would probably like roasted sweet potatoes because sweet potatoes are sweet, and they can be eaten raw. They thought that since they wouldn't need to start a fire to cook when hunting outside, bringi...The second princess wiped away her tears and took one last, deep look at her father before rising to her feet and making way for him at the bedside.

Ripple then stepped forward, gently sat down, and spoke:

"Take your time, there's no need to rush. I'm all ears."

After finishing his speech, he proactively shook Zhao's hand.

Zhao's lips curled into a smirk as she looked at the second princess who stood motionless. The second princess knew her father's intentions and could only retreat out of the room, then closed the door behind her. She herself slumped down on the steps outside the door, her face filled with remorse.

The room was surprisingly quiet, with only the emperor's slightly heavy breathing audible. He looked at the Empress across from him and said with some effort:

"Your Majesty, if the second princess has done something wrong, I hope you will give her a chance to correct it."

Haven't I given you enough chances

Liàn Yī watched as Zhào Qiān, his face as pale as gold paper, spoke.

Zhao Qian's eyes flew open, a sharp pain in his chest. He instinctively pulled back his hand that was being held, pressing it against his wound. His voice grew weaker:

"Your Majesty, you know everything"

“What are you talking about Did you use spices and a special incense burner to ruin my body Or was it the Second Princess making a secret agreement with the Panlong Kingdom Perhaps it was today’s rescue scene, or maybe even your ploy Dealing with a tiger will only end up with her being devoured, not even a scrap left, and you might end up losing your life as well!”

R ripples' words were very direct, causing Emperor Zhao Qian to widen his eyes in astonishment. He never expected the Empress to know everything.

"Queen"

"If she wants the throne under my backside, she'd better have real skills. But she's nowhere near the standard to be empress, and she's so full of herself, thinking she can use Panlong Nation to eliminate her rivals. In the end, she was used by Panlong Nation and ended up hurting herself."

"This matter has nothing to do with the Second Princess! It was all planned by me alone. I have already staked my life on it, please forgive Huan'er, Your Majesty!"

The ripples on the surface of the water were pale, and he looked at the other person for a while without making a sound. He just silently accompanied them. When Zhao Qian's breath weakened, he spoke aloud:

"Juan'er, come in and speak with your father."

With a crash, the door was pushed open from outside. The second princess rushed in, taking three steps as two, grasping Zhao Shi's hand and already sobbing uncontrollably.

The ripples turned and stepped out of the room, saying to those outside the door:

Get yourselves ready, we're returning to the palace. I'm afraid the emperor...

Before she could finish her words, a heart-wrenching scream echoed from inside the room.

"Father!!!"

"Get ready to say goodbye!"

The ripple

spoke in a faint voice,

"Yes!"

The courtyard was already cleared, with people kneeling all over the ground. Their expressions were solemn. These black-clothed assassins were too rampant. They had killed the prince consort of Fengqi Kingdom. No one could swallow this breath.

The wise servant remained bowed his head. He felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he had been chased before. Perhaps, he already had a guess.

The next day, the entire populace of Fengqi Nation learned that Empress Consort Zhao had been assassinated in Zhuoxiu Garden. The Empress, however, remained unharmed and had returned to the palace.

This message also reached the other three kingdoms. The new emperor of Panlong Kingdom wore a face full of regret, wishing it wasn't Wu Lianyi, the old witch, who had died. Missing this opportunity meant there would be no second chance. After all, they were the ones who had broken the cooperation in the first place.

The Xuanwu Kingdom and the Baihu Kingdom also received the news. Their sensitive nerves were once again stirred. Now, even the Fengqi Kingdom was not spared. Who on earth had such audacity to simultaneously challenge the authority of three kingdoms

As the investigation deepened, all signs pointed to Panlong Country. The ambitious new emperor wasn't playing by the rules, and seemed like the type of person who would do this sort of thing.

After the funeral of the emperor consort was over, Lianyi received letters from the other two countries, hoping to join forces against Panlong Country.

After reading the national letter, Lian Yi let out a cold laugh and said:

"It seems the Emperor of Xuanwu Country has awakened"

"Yes, it is said that he used tiger and wolf medicine. He woke up for a stick of incense time and summoned the ministers, handing over the throne to the second prince. He also ordered all the concubines in the harem to accompany him in death. The harem of Xuanwu Country must be filled with resentment now."

Huiqi presented the neatly organized message slips to Lianyi.

After the funeral of the late emperor, the second princess claimed filial piety as an excuse to leave the court. She ate fast food and chanted scriptures every day, copying Buddhist texts and praying for her husband's soul. Everyone said she was truly pious.

The ripples naturally returned to the court. All the ministers looked at the empress, who was flushed and full of vigor. They were all a little surprised, finding it hard to connect her with the person who had fainted before.

"My lords and ladies, there is no need to be so surprised. Away from the court, free from the endless piles of memorials I used to see every day, I eat well, sleep soundly, and naturally feel better. Besides, my daughter shares the burden of responsibility with me; otherwise, it would have been me who organized this national funeral."

With a delicate touch, Ripples played with the white jade phoenix pendant at her waist and spoke in a soft voice.

"Your Majesty, you are the pillar of our Fengqi Nation. Heaven will protect you, and you will surely turn misfortune into good fortune. All things will go smoothly for you! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Right away, a quick-witted subject came forward with flattery.

Even the ripples didn't bother listening. It just threw the letters from Xuanwu and Baihu to everyone, letting them decide for themselves.

What if some of them are frauds

If we were to send troops, and they two countries just stood by and watched, wouldn't we have fallen into their trap

"Then let them advance first. We'll deploy at a critical moment to tie down the Dragon Nation, leaving them surrounded on three sides."

If that were the case, wouldn't we get nothing but bad land when it comes to dividing it up

This person has already started considering dividing up the territory.

"Next to our Fengchi Country is the Panlong Country. Previously, we took them by surprise and seized five cities. They still want to take them back. Since they are so close, there will inevitably be times when they can't defend themselves. It's better to end this once and for all."

The General Fengdi of the Ministry of War stepped forward and spoke.

This person supports joining forces with three other countries to take down Panlong Nation.

"General Fengti makes a good point, but we have just experienced a flood and our granaries are empty. Harvest is coming soon, but we don't know how much we will get this year With war looming, food supplies are a major concern."

The old officials of the Ministry of Finance only cared about silver and grain.

"Ge Aiqing is right. Since that's the case, let's push back the time to next spring after the planting season."

Will the other two countries be willing

They are unwilling, they can make the first move, and we haven't stopped them.

Feng Di spread her hands and said.

"The Xuanwu Kingdom and the Baihu Kingdom would never let us sit idly by. They're afraid we'll benefit from their conflict, waiting for an opportunity to take advantage. They must be patiently waiting for the right moment."

Liàn Yī said calmly.

As expected, the reply from Fengqi Nation reached the ears of the emperors of both nations. Although they were reluctant, they had no choice but to accept it. After all, Fengqi Nation stated that they had not yet uncovered the truth behind the assassination of Emperor Zhao and did not want to send troops rashly. Even if they did send troops, they needed a justifiable reason.

Meanwhile, the Grand Princess came to Lian'i with a heavy face, hoping she would invite back Mei Yuanzheng who had returned home. She said that Rong Shijun's cough had turned into tuberculosis. walked into the ballroom.Her arrival captivated everyone's attention, and all eyes were subtly drawn to the ripples she created."Beautiful lady, I am Henry Dracula, the master of this castle. Welcome...