A male voice instantly drew everyone's attention.
The crowd turned their gazes to Baili Ye.
"Imperial Brother, are you alright?"
Baili Yang looked at him nervously and asked, "The physician is in the sleeping quarters, he can examine you."
Baili Ye, intent on escaping, had no desire to linger.
He immediately scrunched up his face and waved his hand, refusing, "I'm fine, just ate too much. A trip to the latrine will solve it."
"Oh dear!"
Feng Tongtong mimicked Baili Ye, clutching her stomach and crying out in pain, a fine sheen of sweat on her brow. "First Prince Brother, I ate with you tonight, and it seems we've both eaten something bad... I need to go to the privy quickly!"
She hobbled out of the sleeping quarters, her body hunched over.
Baili Ye moved even faster than Feng Tongtong.
Their performances were so convincing that no one suspected a thing, and they were allowed to leave.
After all, this was the Emperor Li's sleeping quarters; they couldn't possibly relieve themselves here.
"Wait."
At that moment, a clear female voice stopped them.
The instant the voice rang out, Baili Ye, fearing further complications, quickened his pace, intending to flee the scene.
He hadn't taken more than a few steps before his collar was roughly grabbed.
Feng Tongtong pretended not to hear, continuing to walk away. She felt a tightening around her neck as her collar was pulled taut.
She quickly turned her head and saw Feng Ninghe standing behind them.
Feng Ninghe held one person in each hand.
Xiao Zhao, with its plump body, stared wide-eyed at the two in front of them, occasionally grunting.
*Master, these two look guilty as sin. We absolutely cannot let them escape!*
"Feng Ninghe, what are you doing!" Feng Tongtong hissed, struggling to break free.
Baili Ye glared at her furiously, his eyes filled with indignation. "Feng Ninghe, my stomach hurts and I need to use the latrine. Are you expecting me to relieve myself right here!"
Facing the two aggressive individuals, Feng Ninghe remained composed, her cool eyes narrowing slightly.
Her voice, as cold as her expression, stated, "Until the truth is revealed, no one is permitted to leave, regardless of the reason."
"Feng Ninghe! Stop this nonsense!"
Baili Ye suppressed his rage, his heart a chaotic mess.
He absolutely could not stay in this palace any longer; he had to find a way to escape.
As he thought, Baili Ye's eyes hardened, and a dagger appeared in his hand, which he thrust fiercely at Feng Ninghe.
Before the dagger could reach Feng Ninghe, a small white ball shot out and snatched the dagger in its mouth.
Xiao Zhao glared at him defiantly and spat out the dagger it held.
Feng Ninghe gazed calmly at the two before her, her sharp voice slowly falling, "If anyone is being unreasonable, it's you. Your stomach hurt terribly just moments ago, but now it doesn't? Are you perhaps planning to flee at the last minute?"
Her hidden intentions exposed, Baili Ye's face paled. He clutched his stomach again, feigning unbearable pain. "Does my stomach pain not mean I wish to leave?"
Feng Ninghe glanced at the palace attendants and instructed, "Close the doors, extinguish the lights, and do not let anyone leave!"
"Feng Ninghe, why must you be so unreasonable?"
Feng Qingcheng stepped forward, looking at her with slight displeasure. "The First Prince and Tongtong are unwell, just let them go. Do you think the First Prince would harm Emperor Li?"
The palace attendants followed orders and closed the doors to the sleeping quarters.
Baili Ye, not caring about anything else, bolted, attempting to escape.
Seeing him run, Feng Tongtong quickly followed.
Feng Qingcheng stepped forward menacingly, blocking Feng Ninghe, her gaze fixed on the woman before her.
"You think you can stop us?"
Feng Ninghe raised a delicate eyebrow and sneered, reaching out into the air towards the direction the two were fleeing.
Just as they were about to escape the sleeping quarters, a smile involuntarily spread across Baili Ye's face.
An invisible wall instantly blocked his path.
Sensing something was wrong, Baili Ye turned his head with urgent eyes.
When he saw Feng Ninghe standing motionless, he grew anxious.
At this moment, Baili Ye disregarded everything else and cursed whatever came to mind, "Feng Ninghe! What exactly do you want?!"
He merely wanted to escape, yet this woman was constantly thwarting him, denying him any chance to flee.
Feng Ninghe's cold eyes casually lifted, and she glanced calmly at the enraged Baili Ye. "First Prince, you may leave, but it wouldn't be too late to do so after the search is concluded."
"Feng Ninghe, you are truly heartless!"
Di Wenbin, unable to bear it any longer, interjected, "People have urgent needs. The First Prince is unwell, what harm is there in letting him go to the latrine? I believe the First Prince is innocent."
On the dragon couch.
Emperor Li furrowed his brows, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. He instinctively reached up and gently rubbed his temples, his deep male voice carrying a hint of a warning, "Have you finished your commotion?"
He hadn't expected a search to cause such a disturbance.
Sensing the Emperor's displeasure, the Empress stepped forward. "First Prince, the priority is to find the culprit and clear the Emperor's name. Please bear with it. It won't be too late to use the latrine after the search is over."
With the Empress speaking, others naturally had no objections.
Baili Ye's face contorted, and he cried out in feigned pain, "Empress, I truly cannot hold it any longer. I must go immediately!"
Feng Ninghe, finding the noise bothersome, waved her hand sharply.
The brightly lit sleeping hall was instantly plunged into darkness.
Baili Ye and Feng Tongtong attempted to escape in the dark, but their bodies were unable to move.
A strong, powerful hand was tightly gripping theirs.
Three faintly glowing hands were exceptionally bright in the darkness.
"Look! There are three hands emitting a glow! Quickly turn on the lights and see who it is!"
"I never expected the true culprit who attacked Emperor Li to be right here!"
The cultivators buzzed like a boiling pot, murmuring amongst themselves.
Baili Ye despaired.
He wanted to escape but couldn't muster even a sliver of spiritual energy. His hands were held so tightly that he was utterly defenseless.
Feng Tongtong, her face a mask of misery, lowered her voice and pleaded, "Kind sir, please be merciful and let us go. If you let us leave, we'll do anything! I'll even kneel for you!"
"That's right! Even if you want me to dig up a spirit mountain, I'll do it!" Baili Ye blurted out whatever came to mind.
He had attacked Emperor Li to ascend the throne.
As soon as Emperor Li died, he would immediately seize power, control the palace, and become the new emperor.
But now, Emperor Li was unharmed...
Once this matter was exposed, he would be doomed, with no hope of becoming emperor.
Baili Ye continued to beg, "Kind sir, please spare me. I guarantee you a life of endless wealth and prosperity! When I become the new Emperor Li, you can have whatever you desire!"
"Oh? Baili Ye, you wanted to become the new Emperor Li, and that's why you attacked Emperor Li?"
The cold female voice sounded like a demon, making one grit their teeth.
The moment the voice fell, Baili Ye froze, as if plunged into hell, utterly despairing.
The owner of this voice was Feng Ninghe!