"Anyone with business should present it; those without should leave the court."
The sharp and piercing voice rang out in the Golden Throne Hall, as if it were meant to pierce the eardrums of those present.
The ministers stood respectfully on either side of the hall, exchanging glances with one another. They looked at the central figure, Feng Xuanling, who wore a frown of impatience and annoyance, his posture hunched over in silence.
The Crown Prince had fallen into a coma and was said to be beyond the help of medicine; any further disturbances might put the heads of those present at risk. In such circumstances, remaining silent was the wisest choice.
Feng Xuanling straightened up, and it seemed that Li Dequan, standing before him, sensed this change. He turned around and, seeing Feng Xuanling wave his hand, Li Dequan understood and nodded before returning to his previous position. He squinted at the ministers on both sides and declared, "Leave—"
"I have something important to report to Father Emperor."
Li Dequan turned his gaze toward the source of the voice, at the entrance of the hall, where a petite figure was bouncing forward, like a nimble little rabbit. But her face, in contrast to her sprightly form, bore a sorrowful and heavy expression, even filled with deep resentment.
Xian Yue knelt in the center of the hall, looking up toward Feng Xuanling. With defiance in her eyes, she met his gaze directly. "I have something important to report to Father Emperor."
Each word was clear and cutting, shattering the silence of the hall.
Feng Xuanling fixed his gaze on Xian Yue, who knelt before him. His brows knitted tightly, forming a small mountain, and his eyes narrowed into a straight line, sharp as a dagger, aimed directly at her forehead.
Those eyes were as piercing as an eagle's, carrying the authority of a ruler, exuding an indescribable pressure. Xian Yue bravely met his gaze, not flinching or avoiding it. For the first time in her life, she looked so seriously at her father, the ruler of Feng Nation.
People in the palace often said she resembled her brother, but she had never believed it. In her eyes, her brother was cultured and gentle, his smile like a breath of spring. The man she called Father Emperor always seemed to wear a stern expression, as if someone owed him millions of silver taels. Whenever he saw her, it felt like he was always scolding her. But now, she could see their features were indeed quite similar. If that woman had not left, would everything have turned out differently?
In just a day, he had become much more haggard and aged. She thought he must have felt both love and hate towards himself for causing the difficult labor of his beloved woman, which is why he intentionally neglected her in the Xuesang Hall. However, for her brother, he had indeed given him the love that should have belonged to their mother.
Four years ago, he lost his most beloved woman and was left in despair. Now, how could he endure the blow of a white-haired person sending off a black-haired one?
Xian Yue thought that he was actually a good emperor. Despite the pain in his heart, he still managed to sit in this hall, facing the crowd of civil and military officials. No wonder the Feng Nation could stand firm in such chaotic times; perhaps this was the burden and helplessness of being a monarch.
Although he had not given her the care she deserved, she did not resent him at all—no resentment, no hatred, and no love.
"What nonsense is this? Do you want to add to my troubles?" he said, his authoritative voice tinged with fatigue and annoyance.
"Your subject accuses Consort Li of harboring ill intentions and plotting against me and my brother."
Her clear, youthful voice rang out with strength, like a thunderclap shattering the silence of the Golden Throne Hall.
The ministers, who had previously bowed their heads in silence, suddenly raised them in shock, glancing at each other. Then their gazes all turned to Xian Yue, who knelt in the hall. After a moment, they looked toward General Li.
"You ignorant child, spouting nonsense!"
General Li Wei'an, upon hearing his beloved daughter accused in such a manner, was momentarily taken aback. But as soon as he regained his composure, he was filled with fury. He was a general born of martial prowess and courage, having risen to his current status through battles in chaotic times. With a fiery temper, how could he contain himself upon hearing Xian Yue's words? He rushed toward her, his large, rough hands raised high, ready to strike down.
"General Li!"
Xian Yue suddenly turned around, looking up at the descending hand, her eyes wide and unflinching. The other ministers were equally wide-eyed, thinking to themselves that General Li Wei'an was indeed a brute, being overly bold. Although the princess was not favored, the Crown Prince—
Regardless, the princess held a noble status, especially in front of the Emperor; this clearly disregarded the Emperor. After all, she was just a four-year-old ignorant child; how could she withstand such a harsh response?
Because of Xian Yue's young age, the ministers did not take her words seriously after their initial shock, dismissing them as mere child's play.
"General Li."
As the palm was about to land on Xian Yue's face, Feng Xuanling, who had been sitting on the dragon throne, suddenly stood up, looking panicked as he pointed at Li Weian and shouted, "Who allowed you to harm my disciple?"
The soft yet cold voice echoed in the Golden Luan Hall, and the morning sunlight poured in, illuminating the silver flying knife in the air, which glimmered with a cold light as it traced a beautiful arc. The onlookers couldn't help but blink and swallow hard, stepping back a few paces in fear that the sharp dagger would slice through their throats.
"Ah!"
Li Weian let out a painful cry, grasping his bleeding palm with his other hand and retreating several steps. His face, covered in stubble, turned pale, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
"You— you—"
Li Weian pointed at Xian Yue, unable to articulate his words in pain. Although he came from a martial background and had tough skin, the flying knife had pierced his palm directly, and his right hand was likely rendered useless.
Xian Yue's eyes were icy as she wiped the blood from her face and stood up from the ground. The white-clad, white-haired woman floated down gracefully.
"This is my master," Xian Yue said, pointing at the white-clad woman who had landed gracefully before the gathered ministers.
"Liu Xinyou."
The woman in white turned and faced the still tense Feng Xuanling.
Xian Yue looked up and smiled faintly at Liu Xinyou.
"General Li, disregarding status and rank, do you intend to kill me to silence me? Does this mean that you have participated in Li Guifei's scheme to frame my brother? What exactly are your intentions?"
Li Weian, whose hand was stained with blood, forcefully waved away the finger pointing at him. He groaned in pain again. No matter how angry he felt, he didn't dare to act recklessly like before. The fact that she could accurately throw a flying knife from such a distance demonstrated her formidable skill.
Seeing that Xian Yue was unharmed, Feng Xuanling breathed a sigh of relief and returned to his seat. Li Dequan also quietly retreated behind him.
Could this really be the Princess of Feng Kingdom? Was she truly only four years old? How could a four-year-old child, typically thought to be ignorant, speak such words? Her demeanor and speech surpassed even the seasoned ministers present.
"You speak nonsense! The Crown Prince is the future heir of Feng Kingdom, and our Li family is full of loyal and brave warriors. We would never do such a thing."
"There are so many women in the harem. I won't mention the others, but why do you keep accusing Li Guifei?" Xian Yue asked, biting her lip.
"That's because you have a grudge against the Guifei."
It was just that she, being young and ignorant, had taken a few plants of prayer grass from her Zhaoxuan Palace. Li Guifei had cried to the Emperor, claiming that those flowers were specially planted for the Emperor's blessings, which led to Xian Yue being reprimanded. Later, when her brother accidentally fell in her prayer garden, the flowers were ordered to be pulled up by the Emperor. She never expected to hold a grudge to this day.
Xian Yue shot Li Weian a sidelong glance and smiled, "For the Guifei to have a grudge against a child not even four years old, General truly has good parenting skills."
Li Weian spat, his eyes unblinking as he pulled out the flying knife and threw it on the ground. He ripped off part of his inner robe to bind his wound.
"Xian Yue, get back!" Feng Xuanling rubbed his temples and shouted angrily. Did she really think he wasn't troubled enough already?
"Your Highness, you should leave. Don't provoke the Emperor's anger," Li Dequan hurriedly approached Xian Yue, bowing and coaxing her gently.
"Li Gonggong."
Xian Yue called out softly, her tone much more pleasant. Li Gonggong had treated her well over the years, often interceding for her when her father was angry.
"I will never allow those who harmed my brother to go unpunished," Xian Yue declared, brushing aside Li Dequan's hand and staring resolutely at Feng Xuanling in the center of the hall.
"Li Dequan."
Feng Xuanling sighed helplessly and called back Li Dequan. His face increasingly resembled Sang Xiao's, but while Sang Xiao was gentle as water, she would never be so obstinate.
Li Weian, seeing the change in Feng Xuanling's attitude, was about to speak when suddenly a voice announced at the door of the hall, "Li Guifei has arrived."