"Why didn't you go find my elder brother?" An Ling asked.
Bi Qing remained silent. An Ling understood then, her expression turning somewhat dejected. "He doesn't care about me, does he?"
Bi Qing shook her head. "No, it's not like that. His Lord was just taken in by Aunt Yue's sweet talk."
"You don't need to defend my brother anymore; I understand everything." An Ling raised her eyes, tears beginning to fall.
She hadn't cried even when her situation deteriorated to this point, but now she wanted to weep, feeling sorrow for herself.
"Second Miss, we can definitely get out of here," Bi Qing offered comfort.
An Ling didn't reply. She didn't want to frighten Bi Qing. How many people who entered the Jiaofang Si could ever leave?
"Miss Xue Yan is very capable; she definitely will..." Bi Qing stopped mid-sentence, startled by the mouthful of blood Xue Yan spat out, swallowing the rest of her words.
Xue Yan pointed her sword directly at the ground, dropping to one knee for support. She looked at Leng Fengluan and said coldly, "Illegally harboring subordinates, Leng Fengluan, your tenure as Fengluan has reached its end."
Leng Fengluan chuckled lowly. "That's not for you to decide. Capture her, bring her in alive. I distinctly remember how much those military men like such stubborn ones."
"Leng Fengluan." Someone walked up behind Leng Fengluan and whispered a few words in her ear.
Leng Fengluan's expression clearly soured, but a look of pure hatred flashed in her eyes. "Since she's here, there's no reason to let her leave. Even if she is who they say she is, so what? My Jiaofang Si is a place that only allows entry, never exit."
Xue Yan was kicked hard in the abdomen, coughing up another mouthful of blood. She regretted it now; why hadn't she listened to the Emperor?
Why hadn't she brought more people along?
Must she be in such a wretched state as this?
"Leng Fengluan, bad news." Someone hurried over and whispered into Leng Fengluan's ear.
Leng Fengluan's face immediately turned grim. After casting a few glances at Xue Yan, she quickly ordered, "Take these few to the underground water prison. No one is allowed to enter without my permission."
A man grabbed the now unconscious Xue Yan and tossed her down into the depths. With a splash, she landed in the water.
Bi Qing and An Ling were also pushed in.
An Ling urged, "Bi Qing, quickly, help me pull Miss Xue Yan up."
Bi Qing nodded. It took them considerable effort to help Xue Yan up in the water prison.
Xue Yan was already unconscious.
Seeing this, Bi Qing was filled with worry. "What will we do this time?"
An Ling said, "Don't be afraid. Miss Long will definitely come to save us."
Though she didn't know Miss Long's identity, she was certain she must be someone of wealth and status.
Bi Qing, however, felt deep unease.
Leng Fengluan changed into a formal outfit and went to the front hall. She saw a young woman standing in the room.
The maiden wore a long skirt that seemed to flow like water and sky. Even without turning, she exuded an aura of fresh elegance.
She walked forward and bowed. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
The maiden slowly turned around. For some inexplicable reason, a powerful aura pressed down on Leng Fengluan, preventing her from raising her head.
"Rise!" After a long moment, the maiden spoke.
Her voice was clear and carried a hint of coldness.
"May I know why Your Majesty has come to the Jiaofang Si?"
The maiden chuckled softly. "What? Must I have a reason to visit the Jiaofang Si?"
"Your Majesty misunderstands; of course..."
But before Leng Fengluan could finish, her words were interrupted by a cold voice. "Never mind this荒泽 (Huang Ze, desolate marsh), I can come to any place in this world, because..."
Leng Fengluan felt a tremendous force of pressure bearing down on her, forcing her head even lower.
"I am the ruler of this world, and this world is mine."
The maiden's voice was strong and clear, unmatched in its frigid beauty.
Leng Fengluan gritted her teeth and asked, "Your Majesty, have I done something wrong to warrant Your Majesty's personal visit?"
"Is the second Miss An here?" the maiden asked indifferently.
Although her tone was calm, Leng Fengluan detected a subtle thread of threat within it.
"Your Majesty, the second Miss An is indeed here, but..."
Leng Fengluan looked up and continued, "she has already been taken away by your subordinate."
She watched as the maiden walked towards her step by step. At this moment, the maiden seemed like a king wielding the power of life and death, controlling her fate. Leng Fengluan felt a crisis unlike any before.
Suddenly, a powerful force struck her face, knocking it to the side.
The pain in her cheek quickly intensified. Leng Fengluan felt a searing agony, and blood seemed to trickle from the corner of her mouth.
Then, a voice even colder than before spoke again, "Leng Fengluan, lying is not good."
"Your... Your Majesty, if you don't believe me, you can ask everyone here..." she stammered.
Perhaps sensing danger, she realized the maiden before her held her life in her hands.
The maiden arrived before her. The oppressive aura forced Leng Fengluan to her knees. Her icy fingers lifted Leng Fengluan's chin, forcing her to look up at the maiden.
She saw the maiden's clear eyes, which seemed to see right through her, devoid of ripples or fluctuations, a pure, ethereal expanse.
Yet, this filled her heart with a sliver of fear.
"Leng Fengluan, I ask you one last time: where is she?"
The maiden spoke each word indifferently, yet they sounded like a death knell, making her feel as though her life was counting down.
"Your... Your Majesty, she has really left."
She saw the maiden curl her lips, revealing a sinister smile. "Is that so? Then you are useless."
Leng Fengluan trembled, watching as a long sword plunged directly into her body.
"Your Ma..." Before she could finish, a mouthful of blood erupted from her.
As she fell, she still didn't understand how she had offended this Empress.
Xue Zining looked at Leng Fengluan, whose eyes were wide with disbelief, and said coldly, "I never keep disloyal or unjust people. Leng Fengluan, you have gotten what you deserved."
"Your Majesty, Xue Yan and the second Miss An have not been found." Feng Jiu landed in front of her, not even glancing at the fallen Leng Fengluan.
Xue Zining walked to a chair, sweeping her skirt aside, and commanded coldly, "Summon everyone who is in charge here."
"Yes, Your Majesty..." Feng Jiu retreated.
Xue Zining surveyed the surroundings, her gaze finally settling on Leng Fengluan, who still had a breath left.
"Leng Fengluan, I will raze this Jiaofang Si to the ground. Watch closely!"
Leng Fengluan desperately gripped the ground, her fingernails leaving bloody trails. With all her remaining strength, she rasped, "You... You've forgotten, haven't you? This is..."
Xue Zining sneered. "What the ancestors of the Xue family did, I, their descendant, will end."
"Your Majesty, everyone has arrived," Feng Jiu announced, re-entering.
"Let them in," Xue Zining said.
Feng Jiu stood behind her as approximately ten people, trembling, walked in.
They could never have imagined the Empress would personally visit the Jiaofang Si. They were unaware of Leng Fengluan's actions, merely acting under orders.
"First, you will witness Leng Fengluan's fate. Then, consider what I will ask you shortly: will you conceal the truth or tell me honestly?"
Xue Zining said calmly.