With a snap, a slap landed on Qingmei's face.
Qingmei's face immediately bore five clear finger marks.
"You, how dare you!"
Chu Qianli pointed at her, her fingertips trembling slightly. "Do you think I wouldn't know about your actions outside?"
"Your Majesty, spare me!" This time, Qingmei truly knew she was wrong.
She was a person of the martial world and had not previously understood the connections and information networks of the court.
But now, she had some understanding.
The Empress was not limited to using only her and Hong Chou.
She had dared to deceive and mislead because she thought Her Majesty, as the Empress of the Dragon Ascending Kingdom, had just arrived in Northern Underworld and would not have many useful people yet.
"Your Majesty, your subordinate truly knows her mistake. Your subordinate was merely greedy for a moment, and will never dare to do so again. I beg Your Majesty for leniency!"
"Your Majesty." Hong Chou stepped forward and said, "Qingmei indeed made a mistake out of momentary greed, but I implore Your Majesty to spare her this once, considering it is her first offense."
"This time, let Qingmei personally lead the men to assassinate. Qingmei excels at using poison, capable of killing without a trace. I beg Your Majesty to grant permission for her to redeem herself through merit!"
Chu Qianli looked at Hong Chou.
Qingmei's intelligence was inferior to Hong Chou's, so naturally, she could not discern the deepest meaning behind Hong Chou's words.
However, Chu Qianli could.
So, Qingmei was skilled in using poison, capable of killing without a trace.
Was this a warning to her?
Chu Qianli smiled without warmth. "Very well, I shall give her a chance. This time, no more mistakes are allowed!"
Qingmei accepted the order and quickly retreated.
Only Chu Qianli and Hong Chou remained in the room. Chu Qianli sneered, "Are you threatening me?"
"I dare not." Hong Chou was also helpless. Now that she knew Chu Qianli's secret, she was, in fact, walking on a razor's edge herself.
Qingmei had been with her for many years, and their bond was deep. She absolutely would not allow anything to happen to Qingmei.
Now, she could only continue to tread on dangerous ground and engage in a back-and-forth with Chu Qianli.
After all, they were both pursuing their own interests.
"My sister and I only seek wealth and status, Your Majesty knows this. If Your Majesty treats us well, we will naturally be loyal. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, no one would refuse wealth."
Hearing this, Chu Qianli's anger gradually subsided.
She then picked up her cup, intending to drink tea.
But the thought of Hong Chou's words, "Qingmei excels at using poison, capable of killing without a trace," came to mind.
The urge to drink tea vanished.
However, she was currently in need of people, and Qingmei and Hong Chou still held significant value for her at the moment.
They were merely pursuing their own interests.
"Forget it, this is not a major issue. I shall not hold it against her for now, but..."
Chu Qianli looked at Hong Chou, her eyes darkening. "You should know that my patience is limited. Do not push me!"
"I dare not!" Hong Chou quickly lowered her head and said sincerely, "Your subordinate guarantees that this is Qingmei's last mistake!"
Chu Qianli said nothing further. Hong Chou immediately changed the subject. "Your Majesty, it seems the 'Medicinal Soldiers' Legion might not truly belong to Prince He."
Chu Qianli remained silent.
Hong Chou continued, "If they were not trained by Prince He, then within this court, there are only two other individuals."
"You mean Prince Yu and Prince Nan?"
"Precisely."
Although Hong Chou was not part of the court, after learning of this matter, she immediately conducted discreet investigations and quickly uncovered the entire sequence of events.
This was why, even though she knew Chu Qianli's secret, Chu Qianli was still reluctant to eliminate her immediately.
Hong Chou said, "Your Majesty, why don't we start with Prince Nan, who appears to be the least likely suspect?"