Xue Xingchen spat blood onto her sleeve.
The bright crimson was rather glaring.
"Imperial Brother, everything was done willingly by Xingyue. Otherwise, do you think Xingyue would listen just based on your words?" Xue Xingyue said.
Xue Xingchen was startled. He raised his head, his gaze unusually clear on his pale face, "Really?"
"Yes, Imperial Brother," Xue Xingyue said word by word.
After watching Xue Xingchen fall asleep, Xue Xingyue left the room. She looked at Eunuch Wei, who was approaching, and asked, "Eunuch Wei, how did Imperial Brother find out about Lord Meng Shizi's affairs?"
Eunuch Wei replied, "This old servant does not know. However, after His Majesty met the Second Prince of Qi, he was very angry and then summoned the Duke of Ning."
"Qi Yuxuan?" Xue Xingyue knitted her brows.
Eunuch Wei asked, "Your Highness, was this Second Prince acting intentionally?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Xingyue's lips curved into a cold smile, "I will settle this score with him."
"Your Highness, please be very careful!" Eunuch Wei said.
"Eunuch Wei, when Imperial Brother wakes up, please advise him. Whether it is returning to the capital or agreeing to the marriage, it was all my willingness, and it has nothing to do with Imperial Brother."
Eunuch Wei sighed, "Your Highness, please rest assured, this old servant will advise His Majesty."
Xue Xingyue nodded, then left the Imperial Study. "Feng Jiu."
"Your subordinate is here," Feng Jiu replied.
"Did I not ask you to send people to keep a close eye on Qi Yuming? Why is he still appearing in the Imperial Study?" Xue Xingyue asked coldly.
Hearing this, Feng Jiu immediately knelt down. "This subordinate has failed in his duty. I beg Your Highness to punish me."
"Feng Jiu, I have said before that Imperial Brother is my life. I hope that from now on, you can transfer your loyalty to Imperial Brother as well. Can you?"
Feng Jiu's body trembled. After a pause, he replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
"Thank you!" Xue Xingyue said, then walked towards the palace gate.
Feng Jiu quickly chased after her. "Your Highness, it's so late, are you leaving the palace?"
"Yes, I am going to see Qi Yuming," Xue Xingyue's voice was as cold as frost.
Feng Jiu had never seen such an angry princess. He couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, those people at the palace banquet..."
"With Noble Consort Jia there, she will handle it properly," Xue Xingyue said.
"But..."
"But what?" Xue Xingyue raised her eyes and asked Feng Jiu coldly.
Feng Jiu said, "The imperial guards are still surrounding Lord Meng Shizi. What do you think..."
Xue Xingyue's gaze turned slightly cold. "The instigator of all this is Meng Jiangming. Let him stay there. However..." She changed her tone and said, "Send someone to take good care of the wife of the Duke of Ning."
Feng Jiu nodded. "Your Highness, please rest assured, your subordinate will attend to it."
Upon arriving at Qi Yuming's residence, the guards at the door saw Xue Xingyue's arrival and quickly stepped forward to stop her. "Our Highness is already resting. Please return, miss."
Xue Xingyue heard this and said coldly, "Move aside."
"Mis..." Before the guard could finish speaking, Xue Xingyue struck him with a palm. The guard instantly fell to the ground.
"You..." Another guard, greatly alarmed, was about to shout when Xue Xingyue pressed his acupoints.
"So noisy..." Xue Xingyue fiddled with her ear, kicked away the guards blocking her path, and walked straight in.
As soon as she reached the courtyard, people from all directions surrounded Xue Xingyue.
Xue Xingyue said coldly, "Is this the way Second Prince entertains guests? Or is this the etiquette of the people of Qi? I am truly enlightened today." Da Feng Novel Network
"Naturally, it cannot compare to Princess Xingyue's arrogant demeanor when visiting. I wonder how my subordinate offended Princess Xingyue to warrant such a lesson."
As the flower heart fell, a man in luxurious brocade robes walked out. Although his appearance was handsome, his gaze was exceptionally wicked as he brazenly appraised Xue Xingyue.
"Even if I took action, it was because your subordinates offended me. Fortunately, I am not someone who dwells on such matters. It was merely a small punishment. I overstepped my bounds, please forgive me, Second Prince." Xue Xingyue stood there, clad in red, her appearance vibrant and beautiful, her face clear and luminous with eyes that were cold and bright, tinged with a hint of icy disdain.
Qi Yuming chuckled lowly. "Since he offended Princess Xingyue, he deserved to be punished. Perhaps Princess Xingyue was too lenient and should have killed him directly."
Xue Xingyue smiled faintly. "Matters of killing, I shall leave to the Second Prince to handle. I do not enjoy killing."
Qi Yuming smiled. "Has Princess Xingyue come to my residence just to discuss how to kill people?"
"Of course not. I simply feel that reciprocity is good. Otherwise, if your actions are not returned, would it not be impolite of me?" Xue Xingyue looked up at Qi Yuming and said coldly.
Qi Yuming curved his lips into a smile. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand the meaning behind Princess Xingyue's words."
"Very well, since the Second Prince does not understand, I shall be more direct."
"Please speak, Princess."
"I sent people to escort the Second Prince back. What is the meaning of the Second Prince returning after being sent away?"
"Princess Xingyue, the more I listen to your words, the more confused I become. I have been staying here quite well, and my household staff can attest to it. I do not understand what Princess Xingyue means. Could it be that I am here, but there is another me elsewhere?"
Qi Yuming asked with feigned confusion.
"Imperial Brother has fainted," Xue Xingyue suddenly said.
Qi Yuming was startled. "His Majesty has fainted? When did this happen?"
"Just now, and someone saw His Majesty summoning the Second Prince before that," Xue Xingyue said, looking at Qi Yuming.
Qi Yuming found it somewhat amusing and exasperating. "I was sitting here drinking and admiring the moon, and you are telling me I met His Majesty? This is simply a joke."
Xue Xingyue looked at Qi Yuming, unsure if he was hiding well or if it was truly not him. His expression and demeanor showed no change whatsoever.
"Since it was not the Second Prince, then I was too rash. Please forgive me, Second Prince. Farewell!" With that, Xue Xingyue prepared to leave.
Qi Yuming's lips curved slightly. He flashed in front of Xue Xingyue and clicked his tongue twice. "Princess Xingyue, my place seems to have become your territory. You come and go as you please?"
"Otherwise? What does the Second Prince intend to do?" Xue Xingyue asked coldly, raising an eyebrow.
The Second Prince's smile deepened, his gaze wickedly playful. "Such a beautiful night, it would be a shame to waste it. How about..."
Xue Xingyue's sword at her waist swiftly unsheathed, blocking the Second Prince. "Second Prince, I can kill enemies on the battlefield, but if it's about drinking and admiring the moon, I might spoil your refined pleasure. You should drink alone. Farewell!"
With that, Xue Xingyue turned and left.
Qi Yuming watched Xue Xingyue's retreating back, a hint of gloom flashing in his wicked eyes.