Cold-faced Empress

Only Fu Siying and Xia Suxi knew the truth.

Fu Siying acted cautiously and did not speak rashly. Like some people who were just watching the spectacle, she stayed by boat and kept watch around.

Madam Li sighed, "The Xia family's daughter is truly devoted in love."

Fu Siying made a "hmm" sound.

With mixed feelings, Yunzhi leaned close to Fu Siying and whispered, "I used to think she was annoying at the Qixi Palace Banquet, but now I feel so sorry for her. It's so sad that she can't be with the person she loves."

Immediately, Fu Siying frowned and looked down at Yunzhi.

Yunzhi stared blankly in Xia Suxi's direction, her expression a mixture of sympathy, anxiety, and sadness.

For a moment, Fu Siying felt quite uneasy. Those who usually watched the spectacle simply felt sorry for Xia Suxi's actions, but Yunzhi felt a deep empathy for her. What was said unintentionally was taken to heart. Yunzhi's words were also an expression of her own feelings.

Fu Siying frowned, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

In this stalemate, people finally got to see King Mu make his appearance.

Prince Mu and the Emperor arrived together, but neither showed themselves, remaining hidden in the cabin. The Emperor's chief eunuch and Prince Mu's personal bodyguard, Fang Zhi, were in charge outside the cabin.

As everyone knelt and shouted in worship toward the dragon boat, Fu Siying cast a stern gaze at Xia Suxi, silently warning her not to lose her composure.

A play is only good if it is performed completely from beginning to end!

After everyone had knelt and bowed, the chief eunuch called out loudly, "Miss Xia, please don't do anything rash! Prince Mu is here, and the Emperor is here too!"

Upon hearing that Prince Mu had arrived, Xia Suxi's eyes lit up as she stared intently at the dragon boat: "This humble woman greets Prince Mu!" She was so excited that she completely forgot about the Emperor's presence. Everyone's understanding of Miss Xia's deep affection deepened.

There was no response from inside the dragon boat; only a young eunuch went in and out to relay messages.

Soon, the chief eunuch, beaming with smiles, called out again: "Miss Xia, His Majesty and Prince Mu invite you aboard the ship for a chat!"

Why aren't you moving the ship to meet the Emperor?

Upon hearing this, Fu Siying immediately curled her lips into a cold smile.

Xia Suxi was initially overjoyed, but then resolutely shook her head: "No, I have no face to face the Emperor, no face to face Prince Mu. I originally wanted to see Prince Mu one last time before I died, but since Prince Mu is unwilling to show himself, I have no other choice. To die in front of Prince Mu is to have my wish fulfilled!"

After saying that, Xia Suxi bent over backwards, startling the people around her who exclaimed, "No, no!"

Amidst everyone's trembling, Xia Suxi paused her actions, not because she had given up on suicide, but because she had something to say to Fu Siying.

"Fu Siying, how fortunate you are to marry Prince Mu. This is a blessing I would give my life for."

Instantly, Fu Siying, who was talking to Xia Suxi, attracted countless eyes.

Fu Siying's face was serious and she didn't smile. She stared straight at Xia Suxi without saying a word.

Xia Suxi gave a bitter smile and said emotionally, "Although I haven't known Prince Mu since childhood, we've known each other for many years. My close friend Hu Lingjing is Prince Mu's cousin, and she often talks to me about Prince Mu's talent and majesty, which I admire greatly. I thought..."

With a choked sob, she could barely speak: "To be worthy of Prince Mu, I diligently studied poetry and literature, practiced music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and also diligently honed my culinary skills. I learned household management from my mother. To be worthy of Prince Mu, I ignored all other matters and desperately learned everything I thought I should learn, all so that I could become a virtuous and kind princess consort for him in the future. I thought that with my talent, abilities, and family background, I was worthy of Prince Mu, but I never expected... that you would appear out of nowhere!"

Hearing Xia Suxi first boast about herself and then subtly accuse her of stealing her love, Fu Siying slightly curled her lips and looked at Xia Suxi with a hint of coldness.

Did they take this acting seriously? They spoke with such sincerity, and even wanted to smear her at the same time?

Aside from Fu Siying, everyone else who heard Xia Suxi say those words was moved to tears. Some kind-hearted girls were already wiping away tears, and some even looked at Fu Siying with deep resentment.