to send someone to find the Rainbow Glass Divine Grass!
If he had not found Master Xuan Ming and discovered this conspiracy, he would still be clueless.