Feng Ninghe strode purposefully in the direction of Xiao Ya.
Most of the maids surrounding Xiao Ya had already fled.
"Am I beautiful?"
Xiao Ya quickly grabbed Feng Ninghe, deliberately reaching out to gently smooth her hair.
As she did so, her already disheveled hair became even more disheveled. Kuai Shu Ge.
Feng Ninghe grasped her wrist and sent a wisp of divine sense to scan Xiao Ya.
Xiao Ya's body showed no signs of abnormality; she was perfectly healthy.
"Master, what's wrong with her?" Bai Niannian hurried over, a hint of doubt in her eyes.
Facing the question, Feng Ninghe revealed what she knew: "Her body is perfectly fine, she is neither sick nor poisoned. Tell me, what happened last night?"
Bai Niannian glanced around.
There were quite a few people around, and with so many eyes and ears, it was not convenient to speak.
After Bai Niannian pulled Feng Ninghe into the room, she finally spoke, explaining the whole story.
Feng Xing already knew the whole story. He frowned slightly: "Perhaps Xiao Ya couldn't accept these things, so she went mad."
This was the most plausible explanation.
Bai Niannian's facial features were tightly knitted together as she voiced her thoughts: "Master, Xiao Ya's behavior last night was rather abnormal and did not conform to common sense."
"Then we'll have to ask the King of Hell."
Su Hongxiu leaned to the side with an air of leisure, her well-defined fingers gently fanning herself with a bone fan. She slowly raised her eyes to look at Si Jianye: "Last night, after Xiao Ya left the King of Hell's room, she changed."
This remark also drew everyone's attention to the King of Hell.
Si Jianye grunted dully, his thin, cold eyes showing a hint of disdain: "She's probably just reaping what she sowed."
He didn't care at all about Xiao Ya's condition.
There were very few people in this world who dared to drug him. The fact that Xiao Ya was still alive was already a stroke of luck.
Feng Ninghe slightly lowered her gaze, lost in thought.
She didn't know exactly what had happened in the room, but she could tell that Xiao Ya had definitely angered the King of Hell.
Bai Niannian looked up at Xiao Ya, who was darting around the courtyard: "Master, she has become so deranged now, what should we do next?"
Facing the question, Feng Ninghe replied without hesitation: "Then we'll send her back. If we let her continue in this state, she probably won't live much longer. Sending her back to Chen Family Village might be the best arrangement for her."
Xiao Ya had colluded with outsiders.
She hadn't settled that score yet.
Now that Xiao Ya had become so deranged, it could be considered retribution. She didn't need to take further action. Sending her back to Chen Family Village might be the best course of action.
Feng Xing was the first to respond: "Master, leave this matter to me. I will handle it properly."
Then, he strode towards the deranged Xiao Ya and knocked her unconscious.
Xiao Ya's matter was merely a minor interlude.
They didn't pay it much attention.
After all, Xiao Ya had betrayed them. Such an outcome was perhaps the best for her.
At least she could return to Chen Family Village safely.
Feng Ninghe had more important matters to attend to and had no intention of wasting more time on Xiao Ya...
In another palace.
News of Xiao Ya's madness also reached Ji Binyu's ears immediately.
Lin Yuran was applying her makeup when she received the news and raised an eyebrow: "She's gone mad?"
Xiao Ya was an informant arranged by Ji Binyu.
However, fortunately, this person didn't know much, so even if something happened, it wouldn't lead to any significant trouble.
The maid repeatedly nodded in response: "It is said that last night the King of Hell threw Xiao Ya out of his room, and she then ran away in a hurry. When she returned, she was in this deranged state. No one knows what happened in between."
Lin Yuran's exquisitely made-up face showed a hint of contemplation: "It seems she offended the King of Hell."
"If you ask me, she probably failed in her attempt to drug him and went mad from shame."
Ji Binyu said dismissively, casually crossing his arms. His cold male voice slowly fell: "She's just an insignificant maid. No matter what happens to her, it won't affect our plan. Ignore her."
Lin Yuran calmly withdrew her gaze, staring at herself in the mirror. Her crimson lips curled wantonly: "Today, I will pull this slut from the position of Empress. She should have died a hundred years ago and should die again. I have dedicated myself to the Lin Kingdom for years. If I don't have merit, I at least have hard work. Only I am worthy of the Empress's throne!"
The Imperial Advisor had not supported her ascension back then.
As soon as Feng Ninghe returned, she had eagerly defected.
This slut...
Lin Yuran's teeth itched, and she wished she could tear Feng Ninghe to shreds.
The Empress's throne should have belonged to her...
Ji Binyu casually took her hand: "Alright, it's about time. We should be leaving."
In front of the palace gates.
Several carriages were parked quietly at the entrance.
Feng Ninghe and the others strode forward.
Lin Yuran had arrived early and was not in a hurry to board the carriage, waiting patiently.
Upon seeing Feng Ninghe, she stepped forward: "Empress."
The word "Empress" from Lin Yuran's mouth was soft and gentle, sounding incredibly delicate.
As the female voice reached her ears, Feng Ninghe's brow unconsciously furrowed, and she turned to look at her.
Lin Yuran was dressed in magnificent robes, her hair adorned with golden hairpins, her exquisitely made-up face alluring.
Yet, this face was extremely irritating.
Feng Ninghe's expression remained as usual, with a hint of cold aloofness in her eyes. She calmly withdrew her gaze, and her cold female voice slowly uttered: "What is it?"
Her indifferent demeanor successfully angered Lin Yuran.
Lin Yuran secretly clenched her delicate fists, her vicious eyes turning towards her: "Today is the seven-day deadline for the wager. Have you thought of how you will save those girls? You are the Empress of Lin Kingdom. If you cannot protect your subjects..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the warning within was potent.
Feng Ninghe slightly raised her eyelids: "Won't we know soon if there's a way?"
Her cold, clear voice was inexplicably displeasing.
Lin Yuran's eyes darkened, and just as she was about to speak, Feng Ninghe strode to board the carriage, having no intention of engaging with her.
Lin Yuran, already annoyed, felt her anger intensify. Her gloomy face was filled with shadows.
"Yuran."
Ji Binyu gently reached out and pulled her, deliberately lowering his voice to warn her: "This woman is about to step down. Don't worry too much. She won't be arrogant for long."
Lin Yuran then suppressed her displeasure, her face grim: "You're right. The Empress's throne can only be mine..."
The carriages moved forward and soon arrived at the yamen.
Outside the yamen, a dense crowd of commoners had gathered. They craned their necks, their faces filled with curiosity as they stared at the yamen.
Bai Niannian jumped off the carriage and muttered to herself: "There are really a lot of people here..."
The county magistrate and court officials were waiting at the entrance.
Upon seeing Feng Ninghe, they all bowed: "Greetings, Empress!"