Transmigrated Female Official

How could the Empress not know the seriousness of this matter? However, since it involved her two biological children, she felt somewhat reluctant and couldn't bring herself to take such drastic measures.

Ziyan understood the Empress's thoughts and comforted her, "Your Majesty, I know that the Fourth Princess and the Fifth Prince have made mistakes, and it's like being whipped, each lash striking Your Majesty's heart. Right now, Your Majesty is actually more anxious and more heartbroken than anyone else."

"Sigh—" The Empress patted his hand with deep feeling and said, "Just like you said, I am really saddened."

“Your Majesty, listen to my advice, you should prioritize the health of the Empress.” Ziyan paused, then said, “The Fourth Princess and the Fifth Prince are already adults and should be able to take responsibility for the choices they have made.”

"..." The Empress did not say anything more, but nodded thoughtfully.

At this moment, Chonghuan walked in carrying a teapot. "Your Majesty, this is fruit tea that Lord Chu just brewed for you."

The empress was taken aback at first, then said, "Bring it up."

"Yes." Chonghuan placed the tea set on the table beside him, poured a cup for the Empress first, and then poured a cup for Ziyan as well. Instantly, a sweet fruity aroma wafted through the air.

The Empress looked at the steaming water in the cup and said, "She is thoughtful."

Zi Yan noticed that the Empress's expression had softened considerably, so he chimed in, "Lord Chu has always been respectful to His Majesty. He was probably just momentarily blinded by grief and anger, which is why he spoke so rudely and displeased His Majesty."

"I know, so I didn't really hold a grudge against her." After saying this, the Empress blew on her cup and began to drink her fruit tea.

……

A few days later, at the morning court session, Jiang Sha first reported the results of the investigation into the Fifth Prince's assassination attempt to the Empress.

From beginning to end, Ji Qili insisted that he had planned the entire operation alone and had no other accomplices. Although Jiang Sha did not believe him, Ji Qili answered all the questions fluently on every detail and explained the whole story of the assassination operation very clearly, leaving no room for doubt.

Therefore, the conclusion of this incident can only be that the Fifth Prince harbored murderous intent towards the Sixth Princess and her companions, the Seventh Prince and Chu Qingluo, due to personal grudges, and carried out a premeditated ambush and assassination outside Nanyu City.

Although the Sixth Princess felt resentful about this outcome, there was nothing she could do. As for the Eighth Princess, a heavy weight had finally been lifted from her heart.

After the last audience, the Empress knew that if Ji Qili was punished lightly, not only the Sixth Princess, but also Chu Qingluo and Gongsun Ruyi would be the first to protest.

So, the Empress finally hardened her heart and, when the prince took the severe punishment, sentenced Ji Qili to be hanged, and the execution would be carried out at the execution ground outside the palace, as a way of giving an explanation to those who were killed in this incident...

Chu Qingluo had thought that with her revenge fulfilled, she would find some solace. But in reality, she did not. Ji Qili deserved to die, but all she wanted was for Gongsun Yu to return safely.

……

Inside Guangrentang.

Chu Qingluo sat at the table in the inner hall, lost in thought. Just then, Ji Qiran arrived, bringing with him a bunch of things.

"Qingluo, the carts that transported the goods have also returned from Yuezhi Kingdom." Ji Qiran explained to her while having his attendants put the things down. After he finished, he said, "I've picked out your things for you."

When Chu Qinglu was on a shopping spree in Zhaocheng, Yuezhi Kingdom, Ji Qiran was always by her side helping her carry things, so he knew very well what she had bought.

Chu Qingluo walked over, glanced at her spoils, and completely lost the interest she had when she bought them. "Thank you."

She separated the gifts intended for Shaoyao and Luo Lifei, and then had Heqi deliver them to Luo Lifei immediately.

Finally, her gaze fell on the two jade-handled, purple-tipped brushes... and her heart ached again.

Ji Qiran knew she was thinking about Gongsun Yu again, but there was some news he had to tell her. "Qingluo... news has come from Nanyu City."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingluo's eyes widened as she asked, "Have you found Gongsun?" Her heart was pounding rapidly; she wanted to know the answer, but she was also afraid he might say something unpleasant.

Ji Qiran shook his head helplessly and said, "They searched day and night for more than ten days, but still couldn't find it... They really did their best."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingluo suddenly felt everything go black before her eyes and fainted.

……

When Chu Qingluo woke up again, she found Ji Qiran still guarding her side. Her first question was, "Did you bring the search and rescue team back?"

"Not yet," Ji Qiran said. "...We still need to ask your opinion on this."

"..." Chu Qingluo lowered her eyes and remained silent, but her trembling eyelashes were full of sorrow.

Ji Qiran knew the stubbornness in her heart, and without waiting for her to speak, he continued, "I will have them continue searching."

Chu Qingluo then glanced at him and said, "Thank you..."

Seeing that she could already walk, Ji Qiran said, "He Qi just came to find you, it seems like something's wrong."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingluo immediately summoned He Qi and asked him what had happened.

He Qi said, "Someone just came from the prison to say that the Fifth Prince wants to see you, sir..."

At a time like this, Ji Qili actually wants to see her?

Chu Qingluo was deep in thought with a cold expression, while Ji Qiran reminded her from the side, "Qingluo, you'd better not pay attention to him. Who knows what new tricks he has up his sleeve."

"But I'd like to see what else he has to say?" Chu Qingluo's words clearly indicated that she had decided to go and meet Ji Qili.

Could it be that Ji Qili is now so powerful that he can transform into a fly and fly out of this heavily guarded prison?

"Can't you just listen to me and not go?" Ji Qiran seemed very worried.

Chu Qingluo looked at him calmly and said, "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

The entanglement between her and Ji Qili has finally come to an end; consider it as her personally seeing him off.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade her otherwise, Ji Qiran had no choice but to say, "Then I'll go with you."

"Yeah." She agreed.

The two soon arrived at the prison. Ji Qiran accompanied Chu Qingluo for a while, and when they were almost close to the cell where Ji Qili was being held, Chu Qingluo said, "You stay here and wait for me. I want to see him by myself."

Ji Qiran estimated the distance between his position and Chu Qingluo's destination... Fortunately, it wasn't far. If anything happened, he could get there in time. He nodded and said, "Be careful."

Chu Qingluo agreed and continued walking inside alone.

Although it was the imperial prison, Ji Qili was still a prince, so his treatment was relatively better. The floor was clean and tidy, there was a bed and a table, and food and drink were provided. It seemed that he lacked nothing except freedom.