Princess, she is the one who facilitated the extradition.

The emperor unconsciously clenched his fist on his lap.

Gui Yao's bloodied and mangled face has been appearing in his dreams these days, and every time he dreams of it, his heart aches.

He didn't want the Empress to suffer from nightmares like he did when she learned the truth in the future, so he said, "It's not convenient for the child to show her true face for now. You'll have plenty of opportunities to see her in the future."

Gui Yao smiled and said, "It's alright."

As she spoke, she removed her hat, revealing an extremely charming face—the same one used during the Mountain God Case.

The Empress's gaze sharpened.

Such a captivating face is so alluring that even women can't help but take a second look.

She had heard before that Gui Yao was beautiful, but she thought it was just people exaggerating. Now that she saw it with her own eyes, she couldn't help but think more about it.

His Majesty's lavish treatment of Gui Yao, could it also be due to this face?

Then there's Xiao Huaijin, who is also a prince of Nanyao, yet he married an orphan girl in a grand and ostentatious manner...

The Empress's mind raced, but she appropriately revealed her amazement and admiration on her face, "Truly a beauty of unparalleled grace."

He then asked, "With such a beautiful face, why do you always wear a hat to cover it up?"

Gui Yao lowered her eyes and began to make up a story, "Mother, please forgive me, but my eyes can always see things that others cannot."

The world is a mess, full of wronged souls, mutilated bodies and severed heads; it's truly unbearable to see so many.

The only thing I could do was tamper with the hat to block my eyes.

"Is that so?"

The Empress had some doubts.

Gui Yao's gaze passed over the Empress and looked behind her. She cried out in surprise, "Mother, behind you...!"

The Empress instinctively turned her head, but saw nothing. "What's behind Mother?"

"There was a woman."

Gui Yao's face showed shock and reluctance, but she kept talking, "Her face was peeled off, her eyes gouged out, her spine was pulled out, and her limbs were broken."

Are you serious?

The Empress felt a chill run down her spine from what she said, and turned to look again, but there was still nothing there.

But Gui Yao's knowledge of mystical arts was a well-known secret throughout the city, and she didn't dare to deliberately scare her. Could it be that what she said was true...?

Thinking of something, the Empress's fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly, and a chill ran from the soles of her feet up her back, which she suppressed tightly.

Gui Yao put her hat back on, the tassels concealing her face and blocking the gaze of others.

Yet she could see through the tassels and discern every nuance of the person opposite her.

"Mother, you can't see her even if you turn around. She can't stand on her own and can only cling to your back. She's crying, saying it hurts so much, and asking you why..."

That's enough.

The Empress clutched her chest. "The palace is so large, death is inevitable. I have always acted uprightly and have never killed anyone without cause."

She, who is usually dignified, spoke a few minutes faster than usual.

Gui Yao's heart sank. "Mother is right. I spoke recklessly. She must know that you are the head of the harem and wants you to give her justice. Please forgive me for frightening you, Mother."

Xiao Huaijin comforted him gently, "You meant well, but you still can't take off that tassel hat so easily in the future."

"it is good."

Gui Yao obediently agreed, then turned to the Empress, saying, "Gui Yao is somewhat skilled in esoteric arts and can communicate with the spirits of the dead."

"Mother, should you go back and ask her what she's trying to do, so you can get rid of her in time?"

"Thank you for your kindness."

The Queen took a deep breath and composed herself.

"As the head of the harem, if the other concubines were to learn of this and follow suit, it would likely disrupt the atmosphere in the palace."

Your Majesty is benevolent, and there has never been any tyranny in the palace since you ascended the throne. If there really is anything, it must be that the Empress Dowager went to the Cold Palace for a stroll in the garden a couple of days ago, which attracted the likes of the abandoned concubines from the previous dynasty.

Later that evening, the Empress Dowager instructed someone to burn some incense, candles, and paper money as a sacrifice.

"it is good."

Gui Yao did not insist, only saying, "If Mother needs anything, you can send someone to Xuanji Tower at any time."

The Empress nodded, but the chill on her back made her restless. Just as she was about to take her leave, the Emperor spoke.

"The palace will also be your home from now on. The summer flowers are in full bloom right now, so let Deshun show you around and help you get familiar with the palace."

This was also the purpose of Gui Yao's visit to the palace today. She smiled and agreed, then left the imperial study with Li Deshun.

The palace is where she grew up; perhaps seeing familiar faces and belongings will help her recover her memories.

Xiao Huaijin naturally accompanied him.

After the emperor dismissed the palace servants, leaving only the emperor and empress in the imperial study, the emperor looked at the empress.

"Nan Yao has sent a letter of state to propose marriage, and the marriage between the two countries is a done deal. I will write to Nan Yao and let Baozhu return to Dasheng."

She's already twenty-one this year. Do you have any thoughts on her marriage?

"Baozhu is Your Majesty's most beloved treasure, and also my dearest possession."

Still shaken by fear, the Empress lost her usual composure, saying, "In my heart, I feel that no one in this world is worthy of her."

Therefore, regarding her marriage, I will leave it to Your Majesty. Your Majesty dotes on her and will naturally find her a good match.

The emperor clenched his fists, a hint of displeasure creeping into his brow.

"Didn't you think about that?"

No matter how much a father loves his daughter, it doesn't preclude a mother from having the love she deserves.

How could a mother who truly loves her daughter not think about her future at her daughter's age?

For the first time, the emperor gazed at the empress with a scrutinizing look.

Gui Yao didn't reveal her skinned face just now, but instead mentioned a mutilated ghost to frighten the Empress, which shows that she doesn't trust the Empress and is testing her.

Just like when she first met him outside the palace, she suddenly took off her hat to scare him, which was actually a test to see if he knew about her being skinned and mutilated.

How much suffering must his daughter endure before she no longer trusts even her parents?

The empress's reaction was clearly abnormal.

If she did nothing wrong, why didn't she let Guiyao question the spirits of the dead?

The Empress sensed the Emperor's displeasure and apologized, "It is my fault. I always thought that the child was too sensible and had a hard life in the past."

For the rest of her life, I want her to be free and unrestrained. Whether she marries or whom she wants to marry, I want to respect her wishes.

She felt a surge of anger and resentment. If she hadn't said something about being possessed by a ghost, she wouldn't have lost her composure and hastily dealt with the emperor.

Once a person begins to doubt another person, it becomes very difficult to fully trust them again.

The emperor slowly narrowed his eyes. "Then I will have the Duke of Ningguo lead the Yilong Guard to personally receive Baozhu. In the meantime, you should think carefully about which young men are suitable."

The Empress's heart tightened.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Ningguo is over sixty years old. Is it inappropriate for him to travel such a long distance?"

"He and Baozhu shared a bond of camaraderie as comrades on the battlefield."

The emperor's voice was cold and resolute. "On the way home, we can talk about past battles. This will not only entertain Baozhu, but also let my son know that I have never forgotten her achievements. It is the most appropriate time."

"However, the Duke of Ningguo did not know that the one who fought alongside him that day was Baozhu."

The Empress's tone was tinged with urgency and worry, "Is Your Majesty informing the Duke of Ningguo? What should the Crown Prince do then?"

"Who says that discussing war means recounting the truth of what happened back then?"

The emperor's tone left no room for argument: "This matter is settled. I will write the official letter."

Seeing that she couldn't persuade him, the Empress forced a smile and said, "Then I'll do as Your Majesty says."

The emperor grunted in affirmation. "You may leave."

The empress in my line of sight was smiling as usual, but her expression was stiff and her eyes were wandering, as if she was thinking of a solution.

She was afraid that the Duke of Ningguo would go to Nanyao to pick up people.

Why?

The emperor gripped the brush tightly and forcefully drew a stroke on the paper, the brush breaking through the paper.

Did the Empress already know that Nan Yao's side was an imposter? If so, was Zhu Zhu'er's accident related to her?

Recalling Gui Yao's description of the female ghost, the emperor slammed his fist on the table, feeling a tearing pain in his chest as if it were being ripped apart by sharp claws.

If that was the suffering that Pearl had endured, he would definitely seek revenge against the real culprit a hundredfold or a thousandfold.

No matter who the other party is.

Meanwhile, Li Deshun led Gui Yao and Xiao Huaijin to the outside of a secluded palace. "Miss, this old servant may have some clues about the black robe."