96Shen Yulou rebels!
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chapter 96 Shen Yulou's Rebellion!
Is this girl addicted to it!
Yesterday's hat-trick was a bit exhausting, and Shen Yulou originally wanted a ceasefire.
However, he was in a good mood today, and since Qingqing actively requested to fight, he naturally couldn't refuse.
If it were in his previous life, Shen Yulou's body, already over forty years old, would have long been unable to bear it.
But now, this body is full of vitality; youth is truly wonderful... At this moment, the Imperial City was covered with dark clouds, and the weather was somewhat oppressive.
In the Imperial Study, Imperial Advisor Sun Xun sat cross-legged before Emperor Ren, muttering to himself, looking mystical.
A moment later, Sun Xun opened his eyes.
"Your Majesty, the war in the north will likely result in heavy casualties."
Emperor Ren frowned, "I heard that the Black Mountain Army only has a few thousand men. Will the casualties be that heavy?"
Sun Xun said, "Indeed, the enemy's forces are not many this time, but there is an inside man within our army."
Emperor Ren's face darkened, "Are you saying there's a spy among us? Who is it?"
Sun Xun counted on his fingers, "Your Majesty, this person is a member of the imperial family; your subject dare not speak carelessly!"
Emperor Ren's face grew even gloomier, "Imperial Advisor, just speak freely!"
"The spy is Princess Siyi!"
Emperor Ren's expression changed, then he narrowed his eyes.
"Imperial Advisor, do you have any evidence for this? Such an important matter cannot be convinced by divination alone."
Sun Xun said, "Your Majesty, whether it's true or not, a quick investigation will reveal all. Your subject's judgments are not based solely on divination.
Princess Siyi has an uncle who lives far away. Your subject heard that the Black Mountain Army's rebellion is being waged under Prince Chen's name."
Emperor Ren clenched his fists, a hint of anger instantly appearing on his face.
Rebel uprisings must have a legitimate cause to gain the people's approval.
And fighting under Prince Chen's name provided just such a legitimate cause.
Years ago, Emperor Ren and Prince Chen vied for the throne, and Emperor Ren had Prince Chen killed. This incident was Emperor Ren's dark history.
Killing his own brother, this reputation alone was enough to give the Black Mountain Army a legitimate cause.
"Are you saying that the Princess secretly helped him? I have kept the Princess under house arrest for so many years; her every move is under my control."
Sun Xun said, "Your Majesty, even if the Princess had the intention, she lacks the ability.
However, Shen Yulou might not.
He is about to marry the Princess and has great ambitions.
Moreover, Your Majesty gave him the authority to mobilize the Ministry of War, and now he is an imperial envoy, with a flag and token in hand. What he might do is unpredictable."
Emperor Ren's face grew even more somber.
"Are you saying Shen Yulou is rebelling?"
Sun Xun said, "That's right! Your Majesty, it is very likely that Shen Yulou will assassinate Your Majesty upon his return this time. Please take strict precautions."
Emperor Ren snorted coldly, "Just Shen Yulou? Can he assassinate me? Are my Imperial Guards just for show?"
Sun Xun said, "Your Majesty, haven't you noticed that Shen Yulou and Li Hui are very close?"
As soon as Sun Xun said this, suspicion immediately arose in Emperor Ren's heart.
He was already naturally suspicious, and although he didn't blame Li Hui for the previous assassination attempt, he had become vigilant.
Emperor Ren thought for a moment and said.
"Li Hui is absolutely loyal to me."
Li Hui had been with Emperor Ren for many years. If it weren't for his absolute trust in him, Emperor Ren would not have made Li Hui the Commander of the Imperial Guard.
Sun Xun said, "Your Majesty, Li Hui was loyal to you before, but he is now a father with a son less than a year old.
It's only natural for him to befriend Shen Yulou; Shen Yulou is indeed skilled in treating children.
Precisely because of this, the two naturally formed a faction over time.
Your Majesty can ask some people to inquire whether Li Hui and Shen Yulou are very close, and Shen Yulou has visited their home many times."
A faint killing intent emanated from Emperor Ren's pupils.
With Sun Xun putting it that way, it really was possible.
Emperor Ren was silent for a moment, then said.
"If it were before, I would have killed Shen Yulou without hesitation. But now, I have bestowed marriage upon him and the Princess. If I move against him, I must also move against Princess Siyi.
If I am to move against them, I need concrete evidence."
Although Emperor Ren did not want to bear a bad name, nor be called cruel by the world.
But if the Princess lived, it would give the rebels an excuse for a legitimate cause, then there would be no meaning in the Princess living.
However, to kill them, there must be irrefutable proof.
Sun Xun said, "Your Majesty, your subject currently has no evidence. Everything will become clear once Shen Yulou returns.
However, for Your Majesty's safety, do not allow Shen Yulou to enter the Imperial City. Stop him outside the city, and if you find any abnormality in him, kill him on the spot!"
Emperor Ren thought for a moment, preferring to believe it than not.
No matter what, he would first control all those involved in the case.
If it were before, he would have had complete trust in Imperial Advisor Sun Xun, but after the incident with the Prince last time, he didn't dare to put all his bets on the Imperial Advisor.
"He Shun, issue the order: suspend Li Hui and have him stay in the palace, not allowed to go anywhere!
Summon Princess Siyi!"
A sinister sneer appeared on Sun Xun's face.
As long as Emperor Ren had even a little trust, he had already succeeded halfway.
The moment Shen Yulou dared to return to the Imperial City, at the base of the city wall, would be his death day.
This time, it wasn't just Sun Xun who wanted Shen Yulou dead, but also the Noble Consort and General Li.
Throughout the Imperial Palace, the person who most wanted Shen Yulou dead was Imperial Advisor Sun Xun, followed by the Noble Consort.
That scoundrel Shen Yulou not only held her secret but also used it to coerce her.
The Noble Consort always dared not speak out in anger against him, because once she fell out with Shen Yulou, she would not have a good end either.
But this time, if the Imperial Advisor's plan succeeded, Shen Yulou wouldn't even meet Emperor Ren's face, but would be shot dead outside the city.
If that were truly the case, then the Noble Consort would have solved a major hidden danger, and from then on, she would no longer have to worry about being threatened by Shen Yulou.
So this time, she had already told her father that as long as Shen Yulou returned, her father would do everything in his power to kill Shen Yulou outside the city.
From now on, the Noble Consort would no longer have to live in fear... He Shun and several young eunuchs arrived at the Princesss Residence, and Zhao Siyi, the Commandery Princess frowned slightly.
"Eunuch Shun, why have you come?"
Zhao Siyi, the Commandery Princess had some understanding of this old eunuch.
Any matter that required him to personally come was no small matter.
In the entire palace, he was the most trusted by the Emperor, and in Emperor Ren's heart, his status was much higher than Li Hui's.
No one usually came to the Princesss Residence, so Eunuch He Shun's personal visit truly made her feel a little overwhelmed by favor.
However, He Shun's expression was somewhat complex, and he respectfully said.
"Princess, the Emperor has summoned you."
The Princess gracefully rose, then took out a gold ingot from her sleeve and quietly slipped it into He Shun's hand.
"Eunuch Shun, may I ask what the Emperor wants with me?