"Whether there's another meaning, I don't know. All I know is that this is Xing Jiu Kingdom, Your Highness the Third Prince."
Qi Yu Heng shivered all over and looked up at the young woman sitting before him. Her face was delicate and beautiful, her eyes as clear as water, but upon closer inspection, he found them to be as cold as frost.
For some inexplicable reason, he shivered, as if it were only now that he truly recognized the Empress of Xing Jiu Kingdom.
In the past hundred years, two empresses had emerged from this land: the first was the mother of the current Empress of Xing Jiu, Empress Chang Jiu, and the second was this Empress of Xing Jiu.
Perhaps in the past, he had held some contempt, thinking that women could not be rulers. Now, it seemed women could possess the same schemes and strategies as men.
Suddenly, an idea formed in his mind: did the Empress know about his assassination attempt? Was she involved?
Truthfully, he was startled by his own thoughts.
Could this Empress be more dangerous than she appeared?
Thinking of this, a cold sweat broke out on his back.
If that were the case, then his assassination attempt was premeditated.
"Your Majesty speaks the truth," Qi Yu Heng could only utter these words now.
"Since the two princes have come to my Xing Jiu Kingdom, I should ensure they are well-fed and well-hosted. Now that the Third Prince has been attacked, it is my responsibility. To prevent such incidents from recurring, I have decided to implement protection for both princes. Imperial guards, heed my command."
Xue Xing Yue suddenly called out.
Imperial guards entered from outside. Xue Xing Yue said coldly, "From today onwards, I entrust the safety of the two princes to you. If anything untoward happens to either of them, I will hold you accountable."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The Imperial guards acknowledged the order.
Xue Xing Yue turned to Qi Yu Heng and said indifferently, "Third Prince, it is getting late. Let them escort you back. With their protection from now on, I will be at ease regarding the two princes."
At ease? Qi Yu Heng lowered his gaze, feeling a sense of alarm. At this moment, he realized how little he truly knew about this Empress of Xing Jiu.
"Third Prince, please!" The Imperial guards stepped forward respectfully.
Qi Yu Heng knew he had to leave. After bowing, he exited the imperial study.
Xue Xing Yue watched Qi Yu Heng's retreating back, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Upon returning to the post station, Qi Yu Heng remained silent for a long time. Ah Da and Ah Ling exchanged glances. Ah Da could not help but ask, "Your Highness, you seem a little down after visiting the palace?"
Qi Yu Heng looked up at Ah Da and asked, "If, hypothetically, all of this was orchestrated, what would you think?"
Ah Da trembled all over, quickly understanding the implication of his master's words. He could not help but ask, "Does Your Highness know who that person is?" "It's just a guess!" Qi Yu Heng replied.
Ah Da looked at Qi Yu Heng and cautiously asked, "May this subordinate know?"
Qi Yu Heng said, "When I was attacked, I said that the Second Prince was merely used as a pawn and was not the true culprit."
Ah Da nodded. "Yes, Ah Ling was very indignant about that!"
"Ah Da, do you know that I might be under house arrest?"
Ah Da froze. "Your Highness, you..."
"The Empress said it was for the safety of myself and my Second Brother," Qi Yu Heng said slowly.
Ah Da frowned, his gaze suddenly becoming dim and unreadable. "Your Highness, that person is..."
"Third Prince, my master requests your presence!" A voice came from outside the door.
Ah Ling went to open the door. Ming Guang stood outside.
"Is there something?" Ah Ling's words were sharp.
Ming Guang said, "My master requests the presence of the Third Prince."
"One assassination wasn't enough? You want another?" Ah Ling spoke carelessly.
"Ah Ling, stand down!" Qi Yu Heng said coldly.
Ah Ling stepped back. Qi Yu Heng said, "I will be there shortly."
Ming Guang bowed and left.
"Your Highness, I dare not agree with what you said, but why would the Empress do this?" Ah Ling did not understand and thus asked.
Qi Yu Heng replied, "Ming Xia Pass."
Ah Da and Ah Ling were stunned.
Ah Da asked, "What is Your Highness's connection to Ming Xia Pass?"
"Ming Xia Pass is an important border city, directly opposite Zhen Wu Pass. If the Empress obtains Ming Xia Pass, she will undoubtedly be even more formidable."
"Your Highness, this subordinate does not understand. Ming Xia Pass is defended by the Young Lord of Nan Ping; how can she simply take it if she wishes?" Ah Ling felt his master was overthinking.
"You are correct, it is indeed defended by the Young Lord of Nan Ping, which is why Ming Xia Pass has remained under Qi's control for so many years. But now, my Second Prince and I are like meat delivered to the Empress's doorstep. Tell me, will she eat or not?"
"Your Highness, this..."
Qi Yu Heng stood up and said as he walked, "My Second Prince has also realized this, which is why he is so eager to discuss it with me. Let's go, let's go see my Second Prince." Da Feng Fiction Network
Upon arriving at Qi Yu Ming's room, Qi Yu Ming's expression was not good. Looking at him, he said, "Third Brother, I know you don't believe me, but I still must say it: this really wasn't me. My initial intention was only to stop you from approaching the Empress."
Qi Yu Heng replied, "Second Brother, we are both people of Qi. At this critical juncture, we should unite. I am willing to believe that Second Brother had no intention of harming me."
Qi Yu Ming breathed a sigh of relief. "Third Brother, I knew you would understand. Those assassins were truly not sent by me."
"I know. This is Xing Jiu Kingdom. If I were to die, Father would also blame you."
Qi Yu Ming nodded. "Exactly, exactly."
"Does Second Brother have any leads?" Qi Yu Heng asked.
Qi Yu Ming shook his head. "I sent Ming Duan to investigate, but after much searching, we couldn't find out who sent those people."
"Second Brother, stop investigating."
Qi Yu Ming was taken aback and could not help but ask, "Why?"
Qi Yu Heng said, "Don't you find it strange? From the gardener to the assassins, each incident has been directed at us. Do you still not know who is behind this, Second Brother?"