“Well, now Her Highness the Empress can finally rest easy.” Feng Jiu’er also lifted her teacup and smelled it.

This was good news—three days without finding him, and the longer the search continued, the smaller the chances of finding him would become.

“Mm.” The Empress reluctantly set her cup down.

Feng Jiu’er curved her lips slightly, glancing at the exquisite teacup.

“Your Highness, if you want to drink it, go ahead. This little Feng can apply some fragrant oil for you—it will help you sleep just as well.”

The Empress met her gaze, furrowing her brow slightly. “Really?”

“Really.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

The Empress seemed to genuinely love the flavor and lifted the tea, taking a light sip.

Feng Jiu’er wanted to ask about the matter with Consort Ya, but in the end didn’t voice it.

At a time like this, if something happened in the palace, it could only benefit their escape from the capital.

In the end, the Empress finished three full cups of tea before standing up.

Feng Jiu’er set down her cup and stood as well.

“Come.” The Empress turned and picked up a cloak, draping it over herself. “I’ll take you to watch a good show.”

Feng Jiu’er watched the Empress walking with such a brisk, spirited gait and almost wanted to exclaim in surprise.

Was this truly the same Empress? Just days ago she had seemed utterly listless—especially after being poisoned three days prior, when she had even cried.

What on earth was going on today?

“Your Highness, where are we going?” Feng Jiu’er hurried to catch up.

“Yaxiang Hall.” The Empress tossed out those three words without turning back.

Feng Jiu’er frowned. “Your Highness, if you’re going to confront Consort Ya, bringing me along doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

“Ahem… this humble one went to see Consort Ya just yesterday and made some money off her.”

“Showing up brazenly now to watch the show feels rather awkward.”

The Empress turned back, studied Feng Jiu’er for a moment, waved a hand, and turned around again.

“Have Nanny Chen give you a maid’s outfit, and dress yourself up a bit so she won’t recognize you.”

“But we’re running short on time—we need to hurry!”

Feng Jiu’er nodded and followed her out of the chamber.

A quarter of an hour later, the carriage departed from the Empress’s quarters and soon arrived at Yaxiang Hall.

Feng Jiu’er, having disguised herself, still felt a bit nervous, though mostly she felt a great thrill.

In the dead of the night, the Empress acting so pleased with herself—tonight’s drama would surely be no small thing.

Well, the storm wasn’t of her making, so let it come even fiercer, then?

She didn’t dwell on it further, only thinking about getting her father and her brothers safely out of the capital.

Before Feng Jiu’er had even gotten off the carriage, she could already sense quite a number of people around.

Normally, the atmosphere outside Yaxiang Hall wasn’t like this at all.

Tonight was unusual!

“Come, get down.” The Empress stood up.

Feng Jiu’er immediately stood and lifted the curtain.

The two of them walked in front, followed by more than a dozen guards.

There were several additional guards stationed in front of Yaxiang Hall’s main gate.

Seeing it was the Empress, the guards knelt together, saying, “Greetings, Your Highness the Empress!”

“Rise!” The Empress waved a hand and glanced inside. “What has happened here?”

“Reporting to Your Highness.” One of the guards who had risen cupped his hands together.

“His Majesty—His Majesty has come to Yaxiang Hall.”

“Oh?” The Empress frowned. “How long has he been here?”

“Reporting to Your Highness.” The guard cupped his hands again. “Less than the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn.”

“Then there’s still time.” The Empress waved her hand. “This palace has matters to settle with Consort Ya. Step aside!”

“Your Highness.” The guard looked troubled.

“Step aside! If anything happens, this palace takes full responsibility.” The Empress showed some displeasure.

The guard no longer dared to obstruct her, turned back, and waved his hand.

The other guards cupped their hands and made way.

The Empress strode forward briskly, walking with a touch of urgency.

After Feng Jiu’er followed her through the gate, she gently tugged at the Empress’s sleeve.

“Your Highness, I think I’d better not go in. With His Majesty present, I don’t dare.”

“I’ll wait for you out here, alright? If you have any good news, share it with me later tonight, okay?”

Feng Jiu’er acted quite fearful, as if intimidated by the ruler within.

But in truth, she was worried about being recognized by Feng Qiongcang.

Feng Qiongcang’s internal energy was far too strong—it would be very difficult for her to conceal herself in front of him.

To avoid complications, it was better for her not to go in.

Consort Ya had had her deliver purple incense just yesterday, and tonight both the Emperor and Empress had come—Feng Jiu’er could already guess roughly what was going on.

“Alright then.” The Empress showed a hint of helplessness.

From the look of it, she had really wanted to share her joy with Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er nodded like a little chick pecking at rice, waving her hand gently. “Your Highness, please go ahead.”

“I’ll wait for you out here. No matter how late it gets, I’ll wait for you to come back.”

The Empress nodded, satisfied, and turned to continue forward.

She arrived before the main hall and was stopped again—this time by An’bao, the eunuch attending the Emperor.

“Your Highness, why have you come?” An’bao stepped forward and knelt.

“Greetings, Your Highness, may fortune be with you!”

“An’bao, this palace has matters to settle with Consort Ya.” The Empress waved a hand.

“Many thanks, Your Highness.” An’bao bowed and stood.

“Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered that no one is to enter.”

“A few days ago, Consort Ya poisoned this palace. Now the evidence is conclusive. This palace originally only wished to confront Consort Ya properly.”

The Empress glanced at An’bao, then withdrew her gaze, looking at the doors of the main hall.

“It’s even better that His Majesty is here—there are things he has the right to know.”

“It’s not that this palace doesn’t wish to manage the harem well, it’s that certain people simply insist on stirring up trouble!”

“An’bao, step aside! This palace is going in now!”

The Empress flicked her sleeve and strode forward.

An’bao, flustered, hurried after her.

“Your Highness, please allow this servant to go in and announce you first?”

The Empress stopped walking and finally nodded. “Mm.”

“Many thanks for Your Highness’s grace!” An’bao cupped his hands and trotted into the hall.

Soon, he returned with an answer, appearing again before the Empress.

“Your Highness.” An’bao cupped his hands respectfully. “You may go in now.”

The Empress said nothing further and stepped forward.

An’bao blocked everyone following behind her, and she raised no objection, continuing on.

As the Empress stepped into the great hall, she saw two people kneeling within.

From their backs, one could tell that one was her eldest son, and the other was Consort Ya.

The Empress glanced at the two of them, walked forward slowly, and knelt beside Feng Jin.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!” She cupped her hands together.

“What is it?” Feng Qiongcang’s expression was grim, his voice thick with displeasure.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the matter of this concubine being poisoned a few days ago has been investigated.” The Empress raised her eyes, looking at the person seated in the main seat.

“This concubine originally intended to come find Consort Ya first to clarify the situation, before reporting to you.”

“I never expected Your Majesty would also be here at Yaxiang Hall.”

“Very well!” The Empress bowed slightly and stood.

She turned to look behind her, at the man lying in a pool of blood not far away, then let her gaze fall once more on Feng Jin and Consort Ya.

“Jin’er, why are you here? Could it be that you too discovered the truth and wished to seek justice for your mother?”