The Emperor Changsun felt a tightening in his chest. It seemed it was time to deal with those hidden existences. The world would likely fall into chaos soon.
As for this woman, she had no intention of marrying Zhu'er, otherwise, she wouldn't have refused the proposal in front of so many people.
Looking at Zhu'er, it seemed he was deeply smitten. What a cruel fate.
Considering this woman's exceptionally wise mind, if she were to truly marry Zhu'er, it would be a great asset to the Qingluo Kingdom, capable of assisting the Crown Prince.
However, she simply didn't want to. A forced melon is not sweet. One could only hope Zhu'er would come to terms with it.
But such a sharp and intelligent person, she might not be kept alive.
Emperor Changsun's pupils flickered. He looked past Changsun Zhu, towards Changsun Yin, the corner of his lips curving into a faint smile.
"Alright, everyone sit down."
Emperor Changsun waved his hand, signaling everyone to sit. The banquet continued, but the previous joy was gone.
As for Changsun Zhu, after Mu Qingyao spoke those words, he fell into silence.
Qingyao was right. If he were to take her as the Crown Princess, Emperor Xian would inevitably go to war with Qingluo. Qingluo was currently in a state of unrest. It seemed it was time to deal with those people.
As for Qingyao, he would wait. Once the internal strife was resolved, he would no longer fear Emperor Xian's declaration of war.
In this world, only she was worthy of the position of his Crown Princess.
The Crown Prince's Estate.
As soon as their mistress left, Mochou and Moyou, carrying the little fox Mao Xueqiu, went out to search for Meixin's whereabouts.
Unexpectedly, outside the Mingyue Courtyard, Yingqing, that woman, was guarding the entrance. Under the moonlight, her expression suggested they owed her money, making Mochou and Moyou really want to give her a beating.
"Where are you going?"
Yingqing spoke coldly, leading two royal guards, blocking Mochou and Moyou's path.
"We want to go out for a walk, is that not allowed?" Mochou rolled her eyes.
This woman was so annoying. Just because she had climbed into the master's bed? Strutting around like a peacock, she was nothing more than a bed-warmer.
"There are forbidden areas in this Crown Prince's Estate. What if you trespass into a forbidden area?"
Yingqing's expression grew colder. Thinking of the Crown Prince taking that woman to the palace banquet and possibly having the Emperor decree their marriage today, she felt annoyed and had the urge to beat someone. Thus, if these people bothered her, she wouldn't hold back.
"What do you mean by that? We've been here for a long time and never heard Yingfeng mention any forbidden areas in the Crown Prince's Estate. You just arrived and started talking about forbidden areas. You're such an annoying woman."
As soon as her words fell, Yingqing was furious. She leaped forward and began to fight with Mochou. Moyou, seeing this, and fearing Mochou would suffer, quickly moved to her side. The two guards also charged forward.
Instantly, the open space in front of the Mingyue Courtyard was filled with the whistling wind of their blows. The servants inside Mingyue Courtyard didn't know what was happening. Someone had already gone to inform the steward. Seeing more and more people gathering.
Mochou exchanged a glance with Moyou. The two understood each other. Mochou missed a move and took a palm from Yingqing, her body sinking. She cried out in pain. Moyou was furious. With a swing of her crescent shovel, a powerful wave of light pushed Yingfeng and the two guards back a step.
Mochou took the opportunity to quietly retreat, slipping past the surrounding crowd and disappearing.
Steward Hongwen, having received the report, immediately led the estate's servants over and sternly stopped Yingqing.
When everyone quieted down, they realized Mochou was gone. Yingqing's face changed drastically. She immediately stepped forward two steps, leaned into Steward Hongwen's ear, and whispered a few words.
Even Hongwen's expression changed. He immediately ordered the servants who were watching to quickly find Miss Mochou.
At once, the entire Crown Prince's Estate was in motion, with everyone splitting up to search for Mochou.
Meanwhile, Mochou, holding the little fox, quickly found where Meixin was being held. It was a woodshed behind the kitchen of the Crown Prince's Estate. Whether the Crown Prince overestimated his own abilities or simply didn't intend to trouble Meixin, the woodshed was only secured with a lock, with no guards present.
Mochou kicked the door open and darted inside. In the dim light of the woodshed, Meixin was slumped against a pile of firewood, unmoving. Mochou frowned. This fellow could still sleep? Didn't she know their mistress and they were worried sick?
She quickly rushed over with the little fox and hugged Meixin.
"Meixin, Meixin, are you alright?"
But Meixin didn't react for a long time. Mochou felt something was wrong. Her hands seemed to feel something sticky, and a scent of blood filled her nostrils. Her face changed drastically, her pupils constricting. She shook Meixin's body vigorously.
"Meixin, Meixin, wake up, wake up! Don't be like this, what happened to you? Meixin, didn't you say you would take care of Miss for a lifetime? Don't scare me."
The usually strong Mochou began to cry. She propped Meixin up. She saw a dagger precisely placed in her chest, and blood was dripping onto the ground, a large pool of it already formed.
"Ah?"
Mochou screamed wildly.
At this moment, outside the woodshed, Steward Hongwen and Yingqing, leading a group of people from the Crown Prince's Estate, arrived and surrounded the woodshed.
Hearing the mournful cries coming from the woodshed, they felt a sense of unease. Moreover, none of the guards around the woodshed were present. Who had done this? Hongwen and Yingqing quickly broke in, and Moyou followed closely behind.
Inside the woodshed, they saw Mochou screaming as if she had gone mad, tightly holding Meixin.
"Meixin, wake up, wake up! Miss will be sad. She has been worried about you! You must not die?"
"Mochou, what's going on?"
Moyou was greatly shocked and quickly rushed over, questioning her. Mochou's face was streaked with tears. She looked up at him, biting her lip hard, "I came in and saw she had been murdered."
At this moment, Meixin, who had been held tightly by Mochou, moved slightly and weakly spoke, "Miss, Miss?"
"Meixin, you're awake, Meixin, you're awake?"
Mochou and Moyou were filled with surprise. Mochou loosened her grip slightly. Under the dim light.
Meixin's face was as pale as paper, her breathing faint, and her eyes were not open. It seemed she only had a breath left. Her hand fumbled in the air. Mochou grasped her hand, hearing her continuously whisper.
"Miss, Miss?"
In the woodshed, apart from Mochou and Moyou's sadness, many young maids from the Crown Prince's Estate also started to cry. Mochou turned to look at Moyou and calmly commanded.
"Moyou, hurry to the main gate and wait. As soon as Miss returns, bring her here. I'm afraid Meixin, she..."
Mochou couldn't finish her sentence, tears welling up again. She held Meixin's hand tightly, feeling her pulse growing weaker and weaker, almost gone. Even her breathing was barely audible.
But she was still clinging to life, as if waiting for Miss.