Taking the bracelet into his hand, he examined it carefully. The exquisite piece was finely crafted, with delicate, intricate seams both inside and out. The bracelet bore a certain heft and thickness; it could very well serve as a concealed weapon. Gently pressing on the gemstone, no abnormalities were detected. Attempting to move the gem proved futile—it was firmly set. Stroking the bracelet's surface, no protrusions or hidden compartments were found.
Hu Xi'ang's face remained cold as he snapped, "Had enough? Give it back."
Could it truly not be his? Shan Yulan fell into contemplation once more. Few people were on the second floor of the main hall, and even fewer could have approached the wine cup. No silver threads or suspicious objects were found inside the cup. Hence, the most plausible moment for poisoning was when Hu Xi'ang picked up the cup. But what exactly was the concealed weapon made of? If the bracelet was indeed the weapon, how could it be proven? Was there truly no way? Was the bracelet actually the deadly instrument?
Now, with no visible anomaly, how could one prove it was a weapon? Holding the bracelet, Shan Yulan sank into deep thought, silent. Hu Xi'ang watched coldly, saying nothing, only eager to reclaim his bracelet.
Zhuo Qing massaged her aching legs from crouching, casually chatting with Mo Bai, though her voice was somewhat loud: "I recall you mentioning earlier that the toxin of the Chi Huan silk worm is unique to the Qiong Yue Kingdom, unlike any other poison, correct?"
Mo Bai sensed Zhuo Qing had a plan and replied affirmatively: "Indeed."
Shrugging, Zhuo Qing eyed Hu Xi'ang's visibly altered expression and said, "If that's the case, even if we cannot dismantle the concealed weapon within the bracelet, proving the presence of a lethal amount of Chi Huan silk worm toxin on it would demand an explanation from General Hu."
Exactly! The murderer chose such a rare poison to frame Qiong Yue, and its uniqueness makes it easier to expose the culprit. He focused solely on finding the weapon but overlooked the poison itself as evidence.
Glancing again at the bracelet, Shan Yulan's eyes brightened: "Bring me a basin of clear water."
"Yes."
Soon, a palace maid brought a basin of water. Shan Yulan dropped a silver needle into it—no reaction. Then, gently, she immersed the bracelet in the water. After a short while, faint red threads slowly seeped from the bracelet's intricate seams, dissolving into the water. The once silver-white needle darkened gradually, emitting a faint salty and fishy scent—identical to that of the poisoned wine.
Sliding the basin toward Hu Xi'ang, Shan Yulan said coldly, "General Hu, care to explain why the bracelet you carry contains the Chi Huan silk worm toxin? Surely you won't claim it was spilled wine?"
He wouldn't resort to such a clumsy excuse.
Hu Xi'ang's complexion paled but showed no panic or defense, calmly responding, "At this point, I have nothing to explain."
An admission? But what was his motive? He wouldn't kill without cause, especially not a princess of his own kingdom! Clearly, Xu Xunsi was the most anxious to uncover this truth. Glaring fiercely at Hu Xi'ang, Xu Xunsi rebuked, "Why would you do this? With Qiong Yue and Beiqi at odds, what benefit do you gain? General Hu served the nation loyally his entire life—how can you betray his memory so shamelessly?"
"Silence! Your Xu family has no right to speak my father's name!" Hu Xi'ang's calm facade shattered like a bomb detonating. Xu Xunsi's words struck the most sensitive chord in his heart.
Advancing threateningly, Hu Xi'ang's towering frame and bloodshot eyes made Xu Xunsi recoil a step. With a scornful yet resentful glare laced with fury and hatred, Hu Xi'ang hissed, "My father was too stubborn—refusing to ally with Dinu, insisting on serving the court with so-called honor. And what did you royal hypocrites do when he battled Dinu? No reinforcements, withheld supplies, leaving him besieged. In the end, he died a miserable death beneath a volley of enemy arrows. Is that your so-called loyalty and righteousness? You only know how to squabble and dictate from the palace, ignoring the suffering of the people and the toil of soldiers. He did not deserve his loyalty to you."
Xu Xunsi furrowed his brow in disbelief, asking, "So you deliberately killed your seventh sister to sabotage the alliance between Beiqi and Qiong Yue, to bring ruin upon Beiqi as well?"
"You're right. I just want to see you all meet your end—feel the agony of arrows piercing your hearts!"
Hu Xi'ang's manic laughter filled the hall, his body and soul consumed by hatred, causing everyone to involuntarily gasp.
His madness cast a dark shadow of foreboding. Yan Hongtian commanded loudly, "Guards, detain Hu Xi'ang immediately."
"No need for trouble."
The laughter ceased, his hoarse voice weary, "Enough. The truth is out. I'll go join that stubborn old man."
With that, he seized the silver needle from the basin and plunged it fiercely into his temple…
Everything happened so swiftly that by the time the crowd reacted, his imposing figure had collapsed lifelessly upon the hall floor.
Shan Yulan rushed forward to check. He twitched briefly before stillness claimed him—his face pale, limbs stiff, eyes protruding.
Shan Yulan rose slowly, whispering, "He's dead."
Another death? No one expected a simple welcome banquet to spiral into such a tragedy.
Su Ling's eyes darkened with sorrow. He had known General Hu and deeply respected him. Hu Xi'ang may have doubted the worthiness of the Beiqi royal family, but the general protected more than just royalty—he safeguarded the people of Beiqi.
Among the three, only Su Ling now remained. Xu Xunsi felt nothing but shame and despair for himself and Beiqi.
Taking a deep breath, Xu Xunsi suddenly knelt, humbly imploring, "Today's tragic events are a sorrow for Beiqi. I beg Emperor Qiong to forgive this misunderstanding and allow me to take the bodies of these two back to Beiqi."
Raising his hand slightly, Yan Hongtian did not oppose. He declared firmly, "Granted. Escort the Third Prince back to the inn. Shan Qing, I entrust the rest to you."
"Yes."
Without another glance at Zhuo Qing, Yan Hongtian rose hastily and strode out of the hall.
Zhuo Qing exhaled in relief. Yan Hongtian's demeanor toward her—or rather, toward Qing Feng—hinted at a tangled past she wished to avoid.
Looking toward where Qing Ling had been moments ago, Zhuo Qing only saw three eunuchs who had also been detained. Qing Ling's figure was nowhere in sight. Had the Empress taken her away?
Worry flickered in Zhuo Qing's heart, but she quickly dismissed it. Even if so, what could the Empress do?
Her gaze then shifted to Lou Xiyan, inadvertently locking eyes with Princess Chaoyun, who was tearful. The princess's misty eyes were filled with profound sorrow and faint resentment.
Zhuo Qing frowned; she was no one's imagined rival. Pulling back her gaze, she skirted past Lou Xiyan and headed out.
Just as she brushed past him, her hand was caught. The cool touch needed no thought—it was him. Before she could turn, a gentle murmur whispered in her ear, "Wait for me in the carriage. I'll be there shortly."
His words barely left his lips before Zhuo Qing felt the burning gaze fixed upon her back.
She could not leave the palace; where else could she wait for him? It had to be deliberate.
Fortunately, he released her hand. Zhuo Qing, unwilling to waste breath on futile talk—afraid her explanations would seem boastful or denials flirtatious—walked away with an air of nonchalance.
Yet inside, Yan Ruxuan's heart ached deeply. Watching Lou Xiyan's lingering gaze on the woman's profile, she trembled as she whispered, "You… love her?"
Lou Xiyan glanced back coolly, "It's late. Princess, you should return to the palace and rest."
"You love her?"
Today, Yan Ruxuan needed to know. After so many years, she had grown weary of his lukewarm treatment.
With an unreadable expression, Lou Xiyan calmly repeated, "I have already declared in the hall—she is my wife."
Clenching her fists, Yan Ruxuan refused to retreat like before, choking on her sobs as she demanded, "I only ask—do you love her?"
She cared nothing for titles or status. She just wanted to know who held his heart.
Tears streaming like raindrops, Lou Xiyan's hand twitched before falling slowly. Simply, he answered, "Yes."
Yes…
Yan Ruxuan's mind went blank. He said yes—he loved her, not her.
Before he had a beloved, she had deluded herself he cared for her. But now? How could she continue to deceive herself?
What should she do? She loved him so deeply—ever since that blossoming season, captivated by his fleeting, feather-light, warm smile. Her heart had not been hers ever since.
What was she to do now?