Screams echoed at the scene.
At this moment, the Imperial Guards had already rushed over quickly.
The assassin, seeing that the situation was unfavorable, attempted to flee with a light-footed leap, but was blocked by the Imperial Guards.
Knowing he could not escape, the assassin quickly retreated.
In that moment, he seized the Empress, who was clearly terrified, and took her hostage.
"Don’t move!" The assassin pressed a dagger against the Empress’s neck.
The Empress was frightened.
Her complexion turned pale with fear.
The Imperial Guards dared not approach, and everyone else watched the scene in shock.
No one had expected that an assassin could infiltrate their ranks disguised as a palace maid.
"If you dare come closer, I will kill the Empress!" threatened the assassin.
"Release the Empress!" Xiao Zhanping, as the emperor, naturally had his authority and commanded the assassin with a cold expression.
"Let me leave, and I’ll release the Empress!" the assassin negotiated.
"Fine." Xiao Zhanping agreed without hesitation.
"Order all Imperial Guards to withdraw," the assassin demanded loudly.
Xiao Zhanping’s expression darkened.
Clearly, the assassin wanted the guards to withdraw as a threat to them.
He did not agree immediately.
Yu Qingyuan was terrified at this moment.
It could be said she had never experienced being taken hostage before.
Right now, the dagger was pressed against her neck, a slight mishap could lead to...
Unable to hold back, she called out to Xiao Zhanping, "Your Majesty."
Xiao Zhanping glanced at Yu Qingyuan.
In front of so many people, naturally, he couldn’t just not save the Empress.
The power of the Empress’s family was significant; if he neglected her, it could be used as an excuse for rebellion.
Zhao Mengyu was also extremely tense watching the situation unfold.
Initially, she was shocked too.
She wondered how long the palace maid had evaded everyone’s attention to appear at such an event and find an opportunity to assassinate the emperor.
Seeing her son wounded by the emperor’s side, she was still extremely worried, realizing his arm was injured she felt slightly relieved and focused on Yu Qingyuan’s hostage situation.
She definitely wished for Yu Qingyuan to die in this incident by accident.
If Yu Qingyuan died, the position of the Empress would be hers.
But she was not foolish, knowing that Xiao Zhanping would not dare to harm Yu Qingyuan, she realized that he would definitely not neglect her.
"Withdraw!" Xiao Zhanping suddenly ordered.
The Imperial Guards, upon receiving the command, quickly exited the hall.
"Arrange for a swift horse at the palace gate!" the assassin demanded.
The emperor arranged for a horse to be ready at the palace gate.
The assassin, holding a terrified Yu Qingyuan, walked step by step towards the outside.
Xiao Zhanping naturally followed, maintaining a few steps behind the assassin and the Empress.
The surrounding area was also closely guarded by Imperial Guards with drawn swords, vigilantly following the assassin holding the Empress step by step.
The atmosphere was immensely tense.
They finally reached the palace gate.
A swift horse was stationed at the entrance.
The assassin glanced at it.
Yu Qingyuan was so frightened she hardly dared to breathe, fearing the assassin might suddenly lash out.
Everyone was extremely anxious.
"Release the Empress, the horse is ready for you!" Xiao Zhanping shouted loudly.
The corners of the assassin’s mouth suddenly curled into a cold smile.
The murderous intent in her eyes, clearly visible.
But the person she wanted to kill was not the Empress.
Ye Qichi had sensed from the beginning that the assassin’s gaze unintentionally fell on her, perhaps constantly looking for an opportunity, yet never finding the right moment.
She couldn’t quite understand why the assassin would want to kill her.
The reminder from Xiao Jinxing, she couldn’t guess for the moment, what the assassin’s ultimate goal was today.
After all, the Empress Dowager had already cleared her of any suspicion, and it was clear to them that keeping her was beneficial, so why would they send someone to kill her?!
Unable to figure it out for a moment, but she could think of how to gain more benefits for herself.
Just as the assassin released Yu Qingyuan.
Ye Qichi suddenly shouted, "Empress, be careful!"
Such a shout naturally startled the assassin, who was originally planning to release the Empress and charge directly at Ye Qichi.
For her, from the moment she received the order to assassinate at the palace banquet, there was no chance of surviving, it was just about finding the right opportunity to strike again.
However, the sudden shout from Ye Qichi.
Made the assassin panic momentarily.
Yu Qingyuan too got terrified because of the shout.
As the assassin released her, she instinctively ran away with large strides.