Startled by Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun’s reprimand, Princess Zhaoning became flustered. She stammered, "I didn't mean not to report it, it's just... my master said..."
Before she could finish, Xiao Jingyun waved his hand, interrupting her. "Stop talking. If it weren't for your sake, I would have already ordered the capture of this Lotus Cult leader."
After uttering these words, Xiao Jingyun fixed Princess Zhaoning with a stern gaze. "You hid Fang Zheng, not only preventing Miss Yue from clearing her father's name but also causing the death of Miss Huang Ying."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoning's expression shifted. She looked at Xiao Jingyun in surprise. "What did you say? My martial aunt..."
"That's right, your martial aunt is dead. You are all responsible for her death," Xiao Jingyun said coldly.
Princess Zhaoning’s gaze then turned to Feng Xiaoyue beside her. Feng Xiaoyue, wiping away tears, nodded. "Yes, Sister Huang Ying's remains are beneath the altar at Wannian Plaza. Brother Xiaobei is guarding her there."
Hearing this, Princess Zhaoning drew her long sword with a clang, its scabbard hitting her waist. She roared, "Who, who killed my martial aunt? I will tear them to pieces!" Tears streamed down her face as she shouted.
Xiao Jingyun's expression turned somber. He stepped forward and took the long sword from Princess Zhaoning's hand, saying in a deep voice, "Alright, don't be impulsive. The murderer is being investigated. First, hand over Fang Zheng, my esteemed old official."
Princess Zhaoning nodded, turned, and walked towards her palace. Before long, she returned with Fang Zheng. Fang Zheng’s expression was dazed, and his steps were slow. He looked as if he had suffered a severe blow.
It was understandable. The former prime minister of a nation, confined by a princess, was a difficult situation for anyone to endure.
Seeing Fang Zheng emerge, Xiao Jingyun quickly stepped forward and supported his arm. "My esteemed old official, you have suffered."
Seeing Xiao Jingyun, Fang Zheng's tears flowed freely. He lifted his robes, about to kneel. "Your humble servant Fang Zheng pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand. "Esteemed old official, there is no need for such formalities. I am here to take you home."
As he helped Fang Zheng walk a few steps, Feng Xiaoyue came forward to pay her respects to Fang Zheng. Seeing Feng Xiaoyue, Fang Zheng’s eyes welled up with tears. "Xiaoyue, I am sorry. It was my fault..."
Feng Xiaoyue, crying, shook her head. "Grandfather Fang, it is not your fault. I was too late. If I had come a few days earlier..."
Fang Zheng stepped forward and gently patted Feng Xiaoyue's arm. Then, he turned, straightened his attire, and bowed to Xiao Jingyun.
"Your Highness, I have an important witness who can prove that Xiaoyue's father, Feng Pengju, was wrongly accused."
Xiao Jingyun nodded. "I know. I know everything."
"Esteemed old official, please return to your residence and rest. I will personally visit you later to discuss this matter. I have an urgent matter to attend to now."
The urgent matter Xiao Jingyun spoke of was naturally the case of Huang Ying's murder.
He still needed to find a way to confirm whether Xiao Dezi was in the palace. If Xiao Dezi was not there, it would be almost certain that he was the one who killed Huang Ying.
Meanwhile, Princess Zhaoning had already rushed towards Wannian Plaza with her attendants.
Upon seeing Princess Zhaoning's arrival, the guards on duty dared not stop her and let her pass.
Princess Zhaoning approached, saw Huang Ying's memorial tablet, and fell to her knees with a thud, crying profusely.
Seeing her tearful state, Cui Hongyu stepped forward, supported her arm, and said softly, "Your Highness Princess, please accept my condolences. Your health is paramount."
Princess Zhaoning suddenly bowed to Huang Ying and Chen Xiaobei. "You are all family to my martial aunt. From now on, you are my martial aunt."
This greatly startled Cui Hongyu, who quickly pulled Princess Zhaoning up from the ground.
"Your Highness Princess, this is not appropriate. We are commoners; we cannot possibly bear such a great honor from you."
Chen Xiaobei also stood up, gave a slight bow, and then said in a deep voice, "Your Highness Princess, one matter at a time. We cannot accept your genuflection."
Princess Zhaoning wiped away her tears and suddenly asked, "Martial Aunt Huang has met with misfortune. Does my Martial Aunt Ziyan know? Have you told my master?"
Cui Hongyu shook her head. "It has just happened. Everything is still in progress."
"I will immediately send word to my master to come over. Oh, where is my Martial Aunt Ziyan? I will send someone to notify her."
Princess Zhaoning's words reminded Chen Xiaobei.
Huang Ying was an orphan, but she had martial sisters. She had Shen Ziyan and the Lotus Cult leader.
"Shen Ziyan is in Hetou Village. I will find a way to inform her. You just need to tell the Lotus Cult leader to have Tang Lianhua rush here as soon as possible."
Chen Xiaobei immediately sent someone to deliver a message to Raldo, asking him to quickly notify the remaining personnel in Hetou Village to have Shen Ziyan come to Wannian City as soon as possible.
While everyone was busy, Xiao An also began to ponder. Xiao Dezi had only completed half of his mission, having killed only Huang Ying.
Fortunately, Xiao Dezi had been disfigured beyond recognition by a tiger. This way, no one would be able to trace the matter back to him, so he had to maintain his pretense.
"Bai Han, go and deliver my imperial decree. Huang Ying died defending the altar, sacrificing herself for the nation. I shall grant her a state funeral."
Upon hearing this, Bai Han trembled. Such great merit and honor! But was it not a bit excessive for Chen Xiaobei? Although Chen Xiaobei had made considerable contributions to the country, a state funeral for his secondary consort seemed a bit too extravagant.
"Your Majesty, the effect of Chen Xiaobei's ritual is still uncertain, and Chen Xiaobei's achievements do not warrant such honor."
Xiao An nodded. "It is a bit excessive, but that is precisely what I intend. I want Liu Xiangnan to know that even if Chen Xiaobei holds no noble title, he is still my trusted subject. If I then arrange a marriage for his daughter, what grounds will he have to object?"
Hearing this, Bai Han was speechless. To achieve his goals, Xiao An was truly unscrupulous. By giving an exceptionally grand burial to Chen Xiaobei's secondary consort, he intended to smoothly arrange a marriage with Liu Rumei. From this, it was evident that Xiao An had made up his mind to eliminate Liu Xiangnan, even if it meant paying an exorbitant price. Of course, the consequences of this price were unpredictable. How would the common people view a state funeral for such a woman?
Meanwhile, Xiao Jingyun had returned to his Crown Prince's mansion and began making arrangements with Zhou Quan.
"Find a way to investigate in the palace and see if Xiao Dezi appeared today. If he did not, find out where he went."
Hearing this, Zhou Quan's heart sank. He tentatively asked, "Your Highness, do you mean that person might be Xiao Dezi?"
Xiao Jingyun nodded and recounted his visit to his father that morning.
"If it truly is Xiao Dezi, then the situation becomes complicated. What is the Emperor truly trying to achieve?"