197: The Eldest Princess's Visit!
Crown Prince's voice was full of helplessness.
He had used all the power he could muster, yet he hadn't been able to find even a single hair of the opponent.
This feeling made him feel an unprecedented sense of frustration!
However, after Li Qing finished listening, there was not the slightest hint of surprise on his face.
He just nodded.
"I see."
He turned around, his gaze looking toward the direction of the Grand Princess's residence.
In those pitch-black eyes, there was a layer of coldness.
"It doesn't matter if you can't find them."
"I will personally drag them out, one by one."
"And then, I will beat you all to death!"
Early next morning.
A Phoenix Carriage, decorated with extreme luxury and pulled by eight magnificent Snow-Stepping Black Stallions, stopped grandly in front of the gate of Guanhai Garden under the escort of a squad of Golden-Armored Imperial Guards.
The Grand Princess, Xia Qingyue, had arrived.
Today, she wore an elegant white palace dress, her face without makeup. That originally stunningly beautiful face now carried a touch of just-right haggardness and worry.
Anyone who saw her would think that this was a good elder sister who truly cared about her future Brother-in-law and felt indignant and sad about his encounter.
"This Palace heard that Marquis Wuan's sworn brother fell victim to a villain's hands, so I specially brought the best Golden Sore Ointment from the palace and several Imperial Physicians skilled in healing to visit."
Xia Qingyue stepped down from the Phoenix Carriage and spoke gently to the residence's General Manager who came to greet her.
That tone was full of concern, without the slightest hint of hypocrisy.
"Your Highness is benevolent and kind; the Marquis will surely be deeply grateful. Your Highness, please come inside."
The General Manager hurriedly bowed and led her in.
Li Qing was in the stone pavilion of the backyard, alone, quietly drinking tea.
On the stone table in front of him, there was also a chessboard with black and white pieces interspersed, as if a game had just been played.
"Oh, this Palace thought that Marquis Wuan would surely be anxious and lose his appetite at this moment."
Xia Qingyue walked over with lotus steps. Seeing this scene, a trace of surprise appeared on her face, followed by a light chuckle while covering her mouth.
"I didn't expect that the Marquis would actually have such leisure to be here, playing chess with himself?"
Her voice carried a hint of teasing.
Li Qing slowly raised his head, his gaze calmly falling on her \"concerned\" face.
"Princess Highness, is there something?"
His voice was cold, indifferent, and without a trace of emotion.
This cold attitude made the smile on Xia Qingyue's face stiffen slightly.
But she quickly adjusted.
"The Marquis is joking. This Palace heard about your sworn brother's matter and was worried, unable to sleep all night. Thus, I brought Imperial Physicians and the best wound medicine here early this morning."
She waved her hand at the Imperial Physicians behind her.
"Quickly, go and check on the Marquis's brother."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Several Imperial Physicians hurriedly carried their medicine boxes and walked toward the bedroom.
"Marquis, I wonder how your sworn brother's injuries are?" Xia Qingyue sat down opposite Li Qing and asked with a face full of concern.
"He won't die."
Li Qing calmly spat out three words.
"That's good, that's good." Xia Qingyue stroked her chest, appearing as if she had breathed a sigh of relief.
"The murderer is truly too malicious, their methods are simply appalling! Imperial Father heard about this and was furious, and has already ordered a thorough investigation! Marquis, rest assured, no matter who it is, to dare commit such a heinous crime in my Great Xia Royal Capital, my Imperial Family will never show leniency!"
These words were spoken with righteousness and were full of the dignity and responsibility of the Imperial Family.
The acting was impeccable.
If Li Qing hadn't already determined it was her doing, he might have really been deceived by her appearance.
"Heh."
Li Qing looked at her and suddenly gave a light chuckle.
That laughter was very light, yet it carried a trace of unspeakable, cold mockery.
Xia Qingyue's heart skipped a beat!
She felt as if Li Qing's calm eyes could pierce through everything, seeing all the disguises in the depths of her heart clearly!
"Marquis, what are you laughing at?" She forcibly suppressed the trace of panic in her heart and asked with a frown.
"I'm laughing because Princess Highness has truly put on a good show." Li Qing picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"What does the Marquis mean by this?" The smile on Xia Qingyue's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a layer of icy frost.
"This Palace came to visit out of kindness, and this is the attitude you use to treat this Palace?"
"Kindness?" Li Qing put down his teacup, raised his head, and looked directly into her eyes.
"Princess Highness, do you dare to say that this matter truly has nothing to do with you?"
Boom!
These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Xia Qingyue's mind!
Her face turned pale in an instant!
He knows?
How could he know?
Impossible!
She had done this thing flawlessly!
The people from the Shadow Kill Organization were professional to the extreme; it was impossible for them to leave any clues!
He, must be bluffing me!
Right! He must be bluffing me!
After thinking this through, the trace of panic in Xia Qingyue's heart was instantly replaced by boundless anger!
"Li Qing!"
She slammed the table, stood up, pointed at Li Qing's nose, and shouted sharply.
"Don't you dare spout nonsense here!"
"This Palace knows you are grieving, but you cannot be so indiscriminate as to wantonly slander this Palace!"
"Your matters will not involve others!"
Her chest heaved violently with anger, and in her phoenix eyes, a towering rage burned, as if she had suffered a great insult.
Li Qing looked at her fuming like this, his heart completely unmoved.
He didn't speak again.
He just looked at her quietly.
"Good! Good! Good!"
She laughed out of extreme anger, saying "good" three times in a row.
"Li Qing! Today, this Palace has truly seen your arrogance!"
"Since you don't welcome this Palace, then this Palace shall leave!"
"Let's go!"
She flicked her sleeve, turned around, and was about to leave.
However, at the moment she turned around.
Li Qing's cold voice slowly rose again from behind her.
"Princess Highness."
"Tomorrow is the day of my grand wedding with the Seventh Princess."
"At that time, I ask Your Highness to please grace us with your presence."
"I have prepared a great gift for you."
Xia Qingyue's footsteps came to a sudden halt.
She didn't look back.
However, her hands, hidden beneath her wide sleeves, were already clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.
"This Palace shall wait and see."
She squeezed these words out from between her teeth.
Then, without looking back, she walked away quickly.
Looking at her back as she fled almost in disarray, the corners of Li Qing's mouth slowly curled into a cold arc.
Xia Qingyue.
It better not be you!