Since Qi Yu Ming returned to the post station, he had become much more subdued. He had realized that the Empress was not as incompetent as he had imagined, and therefore decided not to act so rashly anymore.
"Your Highness, today is the Empress's annual visit to Huguo Temple. Do you wish to go?"
"Why wouldn't I take such a good opportunity?" Qi Yu Heng looked up at A Da.
A Da nodded. "Your subordinate will make arrangements."
In the Xingyue Palace, Ta Xue had finished packing and approached Xue Xing Yue, saying in a low voice, "Your Majesty has made all the preparations."
Xue Xing Yue nodded. "Then let's go!"
Getting into the carriage, Ta Xue whispered, "Your Majesty, you haven't slept all night. Rest for a while now!"
Xue Xing Yue leaned back in the carriage and closed her eyes.
Wu Hen, who was beside her, asked, "Where is Your Majesty going?"
"Huguo Temple," Ta Xue replied softly.
Wu Hen was surprised. "Why are we going to Huguo Temple?"
Ta Xue sighed. "Wu Hen, you don't know, the late Emperor is there."
Wu Hen trembled, then looked at the Empress, who looked exhausted, and said with concern, "No wonder."
Xue Xing Yue said, "Your Majesty must be very, very tired!"
For her kin's revenge, and for her kin's hope, Your Majesty became the Empress.
"Your Majesty, we have arrived at Huguo Temple," a voice called from outside.
Xue Xing Yue alighted from the carriage. The Huguo Temple was bustling with people. Wu Hen looked on worriedly and said, "Your Majesty, do we not need to clear the area? Your servant feels this is not safe."
"No need. I do not wish to disturb others."
Wu Hen nodded. "Then let's enter from the back."
Xue Xing Yue nodded. The abbot of Huguo Temple, Abbot Jing Tan, was already waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Xue Xing Yue, he quickly chanted Amitabha. She stepped forward and supported Abbot Jing Tan. "Abbot, there is no need for such formalities."
Abbot Jing Tan looked at Xue Xing Yue and said, "Your Majesty seems very tired. Your Majesty should pay more attention to resting."
Xue Xing Yue looked at Abbot Jing Tan. "Thank you, Abbot, for your concern. I am fine."
Upon hearing this, Abbot Jing Tan said no more. "Your Majesty's room has already been prepared."
"Take me to see my imperial brother first," Xue Xing Yue said.
Abbot Jing Tan nodded. "Please follow this old monk, Your Majesty."
Not far away, A Da appeared and said to the person behind him, "Your Highness, the Empress has already entered."
Qi Yu Heng nodded. "Proceed with the plan shortly."
A Da said, "Rest assured, Your Highness, your subordinate understands."
Xue Xing Yue entered the room and saw the memorial tablet above. She forced a smile. "Imperial Brother, Xing Yue has come to see you."
Ta Xue and Wu Hen, who were behind her, exchanged glances and wisely retreated, closing the door behind them.
Xue Xing Yue walked forward, hugged her imperial brother's memorial tablet, and sat on the ground. "Imperial Brother, you must blame Xing Yue, right? Now Xing Yue can finally speak with you properly."
Her tears no longer needed to be held back. They flowed down. She wiped her tears and said softly, "Imperial Brother, I miss you, I miss Mother Emperor, I miss Father Emperor, I miss Aunt Xue Yan, I miss Uncle Wen, so many people..."
She truly missed them, so much...
Suddenly, a voice came from outside. Xue Xing Yue put down the memorial tablet and walked to the door, asking in a low voice, "Ta Xue, Wu Hen, what's happening?"
Ta Xue's voice came back, "Replying to Your Majesty, it is the Third Prince of Qi. He seems to have been assassinated. Should your servant go to his rescue?"
Xue Xing Yue frowned. Qi Yu Heng's presence here at this time was already very suspicious. Moreover, to be pursued and attacked, even if he had enemies, they wouldn't chase him all the way to Xing Jiu Kingdom, would they?
Thinking of this, Xue Xing Yue decided not to intervene. She wanted to see if the Third Prince of Qi would still perish in Xing Jiu Kingdom without her intervention.
"What is the situation now?" Xue Xing Yue asked.
Ta Xue replied, "The enemy is very powerful."
"How powerful?" Xue Xing Yue asked.
"The guards around the Third Prince are all injured. Now, only the Third Prince is struggling to hold on."
"Was it not intentional?" Xue Xing Yue asked.
Ta Xue said, "It doesn't seem like it."
Xue Xing Yue frowned. At this moment, Ta Xue let out a scream. She quickly opened the door and saw a man covered in blood lying on the ground, his hand tightly gripping the hem of Ta Xue's skirt. With all his might, he said, "Save... save His Highness..."
Ta Xue tried to break free but could not. Seeing this, Xue Xing Yue, with a sword that had somehow appeared in her hand, slashed at the hem of Ta Xue's skirt. The man was left with only a piece of the skirt in his hand.
"Your Highness, you..."
"The Third Prince cannot die here." After saying this, Xue Xing Yue shot out like an arrow released from a bow.
Qi Yu Heng never expected the fake assassination to turn into a real one. Seeing his guards fall one by one while protecting him, he felt only anger and shame.
He had harmed so many loyal guards for his own selfish reasons, and it was not worth it.
A Da, with his last breath, roared, "Your Highness, you go first."
Qi Yu Heng shook his head. "This Prince will not leave. This Prince wants to see who it is that wants this Prince's life."
"Your Highness..."
"A Da, you grew up with this Prince. When has this Prince ever abandoned you? Never before, and certainly not today."
A Da trembled all over, his teeth stained with blood. "A Da is fortunate to have followed Your Highness."
With that, A Da charged in with the resolve to die.
Qi Yu Heng was greatly alarmed and roared, "A Da..."
He saw swords aimed at A Da's back. He leaped forward to help A Da but found that his opponent seemed unwilling to let him leave, attacking with increasing ferocity.
"A Da..." he roared, watching as a sword was about to pierce A Da's back. Suddenly, a silver light flashed, severing those swords.
The force sent the assassins staggering back. They looked towards the person who had suddenly appeared.
The young woman stood mid-air, holding a long sword. Her dark hair moved without wind. Her beautiful face bore eyes that were cold and captivating. She looked coldly at the assassins and spoke with icy tones, "You dare to be so audacious in my Xing Jiu Kingdom?"
The assassins were stunned. Then they saw the young woman suddenly swoop down. The immense force made them retreat repeatedly.
At this moment, imperial guards rushed in from outside. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Xue Xing Yue nodded. "Capture all the assassins. If there is any resistance, execute them on the spot."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The imperial guards received the order, and the assassins were quickly apprehended.
Xue Xing Yue approached Qi Yu Heng and said coldly, "Your Highness must have been frightened."