Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 595: Chaos (Part 6)

Wei Xiong was dressed in silver armor, wielding a long knife, showing off his imposing presence. Among the rebels, he was particularly eye-catching.

Jiang Shaohua immediately spotted Wei Xiong. She issued a command without turning her head: "Zheng Chen, go and kill this rebel!"

No one knew what Zheng Chen was thinking; he simply acknowledged expressionlessly, grabbed his long knife, and rushed forward.

There were many people around Wei Xiong, but Zheng Chen cut down two in succession and was still some distance from Wei Xiong.

The military generals behind Jiang Shaohua also shouted angrily and charged forward with their weapons. One among them, who had somewhat of a relationship with Wei Xiong, shouted while wielding his knife: "Wei Xiong! Betrayal is a grave crime that exterminates nine generations! Surrender your weapons now, and perhaps you can save your family. Otherwise, the entire Wei Family will perish because of you!"

These words not only failed to persuade Wei Xiong but instead stirred his ferocity.

Wei Xiong grinned fiercely and shouted with raised arms: "Sons, follow me and kill them all! If we succeed, everyone will be made marquises and generals! Kill!"

Wei Xiong indeed had extraordinary qualities; even in such circumstances, he had loyal followers. The rebels charged forward like they had drunk chicken blood, screaming in rage. Within moments, the battle cries were fierce, and people kept falling into pools of blood.

Jiang Shaohua, who had always charged at the forefront, didn’t rush to kill at this moment. First, because she was indeed exhausted and had only recovered some energy. Second, she needed to oversee the overall situation, discern the circumstances, and make timely decisions.

The rebels here were fewer in number compared to those outside Zhaohai Palace, but they were even more fierce and ruthless, almost fighting with a reckless abandon.

The Imperial Guard originally stationed outside the palace had been killed until rivers of blood flowed, heads rolled, limbs scattered everywhere, nearly reaching the point of defeat.

Now reinforcements arrived, reigniting hope among the guards, who each summoned their vigor and fought desperately. Suddenly, the battle situation improved significantly.

At this rate, subduing this gang of rebels was only a matter of time.

The only concern was the unknown situation in the harem...

"Commandery Princess, I’ll kill this rebel Wei Xiong!" Song Yuan’s face was full of anger, fiercely resolved.

Jiang Shaohua nodded without hesitation, avoiding unnecessary words of self-preservation.

On the battlefield, blind swords and spears were not empty threats. Being injured by stray arrows or weapons in the chaotic scene was a common occurrence.

Even she had faced danger multiple times before.

Song Yuan was the top expert at her side; aside from divine power, she actually wasn’t Song Yuan’s match. The Wei Xiong before them was exceptionally fierce and had consecutively killed two people. Those confronting him were all daunted. To quell the rebellion quickly and effectively, the best strategy was to first assassinate Wei Xiong.

Song Yuan swiftly drew his knife and charged silently forward.

Several of Wei Xiong’s personal soldiers slightly cleared a way, and Song Yuan’s bright long knife fell swiftly.

Wei Xiong raised his knife to block, the blades clashed, and both trembled with a frightened glint in their eyes.

No words were needed on the battlefield; truly ruthless individuals never bothered with needless chatter. Song Yuan hacked one knife after another, while Wei Xiong didn’t retreat, swinging his blade. Within moments, both had amassed scars.

Jiang Shaohua cast a glance around and suddenly turned to look at the Duke An beside her: "Duke An, do you regret having Zheng Chen, this traitor, as your son?"

Duke An’s heart skipped a beat, his face turned pale, yet he steadied himself: "What does the Commandery Princess mean by this?"

Jiang Shaohua’s lips curled with disdain, her dark eyes sharp as a blade piercing the Duke’s gaze: "Jiang Yi has long harbored resentment against the Grand Empress Dowager over old grudges, ambitious with aspirations to usurp power."

"The Zheng Family owes its position today entirely to the Grand Empress Dowager. Over the years, her favoritism towards Zheng Chen was evident to all. But how did Zheng Chen repay her?"

"For power, he disregarded kindness and righteousness, resorted to any means, betraying the Grand Empress Dowager, and secretly colluded with Jiang Yi. He urged Jiang Yi to poison the Emperor, scheming to stage a coup during the mourning period. Even you, his father, became a pawn in his hands."

"If the palace coup succeeded today, Jiang Yi wouldn’t last long, as Zheng Chen would backstab him under the pretense of correcting chaos and would assassin Jiang Yi. Then he would support Prince Ping ascending the throne, becoming a key minister in directing court affairs, wielding power single-handedly."

"You might want to think about it; can you live to witness Prince Ping’s enthronement?"

These words were like a heavy hammer falling on Duke An’s heart.

In front of power struggles, familial ties meant nothing. Zheng Chen did all this behind his back, essentially aiming to eliminate his inconvenient and obstructive father.

Duke An bit down hard, as if consuming something bitter, "Our father-and-son hearts are united, Commandery Princess, you need not stir trouble."

Jiang Shaohua laughed coldly: "The facts are before you, whether I was stirring trouble, Duke An should be most aware. I have no other intent in saying this. Wei Xiong was your subordinate whom you recruited with countless gold and effort. Now that Wei Xiong is involved in treason, there is no way out."

"I advise you, sever ties with Wei Xiong now and kill Zheng Chen. Post-calculation, the Zheng Family will not be implicated. Otherwise, I, Jiang Shaohua, will personally wipe out the Zheng Family."

This was not a threat.

It was a declaration.

Looking at Jiang Shaohua’s cold brows, Duke An felt chilled to the bone. His lips moved, wanting to say something, but before the brutal facts and the strong presence of the Nanyang County Princess, all language seemed weak and powerless.

"Even a tiger won’t eat its cubs."

Duke An forced out a trembling sentence.

Jiang Shaohua sneered, unwilling to waste more words with Duke An, signaling the trusted aide to hand Duke An a weapon.

The trusted aide Sun An thrust a long spear into Duke An’s hands.

Duke An, who learned martial arts in his youth, was considered a master. However, years of indulgence had almost left him no opportunity to practice, and most of his skills had deteriorated.

The spear in hand, he reflexively grabbed it. Just as he wanted to turn and speak to the Commandery Princess, he was pushed forcefully from behind, compelled into the fray.

A long knife swiftly arrived before him.

Duke An was scared out of his wits, grabbed the long spear, and narrowly blocked the knife.

After that, he had no time for distraction. After decades of privileged living, what had he experienced of such peril? Now each move could be lethal, he struggled to defend himself, totally overwhelmed. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Jiang Shaohua gave Duke An a shove with her palm, then whipped her long spear, beginning to kill.

The long spear was unstoppable, downing one after another, with almost no challenge under her spear.

Her entry into the fray suddenly changed the situation; rebels were entirely suppressed, showing signs of defeat and retreat.

Jiang Shaohua advanced, side by side with Song Yuan, her long spear slithering like a dragon, fierce and swift. Wei Xiong, already struggling, was startled as the silver spear flashed before him and instinctively retreated.

The long spear flicked upward, rapidly thrusting.

Wei Xiong’s chest erupted with a burst of blood.