The Empress returned to the Xiangyun Palace with Princess Xinyao.
After dismissing all the servants, the Empress looked at Xinyao and asked, "Yao'er, did you really throw away that box of rouge?"
Xinyao snorted, "Mother, this Princess isn't that foolish. How could I possibly discard such crucial evidence? I merely… hid it."
"Hid it?" The Empress frowned slightly.
Xinyao's eyes were filled with hatred, "On one hand, Minister Han and Minister Wei would naturally not dare to release that family privately. On the other hand, without evidence, the case cannot be quickly judged. This Princess wants that family to enjoy a few more days in prison. I heard there are quite a few rats and fleas in there."
The Empress chuckled, "You little rascal, you're truly mischievous. In that case, you hide that box of rouge well, this Empress has a great use for it."
"Mother, what other great use is there?" Xinyao leaned closer to the Empress, full of curiosity.
The Empress didn't answer directly but instead asked gently, "Was that rouge truly given to you by Miss Zhou and Miss Dong?"
"Yes, they used that family's rouge and cosmetics and found them to be very good. They specifically recommended them to this Princess when they came to the palace. Who knew they would ruin this Princess's face? Hmph, Zhou Yanran and Dong Xuerou, to actually recommend such inferior goods to this Princess! This Princess will settle accounts with them later!"
The Empress's gaze deepened, and she smiled, "Yao'er, what is your relationship with Miss Zhou and Miss Dong?"
A hint of disdain appeared on Xinyao's face, "Not very good. Those noble ladies are all pretentious, and they dare to put on airs in front of this Princess! This Princess doesn't take them seriously at all!"
The Empress smiled, "Yao'er, invite Miss Zhou and Miss Dong to the palace this afternoon. This Empress has something to discuss with them."
Xinyao was confused and wiggled her body, saying, "Mother, why are you seeing them? If they hadn't recommended that darn rouge to this Princess, this Princess's face wouldn't have been ruined!"
The Empress patiently persuaded, "Yao'er, remember what Mother has told you. Everything now must prioritize your brother's future. Only when your brother ascends to that position can you enjoy endless favor. Look at the Eldest Princess; the Emperor dotes on her so much that whoever she wishes to die, must die. Don't you want to possess such honor and favor?"
A strong sense of jealousy surged in Xinyao's heart. If the Eldest Princess hadn't already married and had children, she would never let her have an easy time. She had taken away all of Father Emperor's affection. That affection should have been hers; she was the Empress's daughter, and Father Emperor should have doted on her the most!
The Empress hugged her and gently comforted her, "Yao'er, as long as your brother ascends to that position, the empire of Great Xia will also be yours. You can do whatever you wish. Therefore, my good daughter, a small impatience can ruin a great plan. Those who achieve great things are not bound by trivialities. Listen to Mother's words and invite Zhou Yanran and Dong Xuerou into the palace this afternoon."
Xinyao pouted, "Alright, for Mother and Brother, this Princess will endure it for now. When Brother ascends to that position, this Princess will have everyone who disrespected this Princess beheaded!"
The conversation between the Empress and Princess Xinyao was overheard by several mice.
Two of the mice scurried rapidly towards the Dali Temple prison to report the situation to Lu Ye. The other two continued to monitor the Empress.
In the prison, Bai Sheng and the other four sat in a corner, secretly eating. Madam had used her bone-shrinking technique to slip out and steal a considerable amount of food and water.
Two mice squeaked and ran towards Lu Ye. Lu Yin and Ding Xiang screamed in fright, "Ah, rats! There are rats!"
Lu Hua immediately stepped forward and covered their mouths, whispering, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. These two mice were specially trained by my elder brother to pass messages."
So they were trained by Elder Brother, and only then did Lu Yin and Ding Xiang relax. The two mice were not afraid of people at all. They tucked up their front legs, stood upright, and squeaked at Elder Brother. Lu Yin and Ding Xiang stared, dumbfounded. Elder Brother and Madam were truly amazing, able to shrink bones and train mice. No wonder they had been so calm for the past two days in prison, not looking like prisoners at all.
Lu Yin and Ding Xiang instantly relaxed. At this moment, they no longer worried about being beheaded. With Elder Brother and Madam around, being in prison was just like a very special outing.
After the mice finished communicating with Lu Ye, Bai Sheng fed them some spirit spring water and sprinkled some spatial corn on the ground for them to eat. Once they were full and had drunk their fill, the two mice returned the way they came. Before leaving, Lu Ye patted their backs and warned them to be careful, as rats were a popular source of meat in prison, more filling than fleas and lice.
Lu Ye quietly relayed the news brought by the mice to Bai Sheng. Just as they were whispering, a jailer suddenly approached and beckoned to Lu Ye, "You, come here!"
Lu Ye and Bai Sheng exchanged a look and walked over. The jailer opened the cell door and said to him, "Follow me, someone wants to see you."
"Who wants to see me?" Lu Ye stood his ground, asking with confusion.
The jailer seemed impatient, "Why are you asking? You'll know when you go!"
Bai Sheng immediately stepped forward, "It's not time for an interrogation. Who wants to see my husband? Officer, you should at least explain the situation."
Hearing this, the jailer suddenly raised the whip in his hand and lashed out at Bai Sheng, "Ignorant slut! How dare you speak to this lord like this!"
Lu Ye grabbed the whip, his eyes sharp as blades, staring at the jailer, "If you dare to harm a single hair on her, I will break your neck."
The jailer flinched back unconsciously at Lu Ye's intimidating aura, retracting his whip and saying, "Good things await you, follow me!"
Lu Ye stepped out.
"Husband!" Bai Sheng called out worriedly from within the prison. If Lu Ye stayed with her, she could bring him into the space if danger arose; if they were too far apart, and someone intended to harm him…
Lu Ye looked back and smiled at Bai Sheng, "It's fine, trust me."
Only then did Bai Sheng nod with a worried heart. After a while, she mentally communicated with Hengheng, "Heng, quickly see where the jailer is taking Lu Ye!"
Hengheng shrugged his pig shoulders, "Master, I can't see."
Can't see? This meant the jailer had taken Lu Ye more than 200 meters away. Who exactly wanted to see him?
The jailer led Lu Ye into a room, then bowed and retreated, closing the door. A woman wearing a long veil sat on a chair in the room. Upon seeing Lu Ye enter, she froze for a moment.
Lu Ye glanced at the woman and asked coldly, "Who are you? Why do you want to see me?"