Chapter 371: Met (Third Update)

The Empress smiled coldly

"You are indeed only a second-rank martial artist, but in the Imperial Capital, who doesn't know that you can defeat a fourth-rank martial artist? Perhaps you haven't even shown your true strength at the Qingjiao Assembly? Who else but yourself could know such a thing? Furthermore, there is that strange magical beast of yours."

She was referring to Tuanzi.

At that time, Tuanzi had directly devoured Heng Jingchuo's primal energy, which had truly left a deep impression on many people.

The Empress had always felt that Chu Liuyue was unfathomable. Previously, Rong Zhen had mentioned that the reason Chu Liuyue could transform from a former waste into the genius everyone envied today was because she had encountered a fortuitous opportunity.

Perhaps Si Meng really was killed by her or someone behind her!

"And another thing! You also ascended to the sixth floor of the Nine Nether Tower before! How do you explain that?"

The more the Empress spoke, the more certain her tone became.

The expressions of Emperor Jiawen and the others gradually underwent subtle changes.

What the Empress said sounded absurd at first glance, but upon careful consideration, it wasn't impossible.

In these past few months, too many strange things had happened to Chu Liuyue.

Things that seemed impossible to others appeared perfectly reasonable when they happened to her.

As for Si Meng's death, it truly was uncertain.

Chu Liuyue was caught between laughter and tears for a moment.

"I thank Her Majesty the Empress for thinking so highly of me. However, if it were truly as you say—that I killed Si Meng—then why wouldn't I have simply killed the Fourth Princess as well? Wouldn't that have settled everything in one go?"

The Empress was momentarily speechless.

Rong Jin shouted angrily

"It is naturally because you are afraid of your identity being exposed! As a princess, Rong Zhen carries items for seeking aid. Once you push her to the brink, she will absolutely be able to expose your identity and location!"

Chu Liuyue gave Rong Jin a look as if she were looking at an idiot.

"Crown Prince, allow me to remind you: Her Majesty the Empress just said that I could instantly kill a fifth-rank martial artist. Do you perhaps believe that the Fourth Princess's strength and reaction speed are even greater than those of a fifth-rank martial artist?"

Rong Jin was silenced, his face flushing between red and white.

Si Meng must have been by Rong Zhen's side; if Chu Liuyue could kill Si Meng, then killing Rong Zhen would only be easier.

Before Rong Zhen could send out a distress signal, she could absolutely resolve all problems.

The Empress's expression became even more unsightly.

Because only she knew that Rong Zhen's aid-seeking item was not actually on her person, but on Si Meng.

Ever since her original core was shattered, Si Meng had stayed by her side, almost never leaving her for a single step.

For the sake of safety, they had long since made preparations in this regard.

But saying this now was useless, except to prove that the person who killed Si Meng was even stronger than imagined; it would only make His Majesty more repulsed.

Rong Jin looked toward Situ Xingchen beside him with difficulty and whispered

"Xingchen, what should we do now?"

Situ Xingchen sneered inwardly, her disdain for Rong Jin increasing by another notch.

Rong Jin was actually even more brainless than she had anticipated.

She wondered how he had managed to sit in the position of Crown Prince for so long.

Situ Xingchen lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and said softly in an innocent and sincere voice

"Your Highness, Xingchen only saw those things that day. Everything that could be said has been said, but as for more, I am powerless to help."

Rong Jin grew somewhat anxious.

"According to your words, Rong Zhen must have been hidden away by Chu Liuyue, but now she refuses to admit it, this—"

"Your Highness, Xingchen did not say that. It was only because you mentioned earlier that the Fourth Princess had encountered trouble that I unintentionally brought this matter up. Is it perhaps that the identity of that old man is somewhat problematic?"

Situ Xingchen unceremoniously extracted herself from the matter.

However, Rong Jin did not realize this in the slightest.

On the contrary, Situ Xingchen's words reminded him of something.

"Chu Liuyue, you have said so much, yet you still haven't proven your innocence! On the contrary, Xingchen—she has never been to the Yao Chen Kingdom before and knew even less about Si Meng's existence. If what she says is false, then how did she know about Si Meng? Furthermore, she has no grievances with anyone involved in this matter; what need would she have to frame you? On the contrary, you—Rong Zhen offended you before. You must be looking to use this opportunity to take your revenge, right?"

Chu Liuyue's gaze fell upon Situ Xingchen, and she smiled meaningfully

"The Crown Prince makes a valid point. I truly do not understand. I have never had dealings with Grand Princess Situ, nor do we have any past or present grievances. I truly do not know why Grand Princess Situ would frame me like this?"

Situ Xingchen looked steadily at Chu Liuyue, her expression as elegant and composed as ever

"Miss Chu, I am not framing you. From beginning to end, I have merely stated what I saw and heard."

Chu Liuyue's eyes shifted slightly, her gaze landing on Situ Xingchen's cuffs.

When she had seen Situ Xingchen again at the Taiyan Academy, she had noticed she had changed her clothes, and the cloud patterns were no longer on her cuffs.

And looking at her today, it was still the same.

If it were said that Situ Xingchen didn't know about Rong Xiu burning most of her clothes that day, Chu Liuyue would not believe it.

If she hadn't felt a massive humiliation, she likely wouldn't have acted this way.

Clearly, this Grand Princess Situ had transferred all her fury onto her.

The Empress took the opportunity to say

"Your Majesty, Xingchen's words are indeed more credible. In contrast, Chu Liuyue has yet to provide any evidence to prove where she actually was that day. In my humble opinion, continuing this confrontation will yield nothing. It would be better to... have her detained and ordered to be interrogated thoroughly. Perhaps a different conclusion can be reached."

A brief, deathly silence fell over the great hall.

The Empress's intention was clearly to subject Chu Liuyue to torture!

Chu Ning was the first to stand up

"Absolutely not!"

He could never stand by and watch Yue'er be imprisoned!

What kind of place was the dungeon? How could Yue'er go to such a place!?

Furthermore, no one could say for certain if there were people of the Empress inside!

Once Yue'er went in, there was no telling what she would have to endure!

"Vice General Mu is still in the Imperial Capital and could take Yue'er to the Tianling Empire at any time. If Yue'er is imprisoned now, I must ask Her Majesty the Empress, how will you explain this to Vice General Mu!?"

Bringing up Mu Qing indeed made the Empress much more wary.

"Then, then what do you say we should do?! Are we just going to let this pass in ambiguity?"

At that moment, Rong Jiu, who had been sitting aside without saying much, suddenly spoke up.

"It is actually very simple. As long as we find Rong Zhen, everything will naturally come to light."

The Empress sneered: "Easy for you to say! That still depends on whether Zhenzhen is willing to be handed over by Chu Liuyue!"

Rong Jiu's expression became somewhat subtle. He then stood up and performed a solemn bow to Emperor Jiawen.

"Your son is guilty. I request Father Emperor to punish me."

Emperor Jiawen frowned deeply: "Rong Jiu, what are you making a scene about?"

Rong Jiu spoke, one word at a time

"The day before yesterday, your son saw the Fourth Princess."

(End of Chapter)