Amidst her complex emotions, Chu Qing glanced around the small room but didn't see the queen.
Sure enough, it was just an excuse to summon her.
The young maid serving nearby noticed Chu Qing's somewhat strange expression. To avoid her embarrassment, she softly explained, "Her Majesty the Queen thought that the Princess of Ning must have had a tough time these days. So she specially sent this servant to take you out for a simple hot bath to relieve your fatigue."
Women are naturally sensitive. As a maid beside the queen, she was naturally an expert at observing people's expressions. Her task was to let the Princess of Ning take a good bath. She would never mention anything else, especially those embarrassing things.
Chu Qing naturally understood the queen's intention. She smiled and softly replied, "Then I'll have to trouble Her Majesty the Queen to worry about me."
The young maid blushed and smiled shyly. "Does the Princess of Ning need this servant to help you change your clothes?"
Chu Qing looked down at herself and waved her hand. She wasn't that delicate. She could do some things on her own without the maid's help.
Seeing that Chu Qing didn't need her service, the young maid gently placed a bundle beside her and then said, "Then this servant will leave first. If you need anything, just call me."
After Chu Qing nodded, the young maid curtsied and turned to leave.
After the maid left, Chu Qing silently admired her.
The people educated by the queen were really good. They didn't ask any extra questions and didn't show any disrespect to her because she was in prison.
After immersing her body in the hot water, Chu Qing let out a comfortable sigh.
Well, it doesn't matter if it's embarrassing. The comfort at this moment is real.
...
Although it wasn't the Summer Solstice yet, the nights were getting later. Even at the Xushi hour (7 - 9 p.m.), there were still pedestrians on the street.
But today, a curfew was imposed in the capital city at the Youshi hour (5 - 7 p.m.).
On the originally bustling long street, there were now rows of fully armed city defense soldiers. Led by the deputy commander Wang Zhi, they were going to several mansions for a thorough search.
Among them were the former residence of the Grand Tutor, the Shangguan Mansion, the residence of the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, the Qiu Mansion, and even... the Chu Mansion, the wealthiest family in the Great Yan Kingdom and Chu Qing's natal family.
Seeing the wealth of the Chu Mansion, Wang Zhi couldn't help but feel a bit envious and stayed there for a while.
Chu Zhan, who was watching coldly, didn't show any courtesy and said, "My lord, if you haven't found anything, please leave early."
Wang Zhi seemed to be in a good mood. He just gave a cold snort and then turned to leave.
After Wang Zhi left, Qin Zhao frowned and said to Chu Zhan, "Your sister is still in prison now. Zhan'er, don't act rashly. Otherwise, Qing'er will be gossiped about."
"Son knows what to do," Chu Zhan replied respectfully.
"Qing'er..." When it came to this matter, Qin Zhao couldn't help but feel worried. Seeing this, Chu Xing quickly put his arm around her shoulders and comforted her, "Don't worry too much. Since Zhan'er said that the Prince of Ning was wronged, I'm sure that with the Prince of Ning's means, he will find a way to get out of trouble. Even if he can't, don't you trust our son's ability? He will surely find a way to rescue Qing'er."
Qin Zhao sighed and then fell silent.
There was a dark look in Chu Zhan's eyes.
The emperor's actions were swift and decisive. Ordinary people had never seen such a grand occasion before. They all hid behind their doors, timid but curious, peeping secretly through the cracks.
No one knew what earth - shattering changes would happen when the sun rose tomorrow.
...
"My lord, the emperor has started to act."
"Good! I won't have to fear him anymore."
"Then... should we contact...?"
"Go ahead. Release the carrier pigeons. They have no time to care about me now."
"Yes!"
...
At this moment in the capital city, various forces were gathering, and there were undercurrents everywhere.
The emperor looked at the various pieces of evidence presented to him about Xu Han's contacts with the people from Xiliang over the years. His face became increasingly gloomy.
A mere Minister of the Ministry of Revenue actually had wild ambitions!
Not only did he collude with the second prince of Xiliang, but the two of them even dared to attempt to provoke another war between the two countries and then reap the benefits!
However...
The emperor looked at the letter in his hand again and smiled playfully.
It seemed that the second prince of Xiliang didn't really want Wei Ying's life?
The matter seemed to be getting more and more interesting.
...
The night finally got deeper. Some people slept soundly without dreams, while others stayed awake all night.
After taking a bath and returning to the prison, Chu Qing felt really refreshed.
So she finally had a good sleep.
After all, she could now calmly face the mice and cockroaches that suddenly crawled onto her calves. She would just gently wave her sleeve to brush them away.
Instead of screaming like a typical woman and holding tightly to Wei Ying's hand when she first saw them.
Well, let the past go.
Chu Qing had a peaceful night.
Before she even opened her eyes the next day, she heard a noisy sound.
"Wake up! The emperor is going to interrogate you two for the last time!" The jailer shook the door and shouted impatiently.
If there were no surprises today, the Prince of Ning would no longer be the Prince of Ning! Being exiled as a commoner was even worse than his own situation!
Thinking of this, the jailer became even more ferocious. "Hurry up, you two! Don't think you're still so noble and act all high - and - mighty!"
Chu Qing glanced at him coldly and sneered, "Before the emperor issues the decree, the prince and I are still the Prince and Princess of Ning. Even if we act high - and - mighty, what can you do?"
Chu Qing didn't care at all. Sometimes, the feeling of "bullying" others with one's status was really pleasant.
The jailer was left speechless by Chu Qing's retort!
He thought that the other party would be more restrained now, but unexpectedly, she was still so arrogant!
However, what she said was the truth. Even though they were prisoners, their status was still the Prince and Princess of Ning before the emperor issued the decree to announce it to the world.
He, a mere jailer, really couldn't do anything to them!
Thinking of this, he gave a sinister smile. Anyway, after the emperor announced the decree today, if these two came back here, he had countless ways to deal with them!
Weren't they delicate and precious?
He would let them feel the consequences of offending a jailer!
The jailer's expression had long been noticed by Wei Ying, but he didn't take the jailer's attitude and words to heart.
However, fearing that Chu Qing would be annoyed, Wei Ying specially paid attention to her expression.
As a result, she was even more calm than he was.
She simply didn't take this so - called minion seriously.
Wei Ying smiled silently and then completely let his guard down.
Seeing that the two of them still looked so high - and - mighty, the jailer gritted his teeth and said with a fake smile, "Oh, very well. Then, Your Highness the Prince and Your Highness the Princess, shall we go?"
The sarcastic tone would surely make an ordinary person angry.
However, Chu Qing wasn't an ordinary person. She just slightly raised the corner of her mouth and said, "Your Highness, look, he's begging us. Then... shall we go?"
Wei Ying also smiled in return and nodded in agreement.