"Uncle Wang, is Wan'er's folding fan still working well?"
Xiang Wan got up and used the back of her hand to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth.
The Empress looked worried and helped Xiang Wan to her feet.
To make today's effect as realistic as possible, she actually coughed up blood. After today, she'll need to go back and recuperate properly.
The man in purple immediately stood up and stood protectively in front of Prince Qi.
"Prince Qi" was the title bestowed upon Yun Qishan by the emperor, but he didn't want it at all, so he never mentioned the title. His subordinates generally addressed him simply as "Master."
"General Luo, I have always believed that I have treated you well. As the prince's riding and archery instructor, you stand by Prince Qi's side. Are you going to protect him to the end today?"
The emperor's face was grim. This Luo Tong was someone he had personally assigned to tutor the princes, but now he was standing on the opposing side. Wasn't this a slap in the face?
Luo Tong's eyes flickered, then he said firmly, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty saved my life. After today, we are even. Your Majesty, please don't force me to take action!"
"Your Highness, don't waste words with them. Just take the emperor's life to avoid any unforeseen complications!" someone suggested to Prince Qi.
Upon hearing this man's suggestion, the soldiers who had followed Prince Qi immediately revealed a fierce glint in their eyes, as if they were ready to commit murder at the slightest command.
"How dare you? If you want to touch the Emperor, you'll have to step over this old minister first!"
"We swear to protect the Emperor to the death!"
The court officials were of one mind, and even though they could not move an inch, their imposing manner remained undiminished.
The soldier holding the sword trembled slightly, his eyes wavering.
They were merely following orders and had no courage to point their blades at court officials. Besides, among these people, there were always one or two who had been kind to their families, and they couldn't bear to kill them all.
"Uncle Wang, are you feeling guilty? Or is he the one pulling the strings behind the scenes?"
Xiang Wan tried to shift the blame eastward, but unfortunately, it didn't work.
Having come this far, with success just around the corner, how could Yun Qishan easily waver in his resolve?
Xiang Wan pushed away the Empress's wrist, stood up and came to Yun Qishan. She calmly said, "Since this is Wan'er's coming-of-age ceremony, Uncle Wang should show some kindness and let me complete this last step. Consider it Wan'er's last request before she dies."
Before he could even grow up, he was going to die in this hall. Yun Qishan's eyes were devoid of warmth. He snorted coldly and nodded in agreement.
Years have passed, yet he still remembers the time he narrowly escaped from Ziyun Palace. Had he not been rescued by chance, he would probably be a handful of dust by now. Now, it's just to let this little girl see him one last time. Fine, let her finish this last thing, consider it his final act of mercy towards these people before he ascends the throne.
Xiang Wan slowly walked past each court official and noblewoman, staring at their faces as if trying to memorize their features.
Xiang Wan would reach out and pat anyone who showed her reluctance and heartache on the shoulder. Those who avoided her gaze, remained indifferent, or whose expressions seemed insincere were simply ignored.
After a short while, Xiang Wan finally arrived before the Emperor and Empress, knelt down and bowed, tears streaming down her face: "Father and Mother, I have brought you misfortune, and I deserve to die a thousand deaths. I kneel to thank you for your kindness in raising me. If there is an afterlife, I will live up to your expectations and serve you as a good and obedient daughter!"
The emperor and empress bent over, their eyes welling up with tears.
"This is not your fault, Wan'er. You are my beloved daughter. Whatever you did, it is not your fault!"
Even at this point, the emperor still favored her and did not blame her for causing trouble everywhere, which led to the current situation.
Xiang Wan was truly moved, and she couldn't stop her tears.
No wonder the original owner was willing to pay any price to ensure the safety of her family.
If it were her, she would know how!
After bidding farewell, Xiang Wan, contrary to her usual self, stood up, wiped away her tears, and calmly said to Yun Qishan, "Prince Qi, don't you find it strange that things went so smoothly today?"
“I am the only princess of the Yun Dynasty. At my coming-of-age ceremony, none of my eldest brother, second brother, or fourth brother appeared. Didn’t you notice that?”
Xiang Wan's words rekindled hope in everyone's eyes.
At first, everyone did question why the three princes were not present, but since it was the emperor's family matter and the ceremony was about to begin, they didn't have time to ask.
Yun Qishan was taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained his composure and said coldly, "They're just three little kids. Do you think I'm afraid of them?"
"Yes, I am officially an adult today, but Uncle, don't you find anything wrong with playing with your folding fan every day?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Luo Tong's eyes turned cold, and he immediately shielded Yun Qishan with his entire body.
"General Luo, you can retire now that you've accomplished your mission as an undercover agent. Don't worry, Father will definitely not treat you unfairly."
"You're talking nonsense! I'll take your life right now!"
Luo Tong started fighting without warning. Xiang Wan shook her head, flicked her sleeve, and a puff of smoke came out of her sleeve.
The smoke didn't hit Luo Tong, as he dodged it, but Xiang Wan had already fired the silver needle she had hidden in her palm.
One arrow was aimed at Luo Tong, while the other went directly towards Yun Qishan's face.
She never dared to take chances when dealing with enemies. If she hadn't already applied medicine to the fan that day, and then Luo Tong had handed it over to Yun Qishan, she really wouldn't have been confident that she could have harmed them.
However, the silver needles did not hit any vital points, and it still took some time for the medicinal effects to take hold.
Seeing that the princess had already made a move, the court officials all rose to meet her, and the hall was filled with the sounds of fighting.
The civil officials were all wounded, while the military generals fought brilliantly. But why were the soldiers brought in by Yun Qishan becoming weaker and weaker as the battle went on?
Before long, the situation reversed. Xiang Wan stood in front of the Emperor and Empress, and anyone who tried to get close was taken down by her sleeve.
The underlings had all been brought under control, but Yun Qishan saw no sign of defeat whatsoever.
"My lord?"
Luo Tong's body began to gradually go numb, and he could barely hold onto the hilt of his knife.
He didn't know if Yun Qishan had any martial arts skills, but he knew that if they didn't retreat now, it might really be too late.
"No rush, there's a next step in the plan."
Yun Qishan took out a hidden arrow from his sleeve, quickly pulled back the fuse, and threw it directly in front of Xiang Wan.
With quick eyes and hands, Xiang Wan swiftly shot out three embroidery needles, knocking the hidden arrow aside. Unexpectedly, the arrow exploded, spewing out a plume of bright yellow smoke.
This fog is highly poisonous. Yun Qishan is willing to risk mutual destruction to send everyone in the hall to hell.
Xiang Wan quickly took off her outer garment, and with a wave of her hand, she swiftly concealed the smoke beneath it. She then took out two pills and handed one to the Emperor and the Empress.
The incident happened so suddenly that the Emperor and Empress did not hesitate for long and swallowed it directly, leaving Xiang Wan stunned.
The medicine she gave them was to crush it and apply it to their noses!
But seeing how much the Emperor and Empress trusted her, Xiang Wan felt embarrassed to say anything more, since the effect would be the same anyway.
She took off another piece of clothing, scattering the medicinal powder on it into the air. Xiang Wan then pulled out a hidden weapon tied to the inner lining and shot it directly at Yun Qishan.
"Princess, watch out!"
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