It was a restless night.
Outside the Imperial Study, the clash of weapons was soon heard. Liu Liu, staying in Weiyang Palace, calmly listened to the shouts coming from that direction, her heart filled with worry.
She didn't know how the Emperor was. But she couldn't leave Weiyang Palace, for she had to protect her son. What if the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles harmed her son?
Most importantly, there were enough guards at the Imperial Study. With Liu Ting and Prince Yan there, the Emperor would be fine.
Yet, the anxiety of the unknown was unbearable. Liu Liu immediately summoned Hong Xiu to go to the Imperial Study to investigate. Hong Xiu flashed out and returned a short while later, reporting to Liu Liu.
"Mistress, the Emperor is unharmed. Prime Minister and Prince Yan are protecting them there."
"Mm."
Liu Liu nodded. The sounds of fighting by her ears had ceased. Had the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles been repelled? But why was Weiyang Palace untouched? She thought those people wouldn't forget Weiyang Palace.
After all, the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince resided here. Shouldn't they be the first targets for assassination?
How could the most dangerous place be the safest? Liu Liu frowned, utterly perplexed.
"Is everything alright over there now?"
"Yes, Mistress. It seems two people were captured." Hong Xiu reported. When she arrived, the Thirteen Eagles had retreated. However, as they retreated, two of them triggered a mechanism and were caught. Upon hearing this, Liu Liu immediately stood up, her figure flashing outwards. She coldly ordered a few subordinates to protect the Crown Prince, then headed towards the Imperial Study with Hong Xiu.
From a distance, she saw that the entrance to the Imperial Study was brightly lit. Many guards held torches high, illuminating the Imperial Study as bright as day. A crowd formed a circle, and Liu Liu could not clearly see what was happening inside. Her feet slipped, and she flashed forward rapidly. An observant eunuch called out, "The Empress has arrived."
The guards immediately parted, clearing a path for her. Liu Liu walked over and saw that the two men in black were already chained, their black masks removed, revealing their faces. One of them was Feng Jiu from Wanfeng Tea House. Liu Liu's mouth gaped in disbelief, "Feng Jiu, you're one of the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles?"
Feng Jiu, surprised that someone recognized him, immediately looked up. His gaze fell upon a pair of unfathomably deep, chillingly frozen eyes. After a moment of surprise, he blurted out, "Qiye, I never expected Qiye to be the Empress. What a pleasure." He let out a sarcastic laugh.
Liu Liu crouched down, her clear voice sharp and resonant, "Feng Jiu, why did you try to kill the Emperor? What deep-seated hatred do you have for the Emperor? You must know that if anything happened to the Emperor, Tianfeng would fall into chaos. Don't you know this?"
Feng Jiu snorted, raising his head and glancing disdainfully at Feng Xie. "Revenge for killing my father and destroying my family. I wish I could kill him and eat his flesh to vent my hatred."
Liu Liu's delicate face was covered with frost. She had thoroughly investigated the Feng family's affairs. If the Feng family had wronged anyone, it was the massacre of over a hundred people from the Su family, and the previous Emperor banishing Feng Luo from the capital. Other than that, they had committed no major offenses, let alone killing so many people.
If these elders claimed the Feng family killed them, it could only mean that the people behind them had misled them.
"Feng Jiu, listen to me. You were once my friend. Whether you believe it or not, I just want to tell you that the Feng family did not kill innocents. Therefore, you must have been used by someone."
Liu Liu's cold voice resonated deeply in the night. Feng Jiu froze. He knew Qiye's character; she was not one to speak falsely. However, to believe that his adoptive father had deceived him was impossible for him. The other black-clad man beside Feng Jiu spoke coldly.
"I advise you to release us immediately, or you will regret it tomorrow."
Upon hearing this person's voice, Feng Xie's murderous aura surged. He flashed forward, his five fingers converging into a powerful wave of light, striking towards the speaker, followed by a roar, "How dare you! Since you have fallen into my hands, do you still expect to live?"
Liu Liu immediately waved her hand, deflecting some of Feng Xie's internal energy. That person was already heavily injured. Liu Liu's expression turned grim. The Emperor was too impulsive. She could have used psychological warfare to break through Feng Jiu's defenses, but now it was unlikely. As expected, the severe injury of the man in black stimulated Feng Jiu. Feng Jiu's face turned sullen, a bloodthirsty ferocity lurking at the corners of his lips.
"If you have the guts, kill us. Believe it or not, tomorrow it will be ten lives for one, no, it should be a hundred lives for one."
"Feng Jiu, you've gone mad. Just confess, don't resist. It's no good. Can you bear to watch Tianfeng descend into chaos?" Liu Liu said, both angry and anxious, her voice chilling. She hadn't expected Feng Jiu to be one of the Thirteen Eagles. Weren't the Thirteen Eagles said to reside in the desert year-round? It seemed these Thirteen Eagles were likely scattered in various places, and the desert was merely a rumor.
"You won't get anything out of me." Feng Jiu closed his eyes, not looking at anyone around him. Liu Liu knew she wouldn't get anything out of him today. With a wave of her hand, guards came forward and dragged the two men in black away to be imprisoned. Liu Liu looked up coldly at Feng Xie, "Your Majesty, what we need now is extreme calmness. Only by remaining calm can we control the enemy. Acting impulsively will only ruin things."
Liu Ting and Feng Lie nodded in agreement, "Empress Liu speaks wisely."
However, the Emperor's anger was a normal reaction. The bottom line of an emperor had been challenged by these two people. If he hadn't restrained himself, he would have already drawn his sword and beheaded these two, leaving no survivors.
On Feng Xie's exquisite features, his sullenness slowly receded. His lips curved into a sharp, cold smile. He flicked his hand and turned to walk towards the Imperial Study. He was annoyed by his own impulsiveness, but as an emperor, he couldn't bring himself to say anything, so he left in anger. Liu Liu stood behind him, not bothering to dwell on his attitude. At this moment, it was best for everyone to work together to eliminate these hidden evils.
"Guards, immediately summon imperial physicians to the prison to treat the injured person. Ensure he does not die in prison."
"Yes, Empress."
A guard immediately responded and ran out to find an imperial physician. Liu Liu looked up at the men beside her.
"All of you, come in. Let's discuss what to do next."
Liu Liu sighed and walked towards the Imperial Study. She thought of the news she had received that day: Nangong Yue was no longer in her residence, and the house had been sold at a low price. Thus, Nangong Yue's whereabouts were unknown.
Liu Liu recalled Nangong Yue visiting her a few days ago, after which the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles appeared.
Could these people have something to do with Nangong? Once this thought arose, it lingered in her mind. However, based on mere speculation, she dared not speak carelessly. She would wait and see.
The group settled in the Imperial Study, all looking at the Emperor. The Emperor had regained his usual cold and aloof demeanor. His handsome face showed no trace of his previous anger, his lips curving into a faint, cool smile.
He surveyed his ministers, his deep voice resonating.
"You all heard what that person said. Tonight, the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles might take action.
Of course, two have been captured. Jin Shaoyuan, immediately mobilize the Ministry of War to strengthen patrols at all street checkpoints. Ensure those people do not harm the citizens.
From now on, all of us must go all out to await the actions of those individuals. I believe they will have further moves.
The Thirteen Eagles must have a base in the capital. Our searches in the past few days have yielded nothing.
Even Feng Luo's whereabouts are unknown. This indicates they are deeply hidden and highly organized. Furthermore, there is likely a more formidable opponent directing the Iron Blood Thirteen Eagles, otherwise, they wouldn't be so methodical."