Yan Yi narrowed his eyes, suddenly recognizing the soot-covered person. "Xue Yan?" he called out tentatively.
The person stiffened, looked towards him, and then ran over, grabbing his hand. "Yan Yi, quickly save His Majesty! His Majesty is still inside."
"What's the situation inside?" Yan Zhao walked over and asked.
Xue Yan's gaze faltered as he shook his head. "It's bad. I can't wake His Majesty no matter what. I tried to carry His Majesty out, but suddenly many men in black appeared from within. His Majesty pushed me out and told me to find help."
Xue Yan knew that the only person who would orchestrate such a large-scale attack with assassins was the Regent. That's why he had shouted about a fire, not an assassination attempt on His Majesty.
Yan Zhao said calmly, "Yan Yi, you and Xue Yan go set fire to Consort Zhao's temporary palace."
Yan Yi was taken aback, his lips twitching. "Young Master… why… why set fire to Consort Zhao's temporary palace?"
Yan Zhao replied indifferently, "Is there anyone putting out fires here?"
Yan Yi shook his head. He had just been wondering, although the fire wasn't large, it should be visible. Why was no one responding? He supposed someone had prevented people from coming this way.
"Go!" Yan Zhao said.
Yan Yi took two steps, then stopped. "Young Master, where will you go?"
Yan Zhao looked at the intensifying fire and took a step towards the temporary palace. "I'm going to save His Majesty."
Xue Zining looked at the black-clad men before her, counting them. There were five assassins sent to assassinate her, an unarmed person.
"Bullying me like this, five of you against one, aren't you ashamed? It tarnishes your reputation as assassins, doesn't it?"
The assassins were momentarily stunned. They hadn't expected someone facing imminent death to have the leisure to say such things.
Seeing their silence, Xue Zining continued, "Since I cannot escape this fate, let me at least be an enlightened spirit in death. Did the Regent send you?"
The assassins remained silent, preparing to strike.
"Your silence implies consent?" Xue Zining asked, raising an eyebrow.
Gleaming silver weapons were revealed, exuding a chilling aura.
"Five people?" The maiden's voice held a touch of icy clarity.
One assassin couldn't help but look up and saw the maiden sitting on a chair, smiling at him. Her clear eyes were so pure, devoid of any impurities.
Suddenly, the maiden's gaze retracted, her lips curving upward. Instantly, the assassin felt a sharp pain in his chest. He slowly looked down, seeing a gaping bloody hole.
He opened his mouth, but no sound emerged. He fell to the ground, dead.
The remaining four assassins turned to see a man clad in a snow-white jade robe.
His beauty was stunning, and his gaze sent a chill down one's spine.
His expression was placid, yet it exuded an unspeakable coldness that permeated his limbs.
Before they could make a move, their throats were slashed by the blood-stained folding fan in his hand.
They were all highly-paid assassins from the Qianjin Tower, and to be so easily dispatched by this man was truly laughable.
He flicked the blood off the fan, and it remained an intact, clean fan.
He looked up at the maiden sitting on the chair, utterly still.
Even with blood splattered on her face, she didn't flinch or wipe it away.
Her delicate and refined features, accentuated by the bloodstains, were extraordinarily beautiful.
Possessing a captivating beauty.
"Your Majesty..." he stepped forward and bowed.
The maiden remained motionless. Suddenly, a flaming stick behind her fell. He pulled the maiden into his arms with one hand.
Feeling a slight weight in his embrace, he looked down and saw that the maiden in his arms had closed her eyes and fallen into a deep sleep.
He couldn't help but curve his lips slightly. Such a young girl, to be able to fall asleep in such a situation.
Consort Zhao watched the fire engulf her residence, nearly jumping with rage.
Where would she sleep tonight?
"Mother Consort, where will we sleep tonight?" Xue Zixuan asked, tugging at Consort Zhao's sleeve.
Consort Zhao looked down at Xue Zixuan and gently comforted him, "Don't be afraid. The Regent will make arrangements."
Xue Zixuan nodded. "Mother Consort, I'm so sleepy."
With that, he leaned against Consort Zhao, tilting his head, and fell asleep.
Consort Zhao tenderly embraced Xue Zixuan. When she saw the Regent's belated arrival, she was already fuming. Her tone was sharp, "Xue Wenjie, what are you doing? Are you planning to burn my son and me to death?"
Xue Wenjie's face was grim. "Your Highness, please remain calm. The fire will be extinguished soon."
"Extinguished? And then what? We'll sleep outside?" Consort Zhao said angrily.
Xue Wenjie frowned. Never had anyone spoken to him like this, and Consort Zhao had defied him repeatedly.
Looking at Xue Zixuan sleeping in his arms, he suppressed his anger and patiently replied, "How could I let you and your son sleep outside? I will make arrangements. Your Highness, please rest assured."
Consort Zhao snorted, "Do it quickly."
"Yes," Xue Wenjie replied.
He gazed at the faint firelight in the distance, feeling an inexplicable unease.
Just as the fire was being put out, a voice announced, "His Majesty arrives!"
Xue Wenjie's gaze froze, and he looked intently at the approaching figure.
A slender figure slowly approached.
She wore a gown the color of water and sky, her hair secured with a single jade hairpin. A trace of blood was visible on her face.
The maiden walked over and said coldly, "Regent, do you know your crime?"
Xue Wenjie looked up and asked, "This subject does not know what crime he has committed."
The maiden sneered, her gaze as cold as ice, "Someone set fire to my imperial palace, and I nearly perished in the flames. Should you not be held accountable?"
The maiden's gaze grew colder, emanating a chilling aura.
Furthermore, she was interrogating him in front of everyone.
The Empress was truly clever.
"This subject is guilty. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me. This subject wishes to atone for his crime by handling this matter," Xue Wenjie said.
He wasn't afraid of being punished by the Empress. Everyone present was his subordinate. What could punishment achieve?
Who dared to lay a hand on him?
The maiden heard this and lightly parted her lips. "Since the Regent admits his guilt, and I believe the Regent did not act with intent, nor did it result in any loss of life, it would be best for the Regent not to be involved in the subsequent matters. I shall entrust this to Yan Zhao."
Xue Wenjie's slightly upturned lips froze in place.
Yan Zhao raised an eyebrow and looked at the maiden's back, a faint smile playing on his lips. She truly held no gratitude for him.
Was she forcing him to confront the Regent?
The Regent's expression turned much uglier. "Your Majesty, Young Master Yan lacks experience. I fear he may not handle the subsequent matters well."
The maiden heard this and chuckled lightly. "Regent, you are truly humble. Young Master Yan was recommended by the Regent himself. Does the Regent lack confidence in the people he recommends? Do not underestimate yourself. I have great confidence in the people the Regent recommends."
For the first time, Xue Wenjie felt as if he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot.
He had no choice but to say, "This subject obeys the decree."
The maiden smiled and turned, looking at Yan Zhao, her lips curving into a meaningful, fleeting smile. "Young Master Yan, do not disappoint me."