The mysterious man walked out with the blood - stained map, a smug smile on his face. Inside the secret chamber, only Lan Jiaoshu, whose eyes had been gouged out, was left.
The night was deep. Lady Lin sat alone by the bed, watching the full moon being gradually swallowed by the black clouds. The heavy darkness foreshadowed an approaching storm.
The candle flickered, and the mysterious man stood respectfully behind her.
"Princess, the map has been obtained."
Lady Lin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled smugly. "Good. Now let them fight among themselves. We just need to reap the benefits. It's time for the world to return to our Lin family."
Lady Lin and Di Mingye rushed to the palace overnight to meet the emperor.
The emperor, unaware of what had happened, received them with a sleepy and discontented look.
"Why are you two coming here so late?"
Di Mingye rubbed his hands. At Lady Lin's hint, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I've received news that Prince Qin is planning a rebellion tonight. The troops he stationed in the northwest have secretly moved towards the capital."
The emperor was instantly jolted awake. "How is this possible? He's just a leisure - seeking prince. Does he really think he can rival the imperial guards in the capital?"
Lady Lin boldly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Prince Qin might not dare, but don't you forget about Di Lanmo. She has the Phoenix Seal Order."
"Didn't I already get the Phoenix Seal Order?"
A hint of ridicule flashed in Lady Lin's eyes. Chu Zhi had become increasingly stupid in his old age. It was really laughable that such a man had destroyed her family, taken the throne, and sat there.
She concealed the look in her eyes. When she looked up again, she was once again the image of a stupid woman.
"Your Majesty, before I passed away, I was on good terms with the lady. I heard her mention that the Phoenix Seal Order is the seal of the head of the hermit sect, the Jiang family. As long as one has this seal, they can command the entire Jiang family. By then, if they attack the imperial city together, we won't be able to resist."
The emperor's eyes darkened. In this case, Di Lanmo had to be guarded against. Since she could design the exquisite repeating crossbow, who knew what powerful weapons she had given Chu Zhiyan. This woman, unexpectedly, had such courage.
"Come, arrest Di Lanmo on the charge of deceiving the emperor."
Di Mingye bowed. "Your Majesty, I've failed to teach my family well. Let me handle this matter."
"Fine." The emperor waved his hand and gave him the token to mobilize the imperial guards. Looking at Lady Lin's submissive appearance, for some reason, he always felt she was somewhat familiar. He had been on the throne for over twenty years. He had overcome so many difficulties in the past, and he was sure he could get through this one too.
Only I am the true son of heaven.
Chu Zhiyan had temporarily set up a sand - table and was thinking about how to break through the siege of the palace. His elder brother had always been extremely cautious. The imperial city was separated by a moat three feet deep. Once a soldier fell in, they would drown. The walls of the imperial city were thick, and even if they used catapults, they couldn't break through. What could he do?
Di Lanmo saw the redness in his eyes and lovingly poured him a glass of water.
"Chu Zhiyan, it's okay. There's no need to rush. The palace is not an impregnable place."
"You have a way?"
Di Lanmo sighed and said slowly, "Since we can't break in, we'll make them come out. Tie flint to kites. When they reach the palace, use arrows to ignite the kites. Then the flint will explode just as it falls."
"Great idea! Momo, you're amazing as always. I hope you can give me a kind of poison. I'll send someone to throw it into the well in the palace. As long as we besiege the imperial city, they'll all die inside in a few days, and the whole palace will fall without a fight!"
Chu Zhiyan's eyes were blazing. It was as if he could already see the throne beckoning to him.
"Momo, when I ascend the throne, I'll definitely make you the queen. I won't let any other woman in the harem get pregnant. Only our son will be the legitimate heir!"
Di Lanmo's eyes darkened. Chu Zhiyan still hadn't realized at this moment that he was now blinded by hatred. All he wanted was revenge and to make the man on the throne taste the humiliation he had endured over the years.
He clearly said he would be a wise emperor, not bring chaos to the common people or kill innocent people. He also clearly said he would love only one person in his life, but now he had forgotten it all.
"My lord! It's bad!" A guard with an arrow in his body stumbled into the room.
"My lord, General Di has sent troops to attack!"
"How is this possible! You all leave through the secret passage quickly." Even Chu Zhiyan, the undefeated war god, was stunned by the situation. Qiao Yan had just died, and he was still preparing. How could he be attacked?
A chubby face flashed through his mind. Good, Chu Xiuqi. I trusted you and thought you were different from your cold and cruel father. I didn't expect you to betray me. Truly, like father, like son!
Another guard, covering his cut neck, rushed in. "My lord, all the secret passages are surrounded by the enemy. You, you should leave quickly." After saying that, he fell to the ground, and blood continuously gushed from his throat.
Chu Zhiyan pulled Di Lanmo and rushed towards the area with weaker forces. He didn't know how many people he had killed or how much blood he had shed. His only thought was to get out. As long as he could get out alive, he could reunite with the generals in the northwest. Then he would make a comeback and surely make these people pay in blood!
Just as they were about to reach the door, Chu Zhiyan's strength was waning. He only saw two people on tall horses in the distance laughing strangely, but he couldn't see who they were.
Di Lanmo stepped forward, knelt down, and respectfully said, "Father."
Lady Lin looked down at her condescendingly. Since this bitch woke up, everything had gone wrong for her. Wasn't she arrogant? Now she still had to kneel at her feet. How long had it been since she felt this kind of power? Power, power. She would finally become the woman at the highest position.
She said sarcastically, "Oh, isn't this the eldest lady of the general's mansion? Why are you staying with the rebel?"
Di Lanmo gritted her teeth. Finally, as if making up her mind, she kowtowed to Lady Lin. "Madam, your daughter knows her mistake. Your daughter was just being held hostage by him. Please be merciful and spare your daughter."
"Di Lanmo! What are you talking about! Why are you bowing to such a bitch!"
Di Lanmo flinched. In front of everyone, she raised her hand and slapped him.
"What do you think you are, daring to insult the madam? How could the lofty Prince Qin actually believe in love? It's really a laughingstock."
Lady Lin was happy to watch the drama of their love - hate relationship. She threw a dagger to Di Lanmo and said, "Here. As long as you kill him, I'll let you leave safely."
Chu Zhiyan was hit hard by the successive betrayals. He smiled self - deprecatingly. Anyway, he couldn't escape now. It would be better to die and let her leave safely.
Di Lanmo lowered her head and kissed him. Then the dagger mercilessly pierced his heart.