latelenovela Chapter 562
Chapter 562
In the darkness, candlelight flickered in another courtyard. The mastermind behind the impeachment memorial stroked his beard and sneered, the secret letter turning to ashes in a copper basin: "The Regent has long been a target of criticism, and His Majesty has long harbored resentment. Just add a little more fuel to the fire..." Suddenly, the moonlight outside the window was obscured by dark clouds, and with the sound of the water clock, a net targeting the Regent was quietly tightening.
Dongfang Wan'er stood beneath the high walls of the Prince's mansion, gazing at the starry sky. A gust of wind rustled through the bronze bells on the eaves, a soft, tinkling sound that seemed to foreshadow an impending storm. She gripped her sleeves tightly, her fingertips still carrying the chill of the Emperor's words—this seemingly peaceful palace could no longer possibly harbor pure loyalty. And how could she and the Regent, amidst the turbulent and unpredictable court, hold fast to their initial convictions?
A shocking change in the cold night
The night was as dark as ink, thickly enveloping the majestic Regent's Palace, the bronze bells on the eaves emitting a soft, mournful sound in the night breeze. Dongfang Wan'er leaned against a vermilion pillar on the veranda, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the soft sword hidden in her sleeve. The secret reports she had heard during the day still churned in her mind. Three days ago, her secret guards had delivered news that the forces in the Northern Frontier were colluding with the old faction in the court, seemingly plotting something. She had thought she had at least half a month to prepare, but the change had come so suddenly.
A deafening crash erupted from the northwest corner, startling the owls perched in the locust tree. Dongfang Wan'er's pupils constricted as she looked up to see a gaping hole, half a zhang wide, blasted into the west wall of the Prince's mansion. Dozens of dark figures leaped in like ghosts. Cold light shimmered in the night, and the hurried footsteps of the guards and the clanging of weapons broke the stillness of the night.
She flashed and disappeared into the shadows. In the moonlight, the masks of the men in black fluttered in the night wind. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, each strike aimed directly at a vital point. The leader wielded a nine-ringed broadsword; the force of the blade cleaved the bluestone floor tiles, creating cracks several inches deep. Although the prince's guards were well-trained, their opponents had clearly planned this; in moments, guards fell one after another, their blood soaking the bluestone.
"The operation against the Regent has been brought forward..." Dongfang Wan'er bit her lower lip, her nails almost digging into her palms. Behind the artificial hill where she was hiding, screams and the clang of clashing weapons filled the air. In the distance, a towering flame suddenly shot into the sky from the direction of the council hall, orange-red tongues of flame licking at the eaves, dyeing the night sky an eerie blood red. She was terrified; the Regent had said during the day that he would be handling urgent military affairs in the council hall tonight.
At this critical moment, a tall figure swooped down from the second floor like an eagle. Moonlight illuminated the python pattern embroidered on the man's dark brocade robe—it was the Regent. His long sword was drawn, its cold light flashing, his swordplay swift and lightning-fast, instantly forcing back the attacking men in black. "Protect the palace! Don't let a single one escape!" His voice was steady and powerful, carrying an innate authority.
As Dongfang Wan'er gazed at the Regent's bloodied figure, her memory suddenly flashed back three years. Back then, she had just entered the palace and was severely wounded by an assassin. It was the Regent who personally healed her and taught her swordsmanship. "So what if you're a woman?" The unwavering determination in his eyes when he said those words rekindled her hope. Now, watching the sharp sword energy emanating from his blade, a surge of burning power welled up within her.
“Today, it’s my turn to protect you.” Dongfang Wan’er took a deep breath, her soft sword unsheathed, striking the man in black like a silver snake. Her swordsmanship was cunning and agile, specializing in attacking the lower body. Combined with the Regent’s fierce moves, she forced the man in black to retreat step by step. As the swords clashed, she caught a glimpse of a bead of blood seeping from the Regent’s forehead. Her heart tightened, and her swordplay became even more ferocious.
The battle lasted for half an hour. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the men in black suddenly let out a sharp whistle and scattered in all directions, taking advantage of the smoke. The Regent was about to order a pursuit when Dongfang Wan'er raised her hand to stop him: "No, there might be an ambush." Her voice was still panting, her hair was disheveled, but it couldn't hide the calmness in her eyes.
The Regent gazed at her, a relieved smile playing on his lips. In the moonlight, their figures intertwined in the pool of blood, the ruins of the royal palace behind them. "This time, we owe you a great debt," he said, wiping the blood from his sword, his gaze as deep as the night. "But I know this is only the beginning. The court is in turmoil, the northern border is watching us with predatory eyes, and the road ahead will likely be even more difficult than tonight."
Dongfang Wan'er gripped her sword hilt tightly, raising her head to meet his gaze: "Your Highness, no matter how many storms lie ahead, Wan'er is willing to walk alongside you." The night wind swept by, carrying the scent of gunpowder and blood, yet it could not dispel the unwavering resolve in their eyes. In the distance, the sky was already tinged with the first light of dawn; new challenges were about to arrive with the sunrise.