"The rest I will handle. You stay here and don't move."
Ling Mohan pulled Feng Jin behind him, handed her over to several soldiers, and said, "Watch the young madam. If even a single hair on her head is harmed, you will all be held accountable!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"Ling Mohan, be careful with everything."
Feng Jin said worriedly, her gaze fixed on Ling Mohan.
"Don't worry. You stay safe and don't run around."
After a few instructions to Feng Jin, Ling Mohan directly leaped onto his horse and charged into the battlefield, engaging in combat.
Feng Jin watched the man's retreating figure, her heart pounding nervously, unable to calm down. She silently prayed for Ling Mohan's safety and success.
"Young madam, this place is dangerous. We request that you accompany us to the rear to take temporary refuge."
"Alright..." Feng Jin hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. She knew that only by ensuring her own safety could she avoid worrying Ling Mohan. She also believed that Ling Mohan could defeat Chu Yanxi.
...
"Your Highness, General Ling's forces are attacking the imperial palace. Chu Yanxi and his men are retreating steadily. The palace is on the verge of falling."
Chu Chenyi, clad in armor and mounted on a horse, wore a solemn expression. Ling Mohan's Black Armored Army was the sharpest force in East Chu. Chu Yanxi was certainly no match for them. Now that Ling Mohan was attacking the palace, it meant Feng Jin was no longer in Chu Yanxi's hands.
He was only worried that after Chu Yanxi's defeat, he would be desperate and act against the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
"Select a contingent from our troops and accompany me into the palace to protect the Empress Dowager and His Majesty's safety."
The safety of the Empress Dowager and his father was paramount. He had to rush back quickly and could not attend to other matters or punishments for now. He would confess his transgressions to his father after all this was resolved.
"Your subordinates obey!"
A highly elite troop was selected, led by Chu Chenyi, who entered the palace through a secret passage. The remaining forces were led by the副将 (fù jiàng - deputy general) to aid Ling Mohan.
The defeat was like a collapsing mountain. Chu Yanxi's forces were no match for Ling Mohan. They were pushed back steadily, retreating directly into Xuanwu Gate.
Seeing that the tide had turned, Chu Yanxi became frantic, constantly urging his soldiers to charge forward.
How could the Imperial Guards within the deep palace possibly contend with the valiant Black Armored Army? No matter how many men charged forward, the outcome was the same.
"With one surge, capture Xuanwu Gate!"
Ling Mohan stood at the rear, directing his soldiers to charge forward. This was the best opportunity. Chu Yanxi's forces had suffered heavy losses, their morale was scattered. This was the moment to seize the imperial palace in one concerted effort.
"Your Highness, we cannot hold them off. Your Highness should seize this opportunity to escape quickly! As long as the green hills remain, there will be wood to burn. Your Highness, please escape!"
"Yes, Your Highness, escape! We will cover your charge out!"
Chu Yanxi knew well that the situation was beyond redemption. He no longer had any possibility of victory.
He lowered his eyes and contemplated for a moment, then slowly raised his head, his gaze chilling as he stared at the soldiers fighting ahead.
"The victor becomes king, the loser becomes a bandit. Escape... where could I possibly escape to!"
He was born noble. How could he endure a life of being on the run? Even if he died, he would never live a life of timid survival like a stray dog.
Chu Yanxi instantly made up his mind. He turned and ran back. Even if he died, he would first rescue his mother.
"Xi'er, why are you here?"
The Empress, who was about to go in and cause more trouble, saw Chu Yanxi's figure and stepped forward with a smile.
He truly was the child she had meticulously raised. Every move he made was so outstanding. Soon, her son would be the new Emperor of East Chu, and she would soon be the high and mighty Empress Dowager. This good life was fast approaching.
"Mother, quickly pack your things and escape. We cannot stay in this palace any longer!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression changed instantly. Her body wavered, and she quickly grabbed Chu Yanxi's arm, managing to stand steady.
"Xi'er, what... what has happened? Don't... don't scare Mother!"
Fear filled the Empress's heart. Her instincts told her that this matter was not simple, that something major had occurred. A bad premonition loomed over her.
"Mother... Ling Mohan's forces have already broken in. We... we have lost!"
At that moment, it was as if lightning struck her. The Empress felt as though the sky above her was about to collapse. She almost couldn't stand steady.
"Mother!" Chu Yanxi instinctively held the Empress's arm, quickly supporting her. "Mother, the situation is urgent. They will break in any moment. Mother, you must leave the palace quickly."
"No... no... this palace consort will not leave, this palace consort will absolutely not leave!"
The Empress clutched Chu Yanxi's hand tightly, her tone resolute. She had lived in this palace for over twenty years. She could only win; she would never leave disgracefully like a stray dog. She would never let that slut, the Imperial Consort, laugh at her.
Suddenly recalling something, the Empress looked towards the tightly shut palace hall behind her and walked directly into it.
"Mother!" Chu Yanxi shouted loudly, then followed closely in the Empress's footsteps.
"Mother, the situation is urgent. You should leave the palace first. Your son has already made arrangements. Someone will escort you away. Even if you leave the palace, you will be kept safe and prosperous for life. Mother..."
"Xi'er, there's no need to say more. This palace consort will absolutely not leave. Xi'er, hurry and go... As long as you are alive, you are Mother's hope, you are Mother's everything. Xi'er, hurry and go, go quickly!"
The Empress, as if driven mad, pushed Chu Yanxi outward and then tightly shut the palace doors.
"Mother, open the door! I'll take you with me, Mother!"
"No... Xi'er, Mother cannot leave. Someone must take the blame for all of this. As long as Mother is here, all of this can be attributed to Mother, and they can't do anything further to you. Xi'er, hurry and go, go quickly!"
The Empress shouted as if possessed, "She did not regret anything she had done, only hating that fate was unfair. Neither she nor Xi'er had this destiny.
Now that they had failed, she had to use all her strength to protect Xi'er, ensuring that her child would not suffer any harm. This was the only thing she could do.
"Mother, Mother!"
"Xi'er, a true man knows when to act decisively. If you don't leave now, Mother will die before your eyes, and you will simply collect Mother's corpse. Do you truly want to force Mother to die before you!"
"Mother... no, I... I'm going... I'm going!"