The prefect was sitting inside the Literary Star Pavilion. When a clash suddenly broke out outside, a large contingent of soldiers arrived in moments and seized the two unconscious criminals.
After seeing this from afar, Ye Jingtang lingered no longer. He followed Yu Hu, leaping among the buildings, and returned to the Duke's Manor.
Night had only just fallen, and the Duke's Manor was still brightly lit. There was no sign of Miss Fan in the guest courtyard where they were staying, and Shui'er was not in her room either.
Ye Jingtang landed in the courtyard and folded his oil-paper umbrella beneath the eaves. Seeing that the little cart in the Main House was gone, he said:
"The Empress Dowager probably just... Hey, hey, hey?! Hold on, heroine!"
Before he could finish, a tug came from behind him.
After landing beneath the eaves, the Empress was like a wife who had gotten angry outside but could not make a scene. Her soft, alluring eyes turned cold. She grabbed the back of Ye Jingtang's belt, dragged him inside, kicked the door shut, and shoved him hard.
Thump!
Shing-
Ye Jingtang was pinned against the door. Cold light flashed before his eyes, and the Chi Dragon Blade appeared before him. He hurriedly raised his hands.
"Wait, wait, wait. Let's talk this through..."
The Empress held the blade in her right hand and pressed his chest with her left. Her gaze was distinctly hostile as she said coldly:
"What's your relationship with that woman from the martial world?"
Ye Jingtang felt that her tone sounded like a jealous wife's. He raised his hands slightly, signaling for her to calm down.
"We're nodding acquaintances. We've only met a few times."
The Empress lifted the Chi Dragon Blade slightly and said gravely:
"You still dare