"Just wait and see." A flicker of coldness flashed through her eyes as she stared at the little guy's scanning hand.
In this high-tech era, everything was convenient. That tiny device merely scanned the bag once, and the results were immediately available.
"Captain, there are no fingerprints on this bag at all," the young man said, pulling his hand back, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.
The bag was exceptionally clean, without a single mark—odd, to say the least.
"Keep it for now," the captain of the Judgement Squad called out, then turned his gaze to Mu Qingyun. "There's no need to be afraid. What I said earlier was just to make her hand over the Berserk Powder. Her actions have nothing to do with the rest of you."
"That's the verdict?" Mu Qingyun turned her head to glance at the small bag and tilted her head slightly. "Then you can't punish only Xiong Ruoyou. The entire inspection team from the military academy should be held accountable too."
Huh?
The Judgement Squad captain raised his eyebrows. "What does this have to do with them?"
"How doesn't it? Berserk Powder isn't illegal outside. It's only banned during your trial exercises."
She spoke expressionlessly, locking eyes with the captain. "Before entering the trial, all participants must undergo an inspection by your team. If anything was missed, that's your responsibility."
"Heh," the captain gave a cold, mocking laugh. "The list of banned items was clearly communicated beforehand. Anyone who violates the rules bears full responsibility. It's written in black and white."
"Alright then. You said it yourself." Mu Qingyun lowered her eyes with satisfaction.
From the corner of her eye, she saw the person she'd been waiting for. The corners of her lips curled into a subtle smile. "Fan Xuanye, bring that person over!"
As she spoke, she pointed toward a pile of stones nearby.
"Got it." Fan Xuanye responded, flipping agilely into motion. His snake tail appeared in an instant, propelling him swiftly toward the pile of stones.
Hiding behind the stones, Mu Xueyao had been enjoying the drama, not expecting things to change so suddenly.
She had just realized something was wrong and wanted to run—but it was too late.
Fan Xuanye appeared right in front of her, and without hesitation, pushed her out from behind the rocks.
"What are you doing?!"
Never before had anyone treated her so roughly. Mu Xueyao stared in disbelief, her right hand instinctively gathering water energy to strike him.
"Well, Your Highness sure has some free time—watching a show in the middle of the night instead of sleeping." Mu Qingyun stared coldly at Mu Xueyao, her lips curling into a sneer. "You might as well write 'I'm not a good person' on your face."
[Eh? Why is Her Highness here?][No idea… She didn't even activate her livestream…][I have a theory—no, wait, impossible. Her Highness can't be that kind of person.][Can we really believe what Xiong Ruoyou said earlier?][Believe her? Yeah, right. If what she said is true, then what kind of person does that make the princess? I don't buy it!][Still, why would the princess suddenly come here? This is clearly Mu Qingyun's residence area. By all logic, she shouldn't be here.]
…
"You're talking nonsense!" Mu Xueyao frowned and quickly defended herself. "I was just looking for Feifei. What, did you buy this place? No one else is allowed here?"
So… she's dropping the act?
Mu Qingyun looked at the agitated Mu Xueyao and gave a soft laugh. Indeed, a princess born with a silver spoon—smooth sailing her whole life—couldn't even control her emotions.
"Fine. Since you're here, I won't need to waste time looking for you." Her gaze lowered, and just as expected, she noticed the dried mud still stuck to Mu Xueyao's shoes.
"Did you go to the coast this morning? Did you meet Xiong Ruoyou?"
"No, I didn't!" Mu Xueyao instantly denied it without even thinking. "Why would I look for her? I don't even know her well."
"Your Highness…?"
Upon hearing this, Xiong Ruoyou no longer looked shocked or hurt. After confirming the contents of the small bag to be Berserk Powder, she felt only disappointment toward Mu Xueyao.
Thinking back now, Mu Qingyun had been right all along.
Mu Qingyun had clearly warned her that Mu Xueyao wasn't a good person, but she refused to believe it. She had even fallen out with Mu Qingyun over it.
She had been such a fool. How could she be so stupid?
The overwhelming sense of grief was unbearable. She had never felt so close to breaking down.
Why? If Mu Xueyao never liked her, why be so kind before? Was it all just to use her… to go after Mu Qingyun?
"Young man, come here a moment." Mu Qingyun waved the little tech guy over and spoke calmly. "Xiong Ruoyou's words aren't entirely reliable, but they shouldn't be dismissed either. She claimed that Her Highness came to find her this morning, while the princess denies it."
She turned her eyes toward Mu Xueyao. "Xiong Ruoyou has a livestream recording showing she was at the coast this morning. Please test the soil on the princess's shoes."
"The soil composition near the sea is different from that of arid areas. A test should confirm it."
Different… soil composition?
Mu Xueyao froze slightly. She had indeed gone there that morning—and hadn't cleaned her shoes afterward. If they tested it, it would be confirmed.
No. This can't happen.
"I…"
"The soil from this morning is different from other times too, and residue on shoes can reveal the difference. Since we're in a stalemate, why don't we start by testing Her Highness?"
Mu Qingyun, already anticipating Mu Xueyao's protest, interrupted before she could continue, effectively silencing her.
As expected, hearing those words made Mu Xueyao's face go pale. She didn't speak again.
"But…"
"Please, and thank you," Mu Qingyun smiled politely at the young tech, nodding to indicate he should proceed.
"Go ahead." Seeing the man hesitate, the Judgement Squad captain gave a slight nod of approval.
Damn.
Watching the young man in uniform approach, Mu Xueyao instinctively stepped back.
Though she was the Empire's princess and her father the planet's supreme leader, the military academy operated independently due to its strength, resources, and defense duties.
In other words, the academy wouldn't show favoritism.
"I did go to the coast, but I didn't meet Xiong Ruoyou!" She frowned, raising her head to look at Mu Qingyun. "I happened to go there. That doesn't mean her accusation is true!"