A hand, however, grasped the long sword at this moment.
Feng Ninghe lowered her gaze, quietly staring at the sword, a cold and distant aura emanating from the corners of her eyes. Her thin, cold voice seemed devoid of any emotion: "He cannot die yet."
"Empress, what do you mean by this?"
Ji Binyu's expression instantly darkened. He deliberately raised his voice: "This person has committed countless evils, how can we let him live? Someone like him is an eyesore even if he lives for another moment!"
While he appeared calm on the surface, he was actually filled with panic and unease.
The longer Wu Dezheng lived, the greater the threat he posed to Ji Binyu.
Lin Yuran, unable to contain her impatience, also stepped forward at this moment: "If you ask me, he should be beheaded immediately. If we delay and give him a chance to escape, even the Empress might not be able to bear the responsibility, right?"
The warning words reached her ears, but Feng Ninghe's expression remained unchanged.
She slightly raised her eyelids, her face as fair as congealed fat carrying a cold demeanor: "The mastermind has not yet been apprehended, and I have not questioned him. This person still has value in being alive; at least he cannot die now. On the other hand, you two are so eager to take his life, could it be that you are his accomplices?"
The calm female voice, however, stirred up immense waves in their hearts.
Lin Yuran's pupils involuntarily contracted, and she retorted sharply: "What are you saying, Empress? The reason I spoke up is because I fear he will escape. To be safe, it is naturally best to take his life as soon as possible!"
Having failed in his attempt, Ji Binyu slightly lowered his gaze, his eyes filled with warning as he looked at Wu Dezheng.
Meeting their outwardly warning gazes, Wu Dezheng bit his lip in annoyance, his face etched with urgency.
He naturally understood the meaning behind such looks.
It was a demand for him to commit suicide.
But his hands and feet were bound, and there were many people watching him. Even if he wanted to commit suicide, he had no opportunity.
The National Preceptor specifically cast his gaze upon everyone present and voiced his agreement: "The Empress speaks wisely. Only by apprehending the mastermind can we prevent future incidents of this nature. Wu Dezheng is merely a puppet carrying out orders; his life is not worth much."
His explanation also caused the surrounding commoners to nod in understanding.
They only hoped that the mastermind would be apprehended swiftly and caught in one fell swoop.
Ji Binyu was secretly anxious, his eyes locked onto Wu Dezheng, his expression full of insinuation.
This man still had poison hidden in his mouth.
As long as he swallowed the poison, he would be silenced forever, and Ji Binyu would no longer have to worry.
Sensing Ji Binyu's intentions, Feng Ninghe let out a scoff, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. She placed a small pill in front of everyone: "Wu Dezheng has poison hidden in his mouth. I have already retrieved it."
After doing so, she deliberately looked at Ji Binyu and Lin Yuran.
With the poison removed, Wu Dezheng could not commit suicide.
Ji Binyu was in a state of utter panic. He had not expected Feng Ninghe to have foreseen so much.
She had even retrieved the poison in advance.
Ji Binyu instinctively looked around.
There were many people around. Under their watchful eyes, it would not be easy for him to discreetly take Wu Dezheng's life.
"Wu Dezheng, who sent you to carry out these clandestine activities?"
The National Preceptor approached Wu Dezheng, his eyes constantly scrutinizing him, his voice filled with interrogation: "If you confess honestly, your life may be spared."
Wu Dezheng kept his head bowed, remaining silent. His eyeballs rolled within his sockets, as if contemplating something.
Ji Binyu clicked his tongue, his face filled with emotion: "Wu Dezheng, I recall you have a wife and daughter. When you do something like this, even if you don't consider yourself, you should consider them, shouldn't you?"
The warning words reached him, and Wu Dezheng quickly looked up at Ji Binyu: "General Ji, I know my sins are grave. I implore you, for the sake of our past relationship, to take care of my family for me!"
"Family?"
Feng Ninghe seemed to recall something and said softly: "Turn your head and see if those people are your relatives."
Wu Dezheng turned his head in surprise.
Not far away, a woman and a child stood there, with two guards beside them.
"Daddy!"
The little girl's eyes welled up with tears. She toddled forward, her small hands embracing Wu Dezheng: "Daddy, what's wrong? Why are you tied up like this!"
Looking at the little girl with tears in her eyes, Wu Dezheng wanted to reach out and wipe them away, but he was bound tightly and could not move his hands.
"Nuannuan, don't cry!"
Wu Dezheng quickly spoke to comfort her. At this moment, the walls he had built up inside him instantly crumbled: "Daddy is fine! You should go back quickly!"
The woman rushed forward and grabbed the little girl, muttering, "Nuannuan, we'll just watch from afar. Don't disturb your daddy."
The little girl cried profusely, her grief inconsolable.
Unexpectedly, Feng Ninghe had prepared this move.
Lin Yuran's angry eyes were fixed on Feng Ninghe. She spoke in a volume only they could hear: "Binyu, Lin Ninghe has prepared so thoroughly. Now Wu Dezheng's weakness is gone."
Ji Binyu had controlled Wu Dezheng's relatives to threaten him.
Now that his wife and daughter were here, his weakness was gone.
Wu Dezheng was likely to betray them!
Thinking this, Ji Binyu produced a dagger in his palm.
He narrowed his eyes, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Even if it meant taking a risk, he had to take Wu Dezheng's life!
He would rather face the condemnation of the crowd than have the truth exposed and his status plummet!
Wu Dezheng could not afford to consider anything else. He quickly looked up at Feng Ninghe, his panicked expression revealing her intentions: "As long as the Empress can protect my family, I will cooperate with whatever you ask, even if it means my life, I will have no regrets!"
"I don't want your life, I only want the truth."
Feng Ninghe's cold eyes lowered slightly, and her distant female voice slowly emerged: "As long as you reveal the truth behind the scenes, not only will I spare your life, but I will even allow you to be reunited with your family."
Upon hearing this, Wu Dezheng's eyes brightened, as if seeing hope: "Really?"
Facing his question, Feng Ninghe's expression remained unchanged: "I am the Empress of Lin Country, and I never lie. Everyone present can bear witness."
At this moment, Wu Dezheng could no longer hesitate and quickly spoke: "Empress, with your words, I am at ease. The person who ordered me to do these things is precisely..."
"Wu Dezheng!"
A fierce male voice suddenly rang out.
Ji Binyu roared: "Look behind you, what is that?"
His words instantly drew everyone's attention.
Everyone turned their gazes, looking behind Wu Dezheng.
Behind him was nothing but emptiness.
While everyone was distracted, Ji Binyu suddenly raised his hand and fiercely lunged at Wu Dezheng with a dagger.