The wedding ceremony officially began, with the Imperial Observatory following the royal etiquette throughout the process, which was tedious and complex.
Liu Liu found it headache-inducing, and even Mu Xing by her side couldn't help but lower her head. Palace weddings were truly taxing. Thinking of this, Liu Liu felt grateful for the Emperor's initial difficulties, as his challenges had saved her so much trouble. Liu Liu chuckled to herself, while Feng Xie, standing beside her, had been paying attention to her every move.
Seeing her expression fluctuate, he thought she was recalling the grievances she suffered during her own wedding and became a little tense. He softly called out,
"Liu Liu, are you alright?"
Liu Liu looked up and saw the Emperor's worried expression. She quickly shook her head, relieved that the ceremony was finally over. The bride and groom were sent to the bridal chamber.
Guests, guided by the mansion's butler, proceeded to the garden. Since there were too many tables, other areas of the mansion could not accommodate them, so the tables were set up in the garden.
Red lanterns illuminated the entire mansion. Everyone took their seats in order. Looking up, they saw that the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager's banquet was held elsewhere, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
The atmosphere quickly became lively again. People chatted animatedly, their faces flushed with excitement, while the sounds of silk and bamboo music filled the air, and singing and dancing commenced.
In the Imperial Prince Yan's mansion, a separate table was set in the VIP pavilion for the royal family to dine. This arrangement had two purposes: firstly, to guard against the reappearance of the Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles, and secondly, to prevent the ministers from feeling uneasy.
Besides the royal family, Prime Minister Liu Ting, Minister of War Jin Shaoyuan, and Minister of Rites Bai Han were also present to accompany them. It was a joyous occasion of sovereign and subjects, and these gentlemen, being upright and open, truly enjoyed themselves, discussing strategies while they ate.
Only Jin Shaoyuan's gaze, as if intentionally or unintentionally, swept over Dai Mei, who stood to the side. He hadn't seen her for five years, and he often thought of this alluring woman.
It was a pity that they lived in different worlds with no intersection. Upon meeting again, Jin Shaoyuan realized he still had feelings for her, but she wouldn't even glance at him, which made him somewhat dejected. He then drank his wine more vigorously.
Liu Ting and Bai Han paid no mind to Jin Shaoyuan. The two men were more concerned about the current situation. The appearance of Prince Xiang alone was already difficult to handle.
That fellow was elusive, attacking here and there, making him impossible to guard against. Now, the Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles had appeared. The Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles were very famous, residing in the desert.
It was said that they ate raw beast meat and drank human blood, and such things were child's play to them. Their murderous aura was self-evident. These people were merely rumors, but unexpectedly, they had come to the capital and, upon their arrival, immediately attempted to assassinate the Emperor. It seemed they held a grudge against him.
"How should we guard against these people now?"
Bai Han frowned, a flash of anger in his eyes. These detestable scoundrels! Tian Feng was in a period of unrest, yet they were not dealing with foreign enemies but were specifically targeting members of the royal family. If anything happened to the Emperor, the entire realm would fall into chaos.
"The Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles must still be in the capital. We must immediately dispatch troops to search house by house to ascertain their whereabouts and capture them all." Liu Ting said coldly, his face grim. He looked up at the Emperor, who had remained silent.
Feng Xie did not speak, but Liu Liu, standing beside him, pondered for a moment and then spoke in a clear, cool voice.
"How did the Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles know that the Emperor was going to the Imperial Prince Yan's mansion today and attempt to assassinate us on the way? This suggests they must have a foothold in the capital, or an inside informant. Their people have been monitoring us. Therefore, I agree with the Prime Minister's suggestion to immediately dispatch troops to search for these thirteen individuals."
"Very well, I will see to it immediately," Liu Ting nodded. Feng Xie let out a breath, his fair complexion darkening considerably.
"Also investigate the whereabouts of Prince Xiang, Feng Luo. Thoroughly investigate any suspicious shops. Feng Luo must have his businesses in the capital. Once they are identified, immediately seal his assets."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Liu Ting and Bai Han nodded in agreement. Jin Shaoyuan, though somewhat drunk, still managed to nod.
Liu Ting was worried about the royal family's current predicament. Since the Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles were so capable, they would not cease their efforts until their mission was complete. They would definitely make another move. Given their arrogant and self-important nature, they would surely storm the palace to assassinate the Emperor.
"I fear the Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles will storm the palace again to assassinate the Emperor. If a few of them attack simultaneously, the Emperor might not be a match for them, let alone thirteen people."
As soon as Liu Ting finished speaking, Liu Liu nodded. This was indeed true. The abilities of those thirteen individuals were not to be underestimated, especially the leaders, whose martial arts skills were likely top-notch. Even those at the rear were first-class fighters.
"I have some extraordinary individuals at my side. I will have them immediately set up formations in several key locations within the palace to prevent the Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles from causing harm. If they force their way through the formations, they will alert the surrounding guards, and thus, they will not succeed," Liu Liu stated calmly. Everyone nodded.
While the VIP pavilion was rigorously cautious, the outside was much more lax. After eating and drinking their fill, everyone made merry until late at night before dispersing.
Feng Lie was not in the bridal chamber. He had dispatched two subordinates to protect the Princess Consort. He himself had spent some time toasting guests, and then went to the inner cabinet to discuss matters, staying until very late. He personally saw the Emperor, the Empress, and his own mother onto their carriages before staggering back to the bridal chamber.
The night was deep and silent. The carriages traveled along the quiet streets, flanked by rows of guards. The cold wind blew, causing a tremor in their hearts. The trees on either side of the street rustled, harmonizing with the sound of the carriage wheels, making it even more chilling. However, nothing happened until they entered the palace, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles did not plan to appear that night.
For several days, there were no incidents inside or outside the palace. Everyone's hearts tightened even more. These people were hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. The calm before the storm made the suffocating heaviness even more unbearable.
The Ministry of War and the Shun Tian Prefecture dispatched large numbers of troops to search the entire city, but the result was widespread panic.
The city closed its gates at sunset and opened them at sunrise. The capital was no longer as prosperous and bustling as before; it was as if it had fallen into a dead city.
In the dead of night, there was no one on the streets. Fallen leaves tumbled in the air. The night was desolate, the light dim and gloomy, with dark clouds covering the sky.
Tian Feng had fallen into an unprecedented darkness. This was a trial, with the consequences of past actions to be borne by the present generation. The Empress Dowager aged several years in an instant, her entire being filled with anxiety.
The Emperor summoned some of the reputable sects from the martial arts world, and Liu Liu also mobilized a portion of the Seven Star Tower's personnel. The battle between righteousness and evil had officially begun.
Within the inner palace grounds, formations were set up everywhere, and even the guards dared not move carelessly, fearing they might trigger a mechanism.
Such days made Feng Xie so enraged that he wanted to kill someone, but whom could he kill? The villains hid in the shadows, impossible to catch. Those wicked people were like bloodthirsty ants, always launching vicious attacks when no one was paying attention.
Liu Liu was also frustrated and filled with killing intent. With their masters in such a state, how could the eunuchs and palace maids dare to make any move? Everyone focused on their tasks and otherwise dared not even breathe loudly. Even Mu Xing seemed very sensible at this time, remaining quiet in the寝宫 without any noise or running around.
They could only wait. Because their whereabouts could not be found, waiting was the best course of action.
However, the Iron-Blooded Thirteen Eagles still came, their arrival carrying a strong scent of blood and a fierce wind into the palace. In the dim night, stars were invisible from afar, and a cold mist lingered.
Everything in the palace seemed blurred and indistinct. The cold wind swept through, causing the treetops to sway, and the mottled shadows of the branches appeared extraordinarily ghostly. Eunuchs and palace maids remained at their posts, none daring to move rashly.
Even so, cold sweat still trickled down their faces, and their hair stood on end.