Chapter 112
Yixiao wrapped Feng Xiyang tightly in a cloak and secured her to her back before spurring her horse to keep pace beside Feng Suige. Though they were fleeing, Feng Suige appeared remarkably at ease, even wearing an inexplicable smile at the corner of his lips. Xia Jingshi, trailing two horse-lengths behind them, frowned slightly—only when Yixiao glanced back at him did his worried expression soften into a smile.
Feng Suige let out a sharp whistle, and one of the Vermillion Sand Guards immediately broke from the formation, galloping ahead at full speed. Before Yixiao could ask, Feng Suige turned his head to explain, "We'll change horses at the next town. Otherwise, the mounts won't hold up, and our speed will suffer."
"But where will we find so many horses on such short notice?" Yixiao fretted. "Farm horses can't handle long-distance travel."
"If I want them, they'll appear," Feng Suige boasted, cracking his whip with a flourish. "The secret courier stations I've painstakingly built over the years aren't just for show." Yixiao rolled her eyes and decided to ignore him, turning instead to glance at the Holy Emperor, whose hands and feet were bound to his saddle. His face was pale, but his expression remained haughty. Several times during the journey, he had tried to break away using the terrain, only to be swiftly intercepted by the Vermillion Sand Guards flanking him.
Before she could turn back, a soft huff sounded from behind her. "So frivolous."
Yixiao chuckled. "It's precisely because neither of us is heavy that we can share a horse."
"You—!" Feng Xiyang, at a loss for a retort, could only fume quietly before calling out, "Elder Brother, look at her—!"
Hearing their bickering, Feng Suige pretended not to notice. Emotionally, he hoped Yixiao would take better care of the frail Xiyang. Logically, he couldn't bring himself to side with Xiyang. But Xiyang was spoiled, and Yixiao was fiery—taking either side would only make things worse.
By midday, they finally reached the town. After changing horses and preparing to continue, Xiyang flatly refused to ride with Yixiao again. Feng Suige had no choice but to procure a gentle mare for Xiyang. Fortunately, Xiyang was stubborn—no matter how rough the road, she gritted her teeth and rode without complaint beside Xia Jingshi. Only then did Feng Suige feel reassured enough to quicken their pace.
The Empress Dowager, her face ashen, was assisted by her ladies-in-waiting as she took her seat in the Phoenix Hall. The red-eyed Empress sat below her, while every summoned minister stood with troubled thoughts, the hall steeped in silence.
"Today, we gather to discuss the Emperor's abduction... The Imperial Guard Barracks have already dispatched thousands of elite cavalry in pursuit and rescue. However, I fear the rebels may harm His Majesty in desperation. Thus, I implore you all to devise a strategy—not only to ensure the Emperor's safe return but also to safeguard the Imperial City."
The hall remained deathly quiet. Many elder ministers shook their heads with sighs.
After a long wait, the Empress Dowager finally lost patience. "Have you all gone mute?! So quick to seek rewards, yet when your skills are needed, not a single word?!" Many officials bowed their heads, not daring to meet her icy gaze. Suddenly, a trembling, aged voice spoke lowly, "This humble servant dares to ask—before offering counsel, may Your Majesty answer two questions?"Instantly, all eyes in the hall converged on a white-haired elder. A sharp glint flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes before she calmly took her seat. "Prime Minister, you are too courteous. But if these questions are entirely irrelevant, perhaps they should be set aside until after we welcome back the Emperor."
The Old Prime Minister stood tall, meeting the Empress Dowager's gaze squarely. "This humble servant understands. However, these questions bear great significance to His Majesty. I beg the Empress Dowager to enlighten me." After glaring at him for a long moment, the Empress Dowager spat out a single word: "Speak."
"Since the founding of Jinxi Dynasty, whenever royalty or nobility were involved in criminal cases, verdicts could only be passed after joint deliberation by the Criminal Supervision Bureau and Criminal Investigation Bureau," the Old Prime Minister declared, his voice growing impassioned. "Why then, despite the lack of concrete evidence, did His Majesty insist on imprisoning the King Who Pacifies the South in the high-security prison?"
"By your implication, Prime Minister, are you suggesting His Majesty deliberately targeted the King Who Pacifies the South?" The Empress exchanged glances with the Empress Dowager before rising, her long robes trailing. "His Majesty privately discussed this matter with me. The King Who Pacifies the South is suspected of grave treason, which pains His Majesty deeply. It was only to demonstrate judicial impartiality that His Majesty had to deal with him severely. Tell me, is it wrong for the Emperor to govern with strict justice?" The Old Prime Minister bowed respectfully. "My gratitude to the Empress for your explanation—but my questions were directed at the Empress Dowager. Might the Empress please observe quietly without—"
"Old Prime Minister," the Empress Dowager coldly interrupted, "We tolerate your reckless words in this council hall only out of respect for your service through three reigns. But do not overstep your bounds." "This old servant dares not. I beg the Empress Dowager to calm your anger," the Old Prime Minister replied deferentially, yet yielding no ground. "The Empress has answered my first question. For the second, I beg the Empress Dowager's response."
A restless murmur began spreading through the hall. These high-ranking officials, seasoned in court politics, already sensed the tension reaching breaking point. Several timid junior officials quietly retreated into the crowd.
The Empress Dowager waited with a darkened expression for the Old Prime Minister's second question. But the elder merely tilted his head slightly, his eyes closing as if he'd fallen asleep.
Finally, the Empress Dowager's patience snapped. She slammed her sandalwood desk and shouted sharply, "What game are you playing?"
Almost simultaneously, the Old Prime Minister's eyes flew open, burning with profound hatred as he thundered, "I demand the Empress Dowager explain clearly to us all—how you murdered the Late Emperor, and how you drove Xuanfei to her death!!!"
Like salt cast into boiling oil, the Phoenix Hall erupted in chaos. Some ministers looked shocked, others bewildered; some wore suspicion, others dark expressions.
"Outrageous!" The Empress Dowager trembled with fury as she pointed at the Old Prime Minister. "Guards! Drag this babbling old fool out and beat him to death!"
"Dare you try!" The Old Prime Minister, now equally enraged, raised his hand high. As his sleeve fell back, it revealed a glittering Golden Edict clutched in his palm. "By the Late Emperor's personal decree, let me see who dares move against me!!!"
The hall fell so silent that only rapid breathing could be heard.
With a thud, the minister nearest the Old Prime Minister knelt and kowtowed, trembling.
The air seemed to freeze.
A second... then a third...
Within moments, all ministers in the hall had prostrated themselves—except the Old Prime Minister, who stood unwavering, the golden decree held aloft.The Empress was stunned for a long moment before suddenly realizing. Just as she was about to kneel, the Empress Dowager grabbed her arm and said coldly, "Forging the imperial seal is a capital offense, Old Prime Minister."
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