They were the young women selected into the palace this year, but they unexpectedly met with bad luck. Not long after entering the palace, the Empress Dowager died, and they were chosen for companion burial.
Long Rui and Xuexue were coming out of the side hall and, as they passed by a desolate palace, heard cries from inside. Upon further inquiry, it turned out these palace maids had been selected to accompany the Empress Dowager in burial the next day.
Xuexue felt somewhat compassionate and, frowning, said to Long Rui, "Isn’t using live people for companion burial too cruel?"
Long Rui stretched out his hand to affectionately stroke her hair and said gently, "My dear, what’s the matter?"
Xuexue shook her head. She was someone reborn and should not be overly kind-hearted. How others fared was of no concern to her; she only needed to take care of herself, practice her martial arts, expand her influence, and ultimately have revenge on her enemies.
She initially believed that the Fourth Prince was already in the bag, merely needing to deal with the Empress and kill him in passing for everything to be perfect. Yet unexpectedly, unforeseen changes arose. The Fourth Prince, who was already crippled, restored his sight after practicing Evil Cultivation, which triggered an outburst, and now he’s vanished.
According to scout reports, the Fourth Prince has fled to Wei Country and is unlikely to return to Moli Country soon. For now, it seems they can only cripple the Empress’s influence.
Xuexue decided that if necessary, she would kill the Empress, refusing to believe the Fourth Prince wouldn’t return for the funeral.
Xuexue fell into deep thought. Long Rui, thinking she was concerned about the palace maids facing companion burial, said, "My dear, don’t be sad. Tonight, I shall plan ways to free them all."
Xuexue quickly raised her head and said, "Prince, don’t act recklessly. The Empress Dowager has just been murdered, and the killer has not been found. The Emperor is very furious, and you should be aware of this. You have already become a suspect. If he finds out you’re saving the palace maids, all blame might be placed on you."
Long Rui frowned: "But I can’t bear to see my dear upset."
Xuexue’s heart warmed, and she pulled his hand back, saying, "Prince, let’s go!"
After returning to the War Prince’s Mansion, they learned the Third Prince had visited. Long Rui wasn’t surprised; the Third Prince had just returned to the Capital, so visiting him was normal. However, considering the Empress Dowager had just died, should he not be mourning in the palace rather than wandering around?
The steward, though very angry at Gu Lingqiao’s act of framing him, merely reported the process to the Prince without exaggerating and mentioned Gu Lingqiao’s strong dislike for eating duck heads.
"Prince, Miss Gu framed this humble one because of the duck heads; that’s why she holds a grudge against me. She... she doesn’t like eating duck heads at all." The steward gathered his courage to speak up.
Long Rui remained silent; he had already sensed that Gu Lingqiao was different, utterly changed from how she was in childhood.
Xuexue also said, "Prince, why do I feel Miss Gu doesn’t resemble a proper young lady?"
Long Rui nodded: "I’m aware of this matter, so don’t worry about it. Steward, carry on with your duties."
Steward: "Yes."
Every time issues involve Miss Gu, the Prince tends to favor her, and the steward indicates he has become accustomed to it.
Xuexue glanced at Long Rui sideways and said, "What’s the matter? Is your childhood sweetheart getting treated unfairly, making you uncomfortable?"
Long Rui laughed, his teeth gleaming: "No, my dear, you’re overthinking it."
Xuexue’s face darkened: "Stop grinning foolishly."
Though Long Rui wore a mask, his voice carried a smile, and even a three-year-old could tell his mood was delightfully joyful.
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