no internal energy at all, had defeated him in just three movesAn Xuetang took a step back, threw the dagger to the ground, and spoke softly, "How is it Is my skill still worthy of my family's name"Yu...The Empress knew she would say that, and at this moment, let out a cold laugh. "Hmph... At this point, I don't want to hear you talk nonsense anymore."

"I now ask you one thing, I order you to lead troops to kill the Princess of Beijiang. Will you comply"

"Your Majesty, what do you mean" Xizi Ke'er showed a surprised expression. "The Empress is still in the hands of the Princess of Bei Jiang. If we force her back now, wouldn't it lead to the Empress losing her life at the hands of the Princess of Bei Jiang"

Xizi Ke'er actually doesn't believe that the Empress would so easily abandon Xizi Panger.

After all, Xi Zi Pan'er is her most favored candidate for the throne. How could the Empress bear to see anything happen to her

But what the Queen said next completely overturned her understanding.

The Empress spoke with a stoic face, "Since I have decided to send you to war, then of course it means sacrificing your elder sister. What do you say Will you do this or not"

“...”

I have to say, the queen's decision did take Xizi by surprise for a moment.

She thought that, according to the Empress's temperament, she would never allow her most beloved daughter to die so easily.

Clearly, the Queen had other thoughts.

Could it be that the Empress would truly abandon Xi Zi and Pan'er

...still knows she has a relationship with the Princess of Beijiang, and wants to use her for something ...

The Queen's question, Xi Zi could not respond immediately.

She was just staring at the Empress now, and the hall remained silent.

All the ministers kneeling in the hall dared not speak a word.

Although they were all deeply shocked at this moment, at this critical juncture, no one dared to be the first to speak up.

Having been by the Queen's side for so many years, they could tell she was truly smitten.

If they were to speak out of turn at this moment, it would be these ministers who would suffer the consequences.

So at this moment, even though everyone deeply hoped that Xizi and P'er would be fine, no one dared to plead for them.

At such a time, attempting to change the queen's mind is tantamount to placing one's head under the executioner's sword.

And at this moment, the Empress did not rush to get Xi Zi Ke'er's response.

Her sharp eyes were fixed on Xizi Ke'er with a calm indifference, not wanting to miss any change in her expression.

It was not known how long it took, but finally Xizi Ke'er showed signs of life.

She stared directly into the queen's eyes, without any hesitation, and in front of all the ministers, she blurted out the most important question that had been on her mind:

"So, Mother Empress is trying to make me the Crown Prince, then"

“...”

Having said that, she pressed on relentlessly before the Empress could answer: "If Your Majesty has truly made up your mind to bestow the position of Crown Prince upon me, then please issue an imperial decree formally conferring it upon me."

“My son understands what the Empress Dowager wants to do. Once the Imperial Edict is issued, my son will immediately take people to apprehend the Princess of Beijang.”

"As long as Mother promises she doesn't care about Elder Sister's life or death, Your son will surely achieve whatever Mother desires."

By now, Xi Zi Ke'er doesn't have much to bargain with the Empress Zhou.

The Empress wanted her to take people there and get involved in the affairs of the Northern Border Princess.

It's just that she and the Northern Border Princess have some connection, perhaps I can deceive the Northern Border Princess, get West Lady safely back, and also get rid of the Northern Border Princess on the territory of Xiliang.

It's a pity, let alone whether she Xizi Ke'er can pull it off, she's not stupid. She would never fall into the trap just because of the Empress's few words. She wouldn't directly take people to arrest An Xue Tang and do this thankless job.

The Queen's thinking wasn't wrong. She wanted to use herself against the Princess of Beijang while bringing Xi Zi and her daughter back.

And, after truly succeeding, she could pin the death of the Northern Border Princess on her head, making everyone in the world think it was Xi Zi Ke'er who killed the Northern Border Princess.

By then, even if King of Beijang wanted to cause trouble, he would definitely target her, Xizi Ke'er.

It was so bad that not only did she fail to get the position of crown prince of Xi Liang, but she would also be pushed out by the empress to apologize to the King of Bei Jiang, leading to her death at his hands.

It has to be said, her mother's move was truly clever, killing two birds with one stone.

But, she wasn't stupid. She wouldn't just do whatever he said.

Since the Queen has thrown out such a bait, she must turn it into an actual edict before she sets off.

So, she can be sent with troops to apprehend the Princess of Beijang, but on the condition that the Empress Dowager first issues an edict, formally bestowing upon her the title of Crown Princess of Xiliang.

The Empress merely wanted to mention it casually. She had no real intention of actually naming a crown prince at this time.

So, listening to Xizi Ke'er's request at this moment, her gloomy eyes instantly became even sharper.

"What I say now will be even colder, "C'er, your elder sister is in grave danger now. In this situation, do you think it is appropriate for me to issue an imperial decree to appoint you as crown princess"

"If word of this gets out, wouldn't the people of Xiliang think you are a princess who takes advantage of others in times of crisis Do you think they would accept such a successor"

Xizi Ke'er sneered inwardly, as expected.

The queen obviously just wants to get rid of her with a few empty words.

The Queen never truly intended to make her heir apparent.

Right now, everything she says is just an excuse.

But, the Queen wanted to play, and she could afford it.

Anyway, in the hands of the Northern Border Princess was Xi Zi P'an'er. It wasn't her who was in a hurry, but the Empress and Xi Zi P'an'er herself.

Thinking of this, Xi Zi Ke'er was not flustered. She shook her head at this time, her voice neither salty nor bland, “This minister daughter doesn’t think this matter is taking advantage of someone.”

“Mother wants her son to lead troops to deal with the Northern Border Princess. This is no small matter.”

Furthermore, everyone knows that the elder sister has fallen into the hands of the North Border princess. Your Majesty, if you do not give me a clear decree, to be honest, I dare not venture there rashly.

"If the Princess of Beijang were to renege on her word, and my elder sister died at her hands, then the people of Xiliang would believe that I, out of disregard for my sister's life, intentionally provoked the Princess of Beijang, leading to her death."

By then, my name would surely be infamous.

"Based on these considerations, this son still says the same thing. If Your Majesty wishes for this son to lead troops to handle the Northern Border Princess, then simply issue an imperial decree."

"At least let the people of Xi Liang know that it was actually Mother who wanted her son to handle this matter, and that it wasn't the son acting out of selfish motives, disregarding his elder sister's safety."

“Mother, I don't want the people of Xiliang to misunderstand. To be honest, I also don't want my elder sister to die at the hands of the Princess of Beijiang.”

"If Your Majesty insists on sending your son, then issue the imperial decree. For Your Majesty, an imperial decree is but a trivial matter."

"Since Mother has agreed to make me the Crown Prince after this matter is settled, why not issue an imperial decree now That way everyone in the world will know and this son can work freely to handle this."

"Mother, what do you think"'s side, grabbed her injured hand, and kept a wary eye on the several tigers poised to pounce.But luckily, these tigers have already automatically divided into two groups. One group with bloodshot eye...