The waters of the Imperial Palace’s fish pond were deep, filled with beautifully colored ornamental fish.
Feng Bailing took several steps forward, stopping at the edge of the pond.
Nalan Yan’er felt elation in her heart.
Last time, she had intended to deal with Feng Bailing, but inadvertently targeted Dongfang Li.
This time, it was a rare opportunity.
Just as Feng Bailing was about to reach the pond, she suddenly called out,
Nalan Yan’er was startled, and turned to see no trace of Dugu Wu.
She sneered, planning to continue controlling Feng Bailing.
Unexpectedly, the Wenhua Seal between her brows suddenly dimmed, causing a rumbling in Nalan Yan’er’s head.
Alarmed, she tried to gather the Wenhua Seal again, but failed multiple times.
Nalan Yan’er panicked, forgetting she was right beside the pond.
Her foot slipped, and she fell into the pond.
With a splash, Nalan Yan’er fell into the water.
"Help! The Crown Princess Consort has fallen into the water."
Feng Bailing shouted loudly.
Dugu Xiaojin and Feng Xiaoli heard the shout, as did Dongfang Jin.
Several eunuchs and palace maids also ran over.
Dugu Wu and a few princes who had not yet left the palace heard the cries too.
"Quickly, rescue the Crown Princess Consort."
Li Qing also hurried over with his people, and saw Nalan Yan’er struggling in the pond.
A few eunuchs had just gotten into the water when they cried out in pain,
"The fish are biting!"
Shortly after the eunuchs got in, they screamed out, and blood splattered over the surface of the water.
"There are piranhas."
Dugu Wu tightened his brows, noticing among the colorful fish a few particularly brilliant ones.
Hearing there were piranhas, the eunuchs and palace maids were stunned.
The princes looked at each other, too scared to enter the water.
"Quickly save my Queen Mother."
Dongfang Jin ordered, but no one dared to act recklessly.
At that moment, a figure ran over.
Splashing water, Hua Wushang jumped into the water and rescued Nalan Yan’er.
Nalan Yan’er had a narrow escape from death, soaking wet and with multiple wounds on her body.
Her beauty was pallid, and she looked dazedly towards Dugu Wu.
She had fallen into the water, yet he remained indifferent.
"Poison all the fish in the pond."
Hua Wushang’s handsome face was marked only with coldness.
"Lord Hua, this is the Empress’s favorite fish."
A palace maid hurriedly said.
"You mean to say the Empress keeps piranhas? The benevolent Empress, ever vegetarian and devout in her faith, how could she keep such creatures? It seems clearly that you servants bought the wrong fish, nearly causing the Empress misfortune," Hua Wushang sneered.
The palace maids and the eunuchs fell silent. Lord Hua, a favored minister of the Emperor, had been frequently visiting the Imperial Palace recently, even the Empress had to show him some respect.
Nalan Yan’er’s ankle was bleeding, and pointing at Feng Bailing, she was about to say something.
"Crown Princess Consort, you are tired."
Hua Wushang glanced at Nalan Yan’er.
"Imperial Grandson, accompany your Queen Mother back to recuperate."
Hua Wushang looked towards Dongfang Jin, and seeing this, Feng Bailing, who watched clearer, saw Dongfang Jin’s face turn pale as he walked over to assist Nalan Yan’er away.
Hua Wushang respectfully bowed, then turned and left.
"Xiaojin, Xiaoli, don’t wander in the palace anymore."
Dugu Wu cast a meaningful glance at the fish pond.
"Take the children to rest first."
Feng Bailing led the children away, and looking back, she saw Dugu Wu still staring intently at the fish pond.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Queen Mother, are you all right?"
Only when they were clear of others did Dugu Xiaojin nervously grab Feng Bailing’s hand, examining her own queen mother closely.