Chapter 927: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada
After all, Emperor Xizong was an emperor. After the initial panic, he quickly calmed down and stared fixedly at Daiqisi: “Who are you, really?”
Daiqisi gave a captivating smile and gently brushed aside the hair at her temples: “Am I not the Lady Taohua you’ve been pining for day and night?”
The face that usually seemed exquisitely beautiful to him now sent chills down his spine. Emperor Xizong shook his head subconsciously: “No, you are not Taoyao.”
“Of course I am Taoyao. It’s just that I have another identity—the Purple-Robed Dragon King of the Ming Cult.” Thinking of how she had been forced to feign affection and cater to his whims in the past, Daiqisi now felt a sense of vengeful pleasure facing him.
“Purple-Robed Dragon King?” Emperor Xizong muttered the name silently. Although the Purple-Robed Dragon King was a top-tier figure in the martial world, to those in the imperial court, she was merely a common outlaw. How could he have heard of her?
The Wind Envoy coughed heavily: “Daiqisi, focus on the main matter.”
Daiqisi’s face flushed slightly, and she then asked: “Where is your Tiger Tally kept?”
“Tiger Tally?” Emperor Xizong’s heart stirred, suppressing the impulse to glance in a certain direction. ‘Hadn’t the Tiger Tally always been in the cabinet of the bedchamber? Since they’ve already taken control here, they should have found it by now. Why are they asking me?’
Human potential is limitless in desperate situations. Although Emperor Xizong was usually somewhat muddle-headed, now that his life was at stake, he was clearer-headed than ever.
‘Since they’re asking me this, it means they haven’t found it. It seems the Tiger Tally was already missing before this. Losing the Tiger Tally would normally be a major incident, but now it might actually be a good thing.’ Emperor Xizong quickly sorted out his thoughts and immediately formed a plan. “Do you think I would be foolish enough to tell you?” Emperor Xizong deliberately snorted, his demeanor clearly implying that the Tiger Tally was hidden in a secure place. If he didn’t reveal it, no one would find it.
“Apply t0rture.” The Cloud Envoy was equally direct. The Persian Ming Cult excelled in assassination and was extremely familiar with human anatomy. They also had profound expertise in the art of interrogation. Even trained death warriors couldn’t withstand their methods, let alone an emperor accustomed to a life of luxury.
“How dare you! I am the Son of Heaven! How dare you… t0rture me?” Emperor Xizong’s expression changed dramatically, though his tone clearly betrayed his bluster.
“You are now our prisoner. Why are you still putting on airs as an emperor?” the Wind Envoy sneered.
Emperor Xizong’s expression shifted several times. Earlier, he had tried to straighten his back proudly, but now he seemed to deflate and slump down. Suddenly, he remembered something and hurriedly said to Daiqisi: “Taoyao, as the saying goes, ‘one day as husband and wife means endless devotion.’ We’ve been together more than one day. How can you bear to watch me be tortured like this?”
Daiqisi laughed coldly: “Do you really think it was me with you those times? I just used some drugs to make you have some beautiful dreams. Even Prince Changsheng never got close to me, let alone you.”
“What!” Emperor Xizong was utterly stunned. ‘So, I never actually possessed this woman? All those beautiful memories were just dreams?’ This blow was no less severe than when he first realized he had become a prisoner. He was completely dumbfounded.
Just then, a guard from outside came in to report: “Her Majesty the Empress is here and wishes to see the Emperor.”
“Send her away,” Daiqisi said with a frown. ‘In the current situation, if the Empress sees this, it will be disastrous.’
When Emperor Xizong heard that the Empress had arrived, although he usually disliked this domineering woman, he now saw her as a savior and immediately shouted: “Emp—”
Unfortunately, the Bright Moon Envoy, who had been standing beside him, was prepared and sealed his哑穴 (mute acupoint) before he could make a sound.
“Why is the Empress looking for him at this time?” the Wonderful Wind Envoy asked Daiqisi with a puzzled expression.
“I’m not sure,” Daiqisi shook her head. “Emperor Xizong and the Empress have never gotten along. During my time in the palace, I haven’t seen them interact. It is indeed strange for her to come now.”
“Could our plan have been exposed?” the Bright Moon Envoy couldn’t help but ask.
“It shouldn’t be,” Daiqisi thought for a moment and said. “Our operation was sudden, and no one escaped alive. She couldn’t possibly know.”
Just then, a commotion arose outside the hall. One of their trusted followers came to report: “The Empress is forcing her way in! We didn’t dare stop her!” As the Empress, their impersonation of imperial guards already made them nervous. Even genuine guards wouldn’t dare stop her, as this was ultimately the Emperor’s family matter.
The fake guards, guilty and apprehensive, ended up letting the Empress barge in through their confusion.
“I heard the Emperor invited my sister-in-law to the palace tonight. As her elder sister, I thought I’d come by to see…” Empress Pei Man’s words cut off abruptly as she took in the chaotic scene in the hall. “Who are you?”
The Wind Envoy and the Cloud Envoy exchanged a glance and stepped forward simultaneously. Before Empress Peiman could react, the eunuchs and maids following her were all slaughtered. On cue, the guards outside took the opportunity to kill all the maids and guards the Empress had left outside.
Empress Peiman finally realized what was happening: “Assass—”
Before she could finish, Daiqisi sealed her mute acupoint. Looking at this lavishly dressed woman before her, Daiqisi smiled: “I was just wondering how to control the Taihe Hall, and now you’ve delivered yourself to us.”
“Ask her if the Tiger Tally is with her,” the Moon Envoy reminded. After all, not just anyone could enter the Emperor’s bedchamber. As the Empress, Pei Man certainly had the opportunity to take the Tiger Tally.
Daiqisi nodded and casually unsealed Empress Peiman’s acupoint. To her surprise, the Empress began cursing as soon as she could speak: “You wretch, Taoyao! How dare you collude with rebels to commit treason?”
Because Emperor Xizong had always favored Taoyao, Empress Pei Man had never felt any love from him after their marriage. Naturally, she harbored deep hatred for the woman she saw as the cause. Seeing the current situation only added fuel to her fury.
“Silence! Your life and that of the dog emperor are in my hands now. If you want to live, answer my questions properly,” Daiqisi said coldly, having no patience for her jealous outburst.
“Hmph, are you feeling very pleased with yourself now?” Empress Pei Man showed a strange smile. “Do you think the imperial palace is under your control?”
“What do you mean?” Daiqisi felt a sense of foreboding.
“You’ll find out soon enough. You wretch, don’t you pride yourself on your beauty? This Empress will have you thrown into a br0thel, subjected to the hum!liation of c0untless men, and then have you executed by a thousand cuts!” Empress Pei Man gnashed her teeth in hatred.
Just then, a sonorous voice came from outside: “Subject Wanyan Liang requests an audience with His Majesty!”