The soldiers surrounded her as soon as the words fell.
They surged forward, and in an instant, Feng Yin Wan was completely encircled. Eunuch Gao tried to intervene, but he was unceremoniously shoved aside and apprehended.
Seeing this, Ye Ting Yu immediately declared triumphantly, "Quick, escort this traitor who attempted to murder Father Emperor out! I want to see what Ye Ting Lan will say to explain this!"
All the important ministers of the court were present today. With such an incident, Ye Ting Lan would surely be in deep trouble.
He was as good as declared a rebellious official and a traitor!
He held a saber in his hand, his eyes gleaming with excitement. However, the moment his words faded, the woman who had just been surrounded by everyone suddenly flickered and, like a phantom, appeared directly before him.
The movement was so fast that Ye Ting Yu didn't even see it. A sharp pain struck his right wrist.
A slender silver needle pierced through the back of his hand, directly pinning his wrist at a slant!
Crimson blood bloomed in circles. Before he could even react, the saber was snatched away by Feng Yin Wan and then pointed at his throat.
A chilling coldness instantly enveloped him. Feng Yin Wan pulled him, her gaze sweeping coldly over everyone.
"Don't move."
The situation had shifted too abruptly. The soldiers were still stunned, and before they could react, Ye Ting Yu's pig-like wail rang out.
"Don't move! Everyone, don't move!"
This damned woman, she actually knew martial arts!
The saber at his throat, he feared Feng Yin Wan might accidentally lower her hand and decapitate him. Ye Ting Yu trembled, his face deathly pale and shaking like a sieve.
The soldiers hesitated upon hearing this. However, Feng Yin Wan lost her patience. With a frown, she pressed the blade against Ye Ting Yu's neck even harder.
"Hiss—"
A sharp pain, a bloodstain appeared. Ye Ting Yu felt the blade inch closer to his throat.
After letting out a few cries of fear, he heard Feng Yin Wan say, "Tell them to put down their swords."
Ye Ting Yu dared not delay and obediently complied. However, the soldiers looked towards Ye Ting Yan.
Ye Ting Yu's forehead twitched heavily. He immediately exclaimed in anger, "You bastards, are you deaf! Why aren't you putting down your swords for this prince!"
He had no doubt that if they didn't cooperate, this woman would kill him on the spot!
The soldiers finally threw their swords to the ground.
The standoff continued. Feng Yin Wan intended to drag Ye Ting Yu towards the palace exit, but Ye Ting Yan led his men to block the way, showing no intention of backing down.
Knowing he was several times more difficult to deal with than Ye Ting Yu, Feng Yin Wan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. She said coldly,
"Move aside!"
As if finally finding a savior, Ye Ting Yu looked up and quickly pleaded,
"Second Brother, save me quickly!"
This woman is ruthless and cruel, she's clearly mad!
Ye Ting Yan glanced at him upon hearing his plea but made no move.
His gaze shifted to Feng Yin Wan, and he warned in a cold voice, "Poisoning the Emperor is a grave crime of rebellion, Consort Wan. I advise you to surrender immediately and reveal the mastermind behind this. Perhaps then you can buy yourself a sliver of a chance for survival!"
Disregarding the matter of hostage-taking, his goal was clear: to relentlessly pursue the poisoning of the Emperor.
And his words implicitly pointed to Ye Ting Lan.
Feng Yin Wan scoffed upon hearing this, showing no fear of his intimidating presence.
"This Consort does not understand a single word the Second Prince says."
"This Consort only knows that His Majesty was accidentally poisoned, and Imperial Physician Jiang is doing his utmost to treat him. Yet, at this moment, the two princes have stormed into the palace with armed men, immediately slandering this Consort's integrity, and even apprehending Eunuch Gao, who serves His Majesty."
"The Hall of Mental Cultivation is the residence of the Son of Heaven. Regarding all of the above, this Consort would also like to seek an explanation from the Second Prince."
Storming the palace, wielding swords – these were all grave crimes of rebellion. Ye Ting Yan naturally would not admit to them.
His jaw tightened as he spoke righteously,
"His Majesty was harmed by someone. My Fourth Prince and I rushed to protect him, hence our forceful entry into the palace. This was a measure of last resort. If His Majesty blames us upon waking, this prince will have no regrets."
"But today, with this prince and the esteemed officials present, we will not let the true culprit who harmed His Majesty escape!"
Feng Yin Wan's brows furrowed. "Does the Second Prince mean that this charge must be borne even if this Consort is innocent?"
Ye Ting Yan maintained a dignified demeanor.
"This prince is giving you an opportunity because you are being manipulated. If you insist on not surrendering, then this prince can only enforce the law impartially."
He raised his hand, and a row of archers appeared beside him, arrows nocked and sharp tips aimed directly at Feng Yin Wan and her companions.
Ye Ting Yu, still held hostage by Feng Yin Wan, widened his eyes in shock.
"Second Brother!"
No, he was still here!
Ye Ting Yan glanced at him perfunctorily and said indifferently, "Ting Yu, for the sake of Father Emperor, please bear with it for a moment. Once this rebel is eliminated, you will be safe."
These words were so outrageous that even Ye Ting Yu found them unbelievable.
What was there to bear with! If those arrows were loosed, he'd be long dead!
No, even before the arrows could fly, he'd have been beheaded by Feng Yin Wan, her used body then spinning 360 degrees in mid-air, precisely blocking each incoming arrow.
In the end, she would be unharmed, casually releasing him and discarding him.
And he would lie on the ground, his head looking towards his body, his body facing away from his head, impaled with so many arrows he'd resemble a hedgehog.
Wow, that would be incredibly safe, he'd be thoroughly dead!
Ye Ting Yan, however, paid no mind to this. He raised his hand and gave the order to release the arrows.
Feng Yin Wan hadn't expected him to so readily sacrifice Ye Ting Yu as a pawn. Just as she was about to withdraw her saber to defend herself, a long, clear voice suddenly echoed from outside the palace.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived—"
Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager chose this moment to visit, everyone present was taken aback.
In that moment of stunned silence, the Empress Dowager, supported by Ye Ting Yun, walked in.
Ye Ting Yan's eyes narrowed as he saw this. He turned and bowed respectfully, "Why has Grandmother Empress Dowager come?"
Since Ye Ting Lan had taken control of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Empress Dowager hadn't appeared here for some time. Her arrival now, supported by Ye Ting Yun, was unlikely to be a coincidence.
As if she were already aware of the situation, the Empress Dowager showed little surprise. She glanced at him with a stern gaze and said in a deep voice,
"This Empress is not so old that she is deaf, blind, or unable to speak. You are causing such a commotion in the palace; it would be difficult for this Empress not to come."
Ye Ting Yan nodded, his expression unreadable. "The situation was urgent, and there was no time to inform you beforehand. Please forgive me, Grandmother Empress Dowager."
Though he spoke of forgiveness, his tone lacked any hint of it.
He straightened his posture and continued, "Your grandson is currently apprehending rebels. Swords and blades have no eyes; they can easily injure people. Grandmother Empress Dowager and Fifth Brother should wait outside for now."
"Rebels?"
The Empress Dowager repeated the word faintly, her brow furrowed. "Who in this hall is a rebel?"