Chu Qianli's eyes snapped open.
She distinctly smelled the scent of burning flesh.
Yet, she felt no pain!
Though her body was already riddled with wounds from the whip, causing agonizing pain everywhere, and her internal injuries were severe, making her bones ache, there was no burning sensation!
She opened her eyes to see a handsome and exquisite face before her.
A thin layer of sweat was visibly forming on the man's face.
"Ye Xuan..."
Feng Yexuan waved his hand, and with a crack, the branding iron was flung into some corner, still emitting white smoke.
Feng Xianyu, caught off guard, was shoved aside by a palm strike. He crashed into the wall with a bang and then fell to the ground.
The Emperor was stunned.
Eunuch Qing was aghast.
Feng Yexuan's face was covered in sweat.
It had gone from a light sheen to large beads.
The sweat dripped down his face, hitting the ground with a sound that seemed almost audible.
He raised his hand, gripping the iron chain that held Chu Qianli's wrist. His expression darkened, and with a forceful squeeze, the chain snapped with a clang, broken by his internal energy!
"Xuan'er!" The Emperor finally reacted, rising abruptly. "You... you... what are you doing?"
Eunuch Qing also managed to regain his senses, staring at the spot on Feng Yexuan's back where the branding iron had been.
The fabric of his clothes was scorched, and the flesh beneath, a patch of blackened, charred skin!
It was a gruesome sight, almost unbearable to behold!
"Your Highness... Prince... Prince Yu!" Eunuch Qing hurried over to help Feng Xianyu up.
As Feng Xianyu stood, he opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.
His fourth imperial brother's internal energy was so formidable! It had completely redefined everyone's perception of him!
Although he had witnessed his brother's prowess before, he had never imagined that Feng Yexuan had never revealed his true strength.
He had actually broken the iron chain with his bare hands!
This was something no mortal could achieve!
With the chains on her hands broken, Chu Qianli's legs gave way, and she collapsed limply.
She fell into Feng Yexuan's arms.
She truly had no strength left.
After being whipped for so long, her skin might not have been outwardly injured, but her internal blood vessels were ruptured.
Her internal injuries were severe!
"Li'er!" Feng Yexuan lifted her chin.
The girl's face was deathly pale, and the only color on her thin lips was the blood from her own biting.
He truly hadn't expected them to dare use such cruel methods against her!
If he had arrived a moment later...
"A'Li!" Feng Wuya burst in moments later. Seeing Chu Qianli's complexion, his chest ached as if struck.
He instinctively clutched his heart, almost unable to catch his breath.
The鸳鸯蛊 (Yuānyāng Gǔ - Mandarin Duck Gu) was acting up!
For a fleeting moment, he clearly felt Chu Qianli's pain.
It was even more severe than he had imagined.
"Fourth Imperial Brother, your back..." Feng Wuya turned to look at his second imperial brother being supported by Eunuch Qing, and his father standing there with a grim expression.
He immediately understood what had happened.
He hadn't expected his second imperial brother to attempt to use a branding iron to force information from A'Li!
Did they truly have no conscience using such methods against a young girl?
"Fourth Imperial Brother, A'Li has sustained severe internal injuries. Hurry and take her back for treatment."
These injuries were not visible externally, but Feng Wuya, due to the鸳鸯蛊, could feel them clearly.
Feng Yexuan's expression changed. His gaze flickered to the guard holding the long whip.
This type of whip... could easily inflict internal injuries!
"Damn it!" He gritted his teeth, his fingers tightening. From somewhere, he conjured a long sword through the air.
With a sweep of his hand, the sword pierced the guard's chest with a hiss.
He died on the spot.
"Feng Yexuan!" The Emperor roared in fury!
This unfilial son dared to kill someone in his presence! Was he truly planning a rebellion?
"She is the murderer of Princess Pingyue. If you take her away like this, are you openly defying me?"
This rebellious son actually picked up Chu Qianli and was leaving without a word!
Did he still have any respect for his father, the Emperor?
Feng Yexuan turned his head, his cold gaze falling on the Emperor's face. "Princess Pingyue is still alive, and the matter has not been investigated. Must Father force a confession through torture?"
"Everyone saw her kill Princess Pingyue. What else is there to investigate?"
"If I say she is not the murderer, then she is not!" Feng Yexuan strode towards the gate of the cold palace.
The Emperor trembled with rage. "Rebellious son, rebellious son! She no longer wants you, yet you still protect her like this! Do you have any dignity left? You have disgraced our royal family!"
Hearing this, Feng Xianyu also urged anxiously, "Yes, Fourth Imperial Brother, have you forgotten how she publicly requested a marriage annulment from Father in the great hall? If you continue to defy Father for her, are you telling the entire world that you are still infatuated with a woman who abandoned you?"
Feng Yexuan squeezed his eyes shut tightly.
Yes, this woman had abandoned him and made him lose face.
But he... could not stand by and watch her suffer!
Even if he was unwilling to admit it, he had to confess that he was already completely under her control!
What was the point of being stubborn?
Teasing her, humiliating her, even deliberately distancing himself and acting cold towards her, only to feel his own heart ache the most when he saw her in danger!
Dignity!
In front of her, it was long gone!
When Feng Yexuan opened his eyes again, his gaze had returned to its usual cold clarity.
He strode out.
"Nonsense! You dare! You dare!" The Emperor, overwhelmed with anger, waved his hand and commanded, "Stop him!"
More than a dozen guards immediately rushed forward.
Feng Yexuan's indifferent eyes swept over everyone. "Those who are not afraid of death, try me!"
The dozen guards trembled in fear.
However, defying the Emperor's command was also a death sentence!
Going forward meant death, but not going forward also meant death!
Finally, the first two guards charged forward, drawing their swords to block him.
Feng Yexuan kicked out with one foot.
The two guards were sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground, spitting blood.
Their hearts burst, and they died on the spot!
Such terrifying leg strength!
Seeing this, the remaining guards dared not step forward.
Prince Xuan was no longer even showing respect to the Emperor, and his overwhelming rage was evident to all.
Anyone who dared to obstruct him now would die without mercy!
No one dared to move.
The Emperor watched helplessly as Feng Yexuan, carrying Chu Qianli, walked out of the cold palace.
Without a single backward glance!
Feng Wuya glanced at the Emperor, said, "Your Majesty, take care," and then left.
"Father..." Feng Xianyu, suppressing the blood that was about to erupt, walked up to the Emperor. "Father, you... take care of yourself..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Emperor's expression suddenly changed, and he opened his mouth, letting out a loud cry as a mouthful of blood gushed out!
Eunuch Qing and Feng Xianyu were terrified and cried out urgently, "Guards! Summon the imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician!"