Before Ye Tingyu could finish speaking, a blade was pressed to his throat, silencing him.
Feng Yinwan watched the crowd with cold eyes, the situation clearly not offering her a chance to explain.
She pursed her lips slightly, but before she could speak, a soldier rushed in from outside the hall, reporting urgently to Ye Tingyan.
"Your Highness, trouble! Prince Mo has brought the Imperial Guard and is attacking!"
The announcement landed like a thunderclap, immediately stirring up another wave of uproar.
The ministers exchanged glances, their accusations against Ye Tinglan growing louder and louder.
"Empress Dowager, secretly commanding the Imperial Guard is a grave offense. Prince Mo has repeatedly mobilized the Imperial Guard, coveting military power with wicked intentions. Now he has led his troops into the palace—this… this is rebellion!"
He then looked at Feng Yinwan, his gaze a mixture of deep hatred and the joy of finally having caught her.
"It seems this scoundrel needs no trial. She has a close relationship with Prince Mo and must have been acting under his orders."
"Fortunately, Your Second Highness was far-sighted and led his men into the palace in advance to protect His Majesty. Otherwise, how could the Imperial Guards have stopped Prince Mo's rebellion?"
"In my humble opinion, the previous investigation of the Imperial Guards was likely his deliberate act to eliminate opposition and weaken the Imperial Guard's strength, thereby facilitating his actions within the palace."
"Such a person with wicked intentions is unworthy of royal blood, let alone the position of Crown Prince. I implore the Empress Dowager to order the eradication of this traitor and the execution of this rebel!"
"We too implore the Empress Dowager to order the execution of the rebel!"
Another round of unanimous agreement, sounding even more forceful than before.
From within the crowd, someone shouted, and the focus immediately shifted back to Feng Yinwan.
Just as this group was clamoring to kill her as a sacrifice to the heavens to boost morale, another soldier burst in from outside the hall, scrambling towards Ye Tingyan.
"Your Highness, the situation is dire. Prince Mo is a formidable warrior, and our men are already struggling to resist!"
Ye Tingyan's brows furrowed heavily at this, and he grabbed the soldier by his collar, "What did you say?!"
They had made thorough preparations for today's events.
This private army had been secretly trained for a long time. While their combat effectiveness was not as formidable as regular troops, they were by no means so weak as to fall apart at the slightest breeze. Moreover, they had brought enough manpower. How could they be so ineffective!
The soldier, being pulled by him, could only weakly say, "But… but Your Highness, that's Prince Mo! You know…"
The reputation of the formidable God of War who once shook the battlefield was not just for show!
Ye Tingyan's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth before shoving the soldier away.
"Nonsense! Three years ago at the border battle, he was severely wounded and only recovered half his strength. How could he possibly possess his former might!"
He had verified this news repeatedly for three years; it could not be wrong!
The soldier quickly got up from the ground, about to urge Ye Tingyan to see for himself if he didn't believe it. However, before he could speak, sword qi surged from outside the hall, and a streak of blood splattered across the window paper.
The ministers, who had been vehemently denouncing earlier, turned pale with fear and cowered backward.
With another deafening roar, a long saber flew in and lodged itself directly into a pillar within the hall.
Seeing this, Ye Tingyan's expression darkened. He drew the saber out with a burst of palm wind.
Gripping it, he charged forward, leading the way.
"All soldiers, heed my command! The rebel plots chaos and endangers the palace. Follow me to protect His Majesty and slay this traitor, ensuring the safety of the Empress Dowager and all officials!"
As he spoke, before the soldiers in the hall could react, a cool, taunting voice drifted in from the doorway.
"Second Brother, there is no need to panic. The rebel has already been annihilated by this King. This place is now safe."
Ye Tinglan strode in, a faint trace of blood on his pale face, his eyes sharp and chilling.
His gaze briefly paused upon seeing the remaining soldiers in the hall. Then, in an instant, the terrifying sharpness in his dark eyes returned.
"It seems this King was indeed careless."
"My previous words are temporarily rescinded. Advance, all troops, and clear out any remaining remnants. Remember, do not harm Your Second Highness or the honorable ministers in any way."