The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

After days of traveling and the bumpy ride in the carriage, the four of them went back to their rooms to catch up on some sleep after lunch, and it was already dusk when they woke up.

The dinner was still very sumptuous, but no one was very hungry and had no appetite.

Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua returned to the luxurious guest room. They couldn't fall asleep in bed, so they went for a walk in the yard.

After a while, Xiao Yixian pushed the door open and came out, followed by Hao Xiong who also came to the yard. Zhao Xuan simply asked Hao Xiong to find some wine and the four of them sat on the stone bench in the yard to keep each other company.

The Little Medical Fairy glanced at Zhao Xuan and shook her head.

"You've met so many people from Yue State, but no one can tell that you're not Tian Shiliu. Not even the eunuch from the palace who was responsible for delivering the message had any doubts."

A bitter smile appeared on Hao Xiong's lips.

"Tian Shiliu is so pitiful. When I rescued her, she felt so light and fluttery when I held her in my arms, just like a child."

"We don't need others to notice. As long as Tian Shang sees it, we're doomed!"

Zhao Xuan picked up the wine bowl, clinked it with everyone, and drank it in one gulp.

Gu Zhanghua was dissatisfied with Zhao Xuan's dejected look.

"Can you please say something auspicious? We are here to protect you!"

Zhao Xuan glanced at Gu Zhanghua. She was a little self-destructive, but Gu Zhanghua was also too optimistic.

"I had it all planned out. If I felt things were going badly, I would run. It's good that Hao Xiong is here now. He has a slingshot. And Xiao Yixian has drugs and poisons. What about you? What can you do?"

Gu Zhanghua didn't buy it at all. He was fully confident, but Zhao Xuan didn't know it.

Now he was very relaxed and couldn't help teasing Zhao Xuan.

“I think all three of us can go tomorrow. It doesn’t matter whether you go or not. Think about it, she is fake and can’t become real even if she goes.

Even if you know it's fake, don't go to Tian Shang. Out of sight, out of mind. We'll explain it carefully and I think the matter will be resolved smoothly.

If she goes, it might bring trouble to us, Hao Xiong, Xiao Yixian, don't you think so? "

After saying that, Gu Zhanghua winked at Hao Xiong.

Hao Xiongduo was good at reading people's expressions and immediately agreed.

"Brother-in-law's analysis is correct. Why don't we just get my sister drunk and let her sleep in the house while the three of us go."

The little medical fairy also joined in the fun excitedly.

"It doesn't matter if you can't get drunk. I have a new version of the drug. It's just right for you to try it on me!"

Zhao Xuan felt isolated in an instant. Hao Xiong and Xiao Yixian used to be her best friends, but now they were partial to Gu Zhanghua. She couldn't help but stare.

"What do you three mean? Are you ganging up on me, a weak woman?"

Gu Zhanghua burst into laughter when he heard this.

"Come on, you're just a weak woman? You put your arms and legs on me every night when you sleep. It's so heavy!"

"What do you mean? Do you think I'm fat?"

Zhao Xuan reached out to cover Gu Zhanghua's mouth, but Gu Zhanghua quickly jumped up to avoid it.

"A gentleman talks but never moves his hands!"

"I'm not a gentleman!"

Zhao Xuan chased Gu Zhanghua all over the yard, making Xiao Yixian and Hao Xiong laugh out loud.

Then everyone chatted and laughed together, no longer mentioning going to the palace early the next morning, and finally got through this long and difficult night.

?

Tian Shang in the palace also had trouble falling asleep. He asked the young eunuch in front of his bed, who was the one who guarded the door for him when he killed his father and who now served him personally.

"Shi Xiaofu, what time is it?"

Shi Xiaofu answered quickly.

"Your Majesty, it is almost midnight."

Tian Shang turned over and put on his coat. Shi Xiaofu hurriedly walked behind the screen to get a cloak and put it on Tian Shang, then asked carefully.

"Where are you going, Your Majesty, at this late hour?"

"Go and see the Queen Mother."

In Fengxiang Palace, the former Concubine Nie has now been promoted to Empress Dowager Nie. She is still awake at this time, simply because she is old and doesn't get enough sleep.

She leaned on the bed with her eyes closed to rest. A palace maid was kneeling in front of the bed, reading a storybook to her in a soft voice, which helped her sleep.

A palace maid hurried in and bowed to the Queen Mother.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has arrived."

Empress Dowager Nie slowly opened her eyes, with a hint of doubt in her expression. Her son had never come to see her so late before. Could something have happened?

The palace maid kneeling on the ground hurriedly stood up and stepped aside. Tian Shang strode in and sat beside the bed.

Empress Dowager Nie moved closer. In the dim candlelight, she saw that her son's expression was normal. Instead, he looked a little excited. She was very puzzled.

"Why is Shang'er here so late?"

Tian Shang held Empress Dowager Nie's hand and looked at her with anticipation.

"Mother, Shi Liu will be entering the palace to meet me tomorrow morning. Are you too excited to sleep?"

Empress Dowager Nie was startled for a moment, then adjusted her eyes to one of expectation and patted Tian Shang's hand lovingly.

"I am a little excited! Didn't you see I'm also having trouble sleeping?"

Tian Shang's eyes were sparkling as he looked at the deep night sky outside the window, and a gentle smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"I don't know whether Shi Liu is fat or thin, whether she is happy in Xia Country, whether the virtuous king has true feelings for her, and whether anyone is bullying her."

Empress Dowager Nie lowered her eyes to hide the trace of panic in them.

Since her son ascended the throne, she became the queen mother and everything went smoothly. She knew that her son had recruited Tian Shiliu back to Yue State, but she didn't take it seriously at all.

She believed that she had done her best for Tian Shiliu and had long forgotten about him.

Now she can't even remember what Tian Shiliu looks like. It seems that there is only one word to describe her: thin.

But her son, the ruler of Yue State, seemed to be obsessed with Tian Shiliu. Empress Dowager Nie was a little annoyed, but still looked at Tian Shang with a smile on her face.

"Don't worry, son. You'll know everything tomorrow morning. Why don't you go back and have a good sleep? Don't let Shi Liu see that your brother looks unhappy. She'll be worried too."

However, Tian Shang had no intention of leaving. In this world, he and his mother were the closest to Tian Shiliu. If he didn't talk to his mother about Tian Shiliu, who else could he talk to?

"Mother, I still remember you asked me to take time to visit her in the palace. The first time I went to see her, she was being beaten by an old maid, who called her a fool because she didn't pull out the weeds properly!

Although I was not favored, I was a prince after all. I rushed forward to stop the old nanny and scolded her a few words. I still can't forget the look of Shi Liu looking up at me.

Her thin little face was covered with traces of tears, which made her eyes look very round and big. She looked at me with red eyes like a wounded little rabbit, and my heart softened all of a sudden!

Later, when she heard my stomach growling from hunger, she quickly took out a piece of bread from her arms and gave it to me to eat. I clearly heard her stomach growling too. We really share the same fate.

Shi Liu is a very lovable girl. She deserves a happy life and shouldn't suffer in the palace!"

When Tian Shang said this, his eyes became fierce and his face looked a little hideous.

"So as soon as I ascended the throne, I immediately killed all those servants in the palace who bullied Shi Liu! Not a single one was spared! All their bodies were thrown into the mass grave to feed the dogs!"

Empress Dowager Nie shrank back. She was afraid of her son's cruel and brutal side, and she hoped that she could spend the next few days in peace.

"My son did the right thing! No one will bully Shi Liu anymore. We'll let Shi Liu stay in Chuyang City for a few more days so you two can catch up on the past!"

"What the Queen Mother said is absolutely right!"

Tian Shang rubbed his hands with excitement.

"I have announced to all the ministers that anyone with a breath of fresh air must come to court tomorrow morning to welcome the princess home. Anyone who dares not come will be demoted one rank. I will give Shi Liu the highest honor!"

Tian Shang stood up and stretched out his arms with high spirits, as if he was going to hug Tian Shiliu right now!

His waving robe sleeves stirred up the night wind, and the candlelight trembled a few times before extinguishing dejectedly...