Feng Ninghe turned her gaze to Lin Yuran, her calm voice carrying a pointed remark, "Princess, why are you so eager to declare I cannot save them? What is your intention?"
The question immediately shifted the focus to Lin Yuran.
Lin Yuran suppressed her displeasure, her eyes slightly lowered. "If you had a way to save them, why would you offer an apology?"
"Why can't I apologize?"
A cold glint appeared in Feng Ninghe's eyes, her composed voice sending a tremor through the crowd. "As Empress, I cannot bear to see my people suffer. It is only today that I have found a way to rescue these young women. Have you all worried for seven days? Should I not apologize?"
Her words effectively silenced Lin Yuran.
There was nothing Lin Yuran could say against such an apology, both in terms of reason and emotion.
Lin Yuran bit her lip, her angry eyes fixed on Feng Ninghe. "Since you say you have a way to save these young women, how will you do it?"
"Yes, Empress, how will you save my daughter?"
"We have no other recourse but to rely on you, Empress. Please, help us!"
The commoners looked at her with anxious faces.
Seeing their urgency, Feng Ninghe casually took out a candle and calmly walked towards the unconscious maidens. "The candle in my hand is a Soul Summoning Candle. It can call back the souls of these young women."
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted. "Does this mean my daughter can be saved? She will finally wake up?"
"Empress, please hurry and save my daughter!"
The commoners knelt down, their faces filled with earnest pleas as they looked at Feng Ninghe.
Feng Ninghe paused, looking at them quietly. Her clear voice carried an innate authority. "Rise. As Empress, it is my duty to save them. You need not be so formal."
Fearing they would delay Feng Ninghe's treatment, the commoners quickly got up, clearing a path and standing at a distance.
"Soul Summoning Candle?"
Lin Yuran's eyes narrowed, her heart pounding with unease. "She actually has a Soul Summoning Candle?"
If she had the gourd bottle in hand, with the souls under her control, she wouldn't have to worry about any of this.
Even with a Soul Summoning Candle, it would be impossible to awaken the souls.
The souls had been taken by the man in black. Who knew what he would do with the gourd bottle? He might have already released the souls within.
Once the souls were released, Feng Ninghe could use the Soul Summoning Candle to call them back and save these young women.
A bead of sweat appeared on Lin Yuran's forehead. She couldn't help but feel anxious. "Didn't Xiao Ya say this woman had no way at all? Where did a Soul Summoning Candle come from?"
Even Ji Binyu's expression darkened. He lowered his voice to comfort her. "Don't worry, we have a backup plan. Perhaps we can find a way to disrupt the summoning."
They had made thorough preparations for this day, just in case.
Lin Yuran's heart continued to beat with unease. A flicker of determination crossed her eyes. "She cannot succeed. Regardless of whether the soul summoning is effective, we cannot afford this risk."
No one knew if the man in black had released the souls.
She had schemed for so long, waiting for this very day to pull Feng Ninghe from the throne of Empress. She would not allow any unexpected mishaps.
Ji Binyu looked into the shadows, his expression cold. He subtly snapped his fingers.
Feng Ninghe lit the Soul Summoning Candle.
Whoosh!
A flaming arrow shot out from the darkness.
The arrowhead burned with fierce flames.
Feng Ninghe could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary fire. If the flames fell, the entire yamen would likely be engulfed in flames.
"Who dares shoot an arrow from the shadows?"
Feng Ninghe let out a muffled hum and, with a wave of her hand, controlled the flaming arrow.
Whoosh!
Another flaming arrow flew swiftly, this time aimed at the Soul Summoning Candle.
Feng Ninghe quickly dodged and put away the candle.
"Protect the Empress!"
The county magistrate reacted quickly, calling for soldiers.
The soldiers swarmed in, forming a tight protective circle around Feng Ninghe.
Flaming arrows continued to rain down, and this time they were aimed at innocent commoners.
The arrows came with incredible speed, catching even her off guard.
Si Jianye let out a muffled hum. He moved his fingers, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy struck down the arrow, extinguishing the flames.
Bai Niannian suddenly looked up towards the shadows. "Master, I'll go after them. I want to see who dares to be so bold!"
With that, she strode away.
"Niannian, be careful!"
Feng Xing's face filled with urgency as he called out to Bai Niannian. He wanted to follow, but remembering he had pressing matters to attend to, he forced himself to stop.
Several arrows lay scattered on the ground.
The commoners cowered together, fearfully looking around.
Lin Yuran couldn't help but curse softly. "I almost forgot she has so many people around her. If we want to deal with her, we must first get rid of them."
A King of the Underworld alone was enough to inspire fear.
With the King of the Underworld present, it was not easy to make a move against Feng Ninghe.
Ji Binyu's gaze was grim as he looked at the scene. "If she succeeds in recalling the souls, it will be difficult to deal with her. We will have to find another way."
The people in the shadows had already fled.
The county magistrate quickly ordered his soldiers to pursue them.
"Empress, I have failed in my duty and caused you distress. I vow to do my utmost to capture those in the shadows!"
The county magistrate wiped the sweat from his brow, his body trembling.
Feng Ninghe raised her hand slightly. "It's alright. Just strengthen the security. The priority is to save the people."
She took out the Soul Summoning Candle again and lit it.
The surrounding soldiers formed a tight perimeter, fearful of a repeat of the earlier events.
Lin Yuran's eyes were fixed on Feng Ninghe, her back teeth nearly grinding to dust.
It was not easy to deal with Feng Ninghe.
If she missed this opportunity, she didn't know when another chance would arise.
Feng Ninghe closed her eyes, her mental energy focusing on the maidens.
The Soul Summoning Candle burned brightly.
She raised her palm, and a stream of spiritual energy shot out, enveloping the maidens.
Amidst the crowd, Feng Xing quietly took out a delicate small gourd and opened its stopper...
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through.
The maidens lying unconscious on the beds stirred. They gradually opened their eyes.
The maidens looked around with bewildered expressions.
One maiden looked up at the woman beside her, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Mother, why am I here?"
The woman tearfully embraced her daughter, exclaiming, "My daughter is finally awake! Thank goodness you're awake, otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do!"
As the maidens awoke, their relatives rushed forward to greet them.
The Imperial Advisor hurried over, looking at Feng Ninghe with admiration. "Your Majesty, I didn't expect you to have a backup plan."
Soul Summoning Candles were rare and difficult to find, existing only in legends. No one had ever seen such an object.
It was already astonishing that she possessed a Soul Summoning Candle.