Inside the carriage bound for the imperial palace, Qingshuang whispered, "I have looked into the matter. It was Prince Qi who made the first move and grabbed Wang Nie by the throat, and it was Qi Xiong who kicked him down the stairs. The guards from Prince Qi's estate fought with those brought by the diplomatic mission. Three were severely injured and four were killed—those were the four corpses we saw being carried out just now."
Through the gap in the curtains, Song Jinzhao quietly glanced out the window.
The eunuch sent by the emperor walked closely beside them, never leaving their side, his profile looking extremely stern.
Earlier, there hadn't been a single imperial physician in the quarters of the Shuobei diplomatic mission.
Song Jinzhao mused, "So Gong Linjue played a trick to get something for nothing, and completely deceived Xiao Rongche?"
Qingshuang nodded heavily.
"Not only that, but they also mocked him and turned the tables, claiming that Shuobei already has potatoes of its own."
"When Prince Qi realized he had been tricked, he insisted that the Shuobei mission find someone to cure his eyes, threatening that he wouldn't let them leave otherwise."
"In response, not only were they unafraid, but they even counter-threatened Prince Qi with war."
"In a fit of rage, Prince Qi lunged forward to strangle their chief envoy. The guards from both sides clashed, and then Prince Qi was kicked by their captain of the guards, Qi Xiong."
With the sun already halfway set, Eunuch Zhao had even specially arranged for a palanquin to be waiting just inside the palace gates upon their arrival.
Once Song Jinzhao was seated, she was swiftly carried to the outside of the Qianqing Gate before alighting.
By the time she walked to the entrance of the Imperial Study, Eunuch Zhao had already paced back and forth on the steps hundreds of times.
At the sound of footsteps, he abruptly lifted his head. Upon clearly seeing Song Jinzhao, his eyes lit up brighter than a fire starter.
He hurried down the steps.
"County Princess Linghui, you are finally here. His Majesty has been waiting for you for three hours."
Song Jinzhao did not speak.
Traveling from her estate to the diplomatic hostel, and then from the hostel to the palace, not to mention the time it took for the eunuch to deliver the message to her estate—three hours was actually incredibly fast.
The moment she stepped into the Imperial Study, an oppressive atmosphere washed over her.
Everyone stood perfectly still with their heads bowed, rooted to the spot like wooden stakes.
The instant she entered the inner chamber, Xiao Chengjing's gloomy gaze landed on her.
"Your subject Song Jinzhao greets Your Majesty." Song Jinzhao knelt and bowed without a change in expression. She imagined Xiao Chengjing as a giant winter melon, completely ignoring the anger radiating from him.
Xiao Chengjing held his breath, forcing the surging emotions in his chest back down into his stomach.
He asked in a deep voice, "What is the condition of Prince Qi and the chief envoy from Shuobei?"
Song Jinzhao stared at her knees resting on the floor, a fleeting trace of displeasure flashing through her eyes.
She blinked, seamlessly concealing her emotions, so that when she raised her head, her face showed nothing but the utmost respect for her sovereign.
"To answer Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Qi has suffered damage to his heart meridian. I have already consulted with Director Gu and prescribed a remedy to clear the blood stasis and soothe his nerves. Once he takes it, he should wake up by tomorrow."
"As for the chief envoy from Shuobei, he only sustained minor injuries, though the bruises look rather alarming. However, while I was treating His Highness Prince Qi, Chief Envoy Wang Nie took a drug to feign severe illness. I have already revived him."
Xiao Chengjing closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his mood appeared slightly better than before.
"It is good that they are fine. Shuobei has stirred up trouble time and time again; one day, I will wipe them out."
Song Jinzhao stared blankly at the steps with a calm expression, having already cursed Xiao Chengjing ten thousand times in her head.
Anyone could spout empty threats.
He was incompetent, foolish, selfish, and complacent.
If he actually had to take the initiative to deploy troops, it wouldn't happen even in his next lifetime.
