"Your son pays homage to the Queen Mother!" The prince bowed respectfully.

Zhu Ling smiled but didn't smile: "My Lord, please get up quickly."

"I wonder why your Majesty Queen Mother has summoned me here?"

Although the prince looked calm at this moment, his heart was already beating fast.

This was the first time he met Zhu Ling alone since returning to Dayue from Daxia.

Zhu Ling summoned him this time, definitely not to greet him, she might have some bad ideas in mind.

Zhu Ling took a sip of tea from the cup and said calmly, "Haoyun, you returned safely from Daxia, and the Queen Mother hasn't even asked about you yet."

"My Queen Mother heard that your plan failed, Chunyu Yilan was arrested on the spot, and then your entire delegation was placed under house arrest."

"Judging from Daxia's reaction, they must have discovered something. It's very likely that they've discovered Dayue's plan to murder the Second Prince."

"But I'm confused as to why Daxia released you so quickly."

"Not only did they readily release you, they even specially sent their envoy to escort you back."

Zhu Ling spoke slowly, observing Yue Haoyun's reaction as she spoke.

"Could it be that the Emperor of Daxia has some special relationship with our great prince?"

At the same time, behind the screen on the side of the main hall, Han Lie sat there motionless, holding his breath, secretly listening to the conversation between Zhu Ling and Yue Haoyun.

Yue Haoyun's heart was already beating like thunder. He suppressed his emotions and said respectfully, "Mother, you have misunderstood me."

"When I was brought into the Great Xia Palace, I was extremely nervous. The Great Xia Emperor treated me harshly every day and interrogated me every few days."

"I gritted my teeth and said nothing that would harm Dayue. I also kept the poison a secret and didn't admit to knowing Chunyu Yilan."

Zhu Ling smiled evilly: "Oh? Really? I didn't expect that our eldest prince would have such a hard time in the Summer Palace!"

"If that's the case, why did the Emperor of Daxia let you return so quickly?"

Yue Haoyun bit his lip and took a deep breath. He had already expected Zhu Ling's questions today.

He had already rehearsed these questions from Zhu Ling many times in his mind. Today, as long as his acting skills were up to par, he could successfully confuse Zhu Ling and gain her trust.

He tried to speak in the calmest tone possible, "Mother, the people of Daxia are not fools, and the Emperor of Daxia is no mediocre person. Even if I deny the poison, they won't believe me."

"Even if Chunyu Yilan refuses to say a word in the prison, Daxia can still infer that it was our Dayue who did this."

"I know that it's useless to try to prove my innocence, so I decided to take a gamble."

"I spoke with the Emperor of Dai Viet, explaining how powerful Dai Viet is and how strong its army and horses are."

"And after the war in the northern border, Great Xia suffered a huge loss of national strength and an empty treasury. If another war breaks out, it will be Great Xia who will be afraid, not Great Yue."

"If Dai Viet and Da Xia go to war, Dai Viet will surely win given its strength."

"I spoke to him in a very strong tone. Upon hearing this, the Emperor of Daxia's attitude immediately changed dramatically. He began to soften."

"A few days after this conversation, the Emperor of Daxia issued an edict to release me back to Dai Viet. I believe this must have been discussed with the important officials in the court."

At this point, Yue Haoyun deliberately smiled broadly, "So the facts prove that I have won this gamble. Daxia is afraid of Dayue, so they dare not do anything to me, the prince of Dayue."

Han Lie, hiding behind the screen, frowned and thought.

Zhu Ling had a sinister smile on her face. She said softly, "You are truly worthy of being the Prince of Dayue. You relied on your eloquence to bring me home safely. You are truly admirable!"

Yue Haoyun smiled and said, "Your Majesty, what you said is not true. This time, I am truly lucky."

Zhu Ling was silent for a moment, then said, "There's one thing I don't understand."

Yue Haoyun bowed and said, "Mother, please speak."

"If you really had a bad relationship with the Emperor of Daxia when you were in the Daxia Palace, then why did Princess Anguo insist on living in your mansion?"

"The palace ladies all said that Princess Anguo was very close to you." Zhu Ling's tone was sarcastic and full of deep meaning.

Yue Haoyun lowered his head, his eyes rolling, and said, "Mother, why don't you understand? That Princess Anguo was bribed by your son!"

"At that time, I was in the Great Summer Palace. All my followers, except Xifeng, were taken away. I was helpless. I desperately needed an insider."

"Just then, Princess Anguo accidentally entered my son's bedroom. So, I deliberately approached her, trying to build a close relationship with her, so that she would let down her guard and become close to me."

"Later, I got a lot of information from her."

"She was just a little girl, and she believed my kindness. So even now, when she sees me, she still calls me Uncle Yue affectionately. Little did she know that I have been using her all along."

Zhu Ling said gently, "I see! Queen Mother never expected this. My Great Yue Prince is so wise and brave. He is truly remarkable!"

"Your Majesty, I am embarrassed to hear your praises so much."

Zhu Ling chatted with the prince for a few more words about family matters and then let him leave.

After Yue Haoyun left, a while later, Zhu Ling called out, "Come out, they've left!"

Han Lie walked out from behind the screen with his hands behind his back, seemingly thinking about something.

"Lord Han!" Zhu Ling said seriously.

"In your opinion, is Yue Haoyun telling the truth?"

Han Lie pinched his beard, frowning, "At first glance, it sounds very true. But when you think about it carefully, you will find some mistakes."

Zhu Ling raised her eyebrows and motioned Han Lie to continue.

"When we were on a diplomatic mission to Daxia, the Emperor of Daxia dared to place him, a prince of Dai Viet and a high-ranking official of Dai Viet, under house arrest."

"By the time I and the delegation returned home, he was the only prince left, and the Emperor of Daxia was frightened by a few words from him?"

When Zhu Ling heard this, she instantly showed a look of sudden enlightenment.

"Master Han's analysis makes sense! I was almost fooled by this guy just now."

"If that's the case, then Yue Haoyun must have colluded with Daxia in order to return home safely!"

Han Lie nodded, "Exactly."

"Perhaps this time, the Great Prince is plotting something with the Great Xia Emperor."

After hearing this, Zhu Ling picked up a grape from the fruit bowl with resentment, exerted force with her hand, and squeezed the grape until the juice flowed out.

"That fellow Yue Haoyun cannot be kept here for even a single day."

"Even though he's seriously injured and dying, I can't wait any longer."

Han Lie bowed and said, "The Queen Mother is absolutely right. If we give him another day, we will be in more danger."