As Xie Lingqin's carriage headed towards the capital, news that the Emperor would choose a suitable match for her and bestow a marriage upon her a month later spread throughout the entire capital. Of course, it also reached Beirong and the whole country like the wind.
On the way, they also encountered General Xie, who was returning from attending the morning court session at the palace. Her expression was unpredictable, shifting between light and dark.
Of course, Xie Lingqin didn't react at all to General Xie's expression.
She didn't say anything. She knew he was her father before, but he treated her like a pawn and tried to kill her several times. So she didn't care about him and didn't take the General's Mansion seriously. Now that she learned from the old nanny that she was not General Xie's daughter, she naturally didn't want to give him any face at all.
Of course, Xie Lingqin wasn't curious about whose daughter she was. As long as she wasn't General Xie's daughter, she was happy, carefree, and delighted.
At this moment, Xie Lingqin had already alighted from the carriage and was walking on the palace road, with Eunuch Ni leading the way.
But……
“Eunuch Ni, can you sense that someone is watching us from the shadows?”
Xie Lingqin asked softly. She really had this feeling. It was as if someone had followed her ever since she left the General's Mansion. However, no matter how hard she tried to sense it, there was no sign of it. She had secretly asked Tinghai before entering the palace, but he hadn't sensed it either.
Eunuch Ni glanced at Xie Lingqin, then looked around, and suddenly smiled gently, “Miss Lingqin, this is the Forbidden City, so the guards are naturally very strict. There should be patrols secretly watching over you, so there’s no need to worry about it.”
"Oh, okay."
Xie Lingqin suppressed her thoughts, but she was not truly at ease.
"However, Miss Xie is truly perceptive. The guards in this palace are very close in their presence and their shift changes are unpredictable. Many young masters from noble families who know martial arts have entered without noticing, but Miss Lingqin actually sensed it."
Eunuch Ni's words clearly had a probing meaning.
Xie Lingqin seemed oblivious, appearing extremely composed. "It's just a gut feeling, like how I've felt uneasy ever since I received the Emperor's decree."
Xie Lingqin's words were also a test.
She had guessed, yet not quite, the real reason the Emperor summoned her to the palace. However, judging from the tense expression on Eunuch Ni's face after her words, she had a glimpse of the truth.
They proceeded to the council hall.
“Miss Lingqin, please wait here for a moment while I go and inform the Emperor.”
Xie Lingqin took a step back and nodded slightly.
But he had other thoughts on his mind.
The council hall is flanked by two massive dragon-carved pillars that seem to reach straight to the sky.
Since ancient times, this has been the place where ministers held court in the morning, submitted memorials and discussed important matters. The emperor met her here.
Looking up at the steps, one after another, under the sunlight, they seem like dragons soaring in the sky, majestic and profound, like a picture of iron-blooded and awe-inspiring strength.
This palace, spanning hundreds of years, with its grand halls and council chambers, has witnessed countless heroic spirits and noble souls.
"Miss Lingqin, His Majesty requests that you enter."
Xie Lingqin composed herself and ascended the steps.
There were not many people in the council hall, but there were also quite a few.
On the dragon throne sat the emperor with an imposing air, while below him stood Qin Xun, Wang Renyi, Liu Yunzhou, the Prefect of the Capital, Li Qingyu, the Holy Maiden, and others, all according to their rank and status.
This is interesting.
Xie Lingqin stepped forward calmly and gave a slight bow to the Emperor, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities. Did you hear this morning that I will be grant you a marriage in a month?"
Without beating around the bush, Xie Lingqin got straight to the point. A gentle smile, as delicate as a spring day, graced her cool, aloof face. "Your Majesty's kindness is deeply appreciated and I am eternally grateful. However, I was previously engaged to Prince Xian, but he divorced me before the wedding..."
There's nothing wrong with always putting yourself in a humble position first.
Sure enough, the Emperor laughed heartily, “That matter is in the past. I have seen your efforts and abilities these days. It is the Prince Xian’s misfortune that he did not choose you.”
Is it just a lack of good fortune?
She stopped talking about how the Prince Xian had conspired with Xie Lingyu to harm her.
"However, the reason I summoned you here today is truly to ask you whether there are any leads on the case you were investigating earlier."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingqin's face showed extreme frustration. "Your Majesty, I have failed to live up to Your Majesty's trust. To this day, I have not made any progress."
"Then why is it that Miss Li and you, who started investigating the case later, have already made progress in finding that Li Junru's death was caused by Gu poison, while you have made no progress at all?"
The Emperor's tone was somber, his smile vanished, and his words clearly conveyed a loss of authority.
Xie Lingqin was slightly taken aback. Sure enough, they were waiting for her here.
"Your Majesty, I have failed in your trust and beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Xie Lingqin knelt down.
“Your Majesty, I have also witnessed this matter. Miss Xie was attacked just a few days ago, and her injuries have only healed a few days ago. It is understandable that the investigation has been delayed.”
Xie Lingzhu was about to secretly wink at Liu Yunzhou to keep quiet, but unexpectedly, Liu Yunzhou had already stepped forward.
Xie Lingqin felt a great weight lifted from her heart.
At this time, the Emperor invited so many people, clearly to test how many of them would plead for her.
In other words, how many people were on good terms with her.
Fortunately, Qin Xun remained composed. Liu Yunzhou spoke up, explaining that he had taken good care of her for many years because of her mother, a fact known to all, including the Emperor.
If Qin Xun speaks up for her, it will definitely arouse suspicion.
"Lord Liu spoke politely about this matter, therefore, I will not punish you."
At the head of the table, the Emperor glanced at Liu Yunzhou, his tone shifting, a hint of amusement in his sharp eyes.
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