Chapter 1133: Chapter 1124: Breaking the City (9)

The only one probably pleased was Marquis Dongxiang.

Three arrows.

Hit two.

Better than he expected.

The Flying Eagle Guards reacted quickly.

After the shock, they strung their bows and shot arrows.

No matter the Marquis’s motive for killing the Eldest Prince, they swore to follow him to the death!

Having killed the Eldest Prince, there’s no need to hold back against the others, right?

No need to fear their threats any longer?

In an instant.

Arrows rained down.

Duke Chong fled in panic.

Even when Prince Qi and Duke Chong ascended the city wall, the soldiers’ morale was already waning; it was only slightly boosted because Prince Qi had kidnapped the Eldest Prince.

Now that Prince Qi was killed, the Eldest Prince was shot by an arrow, and Duke Chong was fleeing for his own safety.

Do these soldiers still need to resist?

The Flying Tiger Army mixed among the crowd led by throwing their weapons on the ground, and others quickly followed suit.

The city gates opened wide, and Marquis Dongxiang and his men rode into the city.

Marquis Dongxiang went directly to the city wall.

Prince Qi and the Eldest Prince lay together.

Prince Qi died instantly with one arrow; the Eldest Prince had a breath left.

But the front of his garment was stained red with blood, and his injuries were severe.

Everyone did not understand Marquis Dongxiang; even if he was eager to capture the city, he would not disregard the Eldest Prince like this.

The Emperor has many sons, but few capable ones; the Eldest Prince had the best chance to ascend to the position of Crown Prince.

If he were to die, the Emperor would never spare Marquis Dongxiang lightly.

If the Eldest Prince were not to die, could he not hold a grudge against Marquis Dongxiang?

Could it be that he was obsessed with avenging the Flying Tiger Army and the Heir of Duke Xian?

Uncle Li urgently called for the doctor, and Marquis Dongxiang squatted down, tilting the Eldest Prince’s neck slightly.

A mark behind the ear was revealed.

Marquis Dongxiang reached out and pulled.

A human skin mask was ripped off.

Everyone was stunned once again.

How could it be the Second Prince?!

No, wait!

It’s the Heir of Prince Qi!

Wasn’t it the Eldest Prince?

The Second Prince still had a breath left, albeit weakly, as if he could not catch his breath at any moment and perish.

Marquis Dongxiang looked at the human skin mask in his hand and then at the Second Prince, saying, "Do you know why you were exposed?"

"You were too hasty."

"If it were the real Eldest Prince speaking, he would surely order the army to attack the city, not retreat."

The real Eldest Prince, held hostage, would be terrified and angry.

The Second Prince and the Eldest Prince had been brothers for many years; their voice and mannerisms were imitated well enough to pass as real, at least Marquis Dongxiang could not distinguish.

But Marquis Dongxiang understood hearts and human nature.

Although now without the formidable Second Prince as a rival, the Eldest Prince’s claim to the Crown Prince position was almost certain.

Yet he hadn’t ascended to that position.

Even if he did ascend, he must fear being deposed; after all, a Crown Prince can be established and removed.

A future Crown Prince, even a future Emperor of Daqi, how could he allow himself to have a stain of surrendering to the enemy?

He’d rather die standing than live kneeling.

Besides, the Eldest Prince was Prince Qi and Duke Chong’s last amulet.

If they truly wanted him killed, they would have done it in the Capital; why bring him here?

Knowing his potential for survival was considerable, did the Eldest Prince need to be so scared?

His silence made Marquis Dongxiang suspicious.

When he spoke to retreat, it was undoubtedly false.

Additionally, Prince Qi and Duke Chong were present, but the Second Prince was absent, which could be because he was at another gate; however, if Duke Chong and Prince Qi were determined to flee, they would be together.

Prince Qi had just this one son.

If he weren’t his biological child, would he not worry about having a knife held to his neck? Would this small matter need Prince Qi’s personal intervention?

Marquis Dongxiang boldly speculated without the intention to verify; he had always acted decisively.

Moreover, his archery skills were ordinary; anyone from the Flying Eagle Guards could easily triumph over him.

If he managed to hit, then truly Prince Qi’s fate was sealed.

Though Marquis Dongxiang preferred to capture him alive and send him to the Capital City for a public execution.

When it was revealed that it was not the Eldest Prince struck by an arrow, but Prince Rong, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

They were really frightened by Marquis Dongxiang earlier.

Indeed.

They had no clue the Eldest Prince was a fake.

Clearly, the Eldest Prince went missing.

They weren’t particularly acquainted with the Eldest Prince; being held at knifepoint and fearing death were natural instincts.

Prince NanAn and others exchanged glances.

Indeed—

Their thinking was on a different wavelength than Marquis Dongxiang.

Though both judged others by themselves, they only saw the present, while Marquis Dongxiang saw ten years ahead.

Nevertheless, Duke Chong’s strategy was commendable.

He captured the Eldest Prince but had the Second Prince disguise as the Eldest Prince to confuse everyone.

They would never have suspected the Eldest Prince was not real.

Had they not detected it and rescued the fake Eldest Prince, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

They weren’t that familiar with the Eldest Prince; it would have been easy to deceive them.

What if he infiltrated the palace, assassinated the Emperor...

The consequences would be dire, but even worse for Prince Qi and Duke Chong.

The plan was flawless, but it was suppressed from the start.

The Second Prince still breathed, and the military doctor rushed to stop the bleeding.

Bringing him back alive would be best, given the Emperor’s years-long father-son bond with him, even if it was based on deceit.

If unable to save him, it would be inevitable.

After the Flying Tiger Army entered the city, they immediately searched for Duke Chong.

The Old Duke Chong wanted to eliminate the disgrace personally.

Yet after searching thoroughfare, they found a half-mask in an alley and shredded clothes.

They were well familiar with this mask; just moments ago, Duke Chong wore it on the city wall.

The Flying Tiger Army presented the mask to Marquis Dongxiang, "Marquis, we failed and let him escape."

Marquis Dongxiang, looking at the mask, declared, "He must still be hiding in the city. Keep searching, even if it means digging three feet underground, bring him to me!"

Marquis Dongxiang’s voice carried chills.

Not only Marquis Dongxiang, but all the Flying Tiger Army demanded the capture of Duke Chong.

Had it not been for him in those days, the Heir of Duke Xian wouldn’t have died.

Without avenging his execution, the spirits of eight thousand brothers wouldn’t rest!

Prince Qi executed, Duke Chong on the run, their subordinates disarmed and surrendered.

The army was stationed outside the city; no one was allowed to enter or exit until Duke Chong was caught.

The citizens hung on the city wall and those in prison were freed.

After days of fear, they were finally rescued.

One by one, they knelt to Marquis Dongxiang and the Old Prince, expressing gratitude.

Marquis Dongxiang told them to return home; if they noticed anything unusual, report it swiftly to the government office for substantial rewards.

Marquis Dongxiang and the Prince headed to the government office.

Everyone under Duke Chong fled, leaving an empty office.

Though nobody was there, the gold and silver treasures inside were aplenty.

Large boxes filled half the room with the wealth Prince Qi had plundered.

These items now belong to no one known, arduously scavenged by Prince Qi—they had endured numerous curses, only for the court to benefit in the end.

In death, Prince Qi should lie restless in the grave.