Chapter 103: The Fall of Guanzhong

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As for Zhao Huan, his injuries were not actually severe. The reason he fell into a coma was entirely due to the aftermath of his transmigration—the incomplete fusion of two souls. After being disturbed by external forces, the two souls clashed again.

Although Zhao Huan was currently unconscious, he was very much aware of everything happening around him. He just needed time to fully merge the two souls.

The night passed without incident. At dawn the next day, Zhao Huan opened his eyes. If anyone had been nearby, they would have noticed a fleeting gleam of sharpness in his eyes.

Zhao Huan moved slightly, immediately waking Xiying, who had been sleeping by the bedside.

“Ah!” Xiying was about to scream, but Zhao Huan quickly covered her mouth, shaking his head to signal her to remain quiet.

Xiying’s eyes were filled with excitement, but she understood Zhao Huan’s meaning and nodded happily, signaling that she wouldn’t make a sound.

Zhao Huan lowered his hand and said to Xiying, “For now, don’t make a scene. Just pretend I haven’t awakened yet.”

Xiying nodded and said, “Your Majesty, you have finally awakened. Your coma yesterday scared us all to death.”

Zhao Huan took Xiying’s small hand in his, gently squeezing it, “I know you have suffered.”

Xiying shook her head, “As long as Your Majesty is safe, what are a few hardships to us?”

Zhao Huan reached out and playfully pinched Xiying’s cute little nose, “This injury of mine is actually a blessing in disguise. It has exposed all hidden dangers. For now, don’t reveal that I am awake. I want to see exactly who wishes to see me dead.”

After Zhao Huan awoke, Xiying felt reassured and whispered, “What about the Empress Dowager? She must have been worried for an entire night.”

Zhao Huan nodded, “Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager will have to endure some hardship. This matter is too important; the fewer who know, the better.”

Xiying agreed, understanding the wisdom of his words.

“Act as if nothing has happened. After leaving the Grand Celebration Hall later, take this jade finger ring of mine to Zhang Xian and instruct him to deploy five thousand Flying Feather troops in an ambush within the palace, ready to obey my orders at any moment,” Zhao Huan instructed Xiying.

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Xiying knew the gravity of this and nodded firmly, “I will attend to it immediately.”

Zhao Huan nodded, “Tell him this matter must be kept absolutely secret. No one else besides him is to know.”

Xiying quickly agreed. To achieve greatness, countless sacrifices are made; ascending the throne means stepping over many corpses.

After Xiying left, she wiped the joy from her face and put on a solemn expression. Though it was still early, a large crowd had gathered outside the Grand Celebration Hall, including many high-ranking ministers from court. Among them was the Eighth Prince, Zhao Yin, who had visited the day before.

Upon seeing Xiying, the Eighth Prince hurried forward with a smiling face, “Consort Ying, has His Majesty awakened?”

Xiying’s expression darkened but she forced a smile, “His Majesty has awakened but remains weak. He has just taken his medicine and fallen asleep again.”

The Eighth Prince looked skeptical, “His Majesty has fallen asleep again? You’re not trying to deceive us, are you?”

Xiying glared at him, “How could I lie about such an important matter concerning His Majesty’s health? If you don’t believe me, wait until he wakes and ask him yourself.”

“Only if he wakes,” the Eighth Prince muttered quietly.

“What did you say?” Xiying frowned.

“Oh, nothing. We’re all just waiting for His Majesty to hold court soon. He must recover quickly,” the Eighth Prince feigned concern.

“Thank you for your concern, Eighth Prince. His Majesty is favored by heaven and will surely be fine,” Xiying replied earnestly.

Hearing this, Zhao Yue was secretly pleased. In his view, the more Xiying insisted on His Majesty’s frailty, the more seriously injured Zhao Huan must be. Only someone gravely wounded would pray for divine protection since even the imperial doctors were helpless.

Just as Xiying was about to leave, a messenger came running from afar, shouting loudly, “Urgent dispatch from Guanzhong, eight hundred li away, for His Majesty’s immediate attention!”

“One must hurry to present this to His Majesty then,” one minister said.

“But His Majesty is still unconscious. What shall we do?” another asked.

“This military emergency from Guanzhong requires immediate action. It must be presented to His Majesty,” someone said. Then turning to Xiying, “Consort Ying, please inform His Majesty that this urgent dispatch demands his review.”

“His Majesty is resting. You may first present this urgent dispatch to Minister Li Gang,” Xiying suggested.

At first, Xiying suspected this urgent dispatch from Guanzhong might also be fabricated by Zhao Yin and his faction.

However, Li Gang was not present outside the Grand Celebration Hall. Those gathered were supporters of Zhao Yin. Hearing Xiying’s words, one minister immediately stepped forward, “Li Gang is merely the Minister of War. In rank and status, he does not compare to the Eighth Prince. Given the urgency, it would be more appropriate for the Eighth Prince to review the dispatch from Guanzhong.”

This suggestion was a blatant overreach.

Though the report did not necessarily require the emperor’s review, who should review it must be approved by the emperor. Now, this group blatantly wanted to bypass Zhao Huan’s order that Li Gang review it and instead have Zhao Yin do so. Their intentions were clear.

“Yes, the situation is urgent. We ask the Eighth Prince to consider the greater good and review the urgent military report from Guanzhong,” the ministers urged in unison.

Zhao Yin was inwardly delighted. Becoming emperor must feel like this. There was no denying it was an exhilarating feeling.

“I am grateful for your trust. I shall overstep once and review this urgent report on behalf of His Majesty. If His Majesty later blames me, I will bear full responsibility,” Zhao Yin declared with righteous resolve.

The ministers present nodded approvingly.

But when Zhao Yin opened the report, his face darkened.

“The Hanzhong garrison has suffered a crushing defeat. Twenty divisions of the Western Xia army are besieging Hanzhong. Fuping City has fallen! Wu Jie led over twenty thousand troops of the Western Garrison in a breakout and is now stationed in Daqing City, requesting reinforcements!” Zhao Yin announced gravely.

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