"Grand Tutor!! Who exactly killed Shuang'er?!"
Xia Feng's gaze was sharp, but he wasn't as grief-stricken as Sikong Hun.
But at this moment, Qiao Yunli remained silent, standing without a word.
The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly oppressive, making it hard to breathe.
Soon, the Xia Emperor, Sikong Yu, and other Divine Emperors of the imperial dynasty arrived one after another.
After all, Qiao Shuang was the direct granddaughter of the Grand Tutor and the sole heir of the Qiao family.
Her death was bound to stir up a storm.
Even everyone involved would likely pay with their lives as sacrifice!
"Grand Tutor! What exactly happened?"
The Xia Emperor stepped forward, walked to Qiao Shuang's body, and looked at the red mark on the young girl's neck, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"This morning, a servant went to call Shuang'er for a meal but found she had taken her own life in her room."
Qiao Yunli's voice was flat, devoid of joy or sorrow, but the more it was so, the more oppressive it felt.
The anger of a sixth-grade Divine Emperor gave even the Xia Emperor a headache.
"Took her… own life?!"
Everyone in the hall was stunned simultaneously.
Perfectly fine, why would Qiao Shuang take her own life?
As the Qiao family heir and the Eldest Prince's fiancée, her status was sufficiently honorable.
Although Qiao Shuang's talent wasn't monstrous, she could barely be considered a prodigy within Great Xia.
In the prime of her youth, she suddenly took her own life?
A conspiracy!!
This smells of conspiracy!!
"How is this possible?"
Inexplicably, a chill ran down Xia Feng's spine.
Dammit.
Could it be that Qiao Shuang took her own life out of shame and anger after… being with me last night?
But… she was the one who initiated it, and didn't she sound quite happy with the cheers?
Although even now, Xia Feng felt last night's experience was somewhat unreal, but… Qiao Shuang's panting was right by his ear; it didn't seem fake!!
"I heard that yesterday, Shuang'er was with you all at the Yun Meng Immortal Pavilion gathering, and during that time, someone forced her to dance?"
Qiao Yunli was often in seclusion, so he didn't know Ling Xiao's identity.
Although the servants mentioned that even the Xia Emperor was humble and respectful before that mysterious Lord.
But… even so, he, Qiao Yunli, a full sixth-grade Divine Emperor, the backbone of Great Xia, how could he fear someone of unknown origin?
Moreover, if it were before, Qiao Yunli naturally wouldn't proactively offend anyone. But if Shuang'er truly died because of this, then no matter who it was… they must pay the price!
"Yes…"
A cold light flickered in Sikong Hun's eyes. It shouldn't be.
At that time, Shuang'er was indeed ashamed and angry, but when they reached the stone bridge, she had already calmed down and even discussed plans to deal with Xia Feng together.
How could she, in the blink of an eye…
"Your Majesty, I ask you, who in all of Great Xia could force my granddaughter, Qiao Yunli's, to dance?"
Qiao Yunli turned to look at Xia Feng. "And right in front of the Eldest Prince? Watching his own fiancée dance for someone else?"
"This… Feng'er! What exactly happened?!"
The Xia Emperor shouted coldly. Could it be that Qiao Shuang died from humiliation?
But… who would have the audacity?
Has this Xia Feng lost his damn mind?
Daring to humiliate the Grand Tutor's granddaughter, his own fiancée?
"Father… it was… that Lord."
Xia Feng gritted his teeth and said softly.
"What!!"
The Xia Emperor's expression stiffened. Although Ling Xiao had planted a Soul Seal in him, his consciousness hadn't been erased.
So his shock was real, and his panic… was also real!
Dancing for the Lord… how could that be called humiliation?
This was clearly an honor for your Qiao family!
But, the Lord had instructed not to reveal his identity. In that case… how to appease the Grand Tutor?
Maybe… kill him?
But this old man is a sixth-grade Divine Emperor, a full grade higher than the Xia Emperor. If they fought, I'm afraid the Great Xia dynasty name would have to change…
Better to return to the palace first, report this to the Master, and let him decide.
"Grand Tutor… Shuang'er's death pains my heart greatly. Later, when I return to the palace, I will issue an edict, posthumously granting her…"
"Your Majesty!!"
Before the Xia Emperor could finish, Qiao Yunli interrupted hatefully.
"My grandson died under mysterious circumstances. Does Your Majesty not intend to uphold justice for my Qiao family?"
"Buzz."
Two immense auras, like heaven and earth collapsing, instantly changed everyone's expressions.
Especially the cold intent flickering in Qiao Yunli's eyes at this moment inexplicably caused a strange palpitation in people's hearts.
"Uphold justice?"
The Xia Emperor's expression darkened. How to uphold justice?
Do you want my Great Xia dynasty to fall, or do you want me to join your granddaughter down below?
Dammit!
"I, Qiao Yunli, have always considered myself wholly devoted to the court, loyal and devoted. I have also expanded territories and made great contributions to Great Xia. Your Majesty, now that my grandson has died tragically, shouldn't you capture the chief culprit to avenge her?"
Although Qiao Yunli's words were reasonable, they were also piercing to the heart.
If the Xia Emperor didn't agree to avenge Qiao Shuang today, it would undoubtedly chill the hearts of the court officials.
If hearts scatter, the team would be hard to lead.
For a moment, everyone in the hall changed their expressions.
Especially the two guards on duty that night, hesitation flickered in their eyes.
Qiao Shuang's death was full of doubts.
But the chief culprit probably wasn't that mysterious Lord at all, but…
Remembering Qiao Shuang's desolate despair and her concern for them when she returned last night, the two exchanged a glance, finally stepped forward into the hall.
"Grand Tutor…"
"Huh?"
A killing intent swirled in Qiao Yunli's eyes. A heavenly might surged out, nearly suppressing and killing the two on the spot.
"Last night, the Young Lady… was summoned by the Eldest Prince to the Pear Fragrance Pavilion. It seemed… it seemed…"
"What?!"
Hearing this, not only did Qiao Yunli's face twitch, but even Sikong Hun's eyes suddenly surged with killing intent.
Pear Fragrance Pavilion?
Dragon Fortune City's largest inn?
In the middle of the night?
"Oh? Feng'er, is this true?"
Surprisingly, the Xia Emperor didn't seem angry; instead, he felt a hidden joy in his heart.
Xia Feng, ah, Xia Feng!
You really… did well!!
If your life can appease the Grand Tutor's wrath, that would be… killing two birds with one stone.
"I… I…"
Xia Feng's eyelid twitched slightly. "Don't you dare slander me!!"
"We are willing to stake our lives to prove that when the Young Lady returned from the Pear Fragrance Pavilion last night, her clothes were disheveled, her expression desperate. I'm afraid…"
Pfft!
Before the guard could finish, Qiao Yunli suddenly reached out a hand, directly seized him, soul light surging in his eyes as he directly searched his soul memory.
Seeing this, Xia Feng's body trembled. He tightly clenched his hand, clearly preparing to escape.
"So it was you!! Xia Feng!!! You beast!!"
Sikong Hun's expression was ferocious. Spiritual light suddenly blazed around him. He took a step forward, charging furiously towards Xia Feng.
"I…"
Xia Feng didn't hesitate in the slightest. He raised a hand lightly; billowing spiritual light transformed into a seal, smashing fiercely towards Sikong Hun's chest.
But what terrified him was that the young master Sikong seemed utterly unafraid, actually taking his seal head-on. His figure still appeared before him.
The next instant, he saw Sikong Hun reach out a hand, blood spraying from the corner of his mouth, actually shattering the clothes on his chest to pieces.
A Spirit Jin was revealed, protecting Xia Feng's heart.
And a miserable, cold smile suddenly spread across Sikong Hun's face.
"As expected! You really are the demon!! Shuang'er must have been driven to death by you!! She must have!!"
"What?"
Everyone looked puzzled. How did Xia Feng become the demon?!
"Imperial Vein Spirit Jin!"
Only when Sikong Hun gritted his teeth and uttered these four words did the bewilderment on everyone's faces gradually freeze.
Then, they looked with utter disbelief towards Xia Feng's chest.
I… Dammit?