newbobooks Chapter 181 The Death of the Empress
Chapter 181 The Death of the Empress
Having said that, she held up her sword and signaled to the Imperial Guards to arrest Zhao Jihua.
Undeterred, Zhao Jihua confronted the Empress.
As several imperial guards held their swords to Zhao Jihua's neck, Zhao Jihua's sword tip also pressed against the Empress's neck.
"You! How dare you!"
The Empress stepped back and shouted, "Kill her!"
Zhao Jihua smiled enigmatically: "Your Majesty, why don't you take a look behind you?"
Before she could finish speaking, the empress's back was already pressed against the wall.
The Empress's face stiffened.
Just then, Xia Li seized the opportunity to stand beside the Empress, pressing his short sword against her lower back, his tone nonchalant: "Your Majesty, guess, will you die first or will you die first?"
At this moment, the air seemed to freeze, and the whole scene fell into a suffocating stalemate.
Just then, a subtle movement quietly changed the situation—the Empress's personal maidservant quickly tugged at her from the other side.
This seemingly insignificant tug was, in fact, a lifeline for the Queen, who was in dire straits.
With this power, the Queen successfully escaped her current predicament.
Once she regained her footing, her previously suppressed arrogance instantly reignited.
The Empress's eyebrows furrowed, her almond-shaped eyes widened, and she pointed angrily at Zhao Jihua and Xia Li, gritting her teeth as she roared:
"You two ignorant fools, how dare you offend me like this! Today I will tear you to pieces!"
Faced with the Empress's threats and intimidation, Zhao Jihua showed no fear. Instead, she raised her chin and responded arrogantly:
"Hmph! You think you can kill us? We'll have to see if you have the ability!"
Her words were resounding, revealing an unwavering determination and courage.
Xia Li, who was standing to the side, nodded slightly, indicating her agreement with Zhao Jihua's statement.
The Empress laughed in anger: "What gives you the right to be so arrogant? Is it because of your two brothers who serve in the Imperial Guard? Do you know that I have already transferred them away from the capital? You are all doomed! Hahahaha..."
The Empress laughed arrogantly, and in response, Xia Li fired a shot from his musket at the Imperial Guards behind Zhao Jihua.
"Oh!"
The Imperial Guards were startled!
It's now!
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhao Jihua escaped and stood back-to-back with Xia Li.
The White Queen was terrified and, under the cover of her palace servants, shouted, "Kill them quickly!"
The Imperial Guards surrounded the two women and kept closing in on them.
But no one dared to make the first move, because there was still one shot left in the musket!
Some people were wary of her, while others wanted to find an opportunity to kill the empress.
The Zhou sisters quickly got up and joined the battle, fighting against the other Imperial Guards.
In an instant, sword shadows flashed and shouts of battle echoed throughout Kunning Palace.
The women quickly moved aside, watching the chaotic battle in horror.
They never expected that the usually dignified and gentle Empress would commit such a treasonous act.
To everyone's surprise, these seemingly delicate women actually possessed such superb martial arts skills.
"Why do you all have swords and knives!"
"Of course... I have two older brothers who serve in the Imperial Guard!" Xia Li sneered and charged at the Empress again.
"Didn't I transfer them away from the capital?" The Empress had a vague premonition, but in the midst of the chaos, she was busy dodging swords and blades and had no time to think about it.
"Zhou Xianjing, watch out!"
While fending off the attacks of the Imperial Guards, Xia Li loudly reminded his teammates.
Zhou Xianya's swordsmanship was ruthless, each move deadly, and she directly severed the head of the person who wanted to assassinate her sister with a single stroke.
Seeing this, Zhao Jihua was extremely anxious.
She took the musket, knowing that there was only one shot, but now a large number of imperial guards were protecting the empress in the center.
Zhou Xianya seized the opportunity and rushed towards the Empress, intending to launch a sneak attack from behind.
Sensing danger, the guard beside the Empress pushed her back, allowing her to dodge Zhou Xianya's attack. The guard then stabbed her with his sword.
Zhou Xianya was unable to dodge in time and her arm was cut, bleeding profusely.
"Zhou Xianya!" Zhao Jihua exclaimed in shock, her heart burning with anger.
She used all her skills to force back the royal guards in front of her, and then rushed towards the Empress.
But they couldn't even touch the queen, who was surrounded by enemies!
The group joined forces and engaged in a fierce battle with the Empress and the Imperial Guards.
Just as the two sides were deadlocked, suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the palace.
Everyone was startled and turned around, unsure whether they were friend or foe.
Xia Jingyuan led a group of guards into Kunning Palace.
"Empress, how dare you! You dare to rebel!" Xia Jingyuan shouted angrily.
The Empress's expression changed drastically when she saw Xia Jingyuan suddenly appear.
Today, the Empress and her son have already completely surrounded the imperial city.
But the people who were supposed to be sent out were able to return to the palace; there must be a traitor who opened the door for them.
She knew that her plan had been exposed.
But she was still unwilling to accept defeat, brandishing her sword and fighting like a cornered beast, trying to reduce the number of enemies for her son.
Zhao Jihua is exceptionally talented but also too ambitious; he must not be allowed to live!
Just as her sword was about to touch Zhao Jihua,
"Oh!"
Another gunshot rang out, and the Empress slowly fell to the ground.
Zhao Jihua blew out a puff of smoke from the muzzle of his gun, saying, "I've never seen anyone so eager to die."
With the Empress dead, the entire Imperial Guard surrendered.
The crisis at Kunning Palace was finally resolved, and the women all breathed a sigh of relief.
Xia Li and the others collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted, but seeing someone trying to run away, she quickly shouted:
"Listen to me, everyone. Although the crisis in Kunning Palace has been resolved, war must have broken out outside. It is safer for everyone to stay in Kunning Palace and wait until the war is over before going out."
The Xia brothers, Jingyuan and Jingyuan, quickly stepped forward and checked Xia Li from head to toe. They were relieved to see that he was not injured.
"Little sister, it's too dangerous outside right now. You should hide here for a while."
“No, I have to go. The First Prince and Xing Beiluo have been sent to the Vermilion Bird Kingdom, and the situation on the Emperor's side is still unknown.” After a pause, Xia Li added, “You promised me.”
Xia Jingwen said anxiously, "But you're also our sister, how could we bear to..."
Xia Jingyuan stopped him, forcing a smile, and said, "Okay, let's go."
"elder brother!"
"With your sister's stubborn temper, can you stop her?"
"Are we just going to watch our sister get into danger?"
"How is that possible!" Xia Jingyuan shouted. "They're leaving, let's hurry and follow them."
When Xia Li and the others arrived, they happened to see the Emperor and the Third Prince facing off.
"Third brother! I didn't expect this! I haven't even finished my studies yet, how dare you!"
His response was the Third Prince's cold and cruel voice: "Ha! You should have died obediently at the right time! Like now..."
As he spoke, he chanted an incantation to activate the poison.