I insist

Chapter 562: Apology

"What do you plan to do?" Song Miqiu asked, frowning slightly.

Yu Huailin smiled. He had brought Song Miqiu hunting, so it was impossible for him to come alone. Therefore, the Imperial Guards had been following them closely.

He glanced slightly at the Imperial Guards not far away and silently gave them a look.

The Imperial Guards scattered and, before any of the assassins could react, successfully surrounded them. Soon after, the assassins were killed, with two remaining alive.

The commander of the Imperial Guards, accompanied by two assassins, appeared before Yu Huailin and Song Miqiu, and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, the other assassins have all been eliminated."

Only two were left alive to be interrogated later.

“Well done. No matter what it takes, we must get them to talk. I want to see which one of them is so blind as to dare to send someone to assassinate me and the Empress.”

Yu Huailin's eyes were filled with murderous intent. Although he wasn't targeting Song Miqiu this time, he was still displeased.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will definitely investigate thoroughly and give you an explanation," the Imperial Guard Commander said earnestly.

"Alright, get up. Take the men back for questioning. Don't let the other ministers know about this, lest it cause panic." Yu Huailin was much calmer now.

The Imperial Guard commander nodded slightly and left with his men, leaving only a few people to protect Yu Huailin and Song Miqiu.

After the Imperial Guard Commander left, Song Miqiu finally spoke, saying, "I was so scared! I thought I was really going to die here this time."

"You have so little faith in me? How could I possibly let you get hurt?" Yu Huailin said with a smile.

"I thought it was just the two of us, since we came out early today. I assumed you hadn't made any arrangements, and then suddenly an assassin appeared."

Of course I was scared. Luckily, you were prepared; it was my oversight that prevented me from thinking things through.

Song Miqiu lowered her head slightly. This incident was indeed her fault. If Yu Huailin hadn't made proper arrangements, there would have been danger if she had followed her previous actions.

Yu Huailin hugged Song Miqiu and said with a smile, "You don't need to think so much. Leave this kind of thing to me. You don't need to worry at all."

Song Miqiu reached out and hugged Yu Huailin, closed her eyes, and kept reminding herself that she must never let such a situation happen again.

The two returned to the camp. Although they had come out to rest, there were still many things that Yu Huailin needed to deal with, so the two separated for the time being.

As soon as Song Miqiu arrived at the tent, a palace maid entered and respectfully said, "Your Highness, Madam Deng is outside requesting an audience."

"Madam Deng? Who is she?" Song Miqiu asked in confusion.

"She is the mother of the girl who appeared before the Emperor and Empress this morning. She said she came to apologize on behalf of her daughter," the palace maid said, bowing slightly.

Song Miqiu narrowed her eyes slightly: "Apologize? If you really want to apologize, shouldn't you do it yourself? How can you let your own mother apologize?"

"Your Majesty, Miss Deng was sent back to the capital early this morning; it seems something happened to her," the palace maid replied.

Then she told him what had happened to Deng Yaoyao that morning, and that she had no choice but to be sent home.

Upon hearing this, Song Miqiu sneered. Madam Deng claimed to have come to apologize, but no one knew what she really wanted.

She is now very interested in what Mrs. Deng wants to say.

"Please invite Mrs. Deng in," Song Miqiu said with a smile.

The palace maid obeyed and withdrew. After a while, she brought Madam Deng in. She was dressed in a very proper and elegant manner, without a single flaw.

"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress." Madam Deng knelt on the ground and bowed to Song Miqiu.

Song Miqiu said, "Please rise. Someone, please have a seat. May I ask what brings Madam Deng here?"

"Your Majesty, I have come to apologize. This morning, my daughter was unruly and disturbed the Emperor and Empress's enjoyment."

"I beg Your Majesty to forgive my daughter, considering her young age. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will discipline her properly in the future to prevent such an incident from happening again."

Mrs. Deng lowered her head, her tone sounding particularly sincere, but her eyes were full of resentment.

She harbored resentment towards Song Miqiu. If it weren't for Song Miqiu's ruthlessness, which led to Deng Yaoyao being ridiculed by those people, she felt that the subsequent events wouldn't have occurred.

Song Miqiu looked at Madam Deng and said calmly, "Madam Deng, you said your daughter is still young, but this time the legitimate daughter who came with you..."

They're all around her age, so why aren't the other legitimate daughters as ill-mannered as she is? If this matter is simply let go like this...

"Will the other legitimate daughters follow suit? Madam Deng, you must consider the bigger picture."

"Your Majesty is overthinking it. My daughter is not capable of such things. She simply doesn't understand the rules. The legitimate daughters are far more knowledgeable about etiquette than my daughter."

Your Majesty, please be magnanimous and don't hold it against my daughter. She has already vomited blood; if she is punished further, I fear she will suffer.

"I beg Your Majesty not to pursue this matter any further."

Madam Deng was very dissatisfied with Song Miqiu's words. It was just a simple matter, but she didn't expect Song Miqiu to be so persistent.

Seeing that she did not answer her question, Madam Deng spoke again, this time directly praising Song Miqiu so that she could not blame Deng Yaoyao.

Just as Madam Deng was saying these things, Yu Huailin returned. Hearing her words, his face turned very ugly.

He strode directly into the tent and said without any politeness, "According to Madam Deng, if the Empress does not forgive your daughter..."

So that's her fault. She's not virtuous, she's intolerant, is that right?

Madam Deng was surprised that Yu Huailin would suddenly return. She quickly stood up from her seat and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, this humble woman greets you."

"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects."

In front of outsiders, Song Miqiu naturally had to bow to Yu Huailin.

Yu Huailin didn't even glance at Madam Deng. Instead, he walked directly to Song Miqiu, reached out to help her up, and the two sat side by side at the head of the table.

"Madam Deng, you know perfectly well what happened this morning. Your daughter is incredibly audacious, daring to obstruct me and the Empress. And there's something I'm quite curious about."

The hunting trip that morning with the Empress was known only to the Empress, the Imperial Guards, and myself. How did your daughter find out? If this isn't explained clearly,

Your daughter's life is in danger. This is just a private matter. But what if it were a matter of state? Prying into state affairs—do you know what the outcome would be?

Upon hearing this, Madam Deng quickly explained, "Your Majesty, my daughter was just catching a coincidence. It was not intentional. It was truly just a coincidence."

"Who else would believe such a reason besides yourself?" Yu Huailin asked calmly.