Chutang took out her needle pouch.

“Princess Yuhe’s condition is dire. If Your Majesty permits, I am willing to try. Even if I cannot remove the Life and Death Gu from her body, I can at least buy her some more time.”

As she spoke, Chutang glanced toward the hall’s entrance, her brow slightly furrowed.

‘The Nanhu delegation probably won’t be willing to come. Especially not Shui Xingqiu. His status is already sensitive, so why would he take such a risk?’

‘But this Life and Death Gu…’

Emperor Muwu did not hesitate. “Do what you can.”

However, just as Chutang knelt to retrieve a needle, Xiao Lansi suddenly grabbed her hand.

The bloody hand felt sticky, and it seemed to grip Chutang with all its remaining strength, holding her fast.

A flash of coldness crossed Shen Yanchuan’s eyes. But just as he was about to speak, he met Chutang’s gaze.

She shook her head slightly, signaling that she was fine.

Only then did Shen Yanchuan restrain himself, though he remained vigilant, not missing a single one of Xiao Lansi’s movements.

In truth, everyone could see that Xiao Lansi was a spent force. She couldn’t do anything more.

Chutang did not pull away from Xiao Lansi’s grasp. She simply bent down slightly and looked into her eyes.

“The Princess is unwilling?”

A bleak, self-mocking smile appeared on Xiao Lansi’s pale face as she slowly but firmly moved Chutang’s hand away.

She didn’t want acupuncture. More than that, she didn’t want to be saved by Chutang.

She knew better than anyone that her body was already broken beyond repair. No amount of mending would do any good.

She did not want to die a humiliating, agonizing death.

“…Just… just… let it be…”

She forced out the few words with difficulty. The blood spilling from the corner of her mouth was already starting to turn black.

“A Royal… Princess… what’s so… so good… about being one…”

Her breathing slowed, and every word seemed to be squeezed from between her teeth, laced with deep resentment.

Xiao Lansi stiffly turned her neck to survey her surroundings. The great hall was magnificent and incomparably grand.

But she had been trapped here for so many years, forced to be cautious and timid, allowing others to trample all over her.

She had never known a single day of happiness.

Her father, the Emperor, didn’t remember her mother, so of course he wouldn’t remember her either.

And also…

Xiao Lansi’s gaze fell upon Xiao Chenglin, and a strange, peculiar smile suddenly appeared on her face.

“All these years… you… you… have been suffering too, haven’t you?”

Chutang’s heart stirred, and she too looked over.

Xiao Chenglin’s face was impassive, his eyes betraying no ripple of emotion.

‘Of course.’

His circumstances were so similar to Xiao Lansi’s; he probably related to her words more than anyone.

Everyone thought they were born into nobility, destined to enjoy endless splendor and riches. But in truth, for those born into the Royal Family, their lives were never their own from the moment they drew their first breath.

Xiao Lansi opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say more.

Suddenly, Chutang felt the grip on the back of her hand loosen.

Xiao Lansi’s head tilted to one side. She closed her eyes, and the hand that had been clutching Chutang’s fell limp.

Only the bead, still clutched tightly in her other hand, remained pressed against her chest.

…

Xiao Lansi was dead.

She had died in Qiyuan Hall, in a way no one had ever expected, her breath ceasing just like that.

Emperor Muwu gripped the armrest of his throne and commanded in a low voice, “Take her away! Since she felt being born into the Royal Family was a sin, then throw her out of the palace! I will never see her again!”

Xiao Lansi had already “died” once before, and he had felt little grief then. Why would he feel any now?

All he felt was the fury of an emperor who had been toyed with and deceived!

He looked at Eunuch Li. “You will handle this matter personally!”

He would absolutely not allow a repeat of what happened last time!

Eunuch Li hurriedly replied, “Yes!”

“Your Majesty,” Chutang said suddenly. “I have a presumptuous request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it.”

Emperor Muwu took a breath to compose himself. “Speak.”

Chutang paused. “The only person Princess Yuhe thought of before she died was her mother. I wonder… if it would be possible to have them buried together, to fulfill her final wish.”

Emperor Muwu’s brow furrowed. “Buried together?”

Eunuch Li reminded him in a low voice, “Your Majesty, Princess Consort Jing’s tomb is in the city’s outskirts.”

This way, they would be following Emperor Muwu’s decree while also allowing mother and daughter to be reunited. It would kill two birds with one stone.

Emperor Muwu considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

“You can handle such trivial matters.”

He had never cared for either Wuya or Xiao Lansi.

Eunuch Li respectfully assented.

Xiao Lansi’s body was quickly carried away.

Aside from the pool of blood on the floor, there was no other trace that she had ever existed.

The bloody stench lingered in the great hall, impossible to disperse.

Emperor Muwu closed his eyes, his heart beginning to feel faintly uncomfortable again.

‘But… this wasn’t over.’

Fan Chengzhuo had watched Xiao Lansi die, and the resentment in his heart grew stronger.

“Your Majesty! After all this, are you still unwilling to thoroughly investigate Prince Jing!? He was able to have someone place a poisonous insect on this guilty subject. Naturally, Princess Yuhe’s death must be connected to him as well!”

Emperor Muwu slowly opened his eyes and raised a hand to take a sip of tea.

The next moment, however, his hand wavered, and the teacup fell directly to the floor.

CRASH—!

The cup shattered!

Chutang’s brow furrowed slightly.

‘Emperor Muwu really doesn’t look well…’

Emperor Muwu himself had obviously noticed it too. He took a deep breath, trying his best to steady his voice as he spoke.

“Enough. I have heard what you’ve said. But since you have no other evidence, I must have someone investigate properly.”

“Starting today, Fan Chengzhuo is to be returned to the Heavenly Prison to await punishment after the investigation is complete! As for Prince Jing… he is to be confined to his residence for reflection. Without my permission, he is not to take a single step out of his manor!”

Xiao Chenglin’s lips moved, but in the end, he simply lowered his head and kowtowed.

“Your son will obey Father’s command!”

Emperor Muwu seemed to have aged a great deal. He pushed himself to his feet, but staggered after taking just one step.

Shen Yanchuan’s sharp brows furrowed slightly. “Your Majesty?”

Emperor Muwu shook his head. “I am fine. Just a little tired. All of you may leave.”

His health was already poor, and personally presiding over the interrogation today had left him utterly exhausted.

“As for the people from Nanhu…”

Even if they came to the palace, Emperor Muwu was in no condition to see them now.

“Let Prince Lie handle them all.”

Shen Yanchuan acknowledged the order.

Xiao Chenglin’s lips pressed into a tight line, but he quickly returned to his usual composure.

…

After Emperor Muwu left, palace attendants quickly arrived to clean up the mess.

Xiao Chenglin was the first to rise.

Chutang and Shen Yanchuan stood a short distance behind, watching him leave together.

He had likely been kneeling for so long that he could no longer walk. Aided by those beside him, he was helped onto a palanquin and carried off into the distance.

Fan Chengzhuo was being escorted out by guards when Chutang called out to stop them.

“Wait. I have something I’d like to say to Mr. Fan. Would you mind giving us a moment?”

Seeing it was her, the guards readily agreed and all took a few steps back.

“Second Miss Ye, please.”

Chutang thanked them and walked over to Fan Chengzhuo.

Fan Chengzhuo was on his last legs. Seeing her, he could only find it laughable.

“…What, haven’t you had enough of a laugh at my expense, Second Miss Ye?”

“I don’t have that much time to waste. I simply have a question that’s been on my mind for a long time, and I truly hope Mr. Fan can provide an answer.”

The corners of Chutang’s lips curved slightly as she asked in a low voice,

“You know Uncle Di from the Ministry of Justice Prison, don’t you, Mr. Fan?”

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