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The fourth guard gasped his last breath but revealed two important pieces of information before dying: “it exploded;” “dressed in women's clothes, but spoke with a man's voice.”
Princess Ning'an measured the footprints on the ground.
There were two pairs of female shoe prints. One pair was of normal size, while the other pair was even larger than the feet of several guards.
"Heh." Princess Ning'an chuckled softly, her shoulders shaking with laughter. "Xinyang, oh Xinyang, it turns out you're a fake!"
After Gu Jiao and Gu Chengfeng got into the carriage, they instructed the coachman to quickly head towards a crowded area.
Gu Chengfeng was still upset from having his precious possession blown up. He asked, "Why are we running so fast?"
Gu Jiao replied, "They have a formidable expert with them; you and I can't beat them together."
Gu Chengfeng snorted coldly, "What do you mean? Do you think my martial arts skills are poor? Hah! When you sneaked into the Supreme Commander Estate that night, I wonder who whisked you out from under the arrows of the Tang Family archers?”
Gu Jiao gave him a disdainful look, "Aren’t you self-aware even back then?"
Gu Chengfeng: "..."
Gu Chengfeng cleared his throat, "But aren't they supposed to refrain from acting in the capital?"
Gu Jiao said, "They usually won't act easily, but there are times when it's unavoidable."
Gu Chengfeng sighed regretfully, "So are we going to lose track of them now?"
Gu Jiao hooked up the corner of her lips, "Not a chance."
In the clear azure sky, a mighty falcon fluttered its wings and soared high——
The next day, just after the hour of yinshi(3-5 am) had passed, Empress Xiao took Eunuch Su and went to the East Palace.
Today was the Crown Prince's first court attendance. Empress Xiao was worried that her son might make mistakes, so she came to reiterate what needed to be done.
Empress Xiao tidied up her son's attire and said, "Your uncle is not at the court. If there's anything you're uncertain about, don't make hasty decisions. Don't worry, this imperial mother of yours has taken care of everything that needs to be arranged. Your uncle's subordinates will assist you."
The Crown Prince replied, "This son understands, imperial mother. You've reminded me many times already."
"This is because no one has guided you——" Empress Xiao paused mid-sentence. She changed the subject and said, "Later, I will select a few concubines for you again. When the time is right, you can choose one you like as your main consort."
"This son shall follow imperial mother's instructions." The Crown Prince replied softly.
Empress Xiao comfortingly stroked her son's shoulder. Although he still felt uncomfortable inside, at least he wasn't as stubborn as his father.
"This son is going to court, imperial mother." said the Crown Prince.
Empress Xiao still felt uneasy, "Although I usually don't get along with Princess Xinyang, she is still your aunt. She won't harm you. Listen to whatever she says, and don't argue with her in public. If someone tries to drive a wedge between you two, you mustn't listen to them at all."
The Crown Prince muttered, "If I bully her, uncle will come back and beat me up. Uncle dotes on my aunt."
Empress Xiao rolled her eyes, "Humph, your uncle doesn't dote on her. He just wants to save face as a man."
Just then, Eunuch Su hurriedly entered with a worried expression, "Your Majesty! Your Highness! Something has happened!"
Empress Xiao frowned at him, "What happened?"
Eunuch Su couldn't conceal his panic, "Princess Xinyang and Princess Ning'an are arguing outside the imperial audience hall!"
Empress Xiao looked puzzled, "What are they arguing about? And why is Ning'an at the imperial audience hall again?"
Eunuch Su explained, "It seems Princess Ning'an specifically went to find Princess Xinyang. She said..."
Empress Xiao asked, "She said what?"
Eunuch Su braced himself and said, "She said... Princess Xinyang is a fake!"
……
"You're saying I’m a fake? What evidence do you have?"
Outside the imperial audience hall, Princess Xinyang, wearing a veiled bamboo hat, stood on the highest step, looking down at Princess Ning'an who was several steps below. "Without evidence, it’s just a slander."
A senior official from the Imperial Censorate Office said, "Yes, how could Princess Xinyang be fake? Their voices are identical."
Princess Ning'an looked earnestly at everyone, "I know you may not believe me, but I really saw this person impersonating Princess Xinyang on the street yesterday. I asked the palace maids, and there's a female official named Yu Jin who always accompanies Princess Xinyang. Wherever Princess Xinyang goes, Yu Jin is always by her side. So why was she nowhere to be seen on such an important day?"
“This…” The senior official from the Imperial Censorate Office was at a loss for words.
Yu Jin had been with Princess Xinyang for over a decade, and indeed, she always followed Princess Xinyang into the palace whenever she entered.
Princess Ning'an's gaze fell on the face of the servant girl beside Princess Xinyang, which was the same one from yesterday, but she had already guessed the true identity of the other party.
Princess Ning'an pointed at the servant girl and said, "This servant girl is wearing a human skin mask, she's also disguised."
"What!?"
Everyone was shocked.
Not only was the princess fake, but even her servant girl as well?
For the time being, they hadn't thought about the imperial decree appointing Princess Xinyang as regent. However, once they knew that this master and servant were siblings from the Gu Family in disguise, then the Gu Family wouldn't be able to escape the charge of treason.
The crime of treason would lead to the execution of the whole family, and Xiao Liulang, who was married into the Gu Family, would also die under the executioner's blade.
What goes around comes around, indeed.
She was just thinking of ways to kill Xiao Liulang.
Everyone looked at the expressionless servant girl and then at Princess Xinyang, who wore a veiled bamboo hat and didn't dare to reveal her true face. It was clear that Princess Xinyang's fingers tightened slightly, indicating her nervousness.
The servant girl gently patted Princess Xinyang's hand and shook her head slightly.
Although seemingly casual, this gesture was still caught by everyone.
Princess Xinyang took a deep breath and slowly said, "Sister Ning'an, I have never done anything to wrong you. Why do you slander me like this?"
Princess Ning'an said, "I'm not slandering you, I just don't want you to deceive people by pretending to be Princess Xinyang. You went to see His Majesty yesterday. I don't know if you did anything to him. I heard that His Majesty's condition is getting worse."
All eyes darkened as they looked at Princess Xinyang, suspicion and coldness filling their gazes.
Princess Ning'an stared straight at her and said, "If you are Princess Xinyang, do you dare take off your hat?"
Princess Xinyang clenched her handkerchief and calmly replied, "I have a rash on my face, it's unsightly and inconvenient to be seen."
Princess Ning'an stepped up the stairs, "Is it really a rash, or are you simply not her?"
Princess Xinyang calmly replied, "What if I am?"
Suddenly, Princess Ning'an looked behind Princess Xinyang, "Imperial brother?"
Princess Xinyang turned her head.
Taking advantage of her distraction, Princess Ning'an swiftly snatched off her hat!
A face covered in rashes suddenly exposed in front of everyone.
Surprisingly, it was indeed Princess Xinyang's face!
Princess Ning'an was shocked, "Impossible! You must be wearing a human skin mask!"
She reached out to tear off the human skin mask on Princess Xinyang's face but she was slapped back by Princess Xinyang in the face!
“Presumptuous!" Princess Xinyang's gaze turned icy, her aura fully unleashed!
Princess Ning'an was knocked down the stairs.
The imperial experts behind her rushed forward to capture Princess Xinyang, but suddenly, a dignified figure akin to a flying dragon descended from the sky and stood in front of Princess Xinyang protectively!Raz P.'s Thoughts
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