Ji Xue was stunned, not expecting the Prime Minister of Wanhe Kingdom to be so forthright and righteous. But were they truly without ulterior motives?
On her delicate features, her calm and ordinary eyes hid a deep well of doubt. However, she could not refuse kindness at this moment and thanked him courteously.
"This King thanks Prime Minister, and also thanks for the goodwill of Fengyuan Kingdom and Yueyang Kingdom. If Emperor Xian truly does not hand over the murderer, this King will definitely report to Mother Emperor, and I believe Mother Emperor will not stand idly by."
"Good, you have spirit," the Prime Minister of Wanhe Kingdom said with a foxy smile, nodding.
Seeing that Prince Ji had taken his words to heart, he saw no need to elaborate further, lest he arouse suspicion. This Prince Ji was not a person without merit; one must act appropriately in all matters, otherwise, it would only be counterproductive.
"Prince Ji, you mustn't be too sad. Who would have thought that the Crown Princess would have suffered such a fate? You should mourn and take care of yourself."
"Thank you all," Ji Xue choked up again, appearing on the verge of collapse. She thanked the various envoys with a pitiable air. The group bid their farewells and withdrew. Ji Xue watched their receding backs, her dark eyes flashing with a light completely different from her expression.
The grand hall fell silent, with only Ji Xue's murmuring audible.
"Sister, your life is so bitter. You were harmed before you even became Empress. How can your sister bear this? And how heartbroken Mother Emperor must be..."
As soon as she finished speaking, her personal maidservant returned, walking in swiftly. She glanced around, then bent down and spoke carefully, "Your Highness, someone has sent a small note."
"Who sent it?"
Ji Xue's voice sharpened with caution, her expression darkening as she glanced at the maidservant. The maidservant shook her head, "This servant did not see. I was escorting the envoys of the three kingdoms out just now when suddenly a willow branch shot over, with a note wrapped around it."
After speaking, the maidservant took out the note and handed it to Ji Xue. Ji Xue quickly opened it and saw a few simple words written on it.
"Emperor Xian has a plan. Beware of those around you."
After reading it, Ji Xue placed the note into the brazier and burned it, her eyebrows raising in surprise.
Who was this person? Why were they helping her? And what did the note mean, saying Emperor Xian had a plan and she should beware of those around her? Those around her? Ji Xue's expression darkened as she looked up at her personal maidservant, Liu Hong.
Liu Hong had served her since childhood. It was impossible for her to betray her. Only Liu Hong knew her affairs. Who else knew about this?
Ji Xue pondered deeply and suddenly thought of two people: her sister's personal maids, Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao. Those two maids had served her sister since she grew up.
Although her sister was arrogant, she doted on those two maids. However, after the incident, she rarely saw those two maids. They seemed to have been staying in the chamber where her sister was killed. This was completely unreasonable. Did they know something?
Although Ji Xue could not be certain, she could not afford to make any mistakes. Otherwise, how could her long-held dream be realized?
"Liu Hong, come here."
Ji Xue, with a cold and stern expression, beckoned Liu Hong closer. When Liu Hong approached, Ji Xue whispered a few words, and surprise flashed across Liu Hong's face, followed by a fierce resolve. She bowed and accepted the order, "Yes, Your Highness. This servant will do her best."
"Go, be careful."
"Yes, Your Highness," Liu Hong retreated, and the grand hall once again fell into silence.
Ji Xue gazed at the dark coffin, scoffing inwardly, "Sister, it's only because you were born into the imperial family. If we were commoners, would I have been so heartless?"
Tomorrow was the deadline of three days. If the true culprit was not caught, Xian Yue Kingdom would have to hand over Prince Nan'an.
Everyone understood this. The entire Xian Yue Kingdom was in a state of anxiety, yet one person remained at ease, as if these matters had nothing to do with her. She ate well, slept well, and played with Mao Xueqiu when she had nothing else to do, seemingly forgetting about Hua Mei and Xiao Qiu who were confined to the punishment room.
In Fengluan Palace, Mo Chou looked at her mistress holding Mao Xueqiu with a smile, as if she had forgotten Prince Nan'an.
The Empress's capacity for holding grudges was truly formidable. Anyone who offended her would likely face dire consequences. It was rumored that Prince Nan'an had once slapped the Empress, almost killing her, which was why the Empress had allowed him to endure two nights of suffering in prison.
In the grand hall, Mu Qingyao reached out and stroked Mao Xueqiu's pure white fur, pinching its small nose, "Mao Xueqiu, am I good to you? Come on, do a somersault for your sister."
Unfortunately, Mao Xueqiu did not move at all, rolling its eyes. This woman treated it completely as a pet, even asking it to do somersaults. How childish! It was a clever little fox, capable of much more. It could taste a hundred poisons and neutralize a hundred poisons. Its blood was noble; just one drop would save a life.
It had been fed poison since childhood, only to now be reduced to a low-grade pet. How tragic, how tragic! Mao Xueqiu silently questioned the heavens, but alas, it was a fox and could not speak human language, only letting out two whimpering sounds, which displeased its mistress, changing her expression.
"Will you do it or not? If not, shall we have roasted fox tonight?"
See, it was being threatened again, but it actually fell for this. Mao Xueqiu reluctantly performed a somersault, then turned its rear towards its mistress. It was unhappy, but the boss was still not satisfied.
"So funny, come on, Mao Xueqiu, do another one for your sister, or else?"
*Wuwu*, I'll do it, won't I? Don't mention roasted fox again, my heart is truly cold. The pitiful little fox performed several somersaults until the eccentric mistress, satisfied, reached out to hold it, "Haha, Mao Xueqiu, you're amazing. Come, let sister hold you."
The Empress's joyful laughter echoed through the hall. Everyone looked over and sighed in their hearts. Poor little fox, how did you end up with such a mistress? Tortured half to death every day, truly pathetic.
"Your Highness?"
Mu Qingyao held Mao Xueqiu. The creature's breathing was heavy. Was it really that tiring? It seemed it needed more training. If Mao Xueqiu knew its mistress's thoughts, it would surely want to smash its head against a wall.
"What is it?" Mu Qingyao looked up at Mei Xin beside her. The little maidservant looked sympathetic. She raised her crescent eyebrows in surprise, "What is it, Mei Xin?"
"Um, Your Highness, it's time for lunch."
"Hmm, I am indeed hungry. Come, Mao Xueqiu, let's go eat," Mu Qingyao carried Mao Xueqiu towards the side hall. Mei Xin quickly and obediently said, "Your Highness must be tired. Let this servant hold Mao Xueqiu for you."
"Alright," Mu Qingyao casually tossed Mao Xueqiu into Mei Xin's arms, and both the person and the fox breathed a sigh of relief, finally escaping the clutches of the devil.
Side Hall.
After finishing her lunch, Mu Qingyao was listening to Yi Yun report on matters.
"Your Highness, the injuries of Hua Mei and Xiao Qiu have become rather serious. If they are not treated soon, I fear they will not survive."