Chapter 349: Chapter 315: Please Your Majesty—Offer the Head!_2
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an immediate response from the crowd!
It must be known that even speaking to the Emperor, or forcing their way into the palace, made them feel guilty. However, when confronting a woman, there was no fear among them. Moreover, this woman had previously caused their brothers to be killed, their families exiled—this was a grudge they couldn’t swallow. Although a few had thoughts of retreating, upon hearing that this woman was a treacherous villain, they immediately became righteously indignant, even courageously fearless.
Someone in the crowd had already shouted, "We implore Your Majesty to execute the traitor!"
"That’s right, this woman is the treacherous one beside the Emperor!"
"It was she who killed our brothers!"
As they shouted, their tones gradually unified, and they all began to roar in anger: "Purge the traitorous side, execute the treacherous! Purge the traitorous side, execute the treacherous!"
For a moment, their voices drowned out Chu Yang’s recent furious shout and even overshadowed the sound of fireworks that continued to explode in the sky.
The sound was thunderous.
Yet, watching this scene, Shang Ruyi, standing at the center of the storm on the red steps, remained remarkably calm.
Not only calm, but a faint cold smile even appeared on her face.
She hadn’t expected that with her mere appearance, even her husband who spent day and night with her would disregard her life and death, yet someone could elevate her to the level of enchanting the monarch.
Purge the traitorous side, execute the treacherous?
If tonight, she really were to die under the knives of these people, the future historical records of her would certainly be more than just an ordinary, pale, and thin woman. The historians would surely add vibrant strokes to her appearance, and perhaps one day, she might be as renowned as beauties like Lady Bao and Daji.
At this thought, she actually laughed out loud.
Hearing this laughter, Chu Yang was jolted and turned his head to look at her.
He met Shang Ruyi’s rather cool gaze.
The moment the two locked eyes, the last and largest firework bloomed overhead, like an embroidered umbrella slowly opening in the firmament, the multicolored fireworks delineating dazzling traces in the pitch-black night sky, like countless golden and silver threads adorning the umbrella with opulent beauty. It enveloped the Bright Hall’s rooftop and this moment enfolded them both.
In Shang Ruyi’s clear eyes, the firework was reflected brilliantly.
Her eyes were filled with the falling starlight as if smiling slightly at Chu Yang, "Your Majesty, I—"
Unfortunately, her voice was drowned out by the increasingly deafening shouts. Below, as the Imperial Guard’s emotions grew more agitated—especially under the instigation of several Deputy Generals and the Hu Ben Lang Jiang—they became increasingly angry over the injustices they suffered, and more resentful than ever toward the seemingly frail woman atop the platform!
At this moment, Hu Ben Lang Jiang Ge Yuanchong suddenly drew his long sword from his waist and shouted, "Kill that woman!"
Leading the charge forward!
Men are most easily driven to irrationality by two things: profit and blades. Now, as the gleam of swords flashed before their eyes, the Imperial Guard’s emotions grew more agitated. One by one, they too drew their swords and rushed up the steps with Ge Yuanchong!
At this moment, even someone as composed as Chu Yang revealed a look of panic.
He had commanded thousands of soldiers and witnessed sharper weapons than these, but he had never seen so many blades pointed at him all at once. Watching as these people surged up the steps like a tide, advancing toward them, he gritted his teeth and sternly questioned, "Are you rebelling?!"
But at this moment, amidst the angry cries, no one heard his voice anymore.
With each shout, Wang Shaoji also stepped up into the hall, getting closer and closer to them.
Close enough to see the ferocity and distortion clearly on his face.
He could also see Wang Shaoji draw the long sword from his waist, the blade reflecting the cold gleam of the fireworks. Invisibly, it seemed to whip up a wind, carrying a scent of blood, that blew over the two of them.
At this moment, even Chu Yang showed a hint of gravity on his face.
He reached out to shield Shang Ruyi behind him; his broad sleeve, like a barrier, shielded Shang Ruyi and said in a deep voice, "Wang Shaoji, what are you trying to do?!"
"Your Majesty,"
Wang Shaoji continued to advance step by step, sneering as he said, "Just look at how indignant the Imperial Guard soldiers are, it’s hard to go against the wrath of the people."