Logically speaking, Xiao Chengyu is just an ordinary official’s daughter; she has no ability to scheme in the Imperial Palace.

But if there’s someone in the palace assisting her, then it’s hard to say.

Shen Ruoxi pondered in secret, but couldn’t figure out who in the Imperial Palace would cooperate with Xiao Chengyu.

She pursed her lips, bowed to the Emperor, and said, "Your Majesty, I wish to see the Prince."

The Emperor felt a sudden pang of bitterness, yet still spoke gently, "Princess Consort Zhan, Prince Zhan is resting in the side hall. Is it that you do not trust me?"

Shen Ruoxi quickly responded, "Your Majesty, that is not the case. It’s just that drinking damages the body, and I wish to give the Prince some sobering medicine and see him."

Hearing her explanation, the Emperor couldn’t refuse and instructed Qi Lin, "Take the Princess Consort Zhan to the side hall."

Qi Lin accepted the order.

Shen Ruoxi quickly followed him, not noticing Old Mrs. Xiao’s sudden change in expression.

Mrs. Zhou was also full of doubt, noticing her mother-in-law seemed especially tense. Didn’t her daughter just excuse herself?

She thought carefully and suddenly sensed something wrong, urgently asking, "Mother-in-law, where exactly has Chengyu gone?"

Old Mrs. Xiao sneered and said, "Don’t interfere. Even if she’s gone, it doesn’t matter, as long as rice becomes cooked."

Mrs. Zhou’s mind buzzed, and she exclaimed in shock, "Mother-in-law, you?"

After speaking, she quickly stood up, only to be pulled back by Old Mrs. Xiao, "Chengyi’s mother, you must remember, we are a family, and we mustn’t turn our backs. Otherwise, Chengyu’s reputation will..."

Mrs. Zhou glared at her angrily, and after a while, laughed miserably, "Mother-in-law, do whatever you like! Go to hell then!"

After speaking, she broke free from her mother-in-law’s grip and hurried out.

Old Mrs. Xiao wore a face of anger, estimated the time and found it should be almost right, then stood up herself.

Just then, a palace maid rushed in panic, kneeling to report, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, something seems amiss in the side hall!"

As she finished speaking, Qi Lin also hurriedly returned, whispered a few words in the Emperor’s ear, and the Emperor’s eyebrows furrowed tightly.

The Empress Dowager was full of confusion and asked, "My son, what has happened?"

The Emperor’s expression was extremely complex, it was unclear if it was joy or sorrow. After a long pause, he finally said in a low voice, "Mother, perhaps we should go and take a look."

The Eldest Princess’s lips curled with a slight cold smile, thinking to herself, "Shen Ruoxi, for hurting my daughter, you’ll have no good days."

Everyone rushed towards the side hall, while Mrs. Zhou’s legs grew weak, almost unable to move, and Old Mrs. Xiao wore a joyful expression, convinced the matter was done.

As Shen Ruoxi and Qi Lin reached the side hall together, both were stunned.

They saw Jun Moling clutching his head, weakly sitting on the bedside, while below him lay a woman tied up, thrown aside.

Without looking closely, it was clear that it was Xiao Chengyu.

She cried relentlessly, still hoarsely pleading, "Prince, I fell in love with you at first sight, and I ask nothing more than to be by your side as a close maid."

However, Jun Moling kept covering his head, not uttering a word, his expression filled with pain.

Qi Lin couldn’t help but exclaim, "My God, what on earth has happened?"

Shen Ruoxi remained quite collected; the unthinkable thoughts she had earlier dissipated entirely.

Judging by this situation, she had worried too much; Xiao Chengyu not only failed but was tied up by her own husband instead.

"Husband, how are you?" Shen Ruoxi approached and asked.

Jun Moling looked up at her, revealing a hint of grievance in his eyes, "My wife, my head is pounding terribly, I feel so weak, my wife."

Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled slightly; she had never seen Jun Moling like this before.

She hurried to support him, checked his pulse, and then reassured him, "It’s okay, it’s okay, you must have eaten something you shouldn’t have. I have a detoxification pill, take it quickly."

Upon hearing this, Jun Moling immediately swallowed the pill.

Qi Lin, on the side, exclaimed, "Aren’t you Miss Xiao from the Xiao Family? How did you end up in Prince Zhan’s room?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Jun Moling’s mind was boiling with anger, "Quickly, go report to the Emperor!"

Qi Lin got a shock, knowing full well that the Prince’s anger was far scarier than the Emperor’s, and hurried off to report to the Emperor.

Since the side hall was close to the main hall, Qi Lin arrived quickly, and the Emperor also swiftly learned of the matter.

At this moment, the Emperor’s mind was in turmoil.

Though he knew nothing of the incident, he was not a fool. Xiao Chengyu appearing in Jun Moling’s room was undoubtedly an attempt at seduction.

He just felt that such a rare opportunity was wasted by Xiao Chengyu, feeling somewhat regretful inside.

Since the plan failed, any further designs Xiao Chengyu might harbor are unlikely to succeed.

In the matter of disrupting the relationship between Jun Moling and Shen Ruoxi, the Emperor had exhausted all means. Only for someone to finally manufacture an opportunity, yet it was all in vain.

Mrs. Zhou and Old Mrs. Xiao entered with starkly different emotions, but upon seeing Xiao Chengyu tied on the ground, they were both shocked.

After all, she was her own daughter, and Mrs. Zhou couldn’t contain herself, hurriedly stepping forward and asking, "Chengyu, what has happened to you?"

Xiao Chengyu, having turned only sixteen this year, was thoroughly lost and pleaded tearfully with her mother, "Mother, save me."

The atmosphere in the room was eerie.

Shen Ruoxi gracefully and respectfully greeted the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

Yet at this moment, Jun Moling clutched his forehead, coldly smiling at Mrs. Zhou and said, "Mrs. Xiao, I too wish to know what this is about. How did your woman end up in my room?"

Being a Marshal who experienced the blood and sweat of the battlefield, Jun Moling usually commanded respect without anger.

Now truly enraged, his imposing pressure was like the weight of Mount Tai, making Mrs. Zhou’s legs weak, nearly collapsing.

"Xiao Chengyu, what is going on?" Mrs. Zhou was panic-stricken, her voice tinged with sobs.

The Emperor looked calm, speaking softly, "Miss Xiao, what exactly is going on?"

Xiao Chengyu calmed down a little, bowing her head slightly, her voice gentle yet firm, "Your Majesty, I have admired Prince Zhan for a long time. Seeing him drunk, I intended to come and serve, but the Prince misunderstood."

"I misunderstood? Two glasses of wine could knock me out? Do you not know what you’ve done?" Jun Moling glared daggers, his eyes burning with a fire that seemed ready to consume Xiao Chengyu.

"Qi Lin, go and fetch the Prince’s wine cup." Shen Ruoxi said coldly, her face expressionless as she instructed Qi Lin.

Qi Lin accepted the order and departed promptly, only to return quickly looking anxious, "Your Highness, the Prince’s wine cup has been cleared away and cannot be found."

The Eldest Princess felt a slight relief, secretly thankful that otherwise she might have been implicated.

Yet Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled knowingly, as though she had anticipated this. She shifted her gaze to Doctor Wu, decisively commanding, "Doctor Wu, check on the Prince!"

Doctor Wu dared not hesitate, rushing to take Jun Moling’s pulse.

The Empress Dowager was deeply concerned, urgently asking, "Minister Wu, what of Prince Zhan?"

Doctor Wu released Jun Moling’s wrist, his expression grave, and after bowing to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, he said, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, the Prince has consumed spiked wine, which has an aphrodisiac effect."

Upon hearing this, all were shocked.

The side hall fell into a dead silence.