The two figures who came down happened to collide with Yun Shu, who was just about to leave.
A silent confrontation.
Li Feng once again appraised the young man before him, a strange feeling washing over him. The aura emanating from this young man was too sharp.
However, he couldn't recall where he had met this young man before.
He must not have met him; if he had, he would surely remember.
The woman beside Li De was also observing Yun Shu. Like Li De, she had a strong premonition that the man before them possessed an extraordinary bearing and was not afraid of them.
It was better that he wasn't afraid of her, for she wore a veil. But Li De had spent years on the battlefield, carrying a fierce aura that made ordinary people dare not meet his gaze, constantly avoiding it.
Yet, this man before them, upon seeing Li De, showed no trace of evasion in his eyes.
If these two knew at this moment that the man before them was Yun Shu, what would they think?
He was precisely the person they both desperately wanted to find.
Knowing he was in the capital, yet there was no news of him.
Unfortunately, they did not realize at present that the person before them was Yun Shu.
The two of them withdrew their gazes, a shared thought in their minds: if they wanted to know this person's identity, they simply had to order an investigation.
Yun Shu exited the teahouse behind them.
She nonchalantly watched as their two carriages departed.
The two carriages soon vanished from sight.
She curved her lips lazily, "Some matters in Xixia are even more convoluted than in Dongning."
Who was that woman?
Before leaving, she glanced back at the teahouse.
This teahouse was interesting, and the proprietor was even more so.
...
Xixia, Imperial Palace.
Qian Jin held the fruit she had just retrieved from the imperial kitchen.
Her entire face was clouded with unhappiness.
Upon entering the room and seeing Princess Sheng Yue, Qian Jin immediately poured out her woes, "The imperial kitchen only gave these fruits. They clearly had grapes, but they said the grapes were prepared for His Highness Jin Yang. I explicitly stated that the Princess wanted to eat grapes today, yet they still refused."
When had she ever suffered such indignity?
It had been acceptable a few days ago, but now they completely disregarded the Princess, daring to withhold anything.
Moreover, the attendants of other princesses dared to boss her around, taunting her openly and implicitly with their words.
This frustration weighed heavily on her, making her miserable!
Upon hearing this, Princess Sheng Yue, with a *crack*, flung a teacup she was holding away, "How dare they! They dare to refuse what this Princess desires!"
Qian Jin nodded repeatedly, "Yes, they are too audacious! One wonders who gave them such boldness! When the Princess rises again one day, will they not all tremble in fear?"
That day was surely not far off!
Princess Sheng Yue gritted her teeth, "You speak the truth. Go and see if Ningde County Princess has entered the palace."
Qian Jin immediately went to check.
Currently, Ningde County Princess was the key to the Princess's resurgence!
However.
Less than half an hour later, Qian Jin returned.
She approached Princess Sheng Yue with a crestfallen expression.
"Where is Ningde County Princess?" Princess Sheng Yue looked behind Qian Jin, but Ningde County Princess was nowhere to be seen.
Qian Jin's eyes immediately reddened, and she bit her lip tightly, saying, "Ningde County Princess's people informed the palace guards that she suddenly had some urgent matters to attend to today and could not enter the palace. If the Princess has anything, she can send a letter, or wait until the palace banquet in these two days to meet and discuss."
Upon hearing this, Princess Sheng Yue was furious, slamming her hand on the table, "What an arrogant tone she has!"
"She dares to disrespect this Princess! Who gave her the audacity! She is merely a county princess, yet she dares to act this way!" Princess Sheng Yue was enraged beyond measure, her eyes bloodshot, as if they might bulge out at any moment.
Qian Jin flinched back a step, not daring to get too close, and could only brace herself and say, "Perhaps Ningde County Princess truly has something to attend to."
"Even the people in the imperial kitchen dare to show this Princess disrespect, and you think Ningde County Princess wouldn't? Do they all believe this Princess can never regain her position?" Princess Sheng Yue grew more agitated the more she thought about it. If she hadn't been calculated against by that fool Zhan Tianyu and lost her purity, would she be in such a predicament now?
Although Zhan Tianyu was dead, it did little to quell the hatred in her heart.
Qian Jin quickly shook her head, "No! Your Highness will surely be able to rise again! No one in this palace can rise again, but Your Highness absolutely can!"
Princess Sheng Yue fiercely pounded the table, "This is outrageous! Damn it!"
"In any case, tomorrow is the palace banquet. Then, whether it is His Highness Prince Jin or Ningde County Princess, they will both be present. At that time, Your Highness can seize this opportunity to rise again! Your Highness, this palace banquet is an excellent chance." At this moment, Qian Jin was even more anxious than Princess Sheng Yue.
While the Princess might face disdain, she faced even more!
Those people dared not openly harm the Princess, but they were all beginning to treat her without mercy!
That was why she was more anxious than the Princess! She feared she would be harmed and lose her life in a couple of days!
Princess Sheng Yue clenched her fists tightly, her eyes filled with overwhelming hatred and anger, "You are right. The day after tomorrow is my chance. I will make those people regret it! Just you wait!"
"This palace banquet might be where the Emperor bestows a marriage between His Highness Prince Jin and Ningde County Princess. Your Highness, perhaps you could even take a risky gamble..." Qian Jin suddenly thought of a stratagem.
"Speak."
"Zhen Shizi will definitely enter the palace tomorrow. Why doesn't Your Highness take this opportunity to form an alliance with Zhen Shizi! With Your Highness's noble status, in full view of everyone, the Emperor will surely bestow a marriage! For the Nan Yang Royal Household, tomorrow will be a double celebration!" Qian Jin's eyes gleamed with calculation.
Princess Sheng Yue frowned, "You want me to marry a sickly man? Everyone knows Zhen Shizi won't live long!"
But as soon as the words left her lips, Princess Sheng Yue realized, "Zhen Shizi... Ningde County Princess, this strategy is indeed good. By marrying Zhen Shizi, she can rely on the Nan Yang Royal Household and Ningde County Princess to rise again!"
"Your Highness is absolutely right! Then Ningde County Princess will have His Highness Prince Jin behind her. Your Highness's move can be described as killing two birds with one stone!" Qian Jin fawned.
Princess Sheng Yue's expression softened considerably. After careful consideration, she felt this was an excellent plan! "Ningde County Princess doesn't want to be associated with me, does she? Very well, I am about to become her sister-in-law! Then she will have to go to great lengths to help me build a good reputation and offer me advice!"
"Your Highness is correct!"
...
Meanwhile, Ningde County Princess was unaware that she was already being plotted against by Princess Sheng Yue.
She was indeed entangled with some troublesome matters today.
Lü Qiao had ordered people to investigate Lin Qingluo.
The findings were similar to Lin Qingluo's. On that day, her brother had fainted by the roadside, and it was indeed a woman of ordinary appearance who rescued him, giving him a pill and even employing acupuncture techniques.