Long Tingsheng was scared out of his wits and cried, "You're spouting utter lies! When did you ever tell me..."
Empress Jian shrieked, "Guards! Drag this little bitch outside and beat her to death!"
Ji Feihua smiled. "Your Majesty is rather too eager to kill her and silence her."
Empress Jian said in a trembling voice, "Minister Ji, this little girl is full of tricks, sinister and deceitful. You mustn't believe a word she says!"
Ji Feihua said, "I will judge for myself what is true and what is false. Guards! See to the safety of Her Majesty and the First Prince. Without my orders, no one may enter or leave Xinning Palace." His gaze settled on Qiqi's deathly pale little face, and he said softly, "You're so young, yet you've done so many things you shouldn't behind the adults' backs."
Tears and mucus streamed down Qiqi's face. "I know I was wrong. I'll never carry letters for him again."
Ji Feihua said to Murong Zhan, "Commander Murong, protect Princess Yongyang personally. Once I've finished here, we'll take the Little Princess to Spirit Firmament Palace to visit the Retired Emperor."
Hu Xiaotian returned to Qichen Palace intending to rest, only for Xi Yan to summon him again.
Entering her chambers, he saw the brightly lit room and Xi Yan sitting at a table set with four small dishes and a pot of fine wine.
Rather surprised, Hu Xiaotian asked, "Who are you waiting for, Your Highness?"
Xi Yan sighed wistfully. "Who in this world besides you is worth waiting for?"
Overwhelmed by the favor, Hu Xiaotian said, "Now that I've heard you say that, Your Highness, even dying this very moment would be worth it."
Xi Yan smiled. "You won't die that easily. If you did, who knows how many