The boy who once followed her had grown into a monarch, the Emperor of a nation.
But if he had rightfully inherited the throne, she would have been happy for him.
However, it was not so; he had climbed to that position, stepping on the blood of his elder brother.
She could not tolerate it, nor could she let it go.
Her fingers tightened within her sleeves, her gaze as cold as frost, piercing directly towards Xue Tianyue, who was beaming with smiles and basking in success.
Xue Tianyue felt an extremely cold gaze that chilled him to the bone.
That gaze was like a drawn bowstring, ready to pierce his body at any moment.
Xue Tianyue trembled inexplicably, raising his head to search for the owner of this gaze.
Just as their gazes met, someone blocked the line of sight between her and Xue Tianyue.
"Are you going to expose yourself?" a deep voice, tinged with a hint of chill, made Xue Xingyue instantly sober up.
"I was careless," Xue Xingyue lowered her gaze and said slowly.
"Come with me."
Xue Xingyue watched as Ji Wuran grabbed her hand. She didn't resist, allowing him to pull her to a secluded spot within the imperial palace.
Upon reaching the location, Ji Wuran released her hand and said, "Your Highness, I know you bear hatred in your heart, but now is absolutely not the time. The guards are vigilant here. Your Highness, you must not act rashly."
Xue Xingyue knew Ji Wuran was looking out for her. "I know. I was careless just now."
"Your Highness..."
"Ji Wuran, finding you here makes things so easy."
Hearing the voice, Ji Wuran knitted his brows. Xue Xingyue whispered, "I'll find a place to hide." But after looking around for a long time, she saw nowhere to conceal herself.
She could only watch helplessly as Wen Jingyi walked over.
Wen Jingyi, who had been smiling, her expression turned cold when she saw Xue Xingyue. "Why are you here too?"
Xue Xingyue bowed and said, "This humble one got lost and happened to encounter Young Marquis Ji."
"You can get lost and end up here with Young Marquis Ji. You're truly remarkable," Wen Jingyi said coldly.
Xiao Yue bowed to Wen Jingyi and Ji Wuran, saying, "This humble one shall take leave now!"
Wen Jingyi watched Xue Xingyue's retreating back, then turned to Ji Wuran with a smile. "Ji Wuran, regarding what happened before, this county princess was impolite. Can you please not hold it against me?"
Ji Wuran gave Wen Jingyi a faint glance. Wen Jingyi found this gaze too cold and couldn't help but frown. "Ji Wuran, you..."
"I have never cared, so the county princess need not mind. If there is nothing else, I shall bid you farewell." Saying this, Ji Wuran prepared to leave.
Having finally met, how could Wen Jingyi miss this opportunity? She subconsciously reached out to tug at Ji Wuran's sleeve, but before her hand could touch it, she saw a corner of his robe fall to the ground, precisely where she had intended to touch.
Wen Jingyi trembled and stood frozen, only to hear Ji Wuran's cold voice ring out, "County Princess, I do not like others touching me. Please forgive me. Farewell!"
With that, Ji Wuran left without a moment's hesitation.
Wen Jingyi watched Ji Wuran's retreating back, a shadow of gloom flickering in her eyes.
After leaving Ji Wuran, Xue Xingyue thought she should hurry back, otherwise, Meng Jiangming would become suspicious if he saw she was gone.
Who would have thought she would run into the person she least wanted to see?
At this moment, she could only bow and say, "This humble one greets Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Her Majesty the Empress Dowager glanced at Xue Xingyue and said, "You look unfamiliar. From which palace are you?"
Xue Xingyue lowered her gaze and said, "This humble one entered the palace with the驸马爷 (Fù Mǎ Yé - husband of a princess). This is my first time entering the palace, and I am lost. I have disturbed Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's sacred presence. I beg for your forgiveness."
Upon hearing this, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager said, "No wonder you look unfamiliar. So you were brought in by Jiangming."
"What is your name?" Her Majesty the Empress Dowager asked.
"This humble one's name is Xiao Yue."
"Tie him up for me," Her Majesty the Empress Dowager commanded angrily.
Xue Xingyue was stunned. Something was wrong. Her disguise was still intact; Meng Jia shouldn't have discovered her?
"This humble one is terrified. What have I done to offend Her Majesty the Empress Dowager? I beg for your forgiveness." Xue Xingyue quickly knelt and pleaded.
Hearing this, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager gritted her teeth and said, "You deserve to die in the first place."
Xue Xingyue frowned at this, raising her head to ask, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, you say I am guilty. Where is my crime? Although Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is the ruler of the inner palace, one needs a charge to arrest someone, doesn't one?"
Her Majesty the Empress Dowager pointed at her and said, "Look, look, such a glib tongue. No wonder you can coax Jiangming into not marrying or taking concubines." Xue Xingyue was taken aback. What did she and Meng Jiangming have to do with this?
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, if you want to frame someone, you can always find a reason. This humble one is not convinced." Xue Xingyue looked at the approaching eunuch and considered whether to flee.
"I am the supreme authority here. Your disagreement is useless. Why are you all standing around? Seize her quickly!"
Xue Xingyue frowned, her hand tightly gripping the whip. Just then, a voice rang out, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please wait." Xue Xingyue breathed a slight sigh of relief. The person was none other than Meng Jiangming.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, may I ask what offense my servant has committed to cause such a commotion?" Meng Jiangming stepped forward, placing himself in front of Xue Xingyue and looking at Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.
Her Majesty the Empress Dowager had not expected Meng Jiangming to arrive so quickly. She said coldly, "Why am I doing this? Jiangming, you should know. Ever since this servant entered the Duke of Ning's estate, you have changed entirely. Even if you are angry today, I will punish this servant."
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, you worry too much. As I said, I do not wish to marry or take concubines for now. Must you force me?" Meng Jiangming asked Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.
"Jiangming, no matter what you say today, I will not listen to you. He is just a servant. Are you going to argue with me for a mere servant?" Her Majesty the Empress Dowager was furious. How could she believe that he would argue with her, the Empress Dowager, for a servant?
Hearing this, Meng Jiangming suddenly lifted his robe and knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, if you insist on punishing my servant, then punish me first!"