Fortunately, Yuwen Yao did not appear. If he had, the Emperor would have seen it as him being too concerned about her.
This will only hasten the emperor's desire to get rid of her.
"However, it seems that Miss Li also has feelings for the Crown Prince. In the future, I would like to ask Miss Li to show me mercy."
Li Qingyu's eyelids narrowed. She hadn't expected that Xie Lingqin would challenge her first before she even approached her. However, Li Qingyu was still the one who would speak up. "Since Miss Lingqin has said that it's fair competition, then, shouldn't I also have that right?"
"Oh." Xie Lingqin was surprised. "Could it be that Miss Li is willing to lower herself and compete with me for the sake of the Crown Prince?"
These words placed her in a very humble position, and at the same time, Xie Lingqin was speaking to the Emperor.
Regardless of why Li Qingyu had always secretly loved the Crown Prince in the past, she now went to his Crown Prince's residence every day to inquire about his well-being, as if afraid that others wouldn't know that she loved the Crown Prince.
However, Xie Lingqin was certain of one thing: no matter what, given the Emperor's suspicious and cold-hearted nature, he could keep Li Qingyu under his control, but he would absolutely not allow her to love someone so much that she would lose her status and forget herself.
They forgot their mission of loyalty to the royal family.
so……
"Miss Li is very much loved by the old man. The marriage I will bestow in the future will surely be a careful choice by me. Why bother with competition?"
In short, while the Emperor may seem to be helping Li Qingyu, his true intentions are extremely heavy.
Xie Lingqin could guess the chill in her heart, and Li Qingyu could feel it clearly. Her teeth were clenched, but she could do nothing. After a moment, she bowed with both hands and stepped forward. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Today, I have come with the Holy Maiden because I have important matters to report."
"Oh, in that case, then report it." The Emperor flicked his sleeve.
"Your Majesty, this matter must be addressed by the Holy Maiden."
The Holy Maiden immediately stepped forward, her eyes sparkling. "Your Majesty, please allow me to explain."
"Please, Holy Maiden."
The emperor showed the Holy Maiden the utmost respect and even had someone offer her a seat.
"Your Majesty, I have found a way to locate the source of the poison in Young Master Li's body this night. However, this method requires Your Majesty's permission."
"oh?"
The Emperor frowned slightly. "Please speak, Your Majesty."
"That is, it requires a woman who was born at noon in a yin year and yin month, and who is unmarried. Her blood is used as a catalyst, and I will perform the ritual."
Xie Lingqin's eyes narrowed slightly.
Because she was born at noon in a yin year and yin month.
This is something that almost the entire world knows.
That is why, when the monk said she was destined to be widowed, she did not object.
In this context, such an extremely yin year, coupled with such an extremely yang hour, would inevitably lead to either loneliness or an early death.
“But I just remembered that the eldest daughter of the General’s Mansion was born at this time, so…” The Holy Maiden stepped forward, “I need to ask the Emperor to issue an edict asking Miss Lingqin to cooperate so that we can find the real culprit as soon as possible, so that Young Master Li can be laid to rest in peace sooner.”
"Your Majesty, I also beg you to grant my request, and I ask Miss Xie to agree."
Li Qingyu's eyes reddened slightly at this moment, and she began to act delicate and vulnerable.
"OK."
Xie Lingqin made no excuses and readily agreed before the Emperor even looked over and spoke.
"What happened before is long gone. We should respect the dead. If we can help Young Master Li to be laid to rest in peace soon, I will consider it a good deed."
"...Okay, thank you very much, Miss."
“Well, this is a small matter for me. If the Holy Maiden and Miss Li had told me earlier, the Emperor wouldn’t have needed to worry about it,” Xie Lingqin said, then looked at the Holy Maiden, “I wonder when it will begin.”
Saintess paused for a moment, her face, as white as a sugar coating, hesitated for a second, "...We need to find a good opportunity. Once I've calculated it, I'll come and inform Miss Xie."
"good."
The Emperor's gaze swept across the hall, his thoughts deep and conflicted. After a moment, he waved his hand and said, "Since that's the case, everyone is happy. It's getting late, so you may all leave."
"retreat--"
With a shrill, hoarse voice, Eunuch Ni caused everyone to bow and retreat.
"Xie Lingqin, you..."
"Miss Li, what's wrong?"
After descending the stone steps, Li Qingyu looked at Xie Lingqin, wondering what she wanted to say. However, when she met those clear, bright eyes, she didn't know what to say to attack her.
Liu Yunzhou thought about it from all angles and felt that something was not quite right, but there were too many people around to ask.
Qin Xun naturally couldn't ask any more questions, so he could only answer them one by one, and then strode towards the palace gate first.
Wang Renyi naturally couldn't linger any longer and followed Qin Xun.
Xie Lingqin glanced at Wang Renyi out of the corner of her eye, sneered inwardly, and then looked away.
"Miss Xie, my mistress wishes to see you."
After passing through several palace walls, a young palace maid walked over with careful steps and polite manners. After greeting the Holy Maiden and Miss Li, she then addressed Xie Lingqin.
"Your mistress is..."
Xie Lingqin expressed her confusion.
"Oh, my lady is Consort Shu."
“That’s my cousin,” Liu Yunzhou explained from the side. After thinking for a moment, he looked at the little palace maid and said, “I haven’t seen Consort Shu for a long time. May I come along?”
The young palace maid thought for a moment and nodded, "Her Majesty mentioned the other day that she hadn't been back to the Liu family for a long time, so I suppose she is willing."
“Very well, I have just returned to the capital and I heard that Consort Shu’s pregnancy was not stable. This time, I can help Your Highness take a look.”
“Then I will go with you to pay my respects to Consort Shu.”
The young palace maid was no ordinary person; she had received rigorous training. Her expression was calm, and she gave a slight bow. "Then, gentlemen, please follow me."
Xie Lingqin walked to the back, her brows furrowed with frost.
This book was first published by Xiaoxiang Academy; please do not reproduce it!
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