Severed ties and living in a dilapidated house? No worries, the poor thing has a space.

With a slight apology, Madam Li bowed slightly to Xiao Jingqi and said softly, "This is all the simple tea we have to offer Your Highness. It is truly impolite and unbecoming of Your Highness's noble status. I hope Your Highness will not take offense."

Xiao Jingqi's face was warm: "Madam, there's no need to be so polite! You don't need to be so reserved either. Just be as casual as before."

The Li family has undergone tremendous changes in a subtle and gradual way.

She still remembers the first time she learned that Xiao Jingqi had become an official. She was so shocked that she felt like she was facing a formidable enemy. She was so nervous that she was at a loss and didn't know what to do.

However, times have changed. Now that she has learned of Xiao Jingqi's more revered identity, although she still feels a trace of fear, she is no longer as anxious as she used to be.

Li suddenly remembered that Xiao Jingqi had come to discuss important matters with Fang Yu.

She quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Since Your Highness and Yu'er have important matters to discuss, I won't disturb you any longer."

After speaking, Madam Li immediately turned around and hurried to Fang Yu's side, whispering, "I've just come back to retrieve something, and then I'll return to the embroidery workshop. Yu'er, please take good care of the Prince!"

Fang Yu nodded obediently, then reached out and took Li's arm, escorting her to the door.

After Li left, Fang Yu returned to the hall.

Xiao Jingqi, who had been waiting quietly in the hall, was clearly anxious and restless.

Seeing this, Xin Jiyan waved to the maids who were sweeping back and forth, signaling them to quickly step back so that the two people inside the room could have space to talk.

Mo Wu also tactfully bowed and took his leave, standing on either side of the gate with Xin Jiyan, like two guardian deities quietly watching over the entrance.

Fang Yulian moved gracefully and stopped in front of Xiao Jingqi. She stared at him and asked directly without any hesitation, "Did you find out anything from Liu Zi?"

Xiao Jingqi nodded solemnly and slowly said, "This person is a capable henchman of Consort Sun in the Minister's mansion. He usually does shady things. And the matter of your father back then was indeed closely related to this person."

Hearing this, Fang Yu frowned slightly and asked, "Then, what are Your Highness's plans regarding this person?"

Xiao Jingqi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible sneer: "Dealing with a mere Liu Zi is a piece of cake, but the real problem is that Aunt Sun."

When Aunt Sun was mentioned, Xiao Jingqi's originally bright eyes suddenly seemed to be covered with a thick fog, making it difficult for people to see his inner thoughts.

He continued, "Although this Aunt Sun is only a concubine on the surface, her status in the Minister's mansion is almost equal to that of the old lady."

Fang Yu thought to himself, regardless of whether this Aunt Sun was a concubine or a so-called equal wife, as long as she was involved in the plot to murder the original owner's father, he would never let her off easily!

Xiao Jingqi's next words, however, made Fang Yu fall into deep thought.

"After extensive and covert investigations, it appears that the Empress orchestrated Sun's entry into the Minister's residence. However, the true purpose behind the Empress's actions remains unknown."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yu sprang up from her seat like a powder keg that had been ignited.

Deep within her eyes, a raging inferno seemed to be surging and churning, as if it were about to burst forth at any moment.

Seeing this, Xiao Jingqi quickly reached out and took her hand, gently comforting her, "Yu'er, don't be upset. I want to introduce you to someone and arrange to meet at noon tomorrow. Yu'er doesn't need to worry about this too much right now. After tomorrow, Yu'er may have a new plan."

Fang Yu took a deep breath, trying her best to suppress the raging anger inside her.

She gripped the steaming teacup on the table tightly and asked in a calm tone, "Could you hand over Liu Zi to me to handle afterward?"

Killing someone isn't difficult, but killing someone without leaving any trace is not so easy.

Xiao Jingqi leaned down slightly and said in an almost indulgent tone, "Yu'er, please rest assured. This person's final fate will definitely not be worse than you imagine. If Yu'er still trusts me, after meeting that person tomorrow, I will definitely hand over Liu Zi to you for your disposal."

Having said that, a mere day isn't entirely unbearable to wait for.

Fang Yu remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded slightly.

When she looked up at Xiao Jingqi again, a hint of hope that he would leave as soon as possible was revealed in her eyes.

Xiao Jingqi suddenly spoke, interrupting Fang Yu who was about to say something.

On his angular, cold, and resolute face, a faint, almost imperceptible look of grievance appeared as he said softly, "It has been a long time since I played chess with Yu'er. I wonder if I will have the honor of doing so today?"

His appearance was truly hard for Fang Yu to handle, and her heart softened. The words she wanted to say to refuse were swallowed back down.

Left with no other choice, she could only gently shake her head, indicating her agreement to play a few games with him.

Xin Jiyan, who had been waiting anxiously at the door, gradually began to lose patience.

His expression grew increasingly anxious, and his feet seemed to be pulled by something, pacing back and forth incessantly.

Mo Wu, who had been standing silently to the side, finally couldn't help but speak up in a low voice: "I said, aren't you tired of wandering around here? Can't you just stop for a while?"

Xin Jiyan suddenly turned his head, and a cold gaze swept straight at Mo Wu like a sharp sword.

At the same time, Xiao Jingqi's repulsive face involuntarily appeared in his mind, and an inexplicable anger surged up from his heart, making him so angry that he was almost fuming.

Facing Xin Jiyan's hostile gaze, Mo Wu showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he instantly dropped his nonchalant attitude and became serious. He crossed his arms and looked at Xin Jiyan provocatively, saying, "What? Want to practice?"

Xin Jiyan gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and tried his best to suppress the anger in his heart.

He glared fiercely at the still tightly closed door, then raised his fist and slammed it hard against a pillar next to him.

In his view, Xiao Jingqi was a complete hypocrite, and how could someone like him be worthy of Fang Yu!

Perhaps it was because his behavior was so obvious that Mo Wu easily noticed the abnormality.