The maidservant appeared very indignant. Knowing they were from Xiliang, it was improper to be sent Xiliang wedding attire for the grand wedding, yet they were sent East Chu wedding attire.
This was clearly bullying them, Xiliang, and openly slapping them in the face. Even if the princess could tolerate such an insult, she couldn't.
"These trivial matters are not worth dwelling on. The priority is to ensure the wedding proceeds smoothly. Have the things I asked you to prepare been made ready?"
"As per the princess's instructions, your servant has prepared everything. Would the princess like to inspect them to see if there are any discrepancies?"
Murong Jinyun put down the comb she was holding and selected a hairpin made of pure gold thread and silk. "You carry this hairpin for me, and we'll go take a look."
"Yes, Princess."
The maidservant took the hairpin and held it against Murong Jinyun's head. "Princess, does this position look good?"
"It's excellent," Murong Jinyun replied with a slight nod, gazing at her reflection in the bronze mirror.
The maidservant carefully placed the hairpin into Murong Jinyun's hair. "Princess, when you wear..."
Before she could finish, the maidservant began to feel dizzy, her steps unsteady. She swayed precariously, and within moments, she fell stiffly to the ground, black blood flowing from her nose and mouth.
The two remaining maids in the room were thoroughly terrified by the scene, their bodies trembling. They dared not even breathe loudly.
Murong Jinyun let out a soft sigh, removed the hairpin from her hair, and tossed it beside the maidservant's corpse.
"Dispose of her. Let this hairpin be her burial accompaniment."
A talkative maidservant, married off alongside her, would be an endless source of trouble. It was better to deal with her promptly and cleanly, saving future inconveniences.
"Your servant obeys."
The remaining two maids replied in unison. Only after Murong Jinyun left did they dare to show their fear.
Merely for speaking a few extra words, the princess had resorted to killing. They would have to be even more careful in their actions from now on, absolutely unable to anger the princess again, lest they meet an unknown end.
...
"Greetings, Princess." Baili Xi entered, looking travel-worn, which startled Murong Jinyun. She almost dropped the teacup she was holding.
"You should be guarding the post station. Why have you come here? Do you know that every corner here is filled with East Chu spies? If you're seen, no amount of explanation would suffice."
Murong Jinyun's tone was filled with reprimand, her dissatisfaction evident with Baili Xi's reckless behavior.
Now, any slight misstep, if caught, would make it difficult for them to escape. Why must they take such risks for matters?
"It was my oversight, but I have something important to discuss with the Princess. I beg for your forgiveness for my rash actions."
Baili Xi's attitude was exceedingly humble. Even if Murong Jinyun was displeased, she couldn't say anything more.
After all, Baili Xi was a general of Xiliang. Considering Xiliang, she could tolerate even more excessive actions from Baili Xi, as Xiliang depended on the Baili clan.
"Let this matter pass. General Baili, there's no need for such formality. Please, sit down and let's talk."
Murong Jinyun waved her hand, letting the matter go. "General Baili, why have you braved coming here?"
"Princess, His Majesty has arranged for an assassination attempt on the East Chu Emperor on the day of the Princess's wedding. Once successful, East Chu will surely descend into chaos, allowing our Xiliang generals to seize this opportunity and launch a full-scale invasion into East Chu."
"Act on the wedding day! Impossible! Father promised me he would act on my wedding day. Why has it been moved up?"
Murong Jinyun abruptly stood up, her voice filled with astonishment. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Suppressing the surge of emotions, she desperately wanted to know the reason for her father's sudden change of mind. The wedding day would undoubtedly be heavily guarded, making an attempt then difficult.
Didn't her father know the risks involved? There must be an unavoidable reason for him to act this way.
"No, I need to write a letter to Father to clarify this."
Without her father's explicit consent, she would absolutely not proceed. Murong Jinyun stood to write a letter for clarification.
She had only taken two steps when Baili Xi stepped forward to block her. "Princess, this is His Majesty's secret decree. I implore the Princess to consider the greater good and act according to His Majesty's command."
He had anticipated that the Princess would not easily believe him. Upon his arrival, he had prepared His Majesty's personal secret decree.
Murong Jinyun, shocked, quickly took the decree and eagerly opened it. It was indeed her father's handwriting.
"Since the Princess has seen His Majesty's personal secret decree, please act according to His Majesty's wishes, and do not let personal sentiment delay His Majesty's grand plan."
Baili Xi's gaze darkened. He began to use the Emperor to suppress Murong Jinyun. He was also worried that Murong Jinyun, driven by emotion, would refuse to act as they intended, thus delaying the important matter.
"How this Princess acts is naturally planned in my heart. General Baili need not concern himself too much. Do not forget that I am the ruler, and you are the subject. Do not forget your place."
She naturally understood Baili Xi's intentions at this moment, but she was, after all, a princess and could not allow Baili Xi to oppress her and act so presumptuously.
Murong Jinyun clenched the secret decree in her hand, unsure of what to do. However, she was unwilling to do such a thing on her wedding day. Once she did, she would drag Gu Beichen down with her, and Gu Beichen would never forgive her.
She genuinely loved Gu Beichen and naturally did not wish to harm the person she loved in such a way. This time, she absolutely would not do such a thing.
"Does the Princess mean she does not wish to act according to His Majesty's will?"
Baili Xi asked calmly. Murong Jinyun's reaction at this moment was indeed within his expectations.
"That's right. I had already discussed this with Father, and everything must proceed according to our prior arrangements. As for other matters, I will not do them. Please give up this idea and stop trying to persuade me."
Murong Jinyun's attitude was firm. She walked to the desk, hesitated for a moment, and then threw the secret decree in her hand into the brazier.
"Princess!"
Baili Xi shouted, lunging to snatch the decree from the brazier, but he was a step too late. The secret decree had already turned to ash.
"Princess, you have immense courage! This is His Majesty's secret decree. By burning it, are you attempting to deceive the Emperor and defy heaven? If His Majesty learns of this, have you considered the consequences?"