"Your Majesty, please ask."
"Where is Prince Xiang now?"
Liu Liu asked coldly. Their purpose in coming was to extract Prince Xiang's whereabouts from Grand Tutor Lou. Could they have come to visit him?
Although he looked extremely pathetic at the moment, there was a reason for his pitifulness. He had cruelly intended to kill the Emperor and them before. If they hadn't been powerful enough, they would be the ones dead now, so there was no room for sympathy.
"Prince Xiang?"
Grand Tutor Lou looked up, then shook his head, not understanding the Empress's question. The Lou family had fallen into trouble; what did Prince Xiang have to do with it? Was Prince Xiang also in the capital? Grand Tutor Lou pondered and shook his head.
"This minister does not know why Your Majesty asks this. This minister does not know where Prince Xiang is. Isn't Prince Xiang at his fief? Has he entered the capital?"
Everyone saw Grand Tutor Lou's bewildered expression, which didn't seem like a lie. Yet, the more they didn't know where Prince Xiang Fengluo was, the more it unsettled them. This person was too terrifying, hiding so deeply.
Even Grand Tutor Lou didn't know his whereabouts. Then who had he transformed into?
The more they thought about it, the more frightened they became. The Emperor's expression grew even more grim. The kindness he had shown previously.
Today, it had become his torment. Who would have thought that saving a venomous snake would result in it reviving and biting him back?
Liu Liu crouched down, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and said sinisterly, "Grand Tutor Lou, do you know who brought your Lou family down?"
With a mocking sneer, before Grand Tutor Lou could respond, she continued.
"It wasn't the Emperor, nor this consort, nor Zhang Zhi San, but another hidden individual. That person possessed all the evidence of crimes committed by the Lou and Zhang families. He sent it to the Minister of War. Do you understand now?"
Grand Tutor Lou's head buzzed. His old face turned even paler, his hair hanging loose.
Coupled with his ancient, bark-like face, it was particularly frightening. His bloodshot eyes stared, his lips moved for a long time, and he struggled to furrow his sparse eyebrows. After a while, he spoke unclearly.
"Could it be him," he murmured, and then his eyes flared with fire, his sharp voice piercing the air:
"Shun Tian Fu Yin Yin Qianmu,"
As Grand Tutor Lou finished speaking, everyone was stunned. Shun Tian Fu Yin Yin Qianmu had achieved success at a young age, always being gentle and refined, with an extraordinary bearing. His every move exuded the demeanor of a scholar, yet he possessed a brilliant mind.
He had solved several baffling cases in the capital and was promoted to a third-rank official by the Minister of Justice, becoming the guardian of the capital.
Shun Tian Fu Yin. Unexpectedly, someone like that was colluding with the Lou family. Most importantly, this Yin Qianmu was likely Prince Xiang Fengluo.
Feng Xie and Feng Lie listened to Grand Tutor Lou's words and thought carefully. Yin Qianmu's image remained in their minds. Prince Xiang Fengluo had a feminine appearance, a slender build, and was almost like a woman.
Most importantly, his voice was also pleasant, unlike the deep tones of a man. Compared to this, Yin Qianmu was indeed the most likely candidate for Fengluo.
Liu Liu stood up and immediately ordered her brother, Liu Ting, "Immediately surround the Yin mansion and bring Yin Qianmu back. He is Prince Xiang Fengluo. I didn't expect him to become a capital official, and even a third-rank dignitary. No wonder he knew everything in advance."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Liu Ting quickly led his men away from the Ministry of Justice's prison to arrest Fengluo.
Unfortunately, it was a step too late. The Yin residence was empty, only an empty house. It was clear that Fengluo had foreseen this and had already left.
He had not only foreseen that the Emperor knew of his existence but had also arrogantly left a letter in the study of the Yin mansion. Liu Ting took the letter back to report.
As Feng Xie and his entourage returned to the palace from the Ministry of Justice, they had not yet settled when Liu Ting rushed into the palace to report that the Yin mansion was empty, with only a letter left behind. Feng Xie took it, and on the white Xuan paper, a few short sentences were written.
"My imperial brother, the game has just begun. Don't be impatient. Everything you and your mother inflicted upon my mother and me, I will reclaim starting today."
Feng Xie's face turned green with anger. With a sweep of his hand, he unleashed his power, and the letter turned into fragments, drifting down. This detestable creature, cold energy radiating from him, he growled through gritted teeth.
"He has declared war on me. This detestable creature, he is so arrogant."
"What an ungrateful wretch! If we hadn't pleaded for him back then, he would have lost his life. To beg our father to spare his life, we knelt for a day and a night, only to be repaid with betrayal,"
Prince Yan Feng Lie said with a dark and ashen face, his voice lingering.
"Alright, everyone go back and rest now. You've had a busy day, and everyone is tired. We'll discuss these matters later. Impatience is useless. The more impatient we are, the more he will laugh in the shadows. Therefore, we must remain calm. The calmer we are, the more anxious he will become. When he becomes anxious, we will have an opportunity."
Liu Liu said coldly, reminding the Emperor and Prince Yan. These two men were directly involved and were bound to be excessively angry. So, as soon as Liu Liu spoke, they snapped back to attention and nodded immediately.
"Yes, we must face this calmly. Perhaps many unexpected things await us next."
Prince Yan nodded. Prime Minister Liu Ting and Minister of War Jin Shaoyuan also nodded in agreement. Feng Xie waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
"Your subjects take their leave." Everyone withdrew. Liu Liu also stood up, preparing to return to Weiyang Palace to rest. But Feng Xie reached out and held her, speaking listlessly, "Liu'er, stay with me tonight. I feel so tired in my heart. This weariness is more damaging than physical fatigue."
Liu Liu understood his meaning. After all, Fengluo was his brother, an undeniable fact. Brothers were about to go to war, and no matter how strong a person was, their heart would ache, so she remained silent, allowing him to hold her. The night stretched on endlessly.
Outside the window, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. Gauze curtains fluttered in the night breeze, carrying scents that swirled in the air, vanishing into the silence.
Overnight, the capital underwent earth-shattering changes. The hearts of the people were in turmoil. On the streets, people whispered, spreading rumors and discussing the events. Ballads were frequently sung by people, and they spoke of the songs with fear.
"Heaven-sent demoness, bringing chaos to Feng Dynasty. Beauty like Daji, heart like a serpent's venom. Every year, this night is a good one. Henceforth, the sovereign neglects his court. His heart is broken, tears like mist. In the end, it's all a futile dream."
Early in the morning, Prince Yan entered the palace to see the Emperor. The Emperor was not yet awake, sleeping in Yongyuan Hall. The Empress was also there. Xiaowanzi dared not barge in rashly but saw Prince Yan's ashen face. He could only cautiously stand before the sleeping quarters and call out softly.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty? Prince Yan requests an audience."
Feng Xie's slender eyebrows rose. He turned over and got out of bed, softly commanding, "Come in."
Xiaowanzi walked in and saw the Emperor's displeased expression. His gaze turned tenderly towards the bed, knowing the Emperor feared waking the Empress. He spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, Prince Yan has something to request an audience for."