When Mad Lion’s head appeared before everyone outside the hall, everyone held their breath.

Coming in and out, it took just ten breaths, yet how could Mad Lion, a Divinity Transformation expert, be so easily slain?

"The Seventh Prince is truly terrifying!"

"What kind of methods were used? It can’t just be those two half-demon maids, can it?"

The second steward was killed out of negligence, simply because he didn’t detect the presence of Cyan Dome; nor did he expect Li Jizhou to decisively kill.

But Mad Lion was supposed to be on guard, how could he still be slain? And so swiftly!

"The Seventh Prince probably possesses a powerful artifact from the Saint Emperor! Be extremely cautious, everyone," the princess reminded solemnly with a frown.

"Princess, something feels off!" Kongming’s expression suddenly became extremely grim.

He, as the close steward, knew exactly what Prince Yun was up to, didn’t he?

Everything should have been flawless; even if the Saint Emperor personally came, he shouldn’t find anything suspicious.

Yet now, Li Jizhou’s unexpected chaos thoroughly disrupted their prior arrangements against the Saint Emperor.

The key lies in this: the Saint Emperor, under any circumstance, without evidence, to preserve his brotherly and friendly reputation, would surely not act violently and would only conduct secret investigations at most.

Prince Yun’s recent actions were all preemptively made to avoid any overt or covert investigation capturing evidence.

The princess nodded quietly, transmitting her thoughts: "Indeed, I also feel that this child is intentionally pretending to be a scoundrel."

"His purpose..."

"He comes with bad intentions!"

"Could it be the Saint Emperor’s directive?" A flash of fear crossed the head steward’s face.

The princess shook her head: "It shouldn’t be. We’re constantly monitoring the Saint Emperor’s stance, and there’s been no communication from Dragon Aspect, so it shouldn’t be that."

"If not the Saint Emperor’s command, why would the Seventh Prince dare to be so brazen? What is his purpose?" The head steward couldn’t understand.

Even if Li Qingyun accidentally offended him, public humiliation should suffice; moreover, the whole mansion is humbly submissive, even Prince Yun avoids confronting him, giving him all due respect.

Is he still dissatisfied?

Prince Yun’s Mansion has never had any dealings with the Seventh Prince, and it’s impossible to think of any reason.

The princess’s brows knitted tighter: "This is the most troublesome part. If we knew his true goal, we could formulate a response; now, we can’t discern Li Jizhou’s purpose."

"If the princess can confirm it’s not the Saint Emperor’s order, then... given the Seventh Prince’s situation, he has no reason to target our Prince Yun’s Mansion like this. Shall I try something?" The head steward pondered deeply.

"How would you try?"

"Since the Seventh Prince isn’t here under the Saint Emperor’s orders, then he has no reason to be interested in unrelated matters of Prince Yun’s Mansion. Could he be concerned with the vast Spirit Stone resources our mansion possesses? As long as he’s not the Saint Emperor, it doesn’t concern him regardless of how much we have.

Thus, the head steward believes, if the Seventh Prince’s actions aren’t due to a mischievous disposition, then the reason must lie with him. Surely, some faction or individual within Prince Yun’s Mansion gravely offended him, beyond trivial matters like those of the Crown Prince, leading to the Seventh Prince’s revenge against the mansion," analyzed the head steward.

The princess nodded: "Who could have offended him? What kind of offense would lead him to such a grand display?

I’ve concluded that regardless of the outcome, his standing in the Saint Emperor’s eyes will likely suffer greatly. Furthermore, if Dragon Aspect allies with the officials to impeach him for disloyalty and unfilial behavior, he’ll be completely removed from the competition for Crown Prince.

Is such reckless revenge against our mansion worth it?"

"The Seventh Prince, with his age, limited experiences, at this age young men chiefly value face, admire beauty, act on impulse, and succumb to jealousy; it’s likely one of these four points," the head steward expertly analyzed.

"Face can be excluded; if someone insulted him, he’s already recovered his dignity with this show," the princess nodded.

"Admiring beauty... youthful infatuation might indeed lead to the purest and most heartfelt actions. Many have challenged the throne for pure love; some even relinquish it for love. The second point resonates with experiences the princess holds dear.

In Central State, such incidents have happened. In the past, the Taichu Dynasty had a Crown Prince who loved both the land and his beloved, ultimately forsaking the throne to travel the world with his beloved, seeking not eternal life, only to cherish each moment in this lifetime.

"Quickly investigate if Qingyun recently committed any acts such as forcibly taking women, especially those with a presence in the Imperial City. We must find out!"

The head steward immediately agreed, hurriedly bowed, and left.

"Youthful admiration!" The princess’s heart beat anxiously.

As a mother, she knows Li Qingyun’s character well. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

At this moment, she can only pray that Li Qingyun hasn’t blindly harmed the woman whom Li Jizhou loves.

Otherwise, the entire Prince Yun’s Mansion could be bathed in blood!

In these circumstances, Prince Yun’s Mansion cannot touch Li Jizhou; we must wait for his anger to subside or for the Saint Emperor’s decision.

The head steward had just left when Running Wolf emerged from the hall, looking somewhat apprehensive and confused.

Since entering, he had been kneeling all this time, and Li Jizhou hadn’t asked him anything,

The most crucial part was the killing of Mad Lion, which he witnessed firsthand; yet, Li Jizhou had a clerk pass on a decree saying he confessed, granting him a chance to redeem himself.

At this moment, he emerged unscathed; contrasted with Mad Lion’s death, he couldn’t explain even if he had a thousand mouths.

"What is going on? Can’t you see the situation?" Hunter Tiger angrily grabbed Running Wolf and questioned him.

Running Wolf looked innocent: "I haven’t said anything, and he hasn’t asked me anything. He’s deliberately making you misunderstand me."

Hunter Tiger placed a hand on Running Wolf’s shoulder, his eyes flickered lightly, and he transmitted confidentially, "No need to explain; the Seventh Prince has set the trap, and regardless of how you justify, we’re already caught. Right now, the only plan is for you to leave this place, say nothing, do nothing, and I promise to clear your name afterward."

Running Wolf was instantly excited; Hunter Tiger had always been the most steady among the five of them. If he said this, there must be assurance.

Nevertheless, before he could respond, a desperate voice rang out once more.

"Hunter Tiger, enter immediately for an audience; defying the decree, your clans will be executed..."

Blades shaking~

Hunter Tiger’s pupils contracted, his gaze towards Running Wolf instinctively changed.

"Third brother, you have to trust me; I really haven’t said anything, nor would I betray you," Running Wolf also said, his color changing rapidly.

Suddenly, a cyan shadow flashed, and Cyan Dome already appeared in front of Running Wolf, facing off against Hunter Tiger, firmly shielding Running Wolf behind.

Running Wolf’s heart trembled, in this scenario, explanations were useless.

hunter Tiger’s expression became complex; knowing well this might be Li Jizhou’s strategy for sowing discord, yet had to guard against Running Wolf.

However, at this moment, he scratched his head and entered the hall.

The princess watched Running Wolf constantly, her eyes filled with deep hatred.

If Li Qingyun engaged in robbing female cultivators, Running Wolf was complicit, no one in the mansion knew better than Running Wolf.

But now, she isn’t sure how to confront Running Wolf, as he’s most likely already defected under Li Jizhou’s intimidation.

If Li Qingyun truly harmed someone beloved to the Seventh Prince, what Li Jizhou wants now is likely the entire Prince Yun’s Mansion to be buried alongside his beloved.

Feelings are most irrational and difficult to let go.

Running Wolf looked around, faced with avoiding stares, knowing he’s already fallen into disfavor, he simply followed Hunter Tiger’s advice, kept his head down, and left.

Before long, the head steward returned, his face mixed with joy and worry.

"How is it?" The princess hurriedly asked.

The head steward nodded, then shook his head.

"I have some leads now. According to our spies in Yunzhou City, the latest information indicates, without any deviations, the Seventh Prince was in Yunzhou City a few days ago, and was seen with the eldest lady of Qi Stone Pavilion."