I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 152 A fleeting glimpse of a figure

Even after Qin Mu left, the air inside the hall seemed to still retain a trace of tension.

Xu Fenghua slowly straightened up.

She looked at Jiang Qingxue, who was also pale and still in shock, and their eyes met silently once again.

However, just as Xu Fenghua took a deep breath, her lips parted slightly, and she was about to utter the first syllable...

She abruptly shut her mouth.

Almost at the same moment, Jiang Qingxue seemed to realize something, and swallowed back the whisper she was about to utter.

Xu Fenghua's gaze swept across every corner of the hall in an instant.

Has Qin Mu really left?

Would he really leave the two of them alone like that?

Could this be another elaborate trap?

A trap to test them?

Upon thinking of this, a chill suddenly rose from the end of Xu Fenghua's spine and quickly spread to her limbs and bones.

She saw the same fear and realization flash in Jiang Qingxue's eyes.

That's it.

Today is definitely not a good time.

Let's not take that risk.

"I'm feeling a bit tired."

Xu Fenghua spoke, her voice calm. "Sister Xuefei must be tired too, let's call it a day."

Jiang Qingxue immediately understood, and quickly stood up, performing a standard palace salute as well. "Sister is right, younger sister... should also go back now."

Without even glancing at each other again, the two turned and walked toward the palace gate.

Her steps maintained the dignified and measured pace befitting an empress, neither too fast nor too slow.

Xu Fenghua's deep purple "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" palace dress brushed against the polished gold brick floor, while Jiang Qingxue's rose-red imperial concubine dress swayed slightly.

The two maintained a distance of more than three steps between them, without any unnecessary or suggestive contact or eye contact.

They were like two concubines with an ordinary relationship who had just finished a dull court social event.

Polite, distant.

Then they each returned to their nests.

.......

To return to Huaqing Palace from the side hall of Yangxin Hall, one needs to walk through a short palace path and pass a corner of the Imperial Garden.

On an autumn afternoon, sunlight filters through the yellowing ginkgo leaves, casting dappled, shimmering spots of light.

A faint scent, a blend of chrysanthemum and earth, filled the air.

In the distance, the faint sound of palace servants sweeping the courtyard with bamboo brooms could be heard, making this usually deserted path seem even more quiet.

Accompanied by two personal maids, Xu Fenghua walked slowly.

She lowered her eyes slightly, seemingly focused on the road beneath her feet, but her mind was actually racing.

He repeatedly savored every detail of his confrontations with Qin Mu and Empress Li Yang today, as well as the crucial exchange he couldn't have with Jiang Qingxue.

Empress Li Yang... just how much does she know?

Was Qin Mu's statement "kill Zhao Qingxue" a mere test, or did he truly intend to do so?

As for Longxiang... she must find a way to send a message as soon as possible.

At the very least, it should be made clear that Qin Mu once harbored murderous intentions towards Empress Li Yang, so that he should be extremely careful!

How can I send it?

Under Qin Mu's almost all-encompassing surveillance?

Just as her mind was in turmoil, her gaze unconsciously swept over the jagged artificial rockery on one side of the Imperial Garden.

Right at the edge of the artificial rockery, under a half-dead old pine tree—

A hunched figure, dressed in the attire of a low-ranking eunuch, was standing with his back to them, laboriously sweeping up fallen leaves.

The figure looked somewhat old and moved rather slowly.

This was a common sight in the palace, and Xu Fenghua was about to look away after just a casual glance.

However, just as the old eunuch seemed to sense someone behind him and subconsciously turned slightly to the side, revealing half of his weathered profile—

Xu Fenghua suddenly stopped in her tracks!

The blood in my body seemed to rush to my head in that instant, and then freeze instantly!

Her pupils contracted sharply, and her heart pounded like a drum, almost bursting out of her chest!

That face... though it had aged considerably, though it was only glimpsed briefly.

But the contours of her brow bone, the slightly pursed lines of her lips…

picture!

so similar!

Could it be... Cao Wei?!

The old man from Yuehua Kingdom who had lived in seclusion in Jiangnan for many years, secretly handled several thorny matters for the Xu family, but after learning that Jiang Qingxue had been sent to the palace, he had a fierce argument with her, ultimately breaking off their relationship and declaring that he would go to the capital alone to find Jiang Qingxue's whereabouts?

How did he end up here? And dressed as a eunuch?!

Could it be that he has already infiltrated the palace?

Countless questions and unbelievable speculations crashed against Xu Fenghua's reason like a tidal wave.

She stared intently at the figure that was about to disappear around the corner, her body stiff as a stone statue, holding her breath.

"Your Majesty?"

Qiu Yue, the personal maid following behind, noticed her sudden stop and the strange look on her face. She couldn't help but ask softly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

The palace maid's voice was like a bucket of cold water, instantly waking Xu Fenghua up.

Don't lose your composure! Absolutely not!

Regardless of whether that person is Cao Wei or not, and regardless of why he is here, now is not the time to investigate!

Surrounded by palace walls and numerous eyes and ears, any unusual activity could attract unpredictable prying eyes!

Xu Fenghua forced herself to take a deep breath, the icy air rushing into her lungs, barely suppressing the turmoil in her heart.

She slowly turned her head, her face regaining its usual calm, and even gave Qiuyue a slightly tired smile.

"It's nothing," her voice was steady, without the slightest hint of abnormality. "I probably didn't sleep well last night, that's why I felt a little dizzy. I'll just walk slowly."

As she spoke, she glanced at the corner again, seemingly unintentionally.

The place was already deserted, as if that breathtaking glimpse just now was merely her illusion.

"Let's keep going." Xu Fenghua withdrew her gaze, resumed her steps, and walked towards Huaqing Palace.

This time, her steps remained steady.

But only she knew that her hands, clenched tightly in her sleeves, had nails that had dug deep into her palms, the fine blood seeping out bringing a sharp pain, reminding her that what she had just seen was no illusion.

Cao Wei... If it really is him... what was his purpose in infiltrating the palace?

Was it for snow removal? Or was there another motive?

Has he already met Qingxue? Has he already revealed the secret of Qingxue's background?

Did Qin Mu know of his existence?

One question after another coiled around her thoughts like a venomous snake, sending chills down her spine.

Cao Wei...

If it really is him...

He must have come to see Jiang Qingxue.

So, has he ever met Jiang Qingxue?

Has Qin Mu discovered it yet?

If Qin Mu discovers this, does that mean he already knows Jiang Qingxue's true background?

Countless terrifying conjectures proliferated wildly in her mind, weaving together into an inextricable tangled mess.

But whatever the truth may be, there is one thing she is almost certain of.

If Cao Wei is here and Qin Mu discovers him, Jiang Qingxue's true identity could be exposed at any moment!

She had to quickly sort out her thoughts, find a way to verify the information, and... prepare a response before Qin Mu made his next move.

The sun was still warm, and the scenery of the Imperial Garden remained exquisite.

But Xu Fenghua felt as if she were walking on a darker and more treacherous single-plank bridge, surrounded by bottomless cliffs.

And the person holding the chess piece is on a cloud, smiling down from above.

.......

Meanwhile, inside the Imperial Study.

Qin Mu leaned back lazily behind the large rosewood desk, toying with a warm, white jade paperweight in his hand.

A person stood respectfully before him.

It was Cao Wei, the "old eunuch" whom Xu Fenghua had just caught a glimpse of on the palace road.

However, Cao Wei had changed out of his rough eunuch clothes and was now wearing a faded but clean gray cloth robe.

Although his face was still aged, his back was straighter, and his eyes had lost some of the deliberately feigned turbidity, gaining more of a calmness that had been through many vicissitudes and a hint of complexity that was hard to hide.

"how?"

Qin Mu didn't even lift his eyelids, his voice as languid as ever, "Just now on the palace road, did she... see you?"

Cao Wei bowed deeply, his voice hoarse yet clear:

"Your Majesty, as you instructed, I waited at the path Consort Hua would take on her return to the palace, and turned around at the opportune moment. The Consort... she did see me, and her reaction was intense. Although she tried her best to conceal it, the shock and shock she felt in that instant could not escape my eyes. Your Majesty, please rest assured, I am still capable of completing this task."

"A violent reaction?"

Qin Mu finally raised his eyes, a playful smile flashing in them, as if he had heard something interesting.

"Hmm, not bad. Given her intelligence and understanding of your trip, it would be strange if she weren't shocked to suddenly see you in the depths of the palace."

He gently placed the white jade paperweight on the table, making a soft "tap" sound.

"Cao Wei, guess!"

Qin Mu leaned forward slightly, his gaze as deep as a still pool fixed on Cao Wei's face, his tone casual, "After your fleeting appearance, what will my Consort Hua do next?"

Cao Wei's heart sank slightly.

Facing this Qin emperor, whose thoughts were as deep as the sea and whose strength was even more terrifying than unimaginable, he felt as if he were walking on thin ice in every conversation.

He couldn't fathom what the young emperor was thinking, or what astonishing calculations lay hidden behind every seemingly casual action.

Why did he deliberately appear in front of Xu Fenghua, yet disguise himself as a eunuch?

"This old minister...does not know."

Cao Wei answered cautiously, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.

He truly could not fathom the Emperor's intentions, and dared not speak recklessly.

"It's alright, I'll tell you to speak, so speak."

Qin Mu smiled, a gentle smile that made Cao Wei feel an invisible pressure.

"Let's just consider this... an analysis of the situation between old friends. You've seen a lot in life and had dealings with the Xu family in Jiangnan, so you should know Xu Fenghua quite well."

Knowing he couldn't refuse, Cao Wei took a deep breath and began to analyze the situation carefully:

"Your Majesty, based on my understanding of Consort Hua and the eldest daughter of the Xu family, she is meticulous, decisive, and extremely devoted to family ties. She is especially protective of Xu Longxiang, the heir of the Northern Border."

Cao Wei carefully considered the wording.

"She knew that the old minister was related to Qingxue's background and that they had broken ties. She also knew that the old minister had once boasted that he would go to the capital to find Qingxue. Now that she suddenly saw the old minister in the palace, her first reaction must have been extreme shock and confusion. She couldn't understand how the old minister could sneak into the palace and why he was dressed like this."

He paused, then continued:

"After the shock, given her temperament, she would inevitably think of the worst possibility: Has the old minister already contacted Qingxue? Has he already revealed the secret of the Yuehua Kingdom's orphan?"

If this secret is exposed, not only will Qingxue's life be in danger, but it will also directly shake the foundation of Xu Longxiang's plan, and may even be used by His Majesty as a weapon against the Northern Border.

Qin Mu nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.