The Emperor suddenly struck, sending a palm toward Pei Ling in full view of everyone.
The palm wind keened like ten thousand ghosts wailing, carrying gusts of sinister wind as it swept across the entire hall in an instant.
The gauze curtains and bead strands stirred, and every mortal in the hall shivered as one, their scalps prickling as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.
Just as the palm wind neared Pei Ling, about to brush his robes, it abruptly froze in place, then turned into a mighty gust that scattered in every direction.
The mighty wind swept through the hall. The Empress Dowager, the consorts, the imperial heirs, and the ministers all had their sleeves billow. Skirts fluttered, hair flew, and the clatter of pearls, jade pendants, and hair ornaments rang without end.
At the sight, the Empress Dowager, the consorts, the imperial heirs, and all the civil and military officials turned deathly pale.
A younger minister suddenly came to his senses. Pointing at the Emperor, he cried in terror, "D-demonic arts! He's a fake!"
The others came to their senses as well. Ruan Xilu was the first to shriek, "He's a monster! He's not the Emperor!"
Virtuous Consort, Virtuous Consort, and Virtuous Consort all secretly breathed sighs of relief and swiftly chimed in, "That's right! He's not the Emperor! The Emperor is right here! That one's a monster!"
"Th-this... Empress Dowager?" The Empress stepped forward and took the Empress Dowager by the arm, her voice full of shock. "Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, what should we do now..."
The imperial heirs crowded around her, all staring at the Empress Dowager in panic.
"His Imperial Son is the sovereign of all under heaven, the greatest man in the land. How could he possibly wield such demonic arts?" The