After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

The two returned to their seats.

Cao Shang took a bite of the Qiaoguo on the plate and exclaimed, "The Qiaoguo made by the Imperial Kitchen is so delicious. Doesn't Your Majesty want some?"

Cao Yuan also picked up a piece and tasted it, and then drank a cup of wine.

At this moment, the eunuch came over to announce, "Everyone! We can release the lanterns soon! Those who wish to do so can come with me to the riverbank."

"Okay!"

Cao Yuan got up and followed the crowd to the riverbank. If the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Ping Le came here to protect Liu Changshi through marriage, then the most likely candidate would be the emperor.

Unexpectedly, Xue Xinian had such ability to get involved with the Marquis of Pingle's mansion.

In his previous life, the Marquis of Ping Le never returned to the capital, and it seems that things have changed again because of him.

It's just a pity that his youngest daughter also became a victim.

Cao Yuan was momentarily stunned, and as she turned around, a dark figure crashed into her.

A woman in a dark blue dress stood in front of her, holding a lantern.

"You are……"

The woman, clutching the lantern, looked at her timidly. "I... my name is Yue Fengru. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"Your surname is Yue? Is Marquis Pingle your father?"

Yue Fengru nodded. She watched as Cao Yuan was intimidated by her aura and took a few steps back in fear.

"If you're so afraid of me, how dare you still bump into me?"

"Hmm...they say you are His Highness Prince Shuo!"

Do you know why you're here?

“I know that you arrested Mother’s brother. The Censorate has not yet made a decision. Father wants to use me to protect him. I want to do what my sister did: sell myself to serve the Marquis’s family and sacrifice myself for the family.”

"You should hate me."

Yue Fengru shook her head, "Whether the prince is there or not, my sister and I will both be sacrifices."

"But I don't want to be as foolish as my sister, dying without anyone caring for my body!"

"However, Your Highness did indeed make some mistakes!"

"Hmm?" Cao Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"If Your Highness had killed them all back then, none of this would have happened!"

Cao Yuan's lips curled slightly, showing interest in her. "It seems you're not going to listen to the Marquis!"

"My father wants me to enter the palace! But I already have someone I like, and the prince certainly doesn't want me to enter the palace either. Why don't you help me?"

Before they had exchanged more than a few words, a hurried-looking old woman grabbed Yue Fengru and pulled her in front of her. "Miss, what are you doing here! Come with me right now!"

"Greetings, Your Highness! My young lady is ignorant of etiquette and has not offended you, Your Highness!" The nanny bowed her head in greeting.

"It's nothing!"

"If there's nothing else, Your Highness, we'll take our leave now."

Taking advantage of the nanny's inattention, Yue Fengru slipped a note into Cao Yuan's hand, and then was reluctantly dragged away by the nanny.

After releasing the lanterns, everyone returned to the banquet hall together.

Cao Yuan opened the note Yue Fengru had just given her, her eyes flashing as she devised a plan.

She secretly glanced at Cao Shang sitting next to her out of the corner of her eye, and reached out to gently touch the wine glass and chopsticks on the table.

At that moment, she keenly caught a fleeting look of tension on Cao Shang's face.

This subtle change alerted her; she realized that someone had drugged her drink!

Cao Yuan pretended to be nonchalant, picked up her wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

Not long after, she suddenly covered her head, and the cup in her hand slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

This sudden change attracted the attention of those around them, who all cast puzzled glances at them.

"what happened?"

"Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?" Jinzhu knelt down.

I suddenly feel a little dizzy.

"Your Highness, let me help you to the palace to rest!"

Cao Yuan nodded.

Cao Yuan was helped into the hall by Jinzhu. "Jinzhu, I'm terribly dizzy. Please go to the Imperial Hospital and fetch a physician!"

"Your Highness, are you alright here by yourself? Will Princess Huafeng come looking for trouble?"

"I can handle it, you go ahead!" Cao Yuan said dismissively.

Seeing that Cao Yuan insisted, Jinzhu went to the Imperial Hospital by herself.

Cao Yuan sat alone in the room, wanting to see what Cao Shang was up to.

Not long after, the door was gently pushed open, making a soft creaking sound.

The person who walked in was none other than Fan Qingli.

He staggered, as if drunk, his hands supporting him on the table, his body swaying slightly, as if he might fall at any moment.

Fan Qingli's face flushed red, and her eyes were glazed and confused.

He seemed to sense the presence of others beside him, slowly turned his head, and his gaze fell on Cao Yuan, a hint of shock and confusion flashing in his eyes: "Your Highness! What are you doing here?"

"You fell into a trap."

Suddenly a noise came from outside.

Fan Qingli tugged at the door but couldn't open it.

"Open the door! Who's out there!"

-

At the banquet.

Anping walked over to Cao Shang from somewhere else, and whispered something to her.

Cao Shang revealed a confident smile.

Cao Shang got up to find Xue Xiqiong, but only Xue Xiqiong and Luo Xuemei were sitting there.

"Sisters! Have you finished eating? I've eaten a bit too much and want to go explore somewhere else. Why don't you come with me?"

"Okay!"

Xue Xiqiong readily agreed and stood up immediately.

"Princess, my husband just went to the restroom after drinking some wine! Why don't you go ahead and I'll wait for him to return?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Xiqiong sat back down in her seat.

"I have to wait for Qingli to come back too!"

Cao Shang was getting anxious. "I just heard from others that they saw my brother-in-law and the Empress together. They probably won't be back for a while!"

"What! How did they get together again!" Xue Xiqiong exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Since my husband and the prince have something to discuss, why don't we go for a stroll with the princess?"

Upon hearing Luo Xuemei's words, Xue Xiqiong and Cao Shang left their seats together.

Cao Shang led them to the palace where Cao Yuan was.

“I don’t think I’ve been to this hall before. Why don’t we go in and rest for a bit?” Cao Shang said.

Cao Shang led them into the hall.

Jinzhu arrived just then with the imperial physician, and when she saw Cao Shang, she panicked.

Jinzhu, quick-witted, rushed forward and knelt down in front of Cao Shang and the others.

"How dare you, Jinzhu! Whose path are you blocking?"

Anping said sternly.

"What's wrong with Jinzhu? Could it be that her master is here?" Cao Shang asked deliberately.

"Could Qingli be inside too?"

Xue Xiqiong said.

Upon hearing this, Jinzhu seemed to understand their purpose in coming to compete. "There is no Lord Fan inside, only His Highness!"

"His Highness is resting, please do not disturb him!"

"He's obviously hiding something!" Xue Xiqiong couldn't wait to go inside.

Upon seeing this, Jinzhu kowtowed on the ground and cried out, "This servant Jinzhu greets Princess Huafeng! This servant did not mean to offend Princess Huafeng, please forgive me!"

Jinzhu kept repeating what she had just said, trying to make sure the people inside could hear her.

Her voice was loud and clear, startling everyone present. Cao Shang covered his ears and kicked her away.

"Why are you shouting so loudly! Are you trying to tip someone off?!"

Jinzhu tried to stop Cao Shang, but Anping pinned her to the ground.

"Get out of the way! Don't move!"

"Princess Huafeng! No!"