“Princess, it’s not that I am incapable, but if this continues, this Crown Prince of the Eastern Isles might not make it~”
Hearing Hua Jinrong’s words, Lin Qingge slowly let out a sigh of relief.
No matter how deserving of death Fu Xun, who bore the title of Crown Prince of the Eastern Isles, might be, he absolutely could not die at this critical juncture, nor could he die so openly in front of everyone.
The Great Xia Kingdom was strong and its military powerful; the small Eastern Isles could indeed be disregarded.
However, one could not neglect the dignity of other nations.
Even in war, there was a rule about not beheading envoys.
Tonight, Great Xia had specifically hosted a banquet to entertain envoys from various countries. If a joyous occasion were to turn into a funeral, not only would Great Xia lose face, but other countries would also harbor resentment. Worse, it could even be used as an excuse by ill-intentioned individuals to attack the new Emperor.
But what truly puzzled Lin Qingge was:
The competition with the Eastern Isles was nearing its end. Why did this ostentatious peacock suddenly show up to join the commotion?
While Lin Qingge was momentarily distracted, Leng Ningyue had already kicked Saito I to the ground.
“Today is a celebratory occasion, not suitable for taking lives. Therefore, tomorrow I will send you all to the west!”
Casting this chilling remark aside, Leng Ningyue pushed off the ground with her toes and flew back to her seat.
Seeing the Empress return unharmed, the new Emperor said in a deep voice:
“Someone, help the Crown Prince of the Eastern Isles to rest!
Coincidentally, using this opportunity, I have something to announce…”
Before the new Emperor could finish speaking, Hua Jinrong dramatically let out a groan.
Although the new Emperor was extremely displeased at being interrupted, seeing someone cry out so loudly and mistaking him for being injured in the fight, he frowned with concern.
“Do you require me to summon the imperial physician?”
“Ah, my arm~
Ah, my chest~
Ah, my knee~
It seems nothing is wrong~”
The new Emperor, whose concern had been fed to the dogs: …
“Your Majesty, although my body is fine, my head is a little sore. I implore Your Majesty to permit me to rest with the Crown Prince of the Eastern Isles!”
Whether this fellow’s headache was real or fabricated was unknown, but the new Emperor, who genuinely had a headache, waved his hand, signaling the nuisance before him to leave as far away as possible.
However, someone was determined to go against him. Prime Minister Shangguan stood up and advised:
“Your Majesty, this person suddenly intruded upon the banquet with suspicious behavior. This subordinate believes he should be apprehended and rigorously interrogated!”
Upon hearing this, Hua Jinrong cupped his hands towards the fault-finding Prime Minister Shangguan:
“This student, Hua Jinrong, greets Prime Minister.
This student originally entered the palace with my lord, but was accidentally separated from my lord.
Upon passing this place, I heard the barking of dogs from the Eastern Isles.
As a son of Great Xia, beating Eastern Isles dogs is the responsibility of every son of Great Xia, which is why this student resolutely stepped forward.”
“And who is your lord?”
“Lin Jingxing, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture.”
Hearing this, Prime Minister Shangguan’s originally furrowed old face grew even more unsightly. “Hmph, what kind of lord, what kind of attendant. No wonder he is so ill-bred.”
Lin Qingge, who had been indirectly insulted, was about to stand up when she bumped into a maidservant bringing wine.
In an instant, wine spilled all over her, soaking half of her robe.
“This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death!”
The maidservant, terrified, hurriedly tried to wipe it with her handkerchief, but it was too late.
“Enough, you may go.”
Lin Qingge waved her hand dismissively.
“The dew is heavy tonight. If you remain like this, you might catch a chill.
You can accompany me to the side hall to change your clothes.”
After Leng Ningyue finished speaking, seeing Lin Qingge’s reluctant refusal, she added with a curved smile:
“You’ll be changing into your original clothes.”
Lin Qingge, understanding immediately, became energized. Even so, she still asked with some uncertainty:
“Really?”
“The purpose of tonight has been achieved anyway. Knowing that you’re not accustomed to wearing these clothes, I brought an extra set of casual wear beforehand.”
“Sister Ningyue, I truly love you to death!”
Lin Qingge made as if to give Leng Ningyue a bear hug again, but remembering her damp clothes, she had to give up.
Leng Ningyue had intended to go with Lin Qingge, but unfortunately, a group of female guests approached to toast the Empress.
Although Lin Qingge found Lin Moyuan, that big pig’s trotter, incredibly displeasing, she believed in fulfilling one’s duty while in a certain position.
Not wanting Leng Ningyue to fall prey to gossip, Lin Qingge immediately stated that she could manage alone.
Looking at the approaching swarm of women, a hint of impatience flashed in Leng Ningyue’s beautiful eyes.
She beckoned to another maidservant waiting nearby and introduced her:
“Her name is Qiao Yue, and she is from Yongshou Palace.
Let her accompany you, and also call Constable Yan… No, it’s better not to call that blabbermouth.
There are Imperial Guards stationed around the banquet venue. If you encounter any danger, just call for help loudly.”
Lin Qingge listened and said with a wry smile:
“Sister Ningyue, I’m not a child anymore. Why do you speak as if something bad will happen if I’m alone?”
“Mo’er is much more worry-free than you are.”
…
Unable to refute, Lin Qingge touched her nose and turned to leave with the maidservant named Qiao Yue.
Upon arriving at the side hall Leng Ningyue had mentioned, Lin Qingge indeed found her male disguise clothes in the room.
After expertly changing, she wrapped the discarded outfit in a cloth bundle before pushing the door open again.
However, Qiao Yue, who should have been guarding the door, had disappeared.
“Strange, where did she go?”
Lin Qingge looked around, not seeing a single person.
“Qiao Yue? Qiao Yue?”
Lin Qingge called out twice but received no response.
Fortunately, she remembered the way back. After waiting for a moment without success, she decided to return to the banquet venue first, lest her Sister Ningyue worry.
However, just as she turned a corner, a gust of fragrant wind suddenly blew towards her.
Lin Qingge inwardly cried out that something was amiss, but before she could hold her breath, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
After an unknown period of time.
With a heavy head, Lin Qingge slowly regained consciousness. In a daze, she felt as if she was clutching something in her hand.
She laboriously moved her wrist and lifted her arm, only to discover that she was holding a dagger.
And the dagger even had a bright… bloodstain?!
Suddenly jolted awake by this dramatic turn of events, Lin Qingge forced herself to sit up, realizing she was in a dimly lit room.
And on the bed not far from her, there seemed to be another person?
But why was that person’s chest not rising and falling?