"Xifeng, those who achieve great things do not fuss over minor details. You were too careless. Who is Princess Xingyue? She is the one who commands a hundred thousand troops in Zhen Wuguan. Therefore, you must not anger her during this period."
Jiang Xifeng heard this and said, "Father, preparations are complete. When do we begin?"
"Xifeng, there's no need to rush. Once Princess Xingyue leaves, we will act. At that time, Princess Xingyue will be too far away to intervene."
"Father, if we seize the capital, Princess Xingyue must be left for me. I will make her wish she had never been born." Jiang Xifeng gritted his teeth and said, word by word.
"What was that sound?" Old Master Jiang suddenly said.
Jiang Xifeng's gaze sharpened. "Jiang Yi, go and see who it is!"
A dark shadow shot out from there.
Old Master Jiang said, "I should be going back too. Remember, do not stir up any more trouble."
"Father, rest assured." Jiang Xifeng left.
Returning to the courtyard, Xue Xingyue's gaze was slightly heavy. Feng Wu and Feng Jiu beside her were somewhat at a loss, not knowing why their Highness was emanating such a chill, making her unapproachable.
"Feng Jiu, go to Zhen Wuguan and tell Xie Yunliu to quickly gain control of the hundred thousand troops and await my orders." Xue Xingyue said coldly after a period of silence.
Feng Jiu was startled, then stepped forward. "Your subordinate obeys!"
After Feng Jiu left, Feng Wu stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, has something happened?"
Xue Xingyue looked at Feng Wu and said, "Feng Wu, the skies may be about to change."
Feng Wu was startled. "Your Highness, what is wrong?"
"The Jiang family may be planning a rebellion." Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Wu trembled all over and looked at Xue Xingyue. "Your Highness, although the Jiang family is prominent in Jiangnan, wouldn't it be difficult for them to rebel?"
"Then what if they collude with Qi?" Xue Xingyue looked up and asked Feng Wu.
Feng Wu was startled. "Your Highness, are you sure?"
Xue Xingyue took something out of her sleeve and handed it to Feng Wu. Feng Wu looked at it and exclaimed, "Isn't this Mingyu, which is abundant in Qi?"
"Yes, and it's top-grade Mingyu, exclusively for royal use. It is only because Old Master Jiang has connections with Qi and has reached an agreement that Qi would make such a concession." Xue Xingyue said.
"Your Highness, then aren't you in danger here? Your Highness, you should leave here quickly." Feng Wu said.
Xue Xingyue shook her head. "If I leave, the Jiang family will discover that I know these things, and then I will not be able to leave Jiangnan. Therefore, I must pretend not to know."
"Your Highness... perhaps I should summon Feng Ming back!" Feng Wu looked at Xue Xingyue with some concern.
"No need. Having you here is enough. If we are trapped, there will still be someone to rescue us, won't there?" Xue Xingyue said.
After drinking a few cups of tea, Xue Xingyue's mind gradually cleared. She vaguely felt that these matters were somewhat strange, as if she were being led by the nose.
"Fairy sister." A childish voice called out. Xue Xingyue looked towards the door and saw a small figure pouncing towards her.
She reached out and caught Jin Xuan. "Jin Xuan, you're awake?"
Jin Xuan nodded, looked up, and with his big eyes, said to her, "Sister, I dreamed that brother's illness was cured. Is brother really well?"
Xue Xingyue was slightly stunned. Feng Wu stepped forward. "Jin Xuan, I'll take you to see your brother."
Upon hearing that he was to see his brother, Jin Xuan let go of Xue Xingyue. Feng Wu held Jin Xuan and said, "Your Highness, your subordinate will take Jin Xuan to see Young Master Jin."
Xue Xingyue nodded. "Good."
"Brother, what's wrong with you?" Jin Xuan's voice suddenly came from the room.
Xue Xingyue stood up and walked towards Jin Qing's room. The door was open. She saw Jin Qing lying on the bed, with a bit of blood at the corner of his mouth. She stepped forward and saw Jin Qing's increasingly pale face.
"Brother, what's wrong? I clearly dreamed that your illness was cured, but why are you still not well?" Jin Xuan cried out in fear.
Feng Wu held Jin Xuan. Jin Qing smiled and said, "Jin Xuan, this is detoxifying. So, you have to spit out the bad things. When you spit it all out, brother will be well."
Jin Xuan heard this and was half-convinced. "Brother, is it true? Are you not lying to me?"
Jin Qing shook his head. "Has brother ever lied to you?"
Jin Xuan quieted down and looked at Jin Qing. "Brother, don't be afraid. Detoxifying doesn't hurt."
Jin Qing was slightly taken aback, his eyes moistening. "Brother is not afraid."
"Feng Wu, take Jin Xuan out." Xue Xingyue suddenly said.
Feng Wu nodded, holding Jin Xuan, and walked out.
Jin Qing looked at her and smiled, but the smile seemed to take a lot of effort. "Miss Xue, why are you looking at me like this?"
"I..."
"Miss Xue, it's fine even if you can't save me. My wish has already come true. I have seen my brother who left home in my youth. I am truly very happy." Jin Qing said while smiling.
But that smile made her feel a pang of heartache.
She reached out and gently stroked Jin Qing's head. "Sleep. Perhaps the poison will be gone when you wake up."
Jin Qing nodded, and soon, he had fallen asleep.
Xue Xingyue stood up and walked out.
In the courtyard, Feng Wu was playing with Jin Xuan. She leaped up and left.
She arrived at the residence she had once prepared for Jin Xuan. As soon as she entered, she smelled a refreshing fragrance. She walked in and saw Yu Ze sitting there with food. He looked up, saw her, and smiled. "Your Highness, you're here. If you don't mind, would you like to eat together?"
Xue Xingyue saw the bowl of noodles Yu Ze was holding and nodded subconsciously.
Yu Ze served two bowls of noodles, handing one to Xue Xingyue.
Xue Xingyue looked at the bowl of noodles in her hand and inexplicably remembered her childhood. On her birthday, her mother would also make her a bowl of noodles. Yes, today was her birthday.
But she didn't want to celebrate it because on that birthday, she had lost her mother. Since then, she had never celebrated her birthday again, nor had she eaten birthday noodles.
"Your Highness, why aren't you eating? Is it not tasty? I suppose my cooking can't possibly compare to the imperial chefs." Yu Ze said.
Xue Xingyue shook her head. She picked up her chopsticks, took a bite, and Yu Ze quickly asked, "Your Highness, is it delicious?"
She nodded. "It's delicious."
It had a taste of her mother. She ate half of it and put down her chopsticks. "I'm done eating. Thank you, Young Master Yu."
Hearing this, Yu Ze's gaze flickered slightly. "Your Highness, you are too kind. I have nothing to repay you with. It's just a bowl of noodles. Did Your Highness come to see me about something?"
Xue Xingyue nodded and said, "Jin Qing's poison has reached its final stage. If it's not detoxified soon, I'm afraid..." She didn't finish, knowing that Yu Ze would understand.