The war between the two countries was imminent. If it truly broke out, both sides would likely suffer heavy losses, making it easy for other countries to join forces and annihilate Danfeng and Xian Yue.
“Don’t worry, the Emperor surely has a plan and won’t stand idly by.”
Hearing Xing Zhu’s cries, Mu Qingyao shot her a displeased glance, feeling annoyed.
Xing Zhu immediately fell silent, daring not to cry loudly. Yet, feeling wronged, she held back her tears with all her might, her delicate face flushing red, her eyes also red. She looked piteously at her imperial sister-in-law.
Mu Qingyao sighed. This girl was like a little white rabbit; anyone seeing her would surely think her imperial sister-in-law was bullying her again.
“Don’t overthink it. The Emperor is brilliant and resourceful, he must have a strategy. As long as the real culprit is found and handed over, Xian Yue will be cleared. Since someone made a move, there must be clues. Don’t worry.”
It was rare for the usually carefree Mu Rong Xing Zhu to worry about the nation. Just as Mu Qingyao finished her thought, she heard Xing Zhu’s tearful voice ring out again.
“But there’s a witness who claims to have seen the Third Prince leaving the Imperial Crown Princess’s chambers at the丑时. That’s why the Third Prince has been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. Imperial Sister-in-law, you must save the Third Prince! He would never kill anyone; someone must have framed him. He would never do anything to betray the Emperor!”
“Prince Nan’an?” Mu Qingyao murmured, her face chilling.
Was this karma? That man had targeted her just last night, and now he was involved in such a major murder case. It seemed heaven truly had eyes. Since that man was arrested, what did it have to do with her? He deserved it.
Mu Qingyao leaned back, about to lie down on the bed. Princess Mu Rong Xing Zhu was surprised by her imperial sister-in-law’s action. She had been somewhat concerned earlier, but seeing her sister-in-law’s move now, she knew the Third Prince had offended her. She quickly reached out and grabbed her, preventing her from lying down.
“Imperial Sister-in-law, Xing Zhu begs you, please help the Third Prince! Although he has hit you and been your adversary, the Third Prince is a good person. Despite being a prince, he never bullies the weak, nor does he target the Emperor. Imperial Sister-in-law, please help the Third Prince; he must be very upset right now.”
As Mu Rong Xing Zhu spoke, she began to cry profusely again, her tears flowing like the waters of the Liu River. Her entire small face was soaked and pale, looking unsightly, her eyes bloodshot, making her appear extremely pitiable.
Mu Qingyao looked helpless. She glanced at Mo Chou and Mei Xin, who were standing by the bed in the chambers. She helplessly extended her hand, truly unable to refuse this girl. It was unexpected that the Prince Nan’an, who usually treated women as mere clothing, would be so fond of this imperial sister; otherwise, Xing Zhu wouldn’t be so heartbroken.
Mei Xin quickly handed over a handkerchief. Mu Qingyao took it, wiped Xing Zhu’s face, and sighed faintly.
“Alright, stop crying. I’ll think of a way for you. I really can’t stand you.”
“Thank you, Imperial Sister-in-law, thank you! I know you’ll find a way,” Mu Rong Xing Zhu immediately took the handkerchief to wipe her tears upon hearing Mu Qingyao’s concession, speaking repeatedly.
As soon as she learned of the matter this morning, she had panicked. Such a major incident had occurred. Firstly, she felt for her imperial brother, and secondly, she felt for the Third Prince. Both of them doted on her. If the Third Prince met with misfortune, her imperial brother would also be saddened.
However, she couldn’t find anyone to help. The first person that came to her mind was her imperial sister-in-law, which was why she had rushed to find her.
Intuitively, she knew her imperial sister-in-law would help her. Although she appeared aloof, she saw what others didn’t: that her imperial sister-in-law was actually a benevolent person.
Mu Qingyao saw the girl rubbing her eyes until they were even redder. She reached out and stroked her head. This was indeed a thorny issue. Now that there was a witness, retracting testimony wasn’t easy. Moreover, was he truly innocent? And this incident occurred in a secondary palace of Xian Yue. If it couldn’t be explained clearly, it was likely that Xian Yue and Danfeng would go to war, which would be troublesome.
“Mei Xin, help me up.”
“Yes, Your Ladyship.”
Mei Xin and Mo Chou stepped forward on either side, assisting their mistress.
“Your Ladyship, Yi Yun has been waiting outside the palace since early morning. Would you like to hear her report while having your meal?”
Mo Chou softly inquired. This was something His Ladyship had instructed Yi Yun to do yesterday. The girl had not slept all night and was still waiting outside the chambers. Mu Qingyao withdrew her gaze from the bronze mirror and nodded, “Alright, have her report when we have breakfast.”
“Yes, Your Ladyship.”
Mo Chou took her leave and retreated to the side. Princess Mu Rong Xing Zhu, who had been standing behind Mu Qingyao, watched her imperial sister-in-law’s unhurried demeanor with a heart full of anxiety, yet she dared not urge her. Upon hearing that her imperial sister-in-law was going to consult with someone else, she finally couldn’t help but let out a mournful cry.
“Imperial Sister-in-law, the Third Prince is still in prison!”
“So what? He won’t die from being imprisoned for a short while. Would the Ministry of Justice dare to touch your Third Prince without your imperial brother’s decree? How much suffering can he endure in such a short time?”
Mu Qingyao spoke as she walked out. Mu Rong Xing Zhu stared at the disappearing figure, her mouth agape. She deeply understood one thing: the woman before her was very vengeful. Therefore, her imperial brother, you must never provoke her, lest you face dire consequences…
Seeing the figure ahead disappear, Mu Rong Xing Zhu quickly chased after her.
A side hall of Fengluan Palace.
It was quiet and somber. This was where Mu Qingyao usually dined and handled miscellaneous affairs. Currently, a person was kneeling in the center of the spacious side hall—the palace maid Yi Yun.
Mei Xin and Mo Chou stood behind Mu Qingyao, attending to her as she had breakfast. Princess Mu Rong Xing Zhu sat opposite Mu Qingyao with a dejected expression, staring fixedly at her imperial sister-in-law.
Mu Qingyao seemed to ignore her gaze and said lightly, “Xing Zhu, you’ve become so thin. Have something to eat.”
“I can’t eat,” the girl replied, lowering her head slightly, on the verge of tears again.
Mu Qingyao quickly raised her hand, “Never mind, I didn’t ask. Don’t cry anymore. Your eyes are as red as a rabbit’s. I surrender. After I handle this matter, I’ll go and see, alright?”
Mu Rong Xing Zhu finally nodded in satisfaction, saying no more, and turned her gaze towards the center of the hall.
While having breakfast, Mu Qingyao asked Yi Yun, who was kneeling, “Last night, you investigated who left Fengluan Palace. Who was it?”
Yi Yun trembled, her face somewhat pale, her eyes flickered towards the entrance of the side hall as if someone were watching from there. Then, she nodded cautiously:
“Yes, this servant has investigated. Only two people left. This servant has confirmed one; she has no suspicion. She had diarrhea yesterday and went to relieve herself. The other is named Xiao Qiu. This servant did not dare to question her. She is a senior palace maid under the Lady Official of Fengluan Palace, Hua Mei Gu Gu. Most of the palace’s affairs are usually handled by her. Therefore, this servant does not know where she went yesterday.”