Zhao Jingyi laughed and cried, going mad for a while.
She slowly rose from the ground, wiped her tears, tidied her robes and headdress, and gave a light laugh.
"This world belongs to my Zhao family. No one but those of the Zhao family is fit to rule, and she, Xiao Wenxuan, is even less so."
Her bloodthirsty gaze was chilling. She took out a token from her sleeve and threw it directly at Xiang Xiang.
"Go find Thirteen and recall all of my Imperial Brother's hidden guards. The Demon Empress is sowing chaos in the court. I want that bitch to not see the light of day tomorrow."
"Mistress, won't this be too risky? It's inconvenient for the hidden guards to withdraw in large numbers, and it's difficult to infiltrate the palace all at once. Please reconsider, Mistress."
"You go contact Commander Zhu. Just make sure to miss the time of the Imperial Guard's search. Xiao Wenxuan's hidden guards in court today are not simple. This matter cannot afford any accidents. She must die."
"Yes."
...
With Zhao Jingyi's token, Xiang Xiang could freely enter and exit the palace gates, a privilege previously granted by Zhao Jingheng. The guards dared not stop her.
She had already sent word to Thirteen, who was waiting for her at an inn in the west of the city.
Thirteen: "Has the princess gone mad? We've finally achieved what we have today. Once we return, everything will be for naught and exposed!"
Xiang Xiang: "His Majesty is currently unconscious. Everything is to prioritize the princess. The princess has her own considerations. Lord Thirteen, just follow orders."
"You say it so lightly. Do you know how much effort I've put in to climb to this position? It's just assassinating a woman. Asking a few brothers to go back with you is enough, why go through all this trouble?"
"The Empress is not an ordinary woman, and her trump cards are not entirely known to us. Lord, do not be stubborn and refuse advice. Your antidote pills next month still depend on the princess."
Thirteen was furious and slapped Xiang Xiang forcefully. Xiang Xiang stood tall, her neck stiff, showing no signs of weakness. They stared at each other for a long time, but Thirteen finally relented.
"Go back and report to the princess. Everything will be as she wishes. I only hope she will not regret it."
Xiang Xiang cupped her hands, "Then this servant will take her leave."
She left the inn and rode her horse towards the palace gate. Her heart was pounding in her throat, her mind perfectly clear about what needed to be done tonight.
If successful, there would be no reward. If they failed, they would be damned forever. She had no way out, so she could only follow Zhao Jingyi to the bitter end.
At Yin Shi, all was silent. The patrolling guards were waiting for the shift change, and many had yawned, letting down their guard.
Outside Weiyang Palace, a group of black-clad figures hid. Zhao Jingyi was waiting by the palace road not far away for their good news.
Jun Jiuli had been expecting them long ago. She had previously told all the palace servants to return to their rooms to rest.
She had even added some sleeping medicine to their drinks, and now they were all sleeping soundly. Ten black-clad assassins scaled the wall first, and were astonished by the scene before them.
Jun Jiuli had moved a chaise lounge and was sitting squarely in the center of the courtyard, as if she had been waiting for them for a long time.
The few exchanged glances. Some threw darts, while others charged forward with their weapons.
She narrowed her eyes, yawned, and said, "Too slow. I'm falling asleep waiting."
Her figure was like a ghost, easily dodging the thrown darts. Her backside hadn't even left the chaise.
Those who charged forward hadn't reached within three meters of her before their necks were pierced by ice cones, killing them.
Thirteen, hidden in the shadows, was dumbfounded. He took a deep breath, waved his hand, and dozens of people descended from the sky, surrounding Jun Jiuli.
He didn't believe in superstitions of gods and ghosts and thought Jun Jiuli might have used some trickery or mechanisms. He decided to use sheer numbers to overwhelm her.
"Hiding and sneaking around is meaningless. All of you, come at once. Let's save some time and let you suffer less. Good brothers should report to the Western Paradise together. It's not fair to favor some over others."
Thirteen felt as if he were being bewitched and involuntarily gave the order. A vast horde, about a hundred people strong, advanced.
Zhao Jingyi suddenly felt uneasy, and indeed, her unease was confirmed a moment later.
A flash of light streaked through the air, followed by several loud bangs, and then the screams of men. Zhao Jingyi already had a guess. Although unwilling, she could only flee.
The commotion here was too great, and the Imperial Guards were on their way. Zhao Jingyi pulled up the hood of her black cloak, intending to take a shortcut back to her own palace.
Before she had taken a few steps, she ran right into Jun Jiuli. She concealed the panic in her eyes and saluted properly.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, why are you not resting so late at night?"
"Little Princess, why are you wandering around so late?"
"Jingyi couldn't sleep tonight, so I went for a walk."
"It's quite a coincidence that you walked all the way to my place. My palace has received a group of uninvited guests. Won't you go and greet them?"
"Imperial Sister-in-law jokes. I'm feeling dizzy today, so I won't disturb you further."
She bowed and was about to leave with Xiang Xiang when Jun Jiuli directly stopped her.
"What does Imperial Sister-in-law mean by this?"
"I don't want to play games with you anymore, Princess Jingyi. You intended to do this to me. I am protected by Heaven, and the princess unfortunately died under heavenly lightning."
Zhao Jingyi revealed a look of disgust and glanced at Xiang Xiang. Xiang Xiang understood and scattered a packet of powder.
She tossed the whip to Zhao Jingyi and drew a dagger herself. The two of them, one behind the other, surrounded Jun Jiuli.
"Xiao Wenxuan, I want to see how many times Heaven can help you. Today, you have fallen into my hands, and I will ensure you have a terrible death."
They had both taken antidote medicine beforehand, and for a moment, they were extremely arrogant.
Jun Jiuli chuckled, "You try these little tricks on me? Your Grandma here is the ancestor of poison users."
"Impossible. How can you still speak after being poisoned by my迷药 (mí yào - stupefying drug)? Humph, if poison cannot defeat you, then I will whip you to death today."
As she spoke, she drew Jun Jiuli's attention. Xiang Xiang silently moved forward with the knife, stabbing towards her back.
Jun Jiuli sidestepped and grabbed Xiang Xiang's wrist. With a forceful twist, the dagger was pressed against Xiang Xiang's neck.
Xiang Xiang closed her eyes as if accepting her fate. Suddenly, fire erupted from her body, burning her skin and flesh. She rolled to the side.
Zhao Jingyi was so terrified she didn't know what to do, looking at Jun Jiuli in horror. She couldn't hold the whip and kept backing away.
"You're not human, a monster, a monster!"
She dropped the whip and ran back like a madwoman. Jun Jiuli picked up her whip. With a forceful flick, she hooked it around her neck.
Pulling her back, Zhao Jingyi collapsed at her feet like a dead dog, desperately trying to pull the whip embedded in her flesh.
Her hands were cut and bleeding, but she didn't care. The pain had numbed her somewhat. She only knew she couldn't die.
Jun Jiuli squatted down, removed her jade pendant and hairpin, and threw them onto the burning Xiang Xiang.
"Don't worry, I won't let you die so easily."