Chapter 95 of 100
Chapter 95
6 min read1,433 words
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After many days, the sky gradually took on a luster, a murky glow, but it was still better than the darkness that had prevailed.
The imperial courtyard was rather quiet. Shuang'er fetched some fresh ingredients from the main kitchen and found that most people had left early in the morning, heading to the Nan family's grand residence to celebrate the birthday of the old patriarch of the Nan family.
The old patriarch of the Nan family was a highly influential dragon tamer who had once served as the headmaster of the Dragon Taming Academy and had personally supported the Li family and the Nan family, making him a true elder of the Ancestor Dragon City.
Even though the Li family now held power and the old patriarch of the Nan family was old and senile, with his dragon beasts dispersed, his birthday celebration was still grand, and all the important figures of the Li family had to attend.
Li Yunzi did not go. Years ago, the old patriarch of the Nan family had said some harsh words, so there was no need for Li Yunzi to put on a false show of affection.
Zhu Minglang did not know who the old patriarch of the Nan family was. There were many people who relied on their seniority, but he only cared about the safety of his wife.
Moreover, just yesterday, the Lingxiao City had launched another major offensive, forcing the female ruler's military guards to head to the western battlefield.
The timing was particularly coincidental, which made Zhu Minglang even more cautious.
To Zhu Minglang, the old patriarch of the Nan family's birthday banquet seemed more like a trap for Li Yunzi, so he firmly decided not to go.
It was rare for the Li family's imperial courtyard to be so quiet, and Zhu Minglang's mood was even better.
Unfortunately, summer was approaching, and the sky remained dark and murky. Otherwise, Zhu Minglang would have invited Li Yunzi to take a walk in the shallow forest of mountain flowers at the back of the mountain.
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Nan Family's Grand Residence
Almost opposite the Li family's imperial courtyard, the Nan family's grand residence did not have towering imperial walls, but it was grand and majestic, showcasing the heritage of the first family of the Ancestor Dragon City.
At the entrance, the crowd was bustling, and many students who were exploring the path of dragon taming, though unable to enter the residence, still hoped to come here to absorb some dragon energy. After all, the Dragon Gate was sometimes very mystical, and people often had their own beliefs and superstitions.
Inside the residence, it was not as noisy as outside. It was solemn and strict, more like a place for a serious meeting rather than a birthday celebration. Many people who came to wish the old patriarch a happy birthday were led to another grand hall after leaving their gifts.
In an iron courtyard, Nan Lingsha slowly walked along the marble path. She wore a rose-red dress, her skin as beautiful as snow, smooth and warm. Although her face was covered by a veil, it could not hide her extraordinary beauty and the elegance and nobility in her every movement.
"Master, Master."
"Who is this woman?" Du Cheng, the fourth young master of the Zong Palace, stared at Nan Lingsha from the steps.
"It's the head of the Nan family, Nan Lingsha, hmpf." At this moment, Li Kongxi coldly snorted, expressing his dissatisfaction.
"Oh, oh..." Du Cheng nodded, completely ignoring Li Kongxi's mood and seemed to be deliberately trying to remember this name.
Nan Lingsha walked by without even glancing at Du Cheng. Several dragon tamers from her clan pushed open the heavy iron gate and led Nan Lingsha inside.
In the iron hall of the Nan family, it was already full of people. They did not talk much, and the quiet atmosphere was somewhat strange.
"Close the door," Nan Lingsha said to the Nan family's disciples behind her.
When the door was closed, the people sitting inside the iron hall showed signs of panic. They stared at Nan Lingsha in shock, as if they had seen a queen who had uncovered their secret plot.
"Don't be nervous, this is my daughter, Nan Lingsha," Li Ying hurriedly said.
"She is the head of our Nan family. Without her support, it would be difficult for us to overthrow Li Yunzi's autocracy," the old patriarch of the Nan family said at this moment.
Before organizing this secret meeting, the Li family had already communicated with the Nan family, planning to use this rare natural disaster to bring down Li Yunzi.
If they waited for Li Yunzi to recover from her injuries and continue her military campaigns, holding the military power of several city-states, no one present would be able to stand against her.
"Our Lingxiao City has already sent troops for many days, which is enough to show the sincerity of our Ling family's master. Please do not hesitate any longer..." Yang Xiu spoke up first.
"Our Zong Palace has also sent the young master Du Cheng, who will act as planned."
"All the Li family's guards and strong warriors have been dispatched or lured here to celebrate the birthday. The Li family's imperial courtyard is now empty," Kong Tong said to everyone in the hall.
Birthday?
That was just the public story.
The old patriarch of the Nan family's birthday was Li Yunzi's day of doom.
Now that everything was in place, even the heavens had sent a favorable wind, allowing Li Yunzi to lose the people's support in such a short time!
"This is the will of heaven. Today, we have gathered here not to plot any resistance, but to prevent chaos after Li Yunzi falls. The wasteland needs someone to collect taxes, the people of the Nan City need a new ruler, and the military of the Ancestor Dragon City needs someone to take over..." the old patriarch of the Nan family said.
Division!
The old patriarch of the Nan family's meaning was clear.
Today, they were not asking everyone to take the risk of being killed by Li Yunzi, but to divide the spoils.
At this moment, everyone had a declaration of war in front of them, and each person in the iron hall held a significant power, not only within and outside the Ancestor Dragon City, but also including the Zong Palace, the Li family, the Nan family, the remnants of the Nan City, and the Lingxiao City...
In fact, the representatives from other city-states were greatly relieved when they saw that the initiators of the declaration of war were the Li family, the old patriarch of the Nan family, and the head of the Nan family.
Several city-states had suffered greatly under Li Yunzi's occupation, with countless soldiers dying, and rebels being mercilessly beheaded.
The Zong Palace did not want to see Li Yunzi hold all the power, and the neighboring cities of the Ancestor Dragon City were trembling in fear. Even within the Ancestor Dragon City, people could no longer tolerate Li Yunzi's rampant trampling of everyone's rights.
Li Yunzi returned to recover from her injuries.
Heavenly fire condemned her, and the sky was murky. If they did not act now, would they wait for Li Yunzi's iron army to flatten everyone's residences and cities?
"Sign your names. I will temporarily take over from Li Yunzi and completely disband her military guards. You don't have to worry about her loyalists seeking revenge," Nan Lingsha said as she walked along the long table.
"How can you temporarily take over? Do you think Li Yunzi's loyal military guards will listen to the words of a young lady from the Nan family?" Zhong Yue, the representative of the remnants of the Nan City, coldly snorted.
"This is the key to preventing any future trouble."
"Many of you may not know, but my daughter, Li Yunzi, and Nan Lingsha are twin sisters," Li Ying stood up and said to everyone present.
Nan Lingsha slowly removed her veil, revealing her true face.
Zhong Yue was so frightened by Nan Lingsha's appearance that he fell off his chair. He had not forgotten the cold and cruel eyes of this female demon on the night of the New Year's celebration!
"Her military guards do not know about Nan Lingsha. After Li Yunzi is imprisoned, no one will know that their master has been replaced by her sister, Lingsha. This is the guarantee we, the Nan family, offer to everyone," the old patriarch of the Nan family said.