Chapter 2627: Reinforcements

Most ordinary imperial soldiers and officers, having fallen asleep in the dead of night, suddenly learned that the rebels had entered the city. Surrounded by enemies, commanders couldn't find their troops, and soldiers couldn't contact their commanders. In this state of panic, everyone instinctively fled, leading to a one-sided slaughter.

Even the few brave individuals who tried to organize and fight were too few in number to resist the swarms of enemies and were quickly cut down. Seeing this outcome, their comrades' spirits collapsed further, and they lost all will to resist. The only thought left in their minds was to escape.

However, when everyone saw the imperial canopy and the White Tiger Banner raised high, someone shouted, "The Empress is still here!" Suddenly, the hearts of all who had been on the verge of collapse found a rallying point.

"Everyone, move towards the White Tiger Banner!"

"Fight for the Empress!"

The command center, which had been paralyzed, and the small, scattered units, previously like headless chickens, suddenly found their core. They rallied their spirits and attempted to converge towards Bi Linglong.

From a distance, Yan Wang, who was observing the battle, noticed that the previously collapsing imperial army in the city was subtly showing signs of rallying. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Bi Linglong, that young woman, truly is a talent! A mere woman, yet she possesses such courage in this moment of crisis."

Guangling Wang, Zhao Yuan, standing nearby, nodded as well. "Even when she was the Crown Princess, she managed many state affairs with remarkable order. Both the court and the public held her in high regard." At that time, everyone knew the Crown Prince was a fool; the operations of the Eastern Palace were essentially sustained by her alone.

"It's a pity she betrayed the imperial family's trust," Yan Wang snorted, "failing to help our Zhao clan defend the empire and instead siding with a wild man."

"If she hadn't done so, Your Highness, where would your opportunity be?" Guangling Wang smiled meaningfully.

A flicker of delight crossed Yan Wang's face, but he quickly composed himself, "This king acts solely out of public duty, only to protect the Great Zhou Empire!"

Guangling Wang also expressed admiration, "Your Highness's loyalty to the nation is a model for us all." He thought to himself, 'Who knows who has been preparing for years with rebellious ambitions, only to put on such a performance now.'

Yan Wang knew the other party was likely harboring critical thoughts, but he didn't care. Among the princes, he was the eldest in seniority and held the highest prestige, making him the recognized leader of the alliance. Speaking of which, he had to thank Zuan. Now, with Zhao Hao's direct lineage almost extinct, once they entered the capital, there would be no one left to compete with him for the throne. As long as they defeated the imperial army here and captured or killed Bi Linglong…

At this thought, he couldn't help but feel a touch of apprehension. "You don't think she'll use this opportunity to turn the tables, do you?"

Zhao Yuan replied, "Your Highness worries too much. The imperial army's momentum is gone. What she's doing is merely prolonging the inevitable. Besides, our biggest concern was her escaping in the chaos; with her abilities, she might rally again later. But now, she's choosing to fight to the death, giving us the opportunity to capture her in one decisive battle."

Yan Wang's eyes lit up. "Excellent! As long as we capture and kill her here, the overall situation will be decided!"

With that, he summoned his trusted aides and ordered his most elite direct troops to move out. He promised a hereditary marquisate to whoever captured Bi Linglong. Upon learning of the immense rewards for capturing the Empress, the rebel soldiers' eyes reddened with greed. They howled and charged towards the White Tiger Banner.

Soon, the fighting in the city reached a fever pitch. The imperial army desperately tried to get closer to the White Tiger Banner, while the rebels furiously charged in that same direction.

In the Prefect's mansion on the hillside, Zhang Zitong rushed to Bi Linglong's side. "Your Majesty, the rebels are only three hundred paces away! If we don't leave now, we truly won't be able to." She had bloodstains on her, clearly having just returned from a brutal skirmish at the front lines during a brief reconnaissance.

Bi Linglong drew her sword and cast a cold glance at her. "Commander Zhang, if you utter another word that sways morale, even with the Regent protecting you, I will apply military law." Swept by her phoenix-like eyes, Zhang Zitong couldn't help but shiver. Years ago, as the Crown Princess, she already commanded considerable authority. As Empress these past days, her aura had elevated to another level. It was the imperious presence of an emperor. Zhang Zitong had no doubt that if she tried to persuade her to leave again, she would be executed on the spot.

Seeing her fall silent, Bi Linglong withdrew her gaze. "I no longer need your protection here. Take the Imperial Guards and attack. Only by joining the battle on the front lines can we find a glimmer of hope!"

She had been observing the battle and saw that while the imperial army's morale had indeed risen significantly after the White Tiger Banner was raised, the rebels were well-prepared. The scattered imperial reinforcements arriving from various locations were not forming a cohesive force. Even though Murong Qinghe had just led people to try and provide support, and her spear skills were excellent, the rebels were simply too numerous. Their side quickly fell into a disadvantage. Bi Linglong keenly perceived that the front line was on the verge of collapse. She had to commit her last remaining forces.

Zhang Zitong was about to say that in doing so, Her Majesty would have no forces left to protect her, but remembering the Empress's recent warning, she immediately bit her tongue. "Understood! Imperial Guards, Embroidered Uniform Emissaries, all who can move, follow me!" She immediately charged forward with her subordinates, and the defensive line was barely stabilized.

Seeing her arrival, Murong Qinghe was surprised. "You're here? Who's with His Majesty, then?"

Zhang Zitong gave a bitter smile. "His Majesty sent me."

Murong Qinghe fell silent. She understood the current situation and knew there was no other choice. She had to admit that His Majesty indeed possessed great decisiveness.

At this moment, someone among the rebels quickly shouted, "Even the Imperial Guards have been deployed! They have no one left! As long as we break through this line, victory is ours!" The rebels immediately let out howls of excitement, charging forward desperately. That was the reward of a hereditary marquisate—how many could change their fate against heaven's will with this?

Murong Qinghe and Zhang Zitong instantly felt the pressure double. Their comrades around them fell one by one, and even they sustained multiple injuries. In such chaotic warfare, unless one was as powerful as the Regent, individual bravery made little difference. Moreover, there were many strong individuals among the rebels as well. The two women exchanged a glance, a flicker of despair in each other's eyes.

"Who says we have no one here!"

Soon, a contingent of troops arrived from afar. The silver-haired old man leading them was none other than Duke Qin Zheng of the Qin family. Flanking him were the two brothers, Qin Yongde and Qin Guangyuan. Qin Zheng commanded immense prestige in the army. With his arrival, the morale of the imperial army was instantly greatly boosted.

Among the rebels, a prince quickly shouted, "What's there to fear? He's just an old tiger on the verge of death! Besides, they don't have many people." Qin Zheng's troops were all direct lineage, but in this great chaos, it was indeed impossible to organize a large force.

"And us!" Pei You and Gao Ying appeared, each leading a contingent of troops, joining the battle. Cheers immediately erupted from the imperial army. The rebels' morale momentarily faltered, but a prince quickly shouted that they still held a significant numerical advantage, so they continued their assault. However, with fresh forces joining, it would be difficult for them to break through as easily as before, at least in the short term.

Seeing the battle temporarily stabilize, Bi Linglong secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The most dangerous period was over. As long as the scattered imperial forces could regroup, there would be a chance to turn the tide of battle.

Just then, a figure arrived, seemingly walking on air. "Duke, I'll leave this to you. I'm going to protect Her Majesty!" Seeing that it was Situ Dujian, one of the Eight Dukes, whose son had served in the Eastern Palace and was thus a former direct subordinate of the Empress, Qin Zheng couldn't help but feel relieved. "Thank you, Situ!" He then signaled his subordinates to clear a path, and Dujian quickly flew to Bi Linglong's side.

Bi Linglong's brows furrowed slightly. "Master Situ, I don't need protection here. I ask that you lend your assistance to General Qin!"

Dujian smiled faintly. "Your Majesty, let the soldiers handle the battle here. I will take Your Majesty to a safe place."