dognovel Chapter 1106 You think you've won?
Chapter 1106 You think you've won?
"Your Highness is too kind," Kong Zhiqian said with a cupped hand and a smile. "To restore the Li family's kingdom is my lifelong wish."
He paused, a hint of malice in his voice: "However, Your Highness, we must also be wary of Lin Zhen and Murong Yan. Although they are seriously ill, they are still the Emperor and Empress. We cannot let our guard down."
"Hmph." Li Xian sneered, "They are seriously ill now and are no threat at all. Once we conquer Jiangnan and our army marches straight towards Chang'an, even if they want to resist, they will be powerless to change the situation!"
Kong Zhiqian smiled and said nothing more.
He knew that Li Xian was blinded by victory and wouldn't listen to any advice.
However, this is exactly what he wanted to see.
What he wanted was to exploit Li Xian's ambition to achieve his own goals.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhen and Murong Yan, disguised, secretly arrived in Suzhou.
They chose an inconspicuous inn as their place of stay.
Inside Qifeng Pavilion, Murong Yan was still wearing that black and gold "Divine Phoenix Descending to Earth Dress".
Under such soft and partial light, the dark Suzhou brocade of the Phoenix Descending to Earth dress seemed to blend into the night outside the window, presenting an ultimate and serene black color. Only the gold cotton velvet woven into it and the phoenix pattern embroidered with gold thread flowed with a subtle and lasting luster like a dark night river in the dim light, not dazzling, but profound.
The Suzhou brocade technique gives this cotton nightgown its lightness, which is fully displayed at this moment. The wide skirt drapes naturally with her still posture, conforming to her slender figure without appearing bulky or heavy.
The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train stretched out behind her.
One of her wide, bell-shaped sleeves hung softly at her side, the gold tassels at the cuff brushing the ground, while the other sleeve was raised, her slender fingers gently resting on the cool wooden lattice of the carved phoenix window frame.
A faint, deep light flashed on the black jade thumb ring on her left hand.
Lin Zhen was dressed in ordinary cloth clothes, and his face was covered by an ordinary human skin mask, which completely concealed his handsome appearance.
"Husband, are we really going to stay here?" Murong Yan looked at the simple inn, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes.
Lin Zhen smiled, gently took her hand, and said softly, "Silly girl, we're on an incognito visit, so we can't stay in a conspicuous place. Besides, the simpler the place, the less likely it is to attract attention."
“But…” Murong Yan’s tone carried a hint of worry, “Kong Zhiqian and Li Xian are right here. Wouldn’t it be too dangerous for us to just barge in like this?”
"Danger?" Lin Zhen's lips curled into a cold smile. "They think they are the hunters, but little do they know, they are the prey in our eyes."
He paused, a hint of confidence in his voice: "I have already had 'Night Owl's men lay a tight net throughout the city. As long as they dare to make a move, they won't be able to escape our grasp."
Upon hearing this, Murong Yan felt much more at ease.
She knew that as long as Lin Zhen was there, she could handle any danger with ease.
“So what should we do now?” she asked softly.
"Wait." A sharp glint flashed in Lin Zhen's eyes. "Wait until they walk right into our trap."
He paused, a hint of coldness in his voice: "They want to give us a big gift at our wedding. Well, we'll give them a 'return gift' they'll never forget!"
Upon hearing this, a hint of anticipation flashed in Murong Yan's eyes.
She knew that a good show was about to begin.
Over the next few days, Lin Zhen and Murong Yan began their secret investigation in Suzhou.
They visited every corner of the streets and alleys to understand the people's conditions.
They discovered that the rumors spread by Kong Zhiqian and Li Xian had indeed had a significant impact on the people.
Many people were dissatisfied with the Daqian court, and some even began to believe that Li Xian was the true master of the country.
Murong Yan looked at the people who were misled by the rumors, and her heart was filled with worry.
She knew that if these rumors could not be quelled in time, the morale of the people in Jiangnan would be completely shaken.
Lin Zhen also sensed the unease among the people. He knew they had to act quickly, or the consequences would be unimaginable.
“My lord, we can’t wait any longer,” Murong Yan said to Lin Zhen. “The people have been misled by rumors. If we don’t act now, it may be too late.”
Lin Zhen nodded, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. He knew that Murong Yan was right.
"Alright," Lin Zhen said in a deep voice, "Since they want to start an uprising on the eighth day of the month, let's give them a surprise."
He paused, a hint of coldness in his voice: "I want to see just how capable they are, what kind of trouble they can stir up under the noses of the Emperor and Empress of the Great Qian!"
Upon hearing this, a resolute glint flashed in Murong Yan's eyes. She knew that the real battle was about to begin.
She gripped Lin Zhen's hand tightly, her heart filled with strength. She knew that as long as he was there, she could face any hardship with composure.
Meanwhile, Kong Zhiqian and Li Xian were still gloating over their conspiracy, completely unaware of the impending danger.
They thought they had the upper hand.
Little did they know, they were walking step by step into a trap that Lin Zhen and Murong Yan had carefully prepared for them.
The eighth day of the month was the wedding day.
Suzhou, a city in southern China, appears calm on the surface, but undercurrents are surging beneath.
Kong Zhiqian and Li Xian listened to their subordinates report on the preparations of all parties in the secret stronghold, both wearing smug smiles on their faces.
"Your Highness, everything is ready!" Kong Zhiqian said, cupping his hands. "The old subordinates and powerful clans from various regions have already gathered outside the city and are just waiting for Your Highness's order to attack the city immediately!"
"Excellent!" Li Xian slammed his fist on the table, his eyes filled with fervor. "I have waited for this day for twenty years! Today is the day I reclaim my throne!"
He paused, looked at Kong Zhiqian, and asked with a hint of cruelty in his voice, "Mr. Kong, what about Lin Zhen and Murong Yan? How are they now?"
Kong Zhiqian sneered, "Your Highness, according to our spies in Chang'an, Murong Yan and Lin Zhen are still holding their ridiculous wedding in the city! Hahaha, they're really courting death! Do they think a grand wedding can cover up their serious illness? Do they think they can still use her so-called 'Empress's grace' to win people's hearts as before?"
"But she doesn't realize that this is her biggest weakness! We must strike her hardest when she's at her most triumphant! We must let her know that everything she possesses is nothing but a mirage, utterly vulnerable!"
Upon hearing this, Li Xian's eyes revealed a mixture of excitement and cruelty.
He couldn't wait to see Murong Yan and Lin Zhen's panicked faces.
"What Master Kong says is absolutely right!" Li Xian said excitedly. "Then let's do as Master Kong says and start an uprising immediately! Let the whole world see who is the true master of this land!"
"Your Highness is wise!" Kong Zhiqian said with a cupped-hands gesture and a smile, his eyes gleaming with the light of a successful scheme.
He knew that he had successfully put Li Xian, the pawn he had carefully cultivated, onto the stage.
"Pass down the order! Attack the city immediately!" Li Xian suddenly stood up, waved his hand, and his eyes were full of ambition.
However, just as he gave the order, a cold voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"I'm afraid you won't have that chance."
Upon hearing this, Kong Zhiqian and Li Xian's expressions changed drastically! They turned their heads sharply to look outside the door.
Lin Zhen and Murong Yan were seen slowly walking into the room.
Lin Zhen was dressed in ordinary cloth clothes, and his face was covered by a plain human skin mask, completely concealing his handsome appearance. But his deep eyes gleamed with a sharp light.
Murong Yan wore the black and gold "Divine Phoenix Descending to Earth Dress," the golden phoenix on the hem shimmering in the candlelight. A faint smile graced her face, but her eyes were filled with imperial majesty.
"Lin Zhen! Murong Yan!" Li Xian was stunned when he saw them.
He never dreamed that they would appear here!
Kong Zhiqian's face also turned ashen.
He knew that all his plans had fallen through.
"What? Surprised?" Lin Zhen's lips curled into a cold smile. "Do you think you can hide this from us?"
"Impossible! This is impossible!" Li Xian exclaimed. "Weren't you holding your wedding in Chang'an? Weren't you seriously ill?!"