Ministers immediately knelt down. No one dared to discuss the Empress's personal visit to the Golden Luan Hall. This woman was a ruthless killer, no less than the Thirteen Eagles. A loud voice echoed through the hall: "Your subjects greet Her Majesty the Empress." xxs one
Liu Liu walked into the hall. Sunlight streamed through, illuminating her as if she were a divine being descending with golden light, a messenger of peace for Tian Feng. Everyone had witnessed the Empress's capabilities and dared not underestimate her. Liu Liu walked to the Emperor's dragon throne and bowed respectfully, speaking, "Liu'er greets Your Majesty."
Feng Xie's cold expression finally showed a hint of warmth. His mood had been extremely grim all morning, never expecting such a thing to happen.
He had stayed awake all night yesterday, fearing any complications. Yet, the more he worried about something, the more easily it seemed to occur.
With such news breaking early in the morning, how could he not be furious? He wanted to immediately kill the two people captured last night to vent his anger.
But he knew this was not the time for impulsive action. The person killed last night was likely a warning. If they did not release the two individuals, the other party would strike again. If the killing continued like this, the capital would soon be in chaos.
"You may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Liu Liu straightened up. Feng Xie reached out and pulled her onto the phoenix seat beside him. Ever since Liu Liu had last visited the Golden Luan Hall, the Emperor had specifically ordered a phoenix seat to be custom-made, gleaming with golden light and utterly magnificent.
Liu Liu raised her flowing water robe and gracefully sat on the phoenix seat beside Feng Xie. Her sharp gaze swept over the kneeling ministers.
"Your Majesty, Liu'er has heard that someone was killed last night?"
Liu Liu's elegant voice rang out, so gentle yet carrying a barely perceptible killing intent, subtly revealing itself. None of the ministers dared to say more.
They awaited the Empress's next words. The Empress never ascended the Golden Luan Hall without reason; she only appeared when there was something significant. In the current situation, it was better to have one less problem than one more. Everyone was only seeking to protect themselves.
"Over a dozen people were killed, with extremely heinous methods."
As Feng Xie spoke of these matters, anger enveloped him. His expression became extremely grim, and he scanned the hall below with icy eyes. So many people, yet they were powerless against a mere dozen individuals.
The more Feng Xie thought about it, the angrier he became. The great Tian Feng Dynasty could not even deal with a group of ants. Was this truly a great tribulation for Tian Feng? First Feng Luo, then the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles.
Even with the involvement of people from the martial world, no one knew the origins of the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles. Without knowing their origins, they could not control them, and thus remained at a disadvantage.
"So, no one can do anything?" Liu Liu's melodious voice, carrying an irrefutable coolness, echoed softly through the hall, exuding authority without anger, her presence intimidating.
At this moment, the Protectorate Great General Sima Pingchao, who had been silent, stepped forward and respectfully cupped his fists.
"Your subject reports to Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress, that it is crucial to release the two prisoners first. Otherwise, tonight, people will likely be killed again, and the capital will fall into chaos. Even during the day, there isn't a soul on the streets. We implore Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress to see reason."
As soon as Sima Pingchao finished speaking, Jin Shaoyuan and Bai Han disagreed with his words. They had gone to great lengths to capture these two, and now they were to be released. If they were released, would they come out to kill again?
The two stepped forward one after another: "Reporting to Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress, your subject believes this action is inappropriate."
Prime Minister Liu Ting frowned. This action had its pros and cons. Detaining the two prisoners brought no real benefit, at most, it would lead to their deaths.
These were hardened men. Even if they were tortured, they might not yield. If they were killed in the process, those people would likely become even more frenzied. Therefore, detaining them was not an option, nor was releasing them.
Liu Ting thought that since the Empress had appeared in the Golden Luan Hall, she must have her own plans, so he remained silent, observing the unfolding situation. Feng Xie and Liu Ting shared the same thought: since Liu'er had appeared, she must have a plan. He watched the developments silently.
Liu Liu raised her eyebrows slightly and smiled, her gaze sweeping towards Bai Han and Jin Shaoyuan: "If you do not release them, what counter-strategies do you have to save those who will face misfortune tonight?"
As soon as she spoke, everyone in the hall understood the Empress's intention. It seemed Her Majesty advocated for their release. Since Her Majesty had made up her mind, how could they disobey? Immediately, someone stepped forward and spoke loudly, "Your subject supports releasing them."
Upon hearing this, more than half of the people in the hall agreed to release them, while a small minority remained silent. Looking around, only Jin Shaoyuan and Bai Han disagreed with the release. The two exchanged glances and looked up at the Empress, realizing that Her Majesty advocated for their release.
"Release them. Without the ability to implement long-term protective measures, at least we must protect people from being killed tonight." Liu Liu stood up, bowed to the Emperor, and said, "To show sincerity, Liu'er has decided to personally go to the prison to release the prisoners, hoping to avert the fate of those people being killed tonight."
"Liu'er." Feng Xie's narrow, long eyebrows rose, a sharp chill hanging on his brows. A flash of disapproval flickered in his brilliant eyes. How could Liu'er, the dignified Empress, personally release such wicked individuals? But seeing Liu'er's earnest expression and a faint glimmer of shrewdness in her eyes, his heart stirred. Could Liu'er have a plan? Upon thinking this, he immediately relented.
"Very well, I approve."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Liu Liu thanked the Emperor, turned, and glanced at the ministers below the hall. Her cold voice rang out, "Prime Minister, accompany this consort to the prison to release the prisoners."
"Your subject obeys the decree." Liu Ting respectfully responded, following Her Majesty the Empress towards the prison.
From the Golden Luan Hall, the announcement echoed: "The court is adjourned."
In the dungeon, Liu Liu looked at Feng Jiu and the injured man in black. They had recovered considerably under the treatment of the imperial physicians, but their eyes were filled with icy disdain. Liu Liu squatted down, looking at Feng Jiu with sincere and serious eyes: "Feng Jiu, if you trust me, go back and investigate thoroughly. Did the Feng family truly kill your parents? If not, then you have become a tool in someone else's hands."
"What nonsense are you spouting? We won't fall for your tricks. Would we not know if someone killed our parents?" the black-clothed man lying on the ground retorted coldly, utterly disbelieving Liu Liu's words. After speaking, he didn't even look at Liu Liu. Liu Liu pursed her lips and smiled, a smile devoid of any warmth. She reached out and took Feng Jiu's hand: "Feng Jiu, please believe me this once."
Feng Jiu looked into Liu Liu's dark, deep pupils and, for the first time, a slight smile touched his lips: "Are you planning to release us?"
"Yes." Liu Liu nodded, stood up, and signaled the prison guards behind her to unlock the shackles on Feng Jiu and the black-clothed man. She looked at them: "You may leave. After you return, please tell that person to let go, to stop killing. We are not as incompetent as you think."
Feng Jiu spoke no further. He reached out to help the black-clothed man beside him, and the two left the prison together. Guards were already waiting outside to escort them out of the imperial palace. Feng Jiu, fearing he was being followed, loitered in the capital for a full half day until he was certain no one was tailing them. Only then did he turn back to head home. As he walked out of a narrow alley, he saw two men in black embroidered with python snakes standing ahead. He immediately exclaimed happily, "You're here." These two were the trusted subordinates of their adoptive father. Their arrival meant they were no longer being followed.
"Yes." The two black-clothed men replied in flat, emotionless voices. Feng Jiu and the other black-clothed man were not surprised at all, as these two had always been like this, their faces never showing expression, their voices never fluctuating, like two puppets. Yet, their martial arts were extremely formidable.
Feng Jiu suspected nothing, supporting the black-clothed man as they walked ahead, preparing to lead them away to find their companions. However, they never dreamed that in a flash of light, the two figures behind them would draw their sharp blades and plunge them deep into their abdomens. Feng Jiu turned back, looking at the two expressionless men with disbelief. Why were they killing him? "Why are you doing this?"