The Grand Tutor's face turned ashen purple, his gaze fixed on Xiao Ye.
"Grand Tutor, we shall meet again another day. I'll be taking this back to my manor."
He casually picked up the Grand Tutor's decorative tea set and, with his attendant Xiao Si, prepared to leave.
Upon seeing Xiao Ye with his tea set, the Grand Tutor's face became anxious, "This tea set is made of bronze, you cannot take it..."
Xiao Ye paid him no mind. He leisurely exited the Grand Tutor's manor.
As he boarded his carriage, he mused, a smile curling his lips, "Let us pay a visit to the Marquis of Lin'an next."
Both the Grand Tutor and the Marquis of Lin'an suffered misfortune, and those ministers who had slandered Xiao Ye behind his back.
Upon learning of Xiao Ye's wicked deeds, they fell utterly silent, as if turned into chickens.
Indeed, when they saw Xiao Ye, they would quickly scurry away from him.
Xiao Ye once entered the imperial palace and saw Mu Qinglan watering flowers.
When the Empress watered her flowers, she lacked her usual sharpness.
"It seems Her Majesty the Empress greatly favors the gifts from your humble subject."
Mu Qinglan heard the voice from behind her, her expression shifting slightly.
"Prime Minister Xiao has come specially to please me, how could I not accept?"
Mu Qinglan's voice carried no discernible emotion. She understood just how cunning Xiao Ye was.
She dared not openly display her malice on her face.
Xiao Ye saw the forbearance in Mu Qinglan's eyes. Dressed in blue, he strolled closer, "Her Majesty the Empress, the hunting day is just two days away. Your humble subject has already prepared horses, awaiting your leisure to try them out."
Upon hearing the word "hunting," Mu Qinglan's thoughts became more active.
Her gaze met Xiao Ye's levelly, each harboring their own intentions.
The Empress paused in her watering, lost in thought.
She sighed, "To hunt alongside Prime Minister Xiao and the other esteemed officials truly fills me with anticipation."
Xiao Ye chuckled, a hidden glint in his eyes, "Your humble subject is also greatly anticipating it."
One was an emperor, the other a treacherous official.
At that moment, their gazes met, and Mu Qinglan's heart stirred slightly.
It began to beat faster, growing steadily stronger.
If Xiao Ye were not her enemy, the Empress might have greatly admired him.
For a true opponent was the greatest joy of an emperor.
On the day of the hunt.
The common folk of the dynasty were required to adhere to the rules, and no life was to be taken on the day of the imperial hunt.
The Marquis of Lin'an rode a fine steed, a bow and arrows slung across his back.
His posture was exceptionally upright, drawing endless compliments from the ministers.
"Today, I shall compete with Her Majesty the Empress to see who hunts more animals."
At this time, Mu Qinglan had not yet appeared, but the Marquis of Lin'an was already smiling and vying for attention.
Within the royal hunting grounds, countless animals – tigers, rabbits, lions, and more – had been released.
This triennial spring hunt.
It was a pleasure for the imperial family and a gathering with the esteemed ministers.
There were also many younger ministers, a dozen youths dressed in fine silk and riding spirited horses!
They had followed their fathers, eager to catch a glimpse of the Empress.
Then, the sound of another horse approached, its hooves galloping forward.
The ministers nearly choked on dust, their astonished eyes turning towards the man on the horse.
It was the smiling Prime Minister Xiao, clad in black, handsome and dashing.
His eyes met those of the Marquis of Lin'an. Xiao Ye greeted him with a smile.
The Marquis of Lin'an, however, was uncooperative. He let out a cold snort and turned his head away.
Xiao Ye paid him no mind and saw other ministers mounting their steeds as well.
They held their heavy bows and arrows, a hint of excitement flickering in their eyes.
The Grand Tutor, being advanced in years, could not ride a horse.
He could only entrust the task to his son. The Grand Tutor sternly and rigidly instructed, "Compete well this hunt, and bring back many trophies."
The Grand Tutor's son chuckled, "Father, rest assured. You know my archery skills."
"Indeed. My son, remember to avoid Her Majesty the Empress."
The Grand Tutor knew what was to transpire during the hunt today. He had sent his son to participate solely to gain favor in Mu Qinglan's eyes.
The sun blazed high in the sky.
The ministers remained at the hunting grounds, not daring to set off until Mu Qinglan arrived.
"Esteemed ministers, you have waited long."
A clear, cold, and commanding voice arrived. It was the Empress, riding a divine steed!
The Empress's face, as beautiful as snow, combined with her sharp and heroic brows, commanded absolute respect.
Many of the ministers' sons and daughters were meeting the Empress for the first time.
They could not suppress their excitement, introducing themselves in the direction of Mu Qinglan.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. This humble subject is the Grand Tutor's son, Liu Ao!"
"Your Majesty the Empress, this humble subject is the daughter of Situ the Commander..."
"Your Majesty..."
Mu Qinglan frowned. She had no interest in these extraneous individuals.
Her gaze fell upon Xiao Ye. Seeing him, she curved her lips and said softly, "Your Majesty the Empress, this hunt, you will surely return with a great haul."
Yes, she also wished to return with a great haul.
Mu Qinglan smiled as she stared at Xiao Ye, "Your words are fortunate, Prime Minister Xiao."
Beside her, palace attendants held the heavy, royal-crafted bows and arrows and presented them to Mu Qinglan.
Mu Qinglan, with effortless grace, took the divine bow into her hand with just one hand.
The Grand Tutor's voice rang out, "Your Majesty the Empress, the hunt may commence."
As soon as he spoke, the Grand Tutor gave the Empress a meaningful look.
Her eyes flickered with icy coldness, suppressing the surge of excitement in her heart.
For this hunt today was a prime opportunity for assassination.
If Xiao Ye were to die on this royal hunting ground, Mu Qinglan could then claim... Prime Minister Xiao was attacked by assassins.
The forces associated with Xiao Ye's lineage would also crumble like a broken tree after his death!
A deep gaze fixed upon Mu Qinglan. She raised her head and saw Xiao Ye's face.
Mu Qinglan concealed the killing intent in her eyes and said, "Prime Minister Xiao, why are you staring at me?"
Xiao Ye's gaze shifted from Mu Qinglan to her horse.
He smiled, "Your Majesty's steed seems a little... unusual..."
Unusual in what way?!
Mu Qinglan felt the horse beneath her suddenly tremble in its forelegs.
She suddenly remembered that the horses for this royal hunt were all prepared by Xiao Ye himself!
"Neigh!"
The divine steed beneath Mu Qinglan suddenly threw a fit, its body uncontrollable and losing all control.
Her figure rapidly sped into the depths.
Due to the steed's loss of control, no matter how Mu Qinglan pulled on the reins, it was useless.
Her voice was a sharp, hurried command.
"Stop for me."
The divine steed was disobedient, only running faster.
Mu Qinglan felt a sense of discomfort, and she was dangerously close to being thrown off.
Just then, a hand grabbed the reins of Mu Qinglan's horse!
She turned her head and saw Xiao Ye by her side. The man's face wore a sincere invitation, "Your Majesty the Empress, your horse is startled. Would you not share a steed with your humble subject?"
Mu Qinglan stiffened. This assassination plan was perfect. If she were to ride with him...
"Your Majesty the Empress, your humble subject is about to lose my grip."
He appeared to be struggling.
As Xiao Ye was about to release the reins, Mu Qinglan had no choice but to leap onto his steed!