Chapter 146 Accusing Li Mu, He Arrives

Princess Zhaoning burst into tears upon hearing Li Nanke's name.

Ignoring the fact that the imperial physician was still taking her pulse, she tearfully threw herself into Empress Xue's arms again.

"Mother, I hate Li Nanke. She...she bullies me, scolds me, and...she doesn't even give me anything to eat."

"And...and she made me gather firewood! I hate her so much! Mother, you must avenge me!"

Empress Xue was heartbroken by her daughter's crying. She was already angry, and these words only added fuel to the fire.

"How dare you, Li Nanke, bully the princess!"

"Someone, go and see if Li Nanke has returned. If he has, bring Song Shi and Li Nanke here immediately."

Li Nanke had not yet returned. Song Yi was in a tent with the Duchess of Xin, Princess Lanyang, Madam Sun, Song Hui, and others.

Upon hearing that Princess Zhaoning had returned, she stumbled and tried to rush out.

She nearly bumped into Xie Xuanxiao, who happened to be walking in.

Xie Xuanxiao nimbly dodged to the side and reached out to support her.

"Be careful, Lady Song."

Song Yi stared longingly at Xie Xuanxiao.

"Young Master Xie, have you... have you seen my Ke'er?"

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, and even her teeth chattered slightly.

She was terrified of hearing information from Xie Xuanxiao that she couldn't bear, yet she desperately hoped to hear news that Ke'er was safe.

Xie Xuanxiao pursed his lips, recalling Li Nanke's stubborn appearance.

Song Yi turned pale with fright and nearly collapsed to the ground.

Xie Xuanxiao then realized what was happening.

"Please don't misunderstand, Madam Song. Miss Li is safe and sound. She's behind us and should be back soon."

He encountered servants from the Li family on his way here and had already told them the location of Li Nanke. He figured they would find Li Nanke soon.

When Song Yi heard that her daughter was safe and sound, she finally felt relieved.

Tears could no longer be held back, and she covered her mouth, sobbing uncontrollably.

That's great, Ke'er is safe and sound!

She wiped away her tears and asked, her voice choked with sobs, "Since Ke'er is alright, why didn't she come back with you?"

Xie Xuanxiao's eyes flickered slightly. In front of so many people, he dared not mention that Princess Zhaoning had ordered them to abandon Li Nanke.

They could only give a vague answer: "The Imperial Guards were in a hurry to bring the princess back, so they traveled a little faster."

Miss Li lagged behind with the servants of the Marquis's residence; she should be back soon, so please don't worry, Madam.

Song Yi didn't notice his unusual expression and thanked him repeatedly.

"Thanks to Prince Xie, our Li family will always remember this kindness."

Xie Xuanxiao felt a little guilty and waved his hands repeatedly.

"You flatter me, Madam Song. I was just bringing back a message; I didn't do anything."

After saying that, he hurriedly retreated, his steps so frantic that it seemed as if someone was chasing him.

No one knows a son better than his mother. Seeing this, Lady Xin frowned and quietly followed them out.

Song Yi was preoccupied with her daughter and couldn't stay inside the tent, so she went out to wait for her.

Madam Wang and Princess Lanyang accompanied her outside to wait.

Only Sun and Song Hui remained inside the tent.

When Sun heard that Li Nanke was safe and sound, she was so angry that she almost ground her teeth to powder.

"That little bitch is really lucky; she fell into the Bian River and still managed to come back alive."

Song Hui was also very disappointed, as she had thought it was a sure thing.

He peeked out and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"So what if I come back alive? The Empress will still hold me accountable."

Following her gaze, Madam Sun looked outside and immediately spotted the eunuch beside Empress Xue.

Remembering Song Hui's earlier comment that Li Nanke might have dragged Princess Zhaoning into the water, he frowned slightly.

She complained to Song Hui in a low voice, "Why did you say that Li Nanke dragged the princess into the water? If the Empress gets angry and punishes the entire Marquis's mansion, our second branch won't be able to escape either."

If the second branch of the family is also punished, His Majesty will certainly not choose another princess from the Marquis's residence to accompany him in his studies.

Song Hui's eyes flickered slightly, but she comforted Sun Shi with her words.

"The second branch is the second branch. His Majesty and the Empress are not fools. How could they let what Li Nanke did implicate your second branch?"

Besides, your Marquisate is a title passed down from your ancestors; His Majesty won't easily change it. If the eldest branch of the family makes a mistake, wouldn't the position of heir apparent fall to your second branch?

In her previous life, Song Hui and Sun were sisters-in-law, and Song Hui knew Sun's petty and greedy nature very well.

Sure enough, just a few words were enough to appease Madam Sun, and even brightened her eyes, making her secretly excitedly plan for the heir's future.

Song Hui sneered inwardly, "Fool!"

At that moment, the eunuch's shrill voice rang out from outside, questioning Song Yi.

"Her Majesty the Empress sent me to inquire whether Li Nanke has returned yet?"

Song Yi nodded, her face full of gratitude.

"Your Majesty the Empress is very kind. My daughter should be back soon."

The eunuch snorted coldly.

“Li Nanke bullied the princess, and Her Majesty the Empress is very angry. Since she has not returned yet, Lady Song should go and apologize to Her Majesty the Empress first.”

Song Yi's vision went black, and she almost lost her balance.

Princess Lanyang gently helped her up and asked with concern, "Are you alright? Would you like me to accompany you to see the Empress?"

Song Yi shook her head gratefully and managed to stand up straight.

"I dare not trouble the princess; I can manage on my own."

Even so, her face was as pale as paper, and her body was trembling incessantly, which was truly worrying to see.

"lady."

Just then, a familiar shout came from afar.

Song Yi suddenly looked up.

The lights were bright in the distance, and Li Mu rode his horse over.

He dismounted at the entrance guarded by the Imperial Guards, flashed his waist badge at the guards, and then galloped in.

"Ke'er... has Ke'er been found?"

Li Mu ran while shouting anxiously.

He went out of the city to collect folk songs and returned late. Upon hearing about this, he immediately rode out of the city on horseback.

Upon seeing Li Mu, Song Yi could no longer hold back her tears, which fell in a steady stream.

Her crying startled Li Mu so much that his legs went weak and he almost fell to his knees.

Her eyes instantly reddened, and her voice trembled as she spoke, "Ke'er... Ke'er, is she already...?"

Song Yi quickly wiped away her tears, "No, no, Ke'er is fine. We've found her and she'll be back soon."

"Really...really?"

Li Mu confirmed it several times before letting out a long breath and walking over, his legs feeling weak.

He raised his hand to wipe away Song Yi's tears as was his habit.

"Since our daughter is alright, why are you crying?"

An impatient eunuch's voice rang out from behind.

"Madam Song, please, don't keep Her Majesty the Empress waiting."

Song Yi's hand trembled as she held Li Mu's hand, and she quickly said, "Some people say that Ke'er pulled the princess into the water, and that Ke'er bullied the princess."

The Empress summoned me; I fear... I fear she intends to interrogate me.

Upon hearing this, Li Mu was instantly enraged.

"Which blind, stupid, and brainless idiot framed Ke'er? Come on, I'll go with you to see the Empress."

Song Hye-kyo inside the tent...

Li Mu and Song Yi went together to the curtained tent where Empress Xue was.

Princess Zhaoning had calmed down by now and was leaning against Empress Xue, being fed porridge by a palace maid.

Empress Xue's expression darkened slightly when she saw Li Mu and Song Yi enter and kneel down.

"You two have raised your daughters well! They even dare to bully the legitimate princess of this dynasty. Do you know your crimes?"