as she glared at the maid lying on the ground. "Damn you! Didn't you promise me this would be foolproof What happened""Spare me, Miss! Spare me, please! I... I really heard the doctor say that this...The Empress didn't expect Xizi Ke'er to be so difficult to deal with.

If it were truly as she said, and an imperial decree was issued, the matter would be settled. Of course, she didn't want things to end this way.

After all, she really didn't want Xizi Ke'er to become her successor.

If she were to establish a successor now, she feared that after Xi ZI Ke'er gained some power, she might do something to her as the Empress.

After all, the mother and daughter had already developed a rift, once reaching a point of bitter conflict.

She didn't believe Xizi Ke'er had no hatred for her.

Because being born into royalty, there's no such thing as familial affection.

So she couldn't possibly believe Xizi Ke'er would have a change of heart.

The atmosphere in the main hall froze.

The Queen did not directly answer Xi Zi Ke'er's question, and was reluctant to give her a definite answer.

Her icy eyes were fixed straight on Xizi Ke'er, who stood rigidly in the main hall, as if she wanted to see into her heart.

It's a pity that Xizi now is no longer the innocent princess she used to be a few years ago.

Over the past year, she saw through the so-called mother-daughter and sisterly feelings around her.

Already knowing how to survive safely in such a royal court.

For a moment, both sides were at an impasse. Xizi Ke'er didn't budge, and the Empress remained unyielding.

The ministers in the main hall dared not even breathe.

After an unknown amount of time, the Queen eventually made the first concession.

After all, if they delay any longer, An Xuetang and the others might very well escape back successfully.

The Empress gritted her teeth, fists clenched, glared fiercely at Xizi Ker, but eventually raised her hand to signal a eunuch beside her to step forward.

She didn't answer Xizi Ke'er's words, but she proved her agreement with Xizi Ke'er's proposal through action.

Seeing the Empress's action, Xizi Ke'er raised an eyebrow. She truly hadn't expected the Empress to be so agreeable.

She still couldn't believe the Empress could issue such a decree so easily.

It seems the Empress truly intends to put the Northern Border Princess to death, preventing her from leaving the territory of Xiliang.

......

It's just a matter of drafting an imperial decree; it won't take long at all.

Moments later, the queen had gathered everything that Xi Zi Ke'er needed.

The empress, acting swiftly upon the imperial decree, immediately ordered Xizi Ke'er to lead troops and apprehend the princess of Beijang.

Now that she has gotten what she wanted, Xizi Ke'er has no reason to delay any longer.

After receiving the imperial edict and leaving the palace, she ordered the people in the Princess's Mansion to spread the news that the Empress had issued an order to establish a successor.

Immediately, they set off with their own personal guards and the Imperial Guard sent by the Empress to the border between Tianba Kingdom and Xiliang Kingdom.

Because everyone assumed that after controlling Xizi Panger, the Princess of Beijang would definitely choose to return to Tianba Country, so rushing to the border between the two countries at this time would surely allow them to intercept the Princess of Beijang's entourage.

......

Having left the capital of Xiliang, Xi Zi Ke'er thoughtfully turned her head to look at the large group of followers trailing behind them. Her deep eyes narrowed slightly.

Of course she knew what this pack of people following her meant.

These Imperial Guards are nothing but her mother's spies, watching her every move.

If she doesn't obediently go after receiving the imperial decree to arrest the princess of Beijang, then these people following her will take action against her.

She just thought her mother-in-law underestimated her a bit too much. Did she really think that sending just this small group of people could do anything to her

At this moment, Xizi Ke'er's trusted confidant rode forward on horseback. He followed Xizi Ke'er's gaze and looked back, then lowered his voice and asked, "Your Highness, what do you plan to do next"

Without needing to explicitly state it, Xizi could easily understand the meaning behind his words.

All I'm wondering is, will she actually make a move against the Princess of Beijiang

Now that she has successfully attained the position of crown princess, it would be wise to distance herself from the Northern Border Princess at this juncture.

No matter what, the Princess of Beijiang was a benefactor to her.

Whether it was sparing her life and letting her see the true face of Xizi Panger in Beijang City, or gifting her explosives to save her life recently, both were immense favors to her.

But in order to kill the Northern Border Princess, her mother, after much agonizing, still agreed to her terms and issued an imperial decree.

This is enough to show that her mother truly wanted to kill the Northern Border Princess.

If she does not obediently follow her mother's orders, the position of crown prince she has so painstakingly obtained will likely be lost.

This could even lead to her completely angering her mother, causing a complete rift between them.

By then, she and the Princely House behind her would have no foothold left in Xiliang.

So, should she take a gamble after all Should she defy her mother's orders

To be honest, she hadn't really thought it through.

It wasn't just her who was unsure of what to do, even all those closest to her began to waver.

I don't know if I should follow the Queen's orders this time.

If something goes wrong, it's the King of Beijang you'll offend.

If they do not act, Xizi Ke'er and all her guards, everything they have planned these days will be in vain, and even everyone associated with her could lose their lives.

So, this is definitely a difficult decision to make.

After the guard asked this question, he waited for Xi Zicai's response for a long time, but there was none. He realized that for their people in the palace, making a choice was indeed difficult.

Xizi Ke'er was silent for a while, without giving a direct answer to her confidante's question.

Her expression was bland, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

At this moment, he simply said in a leisurely manner, "The King and Queen of the Northern Frontier have already met. You say they are so loving, even if they cannot be born on the same day, wouldn't it be less regrettable if they could die on the same day"

"!!!"

As soon as she uttered those words, the trusted confidant beside her abruptly lifted his head and gave her a penetrating stare.

All the intelligent people understood their lord's choice instantly.

Although I felt incredible, after thinking about it carefully, I found it to be quite reasonable.

After the shock, he didn't say anything and simply lowered his head in response, "Understood, my lord."

Xizi Ke'er didn't speak again. She looked up at the scorching sun, took a deep breath, and then, as if she had made up her mind, raised the whip in her hand and lashed the horse's rump.

The horse beneath him instantly neighed and galloped forward.

……

Soon after Xi Tzu Ke'er led her troops away, the eunuchs by the Empress' side rushed back to report.

"Your Majesty, Princess Ca'er has already left the city with her personal guards and Your Majesty's Imperial Guard."

The Empress remained impassive, silent for a moment before speaking, "Proceed as planned. Take people to the princess's residence immediately and search thoroughly."ul to you today. Would you like Ning'er to 'quietly and soundlessly' teach her a lesson"An Xuetang regained her senses and curled her lips into a smile. "No need, she's had enough anger today. However...