[Yanxue Palace]
"Is the food not to Your Highness's liking?" Li Min asked noticing Lingxi barely eating.
"You sure are in the mood to eat, Consort Cheng", Lingxi answered in a neutral voice.
Li Min set her chopsticks down. "So many things have happened. In one night, I lost my family and the empress's favor. Though I'm now Prince Cheng's Consort, everyone looks down on me. However, in the end, I have to go on living, don't I?"
"You've become more mature since we last met. Have you always been like this or has the loss of your family changed you?" Lingxi asked, though her voice sounded warm, it was devoid of any emotion.
"I don't know. I just realized that the palace especially the harem is full of schemes and has no value for relationships. I don't want to be alone", Li Min said.
"Since you've said so, I'll take it that you are smart and not naïve", Lingxi said.
There was a short pause before she continued, "you should know that now that you're married to Prince Cheng and are his consort, you belong to the empress's faction. Your every move is being watched by her. Your husband, Prince Cheng, has always seen my husband as a thorn in his side. If you want to work with me, you'll be going against him"
Li Min was silent. Lingxi stood up and walked two steps away from her to view the dining hall, "Prince Cheng is a smart man and so are you. You should know what's best for you"
"I just want to survive. Favor is ever fleeting in the palace. I want to have a standing of my own"
"On your own?" Lingxi thought for a second and turned to her, "I thought you and Prince Cheng share an extraordinary tale of undying love and romance"
"Well, love and romance will not ensure I live a peaceful life"
"Peaceful life? I've never heard of anyone living a peaceful life in the palace", Lingxi said.
"Then I want one where no one can trouble me easily"
Lingxi studied the seated girl in front of her for a minute. She was quietly impressed with her attitude.
"I never do anything for free only interests. If you betray me, you'll regret it for the rest of your life, that is, if you still have one after then", Lingxi gave her warning with a soft voice and a smile that looked more like a smirk on her lips.
"I won't", Li Min answered with certainty.
Lingxi's dark eyes gazed into Li Min's eyes as if reading her.
She turned in the direction of the exit, "according to hierarchy, I am also your grandaunt. I hope you can be filial"
Li Min stood up and curtsied, "I shall do my very best not to fail grandaunt's expectations" Lingxi turned to leave but stopped halfway, "if you feel lonely next time, you should spend time with Princess Anle", she said and left.
[Wei Borders]
"Our lady would like to cross. Why are you still blocking the road?"
"Prince Jing has ordered that no one is to be allowed to cross this road no matter what. If you want to pass, you must have an imperial permission"
"Permission? We are passing through Wei City to get to the Capital. How can we get permission now?" the girl argued.
"That's your problem, miss. We cannot disobey orders", the guard was resolute.
"Shuntao", the lady in the carriage called.
Shuntao walked up to the carriage. The lady in question shifted the curtains to look at her.
"What's going on?"
"Your Grace, they claimed Prince Jing ordered the road to be blocked and we cannot enter without permission", she answered.
"Since when do I need permission?" She came out of the carriage and with Shuntao's help climbed down.
The guard in question noticed the lady before him carried an air of nobility. Sang Xue'er walked towards the guard slowly, her face cold and indifferent with her steps graceful and noble. The guard could not deny that he was intimidated but he still managed to keep a straight face.
"You must be her mistress, right?" he asked but got no reply, "I've said it before - no one is allowed in without an imperial permission"
He thought his words made sense but what he didn't know was that his words were not particularly pleasing at the moment.
Before he could say something else, a slap struck right through his face and it was no ordinary slap. The sting was unbearable.
Before he could react, she had already walked past him, "take me to see your prefect"
He was still standing still in shock. Her glare brought him back to reality.
[Wei Prefecture]
Sang Xue'er was sitting comfortably on Prefect Wen's chair while Prefect Wen and the guard earlier were standing and watching her with beads of sweat hanging on their neck.
This was the first time they had encountered such a lady.
"Young Miss, may we know who you are?" Prefect Wen asked.
With her bearing and composure and the audacity to sit on the Prefect's seat, he was sure she was no ordinary person and he, of course, did not want to get himself in trouble.
"How bold of you daring to address Commandary Princess improperly", Shuntao spoke up.
The shock on both men's faces were so vivid and they immediately bowed, "Your Grace"
"I once heard Wei City was famed for their hospitality. What a good show of hospitality", Sang Xue'er commented but, of course, both men could clearly hear the sarcasm in her voice.
"Your Grace, forgive us for the poor hospitality. I'll make arrangements to ensure your comfort immediately", Prefect Wen said quickly.
"No need, I am not like other noble ladies from the capital. I hate flattery and have no patience for such pretentious acts. There is no need to act all concerned about my comfort all of a sudden", she turned to Shuntao, "book two rooms", she ordered.
Shuntao curtsied and left to book two rooms as instructed.
"Your Grace, is there anything I can do for you?" Prefect Wen asked.
"Send a message to Prince Jing"
"What message?"
"Tell him to come pick me up", she said.
"I shall do as you say"
Sang Xu'er looked at him, "then why are you still standing here?"
Prefect Wen was surprised for a minute but quickly regained himself. He bowed and left immediately.
The guard from earlier was still standing. Sang Xue'er who was fanning herself saw him still standing.
"Are you waiting to be punished? Get out", she said.
"Yes", he bowed and hurriedly left.
[Channing Palace]
Lingxi soon returned and headed straight to her room. Before she could barely rest, Xin Xie came in.
"What is it?" Lingxi asked adjusting her clothes as she sat down by the table.
"Prince Jing sent this to you", Xin Xie said handing her a small box.
Lingxi took it from her and opened it. It was a pass to the Ministry of Justice.
"His Highness said that it is your reward for helping solve the case. With it, you can access the Ministry of Justice anytime", Xin Xie passed He Rui's message.
Lingxi closed the box and set it down, "with it, he will be able to keep an eye on me whenever I visit", she said.
She turned to Xin Xie, "I'm hungry. Have Chef Zhou prepare lunch for me"
Xin Xie turned to go but Lingxi stopped her, "wait"
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"After meeting Chef Zhou, you and Xin Lan should come here. We have to prepare for the banquet", Lingxi added.
"Yes"