Even the last glimmer of hope she held in her heart was instantly shattered. She never expected that only two days after entering the manor, she would be forced to use her father and brother as shields so quickly.
Even more unexpectedly, despite playing this card, she was still rendered speechless by Xuan Yuanhan's retort.
Lu Tianjiao realized at this moment that she had thought that as long as that bitch died, she would definitely have the opportunity to achieve her long-cherished wish.
However, it was clear that he had underestimated Xuan Yuanhan's feelings for Yi Shangyun.
His favoritism towards her was truly enviable and made people jealous.
But what he hated even more was how could there be such a stupid and foolish person as Tuoba Ze in this world?
If she had known he was so useless, she should have personally sent Yi Shangyun on her way without hesitation that day at the Prince of Qin's residence.
But now, it's obviously too late to say anything.
Is it really true that relying on that person in Yong'an Palace is the only path left to take?
"If that's the case, then don't blame me. You forced me into this!"
Thinking of this, she clenched her teeth and fell into deep thought.
During this time, Xuanyuan Han put his hands behind his back and then glared angrily at the maids and guards who were still kneeling on the cold floor in the hall.
They then discovered that none of these people were from the Prince's residence; they were all people sent in by the palace.
The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Emperor Jing—each of them had placed their own people in their service.
It seems they are truly in a hurry; their intentions are quite obvious...
So he made a slight adjustment, pacing back and forth as he slowly began to admonish the crowd.
"I know that you were all carefully selected from the palace to be part of my concubine's dowry."
"It's truly an inconvenience for you all to travel from the palace to the prince's residence!"
"But as the saying goes, a virtuous woman does not marry twice, and a loyal servant does not serve two masters. Whether you are here willingly or forced, now that you have entered the palace, I hope you can quickly recognize who your true master is from now on."
"Of course, the human heart is the most unpredictable thing in the world! I do not expect your loyalty, nor do I expect you to always stand with me through thick and thin, sharing both glory and disgrace."
"However, I want you all to know that if anyone dares to stir up trouble or cause chaos in my mansion in the future, don't blame me for not caring about the owner when I beat a dog!"
Upon hearing this, everyone shouted in unison towards him.
"This servant will obey Your Highness's instructions!"
"Your Highness Prince Qin will obey my instructions!"
Finally, Xuanyuan Han reiterated, "Similarly, I will only say these words once. I hope you will all take them seriously!"
After giving his instructions, Xuanyuan Han waved his hand, dismissing everyone in the hall.
"Alright, you may all leave. I have something to say to my concubine alone."
Only then did everyone dare to stand up and disperse.
Xuanyuan Han also walked over by himself, lifted the corner of his robe and sat down.
He said to Lu Tianjiao, who was still seemingly dazed and slumped on the ground, "Aren't you getting up? Do you need me to call someone in to help you up?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Tianjiao suddenly came to his senses and slowly stood up.
At this moment, Xuan Yuanhan said to Lu Tianjiao in a deep and serious voice, "Come and sit down, let's talk!"
"Talk?!" Hearing this, Lu Tianjiao was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but repeat it.
His tone had calmed down considerably, and a sense of doubt suddenly arose in my mind.
"Could it be that what he said just now was just an angry outburst?"
"Is he angry because he mistakenly believes that I had someone drug him last night? And because he broke into Yunshui Pavilion early this morning despite being stopped? Is he taking this opportunity to set rules for the new servants?"
So, she mustered her courage again and spoke first, "Brother Han, believe me. Last night, it really wasn't me who had someone drug you, I didn't..."
This was certainly not what Xuanyuan Han wanted to talk to her about.
Because while some people are fond of using such despicable methods as drugging, he finds it utterly beneath his notice.
Before he could finish speaking, he interrupted him, saying, "Alright, this matter is over. Don't bring it up again in the Prince's residence. I know you didn't do it. However, I don't want this to happen again in the Prince's residence."
Lu Tianjiao was genuinely surprised: "You really believe me?"
Xuan Yuanhan merely nodded slightly, but Lu Tianjiao was overjoyed.
After a moment of reflection, she asked, "If this isn't what Brother Han wants to talk about, then what would you like to talk about?"
Cheng Liang searched all night but found nothing.
It is clear that Mei Xiyuan, who has returned with the intention of revenge, must be hiding very well.
The deeper the secret is hidden, the more terrifying the conspiracy it is brewing must be.
It's not just about dealing with him alone.
Therefore, both for his own sake and for his personal reasons, he had to find her as soon as possible.
Furthermore, Yi Shangyun is in a terrible predicament, having fallen into her hands and suffering greatly, which is extremely dangerous.
Whenever he thought of this, he couldn't wait any longer.
Now, he can only place a sliver of hope on Lu Tianjiao.
So he calmly asked, "Did you see Mei Xiyuan at the manor yesterday?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Tianjiao's heart skipped a beat, as if he had plummeted from mid-air to the ground like a roller coaster.
He thought to himself.
"Those who came into the palace with me were all spies planted by those people in the palace."
“These people are all poisoned Death Servants; they would never dare to betray us in the slightest.”
How did he know I had already met Mei Xiyuan?
She quickly guessed: "It must be that idiot Mei Xiyuan who accidentally got recognized at some point!"
So he pretended to lie and asked in surprise, "Princess Yongle? Didn't she already return to her country a long time ago?"
As expected, Xuan Yuanhan had anticipated that she would say that, and he shouldn't have thought of giving her another chance to repent.
So he suppressed his anger and said, "I'm speaking to you politely. You'd better think carefully before you answer me!"
Lu Tianjiao frowned, pretending to be somewhat displeased: "Everything Tianjiao said is true. If Brother Han doesn't believe it, then there's nothing I can do."
It seems Lu Tianjiao won't be speaking up here.
Xuanyuan Han could only stand up and say nothing more.
He took a few steps and then stopped.
I still feel a little reluctant.
Perhaps out of consideration for the relationship between Lu Xian and his son, they couldn't bear to do it.
Perhaps it's because they've known each other for a long time; after all, they grew up together, so it's impossible for them to have no feelings for each other at all.
Or perhaps, deep down, he really didn't want to see Lu Tianjiao go further and further down the path of being used by the Empress Dowager.
He then turned his back to Lu Tianjiao and said, "I know what you're thinking, but my heart already belongs to only one person. In the future, when you also find someone you love, you can leave the palace at any time."
Lu Tianjiao said with a mixture of sorrow and anger, "What do you take me for? If you have no intention of marrying me, why did you agree to the Empress Dowager's arranged marriage? I am a living, breathing person with flesh and blood and feelings, not some thing you can summon and dismiss at will!"
"I have never thought of it that way!" Xuan Yuanhan could not tell her that agreeing to take her into the family was merely to obtain information about the Empress Dowager's actions.
Lu Tianjiao gritted her teeth. Even now, she still desperately wanted to know: "So, the one who became the antidote in my place last night was that woman?"
Xuanyuan Han was silent for a moment, then told her, "That's right, it's her!"
"Hehe...hehehe..."
Unexpectedly, Lu Tianjiao suddenly let out a chilling laugh.
"It really was her!"
"That bitch, she dared to lie to me, she actually went back on her word."
Seeing that she had gone mad, Xuan Yuanhan became even more worried about the purpose of her meeting with Mei Xiyuan yesterday.
Then he suddenly turned around and asked again, "I'll ask you one last time, where is Yun'er? Was it Mei Xiyuan who brought her back here yesterday? And where is Mei Xiyuan hiding now?"
Lu Tianjiao seemed not to have heard him at all, and only cursed, "What kind of bullshit noble princess? Mei Xiyuan, she's a fool!"
Unwittingly, she met Xuan Yuanhan's eyes, which were full of anticipation.
Lu Tianjiao said, seemingly somewhat helplessly, "No comment. You may leave."
With that, Xuanyuan Han strode out of Xingyue Pavilion without looking back.
After Xuanyuan Han left.
Only then did the maid dare to enter again, wanting to check on Lu Tianjiao's condition.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the maids serving in the palace entered, Lu Tianjiao loudly chased them out.
"Who let you in?"
"What are you all doing running in here?"
"Are you here to laugh at me?"
"roll!"
"Get out, all of you!"
"Get out of here, all of you!"
"roll!"
Lu Tianjiao shouted at him repeatedly.
"Crack..."
With the sound of porcelain shattering on the ground, everyone who hadn't yet stepped into the house was blasted out.
At this moment, Lu Tianjiao could no longer hold back, tears welled up in her eyes, and she sadly buried her face in front of the table and cried.
He continued to mutter to himself, muttering to himself.
You can't do this to me!
"cannot……"
After an unknown amount of time, seemingly exhausted from crying, she slowly sat up and said fiercely.
"Yi Shangyun, I curse you! You will surely die a horrible death!"
"If I, Lu Tianjiao, cannot obtain it in this lifetime, then you should not even think about taking it for yourself!"
They left the Star Moon Pavilion.
As soon as Xuanyuan Han stepped into Lin Yuexuan's door, he was deep in thought about the probing he had done in Xingyue Pavilion.
Cheng Liang came running up to him, panting, and reported, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
Hearing the sound, Xuan Yuanhan slowed his pace and asked as he continued walking, "What happened? Why are you in such a panic?"
As Cheng Liang handed over the secret letter, he said, "Your Highness, please take a look! News just came from Dongning that Mei Zhixuan has been frequently mobilizing troops lately. Upon closer investigation, it turns out it's because of Her Highness the Princess..."
In a moment of panic, I almost said the wrong thing.
As soon as Cheng Liang realized this, he quickly corrected himself: "It's Princess Yongle... I don't know how she persuaded Mei Zhixuan, but he actually mobilized 200,000 elite troops, and they will soon be pressing towards our Western Qin..."
"What?"
Two hundred thousand?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com