This time, Sima Yuan was unable to escape. He was blown to pieces by the gunpowder buried underground. He didn't even have time to utter a word before he was scattered into fragments and fell into the dense forest.
west Xiu's eyes turned even redder. Seeing that Sima Yuan was also dead, and now everyone connected to her was dead, she had thought that she could die together with Ye Lingfeng and Ji Hailing today. However, they had discovered her. But she was not going to have an easy time. Don't think they would have an easy time either. Thinking of this, she screamed sharply.
“Ji Hailing, you caused me to lose my son, and you can forget about having a son either. I killed your son, and I killed him.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Hai Ling's head buzzed, and she couldn't utter a single word. Her body fell backward, and Shi Lan, who was right behind her, quickly reached out and caught her, calling out anxiously, "Your Highness, Your Highness."
Ye Lingfeng suddenly lunged forward, heading straight for Xi Xiu. His usually handsome face turned terrifyingly sinister and bloodthirsty. He reached out and grabbed Xi Xiu's neck. Xi Xiu was choked and couldn't breathe. Then she laughed sadly and screamed sharply.
"It's all this woman's fault. Yes, I used you, but why did I make you emperor? Actually, I thought you were more suitable to be emperor than Yi'er. But it's all because of this woman. Because of her, you don't even listen to me anymore. That's why I wanted Yi to become emperor. I nurtured you for more than 20 years, but in the end, my words were useless. That's why I wanted to destroy you."
Listening to her words, Ye Lingfeng felt that she was really too crazy, treating others as pawns and speaking so confidently. He spoke in a rough voice.
"Tell me, where is my son?"
"Your son?" Xi Xiu closed her eyes, refusing to utter another word. Ye Lingfeng knew what her expression meant; she wouldn't speak. What use was she if she wouldn't? This damned woman had harmed his son. His eyes were bloodshot with rage. Thinking of his son, he could no longer control his fury. He slapped her down, then flung Xi Xiu away. Her body flew like a leaf, landing in one of the spots his men had found earlier. With a deafening boom, this hateful, insane woman was finally blasted to pieces, mutilated beyond recognition…
Chapter 125 The Kitten Becomes an Apprentice
The New Year was filled with a heavy sense of oppression in the palace. Three days had passed since Xixiu was bombed. It should have been a time of joy, but a desolate atmosphere permeated the palace, especially in Liuyue Palace, where the maids and eunuchs had worried faces and their eyes were filled with anxiety.
The Empress fell ill, and her illness was severe and sudden. Neither the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital nor other doctors like Shi Mei could cure her. Everyone knew that the Empress's illness was caused by her heart, and that a heart ailment requires a heart remedy, not just medical skills.
Because the young prince has gone missing and has been kidnapped.
Many people were unaware of this before, but now everyone knows about the Empress's illness. Not only in the palace, but also among the ministers outside the palace and the people of Bianliang City, many people have heard about it and are discussing it. They never expected that the little prince would be kidnapped by Xi Xiu. Now that Xi Xiu has been killed, the little prince must have been killed by this madwoman. Some people even spontaneously went to look for her.
The whole capital was in an uproar, and naturally, the Ji family also learned about it.
Ji Cong and Ji Shaocheng immediately led Nalan Mingzhu into the palace to visit Hailing.
In the palace, Hai Ling was pale and had lost a lot of weight. Her eyes were lifeless, and she looked listless and without any energy. The imperial physician had applied medicine to her forehead and wrapped it with a white cloth bandage to invigorate her. However, as a result, she really looked like she had just recovered from a serious illness.
When Ji Cong and Ji Shaocheng saw their daughter like this, they couldn't help but feel anxious. In just a few days, Ling'er had become so thin. What would happen if she continued like this?
Thinking of this, Ji Cong choked up, sat down next to Hai Ling, and reached out to take her hand.
"Ling'er, don't be like this. The kitten will be alright. We haven't been able to find the kitten, have we? If you keep acting like this, who will take care of him if he comes back?"
Thinking of his beloved grandson, Ji Cong felt a sharp pang of heartache.
What did his precious grandson do to deserve this? That vile woman Xi Xiu is still trying to harm people even on her deathbed. Even if she dies, let her go to the deepest hell and never be reincarnated for doing such a despicable thing.
"She said she killed the kitten."
As soon as Hai Ling finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes again. Ever since that night at Black Wind Cliff when she killed Xi Xiu, all she could think about was the scene of her son being killed. Every time she thought about it, her heart ached and she was in unbearable pain. How could she have the face to live? Her son was still in her womb when she gave birth to him prematurely. Later, in order to save his father, she drew his blood, and now he had disappeared because of it.
Not only the Empress, but also the Empress Dowager of Lanqing Palace was in great pain and felt extremely guilty.
Therefore, the most exhausted person in the palace was Ye Lingfeng. On the one hand, he had to preside over state affairs, and on the other hand, he had to take care of Ling'er and his mother. He was not only physically exhausted, but also mentally exhausted. The little cat had disappeared, and his pain was no less than anyone else's. But now that Ling'er was sick, his mother was also filled with self-blame, so he had no choice but to force himself to take care of them.
"No, no."
When Nalan Mingzhu saw Hailing's expression and thought of Xiao Mao'er's cleverness, she shook her head repeatedly: "Ling'er, Xiao Mao'er is destined for great fortune and honor. He was born a prince, and his life is very precious, so don't worry. I think the most important thing right now is for you to get well, and then we will go to find Xiao Mao'er together. No matter what, we must find him."
Nalan Mingzhu verbally comforted Hailing, but in her heart she prayed, "Heavens, you can't be so cruel! If something happens to Xiao Mao'er, how will Ling'er and the Empress Dowager live? This will only harm two more people."
Ji Shaocheng nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Nalan Mingzhu's words: "Yes, Ling'er, how could you believe that woman Xixiu's words? Maybe the kitten isn't in her hands, but in someone else's. Otherwise, why would she use a fake child to deceive you? She could easily bring out the real kitten. The reason she did this is because the real kitten isn't in her hands. She did this to make you and Ye Lingfeng suffer."
As soon as Ji Shaocheng finished speaking, a voice echoed from outside the palace.
"That's what I think too."
Ye Lingfeng returned to check on Hai Ling because he was worried about her. He overheard Ji Shaocheng's words and agreed with him. Regardless of whether Ji Shaocheng's words were true or false, he knew he had to cheer up Ling'er. He had previously consulted the imperial physician, who said that if the Empress continued to suffer like this, even a miracle couldn't save her. So, the priority now was to keep hope in Ling'er's heart. As long as there was hope, she would get better.
Outside the screen, Ye Lingfeng walked in. His usually radiant face was now pale. Although it did not detract from his appearance, it was clear to everyone that the Emperor was feeling unwell.
Hai Ling leaned against the large bed in her palace, looking at the group of people inside. She shook her head. Xi Xiu's death had been a huge blow to her. She knew everyone was concerned about her, but her little kitten was probably really dead.
"No, little cat, little cat, it's my fault for letting him down."
As she spoke, she became sad again. Inside the palace, everyone was heavy-hearted and no one could say a word. The Empress was always intelligent, and their advice was of no use. Only if there was news of the kitten could she possibly cheer up.
Ye Lingfeng's gaze deepened as he seriously considered whether to devise a plan to cure Ling'er's illness first. However, remembering his promise not to lie to her, Ye Lingfeng became troubled again.
Just then, Shizhu slipped into the palace.
"Your Majesty, someone has brought a message into the palace gates and instructed a guard to deliver it to you personally."
Ye Lingfeng's face was grim, veiled in cold frost. He reached out and took the letter from Shi Zhu, opened it, and after reading for only a moment, he became excited. He rushed to Hai Ling, waving the letter in his hand.
"Ling'er, the kitten is indeed alright, he's fine."
Hai Ling didn't move, squinting at Ye Lingfeng: "You're lying to me, aren't you? Aren't you trying to lie to me?"
"I'm not lying to you. Feng Zixiao sent someone to deliver a letter saying that Little Cat is in his hands now. Look, look?"
Upon hearing Ye Lingfeng's words, Hai Ling's eyes flashed with excitement. She reached out and took the letter from Ye Lingfeng's hand, quickly reading it. The letter indeed stated that the kitten was in his hands. Besides recounting what had happened, it also mentioned that when Xi Xiu stole the kitten out of the palace, he saw it, so he attacked Xi Xiu and snatched the kitten. Now, if they wanted the kitten back, they should bring Sima Yuan in exchange. If they didn't bring Sima Yuan, they would exchange Hai Ling for him. If Ye Lingfeng was not willing, then they could forget about seeing the kitten.
Hai Ling had initially been suspicious of the letter, but after reading its contents, she no longer doubted it. The letter was so shameless that she couldn't imagine anyone else besides Feng Zixiao who could be so shameless. Why did he insist on having Ye Lingfeng take Sima Yuan to exchange for him? Since he had been in Bei Lu, he could naturally find out that Sima Yuan had been killed by them. Now he was bringing up this topic again, just to use it as a pretext for his other purpose: to exchange Hai Ling for Xiao Mao'er.
Although the purpose was shameful, Hailing couldn't refuse the thought of seeing the kitten and started meowing.
"Night, I'm going to do it. This time I must get the kitten back."
Inside the palace, Ye Lingfeng finally came to his senses. He had been so happy that the kitten was alright, but now, hearing Hai Ling's words, he remembered Feng Zixiao's shameless request and was furious. He quickly raised his hand and punched the screen behind him. With a crash, the screen shattered. Ye Lingfeng roared coldly and fiercely.
"Feng Zixiao, how could you make such a shameless request? I will absolutely not let him achieve his goal."