Cold-faced Empress

He made no attempt to conceal his cruelty and malice. As soon as he finished speaking, countless figures in the garden froze in shock.

To wipe them all out in one fell swoop?!

Looking around, one could see that all the well-known families were present, many of whom openly opposed Prince Mu's tyranny. Furthermore, soldiers from Prince Mu's Changyi Army stood beside every residence…

Hi!

In an instant, the faces of the assembled noble families turned pale. Prince Mu was absolutely right; the current situation was perfect for trapping them like turtles in a jar and wiping them out in one fell swoop!

Fu Siying looked up and saw that the most pale-faced members were naturally from her own family. This secretly delighted Fu Siying. She had been hoping for this very scene!

When administering medicine, it must be appropriate for the condition. No matter how eloquent she was, she couldn't compete with Prince Mu personally appearing to put a noose around her own neck.

The powerful families that were on good terms with the main family cast resentful and angry glances at them. Clearly, a consensus was silently being reached: the Fu family had completely sided with Prince Mu. The Fu family's pretext of hosting a banquet to lure their friends from the powerful families here was merely a means for Prince Mu to intimidate and punish them!

Behind Fu Shi were the angry and resentful gazes of various noble families, like thorns in her back. Fu Shi mustered her courage and forced a smile: "Prince Mu, you are joking. Today is your engagement banquet with Si Ying. Everyone is here to offer their congratulations."

Mo Canglan, whose hands couldn't be warmed no matter how he tried to roast them, pulled them back into his wide sleeves and slowly sat up straight: "Indeed, on such a joyous occasion, it's not appropriate for me to say such bloody and taboo things. Let's do it another day."

Is there another day?

Amidst fearful and startled gazes, Mo Canglan waved his hand dismissively, signaling the musicians on stage to continue their performance.

The music and singing continued in an eerie atmosphere, but the banquet could never regain its former liveliness. Everywhere one looked, there were stiff, forced smiles and undercurrents of annoyance.

Fu Shi, her legs trembling, ordered the servants to bring back the delicacies to the main table. Mo Canglan shook his head: "I am late; I have already eaten."

This meant there was no need to serve any food. Fu Shi looked around awkwardly, unsure how to entertain Prince Mu, and large beads of sweat dripped down her forehead in her anxiety.

Fu Siying took in her second uncle's embarrassment and panic with a playful gaze. Noticing that Mo Canglan had once again bent down to warm his hands by the brazier, she knew he must be cold, so she said to her second uncle, "Since Prince Mu has eaten, let's serve some hot tea."

Ignoring the sarcasm in her eyes, Fu Shi hurriedly ordered the servants to serve tea. She then wanted to ask what else could be prepared for Prince Mu, but Prince Mu gently waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

"If Your Highness needs anything, please feel free to give me your orders." Fu Shi retreated nervously.

Fu Siying noticed her father and mother watching her worriedly from a short distance away. She waved her hand to indicate that they didn't need to worry.

When the servants brought hot tea, Fu Siying personally poured a cup and presented it to Mo Canglan.

"Give."

Mo Canglan refused without even glancing at it: "No need."

The guard standing nearby said, "His Highness does not touch food or water of unknown origin."

Fu Siying wrinkled her nose, wondering where this bad habit of hers came from. Could it be that she was often poisoned and was afraid of being poisoned? Besides, this was the main residence of the Fu family, so how could this be considered of dubious origin?

"I won't give you any to drink; it's for warming your hands."

After saying that, he handed the teacup to Mo Canglan.