Seeing him suddenly stop and his expression turn odd, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly and spoke.
"Ning Qing, why the hesitation?"
She urged, fearing a hitch at this moment. Unexpectedly, upon hearing her words, Ning Fengzhi clenched the military tally in his hand, his eyes instantly becoming fierce.
"You dare to lie to me!"
With that, he drew the dagger from his sleeve and lunged at the Empress Dowager. The turn of events was extremely sudden. The Empress Dowager froze in shock, and before she could react, Ye Tinglan pulled her aside.
"Imperial Grandmother, be careful!"
Missing his stab, Ning Fengzhi seemed to go mad, his eyes red as he lunged again.
Ye Tinglan, not wearing a sword, knitted his brows heavily and kicked at his wrist.
"Crack—"
A faint snap of bone, and the dagger flew out of his hand. Ning Fengzhi clutched his wrist, his gaze towards them filled with intense hatred.
The Empress Dowager, startled, hid behind. Seeing this, she quickly composed herself and spoke in outrage, "Ning Fengzhi, are you attempting rebellion!"
He had clearly pledged allegiance just moments ago. What had that attendant said to make him turn coat at the last minute?
Before she could ponder, a guard scrambled into the hall from outside.
Ignoring everyone's expressions, he stammered, "The Fourth… the Fourth Prince, has passed away!"
"What did you say?!"
Ye Tingyu was dead, and it was extremely sudden.
At precisely this critical juncture, Ning Fengzhi learned of this news. With his leverage overturned, this was enough to drive him to outright rebellion.
Almost instantaneously, Ning Fengzhi's private soldiers outside began to clash with the Imperial Guards. Ye Tinglan's expression darkened, and he shielded the Empress Dowager, pushing her back slightly.
"Protect the Empress Dowager."
The guard, having received the order, no longer trembled and quickly got up to stand by the Empress Dowager's side.
During this brief opening, Ning Fengzhi seized the opportunity to retreat towards the hall's exit.
His private soldiers were few in number. Without even needing the arrival of the regular army, the Imperial Guards had already eliminated most of them.
Seeing more and more men fall around him and hearing the approaching regular army, Ning Fengzhi knew he would not be able to leave the palace today. He threw the military tally onto the ground, then snatched a saber from a guard and brought it down forcefully upon the tally.
When Ye Tinglan emerged from the hall, the military tally had already been cut in two.
Ning Fengzhi glared at him with extreme hatred, then waved the blade to his own neck, raising his head and shouting.
"Prince Mo framed me, and the Empress Dowager sought my death! I die here today, my heart unyielding! If this vengeance is not repaid, I shall find no peace!"
Sensing his intent to commit suicide, Ye Tinglan's brow furrowed, and he immediately shouted sternly.
"Stop him quickly!"
The Imperial Guards, upon hearing the command, moved to intervene, but Ning Fengzhi was surrounded by his private soldiers. After his final cry of "Avenge me and Yu'er!", he forcefully slit his own throat.
Ye Tinglan leaped forward, but it was too late. The blade had cut through Ning Fengzhi's throat, and blood sprayed out directly.
Seeing this, the surrounding private soldiers drew their sabers and committed suicide. In an instant, blood splattered everywhere, forming a macabre crimson mist.
The Empress Dowager emerged from the hall and was horrified by the scene.
"Lan'er, this..."
Ye Tingyu was still imprisoned and died under unclear circumstances. Now, Ning Fengzhi had committed suicide in public.
He had shouted towards someone earlier, and with ears everywhere in the palace, the news would surely ignite the wrath of the Ning clan.
Rebellion was now inevitable.
The Empress Dowager turned and gave Ye Tinglan a deep look.
"Lan'er, you must be prepared to fight at any moment."