"You still can't betray the prince!"
"The prince was blind to have treated you as an honored guest!"
But no matter how they scolded, Xu He let the words go in one ear and out the other. When they were done scolding, he said with a smile, "Gentlemen, are you done?
"If you are, allow me to say that those who surrender will not be killed."
Someone protested, "What if we don't?"
Xu He said seriously, "Then you surely won't be able to leave Hongzhou City."
"I'd like to see how capable you are to keep me here!" A general who had always followed Prince Jin stepped forward. "Gentlemen, the prince must have been controlled by Xu He. He betrayed the prince long ago. Let's kill Xu He and rescue the prince!"
Some began to waver.
At that moment,
"Report—"
"The imperial army has gathered outside the city. Before they could even start the siege, the noble families in the city joined forces to open the city gates. The imperial army has now entered the city!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the color drained from many people's faces, especially Princess Jin.
"How is that possible?! What are those noble families up to? How dare they!"
"And the Gu family? Where are they?"
Xu He ordered his men to restrain Princess Jin to prevent her from hurting anyone.
The defection of the noble families caught everyone off guard. Although Xu He hadn't expected them to defect all at once at this crucial moment, he quickly realized that it must have something to do with the Song family and Concubine Song.
...
An hour ago.
The Song Mansion was overcrowded.
"Master Song, this can't go on like this. What should we do next?"
Many family heads of the noble families had even regarded the Song family as their leader.
Master Song looked dazed as if just woken up. "Gentlemen, what do you mean?"
"To be honest, I heard that the prince has left Prince Jin's Mansion. The imperial army has gathered outside Hongzhou City. If they launch an attack, we're doomed!"
Heard?
It was still uncertain whether Prince Jin had even left the secret passage. Master Song didn't believe that the news could spread so quickly from Prince Jin's Mansion. There must be someone planted inside. But he didn't bother to expose them.
Hearing this, Master Song frowned. "I... I don't know either..."
They chattered on for a long time without reaching a conclusion. Then, a voice came.
"What's there to discuss? The prince has fled. Let's just surrender! We can spend some money to grease the wheels. The imperial court won't wipe out all of us merchants."
Everyone looked at the speaker. It was none other than Master Wang.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Master Wang smiled, seemingly oblivious to how inappropriate his words were.
It wasn't surprising to hear such words from Master Wang.
After further discussion, all the family heads of the noble families unanimously decided to surrender!
So they rallied their men and took control of the city gates before anyone could react.
Back at Prince Jin's Mansion, those who were wavering, upon hearing that the city gates were open and the imperial army had entered the city, immediately shifted their allegiance to Xu He's side.
The general who had spoken earlier turned pale then red with anger. Traitors!
They defected without even being pressured!
How could they betray the prince who had placed so much trust in them?
He roared and drew his sword, charging at Xu He.
"Scoundrel, take your life!"
Since Xu He dared to show his hand at this moment, he must have been well-prepared. His guards immediately stepped forward to block the fatal blow, and Xu He took the opportunity to dodge.
The two sides then clashed.
Those who had been wavering also gritted their teeth and joined the fight on Xu He's side.
If it were yesterday, they might still have a chance to defend the city. But now that the imperial army had already entered, resistance would only lead to death.
Since they had decided to surrender, this was a good opportunity to gain merit!
Due to the suddenness of the situation, the generals didn't have time to mobilize their troops. Outnumbered, they were captured before they could even break out of the courtyard.
...
Outside the city.
The general of the imperial army noticed some movement on the city wall and immediately ordered his soldiers to be on high alert. Then they watched in disbelief as the city gates slowly opened right in front of them.
Everyone in the imperial army: ???
Not long after, a white figure furtively peeked out from the city wall.
This left the eager soldiers stunned.
They had been gearing up for a fierce battle, but the enemy had surrendered?
Ji Junye also saw this.
The deputy general was worried. "Your Majesty, could it be an empty city ruse?"
Ji Junye pondered for a moment. "Probably not. Give the order to prepare to enter the city."
"Yes."
Just as Ji Junye was about to enter the city, Zhui Yun suddenly came over and gave him a bamboo tube.
Ji Junye opened it and his face changed drastically.
The next second, a loud explosion came from the southeast, startling everyone.
"An earthquake?"
Ji Junye's heart skipped a beat. Ignoring the fact that the army was about to enter the city, he spurred his horse towards the source of the sound.
Zhui Yun was about to follow when the deputy general stopped him. "Commander Zhui Yun, the army is about to enter the city. Where is His Majesty going?"
Zhui Yun was originally going to chase after him directly. After all, his duty was to protect the emperor closely. But the deputy general's words reminded him that the current battle situation was also crucial.
He immediately selected a few capable men and sent them to follow. Then he returned to the front of the army.
"Everyone, follow me into the city!"
Half an hour ago.
Prince Jin and Concubine Song didn't know how long they had been walking in the secret passage before they finally found the source of the light, which was the exit.
Prince Jin put Concubine Song down and opened the cover above.
They were now in an abandoned wine cellar.
Shen Qing was also put down. She exchanged a glance with Concubine Song. The people they had pre-arranged didn't show up.
It seemed something had gone wrong.
Both of their hearts sank.
A strong sense of unwillingness welled up in Concubine Song's heart. Was she really going to let him escape?
Was she doomed to be trapped by this shackle for the rest of her life?
She refused to accept it!
"Let's get out first."
Finally reaching the exit, Prince Jin was in a great mood, as if he could already see freedom beckoning. He didn't notice anything amiss with Concubine Song beside him.
As he spoke gently, he reached out his hand to hold Concubine Song's.
But before he could touch her, the next second, a flash of cold light appeared. A dagger suddenly stabbed into his chest.
Since Prince Jin and Concubine Song were so close, this happened in the blink of an eye. Everyone was stunned for a moment.
Prince Jin stared at the dagger in his chest in shock, then looked at the person who was trying to kill him in disbelief. Her hand was still on the dagger that had pierced his chest.
The secret guard who had been watching Shen Qing instinctively rushed over and struck Concubine Song hard in the chest.
Concubine Song had managed to find the antidote to the muscle-softening powder on Prince Jin during the moment of the assassination—
She had noticed it when she was on his back but had been afraid of arousing suspicion and had held back.
But Concubine Song took the blow head-on. She was sent flying two meters away, crashing into a dusty wine jar. Then she landed on the ground and spat out a mouthful of blood.
By the time the secret guard realized the antidote, it was too late. He could only watch as the small bottle flew over his head and was firmly caught by Shen Qing.