Chapter 41: The Mask

Ling Yuzhao stared at it for a long while before reaching out and taking it with an expressionless face.

The Emperor of Great Chu finally smiled.

"That's more like it. You brothers are bound by blood and are both my good sons. Whether it's a shattered thumb ring or any other trinket, they are merely objects. It would be detrimental to your fraternal bond to let them harm your relationship!"

With that, he cast a chilling gaze at Feng Yueyang.

"And you!"

Judging by the Emperor's reaction, he intended to punish Feng Yueyang as well. Gu Zirui hurriedly stepped forward to plead for him.

"Your Majesty, Feng Yueyang was also coerced. Dong Yufeng and his associates held the female members of his family hostage, leaving him no choice. Now that Feng Yueyang has repented in time, I beg Your Majesty to spare his life!"

Ling Moxuan's eyes flickered slightly. He also took a step back and joined in the plea.

"Imperial Father, this son also believes there are extenuating circumstances in Feng Yueyang's case. He should be treated with leniency. After all, the true mastermind Dong Yufeng has already been brought to justice, and the matter did not escalate. Why not spare his life?"

Ling Moxuan spoke with a righteous and imposing manner, without a trace of guilt.

The Emperor of Great Chu looked at Ling Moxuan with a gratified expression.

"You child are simply too magnanimous. Since you have interceded for him, there is truly no need for me to hold on to this relentlessly."

Having said that, he coldly looked at Feng Yueyang.

"Feng Yueyang, considering that you had extenuating circumstances and did not intend to slander a court official and an imperial prince, and that you have repented in a timely manner, I shall commute your death sentence. However, while the death penalty is remitted, the punishment for your crimes cannot be waived. Twenty board beatings—whether you live or die depends on your own fate!"

Hearing this, Feng Yueyang felt as if he had been granted a new lease on life. He let out a heavy sigh of relief and kowtowed in gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor gazed deeply at the remaining men, snorted coldly, and said, "Abetting a tyrant and acting with unbridled audacity—execute the lot of them without mercy! Confiscate their ancestral properties and send their families into exile!"

The men who had accompanied Dong Yufeng turned deathly pale with fright. Regaining their wits, they immediately burst into tears and begged for mercy.

Upon receiving the Emperor's command, the imperial guards rushed in, gagged the men, and dragged them away directly.

Gu Zirui looked at the men, as well as the corpse of Dong Yufeng being dragged away, filled with reluctance and resentment.

Yet, looking at Ling Moxuan chatting and laughing with the Emperor, and Ling Yuzhao silently staring at the emerald thumb ring,

he had no choice but to swallow his anger.

So be it. Circumstances were stronger than men.

However, there was plenty of time ahead. He would eventually find ironclad evidence, and when that time came, Prince Xuan would not be able to escape!

...

Prime Minister's Estate.

Candlelight flickered.

Ji Hua sat beside the table, the dim candlelight casting a glow over her porcelain-like face.

As the flame danced, shadows shifted across her features, lending a mysterious and unfathomable aura to Ji Hua as she sat quietly at the desk writing.

Ji Hua's gaze was focused, her breathing steady. Her slender, white fingers held the wolf-hair brush, and before long, she had finished writing a medical prescription.

Setting the brush aside, Ji Hua looked at the completed prescription with moderate satisfaction. Administering medicine according to this formula should make the Alliance Leader even more satisfied.

That was right, Ji Hua was adjusting the prescription for Rong Yuyan.

Tomorrow, she would be heading to Yuehan Mountain once again to detoxify Rong Yuyan.

Originally, according to the plan, such a potent medicine would not be necessary; taking it slowly would spare Alliance Leader Rong from so much agony.

Yet, who asked her to be the one asking for favors this time?

She still needed to let the man taste some sweetness and occasionally highlight her role as a miraculous physician in order to make the cooperation more solid.

Thinking this, Ji Hua folded the prescription directly and placed it into a small wooden box on the table.

Then, suddenly recalling something, she called out toward the door.

"Yiyi!"

With a soft creak, the door pushed open. Evidently, Liu Yiyi had been waiting outside the entire time. "What are your orders, Milady?"

Ji Hua raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I tell you to stay in the side room? There is no need to keep watch at the door."

Liu Yiyi shook her head. "It is my turn to keep night watch, so naturally I must stay until midnight. How could I go to sleep so early? Didn't Milady just call for me? A servant must be dutiful and responsible."

Ji Hua sighed helplessly. "You just recovered from a cold; you should have let someone else take your turn once you were better. Didn't I tell someone else to replace you?"

Seeing that Liu Yiyi remained unmoved, Ji Hua said no more. After all, this girl always knew her boundaries.

Without wasting words, Ji Hua said, "Come over here. I have something to tell you."

Liu Yiyi walked quickly to the side of the table and stood still.

Ji Hua asked directly, "I have to make another trip tomorrow, and wearing a veil is inconvenient. I called you in to ask if you know of any other ways to conceal my face."

The last time she treated Rong Yuyan, her veil had gotten wet, almost exposing her face to that man.

Having learned from that previous mistake,

she could not afford to repeat the same error.

This face-covering method had to be changed.

Only, Ji Hua could not think of a better alternative for the moment.

Upon hearing her mistress say this, Liu Yiyi's expression turned somewhat serious as well. She naturally knew where they were heading since they were going there once more.

Although Liu Yiyi had never seen that man, her mistress always went fully equipped, which clearly indicated that the situation remained quite perilous.

Failing to reveal one's true countenance—the concerns were probably far more complicated than merely worrying about protecting one's reputation...

However, those matters were not for Liu Yiyi to manage.

She was her mistress's maid, so naturally, whatever her mistress told her to do, she would do.

Pondering for a moment, Liu Yiyi came up with an idea and smiled, "Why not wear a mask?"

Ji Hua was stunned, and then let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

"My mind has been so preoccupied with busy work lately that I actually forgot about something as convenient as a mask."

Liu Yiyi hurriedly consoled her, "Milady has been busy with major affairs. Such trivial matters should naturally be arranged properly by me. If Milady thinks this is feasible, I will go buy one right now!"

Just as she finished speaking, Liu Yiyi looked troubled and added, "It's already so late. I'm afraid we'll have to wait until tomorrow morning, but I'll rush out to buy one first thing at dawn!"

Ji Hua shook her head, however.

"This item cannot be purchased outside; it's too easy to expose one's identity."

Liu Yiyi realized she had been too anxious and overlooked this crucial point. Buying something on the main street would naturally make it easy to investigate, and following the clue might very well lead right back to her mistress.

She had been far too rash.

Rolling her eyes, Liu Yiyi suddenly smiled and said, "Milady, if you don't mind, how about I make one for you myself?"

"You know how to make masks?"

Ji Hua asked in surprise.

Liu Yiyi smiled sheepishly.

"I learned quite a few crafts when I was at home in the past. Aside from ordinary needlework, I also know how to make masks. My mother once taught me..."

Mentioning her family, a trace of desolation flashed across the depths of Liu Yiyi's eyes, and the smile on her face faded.

Ji Hua had not expected to touch upon Liu Yiyi's sorrowful memories. She stood up and patted Liu Yiyi's shoulder to comfort her.

"Don't dwell on it. What's in the past is past. If your mother knows you are living well by my side now, she will surely feel comforted in her heart."

Liu Yiyi's eyes grew slightly red, and her voice choked a little, "Milady, this servant lost her composure. Thank you, Milady."

She then quickly gathered her emotions, sniffed, and said earnestly, "If Milady doesn't mind, this servant can give it a try. Although my mother only taught me once, it's not difficult. I can sew one for Milady out of fabric."

Ji Hua thought about it and did not refuse.

"Very well. Since you are accompanying me tomorrow, make two of them. Tonight is bound to get late, so I will wake you up a bit later tomorrow. Make sure you get some extra sleep."