"Master, why can't she become the Empress of Lin Country?"
Bai Niannian blinked her bright eyes, her delicate face etched with doubt. "Isn't it said that no one in Lin Country can succeed her?"
Facing the question, Feng Ninghe smiled unhurriedly, a ripple of light in her eyes. "Her virtue does not match her position. No matter who the position of Empress of Lin Country falls to, it will not be her. Let us wait and see."
Bai Niannian was a little perplexed, reaching up to gently scratch the back of her head, but she didn't ask further.
Though she didn't understand the reason, she believed what her master said.
If her master spoke like this, there must be a reason.
Xiao Zhao raised his head, his palm-sized face lifted, his gaze falling on Feng Ninghe. "Master, why didn't you ask for Zhenzhu? Staying in that man-eating palace will eventually cost her her life."
Being able to publicly humiliate Zhenzhu meant she must have suffered much humiliation in the past.
Xiao Zhao was worried that Zhenzhu would be tortured in the palace.
Understanding Xiao Zhao's concern, Feng Ninghe explained in a low voice, "Asking for a maid for no reason would only arouse more suspicion. I specifically requested Zhenzhu to serve me, which has indirectly saved her life."
Asking for a maid without cause would only raise suspicion.
She did not want to reveal her identity, nor did she want Lin Yuran to be overly suspicious of her.
Xiao Zhao then understood, nodding in realization. "Master, I understand. Doing this actually protects Zhenzhu. At least before the coronation ceremony, no one will dare to lay a hand on her."
As long as Zhenzhu could stay alive, they would find a way to protect her life once they arrived in Lin Country.
"Mom!"
At some point, Si Xin Xin had gotten hold of a candied hawthorn, her eyes wide with excitement as she ran towards Feng Ninghe. "That looks fun, let's go see! We've been traveling all this way, if we miss it, we won't get to play."
Si Jianye stood quietly by Feng Ninghe's side, his cool eyes fixed on her.
Looking at the small figure before her, Feng Ninghe's lips curved into a wide smile, and she readily took Si Xin Xin's small hand. "Alright, let's go for a stroll."
Not far away.
Lin Yuran's exquisitely made-up face was filled with coldness. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze falling in the direction Feng Ninghe had left. "Go investigate that woman's identity."
For some reason, when her eyes met that woman's, her heart inexplicably fluttered with a sense of foreboding.
She hadn't felt this way in a long time.
The last person who made her feel this uneasy was the Empress of Lin Country.
Upon receiving the order, the maid dared not delay, quickly responding.
Zhenzhu followed the crowd with her head bowed.
"You're lucky today."
Su Qi glared at her fiercely, leaving a harsh threat. "After the princess's coronation ceremony, you won't have any good days!"
Facing the warning, Zhenzhu remained silent, her hands tightly clasped.
For her, every day she lived was a gain.
As long as she could stay in the palace, she would have a chance to get close to Lin Yuran, and thus a chance to learn the truth behind the death of the former Empress of Lin Country.
Lin Yuran claimed that the Empress of Lin Country had died from qi deviation and backlash.
However, there were many doubts surrounding the Empress of Lin Country's death. She did not believe that the Empress of Lin Country had died from qi deviation.
She wanted to stay in the palace, searching for clues. Even if her strength was meager, she wanted to contribute her small part.
Even if it meant death...
When they returned to the carriage, Si Xin Xin's small hands were already full of food. A bright smile adorned her little face as she leaned to the side with excitement.
"Daddy, for you."
"Mom, this is for you."
She eagerly handed over the sugar figurine in her hands.
Feng Ninghe did not hesitate, casually eating the sugar figurine.
Si Jianye did not like sugar figurines. After a moment's hesitation, he accepted it.
Xiao Zhao, with a sugar figurine in his mouth, drooped his head, looking dejected.
Zhenzhu's situation had upset him.
He could even imagine what the former palace residents would suffer after Lin Yuran took power.
"Xiao Zhao, why are you so unhappy?"
Si Xin Xin noticed Xiao Zhao's change in mood and proactively asked.
Xiao Zhao lowered his eyelids and sighed softly. "I'm just a little sad that because they are servants, they are bullied. It is rumored that the former Empress of Lin Country was kind to everyone, and never mistreated even the palace servants. But Lin Country is so unbearable now..."
Xiao Zhao's words were guarded, not daring to reveal his true thoughts.
With villains in power, the entire atmosphere of Lin Country had changed.
He only wanted to return to Lin Country, reclaim what truly belonged to them, and bring the villains to justice.
Si Xin Xin's small face immediately furrowed, and she looked at him with slight approval. "What you say is also true. The cycle of heaven, the wicked will have their retribution. Perhaps her good days are numbered."
Feng Ninghe smiled and said in her cool voice, "Indeed. The cycle of heaven. The wicked do not deserve their positions. Lin Country is not hers to rule. When her coronation ceremony takes place, I will give her a grand gift."
"A grand gift?"
Si Xin Xin's eyes widened with curiosity. "Mom, what grand gift are you going to give her? Even giving her a spirit stone would feel sickening for someone like her."
Feng Ninghe reached out and gently stroked her head, her voice as calm as ever. "You will know soon enough. We will go to Lin Country together. The scenery and people of Lin Country will not disappoint you."
Mentioning Lin Country, she felt a pang of nostalgia.
It was the place she had lived since childhood. She would return there sooner or later.
Upon hearing that they could go play, Si Xin Xin nodded eagerly, her face lighting up with excitement. "Okay! I've never been to Lin Country before, and I've always wanted to see what it's like!"
Feng Ninghe seemed to think of something and specifically turned her gaze to Si Jianye. "Are you going to Lin Country?"
As the King of the Underworld of Xiyou Continent, he should have been overwhelmed with work. Yet, Si Jianye had been following them these days.
This made Feng Ninghe suspect that this King of the Underworld was not as busy as rumored.
She always felt that Si Jianye appeared quite idle.
His words drew Si Jianye's gaze to her, his ink-dark eyes unfathomable. "This King will naturally go to Lin Country."
Si Xin Xin wanted to go to Lin Country, so he could keep an eye on her.
Moreover...
There was something he needed in Lin Country...
Feng Ninghe calmly withdrew her gaze, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "It is rumored that the King of the Underworld is very busy. It seems the rumors are false, and Xiyou Continent is not as busy as imagined."
Hearing her voice, Si Jianye raised a frivolous eyebrow. "This King happens to have matters to attend to in Lin Country. Furthermore, if there are no urgent matters in Xiyou Continent, others will handle them. Even if there are urgent matters, no one dares to cause trouble."