Yixiao wrapped Feng Xiyang in a cloak and secured her tightly to her back, riding close to Feng Suige’s side. Despite being in flight, Feng Suige seemed quite relaxed, even wearing an inexplicable smile. Xia Jingshi, two horse lengths behind them, had a slight frown. Seeing Yixiao look back at him, his worried expression eased slightly, and he returned a smile.

Feng Suige whistled, and a Su Sha guard responded by spurring his horse out of formation, galloping ahead at full speed. Before Yixiao could ask, Feng Suige turned his head to explain, “We’ll change horses at the next large town. Otherwise, not only will the horses be exhausted, but our travel speed will also be affected.”

“But where can we find so many horses at once?” Yixiao worried. “Farm horses can’t handle long journeys.” “If I need them, they’ll be there,” Feng Suige boasted, cracking his whip. “The secret relay stations I’ve painstakingly established over the years aren’t just for show.” Yixiao rolled her eyes at him, deciding to ignore him. She turned to look at the Emperor, whose limbs were bound to the horse’s tack. His face was pale, but his expression remained haughty. Several times along the way, he had tried to break away from the group using the terrain but was always forced back by the Su Sha guards flanking him.

Before she could turn back, a light snort came from behind. “How frivolous.” Yixiao chuckled, “It’s precisely because neither of us is heavy that we’re sharing a horse.” “You!” Feng Xiyang didn’t know how to respond and called out angrily, “Royal Brother, look at her…”

Hearing the two bicker, Feng Suige could only pretend not to hear. Emotionally, he hoped Yixiao would take better care of the frail Xiyang, but rationally, he couldn’t bring himself to side with Xiyang. With Xiyang’s spoiled nature and Yixiao’s fiery temperament, favoring either was impossible.

After midday, they finally reached the town. As everyone was changing horses to continue their journey, Xiyang refused to ride with Yixiao again. Feng Suige had to acquire another gentle mare for Xiyang to ride. Fortunately, Xiyang was strong-willed and followed Xia Jingshi without complaint, even on the bumpiest roads. Only then did Feng Suige feel at ease to quicken their pace.

The Empress Dowager, pale-faced, was assisted by her ladies-in-waiting to sit on the main seat in the Luan Hall. The red-eyed Empress sat below her. Every summoned official in the hall carried their concerns, and a deathly silence filled the room.

“I’ve gathered all of you officials today regarding the matter of His Majesty’s abduction… The Yulin Army has already dispatched several thousand elite cavalry to pursue and rescue, but I fear the rebels might harm His Majesty in their desperation. Therefore, I hope you can offer good strategies not only to ensure His Majesty’s safe return to court but also to maintain the capital’s safety.”

The hall remained silent, with many elder officials sighing and shaking their heads.

After waiting for a while, the Empress Dowager finally lost patience and said irritably, “Have you all become mute?! You’re all so clever when seeking rewards and honors, but when we need you, you’re all silent, hmm?!” Many officials lowered their heads, not daring to meet the Empress Dowager’s icy gaze. Suddenly, a trembling, elderly voice spoke softly, “This subject dares to ask the Empress Dowager to answer two questions first.”

All eyes in the hall immediately turned to an elderly man with white hair. The Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed sharply, but she sat down calmly, “Chancellor, you’re too polite. But if the questions are irrelevant, let’s put them aside for now. We can discuss them after His Majesty’s return.”

The old Chancellor stood tall, looking directly at the Empress Dowager. “I understand, but these questions are closely related to His Majesty. Please, Empress Dowager, enlighten this subject.” The Empress Dowager glared at him for a moment before uttering a single word, “Speak.”

“Since the founding of the Jinxi Dynasty, when royal family members or nobles face criminal charges, they are tried jointly by the Criminal Supervision Department and the Criminal Investigation Department before a verdict is reached,” the old Chancellor said, becoming increasingly agitated. “Why, in the absence of proven guilt, did His Majesty still insist on imprisoning the Prince of Nan in a heavy prison?”

“From the Chancellor’s words, do you believe His Majesty deliberately targeted the Prince of Nan?” The Empress exchanged a glance with the Empress Dowager and stood up, her long robes trailing. “His Majesty privately discussed this matter with me. The Prince of Nan is suspected of the grave crime of treason. His Majesty was deeply pained but had to deal severely with the Prince of Nan to demonstrate the fairness of the law. Is there something wrong with His Majesty governing strictly?” The old Chancellor bowed respectfully, “Thank you, Empress, for enlightening this old subject. However, I was asking the Empress Dowager. I request the Empress to listen quietly and not…”

“Old Chancellor,” the Empress Dowager coldly interrupted, “I respect you as an elder statesman of three reigns, which is why I allow you to speak so recklessly in this hall. But don’t push your luck too far.” “This old subject wouldn’t dare. Please calm your anger, Empress Dowager,” the Chancellor’s tone was respectful, but he didn’t yield. “The Empress has answered the first question. For the second, I request the Empress Dowager’s response.”

A subtle commotion began in the hall. These high officials and nobles, seasoned in court politics, had already sensed the tension in the air. Some timid officials had begun to quietly retreat into the crowd.

The Empress Dowager sat with a grim face, waiting for the old Chancellor’s second question. But the old Chancellor tilted his head slightly back, his eyes closed as if asleep.

The Empress Dowager, unable to contain herself any longer, finally exploded. She slammed the purple sandalwood table in front of her and shouted, “What game are you playing?!”

Almost simultaneously, the old Chancellor’s eyes flew open, filled with deep-seated hatred. He loudly demanded, “I ask the Empress Dowager to tell us, how you caused the death of the late Emperor, and how you forced Consort Xuan to her death?!”

As if salt had been thrown into a hot pot, the entire Luan Hall suddenly erupted into chaos. Some officials looked shocked, some bewildered, some dubious, and some with grim expressions.

“How dare you!” The Empress Dowager, both angry and hateful, pointed at the old Chancellor, her whole body trembling. “Guards, drag this nonsense-spouting old fool out and beat him to death in the courtyard!”

“You dare!” The old Chancellor was enraged as well. He raised one hand high, his sleeve falling back to reveal a shining golden token clutched in his palm. “The late Emperor’s imperial decree is here. Let’s see who dares to act rashly!”

The hall instantly fell silent, with only the sound of rapid breathing remaining.

With a thud, the elder official closest to the old Chancellor knelt, tremblingly kowtowing.

The air seemed to freeze.

A second… A third…

In just a moment, the officials in the hall were kneeling everywhere, leaving only the old Chancellor standing tall, holding the golden decree.

The Empress was stunned for a long while before suddenly realizing. Just as she was about to kneel, the Empress Dowager grabbed her. The Empress Dowager spoke coldly, “Forging the imperial seal is a capital offense, Old Chancellor.”