C5 Fighting

Nearby, Crescent hurriedly crawled over, "Miss, what are you saying?"

Nanny Sunn's face changed as she looked at her old master, "Empress Dowager..."

Empress Dowager Chu waved her hand, paused for a moment, and then walked over to stand in front of Feng Tiange, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Did you brave the heavy snow to come to the Happiness Prolonging Hall just to sever ties with this old woman?"

"It's my fault, Tiange has been unfilial. I've brought nothing but shame to you, my Royal Grandma, over the years. I thought I could live quietly at Puning Temple, praying for you for the rest of my days. But I never imagined... I would still bring trouble to you and the entire South Suppressing Marquis Mansion!" Feng Tiange cried out in grief, her sorrow palpable.

"Are you hurt?" Empress Dowager Chu noticed the bloodstain on Feng Tiange's left shoulder and quickly lifted her robe, her eyes turning cold and sharp. "Crescent, what happened?"

Seeing the Empress Dowager's gaze, Crescent knelt down immediately. "Your Majesty, the Commander accused the young lady of being part of the Silver Mask faction, claiming she was involved with Dugu Yan. He even injured her, saying she should be executed on the spot..."

"I know who Dugu Yan is. The entire city is searching for the corrupt concubine's accomplices. If I'm truly accused of being Silver Mask, it's a crime that would doom my entire family. My life is insignificant, but I can't let you be implicated. Tiange begs you to sever ties with me..."

Feng Tiange was heartbroken, tears streaming down her face as she shivered in the falling snow.

"The Commander of the Palace Guards?" Empress Dowager Chu frowned deeply.

Nanny Sunn leaned in, "Dugu Jin."

"Summon him to the Hall of Serenity!" Empress Dowager Chu ordered coldly, then turned to gently help her granddaughter up. "You silly child, if you've been wronged, you must seek justice."

"Grandma..." Feng Tiange looked up, her eyes brimming with tears.

She could feel the kindness and love in Empress Dowager Chu's eyes. In her past life, she often came here, and though the Empress Dowager never said it, she knew her grandmother cared deeply for her.

The weather grew colder, and the snow fell like cotton.

Inside, Nanny Sunn and Crescent carefully bandaged Feng Tiange's injured left shoulder. Empress Dowager Chu even instructed Nanny Sunn to give her own sable hand warmer to Tiange.

Just then, someone announced that the Commander of the Palace Guards had arrived.

Inside the hall, Empress Dowager Chu sat upright in her seat of honor, with Nanny Sunn standing beside her. Feng Tiange, supported by Crescent, sat to the left on an intricately carved pearwood chair.

"Your servant greets the Empress Dowager," Dugu Jin said as he entered, immediately sensing trouble upon seeing Feng Tiange.

Sure enough, after he knelt, Empress Dowager Chu did not allow him to rise. She directly questioned him, "I heard the Crown Prince tasked you with investigating the remnants of the corrupt concubine. How is it going?"

"Your Majesty, everything is progressing smoothly." Even though Dugu Jin suspected that Feng Tiange had come to complain, he wasn't overly worried. After all, the elderly woman before him held no real power; she was more of a figurehead in the palace. What could she possibly do to him?

"And what about Silver Mask? Have you found him?" Empress Dowager Chu asked coldly, her expression stern.

"Not yet, but I have locked down the entire city..."

Crash—

The teacup shattered on the floor, scalding tea splashing onto Dugu Jin's hand, causing him to flinch in pain.

"You couldn't find Silver Mask, so you falsely accused my granddaughter of treason, and not only that, you wanted to execute her on the spot. Who gave you that authority? Someone, summon the Crown Prince!" Empress Dowager Chu shouted angrily, her voice commanding respect.

At that moment, everyone in the hall remembered that this seemingly gentle and kind Empress Dowager had once been a formidable presence on the battlefield, earning countless victories.

Dugu Jin dared not lift his head, instead casting a fierce sideways glance at Feng Tiange.

Coincidentally, Feng Tiange was looking at him too, her lips moving ever so slightly in what seemed like mockery.

The atmosphere in the hall was as tense as a funeral until Beiming Yuan appeared.

"If I return, your lives are forfeit! If I return, Beiming Yuan, it's you and me to the death..."

A tidal wave of hatred surged within, every cell in her body roaring. Feng Tiange rose slowly and respectfully bowed to Beiming Yuan. "Your Highness, I greet you."

Beiming Yuan ignored Tiange and turned to the throne, bowing respectfully. "Grandson greets the Empress Dowager."

With striking features and a commanding presence, Beiming Yuan wore a regal purple robe. His fair skin and chiseled features were complemented by his dark hair, tied up with a jade crown, and a warm jade piece at his waist added a touch of elegance.

"Tiange, have a seat," Empress Dowager Chu said, then turned her sharp gaze to Beiming Yuan. "The Crown Prince's loyal follower dares to suspect Tiange of being the Silver Mask. Tell me, how does Tiange resemble the Silver Mask?"

Beiming Yuan frowned slightly, his gentle eyes shifting to Dugu Jin, who was kneeling nearby. "What happened?"

"Your Highness, I was diligently inspecting the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion. Not only did Feng Tiange refuse to cooperate, but she also blocked the entrance, refusing to let me in. That's why I suspected she was hiding something significant inside..."