Chu Wei, upon hearing this, his eyes grew cold, but his voice remained gentle: "I'll accompany you."
Lou Xi nodded, escorting him out of the manor and onto the carriage, closing his eyes to rest.
Many things happened in these half a month, the Jinlong Temple was set on fire by some unknown person, killing nearly one hundred people.
Lou Zheng asked Pei Yan to investigate, but no matter how he searched, he couldn't find out who the person who set the fire was.
Wu You heard the news and was shocked. That day, after sending Wei Fuqu to return to the manor, he came to the princess's palace, only to receive a message that the palace was closed to visitors.
He did not think much and returned to the palace. However, that night, Jinlong Temple was burned down by a fire, and he came to the princess's palace first but did not even get in.
At that time, he regretted intervening in Lou Xi and Wei Fuqu's matter, but now it was too late to say anything.
During this period, Lou Zheng also sent people to look for her, but they did not meet her. He thought she might have changed her mind and wanted to let people break down the door to bring her into the palace.
But in the end, he didn't do so, only letting people keep an eye on the princess's manor at all times to prevent her from sneaking away.
Xu Jingxuan also came several times, but he too did not see Lou Xi. He had tried to climb over the wall but was driven back by Chu Wei and his bodyguards. In the end, he dared not barge in force.
During these half a month, Lou Yao and Xiao Renniao also saw a lot of improvement in their health.
Lou Yao was unwilling to accept that her child was killed by Lou Xi, so she found Wei Fuqu again to enter the palace and accuse Lou Xi.
Wei Fuqu knew that Lou Yao wanted to use her, but thinking of the humiliation she suffered that day, she still agreed.
Lou Yao took advantage of the opportunity to appear before the imperial court, bringing along Xiao Lao madam and Wei Fuqu, and making accusations against Lou Xi in front of the literati and military officials.
She knew that Lou Zheng was very protective of Lou Xi, but she didn't believe that Lou Zheng could still protect her in the face of the literati and military officials, unless he didn't want to be the emperor anymore.
The carriage was silent as it quickly entered the palace and stopped on the palace road.
Lou Xi got off the carriage, accompanied by Chu Wei and Wanxiang, and headed straight to the palace.
After being away for so long, it's about time they knew she was no longer just a vase princess.
When they arrived at the grand hall, Lou Xi did not wait for anyone to let her in or report it, but walked in directly with her entourage.
Just as she entered, she heard Lou Yao's weak and helpless voice: "Brother, I know that my sister-in-law has suffered injustice in Xichang for these years. I also don't want to cause such a fuss. However, my unborn child is also innocent. As well as the Old Lady and my mother-in-law, husband, they are also innocent. Even if my sister-in-law is angry, it should not be…"
"Your Sister," Lou Xi could no longer contain herself and interrupted her, "You haven't had enough fun performing at the general's mansion, have you? Now you're planning to set up your stage in the palace?"
When she saw her, a trace of maliciousness flashed in her eyes, but she pretended to be scared and hid behind Xiao Renniao.
Xiao Renniao looked coldly at Lou Xi, holding her hand and speaking softly: "Yao'er, don't be afraid."
Lou Yao hid behind Xiao Renniao, looking at Lou Xi with a challenging expression, as if to say, "See? He has only me in his heart. He loves only me."
She wanted to provoke Lou Xi to start a fight in front of the literati and military officials, so that she would be protected by Lou Zheng when she was in trouble.
Unfortunately, Lou Xi did not respond to Lou Yao's provocative gaze. Instead, she turned to look at Lou Zheng and asked: "Young Brother, do I need to pay my respects?"
Lou Zheng stepped down from the throne, taking her outstretched hand, and said, "I've already said that, sister, you don't need to bow to anyone."
After saying that, he had a chair brought over next to the throne and walked her over to it.
Lou Xi did not refuse, instead, she raised her corner of the mouth in a mocking manner as she passed by Lou Yao, as if to say, you are just a clown.
Lou Yao was so angry that her teeth were grinding together, and she couldn't help but say, "Brother, are you going to protect my sister?"
Lou Zheng was about to say something, but Lou Xi beat him to it by withdrawing her hand and turning to look at Lou Yao, saying: "What did you say, Your Sister? What have I done that needs my brother-in-law to protect me?"
Although she hated her in her heart, Lou Yao still pretended to be afraid on her face: "Sister, no one knows what you did better than you. You stabbed me in the abdomen and caused me to lose my baby. You also wounded my husband, and had someone cut off my mother-in-law's hand and severely beat the Old Lady before sending her back to the general's mansion. How can you just pretend that you know nothing about it?"
Everyone in the grand hall, including Pei Yan and Xu Jingxuan, were taken aback after hearing this. They had all thought that Lou Xi would deny it, but to their surprise, she said, "These things were indeed done by me."
Luo Yao also did not expect her to admit it, and when she realized it, she quickly said, "Brother, she admitted it herself."
Lou Zheng did not understand why Lou Xi would take the blame, but he still said, "If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't have taken any action against you."
"Brother, do you know what you're saying?" Lou Yao suspected she had heard incorrectly. At this point, he was still trying to protect Lou Xi.
Some officials in the grand hall couldn't take it anymore and started to speak up one by one: "Even if there were any mistakes made by Yongan Princess and Xiao General, the eldest princess shouldn't have taken such severe measures."
"Yes, the Old Lady Xiao has been on the battlefield and killed enemies with her husband, General Xiao."
"And General Xiao, without him, how could we have easily taken over Xiliang? How could the Eldest Princess have a chance to reclaim our territory?"
"Your Majesty, the Xiao family has been loyal for generations. You have to give them a fair trial. You can't let General Xiao's heart be cold."
"Yes, Your Majesty, if it wasn't for the several generals of the Xiao family in our ancestors, we would have been extinct long ago. You cannot let the loyal soldiers of the Xiao family feel disheartened."
"Please Your Majesty, severely punish the Eldest Princess and give the Xiao family justice." This was said by the Minister of War, the father of Xin Consort, who knelt on the ground begging Lou Zheng to punish Lou Xi severely.
Xin Consort suddenly died, although Lou Zheng suppressed the cause of her death, saying it was an accident and that she drowned after falling into a carp pond.
But he still found out something related to Lou Xi. He was determined to take revenge, so how could he possibly let this opportunity go.
With the Minister of War's words, half of the ministers in the hall also knelt down.
"Please Your Majesty, severely punish the Eldest Princess and give the Xiao family justice."
Pei Yan and Xu Jingxuan stood among those who had not knelt, their gazes both falling on Lou Xi.
The half that were kneeling were mostly people from the Dowager Wei and her family, as well as several generals who were friends with Xiao Renniao, along with students of Xiao Lao's father.
Lou Zheng's face was ashen and terrifying, and he really wanted to execute them all at once.
Lou Yao saw this and a trace of cold smile flashed in her eyes. Lou Xi, I wonder how you are going to leave the palace alive today.
Lou Xi swept her gaze over the people in the hall, finally settling on Pei Yan.
He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but Pei Yan felt as if she was smiling at him. It was a very light, very faint, yet very gentle smile.
"Has everyone finished?" Lou Xi looked away, her face holding a smile, but the smile did not reach her eyes. Her voice was as cold as ice: "If you have all finished speaking, perhaps it's time to settle down and listen to a few words from me."
