~ DANCING ON THE BLADE’S EDGE, MURDEROUS INTENT AT THE BANQUET ~
This banquet was held to make up for the Autumn Hunt, so the music was even livelier. Those who came forward to perform were not dancers, but guards who had rehearsed their routines.
The music swirled around their ears. As the guards demonstrating martial arts entered the hall, drumbeats gradually joined in—beats like heartbeats, each one stirring the soul.
The officials present showed little interest in the performance, instead casting frequent glances at Yu Wang, Yue Wang, and others.
Now, Prince Yu resided in Liyang Palace, traditionally the abode of crown princes. Even after rumors spread that his consort bore an ill-omened fate and that her marriage into the imperial family would bring misfortune to the royal offspring, the Emperor showed no intention of having them move out. Recently, Imperial Concubine Qi had even begun instructing the Princess Consort Yu on how to manage the harem affairs. Such actions undoubtedly infuriated Ling Wang and the Li family even more.
The music swirled around their ears. As the guards demonstrating martial arts entered the hall, drumbeats gradually joined in—beats like heartbeats, each one stirring the soul.
The officials present showed little interest in the performance, instead casting frequent glances at Yu Wang, Yue Wang, and others.
Now, Prince Yu resided in Liyang Palace, traditionally the abode of crown princes. Even after rumors spread that his consort bore an ill-omened fate and that her marriage into the imperial family would bring misfortune to the royal offspring, the Emperor showed no intention of having them move out. Recently, Imperial Concubine Qi had even begun instructing the Princess Consort Yu on how to manage the harem affairs. Such actions undoubtedly infuriated Ling Wang and the Li family even more.
Meanwhile, things were even more complicated for Yue Wang. A prince was attempting suicide by starvation over a woman, and crucially, this woman was his own niece. Though the Emperor had already bestowed the marriage, this union tarnished Prince Yue’s reputation, effectively eliminating most of his chances of vying for the throne. As the Empress’s legitimate son, he had long been overlooked, yet still commanded the support of many conservative old officials. To have reached this point was truly a tragic waste.
As for Mu Yunyao, it goes without saying. Ever since she returned to the Cital, the city has been in constant turmoil, with disturbances erupting every other day. Yet she is fortunate, backed by the Grand Princess Yi De, so no one dares openly provoke her. Even now, with her betrothal to Yue Wang, rumors barely touch her. When Yue Wang entered the Palace to propose, he had explicitly informed the Emperor that Mu Yunyao had already verbally rejected him. It was his own stubborn obsession with marrying no one but her that had led to the subsequent incident.
The drumbeats within the grand hall grew ever more passionate. Suddenly, amidst the sea of silver-armored guards, a crimson figure emerged. Radiating an ethereal grace, she stood poised atop the spear tips held by the guards before leaping abruptly into the sky.
Many gasped in astonishment. Just as the crimson-clad woman seemed poised to land, the guards’ spears extended precisely to the center of the stage, propelling her upward once more.
This dance upon the blade’s edge left the assembled officials in awe.
Just as she reached the highest point of her jump, she suddenly kicked off the rafters, redirecting her momentum. A dagger appeared in her hand as she lunged toward the Emperor!
Yue Wang sensed something amiss and hurled the wine flask in his hand directly at the woman in midair. Struck, she crashed to the ground but charged heedlessly toward the Emperor.
“Protect His Majesty! Quickly protect His Majesty!”
The crowd snapped to attention, cries of alarm erupting from all sides.
Yue Wang moved to subdue the woman, only to be blocked by Ling Wang.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Ling Wang shoved Yue Wang hard. Seizing the moment when Yue Wang lost his footing, he rushed forward, pinned the woman to the ground, and stomped on her dagger-wielding hand. He roared, “You audacious villain! How dare you attempt to assassinate His Majesty? Surrender now!”
The guards had already stormed in, completely surrounding the rehearsed guards and the woman within the grand hall.
The Emperor’s face darkened. “An assassin managed to infiltrate the Palace undetected and even reached my presence. It seems Imperial Guards require thorough cleaning.”
The commander of the Imperial Guards immediately knelt forward to plead for forgiveness. “This humble subject has failed in his duty. I beg the Emperor's punishment.”
The woman raised her head, her eyes fixed on the Emperor with fierce hatred. “Doggie Emperor! You're lucky I didn't take your life this time. Kill me or torture me, it's entirely up to you. I'll become a vengeful spirit and come back to claim your life! The grudges of the past, blood debts must be repaid with blood!”
Ling Wang stamped his foot. “Silence! Imperial Father is wise and mighty, deeply beloved by the people. How dare you speak with such disrespect!”
“Wise and mighty? Ha! Ha! Ha! When he slaughtered the Six Great Clean, he exterminated entire families and sparing neither women nor children. Such cruelty defies all humanity! To call him wise and mighty is nothing but a joke!”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed sharply, a cold glint flashing within. He waved for the Imperial Guards to step back slightly, fixing his gaze on the crimson-clad woman pinned beneath his foot. “Who are you? Why did you attempt to assassinate me?”
“Doggie Emperor! I fear not revealing my identity. I’m from the Luo Family. I came here to kill you and avenge my family.”
The Grand Princess Yi De raised her eyes to the grim Emperor and softly reminded him, “Your Majesty, do not let anger cloud your judgment.”
The woman in red turned to look at The Grand Princess Yi De, a sinister smile playing at her lips. “Your Royal Highness, how sincere the Luo family was when they sought your hand in marriage! Yet you feigned consent while secretly plotting to destroy them. All these years, when you wake from nightmares, have you never felt a shred of remorse?”
The Grand Princess Yi De’s expression remained icy. “Your Majesty, this woman must be a descendant of the Luo family. She is the offspring of traitors. Kill her. There is no need to listen to her ramblings.”
“Imperial Elder Sister speaks wisely,” the Emperor said, clenching his teeth to suppress his rage. “Guards! Drag her away and execute her by beating!”
“Doggie Emperor! Do you place such blind faith in the Grand Princess? Do you not fear she will usurp your throne and take your worthless life?” The crimson-clad woman suddenly shouted.
At these words, the grand hall fell deathly silent. Officials bowed their heads, not daring to utter a sound.
“Ha ha ha! Look at your officials, they cower like quails at the mere mention of the Grand Princess. She’s just the Grand Princess, yet her authority surpasses yours as Emperor. You fawn over her and revere her, unaware she’s playing you like a puppet. Do you know what lies she’s deceived you with? Do you know what schemes she plots in secret? Ha! Doggie Emperor! You shall be betrayed by those you trust most and meet a bitter end!”
The Imperial Guards hastened their pace, some even reaching out to cover the woman’s mouth to silence her nonsense.
“Halt!” The Emperor commanded the guards to stop, his sullen face flushed with fury. “I did indeed annihilate the Six Great Clans, executing every last member of their households. But that was because those six families had undermined the peace of the Dalì Dynasty. They cared only for their own clan’s interests, utterly neglecting the welfare of the people. I killed them with a clear conscience. Of course, as a descendant of one of those families, you have your reasons for seeking vengeance against me. But I will not tolerate your slander against my imperial sister! Make yourself clear today, or I shall cut out your tongue!”
“Hah! Doggie Emperor, do you think I fear you? Don’t you respect your Imperial Sister? Well then, I shall reveal her true nature and show you the kind of people surrounding you. Do you believe she elevated you to the throne only to refrain from seizing power out of sibling affection? Ridiculous! She has always viewed you as a pawn, scheming to wrest control from your hands.”
The Emperor sneered coldly: “I would believe these words about anyone else, but when it comes to my Imperial Sister, I don't believe a single word.”
“Then do you know she concealed the identity of Yue Wang? Do you know Yue Wang isn't your biological son?”
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