Da Nei Fan Tong?
Upon hearing this, Xue Li let out a chuckle.
His laughter drew all eyes toward him.
Startled, Xue Li was about to retreat when a great force concentrated on his backside.
Before he could react, he was propelled forward.
"Xue Song, you..." Xue Li stood up, furious and ready to confront Xue Song, who had kicked him when he wasn't paying attention.
But Xue Song was nowhere to be found behind him.
Only the Empress, her face etched with anger, stood there.
Xue Song, you wait...
"Your subordinate greets Her Majesty the Empress." Xue Li could only grit his teeth and bow, cursing Xue Song a thousand times in his heart.
The Empress narrowed her eyes. She recognized him as the Crown Prince's guard.
"You've come at the perfect time. Seize this unruly brat for me," the Empress said, pointing to the person behind Xue Li.
Xue Li twitched his lips. Did the Empress think he was more powerful than the inner palace guards?
While he might be a little bit stronger, this young lady had managed to defeat five inner palace guards. Why wouldn't she be able to defeat him?
"Your Majesty, how about we wait for the Crown Prince to return before making a decision?" Xue Li decided he would just be a troublemaker.
The Empress gave a cold laugh, her gaze sharp and menacing. "Trying to wait for reinforcements? I won't let you have your way. Guards, go summon the Imperial Guards."
She refused to believe that no matter how formidable Miss Feng was, the Imperial Guards couldn't handle her.
Hearing this, Xue Li knew things were going badly. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This is the Eastern Palace after all. Perhaps it would be better to wait until the Crown Prince..."
Before he could finish, a stern-faced governess beside the Empress slapped him across the face, her voice haughty, "When my mistress speaks, what right do you have to refute?"
Xue Li was stunned by the blow. Although he was merely the Crown Prince's guard, he belonged solely to the Crown Prince. No one had dared to strike him all these years, and he certainly wouldn't allow anyone to do so.
He turned towards the maiden behind him, walking past the downed inner palace guards without a change in expression.
He saw the maiden's clear and beautiful face, her expression serene, devoid of fear or timidity.
He approached her and bowed slightly, "I am Xue Li, a guard ordered by His Highness the Crown Prince to protect you."
Having said that, he turned around and coldly addressed the governess who had been so arrogant moments before, "Perhaps I don't have the right, but I am the Crown Prince's man. Whoever the Crown Prince orders me to protect, I will protect. No one may approach."
"Insubordinate, completely insubordinate!" the governess by the Empress's side shook her head in disbelief.
"Very well, if that is the case, then I shall discipline the Crown Prince's household," the Empress said coldly.
"Commander of the Imperial Guards, Qin Zhaohui, greets Her Majesty the Empress."
"Seize these few people for me," the Empress commanded angrily.
Commander Qin Zhaohui of the Imperial Guards looked up. Seeing it was two women and one man, he was somewhat surprised. Did it really take his Imperial Guards for just three people?
However, when he saw the hands of the inner palace guards lying on the ground and groaning, he understood. Clearly, someone's martial skills surpassed those of the inner palace guards.
Wait, this man looked familiar.
"Brother Qin, long time no see!" Xue Li waved awkwardly.
Qin Zhaohui was utterly bewildered. What was going on?
Wasn't this the Crown Prince's guard?
Qin Zhaohui was not foolish. Thinking of the Crown Prince's consistent indifference towards the Empress, he guessed that the Empress likely intended to purge the Crown Prince's palace in his absence.
Was she using him as a pawn? He didn't want to get involved in this mess.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace... this subordinate dares not act," Qin Zhaohui said, lowering his head.
"Scared?" The Empress was thoroughly enraged.
Qin Zhaohui replied, "Your Majesty, this commander is responsible for the safety of the entire imperial palace."
"Now I am in trouble, and you will not help?" the Empress asked.
Qin Zhaohui narrowed his eyes, then looked up at the Empress, who was high above, and lowered his head again, "This subordinate dares not."
"Then why are you not acting?" the Empress exclaimed in fury.
In the past, she thought the Crown Prince had managed the palace well, and everyone obeyed him. Now it seemed that was not the case; the Crown Prince's power was too great.
Qin Zhaohui felt a headache coming on. Having the Imperial Guards fight the Crown Prince's guards was no different from fratricide.
Xue Li knew this confrontation was unavoidable. He said to the maiden behind him, "Miss Feng, please step back a little later."
Xue Zining was not one to seek the limelight. It would be best if she didn't have to act, but if someone dared to bully her, she wouldn't stand for it.
After all, she represented Huangze.
She was the King of Huangze!
Qin Zhaohui waved his Imperial Guards back, saying coldly, "No one shall advance without my permission."
With that, Qin Zhaohui cupped his fists towards Xue Li. "Lord Xue Li, please."
Xue Li twitched his lips and suddenly flew forward, attacking Qin Zhaohui.
As they got closer, he whispered, "Commander Qin, what do you mean by this?"
Qin Zhaohui gave a wry smile. "Bear with your little brother, I cannot afford to offend Her Majesty the Empress."
"Commander Qin, you're older than me, you know?" Xue Li rolled his eyes.
"Later, I will pretend to be injured and end the fight," Qin Zhaohui said.
Seeing the two engage in combat, the Empress approached the Imperial Guards and slowly produced a token, stating coldly, "I command you to seize those two individuals."
Xue Li's peripheral vision caught sight of the token. It was actually the token representing the Emperor's personal presence.
The Imperial Guards were directly appointed by the Emperor. While they were temporarily managed by the Crown Prince, they had to obey the Emperor's command.
"I'm afraid this fight cannot continue," Xue Li withdrew from the battlefield and approached the Empress, saying, "Your Majesty, please be cautious!"
"Seize them," the Empress said coldly, bypassing Xue Li and looking at the maiden behind him.
"Xue Li, Brother Qin is also powerless," Qin Zhaohui gave Xue Li a helpless look.
Xue Li sighed. It seemed he was in for a tough fight today.
"His Highness the Crown Prince arrives!"
Just then, a voice shattered the tense atmosphere.
A figure slowly approached from a distance. Clad in a moon-white brocade robe that accentuated his tall and slender build, he walked with an imposing gait, his every move exuding peerless nobility and extraordinary grace.
He approached the Empress and bowed slightly, his voice clear and cold, "Your Majesty, this is the Eastern Palace."
The implication was clear: this was his territory, and no one could act against his people without his permission.
The Empress's gaze faltered, then intensified in anger. Before so many people, the Crown Prince was openly challenging her.
"I am the Empress."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince raised his eyelids, his eyes as dark as a bottomless abyss.
"Empress, this is the Eastern Palace. No one is permitted to run amok here."