"I'm not mistaken," Lu Ke hurriedly explained. "I recognize her eyes and voice..."

“His voice is hoarse,” Shia interrupted his questioning. “How do you know you didn’t hear wrong?”

"Of course I know," Lu Ke retorted. "And her scent..."

"Shopkeeper," Mu Tiantian interrupted him, saying each word clearly, "you've really mistaken me for someone else."

She admired them; these two actually dared to argue in front of the Emperor.

In the end, Mu Tiantian could only give Lu Ke a meaningful look, hoping he would be more perceptive.

This can be considered an indirect way of acknowledging her identity to him.

I just hope Lu Ke can be a little smarter.

Lu Ke noticed her gaze and recalled the night five years ago when Lin Miao escaped from the palace, telling him and his master to flee for their lives, saying that she had offended the emperor and escaped from prison.

So, is the reason why Sister Sanshui doesn't recognize him because the Emperor is here?

Lu Ke wasn't entirely stupid, and quickly echoed Mu Tiantian's words, "Then maybe I really did mistake you for someone else."

Long Xinghuang looked at Mu Tiantian thoughtfully.

At this moment, Long Xinghuang suddenly asked, "Lu Ke, are you sure you're looking closely? She looks exactly like Lin Miao!"

Lu Ke glanced at Mu Tiantian, remembering how he had lost his composure in his excitement, and couldn't help but worry. But he could only bite the bullet and answer, "Your Majesty, Miss Mu does indeed look exactly like Lin Miao."

“But Lin Miao is already dead. I think I might have really mistaken him for someone else.” Lu Ke quickly denied it.

Shia couldn't help but ask curiously, "Do they really look that alike? Are they twin sisters?"

Upon hearing this, Long Xinghuang couldn't help but take a few more glances at Mu Tiantian.

He clearly remembered that Lin Miao had disguised herself when she entered the palace.

Therefore, he had never seen Lin Miao's true face and thought she was a man until the body was pulled out of the river for Shi Changbo and Lu Ke to identify, at which point he realized she was a woman.

Long Xinghuang recalled Lu Ke's reaction when he saw the corpse five years ago.

The body he retrieved was swollen all over, having been in the river for quite some time. Its face had been gnawed so badly that it was unrecognizable.

The only things we can tell are the clothes and the bracelet.

Shi Changbo was certain that the corpse was Lin Miao, but Lu Ke firmly believed that it wasn't.

Later, Lu Ke accepted reality, though he didn't know what Shi Changbo said to him.

Looking back now, it's not impossible that Lin Miao could fake his death.

“Even twins can’t be exactly the same.” Long Xinghuang looked at Mu Tiantian with sharp eyes, as if trying to see through her.

Xia thought Long Xinghuang's words made sense and asked again, "Then, Miss Mu, are you Lin Miao's older sister or younger sister?"

Mu Tiantian looked at her with a forced smile.

What I'm saying is, if you don't know anything, can you please be quiet? If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute.

"I don't know any Lin Miao or San Shui. You've mistaken me for someone else," Mu Tiantian denied again.

He Siyue, who was standing next to her, felt that the name Lin Miao sounded familiar, but she couldn't remember it for a moment.

She also noticed that Long Xinghuang's attention was always on Mu Tiantian, so she looked down at her a few more times, her eyes full of contempt.

Another vixen has appeared.

Xia also observed Mu Tiantian, and a face slowly surfaced in her mind. She couldn't help but ask, "I think I've seen you before, Miss Mu. Have you ever been to Miao territory, about ten years ago? I remember you were carrying..."

“Miss Xiya, I’ve never been to Miao territory, and it’s been ten years. You’ve probably mistaken me for someone else.” Mu Tiantian noticed that Xiya was unusually talkative.

She denied that she was tired.

"Can..."

"Cough...cough..."

Shea wanted to say something more, but then a series of coughs came from behind her.

Xin Liangmu, kneeling on the ground, was seen clutching his shoulder, looking weak, and coughing uncontrollably.

Xia's attention was immediately diverted. She looked at Xin Liangmu with concern and said to Long Xinghuang, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor's injuries have not yet healed. He cannot kneel for so long."

The tone and attitude he used made it sound as if he were complaining that Long Xinghuang didn't care about his ministers.

Long Xinghuang frowned and remained silent.

Xin Liangmu paused for a moment, then respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I am still recovering from my serious injuries. If I have disturbed Your Majesty, I would be afraid you will punish me... cough cough..."

As soon as he finished speaking, his cough became even stronger.

Everyone knows that Xin Liangmu was poisoned by an arrow while protecting the emperor.

Yet Long Xinghuang made him kneel for so long. Anyone who saw this would think Long Xinghuang was cold-blooded and ruthless, treating even the minister who saved him this way. Let alone the common people.

Shea boldly walked directly to Xin Liangmu's side and handed him the medicine she was carrying. "Grand Preceptor, this is medicine to treat your arrow wound. I specially prepared it according to your special constitution, so you must rest more."

Xin Liangmu took the medicine and smiled weakly, "Thank you, Holy Maiden."

Seeing his pale lips, Shia felt a pang of pity and quickly said to him, "You should stand up right away. What if kneeling like this makes your injuries worse?"

Mu Tiantian was stunned by her behavior. She was so oblivious to everyone else, showing sympathy, ignoring the emperor, and even defying him.

What right does a Miao holy woman have to overstep the emperor and tell her subjects to rise?

I don't know whether to call her straightforward and fearless of authority, or ignorant and arrogant.

It has to be said that those who are favored are fearless, and Long Xinghuang truly indulges her, not caring about anything else.

Mu Tiantian made up her mind that she should stay away from Xiya from now on, otherwise, she might get burned by her one day.

Especially today, we shouldn't pay any attention to her.

Xin Liangmu dared not stand up and said weakly, "Without Your Majesty's permission, I dare not rise."

He Siyue fanned the flames, "Holy Maiden, the Emperor hasn't even spoken yet, is it your turn to speak? You care so much about the Imperial Advisor, could it be that the person you truly love is the Imperial Advisor? No wonder you've been rejecting the Emperor all along, it turns out your heart isn't in the palace. It's a shame the Emperor treats you so well."

“He Siyue, your cold-bloodedness doesn’t mean everyone is cold-blooded. He and I are from the same place and have known each other since childhood. We are good friends and it’s normal for us to care about each other. But you have slandered me time and time again. You are clearly deliberately picking a fight with me!” Xia retorted.

He Siyue has never given her a kind look since she entered the palace. She only thinks about how to win favor and flatter her every day. It's so boring, which is why she is so unwilling to stay in the palace.

"Shut up!" Long Xinghuang roared angrily, "Did I give you permission to speak?"

Xia pointed at He Siyue and retorted, "It's her..."

"Xia, didn't I say that if you disobey my orders and sneak out of the palace again, I will punish you with a cane?" Long Xinghuang said coldly, his patience with her completely exhausted, leaving only annoyance.