"What did you say?" The Empress Dowager's smile froze on her face.
"Do you really think that story can fool me?"
She immediately sneered.
She had begun plotting over a decade ago, secretly planting her trusted followers throughout the Three Great Camps. From low-ranking squad leaders, Hundred-Household Officers, and company commanders to Assistant Generals and deputy generals, she had installed plenty of her people. Even two of the camps' three Grand Commanders belonged to her faction.
With this sudden uprising, victory was firmly in her grasp.
"Xun'er, stop putting on an act. Have your people stop resisting, and I can still spare your life," she sneered.
Emperor Jing burst out laughing.
"Mother, aren't you curious why you haven't seen Sun Chenzong these past few days?"
At the mention of Sun Chenzong, the Empress Dowager's expression changed.
How did I forget that old thing who always keeps such a low profile?
"Two days ago, Minister Sun led three hundred thousand frontier troops into East Mountain Old Camp."
East Mountain Old Camp? The Empress Dowager faltered. That was an abandoned military camp from Wuzong's reign. Her informants were scattered throughout Upper Capital, yet she had overlooked that very place.
But she immediately sneered. "Xun'er, don't try to confuse me and buy yourself time."
As they spoke, the smoke and dust over West Mountain increasingly blotted out the sky. A great battle was clearly underway. Yet none of that dust and smoke was moving toward the Imperial Mausoleum.
Her expression finally changed.
The corners of Emperor Jing's mouth curved upward as he looked at the Empress Dowager as though she were already dead.
He had long known about her arrangements, but he had not known exactly how many hidden agents and accomplices her faction had within the court and the Three Great Camps.