Then, her body sagged completely, slipping from Yueyao's grip. The sudden loss of weight threw Yueyao off balance. In that split second of weakness, her desperate eyes flickered around wildly before landing on Shen Xuan, who was frozen in shock beside Bai Zhi.
Before anyone could react, she lunged forward, grabbing her son by the wrist and yanking him roughly against her chest. She wrapped her trembling arm around his small neck, pressing the blood-stained knife against his delicate skin.
The entire hall erupted into chaos.
"Madam Shen, no!" the guards shouted, taking a step forward but freezing immediately as she pressed the blade tighter.
Shen Xuan screamed in terror, his small hands clawing at her wrist as tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Mommy! Mommy, don't! Please! Don't hurt me!"
Shen Xiao's heart twisted painfully in his chest as he saw his son's terrified face. His obsidian eyes darkened with fury and anguish as he raised a hand, signaling the guards to remain still.
