Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the stench of blood permeated every corner, thick as an impenetrable fog. The flickering candlelight on the walls cast an even more sinister and terrifying atmosphere. The bloodstains on the floor, still wet with blood, appeared dark and somber in the dim light, sending chills down one's spine.
Lin Qian glanced at Prince Ning with disdain, her longsword flashing coldly in the air before its tip resting firmly against his throat. Her eyes were icy cold, as if Prince Ning were nothing more than a lowly ant. "Your Highness Prince Ning, treason is a capital offense punishable by the confiscation of your property and the extermination of your entire clan. And you still have the mind to hurl insults?" Her voice was calm and cold, yet it carried an invisible pressure.
Prince Ning's face turned deathly pale, his body trembling uncontrollably, his eyes filled with terror and rage. He never imagined that his meticulously planned rebellion would be so utterly crushed by Lin Qian, a woman he had always considered insignificant. "You!" he gritted his teeth, managing to squeeze out a single word, but he could utter no more.
Lin Qian, dressed in a black, form-fitting outfit that clung to her body, showcased her competence and agility. A few strands of hair clung messily to her sweat-dampened forehead, and sweat streamed down her cheeks, gathering in droplets at her chin before silently falling. The longsword in her hand was still slowly dripping blood, the bright red blood flowing down the blade and forming a small pool on the ground. However, this bloody scene did not diminish her aura in the slightest; instead, it made her appear even more cold and authoritative. Hearing Prince Ning's words, she merely glanced at him indifferently, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Why not? Has Your Highness forgotten that besides political intrigue and scheming, there is also martial arts prowess in this world?" Her tone was full of confidence and disdain, as if mocking Prince Ning's ignorance and arrogance.
"You..." Prince Ning was so enraged that a mouthful of blood gushed from his mouth, forming a shocking cloud of blood mist in the air. The blood resembled a blooming red lotus, appearing particularly eerie in the dim light.
Looking at Prince Ning's disheveled state, the old emperor felt no pleasure, only a deep weariness and sorrow. His eyes revealed endless grief and helplessness; the rebellion had exhausted him both physically and mentally, making him seem much older all of a sudden. He waved his hand weakly and ordered in a hoarse voice, "Imprison Prince Ning in the imperial prison. No one is allowed to visit him without my decree!"
"Take him away? Father, are you just going to let it go like this?" The Crown Prince, dressed in black, stood in the hall like a demon god. His sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes revealed a sharp aura that made people afraid to look him in the eye. His face was full of gloom and dissatisfaction, clearly furious that the old emperor had let Prince Ning off so easily.
The old emperor wearily rubbed his temples, his wrinkles seeming to deepen instantly. He said weakly, "That rebellious son plotted rebellion, an unforgivable crime, but he is, after all, my flesh and blood, I..." His voice was filled with pain and struggle; as a father, his heart was filled with contradiction and helplessness.
"Ha, flesh and blood? You dare to utter those two words?" The Crown Prince sneered, interrupting the old emperor without any mercy. His eyes flashed with fury, as if he wanted to burn everything in front of him to ashes. "If it weren't for Miss Lin's timely arrival, you would probably have already been killed by this traitor, and the world would be plunged into chaos!" His voice was filled with disappointment and dissatisfaction towards the old emperor.
"Enough!" The old emperor abruptly raised his head and shouted sternly. His cloudy eyes were fixed on the crown prince, his gaze carrying an undeniable authority and warning. "This matter ends here, and no one is allowed to mention it again!" His voice echoed in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, carrying a resolute tone.
"Take him away!" the old emperor ordered again. The guards immediately pounced on Prince Ning like wolves, dragging him away like a dead dog. Prince Ning's wails and curses echoed through the Hall of Mental Cultivation, sending chills down everyone's spine. However, as his figure was gradually dragged further away, the sounds faded into the darkness, and the Hall of Mental Cultivation finally returned to silence.
Lin Qian sheathed her sword and gently shook her wrist, trying to relieve the soreness in her arm. Her movements seemed casual, yet they revealed a unique kind of carefree spirit. She turned to look at the old emperor, who appeared to have aged ten years in an instant. His once straight back was now hunched over, and his cloudy eyes, gazing at the mess on the ground, were filled with sorrow and helplessness.
"Lin Qian, we owe you so much this time..." the old emperor said weakly, his voice filled with gratitude and exhaustion. "If it weren't for you, I'm afraid..." His voice trembled, and he didn't finish his sentence, but everyone could understand the unspoken meaning in his words.
Lin Qian curled the corners of her lips into a slightly sarcastic smile. "Your Majesty is too kind. I was merely doing my duty." Her tone was indifferent, as if it were all none of her business.
The old emperor sighed, his expression showing even greater exhaustion. He waved his hand and said, "You may go and rest now; I am tired."
Lin Qian nodded slightly, turned around and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the night was cool and still.
Lin Qian sheathed her sword, but a sharp pain shot through her fingertips. Looking down, she saw a few drops of bright red blood sliding down the scabbard, blooming into alluring flowers on the bluestone slab. She casually wiped them away with her sleeve, but her eyes were terrifyingly cold.
"Heh, just doing your duty?" A deep voice sounded behind her, tinged with mockery and disdain. "Miss Lin, you really are 'giving your all' for His Highness the Crown Prince."
Lin Qian turned around and saw the Crown Prince, dressed in black, leaning against the corridor, a playful smile on his lips. The moonlight shone on his handsome yet cold face, adding a touch of devilish charm.
"Your Highness, are you staying up so late to enjoy my 'duty' here?" Lin Qian looked directly into his eyes without flinching, her tone laced with provocation.
His Highness the Crown Prince took a step closer, reached out and lifted her chin, his eyes as deep as an unfathomable abyss: "Lin Qian, what do you want?"
"Your Highness, I don't understand what you mean." Lin Qian slapped his hand away, took a step back, and increased the distance between them.
His Highness the Crown Prince chuckled softly, the sound particularly unrestrained in the quiet night. He suddenly leaned in and pressed Lin Qian against the cold palace wall, his warm breath brushing against her ear, carrying a faint scent of ambergris.
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