Chapter 1258: Whoever Reaches Out, I Will Kill!

"Step aside!!"

She stood before the palace gates clutching an Imperial Decree, and the guards dared not make a reckless move.

Unfurled, the decree revealed His Majesty's past conferment of Commandery Princess Ruyi.

Only when a chief eunuch emerged from within the palace did the guards finally find their backbone.

"The commandery princess is gone, yet someone schemes for her estate! I have matters to report to His Majesty. I must trouble you, Chief Eunuch, to clear a path!"

"Dong Chiyu, you may belong to the commandery princess's household, but if you want to enter, you must first explain your intent. Not only do we not know who you truly are, but entering the palace also requires following proper procedures. And what is the meaning of bringing a spear?!"

Seeing the Imperial Decree, the chief eunuch dared not act rashly. Had it been anyone else, he would have ordered her taken down immediately, but the person named in this decree was different.

It was Commandery Princess Ruyi!

The chief eunuch was an old servant of the palace. Naturally, he knew of Commandery Princess Ruyi's deep ties with His Majesty. Back when titles were conferred, every other meritorious minister had knelt to receive their decree. Only Commandery Princess Ruyi had stood to receive hers, and His Majesty had not uttered a word of reprimand. Her status was clearly extraordinary.

The chief eunuch patiently explained, "His Majesty has resided deep within the palace these past few years and rarely makes an appearance. Even if you go inside, you might not get to see him."

Dong Chiyu took a deep breath and said, "Rest assured, Chief Eunuch, I am not here to cause trouble. I only wish to see His Majesty and seek justice!"

The chief eunuch sighed lightly. "Allow me to go report your arrival, though even I am not guaranteed an audience."

"I must trouble you, Chief Eunuch."

The chief eunuch hurried off to seek His Majesty.

At this moment, Yan Nantian was in the Imperial Observatory with Director Wang Lundao, having a discourse on the Dao. The two discussed Daoist methods and imagined the scenery of the Immortal Realm. In just a few years, Yan Nantian's Cultivation Base had grown immensely, and his lifespan had extended significantly. His white hair had turned black, and he looked much younger.

They were right in the middle of a lively conversation.

Yan Nantian suddenly sensed that someone had arrived outside the Imperial Observatory.

He frowned, a flash of annoyance crossing his face.

He had given repeated orders that no unauthorized personnel were allowed near the Imperial Observatory. Yet his subordinates were complying in public while opposing in secret, actually daring to approach.

"Who is outside?!" he snapped. "Did I not say that no one is allowed near the Imperial Observatory?!"

The chief eunuch, kneeling outside the door, spoke up. "Your Majesty, the matter concerns Commandery Princess Ruyi. This old servant grew bold enough to disturb you."

"Commandery Princess Ruyi?"

Yan Nantian froze, his gaze turning to Wang Yingying.

"Your Majesty," Wang Yingying said, "you must take the matter of Commandery Princess Ruyi seriously. Back then, you were able to step onto the immortal path entirely thanks to the help of her uncle, Mister Chen. Not to mention that Commandery Princess Ruyi has saved Your Majesty from peril on several occasions."

Yan Nantian felt the same way.

He nodded, then strode out of the Imperial Observatory.

"What is the matter?!"

The chief eunuch remained kneeling on the ground. "To answer Your Majesty, a member of Commandery Princess Ruyi's household is currently waiting outside the palace gates, carrying the Imperial Decree you bestowed back then."

Hearing this, Yan Nantian turned and headed for the palace gates.

Seeing this, the chief eunuch hastily followed.

When Yan Nantian laid eyes on the person outside the gates, he did not recognize her at first. Having resided deep within the palace for so long without seeing anyone, he sometimes even forgot the passage of time.

Seeing the emperor approach, Dong Chiyu knelt with the Imperial Decree in hand. "Your Majesty..."

Yan Nantian scrutinized her for a long moment before finally reacting. "I remember now. Back when Commandery Princess Ruyi held my Waist Token, a trivial matter ended up requiring a Joint Trial of the Three Judicial Agencies. You are that girl from the Dong Family."

Recalling that matter, Dong Chiyu's eyes reddened.

She took a deep breath and said, "I am."

Yan Nantian asked, "You wish to seek justice from me? What happened? With Ruyi's temperament, how could there be any injustice toward her in this world?"

"Your Majesty, three months ago, the commandery princess passed away from illness in Chunhui. She is no longer in this world."

Yan Nantian suddenly stumbled at those words.

"What did you say?"

His hands trembled. Stepping forward rapidly, he grabbed Dong Chiyu's shoulders and demanded, "What did you say?! She died?! How could she die?!"

Yan Nantian suddenly flew into a rage. "Absolute nonsense! Her uncle is an Immortal! She has been nourished by immortal qi since childhood. How could she pass away from illness?! What exactly are you scheming?!"

Dong Chiyu shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, the commandery princess has truly left us..."

Yan Nantian felt a deep shock settle into his heart.

He released his grip and stumbled as he stood up straight.

In that instant, he seemed to finally understand. The person before him was likely not lying.

She was truly dead!

That bold, reckless woman who always spoke her mind had truly left this world!

Memories of the past flashed through Yan Nantian's mind.

A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over him. It had been a long time since he last felt such pain.

"Is she really gone?"

Dong Chiyu lowered her head.

At this moment, Yan Nantian thoroughly deflated.

He asked, "Where is she buried?"

"In her hometown, Qingshan City."

"Good, good..."

Yan Nantian murmured softly, his eyes losing focus as his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Only after a long while did he snap back to reality and look at Dong Chiyu.

"Then what is your intent in coming here? Why bring both the Imperial Decree and a weapon?"

Dong Chiyu proceeded to explain everything that had transpired, detailing how Grand Secretary Song was secretly scheming to seize the properties of the Commandery Princess Manor.

Dong Chiyu raised her head and said, "I brought the Imperial Decree not to beg Your Majesty for help. Gripping my spear, I only wish to kill this thief with my own hands. I ask for Your Majesty's permission!"

Yan Nantian fully understood now.

He clenched his fists, rage surging in his heart.

"Chief Eunuch!"

"This servant is here!"

"Pass down my decree! Mobilize one thousand men from the Jinwu Guard and place them under the command of this daughter of the Dong Family. Slay the people of the Song Manor on the spot! Leave no one alive! Arrest all associated individuals and throw them into the dungeons!"

Hearing this, Dong Chiyu took a deep breath and kowtowed.

"I thank Your Majesty!"

After so many years, Dong Chiyu gripped her spear once more.

This time, she was not alone. The Jinwu Guard no longer stood in her way; instead, they stood behind her, seething with murderous intent.

All of this had been earned by Ruyi.

"It has been a long time since I held a spear..."

Dong Chiyu murmured. Though she had grown old, her strength was undiminished.

The massive contingent marched toward the Song Manor. The gates of Shangjing City had already been sealed tight. Today, no one would escape!

...

For some unknown reason, Xuanji heard a clamor of horse hooves from outside.

She felt somewhat afraid. The butler comforted her, strictly forbidding her from leaving the manor.

Xuanji did not understand what was happening.

Only later in the night did Second Mother return, completely drenched in blood. From her frigid gaze, it was impossible to tell just how many people she had killed.

The moment Dong Chiyu saw Xuanji, her eyes softened.

"Xuanji, do not be afraid. With Second Mother here, no one can bully us. No one can scheme for the things your Big Sister left behind. Whoever reaches out, Second Mother will kill!"

Hearing this, the fear in Xuanji's heart melted away, even though her Second Mother was currently drenched in blood.