3500

Chapter 3500: 4.1100 Full Assistance

Qiao Mu's gaze fell on Princess Zheng, giving her a meaningful look. The Shi family hadn't been bothering them these past two days, but once the Crown Prince left the capital and Qiao Mu had some free time, she would certainly pay their Second Miss a "generous gift"!

Shi Yongyan lowered her head in a bow, when she suddenly felt a slight chill on her neck. She subconsciously looked up, meeting Qiao Mu's eyes, which held a cold, sharp glint. For some reason, Shi Yongyan trembled slightly, a genuine sense of panic quietly spreading from deep within her heart. The little Crown Princess's gaze was as cold as water, piercingly chilling, making one afraid to look a second time.

What's happening? Shi Yongyan couldn't help but feel a shiver of fear, the coldness creeping up from her feet.

Her unusual reaction immediately caught the attention of Prince Zheng, Mo Xikang, beside her. Mo Xikang quickly reached out and held her hand, transmitting a faint surge of power to her. His gaze, devoid of reservation and filled with a subtle sharpness, coldly turned towards Qiao Mu.

In the air, an invisible, faint "hissing" spark seemed to materialize. It slowly vanished into nothingness amidst two consecutive announcements: "His Majesty arrives!" and "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince arrives!"

Empress Dowager Chen chuckled, allowing Mo Xikang and his wife to rise. Everyone else also rose to greet His Majesty and the Crown Prince. Princess Yan Yun and Alchemist Shan then completed their bows to Mo Xikang and Princess Zheng before taking their seats in order.

"Is Alchemist Shan accustomed to residing in the palace?" the Emperor asked casually.

Shan Yisu stretched her graceful, long neck and nodded gently with a smile. "Quite accustomed, thank you for His Majesty's concern."

Qiao Mu couldn't help but inwardly scoff, though she didn't show much on her face. Mo Lian, upon seeing Mo Xikang and his wife, and the two extra uninvited women, merely frowned. He then diligently served food to his wife, attending to her as she ate.

The Crown Prince had originally thought that this small banquet would at most only invite the Empress Dowager. He hadn't expected Mo Xikang and his wife to be invited, nor Princess Yan Yun and Alchemist Shan. Inviting Mo Xikang had some pretense, after all, Mo Xikang and his wife were his nominal adopted brother and sister-in-law. But what was the purpose of inviting Princess Yan Yun? And there was even less need to invite Alchemist Shan. Why invite these irrelevant people for a small family gathering? Although Mo Lian didn't say it aloud, he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. It seemed the old empress dowager's naive idea hadn't been dismissed yet; she still intended to introduce Princess Yan Yun to his Father Emperor.

The Emperor merely feigned ignorance of the Empress Dowager's calculations. After a brief exchange of pleasantries with Shan Yisu, he said, "I originally invited Alchemist Shan here to examine the Empress's condition."

"However, the situation is rather urgent now. Perhaps you can examine the Empress after you return from Huiping Village."

Shan Yisu's bright eyes shone as she smiled faintly. "This humble commoner will naturally obey His Majesty's decree."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. This commoner is very familiar with the Huiping Village area. On this trip, I will naturally do my utmost to assist His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Qiao Mu couldn't help but be startled by these words. Her hand, holding the chopsticks, paused. She glanced sideways at her husband, glaring at him with threatening little eyes: You didn't say this woman was going too??

The Crown Prince was also stunned, clearly indicating he hadn't known either. It seemed this was a private agreement reached between the Emperor and Alchemist Shan. Mo Lian frowned, "The journey is long and arduous; there's no need to trouble Alchemist Shan further."