"I do not grant you permission to stand up. Is the Princess Regent challenging me?" the Empress rebuked with anger.

"Oh, so Your Majesty the Empress can see me." Feng Muqing chuckled nonchalantly.

The Empress was momentarily stunned.

She was well aware of the incident outside the hall where Feng Muqing had brazenly acted out. Is she relying on the Regent's support?

The imperial concubines hadn't recovered from their shock and sensed the tense atmosphere. Everyone held their breath, eagerly awaiting the ensuing drama.

It was unclear why the Empress was making things difficult for the Princess Regent.

"Look at that sharp tongue of the Princess Regent."

A soft, charming voice suddenly chimed in, adding to the already stifling atmosphere.

Feng Muqing followed the sound and spotted a lady in pink seated to the left of the Empress. She possessed exceptional beauty, particularly her eyes, which seemed to captivate one's soul.

"I heard rumors that the Eldest Young Lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion is utterly useless and has an unsightly countenance. I never imagined it could be this dreadful..."

The lady in pink glanced at the horrifying mark on Feng Muqing's face and abruptly halted her words.

"I was genuinely frightened."

Many in attendance nodded in agreement.

The moment the Princess Regent walked in, her terrifying face almost scared them away.

She seemed untroubled by the possibility of offending the dignitaries present by entering the palace with such a face.

How could the Princess Regent act so recklessly?

What a pity for the Regent.

The Empress was pleased to hear this and cast an appreciative gaze toward the lady in pink.

"Princess Li is absolutely right. I thought I had encountered a ghost after seeing this face first thing in the morning," the Empress remarked.

Feng Muqing couldn't help but sneer at the two women.

Did they have so much free time that they had to bother her?

"This distinctive beauty of mine is not something just anyone can possess."

"Ha!"

A suppressed laugh echoed.

Feng Muqing curled her lips.

Once she was back, she would immediately neutralize the poison in her body.

After being ridiculed repeatedly, did they think she wouldn't retaliate?

It was important to maintain one's dignity even in defeat. Even if the sky fell, there would always be someone stronger to bear it.

"Perhaps the princess needs an ophthalmologist," Princess Li said disdainfully.

"You need not worry. After all, in the Regent's Manor, there is only me. I don't need to vie for favor with others."

"You!"

Princess Li was furious. Is she subtly mocking me for my inappropriate behavior?

It was pure and blatant jealousy!

"You're so rude! Today, I will teach you manners on behalf of the Regent," the Empress declared.

Isn't it the perfect reason for her to teach Feng Muqing a lesson for being so presumptuous?

Feng Muqing chuckled.

"I apologize; I couldn't resist. Please continue."

The Empress was now even angrier. "This is not the Regent's Manor. Guards! Punish the Princess Regent with twenty lashes!"

"Wait!"

An imperial concubine dressed in blue palace attire next to the Empress interrupted.

The Empress cast an unfriendly glance at her and snorted coldly.

"What is Princess De's intention?"

"Today is the day Princess Regent's first time entering the palace, and she may not be aware of all the rules and ceremonies. I'm sure Your Majesty the Empress is generous and will certainly forgive the princess."

Princess De said with a smiling face. She spoke softly and gently, as if openly defying the Empress was a trivial matter.

Feng Muqing's interest was piqued as she observed the Empress seated upright on the high platform and then glanced at the nonchalant Princess De.

She hadn't expected this drama. It seemed Princess De and the Empress were at odds.

And as for Princess Li, she must be aligned with the Empress.

But why would Princess De speak for her? Could she be trying to curry favor with Jun Ruye?

Yet, the current Emperor, Sikong Ruxuan, was so young that palace intrigues couldn't flare up overnight.

What is her intention behind this move?

"Rules shape behavior. Princess Regent must understand my painstaking efforts," the Empress remarked sarcastically as her cold eyes fixed on the relaxed Feng Muqing.

"Your Majesty the Empress..."

"Are you trying to teach me how to manage things, Princess De?"

Just as Princess De was about to persuade, she was sharply interrupted by the Empress.

Princess De felt suffocated, unable to retort.

She was at odds with the Empress and wanted to use the Regent to gain an advantage, as well as to owe herself a favor. But after all, the Empress is the Empress.

It was not easy to go against the Empress's maternal family, and the Regent was unpredictable. Therefore, she could only offer some assistance.

Who knows if he would appreciate it?

"I just wanted to remind Your Majesty since she is the Princess Regent." Princess De snorted coldly, turning her head away and ignoring the Empress.

Everyone knows of the Regent's capabilities; even the Emperor fears him a bit. She wanted to see how the Empress would handle this situation.

"Guards! Drag her out!" The Empress coldly ordered.

So what if it was Princess Regent? She is the Empress, the mother of the nation, and her husband is the Emperor.

No matter how audacious the Regent might be, he can't surpass the authority of the Emperor.

Upon hearing the Empress's order, two guards immediately approached Feng Muqing.

However, Feng Muqing acted swiftly, and before the guards could react, they were already on the ground.

After seeing Feng Muqing's sudden move, all the imperial concubines in the hall were shocked and covered their mouths with their hands.

This Princess Regent is not someone to be underestimated; she even dared to take action in Fengyi Palace.

Of course, birds of a feather indeed flocked together.

"How audacious!" The Empress shouted angrily.

"Audacious? I can be even more audacious!"

Now she understood. The Empress seemed to have some issues with her, initially attempting to exert dominance and now finding an excuse to punish her.

She even disregarded the Jun Ruye behind her.

This was her first time meeting the Empress, so where did this animosity come from?

Could there be something between her and Jun Ruye?

After all, with his looks, he was quite attractive.

"Bind her for me, regardless of injuries!"

The furious Empress's command left everyone in the room bewildered. It was incomprehensible why she was so displeased with the Princess Regent today.

She wasn't one of the imperial concubines competing for favor in the harem.

And no one had heard of any past issues between the Princess and the Empress. What was the real cause of this hostility?

Today was truly a shock.

Upon hearing the order, more guards rushed in, all converging on Feng Muqing.

She tensed up, summoning her internal energy, and engaged in direct combat with the guards.

The hall had limited space, so Feng Muqing led the guards out of the hall.

In the open area, she could fully display her skills and assess whether her abilities had diminished.

After seeing Feng Muqing making her escape, the Empress promptly stood up and followed.

The guards engaging with Feng Muqing maintained a strict formation, creating a chaotic mix of colors that was dazzling to the eyes.

Feng Muqing looked serious.

Was this the essence?!

She sensed the essence flowing in the air, concentrated her thoughts, and skillfully evaded the attacks.

After the thrilling events of yesterday, she hadn't had the opportunity to fully explore the essence of this continent.

Feng Muqing used all her inner strength to fight.

While she used ancient martial arts to counter the essence and not be defeated, she still had poison in her body and hadn't fully recovered. As the battle wore on, Feng Muqing grew increasingly weary.

Upon seeing Feng Muqing at a disadvantage, the Empress was overjoyed, a hint of a smile showed on her solemn face.

Let's see how long she can hold on.

Bang!

Feng Muqing pushed her speed to the maximum, focusing all her attention on identifying an opening. When the opportunity presented itself, she struck with precision, defeating one of the guards.

What to do now?