It is difficult to guarantee that this poisonous woman will not do anything unpredictable. The Empress Dowager pulled the Imperial Consort behind her. After all, even if the Empress and Chu Yanxi had ten times the courage, they would not dare to lay hands on her.
However, the Empress had always been displeased with the Imperial Consort, and the rift between them had been long-standing. It was difficult to be sure that the Empress would not seize this opportunity to strike at the Imperial Consort.
"As long as the Empress Dowager obediently writes down the imperial decree as we say and announces to all the ministers in public that His Majesty has established Yanxi as the Crown Prince and will abdicate to Yanxi after a hundred years, this Palace will naturally not lay hands on them. Otherwise, their lives will be forfeit."
The Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed sharply, and she vaguely guessed what the Empress intended to do. Her heart tightened. The Empress's next words further confirmed her guess.
"This Palace can give the Empress Dowager time to consider what to do. However, it is unknown whether the concubines kneeling outside can wait for the Empress Dowager to finish considering."
The Empress played with her fingernails painted with bright red lacquer, but her face was filled with malice. "Every hour, this Palace will order the execution of one concubine until the Empress Dowager considers carefully."
"Imperial Grandmother, a wise person knows when to adapt. The situation is different now. Imperial Grandmother should consider carefully."
Chu Yanxi still had the smug look of someone who had already won, as if the throne was already within his grasp.
As soon as his arrogant words fell, a guard stepped forward and whispered something urgently into Chu Yanxi's ear. Instantly, Chu Yanxi's expression changed drastically. The arrogance was gone, replaced by panic.
"Are you telling the truth?"
"My subordinate speaks the truth. I beg Your Highness to make a decision as soon as possible."
"Xi'er, what happened?"
Sensing that something had happened, the Empress Dowager hurriedly approached Chu Yanxi and asked.
After a moment of recovery, Chu Yanxi's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Feng Jin. He had already devised a plan in his mind, and then shifted his gaze to the Empress. "Mother, continue to watch here. Execute one person every half hour until the Empress Dowager thinks it through and is willing to write the imperial decree."
"Alright... Mother will watch here. You can rest assured."
The Empress had long been displeased with those seductive concubines, and it was most suitable for her to do such a thing.
Chu Yanxi walked to Feng Jin's side, directly clutched her chin, and said, "This face is truly beautiful. It makes one feel pity just by looking at it. I wonder what Ling Mohan will do when he sees you!"
With that, Chu Yanxi exerted force on his hand, and Feng Jin's delicate body almost fell to the ground.
"Take her and go with this Prince!"
Chu Yanxi shouted sternly. Several eunuchs stepped forward and supported Feng Jin, following Chu Yanxi out.
After Chu Yanxi left, the Empress arrogantly walked in front of the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort, looking down at them with disdain. "Empress Dowager, you should consider carefully. The lives of the concubines outside and the Imperial Consort are all in your hands."
After delivering her harsh words, the Empress directly flicked her sleeve and walked out.
"Empress Dowager... Empress, she has truly gone mad. Their people are everywhere in the imperial palace. They have tied up all the concubines. They are all tied up outside. Those concubines who do not follow their orders have been... have been killed by them..."
The Imperial Consort, having escaped death, was extremely terrified at the moment. She grabbed the Empress Dowager's sleeve and began to recount her recent experience. She was still in shock and her hands were trembling slightly.
"Don't be afraid... it will be alright," the Empress Dowager gently patted the Imperial Consort's hand to comfort her. Chu Yanxi taking Feng Jin must be because Ling Mohan had broken in, and their men could no longer hold on, so they thought of using Feng Jin to threaten Ling Mohan.
Feng Jin, being so intelligent, had already realized that Chu Yanxi would use her to threaten Ling Mohan and had undoubtedly thought of a countermeasure. They did not need to worry too much.
Instead, it was the concubines who were tied up outside who were truly in need of concern. Given the Empress's vicious nature, she would surely kill them. It was most important to rescue the concubines first.
"Imperial Grandmother, what about Feng Jin..."
Chu Chenyi was most concerned about Feng Jin's safety. After all, Feng Jin was the most important person in Ling Mohan's heart.
Now Chu Yanxi intended to hold Feng Jin hostage to force Ling Mohan to give up his resistance. They were trapped within the imperial palace, and all their hopes were pinned on Ling Mohan. Any slight deviation could lead to their utter ruin.
"Don't worry, Feng Jin will be fine. Since she dared to go with Chu Yanxi, she must have had a plan. Soon... soon this farce will end. The Empress and Chu Yanxi will surely reap what they sow for their wicked deeds. We should just stay here peacefully, protect ourselves, and wait for Ling Mohan to capture those rebels!"
The Empress Dowager's voice was calm, but it brought great peace to their hearts. Chu Chenyi's originally anxious heart quieted down considerably. Even if he was extremely anxious now, it would be of no avail.
Moreover, he believed that Ling Mohan would definitely have a way to deal with Chu Yanxi. He only needed to wait patiently.
"Empress Dowager..." The Imperial Consort's eyes were filled with worry. If she said she wasn't worried, it would be a lie. Her heart had not been at peace since she learned of the Emperor's serious illness. Now with such an incident, she found it even harder to be at ease.
"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty... how is Your Majesty now?"
The Imperial Consort glanced at Emperor Xuanwen lying on the bed, her eyes filled with worry and care. With the Emperor seriously ill, she did not dare to approach him rashly and could only first inquire about the Empress Dowager's current condition.
"The Emperor is now fine. You do not need to worry too much."
The Empress Dowager knew the Imperial Consort's feelings for Emperor Xuanwen best. It was not easy to be so devoted.
Although the Imperial Consort was a bit pampered, she was pure-hearted and devoted to the Emperor. Since entering the palace, she had been very respectful and filial to her, far better than Liu Shi a thousand times over. It was just that the Emperor's heart only held Liu Shi.
Although he had shown favor to the Imperial Consort over the years, he had never truly taken her to heart.
"That's good... May Buddha bless us, it is a great fortune that Your Majesty is alright... truly a great fortune!" The Imperial Consort's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally relaxed a little. As long as His Majesty was alright, she would be willing to live a shorter life.
The Imperial Consort's gaze remained fixed on Emperor Xuanwen, wanting to step forward but fearing she might injure him.