The others were shocked, not expecting to encounter such potent hidden weapons, and the Emperor's internal energy was too formidable to confront directly.
They rapidly retreated, more than a dozen men forming a circle, fending off the nearby Imperial Guards while falling back. Shangguan Yin's brows furrowed, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, like a newly unsheathed sword radiating cold light. He issued a grim command.
"Kill them. Leave none alive."
"Yes."
Xiao Yao and Lan Qing Lun received the order and leaped into the air. Zi Yang, Zi Zhan, and several others also sprang forward simultaneously, encircling the dozen men.
Blades flashed, and a chaotic melee ensued. Behind Yun Xiao and Shangguan Yin, Liu Xing Zhui Yue and Zhui Feng Jing Yun protected them, never leaving their sides.
Just as they were about to eliminate the dozen men, suddenly, a figure erupted from the ground, growing in stature and lunging directly towards Yun Zhen, who was on horseback behind the group. A treasured sword was swiftly placed at his throat.
Yun Xiao cried out in alarm, "Stop!"
The figure let out a cold chuckle, seemingly holding Shangguan Yin's weakness. Without a word, he gestured with his hand, signaling his side to release the dozen men quickly.
Shangguan Yin's face was as still as water, while Yun Xiao's turned pale. She hadn't anticipated such an unexpected turn of events. She realized something: this Skull Blood Bandit, who had suddenly appeared from underground, was clearly a latecomer. Why was he so certain at a glance?
This Yun Zhen was their weakness. With this realization, it became easy to understand that this person was likely a Blood Bandit hidden within Eastern Qin, and familiar with the Yun Royal Manor's people. Could he be a high-ranking official in the court?
Yun Xiao's heart chilled. She couldn't help but try to probe, "Hurry and release him."
Unfortunately, the person remained silent from beginning to end. Yun Xiao finally became certain that this person was likely an official in the court.
Who exactly was he? Not speaking was a way to avoid revealing his target.
Yun Xiao turned to look at Shangguan Yin, who stood beside her. No matter who it was, she didn't want her brother to get hurt.
"Murong."
Shangguan Yin raised his hand and said, "Xiao'er, rest assured."
As he spoke, he gestured to Xiao Yao and Lan Qing Lun, signaling them to release the Xishan Blood Bandits. Xiao Yao and Lan Qing Lun obeyed, signaling their subordinates, and several people behind them retreated simultaneously.
However, Yun Zhen did not want these men to escape. Seeing the dozen men about to retreat, he moved, suddenly striking out with a palm towards the person behind him.
Yun Xiao gasped, her face turning ashen. Shangguan Yin leaped into the air, striking out with a palm towards the attacker. The attacker rolled on the ground, slashing at Yun Zhen with a saber.
Yun Zhen dodged swiftly but was a fraction too slow. His arm was struck by the sharp weapon, bleeding profusely. At this moment, Xiao Yao and Lan Qing Lun once again engaged the dozen black-clothed figures.
They fought fiercely, killing dozens in an instant.
In the distance, dust billowed as hundreds of horses galloped closer. The black-clothed figure who had appeared earlier, seeing the situation was unfavorable, rolled on the ground, burrowing underground and swiftly disappearing.
Shangguan Yin struck out again with a palm. With a soft thud, blood splattered, but the figure still managed to evade and vanish.
It seemed the person who had appeared later was injured. Those rushing from afar dismounted, led by Prince Shangguan Lin.
He, along with civil and military officials, had been at Zheng Qin Gate to welcome the Emperor and Empress. Upon receiving news of an assassination attempt here, they had rushed over.
"Your subject arrives late to save Your Majesty."
"Your subordinates arrive late to save Your Majesty."
A line of people knelt behind him. Shangguan Yin waved his hand, his expression exceptionally cold, exuding a bloodthirsty aura like a vengeful spirit.
Yun Xiao, however, was focused on Yun Zhen. His complexion was faintly darkening; the saber was poisoned. With a thought, she moved swiftly to Yun Zhen's side.
Just then, something emerged from the ground, lunging directly at Shangguan Yin. Her face turned pale. The white blade in her hand struck out at the emerging object, shouting a call.
"Murong, be careful!"
Shangguan Yin heard this and leaped into the air, striking out with a palm. With a '噗哧' sound, several streams of blood gushed out as someone broke through the earth.
Yun Xiao had already flashed to Yun Zhen's side. Seeing him lying on the ground, his face grim and tinged with black, she flicked her silver needle and plunged it into his arm, calling out towards the crowd behind her, "Wanwan, bring the medicine chest immediately!"
Wanwan had already gone to find the medicine chest, which was among the dowry items. She quickly retrieved it.
Yun Xiao found an antidote pill and gave it to her brother. The surgical knife rose, its cold light flashing. In front of three thousand Imperial Guards, she calmly excised the poison and cut away the flesh. Black blood and tissue were removed, and Yun Zhen fainted from the pain.
Yun Xiao, though her face was pale, showed no hesitation. Her movements were clean and decisive. She then applied medicine and bandaged the wound, standing up straight. She signaled Liu Xing, Zhui Yue, and the servants from the Yun Royal Manor.
"Immediately escort the young master back to the Royal Manor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Liu Xing and Zhui Yue bowed and accepted the order. One supported Yun Zhen as they leaped into the air, heading directly for the Yun Royal Manor, with several others escorting them.
The three thousand Imperial Guards and the Imperial Forest Army, and Xiao Jing Ru alone, were all stunned, shocked, and awestruck. This was their new Empress. It was not that women were inferior to men, but everyone seemed to be diminished by three points in her presence.
Even they, iron-blooded and unyielding men, felt a tremor of fear and apprehension when faced with such a scene. Yet, the Empress, apart from her pale face and cold eyes, showed no sign of panic or unease; instead, she was exceptionally calm.
Shangguan Yin reached out and embraced Yun Xiao. He saw bloodstains on her hands and frowned slightly. He mounted his horse and commanded the thousands behind him, "Return to the palace."
A solemn, inviolable reverence surged through the crowd. They mounted their horses in an orderly fashion, escorting the Emperor and Empress back to the palace. The scattered ceremonial guards were ignored. Wanwan, Qiao'er, and the others all boarded carriages, following closely.
A gentle breeze whistled. Yun Xiao leaned against Shangguan Yin's chest, hearing his rapid breathing and feeling her own legs go weak. Cold sweat clung to her clothes.
Earlier, she had been terrified for her brother, and even more so for Murong. Only now did her heart finally settle.
The Emperor's complexion was not much better. Seeing her entire body limp and her face pale, he felt immense heartache. He tightened his arm around her waist and asked with concern, "Xiao'er, are you alright?"
Yun Xiao suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils shining with a sharp brilliance, and spoke deeply.
"Murong, why is it that these Xishan Skull Blood Bandits can always accurately steal from the imperial tombs? I fear they are no ordinary people. I believe they must be specially concealed individuals, much like your Divine Dragon Palace was originally. Everyone had an open identity, and I suspect their positions are not low."
As Yun Xiao spoke, Shangguan Yin understood. He said nothing further, but his deep, dark eyes flashed with thunderous rage, sharp and piercing.