Princess, something terrible has happened! The prince consort has attempted suicide again!

"How is that possible?!"

Watanabe's pupils constricted, his face filled with disbelief.

He knew very well how powerful that blow was; it was enough to split boulders and break thick logs.

But at this moment, it was firmly grasped by Zhao Changning with his bare hands and easily broken in two, which was simply unbelievable.

Extreme fear instantly overwhelmed his mind, leaving him with only a fraction of the courage to fight back.

"Go! Go quickly!"

He roared fiercely, completely disregarding the monks under his tutelage, and turned to flee in panic.

But as soon as he turned around, a sharp, piercing sound suddenly rang in his ears.

A flash of cold light!

puff!

The silver spear pierced his thigh hard.

Du'an's legs went weak, and he staggered and fell to the ground.

Before he could struggle to his feet, Zhao Changning twisted his wrist and swept his spear out horizontally.

The heavy gun, carrying immense force, slammed into his chest and abdomen.

boom!

Under the immense force of the impact, Watari was sent flying through the air like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground and immediately losing consciousness.

The remaining monks, seeing that the crossing had failed and that the monks were seriously injured, were terrified and scattered in all directions, screaming.

But Zhao Changning didn't give them any chance at all.

She was a seasoned female warrior, skilled in marksmanship and far more experienced in combat than these wild monks.

A red shadow flashed, gunfire danced, each shot swift and deadly.

Before long, the fleeing monks fell to the ground one after another, and none of them escaped unscathed.

The mountain air reeked of blood, and the place was a mess.

Zhao Changning stood still, his expression calm and indifferent, with drops of blood dripping from the tip of his gun, as if the fierce mopping-up operation just now was nothing more than routine training.

She lifted the unconscious ferryman with one hand, turned around, and walked back to where she was.

Zhang Xiaomeng, who was standing to the side, was already terrified and secretly swallowed.

This woman is so twisted.

He couldn't help but imagine their future marriage. If he were to provoke this old lady, he feared she would really beat him senseless with a single blow.

Upon realizing this, Zhang Xiaomeng shuddered violently.

No, this marriage absolutely cannot happen. I must die before the wedding.

"What's wrong with you?"

Seeing his strange expression, Zhao Changning asked.

"N-nothing."

Zhang Xiaomeng quickly composed himself, shook his head repeatedly, and silently followed Zhao Changning back to Faye Temple.

Just as they stepped out of the secret passage, a figure in black quickly approached them.

Hei Fengwei Feng Er bowed deeply, his expression solemn, and spoke rapidly: "Your Highness! Not long after you pursued Du An and left, the Fifth Prince personally came to the back mountain, claiming that he was acting on the Emperor's orders to take away and seal all the evidence left by the children in the temple. We have no right to obstruct the Emperor's order and can only give in."

"Father's decree?"

Zhao Changning's eyebrows suddenly furrowed, her eyes filled with astonishment and confusion.

Sensing a strong undercurrent of conspiracy, Zhang Xiaomeng immediately pressed, "Does His Majesty know about what's happening here?"

Zhao Changning shook his head, his tone cold and somber. "When I received Erniu's plea for help, fearing that delays might cause complications, I immediately led my troops here. There was no time to go to the palace to report."

The moment the words left their mouths, their expressions changed drastically.

"Oh no! He's going to destroy the evidence!"

"Quick, after them!"

Without further delay, Zhao Changning immediately led his men down the mountain to give chase.

The group hurried down the mountain and soon arrived at the foot of the mountain.

In the distance, a magnificent procession slowly approached along the official road.

The leading man sat upright on a fine horse, dressed in a luxurious brocade robe and a jade belt. He was handsome and had a noble demeanor; he was none other than the Fifth Prince, Zhao Tai'an.

He glanced at Zhao Changning, who stood there covered in dust and holding a gun, feigned surprise, and spoke in a gentle voice:

"Changning, what brings you here? Could it be that you've also come up the mountain to pray for my father's well-being?"

Zhao Changning stepped forward, holding his silver spear horizontally, his gaze icy and piercing.

"Stop pretending! I'm asking you, where did you take those kidnapped children from behind Faye Temple?"

A sly glint flashed in Zhao Tai'an's eyes, but his face remained completely blank and innocent:

"Children? Your Majesty, I don't understand what you're talking about. I've come today to pray for Father's well-being, and I've only just arrived at the foot of the mountain. I haven't even entered the temple yet. How could you say I'm taking away children?"

"You dare to argue!"

Enraged, Zhao Changning didn't wait for Zhao Tai'an to continue his act. He stepped forward, reached out, and yanked Zhao Tai'an off the horse.

Caught off guard, Zhao Tai'an landed awkwardly, both shocked and furious: "Zhao Changning! How dare you!"

"I'm asking one last time!"

Zhao Changning gripped his collar tightly, her eyes icy cold, each word dripping with pressure: "Where are those children?"

Zhao Tai'an remained calm and composed, his face showing a mixture of embarrassment and composure.

"I truly know nothing! My sister has insulted her brother in public based solely on her own guess; this is far too arrogant!"

"Completely ignorant?" Zhao Changning coldly rebuked, "My Black Phoenix Guards witnessed it all firsthand! You, under the guise of imperial authority, forcibly took away all the witnesses involved!"

"That's utter nonsense!"

Zhao Tai'an retorted sharply, full of confidence and without the slightest hint of unease.

"Falsifying an imperial edict is a heinous crime. As a prince of the royal family, how could I do such a foolish thing? Everyone knows that the Black Phoenix Guard is your trusted subordinate; you are trying to frame me!"

"You're asking for it!"

Enraged by his shameless attitude, Zhao Changning suddenly gripped his neck with her fingertips and tightened her grip.

A feeling of suffocation instantly overwhelmed Zhao Tai'an, his face flushed red, and he struggled to breathe, but deep in his eyes, he could not hide his pride and confidence.

He knew perfectly well—

He transferred all the key child witnesses.

All the remaining witnesses were Black Phoenix Guards and personal soldiers under Zhao Changning's command, and their testimonies are unreliable.

Not to mention that his birth mother, Consort Wu, came from a powerful family with deep roots in the court, and even his father, the emperor, had to be wary of her.

Without solid, irrefutable evidence, the Emperor would never severely punish the prince and offend the powerful Wu family.

He's a shoo-in for victory today!

"Princess, calm down," Feng Er quickly stepped forward to dissuade her.

Zhao Changning was well aware of the implications; if he really harmed Zhao Tai'an, he would certainly give others grounds for criticism.

In particular, the power of Consort Wu's maternal family will inevitably seize the opportunity to cause trouble, and we will be controlled by them.

In the end, she reluctantly let go of Zhao Tai'an.

"Cough cough..."

Zhao Tai'an coughed violently, clutching his neck, straightened his disheveled clothes, and his expression became righteous and stern:

"Zhao Changning, you have become arrogant and domineering due to your favor with the emperor, and you have publicly humiliated my elder brother! I will definitely go to the palace to report this matter to our father and ask for his wise judgment!"

With that, he turned and left, a hint of provocation in his eyes.

"stop!"

Zhao Changning shouted coldly.

Zhao Tai'an paused, turned back with a light laugh, his eyes filled with mockery and contempt:

"What? Little sister wants to fight? Do you dare?"

Zhao Changning gripped the gun barrel so tightly with his knuckles that the tip of the gun was almost embedded in the ground.

Despite possessing overwhelming martial prowess, she was bound by her identity, the imperial court, and the political situation, leaving her unable to move.

The atmosphere in the entire venue was extremely tense.

But at that moment, a figure burst out!

Zhang Xiaomeng took a step forward and pounced on Zhao Tai'an, pinning the smug Zhao Tai'an to the ground!

Before anyone could react, he clenched his fist and slammed it down hard on Zhao Tai'an's handsome face!

Bang bang bang!

The punches roared, full of power!

The entire room fell silent instantly; everyone was speechless with astonishment!

Zhao Tai'an's personal guards quickly came to their senses, shouted angrily, and drew their swords to rush forward to save their master.

A cold light suddenly flashed from its sheath!

Zhang Xiaomeng drew his dagger with a backhand motion, pressing the cold, sharp blade firmly against Zhao Tai'an's throat artery. His eyes were fierce and piercing, and his domineering voice resonated throughout the entire venue.

"Anyone who dares to step forward, I'll kill them on the spot!"