When Li Zhaoting arrived at Princess Jin’s sleeping quarters with Miaoyin and others, imperial guards were arranged in three layers inside and out in full battle formation. Palace consorts who heard the news had come, saving him from sending people to find Hong Xiao separately.

Even the Wonderful Minister, who was a guest in the palace, had rushed over. Miaoyin saw him and called softly: “Father.”

He cast a complex glance at the baby in her arms and nodded.

The imperial guards quickly made way.

Li Zhaoting took Hong Xiao’s hand, with Miaoyin holding the child following behind. Hong Xiao was startled. Li Zhaoting made a silencing gesture, saying quietly: “Don’t be afraid – I will protect you.”

Hong Xiao frowned in confusion, but seeing his determined expression and that Miaoyin and that bastard were placed behind, amid the chaos she felt a trace of joy and let him lead her forward.

“I’m here, and the Empress has come too. Whatever conditions you have, just state them. But if you dare harm a single hair of my mother, I guarantee you and your nine clans will not be spared!”

Li Zhaoting’s eyes instantly flashed with stern killing intent as he stared at the hall door, speaking word by word.

Outside the hall was very quiet, as if even breathing sounds had disappeared!

Everyone waited for the person inside to speak. This assassin didn’t seem to have come to kill – what exactly did he want? He certainly had remarkable ability to take the Empress Dowager hostage in such a heavily guarded palace, but if he wanted to escape unharmed, that probably wasn’t possible!

“Your Majesty, this minister will certainly not spare the assassin.” Behind Li Zhaoting, Wei Chenghui expressed loyalty in low tones.

Li Zhaoting nodded: “Minister Wei is thoughtful.”

“Where are the child and Feng Suzhen’s remains?”

Just as his words fell, a voice slowly came from inside the hall.

In the breathless silence, everyone felt a trace of surprise – this mellow voice wasn’t unfamiliar, but trying to say when or where they’d heard it seemed impossible to determine.

Li Zhaoting’s expression grew even more stern. He had long suspected the other party was from within the palace – otherwise, with over a hundred imperial guards outside his mother’s hall, who could force entry, or even know the identity of the intruder!

“Both are here.” He leaned slightly forward, replying coldly. What relationship would this person have with Feng Suzhen?!

“Very good.” The other laughed, then said: “Your Majesty, I’m coming out now. Don’t think of turning me into a porcupine – I can guarantee the first to die will definitely be your mother.”

As the words faded, a palm wind suddenly flung the hall doors open, and a man in blue brocade robes slowly stepped out. Beyond everyone’s expectations, he held no hostage in his hands. However, through the open doors behind his tall, thin figure, they could see the spacious, luxurious hall with many servants and palace maids lying scattered about, with a woman bound to a central chair.

Her hair was disheveled, mouth stuffed with silk, and this woman who commanded the palace court now had a pale face with faint pain in her eyes – quite a pitiful sight.

Beside the palace consorts, several imperial guard leaders suddenly raised their hands – Li Zhaoting’s eyes flashed sternly, almost immediately commanding in a deep voice: “No arrows!”

Hundreds of arrows froze in mid-air – a spectacular sight. Under the Emperor’s gaze, Si Lanfeng slipped past the man, freed Princess Jin, and helped her out.

Under the arrowheads, everyone’s faces showed surprise, including Li Zhaoting.

This assassin was none other than the foreign youth the Son of Heaven had recently regarded as a “confidant” and invited to stay in the palace as a guest. Beside Li Zhaoting, Hong Xiao’s cherry lips parted slightly, her pupils rapidly dilating and contracting.

“A fine guest brought by Quan Feitong!” Li Zhaoting’s eyes suddenly narrowed as he immediately ordered Liang Song: “Summon him to the palace immediately!”

Outside the hall door, Sang Zhan’s robes swayed. He didn’t prevent Si Lanfeng’s actions, even maintaining a shallow smile: “Good, I’d also like to see Quan Feitong’s surprised expression.”

“You think one sentence can clear Quan Feitong of involvement?” Wei Chenghui pointed at him, smiling coldly.

Hearing this, Sang Zhan’s smile deepened, standing with hands behind his back: “What are you? The Emperor hasn’t spoken yet.”

Wei Chenghui’s gaze darkened, but seeing Li Zhaoting’s lips move slightly, though angry in his heart, he found it inconvenient to speak further.

Li Zhaoting’s face was grave as water: “Who exactly are you, and what do you want by threatening my mother?”

At this time, the old Daoist Wuliang stepped forward several paces, walking to Li Zhaoting’s side: “Your Majesty, now that the Empress Dowager is safe, if you want to capture him alive for interrogation, this old man will act now.”

“Wait.” Behind him, Mao and Yu showed fierce expressions, about to leap forward when Li Zhaoting stopped them.

Several were surprised, but heard Li Zhaoting’s voice like lightning: “The antidote!”

Sang Zhan continued smiling: “You’re worthy of being an emperor – sufficiently calm. I’ll give the antidote, but Your Majesty needs to exchange something for it.”

Only now did everyone notice that the Princess Jin whom Si Lanfeng was supporting showed a purplish-black qi between her brows. They were just seeing this now, but Li Zhaoting had suspected it early on!

“What exactly do you want!”

Indeed, the Emperor who had suspected this early showed no hesitation, replying coldly.

Outside the hall was again completely silent. Some watched like tigers, some were curious, all wondering what conditions this person would demand! But they saw his gaze slowly fall on what Consort Miao held: “Your Majesty, I already said – I want that child, and also Feng Suzhen’s remains.”

Li Zhaoting’s face was tightly drawn, his lips pressed as he watched him with hawk-like intensity.

Sang Zhan’s smile finally slowly faded, replaced by a cold sharpness like a blade: “These two things mean nothing to you, but as for me… If you hesitate, your mother’s life—”

He laughed mockingly, his gaze falling on the countless sharp arrows ahead: “Is like these arrows on bowstrings – once released, unstoppable. Believe me, my poison is an ancient palace formula your imperial physicians cannot cure. Without the antidote within an hour, the Empress Dowager will certainly die with her intestines burst and stomach torn.”

At this time, Wuliang again whispered in Li Zhaoting’s ear.

“Just try killing me and see if you can get the antidote from my body.”

Sang Zhan suddenly spoke, as if penetrating all his thoughts, making him shake with shock. Li Zhaoting was furious, but finally waved for him to retreat, knowing this man came prepared—

“Don’t you want this bastard child?”

Suddenly someone laughed coldly, snatching the child from Miaoyin’s hands, his five fingers like claws gripping the child’s neck: “Bring out the antidote immediately, or I’ll strangle this little demon alive!”

The one who unexpectedly acted was Wei Chenghui, but strangely, the child didn’t seem like an ordinary baby – she glanced at him once, then closed her eyes again, completely ignoring him, let alone crying.

Similarly, Sang Zhan showed no panic in his expression, only smiling slightly: “First Rank Marquis, what impressive bearing – directly threatening the Emperor—”

“Don’t try to drive a wedge between me and the Emperor!”

Wei Chenghui coldly interrupted, but heard him say: “Just go ahead and kill this child, and me too – at least the Empress Dowager will accompany us in death, so I won’t lose out. This deal must have your side compromise first, otherwise it absolutely cannot be done. How about it, Great Zhou Son of Heaven?”

He spoke while narrowing his eyes at Li Zhaoting. Though Li Zhaoting didn’t know his background, from the time this man entered the palace, he knew the other’s intelligence and methods were no simple matter – not a simple character. He lowered his eyes slightly, commanding in a deep voice: “Bring up the coffin.”

Quick as lightning, there was movement behind the imperial guards, who again rapidly made way. A thin coffin carried by several imperial guards appeared before everyone.

Sang Zhan’s previously clear and confident gaze finally dimmed slightly upon seeing this shabby coffin.

“Open it.” he said.

Li Zhaoting personally stepped forward, walking to the coffin, suddenly gathering his strength and kicking it over.

Sang Zhan waved his hand, and the sliding coffin quickly stopped – he struck it with another palm, sending the coffin lid flying. People crowded to look, then all simultaneously covered their noses as a wave of corpse stench hit them.

The front-row consorts could see clearly – lying in the coffin was a plainly dressed woman, her clothes tattered, hands crossed over her chest, one hand missing its little finger. Her eyes were tightly closed, half her face had already rotted away with green liquid flowing, but her expression wasn’t fierce – she seemed to have fulfilled some wish before death.

“Your Majesty, she’s already dead, yet you still humiliate her like this? Using someone else’s old coffin to bury her… Her parents died tragically, half a lifetime of suffering thanks to you. She lived with integrity and honor, not yielding to any man – does she deserve such an ending?” But Sang Zhan showed no fear or disgust, looking at the person in the coffin with infinitely tender, loving eyes.

Si Lanfeng and Miaoyin beside Li Zhaoting both slightly turned their heads away.

“As a coroner, you’ve seen all human misery, and now…” Sang Zhan slightly lowered his head, finally applying palm force – “bang” – the coffin lid fell back, covering the coffin.

“The antidote.” But Li Zhaoting seemed not to have heard what he said at all, only saying coldly.

“How could I give you the antidote now? The emperor’s word is bond. Listen – I want your guarantee, a guarantee to let me safely leave the capital. You can have the Wonderful Minister lead elite troops to escort me out of the city. When I get out, I’ll naturally give him the medicine.”

“Quite the wishful thinking. How do I know if your medicine is real or fake?” Li Zhaoting’s eyes showed mockery.

“Very simple.” Sang Zhan pulled out a porcelain bottle from his chest, smiling slightly: “This is the poison – causes intestinal pain when swallowed. You need only have a soldier test both poison and antidote to know their authenticity.”

As he spoke, bringing it to his lips, suddenly a carriage raced into the garden from a side entrance. There was no driver – the carriage was driven by a thin, black, gaunt ugly horse, but its eyes were bright as lightning, its strength extraordinary. With a long neigh, its front hooves rose, half-lifting the carriage.

Sang Zhan said: “Load the coffin onto it.”

Li Zhaoting’s face was iron-blue as he gave the order. Soon, several imperial guards came over, lifted the coffin, and placed it inside the carriage. Sang Zhan watched motionlessly. Finally, he slowly said: “And my daughter. Your Majesty, you should return what belongs to others.”