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"This is impossible!" Cui Mingyue's sharp voice pierced the tranquility of the Princess's Mansion.

She grabbed two crimson wedding gowns hanging side by side, her fingers tightly gripping the gold-embroidered hems. "How dare that bitch wear the same dress as mine?"

The maids knelt on the ground and trembled.

Cui Mingyue suddenly tore off a wedding dress, and the pearl buttons shattered and flew everywhere, making a crisp sound on the bluestone floor.

Princess Yu Mingzhu heard the noise and came over, her skirt with golden phoenix pattern sweeping across the threshold. "Mingyue, how can you be so loud and shouting?"

Her eyes fell on the scattered wedding dress on the ground, and her brows frowned slightly.

"Mother! Look!" Cui Mingyue's eyes were red as she tugged at the sleeve of another wedding dress. "The pattern and material of Jiang Si's dress are exactly the same as my daughter's! What will the entire court think of this?"

The eldest princess stroked the lifelike phoenix on her wedding dress with her fingertips, and a hint of gloom flashed in her eyes.

Of course she knew that the emperor did this deliberately, and that her suspicious brother was testing her bottom line.

"Come here," the princess suddenly said, "go to the storehouse and get the South Sea shark pearls and peacock gold thread given by the late emperor."

As she turned to her daughter, a cold smile curled her lips. "Since we're going to compete, let everyone in the world see clearly who the real phoenix is."

Three days later, when Cui Mingyue saw her wedding dress that was embellished with gems and almost dazzling in the sun, she finally smiled with satisfaction.

She spun around in front of the bronze mirror, the jade pieces inlaid on her skirt jingling. "After I get married, the first person I'm going to deal with is that hypocritical Lu Chuchu..."

"Mingyue." The eldest princess suddenly pinched her daughter's chin, the golden armor digging into her delicate flesh. "Remember, your first priority is to keep an eye on Yu Qi's study, not to be jealous."

She whispered in her daughter's ear, "If we don't find that secret letter, we will all die."

……

At the same time, at the dilapidated alley of West Market, Jiang Yi was holding Yanyan's hand and picking silk flowers.

The little girl suddenly pointed to the corner of the wall and said, "Mom, that beggar uncle has been looking at us..."

Jiang Yi looked in the direction of his daughter's finger, and the blood in his body instantly froze.

The man with a dirty face and ragged clothes was actually her former husband Zhu Ziyu!
"Yan Yan must have seen it wrong." Jiang Yi quickly picked up her daughter and turned around, her voice trembling. "Shall we go buy some candied haws?"

After nightfall, Jiang Yi returned to the alley alone.

Zhu Ziyu was curled up in the thatched straw. When he heard footsteps, he immediately hugged his head in fear: "Don't hit me... I didn't say anything..."

"It's me." Jiang Yi squatted down and put the lunch box on the ground.

In the moonlight, she saw the deep shackle marks on Zhu Ziyu's wrists that were visible to the bone, and her stomach ached.

Zhu Ziyu looked up dully, tears gradually appearing in his cloudy eyes: "Ayi... I'm sorry for you and your daughter..."

He suddenly started coughing violently, and blood oozed from between his fingers.

It turned out that not long after the divorce, the Zhu family was found to have "collaborated with the enemy and committed treason."

During the exile, eighty-three people died "accidentally" one after another.

"It's the eldest princess..." Zhu Ziyu's teeth trembled, "She was afraid that I would tell what I saw that night in the third year of Yongchang..."

Jiang Yi silently took out some silver and put it into his hand: "Get clean tomorrow and come see Yanyan for the last time."

When she stood up, the hem of her skirt was grabbed. Zhu Ziyu knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily: "Ayi, I know that Master Yu Qi is investigating the Princess... I have evidence..."

The next evening, Zhu Ziyu changed into a clean cloth robe and appeared outside Jiang Yiyuan.

He nervously smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes, holding in his arms half a blood-stained military token, which was the irrefutable evidence of the eldest princess's dealings with the Nanwu tribe.

"Daddy?" Yanyan jumped off the swing and tilted her head to look at this strange yet familiar man.

Zhu Ziyu burst into tears instantly, but when she bent down to hug her daughter...

"Whoosh!"

A cold light broke through the air, and Zhu Ziyu's head suddenly flew up, and blood splattered on Yanyan's snow-white skirt.

Jiang Yi screamed and rushed towards her daughter, only to see a black shadow flash by on the roof in the distance.

The familiar killing method made Jiang Si shiver all over: "It's Suning..."

But she really couldn't understand why Suning did this. She always felt that the goal of this devil Suning was very huge.

Of course, Jiang Si never dreamed that Suning had refined Yu Qi into a clone, but what Suning really wanted was the origin and destiny of this world.

……

On the wedding day, Yu Qi's house was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns, but the guests had different expressions.

The two sedan chairs arrived at the main gate at the same time. According to etiquette, Cui Mingyue should have entered first, but Jiang Si's sedan chair somehow got there first.

“Get out of the sedan…” Before the bridesmaid could finish her words, Cui Mingyue actually opened the curtain and rushed out, the pearls on her phoenix corona shaking violently: “How dare you, bitch, steal my limelight!”

The whole house was in an uproar.

Yu Qi stood on the steps with an expressionless face, his bright red wedding dress making his face look even more stern.

He glanced at the ginger-colored sedan chair and nodded slightly to the secret letter hidden in his sleeve when no one was paying attention.

On the wedding night, Yu Qi was alone in the study, staring at the candlelight in a daze.

Lu Chuchu walked in, looked at Yu Qi in front of her and said, "Your Highness Prince Yan, it's getting late! You should rest now."

He suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Queen Chuchu proposed to adopt me as her legitimate son today. This is a turning point."

"King Yan, have you agreed?"

"Of course." Yu Qi sneered, "The Concubine Xian's face changed immediately."

He suddenly put his arms around Lu Chuchu's waist and whispered in her ear: "Chuchu, today I want you and Cui Mingyue to serve me together."

"Yes... yes, Your Highness."

"Call me brother! I still like to hear you call me brother."

"elder brother."

"Chu Chu is so good!"

Then Yu Qi picked up Lu Chuchu and went to the bedroom, and Cui Mingyue naturally looked at her impatiently with a cold brow.

However, Yu Qi, who had put Lu Chuchu down, walked straight forward and slapped Lu Chuchu hard with a "slap".

"Prince Yan, you... you actually dared to hit me?"

"Humph! Cui Mingyue, since you're so shameless and want to marry me, then behave yourself. I don't have a bad habit of beating women."

"..."

Then Yu Qi directly tore into pieces the dress on Cui Mingyue, and the maids and eunuchs left tactfully.

Then Yu Qi beat Cui Mingyue severely. If it weren't for him, Cui Mingyue would have been dead soon.

After Cui Mingyue had completely calmed down, Su Ning picked up Lu Chuchu, who was already wearing a tie...

At the same time, in Kunning Palace, the queen was burning incense.

The virtuous concubine arrived uninvited, her jade armor scraping against the rosewood table. "Sister, you're so calculating! You actually thought that recognizing a legitimate son would consolidate your position?"

The Queen unhurriedly placed a white plum blossom in the bush and asked, "Sister, have you come to visit me so late at night just to talk about this?"

She suddenly turned around, her eyes flashing like lightning, "Or... are you afraid that Yu Qi will find out the real culprit who poisoned the late queen?"

The virtuous concubine's face suddenly changed, and the silver needle in her sleeve fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

"You...how did you know?"

"Hmph! Xianfei, if you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself."

"..."...

The next morning, the Princess of Qi hurried back home and found the Prince of Qi smashing porcelain.

"Yu Qi is now the legitimate son?" King Qi's eyes were bloodshot. "How can a prince of another surname like him be worthy of this title?"

He suddenly grabbed the princess's neck and said, "Go tell my mother that I am willing to be adopted by the queen!"

At this moment, Yu Qi was standing outside the imperial study, holding in his hand the half piece of military token that Zhu Ziyu had exchanged his life for.

When the eunuch called him into the palace, he turned around and took a last look at a corner of the palace wall.

There, Jiang Si was praying for him with the ritual of a saint, and the flame birthmark on his collarbone was as red as blood in the morning sun.

When the morning bell rang, Princess Yu Mingzhu stepped into the Golden Palace in her military uniform, and her iron boots made a heart-pounding sound when stepping on the golden bricks.

Behind her, two rows of Swift Wind Guards held long spears, and the cold light illuminated the hall with an eerie glow.

"Your Majesty is in poor health. From now on, I will be the regent." The eldest princess' voice was as cold as ice, her fingertips gently stroking the sword at her waist. "Do you have any objections?"

The Crown Prince suddenly stepped out, his face twisted with anger beneath his jade crown: "Aunt! Father was still..."

"Your Highness." General Zhao, the princess's trusted confidant, suddenly drew his sword, the tip of the sword just inches from the prince's throat. "Be careful with your words."

Zhen Heng clutched his tablet tightly and took a step forward: "According to the law, the regent must have a personal edict from His Majesty..."

"Here is the imperial edict." The princess unfolded a roll of bright yellow silk, and the jade seal in the lower right corner was as red as blood.

She glanced at the silent ministers and paused when she saw Jiang Zhan: "Master Jiang seems to have something to say?"

Jiang Zhan stepped out with a sullen face: "I ask to examine the handwriting of the imperial edict!"

The hall suddenly became dead silent.

The princess suddenly chuckled, her armor scraping against the imperial edict, making a sharp sound. "Lord Jiang, do you suspect that I forged the imperial edict?"

Before she could finish her words, General Zhao's sword was already on Jiang Zhan's neck.

As expected, Jiang Zhan became obedient with the sword at his neck. A fool like him could not see the situation clearly.

At this moment, the virtuous concubine's father, Elder Lin, suddenly knelt down and banged his forehead against the ground. "Princess, I am willing to guarantee the authenticity of this edict with my life."

This kneeling statue triggered a domino effect, and most of the court officials bowed their heads one after another.

"I am willing to act as guarantor."

The King of Qi stood in the shadows, his fingers unconsciously stroking the jade pendant.

When the eldest princess's gaze swept over him, he quickly lowered his head to hide the surprise in his eyes. There were clear traces of blurring on the edge of the seal on the edict.

"Where is Yu Qi?" the eldest princess suddenly asked.

Seeing no one answer, she sneered, "Sheltering the Southern Wu Saintess Jiang Si is a crime punishable by death! Dethrone him and issue a nationwide arrest warrant for Yu Qi!"

……

In a corner of the Imperial Garden, a kite with a blue phoenix painted on it was stuck on the branch of a plum tree.

Just as Zhen Heng took down the kite, he heard a soft call from behind the rockery: "Mr. Zhen!"

Princess Fuqing came out from behind the rocks with her skirt lifted up. She was not wearing any hairpins and looked as plain as a palace maid.

She stuffed a scroll of notes into Zhen Heng's hands: "The eldest princess has imprisoned father! Brother Crown Prince, please prepare..."

"Princess, please be careful with your words!" Zhen Heng looked around hurriedly. When his fingertips touched the blood stains on the back of the note, his heart trembled violently.

He suddenly grabbed Fuqing's wrist and said, "Go back to Kunning Palace immediately. No matter what happens, don't come out!"

In the East Palace, the prince is wiping a dagger.

The Crown Princess held her young son in her arms as she looked at the Crown Prince in front of her, tears streaming down her face. "Your Highness, think twice! The banquet hosted by the Princess is clearly a Hongmen Banquet..."

"I am the crown prince. How can I sit idly by and watch a traitor usurp the throne?" The prince handed his wife and children to his confidant. "Send them to my father-in-law's house. If anything happens to me..."

He glanced at the sleeping child and said nothing more.

The next day at the Princess's Mansion, murderous intent was hidden amid the sounds of stringed instruments.

When the prince raised his glass, a cold light flashed in his sleeve, and the dagger pierced the princess' heart!
"Ding!"

A thin blade suddenly popped out from the golden bracelet on the eldest princess' wrist, accurately blocking the dagger.

She leaned close to the prince's ear and whispered, "My dear nephew, you are much more decisive than your father."

Before he could finish his words, General Zhao's sword had pierced the prince's back.

When the emperor learned of the prince's death, he was having a meal under the guard of the Swift Wind Guards.

The jade chopsticks snapped in his palm, and blood mixed with tears dripped down his face. "I should have listened to Yu Qi earlier, otherwise, this situation wouldn't have happened."

However, there is no medicine for regret in this world, so Emperor Jingming is destined to bear the consequences of his womanly kindness alone.

……

At Prince Qi's mansion, Zhen Heng knelt on the steps, his forehead bleeding. "Your Highness! The Princess even dared to kill the Crown Prince. The next step is to force His Majesty to abdicate! As a prince..."

"Lord Zhen is so bold." The King of Qi was playing with the teacup when he suddenly smashed it to pieces. "Come here! Take this traitor who is trying to sow discord away!"

After Zhen Heng was dragged away, Princess Qi came out from behind the screen, trembling, "Does Your Majesty really want to help the Princess?"

A fierce look flashed in King Qi's eyes: "The Crown Prince is dead, Yu Qi is far away in the southern border... This is my last chance."

In the southern border military camp, Jiang Si, exhausted, opened the tent curtain and met the half-smiling gaze of King Yu Qi of Yan.

Before the two could say anything, Jiang Zhan, covered in blood, fell off his horse.

"Asi..." Jiang Zhan pulled out the blood-stained military token from his bosom, "Du'er and A'man...both died on the way...The eldest princess falsely passed on the imperial decree to have Cui Xu attack Nanwu..."

Yu Qi slammed his fist on the table and said, "Let's go! We have to see Cui Xu before the imperial edict is issued!"

"..."

In the secret room of the imperial palace, the eldest princess pressed a pen dipped in cinnabar into the emperor's hand and said, "Royal brother, write! Now that the abdication edict is complete, I will ensure that Fuqing will live in peace for the rest of his life."

The emperor's trembling hands put the first stroke on the silk, and suddenly he heard the sound of a kite flying outside the window. It was the Qingluan pattern that Fuqing loved most in childhood.

He suddenly stopped writing, and the ink spread a blood-red mark on the edict.

"Rongyang, I treat you well! Why are you doing this?"

"I am at your mercy! I've had enough of submitting to you."

"Hmph! Your own ambition will backfire on you."

"Haha, you don't have to worry about this."

"..."

At the southern border, Cui Xu looked at two imperial edicts that were delivered at the same time. One ordered him to attack Nanwu immediately, and the other was stamped with the seal of King Yan and asked him to return to the capital as soon as possible to rescue the emperor.

The deputy general urged anxiously: "General, if you don't make a decision, the Nanwu army will cross the river!"

Suddenly, the sound of an ancient horn rang out from the Nanwu army on the opposite bank.

Cui Xu looked into the distance and saw Jiang Si standing in front of the formation in white clothes as white as snow, with a flame totem held high in his hand burning like blood in the setting sun.

"It's the Saint..." The sound of Nanwu soldiers kneeling down one after another came like a tide.

Cui Xu finally loosened his grip on the sword hilt. "Order! Disband the entire army! Return to the capital to defend the king!"

...(End of chapter)