Xiuying stood up after a while. Her knees were red, but she ignored the uncomfortableness. In front of her was a portrait of her mother, Empress Mei Li, as she paid her respects. The woman had the same likeness of her two daughters. With an upright posture, an elegant appearance, and a bright smile, the Empress was considered by many to be perfect. Xiuying reminisced. Her mother was a very peaceful and kind individual. As the previous matriarch of the Li Family, combined with Emperor Lianghu's leadership, the Xingyuu Empire undergone a tremendous era of stability, especially after the Mad Emperor's long reign. In fact, Empress Mei was the one who advocated to end the First Great Kingdom War the most, spearheading negotiations with King Harth. Xiuying held her mother in the utmost of respect. However, Empress Mei died eight years ago.
She died abruptly without cause. Xiuying remembered that she and Ming cried and cried for weeks after that. Their father was undoubtedly hit the hardest. He was madly in love and doted on his wife all the time. When she died, although he could not openly show his emotions as the Emperor of the Xingyuu Empire, Xiuying knew how tormented he felt. Emperor Lianghu invested a tremendous effort in figuring out his wife's cause of death, but nothing ever came of it. Even the Li Family, which stood shoulder-to-shoulder to the Xingyuu Empire, had no idea. Without warning, their happy life as a family of four was destroyed. No one smiled anymore, and if they did, it was fake for the sake of appearances.
Then, as abruptly as Empress Mei died, the Second Great Kingdom War started. Emperor Lianghu commanded the Xingyuu fleets to breach Alzar waters and destroyed dozens of fleets and ports simultaneously, crippling the Alzar Kingdom's fleets in the Desterina Ocean. King Harth never saw it coming. That was expected though. King Harth considered Emperor Lianghu a friend and a sense of reason in this otherwise war-riddled world. With the Ambush of Sanguis Coast, the Xingyuu fleets had free reign over the Desterina Ocean, directly leading to the Teria Sea Campaign. The rest was history.
From the Alzar Kingdom's side, there was always some misunderstanding over the motivation behind the war. However, for the people of the Xingyuu Empire, and Princess Xiuying specifically, she knew the reason. Empress Mei was assassinated by the Alzar Kingdom! Empress Mei was a beloved person, a symbol of peace, righteousness, and purity. This shocking news was enough to rouse the fighting spirits in everyone! Given how much Emperor Lianghu loved his wife, starting a war over it was understandable! Therefore, everyone was led to believe that the Alzar Kingdom was evil, including Xiuying herself.
Princess Xiuying and Princess Ming never doubted it. After all, they would trust their father above all else. For six whole years, they acted out their part, helping their father wherever they could as the Twin Imperial Princesses. Until two years ago, when King Harth was captured in the Battle of the Millennium and brought to the capital, Yongtein, that is. Xiuying and Ming learned how King Harth was tortured relentlessly personally by their own father. They were horrified over how cruel and despicable their father became. However, King Harth never admitted to killing Empress Mei. In fact, he happily accepted his death. That was the first time Xiuying and Ming felt something wrong.
They investigated, to dig out the proof that their father had. Yet, try as they might, the two could find nothing! Nothing at all! There was not a single word hinting that the Alzar Kingdom was at fault. Xiuying and Ming confronted the Emperor over this, but he refused to listen. When they suggested coming to peace with the Alzar Kingdom, the Emperor furiously lashed out. Ming concluded that there was something more to it, that there was a more devious plot underneath everything, that even Emperor Lianghu was used in their evil plans! After all, their father was always calm-headed and reasonable. Even if his wife was included, to start a war without proof was unlike him! Together, the two sisters devoted their full energy in investigating the Imperial Council, the power directly under the Emperor. For two years, that was all they did everyday and every night. Therefore, their enormous effort led them to Minister Linshi and the Yunyun Stronghold right now.
Xiuying sighed and wiped away her lingering tears. In a sense, what her mother, Empress Mei, fought for was destroyed by the very one she loved. Her legacy was forever ruined. Fate worked in mysterious ways. She never would have thought that life would bring her here. She patted off the dust from her dress, straightened her back, and restored her image when a messenger came.
"Your Imperial Highness, Minister Linshi is waiting in a room to meet with you."
The princess showed no reaction but inwardly her thoughts were tumbling, What could the minister want with me? Could she know that we're investigating her? But we've been so careful! Did we underestimate the Minister of Information?
"Tell Minister Linshi that I'll join her with my sister in due time," Xiuying curtly replied. Out of the two of them, Ming was more suited for high-level conversations. She shined in the political limelight. Although Xiuying could fool regular folk, against people who trained their eye of discernment, her façade was truly nothing to speak of! If she confronted Linshi alone, she would crack under the pressure.
Half an hour later, the two princesses walked into the room where Minister Linshi was patiently waiting, drinking a cup of tea. Under Ming's lead, the two elegantly settled in chairs across from Linshi, their expressions smiling. From the surface, one would think it was a meeting of friends without the slightest shred of hesitation or awkwardness. Minister Linshi softly smiled, placed her cup down, and addressed the two.
"I hear that Your Imperial Highnesses have been investigating the Imperial Council and my background. May I ask as to what purpose you have?"
Ming paused and thought, Is she probing us or telling us the truth? From her words, it seems she has proof of our investigations. But if I admit it so easily, then it wouldn't be good for us either… In one move, she cornered us!
The thoughts passed in a fraction of a second as she replied, "May I ask what you're referring to, Minister Linshi? Accusing Imperial Princesses of such an act, even if you're from the Imperial Council, requires proof."
"There's no use in playing this game, Princess Ming," Linshi humored. "I heard about how you ordered your Protectors to sneak around under my watch. Even if they're your Protectors, I cannot permit them to act as they please."
Xiuying tried to stifle her surprise, but some of it inevitably leaked out. To say such words, what happened to Chang and Tai? Ming kept her cool far better and showed no reaction to this shocking news.
Linshi saw all their reactions before continuing leisurely, "You should know that even as Imperial Princesses that there are some things that cannot be done. You decided to overstep your boundaries. As the Minister of Information of the Imperial Council, I am therefore placing you two under arrest."