Chapter 822: Will a Palace Coup Happen

"These lanterns are really beautiful."

"How many candles must be hidden inside such a large lantern."

"Besides the golden dragon, there are lotus lanterns and pomegranate lanterns."

A group of children jumped and clapped, marveling.

Tong Huaqiong came to the lanterns for a closer look, clicking his tongue in admiration at the ancient wisdom and craftsmanship.

Lanterns like these would surely be selected as intangible cultural heritage in modern times.

Gu Taohua, Tong Pandi, Gu Xiaoxue, and others were experiencing the lantern festival in Shengjing for the first time, filled with curiosity and excitement, unable to take their eyes off the various lanterns.

"Good, good, good."

On the stage, a face-changing performance was underway, and the audience’s atmosphere was heightened, with many clapping and cheering.

"Dahuan, Dashu, keep an eye on the children; don’t let them get lost in the crowd." Tong Huaqiong instructed Gu Dahuan and Gu Dashu.

Having experienced the kidnapping of Man Er and Yaozu from the lantern festival in Yan Guan Town, Tong Huaqiong was cautious.

Even though security in Shengjing was strict, especially on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, where many dignitaries attended the festival, ensuring enhanced security, leaving a child behind was almost impossible.

But to be safe, being careful was wise.

Gu Dahuan and Gu Dashu didn’t dare let their guard down, keeping the children close.

"Xiao Long said he’d join us for the lantern festival tonight; why hasn’t he come yet?" Yaozu asked Man Er, unable to forget the Crown Prince’s promise to accompany them.

Man Er replied, "Let’s enjoy ourselves first. He’ll surely find us when he comes out."

Mrs. Min overheard the conversation between the two children and couldn’t help but express to Tong Huaqiong, "In previous years, the Emperor would join the people in celebration, but it seems not this year."

Since being startled in the Imperial Beast Garden before the new year, the Emperor’s health hasn’t been well.

Not only was the palace banquet canceled, but the lantern festival too.

Mrs. Min frowned; with the Emperor’s poor health, her son, the Mighty General, hadn’t rested a whole month, either summoned into the palace or sent to the Jiangbei Camp.

Tong Huaqiong asked, "I heard that the Crown Prince used to represent the Emperor in joining the people’s festivities and lantern festival when the Emperor’s energy waned. Why not another Prince this year?"

Mrs. Min responded, "I heard the Emperor considered entrusting it to the Crown Prince, but considering he was too young, the matter was left unresolved."

Mrs. Min gazed towards the Imperial Palace direction, Tong Huaqiong noticed her tightly furrowed brow.

Foreboding thoughts swelled up inside.

Old Mrs. Huang quietly remarked to Tong Huaqiong, "Is the Emperor not okay? Chaoyang was supposed to accompany Jingshan for the lantern festival today, but the palace sent word this afternoon that Chaoyang should stay at home on standby."

Speaking of the Emperor in such a manner was rather rebellious, so Old Mrs. Huang lowered her voice while scanning the surroundings.

Avoiding being overheard.

Aunt Tang overheard and joined the gossip, whispering, "My son-in-law also received orders."

Tong Huaqiong frowned.

In the previous timeline, the Old Emperor wasn’t supposed to die just yet; Gu Jingzhe’s top scholar honor was his personal selection.

Whether this life’s timeline would advance remains unknown.

Right now, she hopes the Old Emperor does not pass away because, at the moment, the little Crown Prince, faced with two cunning uncles, stands no chance.

No curfew on the fifteenth lunar month.

Everyone enjoyed the lanterns for quite a while.

The streets grew increasingly lively.

Gu Taohua waited impatiently for Su Chengmin to appear, stomping and saying, "Why hasn’t Su Chengmin come out yet."

Tong Huaqiong said, "Perhaps he’s been delayed by some matters."

Su Chengmin served in the palace, never emerging, leaving the Old Emperor’s condition uncertain.

However, Tong Huaqiong wasn’t concerned about the Old Emperor but rather the little Crown Prince.

Worried that if anything happened to the Emperor, the little Crown Prince could be in danger.

The stage was now performing a magic show, the crowd immersed in watching when suddenly many carriages traversed the street, accompanied by guards clearing paths among the throng.

Tong Huaqiong’s heart leaped to her throat.

"Aunt Tong, you should hurry home." A carriage stopped beside Tong Huaqiong, Lu Chaoyang peered out, saying, "Have Taohua and the others go home too. Where’s Zhaozhao?"

Lu Zhaozhao was absent among the Gu family’s women.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Zhaozhao stayed home and did not come out."

Lu Chaoyang sighed in relief and then told Old Mrs. Huang, "Grandmother, please follow Aunt Tong home temporarily."

At this moment, Aunt Tang saw her son-in-law, Lord Yao’s carriage, followed by a steward sent by Lian Hengruo to guide Aunt Tang home.

One carriage after another headed towards the Imperial Palace.

The crowd was oblivious to the unfolding events.

Mrs. Min felt incredibly anxious; she had lived in Shengjing for many years and witnessed the bloodshed of palace intrigues.

The current Emperor on the dragon throne was supported to power by her son and others; back then, they fought fiercely.

Twenty years ago, the whole city seemed peaceful that night, masking the impending brutal coup.

The coup persisted until dawn, when the Emperor ascended the throne amidst the blood, greeted by the first morning ray as the victor.

Tonight feels much like that night twenty years ago.

Back then, all court women were summoned to the palace under the guise of serving the Empress Dowager, unaware if history would repeat itself tonight.

Her son was currently at Jiangbei Camp.

She speculated that perhaps the Old Emperor was failing, and if the two Princes seized the opportunity for a coup, which side would her son choose?

Surely to lead troops against the rebels, but what if he failed?

Tong Huaqiong heeded Lu Chaoyang’s words, instructing Gu Dahuan and Gu Dashu to bring Man Er, Yaozu, and the children out of the crowd before swiftly departing with Gu Taohua and others.

Mrs. Min, Old Mrs. Huang, and Gu Baishuang followed back to the Gu Family.

"Mom, what’s going on? We just arrived, and now we have to leave?" Liu Yueer was puzzled, dragged out of the crowd by Mrs. Zhao, and asked Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Just go home as told, and don’t ask questions you shouldn’t."

Gu Baishuang glanced at Tong Huaqiong, hesitated to speak, aware Nie Xiaofeng headed to Jiangbei Camp at dusk, indicating something significant was occurring.

The city remained brightly lit, with people still enjoying the lanterns, few choosing to leave.

As Tong Huaqiong and company neared home, they heard the announcement of a citywide curfew.

Looking back, an overwhelming crowd surged homeward, trampling many lanterns, igniting scattered fires.

Tong Huaqiong felt a wave of fear.

Thankfully, she listened to Lu Chaoyang’s advice and left early. Otherwise, a potential stampede would have dire consequences.

Putting aside street matters, they reached Tong Huaqiong’s home, where she instructed to shut the doors.

"A peaceful lantern festival, what exactly happened?" Mrs. Zhao, clutching her chest, asked.

"Unclear, just focus on staying safe at home," Tong Huaqiong said.

Gu Dashu rushed in, shouting, "It’s bad, many troops are headed to the Imperial Palace. Could it be the rebels attacking?"

Gu Dashu remained outside after arriving home, climbing the walls to observe, noticing a troop advancing toward the Imperial Palace.

Associating with tonight’s anomaly, Gu Dashu guessed it was indeed a rebel attack.

Everyone turned pale upon hearing Gu Dashu’s words.