After seeing Yang Longyue off, Hong Beimo returned to the Diligent Governance Hall and reported their conversation along the way to Qiqi. After listening, Qiqi said, "Yang Longyue certainly isn't just sightseeing."
Hong Beimo said, "Yang Longyue is the most capable of the Fragrant Kingdom's princes, but his birth has kept him from prospering within the royal family. I have received word that someone has paid a considerable price to have him eliminated." Qiqi frowned. Yang Longyue was merely an ordinary prince of the Fragrant Kingdom. Who would want him dead? She quickly reached a conclusion. "Is it the king of the Fragrant Kingdom?"
Hong Beimo said quietly, "The Fragrant Kingdom's Empress Dowager."
Puzzled, Qiqi asked, "Her son has already ascended the throne. Why would she still want to strike at Yang Longyue?" Long Xuanjiao, the Fragrant Kingdom's Empress Dowager, was the younger sister of Great Kang's old emperor, Long Xuan'en. By seniority, Qiqi ought to address her as grandaunt.
Hong Beimo said, "The king of the Fragrant Kingdom is timid by nature. He usually cares only for literary pursuits and romantic pleasures, and cannot be bothered with affairs of state. The Empress Dowager has always held power, which has caused considerable grumbling among the Fragrant Kingdom's veteran officials. Yang Longyue, however, is a forceful man, skilled in warfare and decisive in his actions. He enjoys great support in the military, which has put the Empress Dowager on her guard. She therefore intended to use his attendance at Your Highness's wedding as an opportunity to eliminate him."
Qiqi snorted coldly. "Wouldn't that mean pinning the blame on me?"
Hong Beimo nodded. "Judging by the various signs, that is indeed possible."
Anger rose in Qiqi's heart. Years of famine and disaster had steadily weakened Great Kang, and now even its former