The Framed Tool-General 05

"Host, 'Zhen' is how the emperor refers to himself... you..."

"Nonsense! When have I ever referred to myself as 'Zhen'?"

In the Golden Hall, the newly enthroned emperor was furious: "Bastards! Bastards! That rebel has actually reached the outskirts of the capital! What do you propose we do?"

A minister stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the capital still has the Imperial Guards and the Capital Defense. The city walls are strong—we can hold out until reinforcements arrive."

Another added, "Indeed, Your Majesty. The Red Sky Army from the south has already set out, and the White Horse Guard from the north is also on its way."

Yet another minister stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I suggest we immediately leave the capital and head south. The Red Sky Army and the White Horse Guard will take at least a month to reach the capital. Until then, we’ll face the full siege of the Northern Rebellion. It would be unwise to stay."

The emperor grew even angrier: "Are you suggesting I flee? Absurd! I am the Son of Heaven—why should I cower before that traitor Fang Zhiyi? Someone fetch my armor! I will personally defend the city walls!"

The court officials panicked and tried to dissuade him, but the emperor was resolute.

It wasn’t until Liu Guxia rushed into the hall again, wrapping her arms around the emperor from behind and murmuring for him not to leave her, that his expression softened. He let out a long sigh.

Back in the imperial chambers, the emperor suddenly embraced Liu Guxia and asked, "You said you’d write to that rebel. Did you?"

Liu Guxia nodded and produced a letter. As the emperor read it, his face darkened.

"You dare compare me to him?"

Liu Guxia quickly hugged him. "I just want you both to resolve this peacefully! I can’t bear to see so many innocent lives lost because of me!"

The emperor sighed and stroked her head. "You’re too kind-hearted."

"I have an idea," Liu Guxia suddenly said, lifting her head to meet his gaze with sparkling eyes. "Let’s invite him to meet us. We’ll talk things out, just the three of us. Please?"

The emperor hesitated but eventually nodded. Watching Liu Guxia hurry to fetch a brush, he clenched his fists.

"Guxia, I’ll deceive you just this once. Once Fang Zhiyi is dealt with, I’ll make it up to you tenfold!"

Meanwhile, in the rebel camp, Fang Zhiyi was far more composed.

"Huh? A letter for me?" He took the letter from his aide while still chewing on roasted meat. As he opened the envelope, a floral scent wafted out.

"Well, someone’s putting in effort," Fang Zhiyi remarked casually as he unfolded the letter.

"Brother Zhiyi, why are you doing this? Do you know how long I’ve waited in the capital for news of you, only to hear you’ve rebelled? But I refuse to believe it! My kind, loyal, patriotic Brother Zhiyi would never do such a thing!"

"You must have your reasons, right? I’ve already pleaded with His Majesty. He’s promised that if you withdraw your troops back to the northern border, he won’t hold you accountable. Both you and the emperor mean the world to me. I can’t bear to see you as enemies. Please, Brother Zhiyi, I’m still waiting for you—always waiting."

"At midnight tomorrow, I’ll be waiting for you in the peach grove outside the eastern gate—the same one where you once listened to me recite poetry. I won’t leave until you come."

"Damn. Forget everything else—just this letter alone would’ve made the original owner wag his tail and rush over to wait all night, believe me?"

His system chimed in: "Host, I don’t quite understand."

"Of course you don’t. Characters like the original owner are hopelessly devoted—power and wealth mean nothing to them." Fang Zhiyi shoved the rest of his meat into his mouth. "And reciting poetry? Just stealing verses thanks to her transmigration status!"

Above the capital, the defenders remained still, as did the besieging Northern Army. An eerie silence settled over the city’s outskirts.

The following night, a woman in emerald-green robes wandered through the peach grove with a lantern, glancing around anxiously. Every so often, she turned to wave at the emperor in the distance.

Then came the sound of hoofbeats, followed by footsteps. Liu Guxia looked up eagerly. "Brother Zhiyi!" She ran toward him, arms outstretched for an embrace.

The movement made the emperor frown from afar. Fang Zhiyi, startled, sidestepped just in time to watch Liu Guxia tumble face-first onto the ground.

"Brother Zhiyi, why...?"

Fang Zhiyi studied her for a moment. "You actually came."

Seeing his beloved fall, the emperor lunged forward—only to be yanked back. "Your Majesty, no! Men, attack!"

Liu Guxia, still sprawled on the ground, was bewildered. As battle cries erupted around her, she looked around in confusion. "How could this be? He promised to save all three of us!"

Fang Zhiyi smirked. "At least this earns him a shred of respect—not a complete idiot." He clapped his hands.

The fighting intensified as another wave of soldiers joined the fray.

Liu Guxia sat up. "Brother Zhiyi, you brought men too? Why? Why couldn’t you both just talk this out calmly? You’re putting me in an impossible position! What am I supposed to—" Before she could finish, Fang Zhiyi struck her neck with the edge of his hand, knocking her unconscious.

"You’re too noisy." He craned his neck, locking eyes with the figure struggling against his guards. Even in the dark, Fang Zhiyi knew—that was the love-struck emperor.

"Let go! That traitor just knocked out Guxia! Release me!" The emperor thrashed violently.

The Imperial Guards held him back. "Your Majesty, you mustn’t! Retreat to the city—the rebels have reinforcements!"

Helpless, the emperor watched as the woman he loved was carried away.

"General, are you saying this woman can make the emperor surrender the city?" A military governor asked, skeptical.

Fang Zhiyi grinned. "I’m ninety percent certain." The remaining ten percent? The emperor might want to surrender, only for his ministers to overthrow him first.

"Host, just as you predicted—Liu Guxia really can’t stop making everything about herself."

"Of course. She’s the female lead—drama is her default setting."

The next day, the emperor led his loyal Imperial Guards to open the city gates. The Capital Defense troops, prepared for a bloody last stand, were stunned. All it took was one letter and a hairpin from the rebels—and their emperor surrendered without a fight!

Fang Zhiyi swaggered into the capital with his army in tow. His hovering system struggled to process the situation. "This doesn’t make sense. That emperor, while ruthless, isn’t a fool. Why would he surrender?"

Fang Zhiyi shot it a glance. "You really don’t get it, do you? If there can be a fool like the original owner, why not an emperor who’d trade his throne for a woman?"

The system shook its barely visible head. "Your mission isn’t complete. What’s your next move? How will you claim the throne?"