Chapter 627: The Clash of Arms
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Seeing the Great Empress Dowager silent, Yuwen You breathed a sigh of relief. What he feared most was the Great Empress Dowager’s interference. Since she remained silent, it was much easier. He could simply take Mingzhu away. Once out of Changxin Palace, he could do as he pleased.
He smirked at Mingzhu, “Please, Sixth Sister-in-law.”
Mingzhu didn’t say a word, following Yuwen You out. But before they could leave, the Great Empress Dowager spoke, “Wait.”
Empress Dowager Min and Yuwen You’s expressions of joy hadn’t fully blossomed before they suppressed it again. “Mother?”
The Great Empress Dowager said coldly, “It’s proper to detain them. Mei Yuxi, have them taken to the side hall. Without my order, no one is allowed to release them.”
Imperial Consort Min breathed a sigh of relief. It was better to fall into the hands of the Great Empress Dowager than into the hands of Empress Dowager Min and her son. Even if they died, the Great Empress Dowager would give them a swift death, not torment them like Yuwen Bai.
But how could Empress Dowager Min let her victory slip away? She immediately signaled to Yuwen You to just take them away first and figure it out later. She herself said firmly, “Mother, you’ve just been through a shock, and County Prince Sien’s affairs need to be handled. You’re still unwell, and your thoughts are unclear. It’s better for this matter to be handled by your daughter-in-law. This way, when His Majesty returns to the palace, I can explain to him properly.”
The Great Empress Dowager sternly said, “Are you defying me? Mei Yuxi!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Mei Yuxi wiped away the sadness from his face, clapped lightly, and immediately a group of armored guards poured into the hall, swords drawn, their cold light piercing. They surrounded Yuwen You and the Longlin Guards in the center.
All the royal women present gasped, hurriedly got up from their seats, and crowded together, regretting why they hadn’t fallen ill today and avoided attending this banquet.
Mei Yuxi said, “Linan Wang, are you really going to resist?”
At this point, Yuwen You no longer wanted to pretend. He said firmly, “I am following the orders of His Majesty, not anyone else’s.”
Mei Yuxi looked at the Great Empress Dowager, who closed her eyes. Mei Yuxi waved his hand, and the group of armored guards attacked the Longlin Guards without hesitation. Yuwen You reacted quickly, immediately going to grab Mingzhu. Despite the many people around, his target was only Mingzhu. Even if she refused to cooperate, breaking one of Yuwen Chu’s arms would be fine.
From the moment the Great Empress Dowager called out, Mingzhu knew her chance had come. As Mei Yuxi waved their hand, she desperately ran towards the Great Empress Dowager. In the corner of her eye, she saw Yuwen You’s hand inches away from her clothes, then grabbing her clothes. She kept running and shouted, “Dong Hui!”
Dong Hui flicked her hand, and a white light swiftly drew out from her waist and swung towards Yuwen You’s arm. A chilling wind descended, and Yuwen You felt a chill. He quickly retracted his hand, only to see Mingzhu’s clothes fluttering down, cut by the white light that fell to the ground lightly.
He felt a chill down his spine. If he had been half a step slower, it might have been his hand that fell to the ground just now. Mingzhu’s servant actually carried a soft sword around her waist. For steel and craftsmen, a soft sword had very high requirements, and it was difficult to obtain one. A soft sword was invaluable, and Yuwen Chu was indeed willing to spend money on Mingzhu!
In just a blink of an eye, everything fell apart. He looked at Mingzhu with resentment. In just a short moment, Mingzhu had already run to the Great Empress Dowager’s side, and he was separated from her by many armored guards and palace attendants. It was impossible for him to catch her now.
At this moment, Imperial Consort Min was also protected by Su Momo and others as she retreated to the Great Empress Dowager’s side. Seeing the situation turn sour, Empress Dowager Min immediately grabbed Funing’s arm tightly and dragged her out, shouting loudly, “The Great Empress Dowager has been shocked and is disoriented!” Then she shouted to Yuwen You, “Linan Wang! Linan Wang! Why aren’t you protecting me?”
Yuwen You tightly pressed his thin lips together, giving Mingzhu one last glance before gesturing for the Longlin Guards to accompany Empress Dowager Min in retreating. Funing was dragged out by someone, struggling desperately and shouting, “Sister-in-law! Mother! Save me, please! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die…”
Imperial Consort Min’s face was covered in tears as she stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth to stifle her sobs.
Mingzhu pleaded with the Great Empress Dowager, “Aunt, please save Funing…”
The Great Empress Dowager leaned weakly against the table, not responding to her words. Mingzhu gritted her teeth, looking at Su Momo, but she saw Yuwen You gesturing towards her from afar, mimicking the action of shooting a sleeve arrow.
Mingzhu knew then that she couldn’t save Funing today. She could only watch helplessly as Funing was dragged away.
The Wusun Princess followed closely behind Yuwen You as they retreated, backing out of the room. From beginning to end, she kept her eyes fixed on Mingzhu with a chilling coldness in her gaze, sending shivers down everyone’s spine. Mingzhu noticed but wasn’t afraid. Her thoughts were no longer confined to petty grievances; she was more concerned about the changes in the overall situation after Yuwen Fu’s death, how Yuwen Chu would handle it, and what she could do to better support him.
The confrontation between Zhaoyang Palace and Changxin Palace marked an irreconcilable conflict. The remaining royal women in the hall each pondered their own thoughts, searching for a way out. Then they realized that when Empress Dowager Min retreated, she left behind a candidate for the future empress—County Princess Anle.
County Princess Anle stood anxiously in the corner, unsure of what to do. However, the Great Empress Dowager just glanced at her before withdrawing her gaze, instructing Mei Yuxi, “Take them to the side hall.”
Mei Yuxi waved to Mingzhu and the others, and Mingzhu obediently followed him to the side hall. The situation had changed, and Empress Dowager Min and Yuwen You were waiting outside. As long as she left, they would cast a wide net to capture her. No one would spare her, so Changxin Palace became the safest place. As long as Yuwen Chu was alive, the Great Empress Dowager wouldn’t let her die.
In the side hall, Mei Yuxi politely asked Dong Hui for the soft sword she used as a belt. Dong Hui didn’t want to give it up and pretended not to hear. Mei Yuxi then asked Mingzhu, “Ying Wangfei, please don’t make things difficult for me.”
They couldn’t possibly fight against the armored guards from Changxin Palace. Mingzhu quietly instructed Dong Hui, “Give it to him.”
Reluctantly, Dong Hui tossed the soft sword over.
Mei Yuxi didn’t get angry and simply picked up the sword and left. They didn’t even bother to search Su Momo and the others for other weapons.
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