Night fell.
Chief Steward Hu and the imperial physician, who had come to offer their condolences, were seen off by Butler Fu.
Although the divine physician Chang Baicao was present, Emperor Feng still had to make a statement. Chief Steward Hu also conveyed Emperor Feng's intention to thoroughly investigate the assassination and give Samuer an explanation.
"My Lord."
"Come in."
Butler Fu entered the study with a food box.
He placed the exquisite dishes down one by one.
Samuer's appetite was whetted by the fragrant aroma.
"Alright, the food has arrived."
"You must tell me after you finish eating."
Ning Que was quite helpless.
He really wanted to know.
Why would Western Liang poison Gu Yuan?
As far as he knew, Western Liang had never done such a thing before.
Western Liang believed in the law of the jungle.
Whoever had the bigger fist had the right.
Samuer surveyed the dishes, smiling brightly, "I've long heard that the cooks in Ning Royal Mansion are skilled, and they have unique stir-frying techniques. All the dishes are delicacies, perfect in color, aroma, and taste. Even the imperial chefs in the palace have to come to Ning Royal Mansion for further study."
"That's true."
Ning Que smiled proudly.
The Feng people's most common way of eating was boiled dishes.
The common people used pottery to cook.
It was he who proposed using iron woks for stir-frying.
After his guidance, the cooks quickly got the hang of it.
Back when he was on Kunlun Mountain, his master loved to eat his stir-fried dishes. Especially stir-fried eggs with toon, his master could always eat two more bowls of rice every time. When he left the mountain, everyone in the sect had tears in their eyes.
"But I can't lift my hand."
"This is your left hand."
"Yes, I'm left-handed." Samuer looked troubled, smiling, "How about you feed me?"
"You..."
Ning Que was speechless.
He observed Samuer; she didn't seem to be joking.
He got up, took the ivory chopsticks, and began to feed her.
"Try this braised pork."
"Bah, it's hot."
"Are you never going to stop?" Ning Que raised an eyebrow, "This Prince only knows how to chop people, not feed them. Be content that I'm feeding you."
"So, you've never fed Lin Xianhong, then?"
"Why bring her up?"
"Just curious."
"No." Ning Que turned his head coldly, saying indifferently, "She's very strong-willed; she doesn't let me help with many things, let alone feeding her."
"She's truly foolish." Samuer smiled slightly, "To abandon such a good person like you and instead fall for a despicable scoundrel."
"Are you talking about Gu Yuan?"
Samuer held her chopsticks, slowly savoring the food. She chewed each dish slowly, her face full of curiosity and satisfaction. Although she was a princess, Western Liang had always been barren. The most common foods were mutton, beef, or some wild game.
The cooking methods were also relatively simple and crude, usually just roasted meat or boiled dishes. Because there weren't enough seasonings, the taste was barely palatable.
"Speaking of which, you really should thank our Western Liang."
"Why?"
"If we hadn't poisoned Gu Yuan, Lin Xianhong wouldn't have saved him. And you wouldn't have recognized Lin Xianhong's true colors, eventually divorcing her."
"..."
Could this even count?
Ning Que was torn between laughter and tears.
Samuer sighed softly, putting down her chopsticks.
"Actually, I shouldn't say this."
"Even if I say it, there's no proof."
"Perhaps you'll even think I'm trying to sow discord."
"This matter is even a disgrace to our Western Liang!"
"What?"
The candlelight flickered.
Samuer gazed at Ning Que.
"Do you know how Gu Yuan won?"
"He directly defeated your main force and sent a surprise troop to burn your rear grain supplies, forcing your main force to retreat."
"Heh..."
Samuer suddenly laughed.
But her laugh sent chills down one's spine.
"That's not how it happened at all!"
"They didn't just burn the granary!"
"They also burned my Western Liang's wounded soldier camp!"
"More than eight thousand wounded soldiers..."
"All turned to charcoal!"
Samuer's eyes were already red, and tears could be seen as she choked out, "Dying on the battlefield, we Western Liang have nothing to say, but what about those wounded soldiers?"
"War is cruel."
Ning Que did not rush to comment.
This didn't explain anything.
At most, it showed Gu Yuan was overly eager for quick success.
Not to mention killing wounded soldiers, killing surrendered soldiers also happened.
Not only the Great Feng, but Western Liang also did it often.
"Then I ask you, what did my sister-in-law do wrong?"
"She was stripped naked and humiliated!"
"Sister-in-law?!"
Ning Que was stunned.
He truly didn't know about this.
Samuer gripped her chopsticks tightly, veins bulging.
"My sister-in-law is the best person in the world."
"She's a physician and often goes to the battlefield to save people."
"Some Feng people who were captured were all saved by her."
"But what was the result?"
"Gu Yuan captured her, humiliated her in front of everyone. Then he let his trusted subordinates, one after another, one after another... When my imperial brother arrived, my sister-in-law had already stopped breathing!"
"That scoundrel!!"
Ning Que was also gnashing his teeth in hatred.
This was simply an insult to the Great Feng!
It also forced Western Liang and the Great Feng into an endless conflict!
Capturing the Crown Princess was originally a good thing.
The Great Feng could have made many demands.
But Gu Yuan humiliated her...
This was an insult to Western Liang!
Samuer's eyes welled with tears, "My imperial brother actually didn't support my sister-in-law being a physician, nor did he want her to go to the front lines. But my sister-in-law said that the Great Feng and Western Liang had been fighting for hundreds of years, and they had never killed a physician."
This was also true.
Because physicians could save many people.
Who could guarantee they wouldn't get injured?
Wouldn't be captured?
Physicians were the most respected people on the battlefield!
"And then?"
Ning Que offered her a handkerchief.
Samuer wiped away her hot tears.
"My imperial brother wanted revenge, but the supplies and grain were all burned, so he had no choice but to retreat. My royal father advised him to prioritize the overall situation and distinguish between public and private matters. He should not tear apart relations with the Great Feng because of my sister-in-law. My imperial brother is the Crown Prince; for Western Liang, he could only endure. It was I who found the assassins and poisoned Gu Yuan. Therefore, I share the same enemy as you."
Ning Que frowned.
Many things also became clear.
No wonder Samuer targeted Lin Xianhong.
It turned out to be because she saved Gu Yuan!
Samuer exhaled deeply, "The reason I agreed to this peace talk so readily was not just because of the conditions you offered."
Ning Que couldn't help but smile.
Now everything made sense.
He observed Samuer.
This woman was truly terrifyingly intelligent.
"You must have guessed."
"Someone secretly informed us and told us all three of your conditions. If I had refused, Western Liang would have gained more benefits."
"You agreed for revenge, nevertheless."
"Not just for revenge, but also because there was no other choice."
Samuer was also very frank.
They were both intelligent people; there was no need to explain everything too thoroughly.
"What about that person?"
"It was today's assassin."
"No witnesses..."
Ning Que couldn't help but smile.
He didn't fully believe it yet.
After all, even his Senior Sister didn't know these things.
The prettier the woman, the more she could deceive.
Perhaps Samuer had ulterior motives?
Sowing discord within the Great Feng would benefit Western Liang.
"This matter won't be left at that." Samuer looked at Ning Que, stating firmly, "Prince Ning, don't you want to get rid of Gu Yuan? You should know that your father's death is very likely related to him!"
