"What is the news from Qi?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Wu Hen replied, "As Your Majesty predicted, the Young Prince of Nanping has been imprisoned by the Emperor of Qi. It is unlikely he will recover his position."
Upon hearing this, Xue Xingyue sneered, "This Emperor of Qi truly spares no opportunity to eliminate the Young Prince of Nanping."
"Your Majesty, is the Emperor of Qi not afraid that without the Young Prince of Nanping, Qi will be nothing in the eyes of Xing Jiu?"
"He does not know. If he knew, he would not have acted this way, because he believes that what can I, a mere woman, achieve?" Xue Xingyue sneered. Her goal was to unify the world.
No one could block her path.
"Your Majesty, you asked me to investigate Young Marquis Zhao. I have found some information."
"Present it, Wu Hen, so I may see," Xue Xingyue said.
Wu Hen presented the information. As Xue Xingyue read, she remarked, "I have already glanced at it. I found nothing unusual."
Xue Xingyue opened the documents and saw that during her imperial brother's reign, Zhao Yanluo had only been in contact with Ji Wuran and Meng Jiangming. Later, Ji Wuran left, and no one else was contacted.
She closed the documents with her hand. The names she dared not even imagine now appeared in her mind, lingering and refusing to fade.
"Wu Hen, where is Marquis An Ji residing?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Wu Hen replied, "It seems to be in Zhen Wu Guan."
"Why Zhen Wu Guan?" Xue Xingyue asked, frowning.
Wu Hen shook her head. "I do not know, but I heard that Marquis An Ji's wife insisted on living there. Marquis An Ji could not refuse his wife, so he had to settle in Zhen Wu Guan for now."
"Your Majesty, Duke Meng requests an audience!" Ta Xue entered and announced.
Xue Xingyue nodded. "Let him in!"
Shortly after, Meng Jiangming entered. Ever since he was framed by Qi Yuze that day for having intimate contact with a palace maid, he had been dispressed at home. Later, Ta Xue went to scold him and told him that the palace maid had already been beaten to death by His Majesty, and no one knew about the incident.
But Meng Jiangming knew. He wished everyone knew. His Majesty did not know. For him to appear so soiled before the Empress, he could never overcome this hurdle in his heart.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Meng Jiangming bowed his head.
"Duke Meng, are you familiar with Ji Wuran?" Xue Xingyue suddenly asked.
Meng Jiangming was taken aback. "Ji Wuran?"
"Yes."
"We used to be together often. Later, he left," Meng Jiangming replied.
"When you were with him, did you notice anything unusual about him?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Meng Jiangming frowned and shook his head. "No. It's just that I felt this Ji Wuran was rather elusive."
"Elusive? How so?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Meng Jiangming said, "Every time, he could appear at the most opportune moment."
"For example..."
Meng Jiangming recounted the doubts he had harbored in his heart.
After Meng Jiangming left, Xue Xingyue frowned. The Ji Wuran described by Meng Jiangming seemed to have no flaws.
"Your Majesty, is Young Marquis Ji problematic?" Wu Hen could not help but ask.
"When a person is too perfect, it is precisely a sign that they have problems. Wu Hen, tell me, what does Marquis An Ji look like?"
Wu Hen was startled, unsure why the Empress asked this. However, she replied, "Your Majesty, Marquis An Ji was also a handsome man in his youth, considered a city's handsome man along with Marquis Zhao."
Xue Xingyue nodded. "Marquis An Ji is handsome, and I have heard that Marquis An Ji's wife is also a beauty. Why then did they have Ji Wuran, a person of such plain appearance? I find it somewhat incomprehensible."
She still remembered Ji Wuran's beautiful eyes, bright as stars.
Wu Hen said, "Your Majesty is right. Then, this means Young Marquis Ji might have another face."
"Your Majesty, I have a bold guess," Ta Xue suddenly spoke.
Xue Xingyue looked at Ta Xue and asked, "Speak."
Ta Xue said, "Is there a possibility that Ji Wuran is actually the Young Prince of Nanping?"
Xue Xingyue trembled all over. She walked forward and looked at Ta Xue, asking, "You... say that again."
Ta Xue did not understand why the Empress was so agitated, but she repeated, "I... I said, I said Ji Wuran might be the Young Prince of Nanping."
"Yes, that's the very statement. If, as Ta Xue suggests, that statement by Zhao Yanluo can be verified."
"Wu Hen, lead your men to bring Zhao Yanluo to me," Xue Xingyue commanded.
Wu Hen nodded and left.
Ta Xue said, "Your Majesty, I was merely making a bold guess. It may not be true."
"Whether it is true or not, we will know when Zhao Yanluo arrives."
At this moment, in Wan Jun Restaurant, Zhao Yanluo was anxiously looking at the news from Qi. Although Ji Wuran was not exceptional, so much time had passed, and he had come to consider Ji Wuran a brother. How could he stand by when his brother was in trouble?
"Send more people to inquire. Once there is any news, report it to me quickly."
"Young Marquis, bad news! The Imperial Guards from the palace have surrounded the restaurant."
Zhao Yanluo frowned and walked to the window, looking at the Imperial Guards downstairs. He immediately spotted Wu Hen, the maid by the Empress's side.
He could not help but curse, "Young Marquis, make a decision soon!"
"It's too late. I can't leave." Zhao Yanluo looked at Wu Hen and said slowly.
"Young Marquis Zhao, His Majesty requests your presence!" Wu Hen ascended to the second floor and came before Zhao Yanluo.
Seeing Zhao Yanluo remain silent, Wu Hen sneered, "Young Marquis Zhao, do you intend to disobey the imperial decree?"
Zhao Yanluo chuckled softly, "Do I have any other choice?"
"No, Young Marquis Zhao, please!" Wu Hen said.
Zhao Yanluo descended the stairs and suddenly stopped. "Wu Hen, has anyone ever told you that you look very beautiful when you smile?"
Wu Hen was startled. "You..."
Zhao Yanluo smiled and got into the carriage.
In the Imperial Study, Zhao Yanluo knelt on the ground, refusing to rise. "This commoner pays respects to Your Majesty."