Chapter 65: Assassination Attempt

The next day, Feng Bai Su and Wei Jing Mo went together to the Hall of Great Compassion to wait for the Emperor to come out.

When the two arrived, Feng Bai Wei and Shen Ruo were already standing there.

Upon seeing Feng Bai Su, Feng Bai Wei immediately put on a smile and greeted her: “Seventh Imperial Sister.”

Seeing this, Feng Bai Su also returned a smile, responding without any trace of oddness: “Fifth Imperial Sister.”

The two exchanged a few perfunctory words, each harboring different thoughts in their hearts.

It wasn’t until the other imperial daughters arrived that they fell silent.

Feng Bai Su pulled Wei Jing Mo to stand in a corner, calmly sweeping a glance at Feng Bai Wei. She saw a glint hidden in her eyes, and the corners of her lips curled up uncontrollably.

A faint smile spread across her lips, her peach blossom eyes becoming somewhat intrigued.

She wondered if Feng Bai Wei would still be able to smile in a while.

Suddenly, her right hand was gently grasped.

Feng Bai Su immediately turned her head to see Wei Jing Mo looking at her with concern in his eyes.

She took his palm into her hand, squeezing it reassuringly, and said in a low voice, “Don’t worry. Just stay close behind me, alright?”

Wei Jing Mo, seeing the calmness in her eyes, nodded feeling somewhat more at ease.

After about half an incense stick’s time, the doors of the great hall in front finally opened.

The Emperor walked out from inside, accompanied by the High Taoist Priest and a kindly-looking monk.

She stood on the steps and exchanged a few more words with the monk beside her before stepping down.

Seeing this, the imperial daughters hurriedly bowed and said, “Your children pay respects to the Imperial Mother!”

The Emperor casually waved her hand, signaling them to rise. Her brows and eyes were relaxed, her expression at ease, and a smile hung on her face. It seemed she was very satisfied with this temple visit.

Seeing her looking at the High Taoist Priest beside her with a gentle smile, the imperial daughters lowered their gazes even more, standing quietly on both sides.

Feng Bai Wei stepped forward with a smile on her lips and asked, “Does the Imperial Mother wish to stay longer in this temple?”

“No need,” the Emperor immediately replied, “This temple visit has benefited me greatly. We shouldn’t be too greedy. Let’s make arrangements to return to the palace early.”

“Yes, then your child will go make arrangements now.”

Feng Bai Wei cupped her hands, her expression calm, as if she had long anticipated the Emperor would make such a decision.

Feng Bai Su glanced at her, not missing the flash of dark light in her eyes.

Since the Emperor had already given the order to return to the palace, the other imperial daughters also began to take their leave, returning to their guest chambers to pack their belongings.

Except for Feng Bai Wei, who had been tasked with handling the Emperor’s travel arrangements and remained waiting here, the others all headed towards the hall’s exit.

Feng Bai Su walked slowly on the path back to the guest chambers, holding Wei Jing Mo’s hand. She appeared casual and leisurely, but was actually vigilant of the movements around her.

Suddenly, a whistling sound came from the left rear.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she quickly wrapped her arm around Wei Jing Mo’s waist and spun to the side. A cold glint flashed before her eyes as a murderous arrow instantly embedded itself into the tree trunk in front of them.

Feng Bai Su had just steadied her footing when several black-clothed, masked figures landed in front of them, their bodies exuding a bloody, murderous aura.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression still fairly calm.

She showed no surprise at the sudden appearance of these people before her eyes.

As expected, they still came…

Wei Jing Mo tensely gripped Feng Bai Su’s clothes, looking somewhat nervously at the black-clothed figures before them.

Although he already knew that assassins would appear today, he still couldn’t help feeling nervous when the moment actually arrived.

He couldn’t help but press his lips tightly together.

At this moment, his waist was suddenly tightened as Feng Bai Su quickly pulled him backwards. Several black-clothed figures attacked with long swords in hand.

Feng Bai Su immediately drew the flexible sword at her waist, gripping it and giving it a light flick.

Then she retreated to a safe distance and released Wei Jing Mo’s waist, quickly saying to him: “Stand here and don’t move!”

With that, she rushed forward again to engage the black-clothed figures in combat.

The flexible sword body rotated, instantly disarming two of the black-clothed figures. Before they could react, a cold glint flashed before their eyes, and Feng Bai Su had slit their throats.

Seeing her agile movements and ruthless strikes, the other black-clothed figures became more cautious. Looking at Wei Jing Mo standing in the distance, a vicious glint flashed in their eyes.

They exchanged glances, and while Feng Bai Su was entangled with the others, one of them immediately darted towards Wei Jing Mo.

Seeing this, a cold light flashed in Feng Bai Su’s peach blossom eyes. No longer holding back, she quickly dispatched the figures before her and flashed backwards at an extremely fast speed.

Before that black-clothed figure could get close to Wei Jing Mo, she had pierced through their body with a sword from behind.

The black-clothed figure instantly collapsed, looking back at their fallen comrades with disbelief in their eyes.

Feng Bai Su, her face full of killing intent, pulled out her flexible sword and said coldly before the figure closed their eyes: “I had thought to keep one alive, but you angered me.”

After Feng Bai Su had dealt with everyone, Cong Bai arrived hurriedly with people from the guard camp.

They all had blood on their bodies, seemingly having just been through a fierce battle.

Seeing them arrive, Feng Bai Su handed Wei Jing Mo over to them.

Looking at Cong Bai, she instructed: “Protect the master well. Another part of you follow me.”

With that, she glanced at Wei Jing Mo before leading the guard camp personnel away.

Wei Jing Mo watched her increasingly distant figure, his dark eyes full of concern.

Cong Bai spoke up at the right moment: “Master, let’s return to the guest chambers to wait. Our people are guarding there, it’s very safe.”

—

Feng Bai Su first led the guard camp personnel back to the Hall of Great Compassion.

At this time, the hall was empty, with only the bloodstains on the ground indicating that a fierce battle had taken place here as well.

She stood still for a moment, then turned her gaze to the location of the back mountain of Fengming Temple.

Her peach blossom eyes deepened as she said in a low voice: “To the back mountain.”

Feng Bai Wei and a group of guards led the Emperor and the High Taoist Priest through the mountain forest.

From time to time, black-clothed figures would catch up and engage in combat with the rearguard.

Feng Bai Wei, covering the wound on her chest with her hand, led the Emperor forward with a pale face.

Her gaze vigilantly scanned the surroundings as she said, “These black-clothed figures are treacherous and ruthless, filled with killing intent. Imperial Mother must stay close to your child.”

Hearing this, the Emperor moved closer to her. Seeing that the front of her clothes was already stained red with blood, and her face had turned pale from excessive blood loss, she couldn’t help but say in a deep voice: “Little Five, is your wound serious?”

“Thank you for your concern, Imperial Mother,” Feng Bai Wei raised her pale face and forced out a smile. “Your child can still hold on. As long as the Imperial Mother is safe, all is well.”

Seeing her trying to appear calm while looking at her, the Emperor involuntarily thought of how she had just selflessly taken a sword for her. Her usually deep and unfathomable eyes softened as she looked at Feng Bai Wei and said gently: “You must hold on, do you understand?”

Feng Bai Wei immediately nodded.

However, her dark eyes flashed with a deep light in a place where the Emperor couldn’t see, making the smile at the corner of her lips seem somewhat strange and unfathomable.

That fool of a King Xuan was indeed easy to deceive, otherwise her plan wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.

But this wasn’t enough, she still needed some assistance.

Thinking of this, her gaze fell somewhat obscurely on the High Taoist Priest who had been following behind the Emperor.

After the guards left behind to cover the rear had dealt with the pursuing black-clothed figures one by one, everyone finally relaxed a little.

Feng Bai Wei, who had been walking in front, seemed to be unable to hold on any longer and slid down against a tree trunk.

She took a weak breath, leaning her back against the tree trunk.

Seeing the Emperor looking at her with concern, she raised her head, about to say she was fine.

Before the words could leave her mouth, her expression suddenly changed drastically. “Imperial Mother, be careful!”

Then, in a flash, she moved to shield the Emperor.

With a thud!

The sharp blade pierced flesh, and Feng Bai Wei couldn’t help but let out a muffled groan. Under the disbelieving gaze of the High Taoist Priest, she viciously thrust the long sword in her hand into his chest.

“Little Five!”

The Emperor, shocked, caught her body, looking at the already lifeless High Taoist Priest on the ground in disbelief.

“This… this person actually…”

The guards who had been vigilantly watching their surroundings also immediately gathered around.

Feng Bai Wei, with a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth, disregarding her own wounds, looked at the Emperor and asked: “Is the Imperial Mother alright?”

The Emperor was still somewhat shocked by the High Taoist Priest’s sudden betrayal and couldn’t quite come to her senses.

Seeing Feng Bai Wei cough up another mouthful of blood after speaking, she became uncharacteristically flustered. “Little Five, save your strength, the Imperial Mother is fine!”

Hearing this, Feng Bai Wei raised a smiling face, about to say something more.

Suddenly, a crisp round of applause sounded from around them, followed by a gloomy voice: “Well done, Fifth Imperial Princess! If this king hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes, I’m afraid I would have missed quite a show!”

The smile on Feng Bai Wei’s face instantly froze, a ripple passing through her dark eyes before they darkened.

The Emperor also immediately stood up, vigilantly looking around: “Who’s there?”

The guards standing nearby also immediately moved to shield the Emperor, their bodies tensing up.

“Elder Sister is truly heartless, forgetting her sister’s voice so quickly?”

King Xuan, holding a long sword, walked out under the Emperor’s dark gaze. Black-clothed figures following behind her surrounded the Emperor and her group.

With a gloomy smile on her lips, she approached with slow steps, laughing lightly at the tense Emperor.

“What’s wrong? Is the Elder Sister surprised to see her younger sister?”

“King Xuan!” The Emperor’s face was cold with anger, “Are you planning to rebel?”

“Rebel?” King Xuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Elder Sister, your words are too harsh! Your younger sister doesn’t have such great ambitions, I’m merely punishing those who don’t keep their promises! Why don’t you ask your good daughter behind you, ask her what she wanted to use me for?”

“What do you mean by this?”

The Emperor gave her a cold look, then looked back at Feng Bai Wei leaning against the tree.

Seeing her lowered head and silent demeanor, she turned back to look at King Xuan.

But King Xuan just smiled and said no more, her gaze falling on Feng Bai Wei behind her.

“Does the Fifth Princess not want to explain to your mother and this king?”

Feng Bai Wei leaned against the tree trunk for a long time without moving, her lowered head making it impossible to see her expression.

After a long while, she slowly stood up, supporting herself.

She weakly coughed lightly and raised her head. Her dark eyes were deep and her expression unusually calm, showing no sign of panic.

Looking at King Xuan, she said calmly: “Explain what?”

King Xuan spoke in a leisurely tone: “Explain how you approached this king, how you arranged for the High Taoist Priest to be sent to His Majesty’s side on my behalf. How you planned this assassination attempt with me.”

“And how…” her voice paused, “you betrayed this king?”

After hearing King Xuan’s words, the Emperor looked at Feng Bai Wei in disbelief.

But Feng Bai Wei just laughed lightly, spitting out the foul blood in her mouth, and looking at the shocked Emperor, she said softly: “Why is the Imperial Mother so shocked? You’ve been reluctant to establish your child as the Crown Princess, even personally supporting Feng Bai Su to oppose your child. If your child didn’t act, was I supposed to wait for the Imperial Mother to make a move?”

“Your child actually didn’t intend much,” she murmured softly, “This time, I just wanted to make the Imperial Mother feel some heartache for your child, to stop doubting your child.”

“What a pity!” she said regretfully, “It’s a pity that King Xuan wasn’t very cooperative, insisting on exposing your child so early.”

Seeing her gaze shift to her, with a calm and composed expression, King Xuan’s gaze gradually sank, the casual smile on her face disappearing, replaced by a vigilant look.

However, under the watchful gaze of the two, Feng Bai Wei smiled and raised her right hand slightly.

Instantly, another wave of people appeared, surrounding everyone.