The prince kneels every day. Has the princess forgiven him today?

Mu Yun muttered in his heart that the Second Prince was surrounded by many skilled guards, so even if the imperial physician could not arrive in time, there were ways to save his life.

"Yes."

Xie Chengqian followed Song Xiwan's pace, looked at her back, and felt a little sad in his heart.

He was so wrong.

The two men walked to the imperial study, one in front and one behind, and bowed together.

"Your Majesty, please see me."

"My son, I will meet my father."

The emperor looked at Xie Chengqian with displeasure, "I remember not summoning you to the palace."

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became subtle.

Song Xiwan lowered her head slightly, a strange look flashing across her eyes.

Sometimes I feel that Xie Chengqian is not a very good prince. Even his closest relatives have always regarded him as an enemy.

Xie Chengqian stood straight and replied in a deep voice, "When I went to visit Lord Song, I met Eunuch Fu and learned that the emperor had summoned Miss Song. Considering that Miss Song was seriously injured, I escorted her in."

The emperor's expression darkened. "You've been getting quite close to Lord Song lately."

Song Xiwan felt nervous, but she couldn't drag the Song family into this.

As she pondered how to break the impasse, Xie Chengqian's cold voice rang out, "This is my first time investigating a case, and I should consult Lord Song on many matters."

The emperor knew that his son was a wild horse that no one could control. No matter what his original intention was, his thoughts should be nipped in the bud.

If he were to gain power, there would be disaster in the court.

The emperor thought for a moment and looked at Song Xiwan and asked, "How is Xiwan's injury?"

Song Xiwan's eyelids twitched.

This gentle tone really makes people's hair stand on end.

"Your Majesty, my injuries have mostly healed. The doctor said I should be fully recovered after another month of rest."

The emperor nodded and sighed softly, "That's good. I didn't expect such an accident to happen during this autumn hunt, causing both you and Qiang'er to be injured."

Song Xiwan was speechless. This seemingly invisible binding really confirmed Xie Chengqian's guess.

Looking at Xie Qiang again, he did not hide his gloomy expression in front of the emperor at all, and stared at Xie Chengqian with murderous intent.

These three people are probably more cunning than a hornet's nest.

Song Xiwan had no intention of getting involved and drew a clear line between them. "It was because Xiwan was too eager to win the Autumn Hunt that she got herself hurt so badly."

The emperor praised her, "You and Qiang'er are both brave and resourceful. We were both injured this time and we share the same suffering."

Song Xiwan: “…”

Should this hint be more obvious?

"Miss Song was injured while defeating the wild boar, while my second brother was attacked by someone else. Father shouldn't confuse the two. It's unfair to my second brother."

At this time, Xie Chengqian suddenly spoke.

The topic shifted to Xie Qiang's injury.

Xie Chengqian ignored the Emperor and Xie Qiang's suspicious looks and asked, "The assassination must be thoroughly investigated. Don't worry, Father. I have already sent people to trace the source of the poison needle. I believe the murderer will be apprehended soon."

Xie Qiang's face suddenly turned gloomy.

What to check?

That person is him!

The emperor's eyes were dark and difficult to understand, and he wanted to see through Xie Chengqian's intention of suddenly interrupting.

"Well, I'm at ease with you investigating the case."

There was a perfunctory tone in his words, as if he was not in a hurry to find the so-called real murderer.

Song Xiwan's heart trembled, and a flash of inspiration flashed through his mind.

I'm afraid that arrow was not aimed at her!

Moreover, did the emperor know that Xie Qiang was conspiring with someone to deal with Xie Chengqian at the autumn hunting ground?

She thought again of what Xie Chengqian said in the carriage, so she solved the wild boar for Xie Chengqian, and Xie Qiang suffered the consequences.

"Although Xiwan is the daughter of a civil official, she is extremely courageous. As an admirer of yours, I summoned you to the palace today to reward you."

Soon, the emperor turned the conversation back to her.

Song Xiwan immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying solemnly, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your praise. I do have a favor to ask."

Everyone in the imperial study was stunned.

The emperor's expression deepened. "It's alright to tell me. You're still injured. Get up."

Song Xiwan stood up and looked at the emperor with a firm and clear look in her eyes. "I believe that I have been influenced by my family since returning to the Song Mansion. I sincerely ask Your Majesty to allow me to study at Yunhe Academy in consideration of my victory in the Autumn Hunting. I hope that I can pass the imperial examination and serve the Great Xia Kingdom in the future."

The emperor's expression darkened. "You want to take the exam for a female official?"

"Yes."

Song Xiwan nodded helplessly.

Studying is always better than being forced into marriage for no reason. The Great Xia Kingdom allows women to study and take exams to obtain honors, but this law is equivalent to a decoration.

For several years, no woman had achieved any success in the exams, including Su Xunyao, who was well-known for her talent and had never thought of doing so.

To others, this matter must be a long way off. If it is delayed for several years, how can the emperor wait any longer?

The emperor's eyes moved between his two sons before he said, "I am very pleased that you have such ambition, but you are already fifteen, and it is time to discuss marriage."

"For the country and the government, Xiwan is willing to put aside her romantic feelings and contribute her strength."

Song Xiwan refused to listen.

The emperor looked unhappy.

Xie Qiang chuckled and suddenly asked Xie Chengqian, "Fifth brother, what do you think about this?"

There was silence in the hall.

The emperor looked over and seemed to be waiting for Xie Chengqian to express his opinion.

Song Xiwan felt a little cold in her heart. In order to prevent Xie Chengqian from becoming close to the Song family, they actually gave the decision-making power of her marriage to Xie Chengqian!

This person always likes to go against her, how could he possibly speak for her?

Song Xiwan lowered his eyes, pondering how to respond.

"I believe that no matter if they are men or women, if they dare to do everything to pursue what they want, they are worthy of support. I admire Miss Song."

Xie Chengqian's cold voice slowly rang out in the hall, hitting Song Xiwan's eardrums hard, making her startled.

What does he mean by this?

The emperor hesitated and asked, "Do you really think so?"

"of course."

Xie Chengqian knew her concerns well, and now the only way for her to escape the predicament of being at the mercy of others was to help her embark on a path to success.

"In that case, then grant it."

The emperor thought that if Song Xiwan didn't marry Xie Qiang, she wouldn't be able to marry Xie Chengqian during this period.

He had to find a princess with a similar family background for his son to prevent him from expanding his power.

When leaving the palace.

Xie Chengqian continued to follow Song Xiwan step by step without saying a word.

Song Xiwan felt uneasy. When she arrived at the palace gate, she couldn't help but turn around and ask, "Why did the prince help me?"

The two were only ten feet apart, but Song Xiwan could hardly see what Xie Chengqian was thinking.

After a while, I heard him say, "This king doesn't want you to marry him."

Song Xiwan's heart trembled slightly, and then he nodded slightly.

"I understand. Your Highness, there is no need to worry about this matter. Xiwan will take her leave first."

This is because they don't want the second prince to gain power.

Xie Chengqian watched her disappear into the distance, then asked Mu Yun with a slightly odd expression, "Does she really understand what I mean?"

Mu Yun nodded, "Your Highness has stated it so clearly, he must understand."

A smile flashed across Xie Chengqian's eyes as he instructed Mu Yun, "Go and get ready. I'm going back to Yunhe Academy to study."