Mu Qingyao called herself "this consort" repeatedly, making herself feel nauseous and almost throwing up, though her expression remained as indifferent as ice.
The Emperor Xian, standing beside her, immediately understood her intention. Qingyao must want to re-examine the scene of the crime, which was good. Perhaps she could find some clues.
"Very well, it is granted."
Upon hearing this, Princess Ji Xue's expression flickered. Her dark eyes were profound, and the corners of her mouth twitched a few times. She quickly interjected to stop it: "Her Majesty the Empress is of noble lineage and should absolutely not enter that chamber. Ji Xue thanks Her Majesty the Empress on behalf of her sister."
However, Emperor Xian paid her no mind. He only wanted to find concrete evidence to prove that Prince Nan had not murdered the Crown Princess. Otherwise, not only would Prince Nan be handed over, but war would also break out between the two countries, which would benefit the other five nations. He would never allow such a thing to happen.
"Prince Beijin, you will immediately accompany the Empress to pay respects to the soul of the deceased Crown Princess, to comfort her spirit in the heavens."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Prince Beijin politely accepted the order, a gentle smile gracing his lips. His clear pupils looked at Mu Qingyao, and he bowed his head, saying, "Her Majesty the Empress, please."
"Prince Beijin, please."
Prince Beijin, Mu Rong Liu Mo, led the way, guiding Mu Qingyao, Mo Chou, and Mei Xin towards the chamber of the deceased Crown Princess, the primary crime scene.
Mu Rong Liu Zun followed closely behind, exiting the main hall. The vast hall was deathly silent. Princess Ji Xue's face was extremely displeased. She cast a chilling glance at the black coffin placed in the center of the hall, thinking to herself with a sigh, what had that woman discovered, or what was she trying to find? She had to be even more cautious.
In the long corridor, Prince Beijin elegantly led the way, with Mu Qingyao following closely behind him towards the Crown Princess's chamber. Carved beams and painted pillars were adorned with lifelike, soaring butterflies. Beyond the railings, various types of plantain were planted. In the distance lay a garden with vibrant, colorful flowers, but now the blossoms had all fallen, and their last trace of glory was slowly fading, leaving a desolate scene.
Mu Qingyao withdrew her gaze and calmly looked at the tall, slender figure ahead. The figure appeared frail, with a white robe fluttering loosely, unable to even cover his thin body. Mu Qingyao's icy heart softened slightly. She now knew that the attacker from that night was not Prince Beijin at all, so she had no reason to hold such animosity towards him.
"Prince Beijin, you have worked hard."
Her clear voice rang out. The figure ahead paused for a moment, then slowly spoke, "This is my duty. It is my honor to serve the nation."
At this moment, Mu Qingyao believed his words. Prince Beijin had no reason to kill the Crown Princess, leading to war between the two countries and benefiting others. He was by no means a foolish or incompetent person; on the contrary, he was very astute, deeply concealed, and his strategic thinking was probably not much inferior to the current Emperor. After eliminating Prince Nan and Prince Beijin, the most likely culprits to have harmed the Crown Princess were the envoys from the six kingdoms and Princess Ji Xue. Mu Qingyao's eyebrows rose. The scope was narrowing, making it easier to investigate than before. She refused to believe the killer had left no trace.
The group walked through the long corridor, took a turn, and arrived at the main house where the Crown Princess lived and slept. Several palace maids stood outside the main door, waiting cautiously. Seeing the group approach, the maids called out in fear, "Prince Beijin."
Prince Beijin nodded, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and said warmly, "This is Her Majesty the Empress, who wishes to pay respects to the soul of the deceased Crown Princess."
"Greetings, Her Majesty the Empress." Although these palace maids were from the court of the Xian Yue Kingdom, those from other palaces could never serve in the imperial palace. Therefore, these maids did not know that the beautiful and cold woman before them was the newly married Empress. They nervously knelt to pay their respects.
Mu Qingyao waved her hand and said coldly, "Rise. This empress wishes to pay respects to the soul of the deceased Crown Princess."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress." The maids quickly rose. One stepped forward and lifted the beaded curtain. The room on the far east was the Crown Princess's chamber. The chamber was resplendent with glazed screens and ornate palace lanterns hanging from the four corners, exuding an extraordinary luxury.
Inside the chamber stood two palace maids dressed in unusual attire. Mu Qingyao recognized these two maids; they were the personal maids of the Crown Princess. Their eyes were red, and they stood despondently by the bed. Hearing footsteps, they suddenly exclaimed with surprise, "Your Royal Highness the Crown Princess, you've returned?"
Their surprised faces froze when they met Mu Qingyao's cold, peerlessly beautiful face. They then bit their lips and slowly knelt, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
Mu Qingyao looked at the sorrowful expressions of the two maids, thinking them to be genuinely heartfelt. She slowly reached out to help them up, "Rise. Why are you here instead of accompanying Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess in the main hall?"
"Your servant and her sister had wished to accompany the Crown Princess in departure. However, the true culprit has not been brought to justice. We are unwilling to accept this. We implore Your Majesty the Empress to uphold justice for us." The two maids burst into tears. Although the Crown Princess and Her Majesty the Empress had confronted each other yesterday, causing the Crown Princess to lose her dignity, they instinctively believed in the woman before them. Her eyes held a clear and translucent brilliance.
"The killer shall pay with their life. This empress knows this. Rest assured, the Emperor of the Xian Yue Kingdom will give the Crown Princess an explanation. Now, this empress wishes to pay respects to Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess. You all may withdraw and leave this empress to be alone for a while."
"Your Majesty!" Mei Xin exclaimed, shocked that her mistress wished to remain alone. The Crown Princess had just died in this chamber, and she felt a chilling breeze, as if unseen eyes were peeking at them from the shadows, sending shivers down her spine. Did her mistress not feel it?
Mo Chou, however, was unfazed. Knowing her mistress's intention to find any clues, she bowed respectfully and obeyed, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The two maids were at a loss. Mo Chou led them out. As they reached the doorway, she glanced at Prince Beijin and said calmly, "Prince Beijin, please. Her Majesty wishes to remain alone."
"Yes, this prince takes his leave." The group withdrew from the chamber and waited outside the door.
The warm sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, illuminating the chamber. The beaded curtains swayed gently. On the ice-blue gauze canopy, golden coins glittered with dazzling light. In the chamber, the matching cabinets were covered with a luxurious golden sheen. The scenery remained the same, but the beloved was gone, her fragrance vanished. Who could have done this? Mu Qingyao thought of the woman she had seen the previous night – proud, flamboyant, and reckless in all matters. Although she had provoked her, she likely had no other enemies in the Xian Yue Kingdom. Then who could have so cruelly killed her?