Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the eve of the Lunar New Year, a family banquet was held at Linde Hall.

The rules for royal family banquets are more relaxed than those for state banquets, but also more subtle.

According to rank, princes, dukes, princesses, imperial sons-in-law, and other members of the imperial family with titles were seated according to their closeness to the emperor.

On the imperial steps, Nangong Ye and Shen Qingci sat side by side, with Bao'er between them.

The little guy is wearing a formal prince's robe today.

Her hair was tied up with a golden crown, her small face was tense, and she tried hard to appear composed.

But his eyes couldn't help but drift toward the "Pine of Winter" in the hall, which was adorned with gold and silver jewels.

Shen Qingci gently pressed his knee under the table.

Bao'er immediately sat up straight, her eyes fixed straight ahead.

Nangong Ye saw this scene and a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

He picked up his glass and said a few polite words.

It's nothing more than "year-end reunion", "celebrating the New Year together", and "grateful for the blessings of our ancestors, the great victory in the north, and the stability of the country".

Then, the banquet began.

As the music of string and wind instruments began, palace maids moved about, and delicacies and fine wines were served in a continuous stream.

The atmosphere gradually warmed up, and the relatives began to toast each other and say auspicious words.

Several senior princes, trembling, rose to offer a toast to the Emperor and Empress.

They say, "His Majesty is blessed with boundless good fortune," and "The Empress's merits will last for a thousand years."

Shen Qingci raised his glass in return, his expression indifferent.

Her gaze, seemingly unintentionally, swept over several spots in the hall—

Prince Jing, Nangong Shuo, sat at the head of the princes' seats.

She was smiling and whispering to Prince Kang beside her, appearing gentle and harmless.

But the attendant standing behind him, with his steady steps and long breaths, was a master.

Prince Jing, Nangong Wen, the late emperor's youngest son, has just turned sixteen this year.

She kept her head down, eating her food, occasionally stealing glances at Bao'er.

There was a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and a hint of... timidity.

Prince Su, Nangong Lie, was the late emperor's cousin. He was over sixty years old, with white hair and beard.

He was stroking his beard and whispering something to his son beside him.

His gaze kept glancing at Shen Qingci on the steps, his expression complex.

Everything seemed normal.

Until after several rounds of drinks.

The heir apparent of Prince Su—a young man in his early twenties,

He rose and toasted Nangong Ye: "Your Majesty, I offer you a cup of wine, wishing you good health and the Crown Prince... exceptional wisdom."

When he said "exceptionally intelligent," his tone was somewhat subtle.

Shen Qingci narrowed her eyes.

Bao'er suddenly raised her head and looked at the prince, her little brows furrowing.

"What's wrong?" Nangong Ye noticed and asked in a low voice.

Bao'er hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Daddy, that brother... he's lying."

The sound wasn't loud, but several old princes sitting nearby heard it.

Prince Su's expression changed.

The prince's hand trembled, and a little wine spilled out.

Nangong Ye put down his wine glass, looked at Bao'er, and asked calmly, "Oh? How did Bao'er know he was lying?"

Bao'er bit her lip and looked at Shen Qingci.

Shen Qingci shook her head slightly at him—signaling him to stop talking.

But Bao'er might be too nervous today.

Or perhaps the prince's "thoughts" were too intense.

He couldn't help but say it aloud:

"He...he thought to himself: 'With such a young child as the crown prince, the Nangong dynasty is doomed.'"

There's also...

Bao'er paused, her voice even softer, "He also wants... wants his son to..."

"shut up!"

Prince Su stood up abruptly, his old face flushed red:

"Your Highness! Such words should not be spoken lightly!"

The old minister and his family are utterly loyal and have no disloyal intentions whatsoever!

He was so excited that he knocked over the wine glass in front of him, spilling the fine wine all over himself.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

All eyes were on Bao'er.

Those eyes held shock, doubt, fear, and... a barely perceptible hint of fanaticism.

Shen Qingci's heart sank to the bottom.

It’s over.

"Bao'er," she said, her voice soft but carrying an undeniable sternness.

"Who taught you to talk such nonsense?"

Bao'er was startled by her cold tone, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"Mother, I'm not lying... I really heard it..."

"Still talking!" Shen Qingci interrupted sharply.

Bao'er burst into tears.

Nangong Ye immediately took the child into his arms.

Gently pat his back,

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, his voice steady:

"The Crown Prince is young, and children speak without thinking. Prince Su need not take it to heart."

He paused, then added, "However, if the young master truly has such intentions, he should rest as soon as possible."

The position of Crown Prince was determined by our ancestors and established by me.

Anyone who has an objection can speak up now.

The last sentence carried the chilling aura of an emperor.

The prince's legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty had no such intention! You are innocent!"

Prince Su also knelt down, tears streaming down his face: "Your Majesty, please see the truth! The loyalty of my family is as clear as day!"

Someone must have instigated the Crown Prince to sow discord among the imperial family!

This statement has a hidden meaning.

Shen Qingci looked at him coldly: "Does Prince Su mean that I instructed the Crown Prince to frame you?"

"This old minister dares not!"

Prince Su prostrated himself on the ground.

"But His Highness the Crown Prince is too young, how could he understand these... these hurtful words?"

"He must have heard it from someone else, that's why..."

That's enough.

Nangong Ye interrupted,

"We will not discuss state affairs at today's family dinner."

Prince Su, take the heir apparent back. He will be confined to his quarters for three months to reflect on his actions.

This is a light punishment, but it's still a public slap in the face.

Prince Su's face turned ashen. He pulled the still trembling heir and staggered back.

The banquet continued, but the atmosphere had completely changed.

The music still played, but no one was talking or laughing anymore.

Everyone had their heads down.

He occasionally stole a glance at Bao'er on the steps, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.

What that child said earlier, was it true?

Can he really...hear what other people are thinking?

---

The banquet ended hastily.

Upon returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Shen Qingci immediately dismissed all the palace servants.

"Kneel down," she said to Bao'er, who was still sobbing.

Bao'er froze, looking at her with teary eyes.

Nangong Ye frowned: "Qingci, the child is still young, he doesn't understand..."

"It is precisely because he does not understand that we need to teach him."

Shen Qingci's voice was icy cold.

"My dear, Mother wants to ask you—what were you like today?"

Did they really hear what the prince was thinking?

Bao'er nodded and whispered, "Hmm... the voice in his heart is so noisy."

She kept saying "little baby," "no," "my son is better..."

Shen Qingci closed her eyes.

really.

Bao'er's spiritual perception ability is growing.

From initially only being able to detect malice and warn of danger,

Now I can vaguely capture other people's intense inner thoughts.

This is a deadly weapon on the battlefield.

In the palace... it's a death warrant.

"Baby, listen carefully."

She knelt down, placed her hands on her son's shoulders, and looked directly at him.

"From today onwards, you are not allowed to tell anyone about this."

Anyone! Including your father, your aunt Jinshu, and all your future tutors and study companions.

Bao'er was startled by her serious expression and nodded, "Bao'er will remember..."

"besides,"

Shen Qingci spoke slowly and deliberately.

"From now on, no matter what you hear someone saying in their heart, you are not allowed to say it out loud."

Pretend you didn't hear it, pretend you don't know anything.

Even if you hear someone speaking ill of your mother or father, you are not allowed to say it.

"But..." Bao'er's tears fell again.

"They're saying bad things about Father and Mother..."

"Let them talk."

Shen Qingci wiped away his tears.

"Some things, if said aloud, could kill someone."

"Baby, do you want someone to die because of something you said?"

Bao'er shook her head vigorously.

"Then remember your mother's words."

Shen Qingci pulled him into her arms, her voice finally softening.

"Bao'er, your ability is very special."

But sometimes, special things can bring disaster.

Your mother wants you to hide it well to protect you.

Bao'er leaned on her shoulder and gave a muffled "hmm".

Nangong Ye stood aside, watching the mother and son, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

After Bao'er was taken by Jinshu to wash up and go to sleep, he finally spoke:

"You're too harsh."

"If he's not strict, he won't live long."

Shen Qingci turned around, walked to the window, and looked at the pitch-black night outside.

"Your Majesty should be aware of the consequences if this matter gets out today."

Nangong Ye remained silent.

Of course he knew.

"The Crown Prince can read people's minds"—if this rumor is confirmed, Bao'er will become everyone's nightmare.

Court officials dared not approach him, imperial relatives feared him, and the common people would spread rumors about him as a monster.

As for Prince Jing, that ambitious man... he would do everything he could to get him or destroy him.

"I will order a silencing of all dissent," he said. "Anyone present today who dares to utter a single word will have their entire family executed."

"It can't be sealed off."

Shen Qingci shook her head. "When Prince Su left, his eyes already looked strange."

And what about Prince Kang and Prince Jing... Doesn't Your Majesty know what they're thinking?"

She paused for a moment: "The best-case scenario right now is that they just think Bao'er was just talking nonsense and was instigated by someone with ulterior motives."

The worst-case scenario...

She didn't finish speaking.

But Nangong Ye understood.

In the worst-case scenario, rumors that "the crown prince is a monster and should be deposed" would spread like wildfire throughout the court and the country.

"I will not allow that to happen." Nangong Ye walked to her side.

"He is my son, the Crown Prince of Nangong."

As long as I am alive, no one can touch him.

Shen Qingci turned her head to look at him, and suddenly asked, "Isn't Your Majesty afraid?"

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid Bao'er can really hear what you're thinking."

Nangong Ye paused for a moment, then smiled.

His smile was tinged with bitterness and helplessness.

"What I'm thinking," he said softly, "didn't you already know?"

Shen Qingci looked away.

Silence fell over the hall.

After a long silence, she finally spoke: "Starting tomorrow, I will triple the number of people protecting Bao'er."

His food, clothing, and toys all had to be inspected by Nightblade.

All the palace servants around him have been replaced with our people.

"it is good."

"And one more thing," Shen Qingci turned around.

"Your Majesty should investigate whether the prince today... truly had such thoughts on his own, or whether someone whispered in his ear."

Nangong Ye's eyes sharpened: "You suspect..."

"I don't doubt anything," Shen Qingci interrupted. "I only believe in evidence."

She walked to the desk, spread out the paper, and began to write a letter.

A letter to Mo Shisan.

The content consists of only one line:

"Investigate all personnel who have been to or from the Prince Su's residence in the past three months, with a focus on those who have had contact with Xiling or the Prince Jing's residence."

After sending the letter, she stood by the window until late at night.

The scene from the banquet kept replaying in my mind—

When Bao'er innocently uttered those words,

The horror and...greed in the eyes of those inside the hall.

Yes, greed.

Some people are afraid, but others see the immense value behind the ability to "read people's minds."

"Bao'er..." she murmured to herself, "Mother will definitely protect you."

Even if it means being at odds with the whole world.

---

Three days later, the rumors still quietly spread.

There are many versions:

"His Highness the Crown Prince is exceptionally gifted and can distinguish between loyalty and treachery."

"The young prince has the ability to read minds; he can see through anyone's disloyal intentions at a glance."

"What telepathy? That's clearly supernatural! How could a three-year-old understand such things?"

The rumors circulated among members of the imperial family and court officials in a small circle, and had not yet spread to the general public.

But that's enough.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Shen Qingci looked at the intelligence sent by Mo Shisan with an icy expression.

Intelligence indicates that Prince Su's heir has been frequently visiting a tavern called "Zui Xian Lou" over the past two months.

The owner behind that tavern... was a relative of Princess Jing's maternal family.

"As expected." She burned the note.

Nangong Ye sat to one side, watching the flickering flames, and suddenly said:

"Qingci, I have an idea."

"What?"

"After the spring, I would like to take you and Bao'er on an inspection tour of Jiangnan."

Nangong Ye looked at her,

"Firstly, to show you how well your new policies are being implemented at the local level;"

Secondly, to get Bao'er away from the capital, this place of trouble; thirdly...

He paused:

"Lue the snake out of its hole."

"If Prince Jing really wants to take action, being on the way is the best opportunity."