This sudden turn of events caught Huang Wu off guard. He hadn't expected his opponent to deviate from the planned strategy, switching from archery to a net.
This tactic was inspired by Bai Han, who had observed Chen Xiaobei capturing Duobang with a net. Bai Han believed a net was more effective than a sword, a classic example of overcoming hardness with softness. He had been practicing this ever since, and it proved useful today.
Huang Wu was unarmed, possessing nothing but his bare hands. With a knife or sword, he could have easily cut through the net, but without any tools, it was a difficult predicament.
In a flash, Huang Wu twisted his body in mid-air, attempting to retreat. However, his retreat led him directly into the trap.
Seeing him move back, the Imperial Guards raised their crossbows again. Huang Wu, already losing momentum after his mid-air maneuver, couldn't gather enough strength to dodge. Several repeating crossbow bolts pierced his body.
With a thud, Huang Wu fell to the ground. He tried to stand, but a sharp pain in his left leg told him he had broken a bone – a bad omen.
Before he could fully process this, Bai Han descended gracefully and stood before Huang Wu, his long sword pointed at Huang Wu's chest. "Don't move."
Faced with the cold gleam of the sword, Huang Wu sighed inwardly. This was an unfortunate start. After weeks of preparation, all his efforts had been in vain. He had assassinated Xiao An and injured Xiao Jingfeng, but he knew he wouldn't escape.
Soon, Imperial Guards arrived and bound Huang Wu securely. At that moment, a eunuch rushed up to Bai Han and whispered urgently, "Commander Bai, you must go quickly, the Emperor… he might be…"
Bai Han's eyes widened. He ordered Huang Wu to be guarded and rushed to see the Emperor and Xiao Jingfeng. Xiao Jingfeng had fallen into a coma, surrounded by Imperial physicians who seemed helpless.
Meanwhile, Emperor Xiao An's chest had been cleared of the sword, but he was clearly devoid of any life. Cold sweat broke out on Bai Han's back. As the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards and the Emperor's captain of the guard, such a catastrophic event on New Year's Eve could cost him his head.
Xiao Shunzi, voice choked with tears, pleaded, "Captain Bai, we should invite Empress Li."
Bai Han nodded. The Empress would need to be involved. But then he realized that might not be enough. "Quickly, send someone to invite Marquis Liu to fetch Imperial Preceptor Fang Zheng."
At home, Liu Xiangnan was drowning his sorrows in wine. This year had been particularly bleak; both his sons were dead, and his daughter had married and moved away, leaving him alone. The New Year offered little solace. Fang Zheng, too, was far from festive, as Fang Jun was suffering from a high fever. It was at this moment that both men received the news of Xiao An's assassination.
Fang Zheng broke out in a sweat. What was happening this year? He rushed to the palace without even changing into his court attire, following the eunuch who delivered the message. Liu Xiangnan was also shocked by the report. The Emperor assassinated, the princess poisoned—wouldn't the world descend into chaos? Liu Xiangnan quickly donned his court robes, mounted his horse, and hurried to the palace. By the time they both arrived, Empress Li was already there, weeping over Xiao An's body.
Seeing Liu Xiangnan and Fang Zheng, Empress Li wiped her tears and said, "You two have arrived at the right time. Please, give me some advice. What should I do?"
Liu Xiangnan bowed. He turned to examine the princess's injuries first. Approaching her, he gently opened her eyelids and saw a faint glint in her eyes. Bai Han quickly reported, "The assassin is being interrogated, but even under torture, they refuse to reveal the type of poison used."
Liu Xiangnan nodded. He took out a small porcelain bottle from his robes, poured out two pills, and handed them to Chun Hua. "These are some pills Ru Mei left me before she departed. They are said to neutralize common poisons. Give two to the princess first." Though uncertain of the specific poison, they had to try this as a last resort.
"Alright, help the princess inside to rest," Liu Xiangnan said, waving his hand. Shunzi and a few other eunuchs stepped forward and carried the princess inside. They laid her on the temporary resting bed Emperor Xiao An had used.
After settling the princess, they turned their attention to Xiao An. Fang Zheng looked at Empress Li, who was grief-stricken, and felt a pang of sympathy. Her son had died just days ago, and now her husband was gone. What a tragic fate she had.
At this moment, Liu Xiangnan spoke slowly, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it is a joyous New Year. The Emperor's matter should not cause too much of a commotion."
Fang Zheng echoed his sentiments, bowing and saying, "Indeed, Your Majesty. With the Crown Prince and the Emperor falling ill in succession, if the news spreads, our neighboring countries might become restless!"
Hearing their words, Empress Li was flustered. "Then, we shall do as you say, but… but…"
Fang Zheng continued, "Your Majesty, please do not worry. Let us first tend to the princess. The princess will now act as regent, and matters concerning the Emperor's funeral will be decided by her."
After much persuasion, they finally managed to calm the Empress. "Everything will be as you say. I will go prepare the mourning rites."
Liu Xiangnan and Fang Zheng, who remained by Xiao An's side, exchanged glances and watched the Empress leave. They alone understood the complex emotions of this New Year.
Meanwhile, in a torture chamber of the imperial prison, Huang Wu's body was covered in wounds, but he grit his teeth and remained silent. He believed death was inevitable, and as long as he could keep Jiang Shangpiao's secret, he would have honored Jiang Shangpiao's kindness.
Just then, Bai Han entered. His subordinates reported, "Grand Commander, he's been beaten half to death and still won't talk."
Bai Han nodded. He approached Huang Wu and said sternly, "I know you're from the martial world and came here to commit murder, likely for money. I am Bai Han, the Emperor's guard captain. You killed the Emperor, and I won't survive this either. But I want you to know, before I die, I will ensure you die first."
With a swift motion, Bai Han drew a dagger, flashed it before Huang Wu, and then pressed it against Huang Wu's left eye. "However, I won't let you die easily. You will die as I dictate. I will blind your left eye, cut off your left ear, break your left hand, and shatter your left leg. Then, I will move to the right side. I will blind your right eye, cut off your flesh, and yes, I will sew your mouth shut with needles. In short, you will not leave here with a whole body. Everything that can be cut off, will be cut off. In the end, perhaps all that will be left of you is half a body."