The maid appeared very indignant. They clearly knew they were from Xiliang, and the wedding attire sent for the wedding should have been Xiliang's. Instead, they sent East Chu's wedding attire.
This was clearly bullying them, Xiliang, and openly slapping them in the face. Even if the princess could tolerate such an insult, she couldn't.
"These are minor matters; there's no need to dwell on them. The priority now is to ensure the wedding proceeds smoothly. Have the things I asked you to prepare been readied?"
"As per the princess's instructions, your servant has prepared everything. Would the princess like to inspect it to see if there are any discrepancies?"
Murong Jinyun put down the comb in her hand and selected a hairpin made of pure gold silk: "Take this hairpin for me, and we shall go and see."
"Yes, Princess."
The maid took the hairpin and held it against Murong Jinyun's head, "Princess, does this position look good?"
"Excellent," Murong Jinyun replied with a faint nod, gazing at herself in the bronze mirror.
The maid carefully placed the hairpin in Murong Jinyun's hair: "Princess, wear..."
Before she could finish speaking, the maid began to feel dizzy, her steps unsteady. She swayed precariously, and within moments, she collapsed straight onto the ground, black blood flowing from her nose and mouth.
The remaining two maids in the room were terrified by the scene. Their bodies trembled, and they dared not even breathe loudly.
Murong Jinyun let out a soft sigh and removed the hairpin from her hair, tossing it beside the maid's corpse.
"Dispose of the body. Let this hairpin be her burial accompaniment."
A talkative maid who married out with her would be an endless source of trouble. It was better to deal with her early and cleanly, saving future complications.
"Your servant obeys."
The remaining two maids answered in unison. Only after Murong Jinyun had left did they dare to reveal their fear.
For merely speaking a few extra words, the princess had resorted to murder. They would have to be even more cautious in their actions from now on, absolutely not daring to anger the princess again, lest they not even know how they died.
...
"Greetings, Princess." Baili Xi entered, looking dust-covered. This startled Murong Jinyun, and she almost dropped her teacup.
"You should be guarding the post station. Why are you here? Do you know this place is swarming with East Chu spies? If you're seen, you won't be able to explain yourself, no matter how many mouths you have."
Murong Jinyun's tone was full of reproach, displeased with Baili Xi's reckless behavior.
Now, even a slight mistake could be seized upon, and it would be difficult for them to escape. Why did things have to be done so recklessly?
"It was my oversight. However, I have something important to discuss with the Princess. I beg your forgiveness for my impulsive actions."
Baili Xi's attitude was extremely humble. Even if Murong Jinyun was displeased, she couldn't say anything more.
After all, Baili Xi was a general of Xiliang. Considering Xiliang, she could tolerate his actions to some extent, no matter how excessive they were. Xiliang depended on the Baili clan.
"Let's forget about this matter. General Baili, you don't need to be so formal. Please, sit down and talk."
Murong Jinyun waved her hand, letting the matter pass. "General Baili, you've taken a risk to come here. What is it regarding?"
"Princess, His Majesty has made arrangements. On the day of the Princess's wedding, he will send assassins to assassinate the Emperor of East Chu. Once successful, East Chu will fall into chaos, and my Xiliang generals can seize this opportunity to invade East Chu."
"Act on the wedding day! Impossible! Father Emperor promised me that he would act on my wedding day. Why has it been moved up?"
Murong Jinyun stood up abruptly, her voice filled with shock. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she desperately wanted to know the reason that made her father change his mind. The wedding day would undoubtedly be heavily guarded, and attempting something at this time was not easy.
Didn't her father know the risks involved? There must be a compelling reason for him to do this.
"No, I need to write a letter to Father Emperor to understand this clearly."
Without her father's explicit consent, she would absolutely not do this. Murong Jinyun stood up, intending to write and ask for an explanation.
After taking only two steps, Baili Xi stepped forward and stopped her: "Princess, this is His Majesty's secret decree. I implore the Princess to consider the overall situation and act according to His Majesty's will."
He had long anticipated that the Princess would not easily believe him. He had prepared the Emperor's personal secret decree before coming.
Murong Jinyun, in her shock, quickly took the secret decree and eagerly opened it to read. This was indeed her father's handwriting.
"Since the Princess has seen His Majesty's personal secret decree, please act according to His Majesty's wishes. Do not let personal feelings delay His Majesty's important affairs."
Baili Xi's gaze darkened. He began using the Emperor to suppress Murong Jinyun. He was worried that Murong Jinyun would act emotionally and refuse to follow their intentions, thus delaying important matters.
"I know what I'm doing, General Baili. You needn't meddle too much. Don't forget that I am the ruler, and you are the subject. It's best not to forget your position."
She naturally understood Baili Xi's intention, but she was, after all, a princess. She could not allow Baili Xi to oppress her and act so presumptuously.
Murong Jinyun clenched the secret decree in her hand, unsure of what to do for a moment. However, she was unwilling to do such a thing on her wedding day. If she did, she would drag Gu Beichen down with her, and Gu Beichen would never forgive her.
She truly loved Gu Beichen and naturally did not want to hurt the person she loved so deeply. This time, she absolutely would not do such a thing.
"Does the Princess mean that you do not wish to act according to His Majesty's wishes?"
Baili Xi asked calmly. Murong Jinyun's reaction was indeed within his expectations.
"That's right. I had already discussed this with Father Emperor, and all matters should proceed according to our prior agreement. As for other matters, I will not do them. Please give up this idea and stop trying to persuade me."
Murong Jinyun's attitude was resolute. She walked to the desk, hesitated for a moment, and then threw the secret decree in her hand into the brazier.
"Princess!"
Baili Xi shouted and lunged forward to snatch the secret decree from the brazier. However, he was a step too late. The secret decree had already turned to ash.
"Princess, how dare you! This is His Majesty's secret decree. By burning it, do you intend to defy the Emperor? If His Majesty were to know of this, have you considered the consequences?"