Chapter 195 Who's Falling into Whose Trap?

Chapter 195 Who's Falling into Whose Trap?

As dusk fell, the setting sun, like blood, stained the majestic imperial city with an ominous dark red hue.

Outside the capital, a massive army of 100,000 men in black armor arrived at their encampment.

Banners blotted out the sun, and a murderous aura filled the sky.

However, when Han Zheng respectfully lifted the lid of the commander-in-chief's specially made luxurious carriage, his expression changed instantly.

Empty.

Inside were only a pile of leftover fruit peels and a few storybooks.

The regent and the queen have disappeared.

The news spread like wildfire into the inner palace.

"What?! It's gone?!"

Inside the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager suddenly stood up. Because of the sudden movement, she aggravated the scars on her face, causing her face to contort in pain.

She meticulously set up a trap, even holding the breath of the executioners, but the protagonist didn't show up?

"Could the news have leaked? Could that madman have led his troops into the city through the secret passage? Could he be planning to besiege the palace directly?!"

Countless terrifying thoughts flashed through the Empress Dowager's mind, making her hands and feet turn ice cold.

The young emperor was so frightened that he hid under the table, trembling with fear.

At this moment of widespread anxiety and uncertainty.

"Report—!!!"

The eunuch outside the Meridian Gate, in a high-pitched, even slightly trembling voice, relayed a message into the Hall of Supreme Harmony:

"The Regent has arrived—!"

"The Regent's Consort has arrived!"

It's here!

The Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief, then a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes.

Now that you're here, you're not leaving!

...

The square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was empty.

Under the varied gazes of civil and military officials, and under the watchful eyes of the five hundred axemen lying in ambush in the shadows.

Two figures, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, slowly entered the murderous palace.

When everyone saw their attire, they couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Pei Yunjing was not wearing armor, nor did he even bring his ever-present "Zhanwang" sword.

He was dressed in a festive red court robe embroidered with golden dragons and flowing clouds.

The color was a dazzling, intense red, unlike that of a general who had just conquered a country and returned in triumph; it was more like that of a top scholar who had just passed the imperial examination, or a groom on his way to his wedding.

Beside him, Tang Li was also dressed in a bright red, elaborate palace gown, adorned with a golden phoenix hairpin, her makeup exquisite, and her beauty breathtaking.

The two walked hand in hand, their steps leisurely, with lazy smiles on their lips, as if they had just finished eating and drinking.

This doesn't look like someone going to a trap.

This looks like they're here for a wedding!

The Empress Dowager sat on the high platform, watching the figures in red and black (although Pei Yunjing was dressed in red, his aura was black), her eyes twitching wildly.

What audacity!

He brought no guards, no soft armor, and not even weapons!

Is this extreme arrogance, or utter stupidity?

"Pei Yunjing, you're courting death!"

The Empress Dowager cursed viciously in her heart.

She looked at the pile of dry firewood that had already been set up in the center of the square and was covered with kerosene, and then at the shadowy figures of axemen under the palaces on both sides.

The urn is ready, and the turtle has been brought in.

Tonight is the night of your death, you two scoundrels!

Pei Yunjing led Tang Li by the hand and walked to the center of the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

He stopped, looked up at the towering pile of firewood, and then glanced around at the ambush soldiers who were so numerous they could barely conceal their breathing.

"Tsk."

He chuckled softly, turned his head, and whispered to Tang Li:

"It seems that the Empress Dowager has even brought out her coffin money to welcome us."

Tang Li covered half her face with a round fan and muttered softly:

"Shouldn't we cooperate? Otherwise, how can this show continue?"

"That's natural."

Pei Yunjing tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze disdainful, as if looking at a group of monkeys dancing in the palm of his hand:

"Now that the platform has been set up, wouldn't it be a waste of the Empress Dowager's painstaking efforts if I didn't step onto it?"