"Bind that guard and send him to Prince Mei Residence, to be dealt with by the princess."

"As you command, Your Majesty." Bowing, he left the Imperial Study, and only after stepping outside did he dare to take deep breaths and wipe the sweat from his forehead. He summoned the Imperial Army, had the guard’s captain bound, and delivered him to Prince Mei Residence.

Sitting in a chair and drinking water, Feng Xuxu merely raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. After a moment, she set down her teacup and pondered, "Let him kneel in front of the residence’s gate until I have cooled off. When I’m ready, then he may leave."

"Yes, princess." Mei Lenglei bowed his head in response and turned to leave.

Tian Yi frowned in confusion, looking at the princess, "Why not just kill him with a sword?" He had heard from Xuan Yue about what happened at the palace gates; had Xuan Yue not stopped him, he would have already cleaved the man in two.

Feng Xuxu merely curved the corner of her mouth slightly, her eyes gazing at the lush tree outside. Since when had the tree’s leaves begun to slowly yellow? A slight breeze would be enough to sweep away quite a few of the fallen leaves.

After a long while, she spoke leisurely, "This is nothing but a ploy by His Majesty. If you had really killed him, then Prince Mei Residence would be accused of wanton slaughter. If the Imperial Censor were to impeach us, what do you think His Majesty would do?"

"Of course, kill the Imperial Censor!" Tian Yi blurted out without a second thought.

Feng Xuxu only glanced at Tian Yi and turned her head toward Xuan Yue, who was in deep thought, "And you?"

Xuan Yue shook her head, "He wouldn’t kill the Imperial Censor; instead, he would severely punish the princess."

Tian Yi gaped, "Impossible, His Majesty would never do that. Without the master, how could he have ascended the throne?"

"The might of the master alarms the ruler," Xuan Yue said calmly, looking at Tian Yi and coldly uttered the words.

"But... but Prince Dugu has no interest in that position, His Majesty has long been aware of this," Tian Yi still refused to believe His Majesty would act thus.

After listening to this, Feng Xuxu simply shook her head silently, while Xuan Yue sighed quietly to himself.

"Princess, are you trying to intimidate others with this example?" Xuan Yue tilted his head, looking at the princess by the window.

Feng Xuxu nodded, "Rather than being unable to kill him, it’s better to have him kneel in front of the residence, serving as a warning to others. Although Prince Dugu is missing, Prince Mei Residence is not to be trifled with."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the butler arrived, out of breath. Seeing Lady Baihe at the entrance, he gasped, "Lady Baihe, tell the princess, His Majesty has arrived, he’s in the front courtyard."

Upon hearing this, Baihe quickly made her way into the hall, circled around the screen, and saw the princess staring blankly at the yard. "Mhm," as if she had known all along, she casually withdrew her gaze, tidied her clothes a bit, and then leaned on Baihe’s arm to walk to the front courtyard.

"Your Majesty, may your fortune be as boundless as the eastern seas," said Feng Xuxu gently, cradling her belly.

Dugu Han stepped forward to lightly assist her, "There is no need for formalities with your condition, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Once she stood up, the Emperor took his seat at the head of the room, while Feng Xuxu sat down to his lower right.

After both were seated, Mei Lenglei finished serving tea to the Emperor and the princess, then quietly withdrew.

Pretending to drink his tea, Dugu Han’s gaze kept flickering towards Feng Xuxu. He noted that the pregnant woman before him showed not the slightest trace of tension or fear, which caused him to raise his eyebrow subtly.

"I’ve heard the Princess Mei is unwell. I have brought the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau myself this time, to pulse-diagnose for the Princess Mei and ensure her safety. My brother... even if he can’t return, his progeny must not encounter any problems," he said with a mix of bleakness and heartfelt pain.

Upon hearing this, Feng Xuxu lifted her eyes and averted her gaze. Her look immediately became a few shades deeper, "Your Majesty, what do you mean ’even if he can’t return’? Prince Dugu has merely gone missing. I firmly believe that he will return."