Lan Heng had just stepped out of Dali Temple when Xie Yunxi, with Xing'er trailing behind her, was already waiting at the entrance.
"Princess Consort Xian," Lan Heng said, cupping his hands in greeting.
Xie Yunxi glanced at Lan Heng indifferently, nodded in acknowledgment, and asked, "Where is Wuxie? Why haven't I seen him come out?"
Lan Heng replied, "This official believes that since Your Highness has come to Dali Temple today, you must have some understanding of the Heir Apparent's affairs. The Heir Apparent is involved in a murder case and cannot meet with you at the moment."
"Oh?" Xie Yunxi raised her eyebrows slightly and scrutinized Lan Heng. "They say Lord Lan is impartial. I didn't believe it before, but seeing you now, it truly is as they say."
Lan Heng remained silent, merely offering another salute.
"I will make myself clear today. Wuxie, I am determined to take him away. Does Dali Temple dare to stop me?" Xie Yunxi looked up, her tone chillingly questioning.
Lan Heng maintained his posture, his brows furrowed as he looked down, his voice firm. "Your Highness, Dali Temple has its rules. The Heir Apparent cannot return to Prince Xian's mansion with you."
"How dare you!" Xie Yunxi, whose patience was already thin, lost it entirely. She shot Lan Heng a furious glare. "I heard that Lord Lan studied under Fu Chong and would be more adaptable in official matters. Who knew you'd be such a stubborn mule? Do you realize you're offending the entire Prince Xian's mansion by refusing me today?"
"I know!" Lan Heng replied without hesitation. "But the nation has its laws, and families have their rules. If the Heir Apparent is released, how will the people of Jincheng..."
"It's just the death of a performer! Is their life more noble than the Heir Apparent of Prince Xian's mansion?" Before Lan Heng could finish, Xie Yunxi impatiently interrupted.
"Yes!" The moment Xie Yunxi finished speaking, just as Lan Heng was considering how to persuade her to keep Lu Wuxie, a voice rang out from within Dali Temple.
Xie Yunxi and Lan Heng turned their heads towards the sound. Zhong Li, clad in a fitted uniform and with a waist token, appeared at the entrance of Dali Temple.
Xie Yunxi narrowed her eyes and studied Zhong Li for a long moment. She seemed to recall something and said, "It's you?"
Zhong Li walked up to Xie Yunxi and bowed to her.
Xie Yunxi snorted coldly, "I never realized the dog following the Heir Apparent is a female one?"
Hearing this, Lan Heng, already angered, clenched his fists, ready to argue with Xie Yunxi.
Zhong Li pulled his sleeve faster, not wanting this man to be provoked into acting impulsively and falling into someone's trap.
Then, she looked up at Xie Yunxi and said with a smile, "Replying to Your Highness, I don't know if I am male or female. I only know that I am of the same gender as Your Highness!"
"You!" Xie Yunxi was stunned, never expecting a coroner from Dali Temple to dare to talk back to her.
Zhong Li, unwilling to indulge Xie Yunxi's habits, directly asked, "Does Your Highness wish to take the Heir Apparent away?"
"Otherwise? He is the Heir Apparent of Prince Xian's mansion, and also a Judicial Inspector personally appointed by the Emperor. How can he be apprehended by you at Dali Temple?" Xie Yunxi looked at Zhong Li, her neck held high with disdain. In her eyes, the most lowly profession in this world was likely that of a coroner, who wasn't even ranked among the nine gates.
"Your Highness also knows that the Heir Apparent is a Judicial Inspector." Zhong Li smiled.
"What do you mean?"
"Since he is a Judicial Inspector, he should be even more aware of the laws of Nan Yue. The Heir Apparent is currently a suspect, and it is perfectly acceptable for him to be held at Dali Temple." Zhong Li stated.
"But I want to take him away! Otherwise, Dali Temple can explain to the Prince?" Xie Yunxi assumed Zhong Li's appearance would lead to Lu Wuxie's release, but now it seemed she was just another obstacle.
"Why does Princess Consort Xian keep bringing up the Regent to pressure Dali Temple? The world knows the Regent is upright and devoted to the court, which is why he is known as the Virtuous Prince among the people. Otherwise, he wouldn't have lost his first wife ten years ago due to his busy schedule, paving the way for the current second Princess Consort Xian." Zhong Li said.
"What did you say?" Xie Yunxi's eyes widened, and she raised her hand to slap Zhong Li. Her greatest shame in this life was this single word, 'second.'
"Your Highness!" Lan Heng, quick as lightning, clasped Xie Yunxi's jade hand just as it was about to land on Zhong Li's face. Seemingly enraged himself, he glared at her coldly.
Xie Yunxi was shocked that she had suffered a loss here, especially under Lan Heng's murderous gaze, which frightened her.
Zhong Li cast a faint glance at Xie Yunxi and continued, "Since the Second Princess Consort is a member of Prince Xian's mansion, she should consider the mansion in all matters. On the surface, Your Highness's actions seem to be for the Heir Apparent's well-being, but upon closer scrutiny, if the Second Princess Consort were to take the Heir Apparent from Dali Temple in broad daylight, how would the common people perceive it? The reputation the Prince Xian's mansion has cultivated over the years could become a target of public criticism due to Your Highness's actions. I cannot help but question Your Highness's intentions in this regard."
Xie Yunxi stared at Zhong Li, grinding her molars in anger. From what she knew, this female coroner was a serious, taciturn person who didn't speak much. How had she become so sharp-tongued?
"Just tell me, are you releasing him or not?" Seeing she couldn't win the argument, Xie Yunxi resorted to asserting her status.
"No!" Zhong Li stated firmly.
"Fine!" Xie Yunxi snorted coldly.
Just as Lan Heng and Zhong Li thought Xie Yunxi would concede, a carriage stopped precisely at the entrance of Dali Temple. The carriage was wrapped in velvet, and the windows were inlaid with emeralds, leaving no doubt that the occupant was of noble status.
Lan Heng also noticed the carriage, his expression instantly changing. He pulled Zhong Li and bowed in greeting.
Simultaneously, the carriage curtain was pulled aside, and a maid dressed as a palace attendant emerged.
"Lord Lan," the maid said, smiling charmingly as she stepped forward to greet him.
"Miss Zipei," Lan Heng replied, rising to his feet upon realizing it wasn't the true owner of the carriage.
Zipei nodded, her gaze briefly sweeping over Zhong Li before returning to Lan Heng's face. "Lord Lan, by the Empress's decree, this servant is here to inform you that while the laws of Nan Yue must be observed, the Heir Apparent is of noble status. We fear he may have suffered injustice at Dali Temple. We hope that, for the Empress's sake, you will allow Prince Xian's mansion to take the Heir Apparent back and keep him under strict guard."
Lan Heng gave Zipei a deep look. After a long pause, as if relenting, he said, "Miss Zipei, please wait here." With that, he shook his head at Zhong Li and turned back into Dali Temple.
When only Xie Yunxi and Zipei remained at the entrance of Dali Temple.
Xie Yunxi quickly walked over to Zipei. "Thank you, Miss Zipei, for coming to my aid today."
Zipei bowed to Xie Yunxi, then her expression turned cold. "Second Princess Consort, the Empress said that she will not interfere with your personal affairs or your troublemaking. However, the Empress has asked this servant to convey a message to the Second Princess Consort: know when to stop."
Xie Yunxi's face stiffened. Before she could say anything more, Zipei turned and entered the carriage, departing swiftly.