"Do you still want to quibble? If you dare to be stubborn and resist in vain, I will throw you into prison."
"No, you have no right to imprison me. I am a prince of the Danfeng Kingdom, an envoy to Xian Yue."
Upon hearing the Xian Emperor's words, Ji Xue jumped up furiously, pointing an accusing finger at Mu Rong Liu Zun. She cast a wary glance at the group opposite her and slowly retreated.
He suddenly grabbed the person who had been disguised as a ghost and gritted his teeth, saying, "Who are you, to harm me like this? I will not rest until you are brought to justice. If I suffer, you will not fare any better."
The one disguised as a ghost was Xiao Qiao. Having grown up by the side of the Crown Princess, she had mimicked Crown Princess Ji Feng's voice so perfectly that Ji Xue had been completely fooled.
Coupled with the opportune moment and location that day, everything had fallen into place, and Ji Xue had confessed everything.
Subdued, Xiao Qiao showed no fear. She tidied the hair on her face with her hand, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at Ji Xue, "Prince Ji, why did you kill the Crown Princess? She treated you so well. Why did you kill her?"
Ji Xue choked Xiao Qiao's neck with one hand and pulled her aside with the other. Thinking that this woman was responsible for everything, her eyes were filled with a fierce hatred, as if she wanted to bite off Xiao Qiao's neck. Hearing Xiao Qiao's accusation, her face was full of disdain.
"What do you know? Ever since we were young, Mother Emperor doted on her the most and ignored me. Why should she enjoy all the best just because we share the same parents, while I have nothing? She is the Crown Princess, and I am merely a prince. But has anyone seen the efforts I've made, which are far greater than hers? What else can she do besides eat, drink, and have fun?"
Ji Xue screamed, appearing on the verge of madness, her eyes bloodshot. Mu Qing Yao stared at her coldly, raising a hand to signal everyone not to act rashly, and slowly walked forward.
"Ji Xue, you are utterly disrespectful. Is killing two people not enough? You killed the Imperial Sister, then had Da Qiao killed. Do you now want to add another life to those hands?"
In the side hall, as everyone watched the Imperial Consort walk forward, they feared she might be in danger and their hearts were in their mouths. Mei Xin and Mo Chou cried out, "Imperial Consort!"
Mu Qing Yao ignored the cries of the two maids, unhurried and calm, with a poised composure radiating from her. As Ji Xue paused in confusion, Mu Qing Yao's clear voice suddenly rang out, "Bing Xiao."
With a single command, a swift figure darted past, like a rainbow breaking through the sky. In an instant, she struck and pressed Ji Xue's acupoints, then gracefully landed and responded with a calm, "Imperial Consort."
The two collaborated seamlessly, leaving onlookers stunned. The scene that had been terrifying moments before had been completely turned around, transforming the situation.
The envoys from the five kingdoms once again witnessed the woman's intelligence and composure. No wonder she remained unfazed, her aura contained. It turned out she had already arranged for someone to hide in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
With Ji Xue subdued, Mu Qing Yao stepped back, the cold aura around her receding. Her face was full of serenity. She turned to look at Mu Rong Liu Zun beside her. The rest was now his responsibility.
Mu Rong Liu Zun drew in a deep breath, his handsome face dark. His narrow, sharp eyebrows rose, and his bloodthirsty words were spoken in a cold, deep voice, "Guards, immediately take Ji Xue to the Liuli Palace. I will interrogate her personally. Release the Prince of Nan'an at once."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ah Jiu accepted the order and waved his hand. Several young eunuchs stepped forward, supported the incapacitated Ji Xue, and began to lead her away. Ji Xue, her face deathly pale, cried out.
"Xian Emperor, do not forget my status. I am an envoy. You have no right to interrogate me."
Unfortunately, Mu Rong Liu Zun's face remained dark, and he ignored Ji Xue. The mere thought of his Imperial Brother, the Prince of Nan'an, being framed and unjustly imprisoned for three days and two nights sent waves of suppressed anger leaking out. He wished he could execute the woman immediately. How dare she cry out.
In the side hall, Ji Xue was dragged away. The envoys from the five kingdoms standing at the entrance of the main hall all hung their heads dejectedly. Only the one at the very end, with a beaming smile, watched everything unfold, his pupils fixed on the woman standing beside the Xian Emperor.
Changsun Zhu's dark pupils flickered a few times. Mu Qing Yao, a person of paramount importance in the grand scheme of the world.
This Crown Prince will never let you stay by the Xian Emperor's side. Changsun Zhu finished his thought, a smile playing on his lips as he slowly paced forward and spoke with elegance.
"The Danfeng Kingdom has truly gone too far, to frame the Prince of Nan'an. They deserve to die."
As his words fell, the others chimed in one after another.
"Indeed, even killing her would not be too much."
"Think of the suffering the Prince of Nan'an endured. It turns out the Crown Princess was killed by Prince Ji. For the sake of the so-called throne, she even killed her own sister. What a cruel-hearted person. Even killing her would not be too much."
The Xian Emperor's exquisitely beautiful features curved into a light smile, his gaze misty. He tilted his head to look at Mu Qing Yao on the side, and spoke gently.
"Yao'er, what do you think?"
These tender, doting words caused Changsun Zhu's heart to tremble slightly, a surge of uncontrollable pain spreading throughout his body, finally turning into a bitter taste.
Mu Qing Yao cast a sidelong glance at Mu Rong Liu Zun. This man was clearly up to no good. He already had a plan, so why unnecessarily ask her opinion? She glared at him with a hint of annoyance, her bright eyes shifting to Changsun Zhu, and she spoke with mockery.
"Crown Prince Changsun is so righteous. A murderer must pay with their life, and will surely die. However, the order was not given by the Xian Emperor, but by the Empress of Danfeng.
"Our Xian Yue Kingdom will send people to deliver the Crown Princess's body and Prince Ji to Danfeng. As for how the Empress of Danfeng will deal with Prince Ji, the eyes of the world are discerning.
"However, since Crown Prince Changsun and the envoys from the other four nations are so valiant and loyal, you are welcome to join us, the Xian Yue, in interrogating Ji Xue. Afterwards, each of you will send one person to accompany Xian Yue to the Danfeng Kingdom as a witness."
Mu Qing Yao's clear and icy voice echoed. The five nations were immediately stunned. They had intended to incite trouble, but instead, they had been outmaneuvered.
It seemed that playing mind games with the woman before them was merely asking for trouble. Was there still a need for them to remain in Xian Yue?
Perhaps it was better to quickly return to their palaces and discuss countermeasures with their rulers. This Xian Emperor was already exceptionally intelligent, and now he had gained a formidable ally. Would the unification of the land truly fall to Xian Yue?
No, how could they be willing to accept this.
Having cornered the five nations, Mu Qing Yao turned to Mu Rong Liu Zun beside her and spoke unhurriedly, "Your Majesty, you will not object to Qing Yao's suggestion, will you?"
"Yao'er's suggestion is my suggestion. From now on, the words of the Great Xian Empress are equivalent to my words."
Mu Rong Liu Zun's handsome, fair skin turned cold as ice. He announced with clear, proud defiance, his resonant voice echoing through the side hall, capturing everyone's attention.
Mu Qing Yao's pupils flickered twice. She had not expected the Xian Emperor to speak like this in front of so many people. It was truly surprising. She pursed her lips and smiled elegantly.
"Isn't it said that the inner court is forbidden from meddling in politics?"