Palace attendants bustled about, but Feng Xing remained unaffected, practicing his swordplay as if no one else were there.
From a distance, Zhen Zhu intentionally raised her voice, "Axing, the Empress has something to discuss with you. She wants you to go over."
At these simple words, Feng Xing immediately ceased his movements.
He sheathed his long sword and nodded in acknowledgment, "I'll go now."
Not far away, Xiao Ya watched it all quietly.
Seeing Feng Xing stride towards Feng Ninghe's chambers, she quickly picked up some fruit from a pavilion and followed at a distance.
After watching Feng Xing enter the room, Xiao Ya specifically scanned her surroundings.
Though many people were present, they were all busy with their own tasks, and no one paid her any attention.
Only then did Xiao Ya feel at ease approaching the room.
Inside the room.
Feng Ninghe's slender fingertips tapped lightly on the table, her eyes downcast, clearly deep in thought.
"Master, what are you thinking about?"
Feng Xing, sensing her contemplation, asked proactively.
She then looked up at Feng Xing, "I'm thinking about who this 'Young Master' could be. I'm certain this Young Master holds a high position in Lin Country. A couple of days ago, I saw a familiar figure in the palace. Coincidentally, that person had dealings with the Grand Priest."
The Grand Priest was a target for everyone.
As for the Young Master behind the scenes, he was no good either.
Feng Xing's expression immediately changed, and he asked with a touch of urgency, "Who is it?"
These scoundrels, worse than pigs and dogs, had harmed too many girls. The person behind it being from Lin Country meant that their Master would not stand idly by.
As the Empress of Lin Country, it was her responsibility and duty to bring such wicked individuals to justice.
"Wu Dezheng."
Feng Ninghe calmly uttered a few words, "You go investigate this matter first, and keep a close eye on his every move. I want to know who he's been in contact with."
At the same time.
Xiao Ya, carrying a plate of fruit, approached the room. She carefully pressed herself against the door, listening to the conversation inside.
"Sister Xiao Ya, why are you standing at the door and not coming in?"
Suddenly, a childish female voice rang out.
Si Xinxin, her chubby little hands shaking a small drum, looked up at Xiao Ya with mild curiosity.
Clatter!
The moment the female voice reached her ears, Xiao Ya flinched, and the fruit plate in her hands dropped to the ground with a thud.
She quickly bent down to pick up the fruit, a smile spreading across her face, and she said hastily, "I wanted to bring some fruit for Miss Feng, but I was afraid of disturbing her, so I hesitated at the door whether to come in."
If it were an ordinary child, they would surely be deceived by these words.
Although Si Xinxin was young, her experiences were not small. Her tender face still held a trace of doubt, but she didn't say more, calmly withdrawing her gaze.
The room door was also pushed open at this moment.
Feng Ninghe glanced at Xiao Ya, who was bending down to pick up the fruit, and asked in a low voice, "What happened?"
Si Xinxin blinked her bright eyes and recounted everything, "Mother, I saw Sister Xiao Ya standing at the door just now. I watched for a long time, and she kept standing there, with no intention of going in. So I spoke out to ask, but unexpectedly, it startled Sister Xiao Ya."
Xiao Ya finished picking up the fruit and looked at everyone with a slight apology, "Miss Feng, this fruit tastes very sweet, and I thought you might like it, so I wanted to bring it to you, but I was afraid of disturbing you, so I was hesitating whether to come into the room."
She pressed her clasped sleeves, a hint of panic in her heart.
Feng Ninghe's gaze swept over her dismissively, "I thought it was something important. Since the fruit dropped, just get another plate."
Xiao Ya quickly responded, "I'll go now!"
Regardless, she turned and hurried away.
Xiao Ya feared that staying here longer would arouse suspicion, so she wanted to leave quickly and clear her head.
Watching Xiao Ya's retreating back, Si Xinxin placed her small hands on her hips, her brows furrowed tightly, "Mother, I always feel Xiao Ya is acting strangely. She was lurking suspiciously at the door, and she was startled when I spoke."
Feng Ninghe withdrew her gaze from Xiao Ya and gently took Si Xinxin's hand, "Xinxin, Mother understands what you mean. Don't worry, I don't trust others to begin with."
Years ago, Lin Yuran had saved her regardless of her own safety. From then on, she had trusted Lin Yuran implicitly.
Only upon her death did she realize that the rescue back then had been deliberate.
Even those closest to you could betray you, let alone someone taken in halfway...
*
Inside a sleeping chamber.
Lin Yuran's face was contorted with anger, her furious eyes seeming to spew fire. It was evident at a glance that her mood was not good.
Seeing her unhappy, Ji Binyu quickly tried to placate her, "Yuran, I've made all the necessary arrangements. That woman's good days are numbered."
Upon hearing his words, Lin Yuran's mood improved slightly, and the corners of her mouth curved upwards imperceptibly, "Binyu, once she's deposed, I will become the new Empress, and then Lin Country will be dominated by the two of us."
Thump thump!
The door was gently knocked upon, and a maidservant stood before the hall, "General Ji, Xiao Ya requests an audience."
Ji Binyu unhesitatingly instructed the maidservant to bring her in.
Then, he turned his gaze to Lin Yuran, "Yuran, the informant has arrived."
Lin Yuran slightly raised her eyelids, her expression arrogant as she gazed at the sleeping chamber door.
Led by the maidservant, Xiao Ya entered the chamber.
Upon seeing Lin Yuran, Xiao Ya was slightly taken aback, but she still bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Princess. Greetings, Great Protector General!"
Ji Binyu casually picked up a piece of fruit and popped it into his mouth, his gaze casually sweeping over her, "Any news?"
"Miss Feng seems to be investigating something."
Xiao Ya did not hesitate and said without thinking, "I was afraid of being discovered, so I didn't hear much. I only know that Miss Feng has sent Axing to investigate something, and she also seems to be keeping an eye on someone."
"Oh?"
Her words instantly captured Ji Binyu's attention, and his gaze locked onto her, "Keeping an eye on someone? Continue to gather information. Once you have any news, inform me immediately."
Xiao Ya nodded, her expression hesitant, and she spoke haltingly, "General, rest assured, I will inform you as soon as I have news. It's just... the medicine I want..."
As soon as she mentioned wanting something, Ji Binyu scoffed, his expression turning cold, "You haven't accomplished anything, and you want medicine? Even if you're passing messages, you haven't delivered anything useful."
Xiao Ya immediately became anxious, "General, I will definitely inform you of any news as soon as possible. After all, I haven't been by their side for long, and they don't trust me, so it's too difficult to gather information. If you could give me the medicine, once I become the King of Hell's woman, I will have more opportunities to help you!"
"King of Hell?"
These two words instantly attracted Lin Yuran's attention.
The King of Hell of Xiyou Continent held immense power. If she could gain his assistance, it would only be beneficial to her.
Seeing that she had become interested, Xiao Ya nodded repeatedly, "That's right. As long as I can become the King of Hell's woman, I can sow discord and distance them from each other. If I can get the King of Hell to help a little..."