The people, having caught a glimpse of the emperor's face and the handsome Prince Yi and his wife of the Great Qi Dynasty, felt that their trip to Yuanhua Temple today was complete.

If you can also find some rare items, that would be the perfect way to make your collection even more complete.

After Xie Qiyu finished speaking, Lu Tingyue waved his hand, and the Wanxing Trade Fair began.

After eating vegetarian meals at Yuanhua Temple for several days, Empress Dowager Du actually gained a lot of weight and looked much better than she did in the palace.

She glanced at the crowd, then looked at them more closely, and suddenly took a few steps forward, walking up to Xie Qiyu.

"My son, why is Consort Lu not here today? Didn't we agree to pray for the baby together?"

Xie Qiyu could lie with ease, “Consort Lu has been suffering from severe morning sickness these days. I couldn’t bear to see her suffer, so I specially allowed her to rest in the palace.”

Empress Dowager Du's furrowed brows relaxed slightly. In the past few days, Du Yi had been keeping in touch with her through letters and had also mentioned the matter of Consort Lu's health.

However, the carrier pigeon that delivered the message was not the same plump pigeon as before. She had some doubts and asked a question.

She stared at Xie Qiyu, whose expression remained unchanged, but a vague unease still lingered in her heart.

She glanced in Xiao Lingchuan's direction again. When Xiao Lingchuan saw Empress Dowager Du's gaze sweep over, he secretly revealed his hand from his sleeve and gave a thumbs up.

Empress Dowager Du was finally somewhat relieved, realizing that she had been worrying unnecessarily.

"A vegetarian meal has been prepared in the temple. Your Majesty, please come in." Lu Tingyue put his hands together, pretending to be very respectful.

Having spent so much time with Xiao Lingchuan over the years, Xie Qiyu has become more tactful and no longer wears her emotions on her sleeve.

Xiao Lingchuan told him that emperors should not talk too much, because if they talk too much, others will not be afraid of them.

Being taciturn makes it difficult for others to understand your thoughts, which in turn makes them afraid.

So, when faced with Lu Tingyue, that old fox, he didn't say much, only nodded slightly.

He pointed to Gu Boyuan, who was standing ramrod straight beside him, signaling him to follow.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, His Highness Prince Yi and Princess Yi, this way please."

To outsiders, Lu Tingyue's devout demeanor made him appear to be a highly accomplished monk.

Following his directions, the group arrived at a larger meditation room with six seats, where a vegetarian meal had already been prepared.

Empress Dowager Du waved her hand, "This is a family matter between me and my sons. Please ask Master Yikong to wait outside."

Lu Tingyue clasped his hands together, about to bid farewell to everyone, but when his gaze swept over Jiang Luoluo, he lingered for a second or two longer.

Yao Shiyu had mentioned many times that Jiang Luoluo was no ordinary person; at first glance, she seemed to be just a delicate and beautiful woman.

It has none of the majesty of General Jiang Chengfeng, so what is there to fear?

It's a pity she'll become a widow soon, but it doesn't matter if she's a widow. If Gu Boyuan likes her, she can be given to him.

I heard that the two were engaged before, but after all the twists and turns, they still ended up as a family.

“Master Yikong is no outsider,” Xie Qiyu said with a faint smile. “He is an old friend of my father and an elder to my brother and me. Why don’t you stay and have a meal with us?”

Lu Tingyue was surprised by Xie Qiyu's sudden and enthusiastic invitation, but he and Empress Dowager Du had already made plans.

After a vegetarian feast, they'll be half-dazed, and then those dressed in Flying Feather Army uniforms will seize the opportunity to make their move.

He shouted, "Prince Yi is plotting a rebellion! Protect the Emperor!"

In the chaos, killing one or two innocent people is not a big problem.

With the deaths of Xie Yizhi and Xie Qiyu, the dynasty of Great Qi will change hands.

Unexpectedly, Xie Qiyu suddenly asked him to stay as well and enjoy the problematic vegetarian feast.

As he hesitated, Xie Yizhi strode to the table, poured a cup of tea, and, holding the cup, said reverently, "Master Yikong, you have a great sense of righteousness in your heart. Yuanhua Temple has benefited the people of this region. You deserve a cup of tea from us two brothers."

Lu Tingyue was suddenly put on the spot, and if he refused again, it would make him seem guilty.

So he could only turn his shoe around and force a smile, "I dare not accept such praise. The Great Qi is what it is today, all thanks to His Majesty's effective management and Prince Yi's proper protection."

"Without Master Yikong and Father Emperor's expansion of territory, how could we enjoy such a life of luxury today?" Xie Qiyu said in a serious tone.

The two brothers spoke in perfect unison, but Empress Dowager Du felt a twitch in her brow.

The last time she joined forces with the ministers to attack Xie Yizhi in the main hall, the two brothers cooperated in the same way.

Unable to refuse, Lu Tingyue had no choice but to lift his Taoist robe and sit down on the prayer mat as well.

Xiao Lingchuan stepped forward and picked up each dish to try. They were all bland and tasteless.

What's the point of being a monk? He still prefers the shiny, juicy meat at Zuiyuelou.

Xiao Lingchuan showed no unusual behavior, just as everyone was about to start eating.

Xiao Lingchuan suddenly foamed at the mouth, his whole body convulsed, and he collapsed to the ground.

Xie Qiyu suddenly slammed down the cup in his hand, before Lu Tingyue could react.

He felt a chill on his neck as Xie Yizhi pressed his gleaming dagger against him.

"Master Yikong, are you trying to kill me?" Xie Qiyu coldly rebuked.

Empress Dowager Du was puzzled and dropped her chopsticks on the ground with a clatter.

Lu Tingyue tilted his head, and Xie Yizhi grabbed his Taoist robe with one hand, pulling his head towards the dagger.

Lu Tingyue didn't know where he had gone wrong. There was no medicine in the vegetarian food at all; the medicine was put in the bowl and the teacup.

Moreover, it takes an incense stick's time for the medicine to take effect. Xiao Lingchuan was just trying out a dish, so why did he immediately collapse and not get up?

He shouted, "Your Majesty, you are innocent! Your Majesty!"

Xie Yizhi stood up, lifted Lu Tingyuan up, and teased, "Master Yikong, you've been a monk for too long, your mind and hands have become rusty."

He suddenly realized why these two had insisted on keeping him here.

He was the one who set up the trap, but now the Xie brothers have turned the tables and outsmarted him.

His eyes widened in anger as he shouted towards the door, "Boyuan?"

With a clang, the sound of a sharp sword falling to the ground echoed outside the door.

Gu Boyuan's trembling voice came through, "Master...Master?"

Jiang Chengfeng kicked Gu Boyuan, saying, "I don't have an ungrateful disciple like you."

Gu Boyuan was kicked to the ground and before he could resist, he was taken down by the Flying Feather Army.

Jiang Chengfeng, dressed in armor, stepped into the meditation room.

"Father!" Jiang Luoluo called out happily and rushed towards Jiang Chengfeng.

Jiang Chengfeng looked at his daughter, who had become even thinner, and his eyes welled up with tears. With her parents not around, she had to shoulder a heavy burden all by herself.

The moment Empress Dowager Du and Lu Tingyue saw Jiang Chengfeng, their pupils widened in shock.

What happened?

Jiang Chengfeng is still alive, and he is still leading the mighty Flying Feather Army.

"No need to look anymore, your thousand elite soldiers have all been captured."

Jiang Chengfeng glanced at Lu Tingyue, his aura imposing, "Lu Tingyue, the late emperor was merciful and spared your life, yet you dare to frame His Majesty. You have quite the audacity."