Emperor's Orders and Hidden Plans

The Emperor's footsteps echoed on the dusty ground, making the atmosphere between them even more tense.

Bai Xianyu remained standing straight, her muscles tensed as she tried to read the situation. Meanwhile, Zhao Renshu stood up with an expression mixed between shock and caution.

"Your Majesty, why are you here?" Zhao Renshu's voice was more serious than usual.

The Emperor, Zhao Mingze, narrowed his eyes. "I should be the one asking that, Renshu."

Bai Xianyu felt a chill crawl down her spine when she saw there was something in the Emperor's gaze that unsettled her. an unshakable feeling that he already knew everything, even before they had a chance to explain.

Behind him, the imperial troops stood in flawless formation. This was no coincidence.

This was planned.

But by whom?

Qin Feng stood on the other side, with a relaxed expression, as if he was enjoying the drama before him. "Your Majesty, it is truly an honor to see you here. I only hope this meeting does not disturb you too much."

Bai Xianyu held her breath.

Qin Feng's words were polite, but his tone was full of sarcasm.

The Emperor did not take his eyes off to Zhao Renshu. "Renshu, I've had enough patience with your stupidity. You think I don't know what you've been up to all this time huh?"

Zhao Renshu raised his chin with his signature smile, although there was obvious tension in his eyes.

"I have no idea what you mean. I simply wish to enjoy my life. Isn't it enough that you're the only one Emperor?"

The Emperor let out a short, cold laugh. "What?? Enjoy your life? By sneaking out of the palace, involving yourself in chaos, and allowing someone like him…" His gaze flickered toward Qin Feng. "...to use you as a pawn in his game?"

Bai Xianyu increasingly felt that there was something bigger behind all this.

Did the Emperor know about this coup plan from the start? She asked questions in her mind.

Behind him, the imperial guards stood in perfect formation, a silent but overwhelming presence.

This was planned.

But by whom?

Qin Feng chuckled softly. "Ah, His Majesty truly is perceptive. I must admit, I was curious to see how far I could lead the Prince down my path. But who would have thought.. he's far more clever than I expected."

The Emperor's gaze turned icier. "Don't flatter yourself, Qin Feng. I've been watching your every move for a long time ago."

Qin Feng's smirk only widened. "Then you should know, I never work alone."

Bai Xianyu's heartbeat quickened.

That wasn't just an empty threat.

If Qin Feng had other allies, did that mean...

They were still in danger?

And just as that thought crossed her mind....

A sharp whistling sound sliced through the air.

WUUUSSH!

Bai Xianyu instinctively grabbed Zhao Renshu and pulled him back just as a volley of arrows shot toward them from multiple directions!

A shout rang out from the distance. The imperial guards raised their shields at once, forming a protective barrier around the Emperor.

Qin Feng took a step back slowly, but he didn't look surprised. Because this was part of his plan.

Bai Xianyu immediately unsheathed her sword. "Prince! Stay behind me now!"

For once, Zhao Renshu, known for his recklessness, actually he listened. He moved behind Bai Xianyu, though curiosity still flickered in his eyes.

"Where are those arrows coming from?" Zhao Renshu asked.

Bai Xianyu scanned the surroundings swiftly. The arrows had come from three different directions. She knew this wasn't a random attack.

"They've been waiting for us," Bai Xianyu murmured.

"You catch on quickly," Qin Feng chuckled. "But it's too late."

BRAAAAK!

Suddenly, from the left, a group of masked figures in black surged out from the trees, they cutting down anyone in their path.

The imperial guards quickly closed ranks, forming a tight defense around the Emperor. Bai Xianyu engaged the two assassins attacking her, her blade gleaming under the moonlight.

Cling! Clang!

Two enemies fell in mere seconds, but more took their place.

Amidst the chaos, Bai Xianyu stole a glance at the Emperor.

Zhao Mingze stood eerily still, unfazed by the battle around him..like someone who had foreseen it all.

An uneasy feeling crept up Bai Xianyu's spine.

Why didn't the Emperor look surprised?

Why hadn't he given any commands?

Had he… known this would happen?

Zhao Renshu, usually carefree,now he had turned deadly serious. He was unarmed, but his expression made it clear that he understood...this wasn't just an assassination attempt.

"Xianyu!" Zhao Renshu suddenly shouted. "Watch out, Behind you!"

Bai Xianyu spun around just in time, deflecting an assassin's strike. In a swift motion, she took them down.

But before she could catch her breath...

A firm hand clamped around her wrist.

Bai Xianyu froze.

The hand belonged to the Emperor.

And in one fluid motion, he wrenched her sword from her grip.

"I'm sorry, General Bai."

His voice was cold.

Bai Xianyu's heart nearly stopped.The Emperor had just disarmed her.

But why?

She looked up at Zhao Mingze, eyes filled with confusion.

"Your Majesty, what the...." Bai Xianyu began.

But before she could finish her sentence....

The Emperor turned sharply, pressing the blade against Zhao Renshu's throat.

Zhao Renshu's eyes widened in shock. "Brother?"

The Emperor smiled slightly. "I'm sorry, Renshu."

Bai Xianyu could barely believe what she was seeing.

Had Emperor Zhao Mingze… just betrayed them?

Cold.

That was what Zhao Renshu felt when Emperor Zhao Mingze's sharp gaze locked onto him. The lantern light outside the palace flickered dimly, casting a glow on the sword now unsheathed, only inches from his neck.

Bai Xianyu could feel the tension piercing through the air. Her hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword, ready to act if anything happened to the prince. However, she couldn't be reckless. Her opponent was the Emperor.

Zhao Renshu remained frozen in place, not daring to move.

"Brother…" His voice was quiet, cautious. "What do you mean by pointing this sword at me?"

Zhao Mingze did not answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on his younger brother, as if assessing every detail of his expression and posture.

"I want to know," the Emperor finally said, his voice low but heavy with pressure, "how much you have improved."

Zhao Renshu blinked. "What?"