CHAPTER 489: CHAPTER 489 PRETENDING TO BE CALM

So, while she was still in the bedroom removing her hairpins, she heard heavy footsteps approaching from outside.

The sound was not something that a servant could make.

And there was a faint sound of armor.

Ruomei, beside Princess Hui Xian, reassured her.

"Princess, please wait here, I’ll go and see what’s happening."

"Alright."

As soon as Ruomei finished speaking, she lifted her steps and went outside.

She saw a line of individuals dressed as Imperial Guards entering the princess’s courtyard.

Ruomei was startled and immediately shouted.

"What’s the meaning of this? Who are you? How dare you intrude upon the Princess Mansion!"

Before she could finish speaking, they advanced to seize her.

She knew some martial arts, but they were only effective against small-time thugs.

Against Imperial Guards, it wasn’t enough.

In less than ten moves.

She was easily captured.

Just like the steward, she was tied up and had her mouth gagged.

Struggling was futile.

Inside, the princess heard the commotion and quickly removed the hairpins from her head before rushing out to see.

As a result, she saw Ruomei captured, and the courtyard filled with Imperial Guards.

That stance, as if they were here to apprehend a criminal.

Enraged, she cursed.

"Are you courting death? How dare you lay a hand on this princess’s person!"

Unfortunately, if she had unleashed such fury in the past, it might have been intimidating.

But today’s situation clearly indicated that catastrophe had befallen the Princess Mansion.

They represented the Emperor; why would they fear Princess Hui Xian’s threats?

Thus, the speaking imperial guard, with a cold expression, continued.

"Princess, please refrain from indulging in grandiloquent words here. In the main hall, the Emperor and Fourth Prince have arrived, requesting your presence for questioning."

"Questioning? What questioning?"

"This humble one is not privy to that."

He then gestured an invitation, prompting Princess Hui Xian to see the situation unfold.

Her heart suddenly filled with panic.

Could it be that, as she feared, something went wrong, and the Emperor suspected her?

Could it be that Tianyi Taoist was captured?

Thinking of this, cold sweat couldn’t help but flow.

But as a princess of the kingdom, she was long accustomed to maintaining her composure.

Thus, with a cold face, she said.

"If it’s questioning, then questioning it shall be, but you should not be so presumptuous in this princess’s mansion! Keep your head on your neck for now; later, I’ll send you to the Underworld to serve the Prince Consort!"

Before leaving, she did not forget to issue a severe threat.

While speaking, she also glanced at Ruomei.

She naturally wished to protect her confidants, but at this moment, she couldn’t afford any action.

Ruomei understood this too.

This indicated that they should say what needed to be said, admit what needed to be admitted, and avoid implicating the princess, lest the whole family suffer.

Her own life was dispensable.

But she had witnessed the princess’s methods.

She feared the entire family, old and young, would perish, truly reuniting in the Underworld.

And Ruomei understood these words.

The Imperial Guards, however, were disdainful.

They all hailed from the Imperial Armor Army; if they truly feared death, they wouldn’t have joined the army.

Thus, they maintained an unchanging expression and calm demeanor looking at Princess Hui Xian.

"Princess, please."

Princess Hui Xian snorted coldly and began walking towards the main hall.

Proceeding slowly, her mind was engrossed in thoughts on how to exonerate herself.

Suddenly, she thought of the Empress Dowager and the two children.

No matter what, with those three around, she should at least be able to keep her life, right?

As long as her life was preserved, she could always start over again.

Her thoughts were perhaps even simpler than those of Prince Zhan.

Probably because from birth until now, she had grown accustomed to enjoying power.

Thus, she forgot that if she truly crossed the Emperor’s line, not even the King of Heaven could help.

Especially considering the Empress Dowager who had raised the Emperor.

If she truly hardened her heart, even the Emperor couldn’t compare to her ruthlessness.

Harboring hope, she headed toward the main hall.

There, the Prince Consort’s body still lay in rest.

The half-constructed mourning hall remained incomplete.

The scene appeared solemn, yet carried a hint of eeriness.

Princess Hui Xian and the Empress Dowager arrived nearly simultaneously.

As she entered the main hall from the corridor, Princess Hui Xian saw the Emperor standing with his hands behind his back inside.

He didn’t move in any way.

He merely turned and glanced at the complexion of the Prince Consort.

Then, his gaze settled upon Hui Xian.

Sending a shiver down her spine.

But with the Emperor present, she had to perform the proper rites.

"Hui Xian pays respects to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and Fourth Prince Uncle."

Her demeanor remained as gentle and humble as ever, with nothing to fault in her manners.

Unfortunately, beneath such gentle looks lay a devious heart.

Thinking of the wicked deeds she committed, the Emperor’s eyes showed no trace of pity.

"Rise, I’ve heard that the Prince Consort has died, so I specially came to offer my condolences. On the way, I encountered someone who, in ignorance of their own mortality, claimed to have a significant connection to the Prince Consort’s death. I was quite surprised upon hearing this, so I brought them along to see if the princess recognizes this person?"

The Emperor had no desire for unnecessary words, and directly stated his intention.

He then signaled the imperial guards to throw out the person with the black hood over their head.

With a rag stuffed in their mouth, all they could do was convulsively writhe their body.

To express their fear.

Seeing the disorder, the Imperial Guards immediately rushed over and delivered several fierce kicks.

And sternly said.

"Silence! How dare you be impudent in the presence of the Emperor!"

The person, hearing the word ’Emperor,’ was so frightened that they dared not move.

In truth, they had just gone out to buy something.

Who would have expected someone to suddenly appear, hood them, and then pummel them?

By the time they realized, they were already trapped like a turtle in a jar.

In broad daylight, who would recklessly claim involvement in the Prince Consort’s death?

Clearly, the Emperor was deliberately assigning guilt.

No one understood this better than him.

Once this matter surfaced, it would be a point of no return.

Terror overwhelmed his heart.

Before he could react.

The ever-dark environment was suddenly illuminated.

Like being dragged from darkness into light for illicit activities.

The black hood was removed.

Princess Hui Xian instantly saw that the person was Tianyi Taoist.

Her legs slightly weakened, but she had to maintain a composed façade.

Hands clasped before her, but her nails had already dug deeply into her flesh.

As if numbed to the pain.

As she guessed, indeed, he was the one caught.

Thus, frantically strategizing internally how to exonerate herself.

With the Prince Consort dead, she could pin many things on him.

After all, her outward reputation was one of deep love with the Prince Consort.

So, doing some wrongs to preserve her husband’s life seemed not so severe.

With that thought, she felt much calmer.

She then deliberately looked at Tianyi Taoist, feigning surprise.

"Taoist? Why are you here?"

The way she appeared, someone who didn’t know the truth might have really thought her innocent.