Leaving the cold palace, Ji Ling Xue changed her direction, she had planned to go through the imperial garden to the palace gates, if she fortunately came across to an official's carriage at the palace gate, she would be lucky enough to leave.
Ji Ling Xue had only just entered the imperial garden when she felt something was wrong, it felt like she had entered a trap, otherwise how else would she keep on returning to where she started.
Ji Ling Xue looked at the sun above her head, she encourage herself, she changed directions and continued onwards.
Passing a group of rockery, Ji Ling Xue wiped the sweat from her forehead, "I've finally made my way out!"
"Your majesty!" Ji Ling Xue had only finished catching her breath, her heart squeezed, she unexpectedly came across Xiao Yi Chen.
She tilted her head looking at where the voice came from, bending over she hid behind a short bush.
At this moment Xiao Yi Chen and Bai Mo walked by side by side.
Bai Mo said: "Your majesty, you have to look after your wound properly, don't exhaust yourself, the wound won't heal nicely."
Xiao Yi Chen smiled indifferently: "With a miracle doctor here, how can we be afraid a small wound won't heal?"
Ji Ling Xue: Xiao Yi Chen was indeed injured, seeing the way he walks, it appears to be an external wound.
Bai Mo said: "Your majesty, I heard Xiao Yi Mo is still locked in the imperial prison?"
Xiao Yi Chen gave an en, back then he had flown into a rage at Xiao Yi Chen over Ji Ling Xue's death, even though he forced him to abdicate the throne, but Xiao Yi Mo had treated him well over these years, the old officials were mainly in Xiao Yi Mo's fraction, they also asked him where Xiao Yi Mo had gone.
As a benevolent emperor, he didn't want to carry the crime of murdering his brother for his position.
Xiao Yi Chen looked over at Bai Mo, a smile yet not a smile appeared on her lips, "You didn't come into the palace today to treat us, you came as Xiao Yi Mo's advocate?"
Bai Mo looked like he was wrongly accused, cupping his hand: "Look at you, getting more suspicious after being the emperor, I only wanted to urge you not to carry out another massacre, imperial uncle and the former empress's death were enough to quell your anger, when Xiao Yi Mo was the emperor he was benevolent, and wasn't a bad emperor."
Xiao Yi Chen waved his hand: "We know this, you don't need to say it, although he's in the imperial prison, we still treat him very well, his food and clothing are to the same levels as before."
He only couldn't see daylight, he still hadn't decided how to deal with him, let's leave thing like it is.
Bai Mo patted Xiao Yi Chen on the shoulder, "I'm relieved to hear you think like this."
The two of them walked passed a row of flowering trees, Bai Mo patted the fallen flowers from his shoulder, changing topics: "Your majesty, nothing special happened yesterday right?" He blinked as he spoke, gossip written across his face.
Xiao Yi Chen looked over at Bai Mo, smiling yet not a smile he asked: "What special thing happened yesterday?"
Bai Mo hurriedly shook his head, he only wanted to know if Xiao Yi Chen knew Zhi Xue was Ji Ling Xue, Zhi Hao had lost her, Yuchi Ru Ge would naturally complain to Xiao Yi Chen, but he didn't know if Xiao Yi Chen's men had taken Ji Ling Xue, he was very curious, he really wanted to know.
Xiao Yi Chen coughed: "Last night we asked Chi Feng to go set a trap to catch Yuchi Gong Ru, if that scoundrel entered the city it wouldn't be good for anyone."
Bai Mo gave an oh, this wasn't the gossip he wanted, he was somewhat disappointed, "That Yuchi Gong Ru is so cunning, now the prime minister is personally making a move, did he catch him?"
Xiao Yi Chen spread out his hands, very honestly replying: "No, Chi Feng that person is like that, getting to him catch a fish, he would find a fishing net with a hole."
The two of their voices gradually faded away, Ji Ling Xue curled her lips, with her waist bent over she quickly moved forward, with a few steps, a pair of embroidered shoes appeared in front of her eyes, moving up from the top of the shoes, Ji Ling Xue called out: "Head maid, you're also getting some sun, such a coincidence!"
The head old maid turned the whip in her hand as she gave a fake smile to Ji Ling Xue, "Damn girl, soo you're hiding here to slack off, you made me look for you!" As soon as she spoke the whip followed.
Ji Ling Xue hurriedly covered her face and dodged, "Maid please spare me!" She ran away as she spoke.
"Stand still, damn girl still dare to run!" The head maid wildly chased after her brandishing the whip.
Ji Ling Xue's lips twitched, the head maid must have reached menopause, her mood was so bad! If she didn't run any quicker she'd lose a layer of skin.
Xiao Yi Chen had just passed by here, she now needed his help yet she couldn't catch up to him?
Ji Ling Xue opened her mouth, wanting to call Xiao Yi Chen by his name, then having second thoughts she remembered he was now the emperor, if she called him by his full name her back would be twisted, she'll be beaten half to death, forget about it, it was better to save herself!
Ji Ling Xue dodged again then entered back into the trap from before, effortlessly avoiding the whip Ji Ling Xue smiled pleased with herself, the next moment her feet touched nothing, she could only give a short shout "ah" her body fell into darkness.
Ji Ling Xue rubbed her sore arms and legs, she looked up to where she fell from, the mechanism had already closed back up, it was darkness above her
Ji Ling Xue: "Why would there be a secret tunnel here?"
It wasn't rare for rumours of secret tunnels in the palace, generations of emperors specially set these up to protect themselves, but where did this tunnel lead to?
Ji Ling Xue slowly walked forward feeling the wall, the secret tunnel was very narrow, it only allowed one person at a time, being in the darkness it was hard not to be scared.
Ji Ling Xue gritted her teeth and braved it, fortunately she very quickly reached the end, the surrounding light allowed her to see it was a small secret prison, there was someone inside, it just happened to be Xiao Yi Mo the one Xiao Yi Chen said he didn't know how to deal with.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, Xiao Yi Mo raised his head, he was rather astonished to see Ji Ling Xue, "You're not dead?!"
Even though he was inside a prison, Xiao Yi Mo hadn't become haggard, his hair was carefully combed, his clothes tidy, even though they were plain clothing, his emperor manner still rose from beneath the surface, he appeared very esteemed.
Ji Ling Xue laughed: "Your majesty why are you here?" She had heard what Xiao Yi Chen had just said, wasn't he locked up in the imperial prison?
A rather satirical smile appeared on Xiao Yi Mo's lips: "Sister-in-law you really are great, my imperial brother is very in love with you, taking the crown in a rage for a beauty, he suddenly stole our country, tore our family apart and put us in prison."
Ji Ling Xue looked around, she didn't see anyone guarding him, she couldn't help feel suspicious.
Xiao Yi Mo said: "Don't look around, there is only us here...hehe, I'm no longer the emperor, I should calling ourselves as us."
Ji Ling Xue asked: "Do you know where the exit is?"
Xiao Yi Chen looked at Ji Ling Xue strangely, he remembered how Ji Ling Xue and he got along, they had drank and played together, now things have remained the same but people have changed, Ji Ling Xue was the same as before.
"How did you come here?" Since she didn't come to laugh at him, then she also didn't come to see him, so how did she get here.
Ji Ling Xue shrugged, "I accidentally stepped on a switch and fell down."
Xiao Yi Mo's lips twitched, that's when he discovered Ji Ling Xue was dressed as a maid, her clothes were also rather dirty, rather torn, she really didn't seem to be lying.
Xiao Yi Mo again said: "Why are you dressed in this way? I heard after my younger brother ascended the throne he bestowed you with the position of empress with unlimited favour." But the scene in front of them wasn't the same as what he had heard.
Ji Ling Xue said: "It's a long story, I was forced into the palace by someone, I actually don't want to be here at all."
Xiao Yi Mo blinked, "If you can let me out, I'll take you out of the palace, how about it?"
Ji Ling Xue nodded, "Fine!" She took a hairpin from her hair and inserted it into the keyhole, with a twist and turn, she heard a kachack, the metal lock was unlocked, Xiao Yi Mo happily pushed the iron gates open and walked out.
Xiao Yi Mo laughed loudly twice, raising his hand he grasped Ji Ling Xue's neck, his eyes gradually turning fierce.
Ji Ling Xue's eyes widened, Xiao Yi Mo's martial arts wasn't bad, she was like a rabbit outside a tiger's den, his large hand restricted her breathing, her body was powerless.
Xiao Yi Mo said: "I'm sorry, I lied to you, rather than leaving the palace with you, I want to kill you and Xiao Yi Chen to avenge by wife and child, the country can only belong to me!"
Ji Ling Xue only felt her throat was going to be crushed by him, the suffocation made her mind blank, how did Xiao Yi Mo become like this, he was completely different from the older brother she remembered him as, was it because of the empress's death?
Ji Ling Xue struggled to get out: "Xiao Yi Chen didn't kill your wife and child, the imperial consort is now in the cold palace, the young crown prince and princess were bestowed titles and lands, there are specialists who care for their everyday life...Xiao Yi Mo, believe me, I only said the truth."
Xiao Yi Mo finally returned to his senses, his hand loosened, fresh air poured in, Ji Ling Xue who almost suffocated to death was extremely moved.
Xiao Yi Mo said: "Really?"
Ji Ling Xue used all her strength to nod, "Really, I swear, if you leave you'll find out."
Xiao Yi Mo nodded, "Very well, leave the palace with me."
In the imperial study, the head maid knelt weakly with her head lowered in front of Xiao Yi Chen, forcing her voice to sound calm, "Your majesty..."
Xiao Yi Chen raised a portrait to show the head maid: "Have you seen the woman in the painting?"
The head maid looked up towards the painting in Xiao Yi Chen's hand, her pupils suddenly shrunk, using all her strength to nod: "I've seen her, this servant has seen the woman in the painting before."
Xiao Yi Chen nodded, "Very well, then you bring that woman to see us now."
The head maid's jaw almost touched the floor, she had heard the emperor was focused on one person, he was only fond of the empress who had passed away, but it doesn't seem to be true?
The head maid silently cursed in her heart, "In response to his majesty, the woman in the painting is a new maid of the imperial kitchen, she disappeared after an afternoon of work today."
Xiao Yi Chen suddenly stood up approaching the old maid, scaring her so much her legs shook, "Disappeared, have you looked for her, why did no one report to us?"
The head maid's soul almost left her body in fright as a cold sweat broke out, "Just now this servant saw her slacking off in the imperial garden, I was going to teach her a lesson, I didn't expect her to run very quickly, this servant didn't manage to catch up, then this servant was called by the eunuch to see your majesty."
Xiao Yi Chen's figure shimmered, the head maid only felt a strong breeze past her, when she looked again Xiao Yi Chen could no longer be seen.
Xiao Yi Chen stood in front of the limestone mechanism that Ji Ling Xue had fallen down, stooping down he picked up a few strands of hair, he looked up at the sun, Xiao Yi Chen muttered, "It can't be that much of a coincidence!"
He stamped his foot, the tightly fitted limestone moved apart from either side, a narrow tunnel appearing.
Leaving the cold palace, Ji Ling Xue changed her direction, she had planned to go through the imperial garden to the palace gates, if she fortunately came across to an official's carriage at the palace gate, she would be lucky enough to leave.
Ji Ling Xue had only just entered the imperial garden when she felt something was wrong, it felt like she had entered a trap, otherwise how else would she keep on returning to where she started.
Ji Ling Xue looked at the sun above her head, she encourage herself, she changed directions and continued onwards.
Passing a group of rockery, Ji Ling Xue wiped the sweat from her forehead, "I've finally made my way out!"
"Your majesty!" Ji Ling Xue had only finished catching her breath, her heart squeezed, she unexpectedly came across Xiao Yi Chen.
She tilted her head looking at where the voice came from, bending over she hid behind a short bush.
At this moment Xiao Yi Chen and Bai Mo walked by side by side.
Bai Mo said: "Your majesty, you have to look after your wound properly, don't exhaust yourself, the wound won't heal nicely."
Xiao Yi Chen smiled indifferently: "With a miracle doctor here, how can we be afraid a small wound won't heal?"
Ji Ling Xue: Xiao Yi Chen was indeed injured, seeing the way he walks, it appears to be an external wound.
Bai Mo said: "Your majesty, I heard Xiao Yi Mo is still locked in the imperial prison?"
Xiao Yi Chen gave an en, back then he had flown into a rage at Xiao Yi Chen over Ji Ling Xue's death, even though he forced him to abdicate the throne, but Xiao Yi Mo had treated him well over these years, the old officials were mainly in Xiao Yi Mo's fraction, they also asked him where Xiao Yi Mo had gone.
As a benevolent emperor, he didn't want to carry the crime of murdering his brother for his position.
Xiao Yi Chen looked over at Bai Mo, a smile yet not a smile appeared on her lips, "You didn't come into the palace today to treat us, you came as Xiao Yi Mo's advocate?"
Bai Mo looked like he was wrongly accused, cupping his hand: "Look at you, getting more suspicious after being the emperor, I only wanted to urge you not to carry out another massacre, imperial uncle and the former empress's death were enough to quell your anger, when Xiao Yi Mo was the emperor he was benevolent, and wasn't a bad emperor."
Xiao Yi Chen waved his hand: "We know this, you don't need to say it, although he's in the imperial prison, we still treat him very well, his food and clothing are to the same levels as before."
He only couldn't see daylight, he still hadn't decided how to deal with him, let's leave thing like it is.
Bai Mo patted Xiao Yi Chen on the shoulder, "I'm relieved to hear you think like this."
The two of them walked passed a row of flowering trees, Bai Mo patted the fallen flowers from his shoulder, changing topics: "Your majesty, nothing special happened yesterday right?" He blinked as he spoke, gossip written across his face.
Xiao Yi Chen looked over at Bai Mo, smiling yet not a smile he asked: "What special thing happened yesterday?"
Bai Mo hurriedly shook his head, he only wanted to know if Xiao Yi Chen knew Zhi Xue was Ji Ling Xue, Zhi Hao had lost her, Yuchi Ru Ge would naturally complain to Xiao Yi Chen, but he didn't know if Xiao Yi Chen's men had taken Ji Ling Xue, he was very curious, he really wanted to know.
Xiao Yi Chen coughed: "Last night we asked Chi Feng to go set a trap to catch Yuchi Gong Ru, if that scoundrel entered the city it wouldn't be good for anyone."
Bai Mo gave an oh, this wasn't the gossip he wanted, he was somewhat disappointed, "That Yuchi Gong Ru is so cunning, now the prime minister is personally making a move, did he catch him?"
Xiao Yi Chen spread out his hands, very honestly replying: "No, Chi Feng that person is like that, getting to him catch a fish, he would find a fishing net with a hole."
The two of their voices gradually faded away, Ji Ling Xue curled her lips, with her waist bent over she quickly moved forward, with a few steps, a pair of embroidered shoes appeared in front of her eyes, moving up from the top of the shoes, Ji Ling Xue called out: "Head maid, you're also getting some sun, such a coincidence!"
The head old maid turned the whip in her hand as she gave a fake smile to Ji Ling Xue, "Damn girl, soo you're hiding here to slack off, you made me look for you!" As soon as she spoke the whip followed.
Ji Ling Xue hurriedly covered her face and dodged, "Maid please spare me!" She ran away as she spoke.
"Stand still, damn girl still dare to run!" The head maid wildly chased after her brandishing the whip.
Ji Ling Xue's lips twitched, the head maid must have reached menopause, her mood was so bad! If she didn't run any quicker she'd lose a layer of skin.
Xiao Yi Chen had just passed by here, she now needed his help yet she couldn't catch up to him?
Ji Ling Xue opened her mouth, wanting to call Xiao Yi Chen by his name, then having second thoughts she remembered he was now the emperor, if she called him by his full name her back would be twisted, she'll be beaten half to death, forget about it, it was better to save herself!
Ji Ling Xue dodged again then entered back into the trap from before, effortlessly avoiding the whip Ji Ling Xue smiled pleased with herself, the next moment her feet touched nothing, she could only give a short shout "ah" her body fell into darkness.
Ji Ling Xue rubbed her sore arms and legs, she looked up to where she fell from, the mechanism had already closed back up, it was darkness above her
Ji Ling Xue: "Why would there be a secret tunnel here?"
It wasn't rare for rumours of secret tunnels in the palace, generations of emperors specially set these up to protect themselves, but where did this tunnel lead to?
Ji Ling Xue slowly walked forward feeling the wall, the secret tunnel was very narrow, it only allowed one person at a time, being in the darkness it was hard not to be scared.
Ji Ling Xue gritted her teeth and braved it, fortunately she very quickly reached the end, the surrounding light allowed her to see it was a small secret prison, there was someone inside, it just happened to be Xiao Yi Mo the one Xiao Yi Chen said he didn't know how to deal with.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, Xiao Yi Mo raised his head, he was rather astonished to see Ji Ling Xue, "You're not dead?!"
Even though he was inside a prison, Xiao Yi Mo hadn't become haggard, his hair was carefully combed, his clothes tidy, even though they were plain clothing, his emperor manner still rose from beneath the surface, he appeared very esteemed.
Ji Ling Xue laughed: "Your majesty why are you here?" She had heard what Xiao Yi Chen had just said, wasn't he locked up in the imperial prison?
A rather satirical smile appeared on Xiao Yi Mo's lips: "Sister-in-law you really are great, my imperial brother is very in love with you, taking the crown in a rage for a beauty, he suddenly stole our country, tore our family apart and put us in prison."
Ji Ling Xue looked around, she didn't see anyone guarding him, she couldn't help feel suspicious.
Xiao Yi Mo said: "Don't look around, there is only us here...hehe, I'm no longer the emperor, I should calling ourselves as us."
Ji Ling Xue asked: "Do you know where the exit is?"
Xiao Yi Chen looked at Ji Ling Xue strangely, he remembered how Ji Ling Xue and he got along, they had drank and played together, now things have remained the same but people have changed, Ji Ling Xue was the same as before.
"How did you come here?" Since she didn't come to laugh at him, then she also didn't come to see him, so how did she get here.
Ji Ling Xue shrugged, "I accidentally stepped on a switch and fell down."
Xiao Yi Mo's lips twitched, that's when he discovered Ji Ling Xue was dressed as a maid, her clothes were also rather dirty, rather torn, she really didn't seem to be lying.
Xiao Yi Mo again said: "Why are you dressed in this way? I heard after my younger brother ascended the throne he bestowed you with the position of empress with unlimited favour." But the scene in front of them wasn't the same as what he had heard.
Ji Ling Xue said: "It's a long story, I was forced into the palace by someone, I actually don't want to be here at all."
Xiao Yi Mo blinked, "If you can let me out, I'll take you out of the palace, how about it?"
Ji Ling Xue nodded, "Fine!" She took a hairpin from her hair and inserted it into the keyhole, with a twist and turn, she heard a kachack, the metal lock was unlocked, Xiao Yi Mo happily pushed the iron gates open and walked out.
Xiao Yi Mo laughed loudly twice, raising his hand he grasped Ji Ling Xue's neck, his eyes gradually turning fierce.
Ji Ling Xue's eyes widened, Xiao Yi Mo's martial arts wasn't bad, she was like a rabbit outside a tiger's den, his large hand restricted her breathing, her body was powerless.
Xiao Yi Mo said: "I'm sorry, I lied to you, rather than leaving the palace with you, I want to kill you and Xiao Yi Chen to avenge by wife and child, the country can only belong to me!"
Ji Ling Xue only felt her throat was going to be crushed by him, the suffocation made her mind blank, how did Xiao Yi Mo become like this, he was completely different from the older brother she remembered him as, was it because of the empress's death?
Ji Ling Xue struggled to get out: "Xiao Yi Chen didn't kill your wife and child, the imperial consort is now in the cold palace, the young crown prince and princess were bestowed titles and lands, there are specialists who care for their everyday life...Xiao Yi Mo, believe me, I only said the truth."
Xiao Yi Mo finally returned to his senses, his hand loosened, fresh air poured in, Ji Ling Xue who almost suffocated to death was extremely moved.
Xiao Yi Mo said: "Really?"
Ji Ling Xue used all her strength to nod, "Really, I swear, if you leave you'll find out."
Xiao Yi Mo nodded, "Very well, leave the palace with me."
In the imperial study, the head maid knelt weakly with her head lowered in front of Xiao Yi Chen, forcing her voice to sound calm, "Your majesty..."
Xiao Yi Chen raised a portrait to show the head maid: "Have you seen the woman in the painting?"
The head maid looked up towards the painting in Xiao Yi Chen's hand, her pupils suddenly shrunk, using all her strength to nod: "I've seen her, this servant has seen the woman in the painting before."
Xiao Yi Chen nodded, "Very well, then you bring that woman to see us now."
The head maid's jaw almost touched the floor, she had heard the emperor was focused on one person, he was only fond of the empress who had passed away, but it doesn't seem to be true?
The head maid silently cursed in her heart, "In response to his majesty, the woman in the painting is a new maid of the imperial kitchen, she disappeared after an afternoon of work today."
Xiao Yi Chen suddenly stood up approaching the old maid, scaring her so much her legs shook, "Disappeared, have you looked for her, why did no one report to us?"
The head maid's soul almost left her body in fright as a cold sweat broke out, "Just now this servant saw her slacking off in the imperial garden, I was going to teach her a lesson, I didn't expect her to run very quickly, this servant didn't manage to catch up, then this servant was called by the eunuch to see your majesty."
Xiao Yi Chen's figure shimmered, the head maid only felt a strong breeze past her, when she looked again Xiao Yi Chen could no longer be seen.
Xiao Yi Chen stood in front of the limestone mechanism that Ji Ling Xue had fallen down, stooping down he picked up a few strands of hair, he looked up at the sun, Xiao Yi Chen muttered, "It can't be that much of a coincidence!"
He stamped his foot, the tightly fitted limestone moved apart from either side, a narrow tunnel appearing.
