Feng Wuya and Long Tianliu left.
Long Ziyue still couldn't understand why he would be with Her Majesty the Empress.
Given Feng Wuya's temperament, if he was unwilling, even if Her Majesty the Empress forced him, he would absolutely refuse to yield even unto death.
"Ziyue." The Princess Regent had not summoned her earlier due to feeling unwell, and she hadn't dared to disturb her.
Now that His Majesty had left, the Princess Regent immediately had someone support her out and walk to the woman.
"They..."
"I don't understand either." Long Ziyue helped her sit down and waved her hand. The maids immediately withdrew.
Although many of the people here were the Princess Regent's own, brought in from outside the palace.
Although Her Majesty the Empress had confined her to the palace, she had at least not pushed her to the absolute brink.
Under her watchful eye, the Princess Regent still had some freedom.
However, there were ultimately quite a few of His Majesty's people here, so mother and daughter still needed to speak with caution.
The Princess Regent sat down, frowning, "Didn't Prince Xiaoyao go with Miss Chu? This... Ziyue, I can't quite understand."
"I don't understand either." Long Ziyue sat beside her.
Her gaze fell, about to ponder.
Her line of sight inadvertently landed on the teacup that Feng Wuya had just used.
They had chatted casually just now. Feng Wuya was never one for many words, so he hadn't said much.
It seemed he had been drinking tea the whole time.
A thought sparked in her mind, for reasons unknown, she immediately lifted the lid of the teacup Feng Wuya had used.
"Mother!" Long Ziyue's eyes lit up, and with a click, she closed the lid.
"Ziyue..." the Princess Regent frowned.
Long Ziyue shook her head, carefully scanned her surroundings, but quickly retracted her gaze.
"Mother, you didn't see it just now, His Majesty was very doting on the Prince. I've never seen His Majesty indulge any male consort so much."
Seeing her daughter's expression, the Princess Regent understood instantly.
She also sighed lightly, "That's a pity. I've also never seen His Majesty take a liking to any male consort. Moreover, for so many years, although His Majesty's harem has had countless handsome men, the position of Emperor has always been vacant..."
"Mother, we shouldn't say too much of these things."
"Alright, I'm also tired. Ziyue, help me back to rest."
Long Ziyue's long fingers traced the inside of the cup, then she helped the Princess Regent return to her chambers.
The person in black on the rooftop then leaped up, vanishing in the vast night in an instant.
Back in the chambers, Long Ziyue said nothing, spreading her hand open.
A small wax bead had been in the tea.
The Princess Regent felt a slight coolness before her eyes and immediately picked up the small wax bead, gently crushing it.
Inside, there was a note.
The Princess Regent glanced at Long Ziyue and quietly slipped the note into her hand.
Long Ziyue glanced at it, her fingertips involuntarily tightening.
It was news from Wei Qiong, "Li Xian Zhong, Gui."
Long Ziyue looked at the Princess Regent.
The Princess Regent nodded, saying nothing.
Chu Qianli had gone to find the old General Wei Xian. Although Wei Qiong didn't know why she was confident, since she hoped the Princess Regent would find a way to return, it meant Wei Qiong believed Chu Qianli would definitely be able to persuade Wei Xian.
They had to find a way to leave the palace quickly and return to the Prince's manor.
Wei Qiong intended to secretly recall the army, and the Princess Regent also had to reorganize her own troops. Then, once Old General Wei agreed to help, they could march directly to Longcheng.
This was the best opportunity, and the only opportunity!
The Princess Regent looked at Long Ziyue, took her hand, and wrote a few words in her palm: "Leave on your own."
Long Ziyue's eyes instantly grew warm.
She shook her head.
If she really left, His Majesty would definitely make things difficult for her mother.
The Princess Regent wrote in her hand again: "I will surely die, but my heart is with you."
She couldn't live.
She had always been plagued by an intractable illness. Although Princess Li'er had said she could cure her.
But to cure her would inevitably consume a large amount of manpower and material resources. Most importantly, this was a critical juncture, and she couldn't let her illness drag anyone down.
Especially Princess Li'er!
She took Long Ziyue's hand again and continued to write in her palm: "Li'er is the daughter of Long Xiyue."
Long Ziyue's breath hitched. She stared at her, unable to recover for a long time, her breathing even becoming disordered.
The Princess Regent had not dared to say it before, fearing eavesdropping, and secrets might not be kept here.
But now, with movement already beginning outside, some things had to be said.
She looked at Long Ziyue with a determined gaze: "Princess Li'er is now our only hope. You must protect her and help her!"
Long Ziyue's eyes grew warm, and tears almost rolled down.
The Princess Regent's face darkened, clearly displeased.
Women of their Longteng Kingdom rarely shed tears!
Especially since she was the daughter of Long Hongming, and in the future, she would become the most capable assistant to the new Emperor!
She absolutely could not shed tears!
Long Ziyue took a deep breath, wiped the corners of her eyes, and dried the tear that had not yet fallen.
After a while, she nodded.
She had to find a way to leave.
Prince Xiaoyao's entry into the palace was precisely to help them escape the imperial palace.
His Majesty was coveting him, but given Prince Xiaoyao's temperament, he would absolutely refuse to yield even unto death.
The longer he stayed in the palace, the greater the danger.
If A'Li knew, A'Li would be heartbroken!
Long Ziyue crumpled the note forcefully!
She had to find an opportunity to escape!
She wanted to protect A'Li, she wanted to help A'Li, and reclaim everything that belonged to Princess Xiyue!
...
"Wuya, now that you've seen Long Ziyue, can you finally be at ease?"
Upon returning to the imperial chambers, Long Tianliu dismissed everyone and looked at Feng Wuya, whose expression was calm.
"I haven't harmed your friend. Can you perhaps let go of your hostility towards me?"
Feng Wuya said nothing, only inclined his head slightly towards her.
Did this mean he no longer hated her?
The more Long Tianliu looked at his composed face, the more she liked him. She couldn't help but say, "Since you're at ease, then... it's getting late now. Wuya, why don't we rest early?"
In the blink of an eye, she had already appeared before Feng Wuya.
The Empress of Longteng Kingdom, her martial arts were profound and unfathomable!
Feng Wuya's eyes finally changed slightly. He lowered his face, displeased, "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"
"Wuya, I have never hidden my feelings for you. I want you to stay in my palace."
"This King is unwilling!" he said in a deep voice.
Although the answer was within her expectations, Long Tianliu couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
However, she was extremely patient and still coaxed him softly, "Then Wuya, what exactly must I do for you to be willing to follow by my side?"
Feng Wuya said nothing, but took two steps back, clearly showing his resistance.
Long Tianliu's expression finally changed.
She said displeasedly, "Wuya, I truly like you very much, and my patience with you has never been better! However, my patience has its limits. If you refuse again, don't blame me for resorting to forceful means!"