These words filled Li Sinian with an inexplicable fear.
"Is His Majesty's decree to kill without mercy?" Feng Wu suddenly looked up and asked.
For a moment, a profound silence fell upon the scene, broken only by the sound of the wind.
"Yes," Xue Zining replied with a single word.
Upon hearing this, Feng Jiu grinned, "Your subordinate has awaited this command for a long time, as if for an eternity."
Li Sinian felt terror wash over him. He quickly retreated and said coldly, "Attack, kill them! I, this official, will reward you handsomely."
The words had barely left his lips when streaks of silver light flashed, followed by the sight of people collapsing onto the ground in droves.
Li Sinian's face drained of color. Feng Yu simply sank to the ground, muttering, "It was true, as expected. Once the Feng Wei appear, rivers of blood will flow."
Lin Feng took a step back, disbelief etched on his face. "Those people just now, living, breathing people, were killed by just two individuals."
However, the slaughter continued unabated.
"Your Majesty, why did you not summon Feng Wu and Feng Jiu earlier?" Xue Yan asked.
Xue Zining lowered her gaze. "I simply did not wish to see rivers of blood flow."
Xue Yan paused, then lowered her head. "Your Majesty, if you were no longer here, know that His Majesty Yun Huang would make this entire realm accompany you in ruin."
"I know." It was precisely because she knew that she had revealed the Feng Wei once more in their time of crisis.
Suddenly, soldiers poured in from outside the door, and a familiar voice echoed, "This humble servant, Shen Yunxuan, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, arrives to protect Your Majesty, albeit late!"
The surroundings fell silent. A young man, clad in official robes, walked in, and everyone parted to make way for him.
Shen Yunxuan's gaze brightened as he looked at the woman in the water-and-sky colored dress not far away. However, upon seeing the bloodstains on her, a hint of sternness flashed in his eyes. He strode forward quickly, bowed with clasped hands, and said, "This humble servant arrives late to protect Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
"Minister Shen, please rise," Xue Zining said.
Shen Yunxuan looked at her and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, leave the rest to me. I will handle everything here properly."
"Very well, I trust you," Xue Zining replied.
Shen Yunxuan then turned to Xue Yan. "Quickly help His Majesty back to the palace. The carriage has already been prepared."
Xue Yan nodded and began to support Xue Zining, who was about to leave. However, Xue Zining did not leave immediately. Instead, she turned to Li Yaoqin and asked, "Shall we go together?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yaoqin smiled and shook her head. "Your Majesty, this humble daughter wishes to remain and will personally visit the palace to see you tomorrow."
Xue Zining said no more and nodded. "Good. Li Yaoqin, it is time for you to settle some matters and with some people!"
Li Yaoqin was taken aback, her eyes flickering slightly. After a long moment, she said, "Very well, this humble daughter also has this intention."
Xue Zining nodded. "Tomorrow, I shall await you."
Li Yaoqin curtsied. "This humble daughter obeys Your Majesty's decree!"
Seeing that the Empress had departed, Shen Yunxuan then ordered Hua Yunjin to be escorted back. After completing these tasks, he ordered all those who participated in the assassination attempt on the Empress to be brought back to the Ministry of Justice.
Li Sinian knew that the situation was lost. He looked at Li Yaoqin ahead and asked, "Minister Shen, may I speak a few words with Yao'er?"
Shen Yunxuan glanced at Li Sinian and nodded. "You may."
With that, Shen Yunxuan walked out. But Li Sinian knew he was just outside the door. He knew there was no escape.
The rebellion had finally failed. To be honest, he felt a sense of relief now.
He took a few steps and said, "Yao'er."
Li Yaoqin looked at him indifferently. From the moment her father began to speak, her heart had sunk into despair. Her remaining here was merely for a final farewell.
She slowly raised her head and said, "Father, this may be the last time I call you Father. I have called you Father for sixteen years. In these sixteen years, you have indeed provided me with the best of affluent lives and noble status. For all of this, I am eternally grateful. I was grateful before, but after today, there is no gratitude left."
"I know. I am prepared for reaching this point," Li Sinian said slowly.
"Why? You would rather ruin your reputation, rather face the extermination of your nine generations of kin, than to rebel against His Majesty? Daughter cannot understand," Li Yaoqin asked, word by word.
Li Sinian smiled. "What use is it to speak of such things now?"
"Daughter wants to know, were you forced into this?"
Li Sinian smiled at her. "Why do you think so? I simply wished to become a follower of His Majesty Yun Huang."
"No, it cannot be," Li Yaoqin shook her head.
"Did His Majesty send you?" Li Sinian asked.
Li Yaoqin looked at him. "Father, even now, you refuse to speak the truth?"
Li Sinian lowered his gaze. "Yao'er, can we talk about something else? Can you come here?"
Li Yaoqin wanted to refuse, but thinking that this might be the last time she saw her father, she paused for a moment before stepping forward. Li Sinian suddenly embraced her, stroking her hair, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Yao'er, your father is sorry. I may not be able to accompany you further. Live well on your own. The Empress is a good ruler. Following her, your father is at ease."
Li Yaoqin trembled. She seemed to grasp something, but couldn't quite recall it. "Yao'er, promise your father that you will live well..."
"Father..."
"Do not trust anyone in the household..."
Li Yaoqin's body trembled. "Father, you..."
Suddenly, she felt her shoulder grow heavy. She trembled. "Fa... Father..."
It was only when Li Sinian's entire body slumped down that she saw blood trickling from his mouth.
She couldn't believe it. She reached out, her hand trembling as she felt for his breath. He was gone.
She shook her head. "Father..."
"Father..." she cried out in a roar...
Outside the door, Shen Yunxuan was startled. Shortly after, someone approached him and whispered, "My lord, Lord Li has committed suicide by poison."
Shen Yunxuan was taken aback and nodded. "You may withdraw. This official understands."
He pondered for a moment before walking inside and approaching Li Yaoqin. He said in a low voice, "Miss Li, please accept my condolences!"
"Minister Shen, Father is dead. Please convey to His Majesty that this humble daughter wishes to bury her father personally," Li Yaoqin said through gritted teeth, word by word.
Shen Yunxuan heard this and replied, "His Majesty has ordered that all of Miss Li's requests be granted."
Li Yaoqin was stunned. At that moment, she couldn't help but burst into tears, weeping uncontrollably.
She ordered the people in the manor to bury her father in the courtyard, alongside her mother.
After completing everything, she kowtowed twice. "Father, Mother, please forgive your daughter, for this is all I can do now. Daughter promises you that once everything is settled, she will join you."
Saying this, she stood up and turned, spotting Lian Xin. Lian Xin walked over and whispered, "Eldest Miss, Aunt Xi has disappeared."
Li Yaoqin nodded. "Come with me to her room."
Lian Xin was surprised. "Eldest Miss, what is this..."
Li Yaoqin did not answer her and went directly to the study. She meticulously searched through the things in Suo Xin's room.
"Eldest Miss, look at this!" Lian Xin suddenly exclaimed.