"Thank you, Imperial Brother."
Prince Beijin spoke slowly and retreated to the side with Ji Xue and others, allowing the Emperor and Empress to enter the grand hall.
As Mu Qingyao passed by Prince Beijin, she paused. Her cold, clear eyes swept over Prince Beijin's face. Prince Beijin, Mu Rong Liu Mo, looked very unwell, paler and thinner than the last time she saw him. His tall and straight body seemed almost frail, as if it couldn't withstand a gust of wind.
Mu Qingyao's gaze flickered, her pupils sparkling. Although that night was brief, she remembered the person's agile physique. While lean, he was robust, completely unlike Prince Beijin's fragile appearance, as if a mere breeze would blow him away.
"Prince Beijin, you have worked hard," Mu Qingyao's gentle voice sounded.
Prince Beijin, Mu Rong Liu Mo, raised his head. His pupils were clear, without a ripple, but his eyes were slender, not almond-shaped. Mu Qingyao remembered this detail very clearly; that person's eyes were almond-shaped. Prince Beijin's eyes, however, were slender. It was impossible to mistake this. So, who had impersonated Prince Beijin, knew intimately about their daytime encounter, and was also familiar with the Prime Minister's estate? Who was hiding in the shadows and orchestrating this?
"Your Majesty the Empress is too kind," Mu Rong Liu Mo said, and then he coughed. He seemed overwhelmed by his physical condition, almost unable to bear it. With the cough, his body swayed twice.
Mu Qingyao even suspected that if a strong wind were to blow, this man would be swept away. Was he truly so weak?
"Your Majesty should go in," Mo Chou reminded her mistress.
Mu Qingyao nodded, withdrew her gaze, and stepped into the grand hall.
In the center of the grand hall was placed a pitch-black coffin, polished to a sheen, clearly made of superior material. It was the autumn equinox, and the body could not be kept for too long. However, the royal family never lacked good things. This coffin contained ice, which could preserve the body. Therefore, the corpse of the Crown Princess Ji Feng lay perfectly preserved, as if in a deep sleep, without any trace of lividity or decomposition odor. The person who had so vibrantly amazed everyone with her dance just yesterday now lay here, silent and still, having met an untimely end. Who had killed her?
After examining Ji Feng, Mu Qingyao's sharp gaze swept over another woman by the coffin, Ji Xue. At this moment, her eyes were swollen red like peaches. She was dressed in simple white mourning clothes, her face showing extreme grief, as if the death of the Crown Princess had dealt her a severe blow.
If this were an ordinary family, it would be perfectly understandable. If a sister died, it was natural for a sister to be saddened and grieved. However, Ji Feng was still a member of the royal family. The royal family had always been about struggles for the throne, and there was no such thing as familial affection. With the Crown Princess dead, the greatest beneficiary was Prince Ji Xue. Therefore, her suspicion was far greater than that of Prince Nan'an. However, Ji Xue alone could not have made such a flawless arrangement. So, who could it be? Prince Beijin? The envoys of the six kingdoms? Everyone was a possible culprit, except for Prince Nan'an. He had no motive, nor any deep-seated hatred. So why would he kill Ji Feng?
Mu Rong Liu Zun and Mu Qingyao, with solemn and cold expressions, paid their respects to the deceased Crown Princess and then comforted Prince Ji Xue...
"Princess Ji Xue, please take comfort. I will definitely find the true killer and let you bring them back to Danfeng Kingdom."
As Emperor Xian's words fell, a fleeting sharpness flashed in Crown Princess Ji Feng's eyes. Although it vanished quickly, it was captured by Mu Qingyao. This princess held a secret she could not reveal. Even if she had not killed the Crown Princess, she likely knew the inside story. Mu Qingyao's sword-like gaze fixed on Ji Xue.
Ji Xue was startled. She carefully lowered her head, concealing the glint in her eyes, and spoke with sorrow. "I hope Emperor Xian will bring justice for my elder sister. If the guilt of Prince Nan'an cannot be cleared, I hope that in three days, Emperor Xian will allow us to take him back to Danfeng Kingdom to be dealt with by our Empress Mother."
As soon as Ji Xue finished speaking, the two women standing beside her, ministers of Danfeng Kingdom, immediately spoke with sorrowful faces, "Please, Emperor Xian, abide by your promise. If, after three days, Prince Nan'an's innocence cannot be proven, please allow us to take him back to Danfeng Kingdom."
Mu Rong Liu Zun's face turned gloomy. His ink-black pupils were tinged with anger. He clenched his fists, veins bulging, but he suppressed his words. However, the chilling aura surrounding him was felt by everyone in the grand hall.
Mu Qingyao spoke first. "Since His Majesty has spoken those words, he will surely deliver justice. If our Prince Nan'an of Xian Yue truly committed such an act, then handing him over is understandable. However, if anyone dares to deceive and manipulate, using the hand of Xian Yue to eliminate His Highness the Crown Princess, we will never let her go."
Mu Qingyao's cold and icy words echoed in the silent grand hall, causing an inexplicable tremor. The ministers and palace maids of Danfeng Kingdom felt a heavy killing intent. Prince Ji Xue trembled inwardly, daring not to make any move. The Empress of Xian Yue was extraordinarily capable; they had to be cautious.
"Thank you, Emperor Xian."
Ji Xue bowed with a composed demeanor. Since the Prince had spoken, the ministers of Danfeng Kingdom cautiously retreated to the side. Mu Qingyao's words earlier had captured Mu Rong Liu Zun's attention. Both were intelligent people, and with a slight hint, their thoughts aligned.
Emperor Xian, Mu Rong Liu Zun's gaze was dark and unreadable. His bloodthirsty black pupils swept towards Prince Ji Xue. Previously, he had overlooked this woman. She was, after all, the biological sister of the Crown Princess. But he had forgotten that since ancient times, the royal family had no kinship; it was merely mutual exploitation. With the Crown Princess's demise, Ji Xue was the greatest beneficiary, making her the most suspicious.
"It is understandable. Prince Ji, please accept my condolences."
Mu Rong Liu Zun's voice carried an uncontrollable anger, chillingly so. If Prince Ji had indeed manipulated things to frame Prince Nan'an, then he would not be blamed for turning ruthless.
"Come, return to the palace."
"We respectfully escort Emperor Xian," Ji Xue breathed a sigh of relief and slowly led the group from Danfeng Kingdom, bowing to escort the Emperor and Empress.
Mu Qingyao's peripheral vision never left Ji Xue. Just now, Ji Xue had visibly relaxed. This action was inconsistent with the predicament she was facing. How much did she know, and how much had she done? Mu Qingyao's gaze turned dark, and she spoke slowly, "Wait a moment."
As her cold, clear voice sounded, Ji Xue felt a thread tighten in her heart. What did this woman want? She looked up, forcing herself to remain calm, and gazed at Mu Qingyao, who was looking at her with a radiant, intelligent light. The majestic man beside her, Emperor Xian, raised an eyebrow slightly and asked in surprise, "Yao'er, what is it?"
"Your Majesty, your concubine wishes to pay her respects at the Crown Princess's chambers. For yesterday, the Crown Princess had intended for your concubine to showcase some talent publicly, but unfortunately, I was unable to fulfill her wish. I will go and pay my respects today."