Unforeseen by her, this strike was blocked by Lingxiang, her eyes darkening as she spoke with an inscrutable tone.
"You seem to trust them."
Feng Yinwan paused slightly at her words, then her expression turned sharp as she faced the Emperor, showing no desire for further delay.
"My patience is limited. Issue the decree immediately, or else..."
News had already arrived that morning that the people of Yue had broken through the pass and advanced straight into the Central Plains. Their speed was astonishing, and reaching the capital was only a matter of time. Lingxiang and Consort Yu could afford to wait, but they could not.
The Emperor's face grew grave for a few moments before he looked at her again and spoke, "Very well, I promise you. But do not harm the Empress Dowager further."
With that, he ordered someone to prepare ink and brush. Throughout this entire exchange, Lingxiang had held the Empress Dowager hostage, never letting her guard down.
The decree was drafted quickly. The Emperor intended to have it presented to her, but Lingxiang refused. Instead, she gestured to Consort Yu beside her to step forward and retrieve it.
After confirming it was satisfactory, she nodded.
The Emperor saw this and said, "I have written the decree as you wished. Can you release the Empress Dowager now?"
"Not yet."
"Order someone to read it at the city gates immediately. Within half an hour, I want to see the army withdraw from the Imperial City."
Her mind was meticulous; she would not let go until she saw the results.
The Emperor, helpless, could only assign someone to carry out her demand.
Time ticked by, and the atmosphere in the hall was incredibly tense.
After a long while, the person sent to relay the orders returned from outside.
Consort Yu followed behind. Upon entering, she exchanged a glance with Lingxiang. Lingxiang's eyes flickered as she noticed this, and she suddenly tightened her grip on the Empress Dowager's arm, intending to drag her out of the hall.
Feng Yinwan immediately blocked the doorway.
Lingxiang glanced at her, her expression unchanged. "Move aside."
The Empress Dowager, held hostage, slowly shook her head at Feng Yinwan.
Their eyes met. Feng Yinwan seemed to receive a signal and stepped back. As she moved, her gaze subtly shifted to the Empress Dowager's wrist.
With Consort Yu blocking the rear, Lingxiang felt no concern. Seeing Feng Yinwan move aside, she prepared to drag the Empress Dowager further out.
However, just as she was about to exit, an intensely blinding light suddenly flashed before her. She instinctively squinted, and a sharp, piercing pain shot through her wrist, causing her to loosen her grip slightly.
It was in this brief moment of slackening that Feng Yinwan seized the opportunity, launching a palm strike towards Lingxiang's face.
Lingxiang sensed the danger. The dagger in her hand fell faster. Although the Empress Dowager had received a signal, she still could not evade the strike entirely, and a deep gash immediately appeared on her neck.
Seeing this, Feng Yinwan's eyes darkened. She kicked the dagger away and quickly forced Lingxiang back into the hall.
As the struggle ensued here, in the hall, Song Qing'an and Feng Jingyuan had already engaged Consort Yu.
The situation was now chaotic. Lingxiang turned, intending to capture Ye Tingyun as a hostage, but was intercepted by a sword strike from the Emperor from afar, halting her action.
Feng Yinwan followed closely, bringing the Empress Dowager to safety, and immediately joined the fray.
Although Lingxiang was the mastermind behind the scenes, her martial prowess was far inferior to Consort Yu's.
Seeing that Consort Yu was entangled and unable to break free, Lingxiang's eyes flashed, and she began to chant a spell.
Feng Yinwan had no prior experience with sorcerers, but from the fragmented remarks made by Luo Qingyi, she knew this was likely a forbidden technique.
Her heart sank. Just as she was about to warn Song Qing'an and Feng Jingyuan to be more careful, Consort Yu suddenly let out a low growl. Immediately, her skin began to writhe, and in a visible manner, turned dark and somber.
She was... transforming into a complete venomous creature!