“Lan Zhi, has the news been spread?” With a faint smile on her lips, Lu Yan glanced sideways.
The palace maid standing nearby respectfully lowered her head. She looked quite old, as she was someone who had followed Lu Yan since childhood.
“Your Highness, yes, the news has already been released. Now the entire court knows that the Regent has overstepped his authority, placed His Majesty under house arrest, and intends to usurp the throne.”
Lu Yan let out a soft laugh, then seemed to recall something. She raised her brows and asked, “Right, what about Yan Luo?”
“Her Majesty didn’t seem well today. I heard she’s already fallen unconscious and is unresponsive.”
They both knew how potent that medicine was. Once unconscious, there would be no waking up again.
“Is that so,” Lu Yan’s lips still held a gentle smile, with not the slightest trace of sorrow. “The army has already reached the outskirts of the city. It’s time I said something. This Great Yan Dynasty…
She slowly stood up, refusing the support of the palace maid beside her, her lips curving into a smile of excitement, though her tone sounded more like a sigh.
“…should’ve perished long ago.”
Such incompetence, such corruption—it should’ve ended, along with her love.
Just then, the doors were suddenly pushed open. Lu Yan froze slightly, then frowned and smiled, “Jun Yulin.”
The figure entered, casting a disdainful glance around. Behind him stood soldiers. His calm and unhurried demeanor made a strange light flash through Lu Yan’s eyes.
“Plotting to harm the emperor, colluding with foreign enemies, framing loyal officials—Lu Yan, do you admit to these crimes?” Jun Yulin’s voice was cold and indifferent, his face still expressionless as he looked at her.
With her plan interrupted, Lu Yan raised an eyebrow. “Regent, what are you talking about? If we’re talking about harming the emperor, everyone in court knows you were the one behind it.”
Jun Yulin didn’t reply. He simply raised his hand, signaling the soldiers behind him to arrest Lu Yan. Lan Zhi frowned and swiftly kicked several guards away, but before she could do more, a single palm strike from Jun Yulin sent her flying to the side.
The situation was now beyond saving. Lu Yan paused briefly, then sat back down and let out a soft laugh.
“Who asked her to be born into the royal family and to sit on that throne in the end?
Her eyes widened as she looked at Jun Yulin.
“Every emperor of Great Yan deserves to die! And the Lu family, the Jun family… it doesn’t matter. Everything I wanted to do is already done. Great Yan is finished.”
A soft sigh came, and a figure stepped out from behind the door, standing beside Jun Yulin. With phoenix-like eyes, she gazed at Lu Yan.
“It’s easy to accuse others of being ambitious, but in truth, the one with the greatest ambition was you, wasn’t it, Mother?”
Only now did Lu Yan panic. The moment she saw Yan Luo, she realized she had been tricked.
They had known—long ago. They had known about her plan, her true purpose… But what about King Jin’s army? The court was already in chaos. Even if it wasn’t enough to destroy Great Yan, then surely enough to shake its foundation?
But Yan Luo answered that question for her. “The invading foreign enemies have already been dealt with by the Grand Chancellor and Lu Xunche. Great Yan will not fall. It will instead usher in true peace.”
With that, the Yan Luo and Jun Yulin said no more and left the Empress Dowager’s palace. The matter had finally come to an end.
The corrupt officials bribed by Lu Yan were also exposed. Those who needed to be investigated were investigated, and those who deserved exile were exiled.
As for King Jin, thinking victory was assured, he had personally led the expedition—only to walk straight into a trap laid by Lu Xunche and An Bai.