"Little..."
Before she could finish speaking, he had already left. "Seize him, alive. Unharmed." she suddenly shouted, sensing he would leave again, just as he had five years ago, when she watched him burn to death in the imperial chambers.
At that moment, someone suddenly appeared, like a celestial being scattering flowers.
Xue Xingyue arrived at Taihe Palace and saw Song Xiuyuan surrounded by guards. She casually pulled down a nearby curtain, covering everything from her nose down, then carved a path from behind the guards, reaching Song Xiuyuan. His moon-spun white robe was already stained with blood, appearing like a vibrant new dress, frightfully crimson.
"How are you?" she asked with concern. Although Song Xiuyuan wore a mask, she could tell his breathing was already unsteady.
"My dear wife, are you worrying about your husband?" Song Xiuyuan looked at her, his eyes filled with shimmering stars.
"Don't flatter yourself. How could I? I was just..."
Before she could finish, he suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled hard, sending her body hurtling towards him.
"You..."
Suddenly, she saw a sword graze Song Xiuyuan's right arm, and blood seeped through his robes. The already blood-stained robe became vividly crimson once more.
"You..."
Song Xiuyuan, seeing this, seemed unfazed. "It's nothing."
"You go first, I'll cover you." Xue Xingyue pushed Song Xiuyuan away and prepared to engage the guards, but he held her firmly. "My dear wife, with you being so fierce, it makes me feel useless."
"Now is not the time for this. Don't you see you're injured?" she said with some anger.
"My dear wife, there's no need to worry. This minor injury is truly nothing."
"No." She shook her head, unable to forget the look Yu Yun had given her. Song Xiuyuan must be hiding something from her.
Just then, more guards poured out from outside the hall. Xue Xingyue felt a prickle of unease. "If you continue like this, neither of us will escape."
"I cannot bear to leave my wife behind. However, I might need my wife to cover for me." With that, Song Xiuyuan suddenly lunged towards the Empress Dowager.
"Come back!" she cried, but the guards quickly surrounded her. Unable to tend to Song Xiuyuan, she had no choice but to fight the guards there.
"Bold criminals, surrender now!" Several guards firmly blocked the Empress Dowager.
Song Xiuyuan smiled, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. In an instant, a chilling aura seemed to erupt, and the surrounding air grew thin. The guards inexplicably felt an oppressive presence.
It was as if he were a supreme king, a deity looking down on all beings, demanding submission.
"Who are you?" the Empress Dowager stared at Song Xiuyuan.
Song Xiuyuan suddenly flickered. By the time the Empress Dowager realized something was amiss, he was in front of her. The guards reacted, drawing their swords to stab him.
"I advise you not to act rashly, or I fear I might accidentally harm the Empress Dowager." Song Xiuyuan stood there, his gaze clear and calm, utterly fearless of the guards behind him.
He turned back to the Empress Dowager and asked, "Empress Dowager, what do you say?"
The Empress Dowager inwardly chided herself for her carelessness. But who was she? She was the longest-serving person in the harem, having weathered countless storms. Without a trace of panic, she waved her hand. "You all retreat to the sides."
"Empress Dowager..." a nearby eunuch said nervously.
Song Xiuyuan let out a cold snort. "Do you think I'm just speaking idly?"
"You will not harm me," the Empress Dowager suddenly spoke, her gaze sternly fixed on Song Xiuyuan.
"Why is Empress Dowager so confident? I am surrounded here. I don't know what I might do in a moment of desperation, and I can't guarantee I won't harm you." Dafeng Novel Network
The Empress Dowager smiled upon hearing this. "I say you won't, and you won't."
Song Xiuyuan's gaze flickered slightly but quickly returned to normal. "Empress Dowager's confidence is not a good thing."
"It is not confidence, but because there is no killing intent in your eyes." As she spoke, the Empress Dowager suddenly stood up and took a step towards him. Their already close distance now seemed only a fist's length apart.
"You see, when I took a step towards you, your expression changed subtly." At this point, the Empress Dowager's eyes suddenly turned cold. "Who exactly are you?"
"Who I am is not important. What matters is whether Empress Dowager can let me and my wife go. The Ninth Princess is here, unharmed. Empress Dowager has lost nothing?"
"You say it so easily. But if this is the case, the entire palace will know that I was attacked here. Do you think even if I let you go, you can escape?"
"If Empress Dowager gives the word, I can escape."
The Empress Dowager paused, looking at the young man before her, and smiled faintly. "But I cannot guarantee that you will escape the palace once you leave here."
"You need not concern yourself with the rest."
The Empress Dowager raised her head to look at him, and he returned her gaze, his eyes like sparks, burning. After a long moment, she finally waved her hand and said, "Halt."
All the guards stopped their actions upon hearing her command.
Seeing this, Xue Xingyue quickly flew to Song Xiuyuan's side. When she saw the Empress Dowager's sharp gaze, she was grateful she had also worn a mask and changed her clothes, otherwise, she felt she could not withstand the Empress Dowager's piercing stare.
"You may go!" the Empress Dowager waved her hand.