The Lucky Heiress

Chapter 618: Chapter 618: The Grand Finale (3) – Turning the Tide_1

In such a situation, several officials began to regret coming here with Old Master Lu today.

Some were filled with righteous indignation, harshly criticizing Chu Lan.

Some were quietly observing the changes.

Some even declared their loyalty to Wei Jinyi on the spot.

At this moment, human nature was vividly displayed in all its facets.

Chu Lan then addressed the officials in the hall, “The Daxing Emperor has long neglected state affairs, and the corruption of his ruling in-laws has become serious. The common people are living in hardship. Although it was ruthless of me to kill him, it was also a necessary evil in order to save the common people from suffering. If you all understand my intentions and are willing to continue to pledge loyalty to me, to seek blessings for the common people and life for the citizens, I can forgive your transgressions today, and everything will remain as it was, as though nothing happened.”

After Chu Lan spoke these words, more officials knelt down, kowtowing to Chu Lan as a sign of their loyalty.

However, quite a few officials still stood in place without moving. Among them were those who chose to support Wei Jinyi and those who chose to wait and see.

Old Master Lu scolded Chu Lan, “Indeed, the Daxing Emperor neglected state affairs in the previous years, which allowed the Qi Family to dominate the court. But in recent years, everyone has witnessed his diligence and love for his people. On the contrary, you have killed countless innocent people in the last two years in your bid for power. If you truly meant to plead for the common people, you shouldn’t have acted at this time! You are clearly acting for your personal desires, don’t paint it with such grand statements!”

“Old General Lu, you are getting old and should learn when to keep quiet. Don’t say more when you shouldn’t.” Chu Lan replied.

“I’m old and have nothing to fear. I’ve spent my whole life in the military, so I’m not afraid of death. If you want to kill me today, feel free to do so, but if you want me to shut up, you’re going to have to kill me first,” retorted Old Master Lu.

“Old Master Lu, rest assured, after today, you will die of a sudden illness. Your former students and acquaintances will mourn for you,” said Chu Lan.

“Then do it!” Old Master Lu raised his head, his eyes filled with contempt for Chu Lan.

Even with a knife to his throat, he would never bow to those he despised.

Chu Heng snapped, “Chu Lan, you are plotting to usurp the throne, and you even want to force us into submission with force. You traitor, you won’t succeed!”

“What do you mean by a traitor? It has always been ‘the winner becomes king and the loser becomes a bandit.’ After today, nobody will know what happened here. The history books will simply record that Kings Rui and Jing intended to rebel but failed.” Chu Lan said calmly.

“You…you’re mad! You won’t die a good death!” Chu Heng exclaimed in fury.

Chu Lan ignored Chu Heng and Old General Lu, turning his gaze towards Wei Ruo, “You shouldn’t have got involved. At least between us, we could have kept some dignity.”

Wei Ruo replied, “King Jing, there was never any dignity between us. We had minimal contact from the start, you’ve been imagining too much. Moreover, your opponent today isn’t me, it’s my husband and… our father.”

“Imagining too much? Hahaha, you’re right, it’s all my wishful thinking,” Chu Lan laughed mockingly.

“Chu Lan, you haven’t won yet.” Wei Ruo asserted.

As Wei Ruo finished speaking, Han Jin, who had originally stood beside Chu Lan, suddenly switched sides and walked towards Wei Jinyi.

“Prince Rui, be careful!” Old Master Lu swiftly stepped in front of Wei Jinyi.

The next moment, Han Jin knelt towards Wei Jinyi and said, “Your servant greets Prince Rui.”

Everyone was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. Even Old Master Lu didn’t expect this development.

Chu Lan and Chu Heng were even more startled.

They had never heard of any previous interactions between Han Jin and Prince Rui. When did they conspire together?

Wei Ruo knew. She had previously seen Wei Jinyi, disguised as Wang Jin, meet with Han Jin privately, and had heard Wei Jinyi say that Han Jin was an old friend of his.

Wei Jinyi, addressing the kowtowing Han Jin said, “Uncle, there’s no need for such formalities. Please stand and speak.”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

What?

Uncle?

Han Jin is Prince Rui’s uncle?

How is that possible?

All of the people related to the Xu household died back then, how could Han Jin be Wei Jinyi’s uncle?

Chu Lan looked at Han Jin coldly, “Who are you really?”

“The youngest son of the Xu family, Xu Zhengyuan,” answered Han Jin.

Old Master Lu looked at Han Jin in disbelief, “In all these years you’ve served… the Daxing Emperor always held you in high regard and trusted you. And even when the case of the Xu family was overturned, you never revealed your true identity…”

Han Jin explained, “The Daxing Emperor knew my identity from the beginning. He intentionally spared my life, showing mercy because I was young, wanting to soothe my older sister. But she eventually died in childbirth due to lingering grief caused by the deaths of our father and brothers. At the time, I didn’t fully trust the Daxing Emperor, so I secretly arranged for the Prince to be sent away without his knowledge.”

At that time, Wei Jinyi was just an infant, and the remaining members of the Xu family were like scattered sand without a leader.

Although Han Jin was only twelve years old at the time, he was mature enough. With him around, the remaining members of the Xu family could unite and lay low to protect Wei Jinyi and plan for future vindication.

Many questions that the crowd had previously not understood were now clear. So it turns out that the Xu Family had been keeping such a card, no wonder Wei Jinyi was able to return successfully after so many years, and no wonder the Emperor had so easily confirmed Wei Jinyi’s identity. So that’s how it was!

If the leader of the Imperial Army is Prince Rui’s uncle, then isn’t it…?

The situation changed immediately. The spears that were originally pointed at Wei Jinyi and his people were now pointed at Chu Lan.

The Imperial Army turned traitor, and now only a few dozen of Chu Lan’s confidants were left by his side.

Chu Lan remained silent for a long time, and after a while, he actually started chuckling.

“No wonder, no wonder he appointed Han Jin as the leader of the Imperial Army three years ago!”

This “he” was none other than the Daxing Emperor lying behind him, who had stopped breathing.

It was his plan, and the path he paved for Prince Rui.

No wonder Wei Ruo said earlier that Chu Lan’s opponents today would be Prince Rui and the late Daxing Emperor.

Although the Emperor was dead, his arrangements before his death had far-reaching impacts.

What a gesture of deep love and long-term planning!

“It seems that today’s matter won’t end easily. Where are the generals of the Armed Forces Department?”

Accompanied by Chu Lan’s command, a signal flare rose into the sky from outside the hall.

Shortly afterwards, men from the Central City Armed Forces Department rushed towards Qianqing Hall and surrounded the Imperial Army. Both sides were on the brink of conflict.

From the square outside came the sound of intense fighting. More men from the Armed Forces Department were pouring in, engaging in combat with the Imperial Army.

Chu Lan said, “Fortunately, I never trusted Han Jin that much. His betrayal came too easily, so I had arranged for part of the Central City’s troops to be on standby in the palace.”