"Yue Beiyang?" The Queen's face clearly showed surprise. Chu Ming followed Yue Beiyang and appeared before the Queen.
The Queen's hand tightened unnaturally. Her fingernail, painted with vermillion, pierced Qin Jiujiu's delicate white neck, quickly drawing a short scratch.
Yue Beiyang's gaze flickered over Qin Jiujiu. Though brief, he still clearly saw the scratch on her neck.
A sinister light flashed in his eyes, and his displeasure was evident.
The Queen seemed oblivious. In her eyes, Yue Beiyang was incapable of achieving anything. He had always been a tool for her to vent her anger. The only reason she kept him by her side was to have him do her bidding.
Now that the King was dead, Yue Beiyang had become a discarded pawn.
The Queen had not yet fallen out with Yue Beiyang, so her tone was still somewhat pleasant. "What are you doing here?"
As if thinking of something, the Queen's gaze fell back on Qin Jiujiu. Naturally, she also saw the scratch on Qin Jiujiu's neck. Qin Jiujiu's skin was already fair, and now the scratch on her neck made it even more prominent.
Her eyes darkened. She had heard many interesting rumors lately. She wondered if Yue Beiyang's affection for Xing Ru was just an act for Xing Zhan, or if it had truly developed into something real.
The Queen's hand tightened, her fingernails digging into the scratch on Qin Jiujiu's neck. A sharp, piercing pain shot through, and the Queen's gaze fell on Yue Beiyang's face.
Yue Beiyang remained expressionless, his eyes fixed on Qin Jiujiu's face. She seemed to be in extreme pain, her eyes red, tears welling up.
Blood flowed from the wound on her neck. Yue Beiyang's eyes turned scarlet. His hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, clenched into a fist. The wave of pain in his heart made his mind exceptionally clear at this moment.
Chu Ming naturally noticed Yue Beiyang's abnormality. His expression remained unchanged, and his gaze also fell on Xing Ru.
He had initially thought Yue Nansang was the only one who needed to die. Now, it seemed these two also affected Yue Beiyang's emotions. Neither of them needed to live.
Chu Ming looked at the Queen, his eyes filled with deep hatred. It was because of this woman that his brother had died a tragic death here!
He gritted his teeth, but his face betrayed nothing.
"Queen, you must have seen that Xing Zhan disregards Xing Ru's life and is about to break in. This national advisor knows a secret passage. If Your Majesty is willing, I can lead you out through it..."
The Queen frowned and was about to refuse when she heard the shouts from below growing louder. The guards' hands trembled as they gripped their swords. With no other choice, she gritted her teeth and said, "Then I'll trouble the National Advisor... If I can return to the Moon King's Palace in the future, I will reward the National Advisor handsomely!"
At this moment, she still had no idea that this was all a trap set by the man before her.
Chu Ming chuckled inwardly. As long as she left with him, she would likely never have the chance to return to the Moon King's Palace again...
Yue Beiyang did not speak. Chu Ming continued, "Xing Ru is Xing Zhan's daughter. Since she is no longer useful, a discarded pawn can be killed!"
The Queen naturally felt this made sense. Yue Beiyang's cold eyes flashed, and he quickly said, "It would be a pity to kill her. Why not keep her alive for now? Perhaps she can be of use later!"
Hesitation flickered across the Queen's features. Chu Ming's gaze fell on Yue Beiyang, his eyes clearly filled with admonishment.
"What about Sang Sang!"
She still had a mission to complete. Only then could the four of them leave this illusion!
Yue Nansang was the key to breaking the illusion. Xing Ru could only be at peace if she saw her!
"Sang Sang is naturally under the personal protection of my people!"
At this moment, the Queen suddenly thought of something and looked at the guards around her. "Where are the others? Quickly send them a message to bring Sang Sang. I will take her with me!"
The guards exchanged glances. One of them took out a whistle from his sleeve and blew a few times. Looking towards the Lan Palace of the Moon King's Palace from the city wall, there was no movement at all!
Yue Beiyang looked anxious. Not long ago, he had found Yue Nansang and learned of Xing Ru's difficult situation. He had rushed to find her without regard for anything else, neglecting Yue Nansang.
He had initially thought she would be safe with the Queen's people, but now it seemed something had happened to the Queen's people!
"Your Majesty, our men have lost contact. It is likely..." The guard paused when he noticed the Queen's stern gaze, then continued, "...that the Princess may have met with misfortune..."
A smile flashed across Chu Ming's face. If Yue Nansang died, it would be exactly what he wanted, saving him the trouble of killing her!
Chu Ming quickly said, "Xing Zhan's men are coming. Has Your Majesty decided?"
These words were clearly forcing the Queen to make a quick decision. After a moment of hesitation, the Queen hardened her heart and said, "Let's go!"
Qin Jiujiu was escorted by guards, walking at the very end of the group. Led by Chu Ming, they passed through a series of dark passages, but instead of emerging from a secret tunnel, they entered a secret chamber.
The Queen naturally felt something was strange and stopped. "National Advisor, where is this place?"
Chu Ming suddenly burst into laughter, a terrifying sound that made Qin Jiujiu's skin crawl. She heard Chu Ming reply, "Doesn't Your Majesty find this place familiar?"
The Queen's face turned ashen with shock. She looked around, and many fragments suddenly flashed through her mind. This place was so similar to where she had harmed Concubine Rou years ago.
It was in a secret chamber identical to this one that she had personally ordered Concubine Rou to be whipped. This secret chamber was clearly the same as the one in her palace.
That day, Concubine Rou had been brought here and subjected to whipping. After that, it was also here that she had ordered more than a dozen men to ravage Concubine Rou...
That wasn't all. Afterwards, still feeling unappeased, she had summoned several notorious eunuchs from the Moon Palace to this place...
After that, Concubine Rou went mad.
She was sometimes lucid, sometimes delirious. Not only was she afraid of men, but she couldn't even recognize her own son. She was then sent to the Dark Realm by the King.
It was rumored that she had died of illness there.
Seven years after Yue Beiyang became an orphan, Chu Ming took him in.
The Queen thought of this and her gaze flickered between Chu Ming and Yue Beiyang. She took a step back, appearing extremely fearful. These two men, if looked at closely, bore a slight resemblance.
"Your Majesty must surely remember. Just a few days ago, this prince was also whipped by you in this very place!"
Qin Jiujiu suddenly realized why Yue Beiyang had injuries a few days ago, and that it was after he had visited the Queen's palace!
The Queen's expression suddenly became peculiar, and a strange smile appeared on her face.
"What is the relationship between you two?" This question was directed at Chu Ming and Yue Beiyang.
Yue Beiyang remained expressionless, but a strange smile also appeared on Chu Ming's face.
"Does Your Majesty remember Chu Yu?"