It was a clear autumn night. The thin dark clouds like gauze lightly covered the bright moon. The Milky Way disappeared in the sky above Chang'an.
In the dead of night, the palace clock struck three o'clock in the morning. Wei Juren received a signal from the watchtower and quickly climbed up to check.
Sure enough, a faint jumping red light appeared in the direction of Xuanwu Gate of the Imperial Palace in the north of the city.
He walked quickly down the watchtower, winked at the prince in full armor, and then took a step forward, about to go out to give the order, but after taking a few steps, he turned around.
The prince did not follow immediately, but stood still with a heavy look in his eyes.
Wei Juren looked at the soldiers holding fire sticks outside the door, ready to go, and hurried back: "Your Highness, why haven't you left yet?"
The prince's face showed an unconcealed fear and hesitation. He looked at the direction where the troops were going to be sent tonight, and his voice trembled slightly: "Your Majesty did not send anyone to arrest me today... He may also know that I did not kill King Kang... Do you really have to do this..."
Wei Juren was startled, then he shouted in a low voice: "Prince! At this time, you are still afraid to act? Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back! Wake up! If Prime Minister Liu is finished, even if the emperor really spares your life, do you think you can still sit on your throne safely?"
The prince's eyelids twitched as if he had been pricked by a needle. He stared in the direction of the palace, his face gradually becoming stiff, and a trace of desperate hatred like that of a trapped animal flashed across his eyes.
He gritted his teeth, drew his sword, and then rushed out, jumped on his horse, and led his men towards the palace.
Liu Ceye had been operating in the court for many years by using the name of the crown prince. Almost every gate and guard in Chang'an had him. After setting out, he made secret arrangements and encountered almost no decent resistance. He then quickly reached the palace according to the original plan.
The heavy palace gate was pushed open by the combined efforts of dozens of people. The door hinges trembled and twisted, scraping the ground with the gate, making a dull and harsh rumbling sound that was different from the usual ones. The fully armored cavalry took the lead, riding their horses and brandishing their swords, rushing into the palace. The swaying fire sticks raised high in the hands of the infantry pushed back the endless darkness in the deep palace. Their armor and weapons flashed with a fierce murderous aura in the light of the fire. The eunuchs and palace maids who met on the road screamed in shock, threw away the palace lanterns and sundries in their hands, and fled in all directions without hesitation.
The prince swung his sword and killed a eunuch who rushed towards him in a panic. Hot dirty blood splattered. He stepped over the fallen corpse, opened his eyes, which were not sure whether they were congested or splashed blood red, and led the way to the Purple Cloud Palace. They broke through the Hall of Supreme Harmony, passed by the football field, Wensiyuan, passed by the Xuanzheng Hall where the emperor usually held court meetings, and the storage treasury. They had a smooth journey and soon approached the vicinity of the Purple Cloud Palace.
The lights in this palace are always on all night long, and the shadows of lights can be seen through the magnificent palace gates and green windows. They are particularly conspicuous under the deep blue night sky.
However, the closer they got to Ziyun Palace, the more desolate the area around the palace became. Even the guards that they had seen at first were nowhere to be seen.
Wei Juren gradually slowed down his pace. An inexplicable feeling of uneasiness suddenly made his hair stand on end. He looked around, hesitated, and walked forward to catch up with the prince. Just as he was about to speak, he met the prince's eyes and was startled.
The prince's blood-red eyes were gleaming with fanaticism, and his expression was close to madness. He pushed Wei Juren aside, led the group of personal soldiers behind him who were as excited as leeches for tomorrow's glory, and walked up the palace road leading to the main gate of Ziyun Palace.