Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 58. The Farce of Princess Ling Yun
58. Princess Ling Yun’s Drama
The moment she fell into the water, Ye Li couldn’t resist a burst of outrage. Despite her persistent efforts over the years to train her physical condition and skills, it was still far different from her past life’s experiences of braving the wind and rain and struggling through the mud. Moreover, even without any pampering, the body she inhabited now was undoubtedly that of a delicately nurtured young lady from a prominent family. Right after entering the water, she couldn’t help but experience some slight cramps. Fortunately, Ye Li was prepared, adjusted herself quickly, and swam towards Princess Ling Yun, successfully catching her as she struggled in the water and pulled her underwater.
With just one glance, Ye Li could tell that Princess Ling Yun could not swim at all. She couldn’t help but sneer. Should she admire the princess’s courage to sacrifice herself for love? Daring to jump into the water without knowing how to swim! Well, let her experience what drowning feels like. Ye Li hoped she would come to understand the meaning of acting within one’s abilities. Initially, Princess Ling Yun was not too panicked, knowing that someone would soon come to rescue her. However, she quickly noticed herself sinking swiftly towards the bottom of the lake, which made her struggle more fiercely than before. Ye Li clearly sensed the disturbance in the water and knew someone had dived in. She hurriedly swam behind Princess Ling Yun, knocked the panicking princess unconscious, then dragged her and swam in another direction. Not until she estimated that Princess Ling Yun was almost at her limit did she push her back.
In what seemed like an instant, everyone in the imperial garden had gathered by the lake. The first to come were the guards from Xiling Kingdom and those from the imperial garden, who had already jumped into the water to save them.
"There they are!" Someone by the lake suddenly cried out. Everyone quickly looked over, and indeed, they saw a dash of colorful silk surfacing, followed by Princess Consort Ding, with one hand still supporting Princess Ling Yun. To everyone, it was clear that it was Princess Consort Ding who saved Princess Ling Yun. Ye Li looked at the guards who spotted them and swam towards them quickly. She smiled at the unconscious Princess Ling Yun and said, "Princess, wake up. There are people coming to rescue us now." Ye Li hadn’t struck her too hard, so Princess Ling Yun, once pulled to the surface, quickly opened her eyes. Only to find Ye Li smiling mockingly at her, Princess Ling Yun couldn’t help but scream, "Unhand me!" And began to struggle violently.
"Princess, don’t move! Be careful..."
"I don’t need your help!" Seeing that the guards were right in front of her, Princess Ling Yun fearlessly pushed Ye Li away.
Good... In the sight of everyone, Ye Li, looking frightened, sank again into the water, following the direction Princess Ling Yun had pushed her towards.
As soon as Princess Ling Yun got to shore, the maidservants waiting there immediately handed her dry clothes to put on. Qingyu and Qingxia stared at Princess Ling Yun with anger, "Princess, why did you push our Princess Consort who kindly saved you!"
Princess Ling Yun looked up and indeed saw that many people were looking at her accusingly. This was not what she had planned! "I did not push her!" Hua Tianxiang sneered, "A princess of your stature dares to act but not admit it? Even if you want to tell lies, please come up with a plausible one. Or do you believe everyone here is blind?" Princess Ling Yun burst out, "She is the one who pushed me into the water, I don’t need her to save me." Eldest Princess Zhaoyang said sternly, "So, you’re saying Princess Consort Ding pushed you into the water, and then jumped in herself to save you? And, after all that, she has yet to surface while you are safe and sound? You’d best pray that nothing happened to Princess Consort Ding, or else not even your status as a Xiling princess will spare you when Great Chu does not let this matter rest!"
"The Princess Consort... found the Princess Consort..." Qingyu, anxiously waiting by the shore, exclaimed. From the lake, Qingshuang and Qingluan emerged, supporting an unconscious Ye Li up to the surface. The people on the shore quickly helped them pull Ye Li up and put dry clothes on her. Qingyu took her hand and felt her pulse. Princess Zhaoyang anxiously asked, "How is she? Why is the physician not here yet?" Qingyu looked up, "Thank you, Princess, for your concern. The Princess Consort passed out after swallowing some water, but it should be nothing serious. However... the Princess Consort needs a place to rest now." Princess Zhaoyang took a look around and decisively said, "It’s closest to Chaoxia Hall from here. Take Princess Consort Ding there." People escorted the unconscious Ye Li under Princess Zhaoyang’s lead towards the Chaoxia Hall. In contrast, Princess Ling Yun, who fell into the water but was safe, was inadvertently ignored by the crowd. Watching the hastily departing crowd, Princess Ling Yun’s face turned green and then white.
"Princess..." the palace maid from Xiling Kingdom next to her called out hesitantly.
"Get lost!" Princess Ling Yun shouted furiously.
「Inside the Chaoxia Hall, the atmosphere was tense.」 Mo Xiuyao was sitting solemnly by the bed, staring at the unconscious woman on it. The imperial doctor cautiously approached to check her pulse. The Eldest Princess sat nearby, her eyebrows furrowed, asking, "How is Princess Consort Ding?" The imperial doctor thought for a moment, glanced at Mo Xiuyao, and said, "Prince, Princess, there’s nothing seriously wrong with the Princess Consort. She was just...probably shocked. I’ll prescribe some calming and warming medicine for her later." The Eldest Princess asked, "If there’s nothing wrong, why hasn’t she woken up yet?" The imperial doctor answered, "Well...The Princess Consort is a woman, after all. It’s likely she suddenly choked on water and lost her breath, and that led to her unconsciousness. However, the water inhalation isn’t severe; she should wake up after a bit of rest." The Eldest Princess couldn’t help but recall when Ye Li had helped Princess Ling Yun surface only to be shoved away suddenly. Her expression became even more grave, and she nodded, "You may go ahead to prepare the medicine."
"I’ll take my leave."
With only Princess Zhaoyang and Mo Xiuyao left in the room, Princess Zhaoyang stood and said, "Xiuyao, take good care of the Princess Consort. I’ll get justice for Princess Consort Ding from Princess Ling Yun." Mo Xiuyao nodded lightly, "I appreciate your help, Aunt, but let’s wait until Ah-Li wakes up to decide what to do." Princess Zhaoyang sighed softly and nodded, "As you wish. Please stay with your consort. I’ll take my leave." After watching the Eldest Princess leave, Mo Xiuyao rolled his wheelchair forward. Staring at the sleeping woman on the bed for a long while, he finally asked in a low voice, "Ah-Li, are you planning to sleep through the palace banquet tonight?" Ye Li’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes, "How did you figure that out?" Mo Xiuyao shook his head, answering calmly, "Intuition. You even managed to fool the imperial physician; did you expect me not to see through it?" Thinking back on the imperial physician’s puzzled and baffled expression, finally having to say she was unconscious due to shock, a faint smile appeared in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes.
"Ah-Li, I never knew you enjoy saving others in distress this much?" Mo Xiuyao looked at Ye Li, speaking softly.
Ye Li shrugged helplessly, "I had no choice. If I hadn’t saved her, it would have likely been framed as me pushing her into the water by now."
Mo Xiuyao’s eyes flashed, "Outside, Princess Ling Yun really did insist you pushed her into the water."
"Outside... She’s really resilient. After all that, she can still make a fuss?" Ye Li was astonished. She had truly struggled with Princess Ling Yun under the water; she hadn’t expected her not to go check with the doctor or something and still follow and make trouble. Thinking of who was to blame for her current situation, Ye Li’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. Staring at the half of Mo Xiuyao’s handsome face that was showing, she said, "Speaking of which, Prince... today’s incident was also caused by you. Do you have anything to say?"
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, looking at her questioningly. Ye Li huffed lightly, "That Princess Ling Yun seems to be infatuated with you, and vowed that she will definitely become the Princess Consort in the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion."
"Princess Ling Yun of Xiling?" Mo Xiuyao frowned. Ye Li stared at him dangerously, "You haven’t made any agreement with her from years ago or anything, have you?" To think he might have tricked a girl who was only seven or eight! Such a scoundrel... deserves to be beaten to death!
Mo Xiuyao shook his head, looking seriously at Ye Li, "I can assure you that I am quite certain I have never met Princess Ling Yun."
"If you haven’t met her, then how come she wants to marry you so badly? She even jumped into the lake herself. Could it be...because of the status of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion?" Ye Li could not understand. She had no doubt Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t lie to her about this; in fact, the chances of Mo Xiuyao and Princess Ling Yun knowing each other were originally low. She continued, "Considering... marrying into the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion doesn’t seem to align with the interests of a Princess of Xiling Kingdom. If Xiling wanted a marriage alliance, it would be more advantageous to marry Princess Ling Yun to the Emperor."
Mo Xiuyao glanced at her, seeming a bit surprised, "How do you know that Xiling wants to propose a marriage alliance?"
"What else could they want, coming all the way here with a princess in tow? Just making a social visit?"
Mo Xiuyao said, "Xiling and our Great Chu have never been on good terms. Even if these past few years have been relatively peaceful, everyone knows it’s only a matter of time before we go to war again. Normally, Xiling would not truly consider sending a princess to Great Chu for a marital alliance." In such a situation, the princess would merely be a hostage, and once the two countries go to war, regardless of whether you are a princess or a commandery princess, you would just become a tragic sacrifice. Ye Li frowned; that was true. Even if the Emperor of Xiling had too many daughters to spare, there would be no need to send one to his enemy.
Mo Xiuyao looked at her as she leaned against the headboard, frowning and deep in thought. His eyes were slightly warm. "There’s no need to overthink it. Whether or not they want a marriage alliance, we’ll know tonight at the palace feast."
When Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao emerged, the whispers among those in the hall immediately died down. Evidently, the incident in the imperial garden had alarmed many people; not just the Empress, but the Emperor had also arrived. Accompanying him were the ambassadors of all nations, excluding Beirong. Upon seeing them, Mo Jing’s gaze first landed on Ye Li and after a moment, he asked, "Prince Ding, how is Princess Consort Ding?" Mo Xiuyao calmly responded, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Ah-Li is fine." The Empress nodded with relief, "It’s good that Princess Consort Ding is alright. Princess Consort Ding, please sit."
Having thanked the Empress, Ye Li took her seat. Heir of Southern Garrison Prince Lei Tengfeng rose, declaring loudly, "Princess Consort Ding, Princess Ling Yun was just startled and mishandled things, causing you to be alarmed. We ask your forgiveness." Before he finished speaking, Princess Ling Yun had already painfully stood up and shouted, "Brother Wang, I’ve already said that she pushed me into the water!" Princess Zhaoyang frowned at Princess Ling Yun, "Princess, all those present saw that Princess Consort Ding was trying to save you. It was you who pushed Princess Consort Ding, who had already exhausted herself, into the water, thus causing her to faint." Princess Ling Yun turned red with anger, "I have a witness."
Princess Zhaoyang, with a frown, replied lightly, "Princess, you just said your maidservant personally saw Princess Consort Ding push you into the water. But...considering your behavior towards Princess Consort Ding in the Fengde Palace and the situation in the water, your maidservant’s words are likely to be met with skepticism." Princess Ling Yun shrieked, "You’re saying that I’m lying!" Princess Zhaoyang simply glanced at her, the expression in her eyes answering the question.
"Ling Yun, stop making a fuss!" Lei Tengfeng sternly reprimanded.
Princess Ling Yun burst into tears angrily, "Fine! You don’t believe me, I will prove it by dying!" With that, she pulled out a golden hairpin from her hair and was about to stab it into her chest.
"Don’t do it, princess —!"
"Ling Yun —!"
With swift reflexes, Lei Tengfeng grabbed Princess Ling Yun’s arm, seizing the hairpin. He looked at his impetuous cousin with a headache and cast a somewhat doubtful look at Ye Li across from him. Although this cousin of his was always causing a ruckus, such a strong reaction had never happened before. Could it be that she was really wronged?
"Princess Consort Ding, would you be able to tell us what exactly happened?" Lei Tengfeng asked, staring into Ye Li’s eyes.
Ye Li calmly met his gaze and softly said, "I don’t really know what happened. Princess Ling Yun was talking to me, and then she suddenly fell into the lake. And then, I also fell in."
Lei Tengfeng furrowed his brow even more, vigilantly watching Ye Li, "You also fell in? Do you know how that happened?"
Ye Li shook her head, "Princess Ling Yun suddenly fell downwards, and I was startled. Before I could react, I had already fallen into the lake."
"It seems Princess Consort Ding can swim," Lei Tengfeng stated.
Ye Li gave a slight smile, "Not exactly. I nearly drowned when I was a child, so I learned a little. But I’m not very experienced, so..."
It seemed like Ye Li didn’t say much, but to those present, it felt as if she had said everything. The incident was soon pieced together to form a complete picture. Everyone had seen Princess Ling Yun forcibly pulling Princess Consort Ding to talk with her. Presumably, they were discussing something unpleasant, and Princess Ling Yun, in her emotional upset, accidentally fell into the lake, pulling Princess Consort Ding in with her. If only this much had happened, it could still be dismissed as an accident. However, it was clear that Princess Consort Ding had rescued Princess Ling Yun, only for Princess Ling Yun to act ungratefully and push Princess Consort Ding underwater, causing her to faint. And taking advantage of the victim’s unconsciousness, she claimed that it was the other who pushed her into the water. Immediately, everyone present, whether they were looking at Princess Ling Yun or the Xiling ambassadors, their expressions had changed. The nobles of Great Chu never really liked the people of Xiling to begin with, and now their dislike grew even more. What kind of morality do these Xiling people have?
"Actually, Princess Ling Yun doesn’t need to act so desperately. After all, this is the imperial palace of Great Chu. If anything were to happen to a princess from Xiling, wouldn’t it harm the friendship between Xiling and Great Chu? Although I’m a woman, I definitely would not do something that would harm the peace between the two countries." Ye Li looked at Princess Ling Yun and said in a composed tone, "However, what I’m puzzled about is, Princess Ling Yun and I came from the imperial garden, and we left our maids behind. Ordinarily, from that position... regardless of whether the princess fell in herself or I pushed her in, your maids couldn’t have seen unless they stood by the lake. I wonder how they could have seen me push the princess in? Your Majesty, Her Highness Empress, can you please call my maids and Princess Ling Yun’s maids in together?"
The Emperor glanced at Mo Jing. Seeing no objection from him, he decided to agree with the idea, "Let’s go with what the Princess Consort said."
Qingluan and the others soon arrived, along with Princess Ling Yun’s maids from Xiling. Princess Zhaoyang took the lead and asked, "Were you all following the Princess Consort and Princess Ling Yun at the time?"
Qingyu stepped forward and said, "Reporting to Your Highness, at the time, Princess Ling Yun expressed her wish to talk privately with our Princess Consort and was the first to dismiss her own maidservants. Therefore, our Princess Consort ordered us not to follow." Princess Zhaoyang raised her eyebrows and continued to ask, "So, did you see what happened at the edge of the lake at that time?" Qingyu shook her head, "There was a rock garden blocking our view between the lake and the imperial garden. We were too far away to see what happened." Princess Ling Yun’s maid then came forward, "We saw it. It was Princess Consort Ding who pushed our princess into the lake."
Princess Zhaoyang said, "I’m well aware of the rock garden by the lake. As a child, I used to play in there. If you’d been standing behind the rock garden, there’s absolutely no way you could’ve seen what happened at the lake."
"We weren’t standing behind the rock garden at the time!" the maid blurted out.
Princess Zhaoyang raised her eyebrows, smirked at Princess Ling Yun, and asked, "Oh... then where were you at that time?"
"We...we were by the peach grove on the lake’s edge..." Sensing she had misspoken, the maid glanced nervously at the Xiling side before reluctantly answering.
Princess Zhaoyang nodded, "From there, you might’ve indeed seen what happened. But I’m curious...Why were you somewhere near the peach grove, going around nearly half the imperial garden, when you were supposed to be waiting from behind? If my memory serves me, there’s a small river lying between the peach grove and the rock garden. And the bridge seemed to be quite far away."
"Er..." Under the scrutiny of so many people, including the Emperor and Empress of Great Chu, even the bravest maid wouldn’t dare not answer Princess Zhaoyang’s question, so she said, "Her Highness... the princess made me go there... to that side..."
Princess Zhaoyang smiled, "To do what? If you were there to pick some peach blossoms in March, that would be plausible, but now, as we are almost in June, people generally wouldn’t go there."
"I... I..." The maid looked panickedly to Princess Ling Yun for help. However, by now, Princess Ling Yun herself couldn’t think of any plausible explanation and could only argue forcefully, "Regardless of how my maidservants got there, they can at least prove that I was indeed pushed into the lake by her!"
Being brought up in the palace, Princess Zhaoyang was not so easily fooled. Her phoenix-like eyes fixed intently on the maid. "So you’re saying that Princess Consort Ding pushed Princess Ling Yun. How did that happen? Was Princess Ling Yun facing Princess Consort Ding, or was her back or side to her? Did Princess Consort Ding use her left or right hand? When Princess Ling Yun was pushed into the water by Princess Consort Ding, did she cry out? If so, what did she cry?" The maid’s face stiffened. After a while, she replied, "I remember...Her Highness had her back to Princess Consort Ding. Princess Consort Ding... used her left—no, her right hand to push Her Highness. After being pushed in, Her Highness struggled and shouted for help."
Lei Tengfeng, sitting on the side, scowled and cursed the maid as a fool under his breath.
Princess Zhaoyang’s expression changed and she harshly reprimanded, "Outrageous! You dare to lie in front of Their Majesties! The guards patrolling the lake at the time said they didn’t hear any cries for help, but were alerted by your scream. Only when they noticed unusually agitated ripples on the water’s surface did they realize someone had fallen into the water. How did you manage to hear Princess Ling Yun’s cries for help? Or are your martial arts skills so superior that your senses are much sharper than those of the palace guards?"
"I...I..." The maid, already at the end of her rope from fabricating such a long string of answers, faltered, her body went limp, and she immediately collapsed to the ground. "Please spare me, Princess, I, I am..."
"Silence!" Lei Tengfeng suddenly interjected, "You clearly didn’t hear Ling Yun crying for help. Answer Princess Zhaoyang’s questions honestly, and stop embellishing with things that didn’t happen." The maid was stunned; she hastily nodded and said, "Yes... Yes... I was wrong, I... I didn’t hear Her Highness calling for help..."
Lei Tengfeng turned around, smiled at Ye Li, and said, "I beg your pardon, Princess Consort. This maid, who has been with Ling Yun since childhood, has not seen much of the world and was presumably mistaken out of nervousness, leading to a misunderstanding. Ling Yun has always trusted her. Today, Ling Yun herself was startled and must’ve been misled by her... I hope you will please forgive us." Ye Li looked at Ling Yun’s obstinate expression, her smile slightly chilly, "Heir, you speak too gravely. This was not such a big deal to begin with. But... It was quite embarrassing for me to create such a scene during my first palace banquet. Perhaps... there’s some truth to what Princess Ling Yun suggested. What do you say, Princess?"
Princess Ling Yun snorted and turned her head away, refusing to look at Ye Li.
Commandery Princess Ronghua, sitting next to Princess Zhaoyang, suddenly raised her eyebrows and asked with a smile, "What did Princess Ling Yun say that even Princess Consort Ding agrees with?"
Ye Li sighed softly, saying, "I’ve behaved so rudely, shamed the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion and the Prince. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Prince handed me a divorce agreement tomorrow. We may need to find a new Princess Consort Ding."
The Empress scolded softly, "Nonsense, this is merely an accident. Surely Prince Ding is not that unreasonable?"
Mo Xiuyao, who had been sitting idly by, nodded with a solemn expression, "Her Highness Empress is correct." Then he turned to Ye Li with a smile, "Ah-Li, rest assured, no matter what happens, you will always be my officially wedded Princess Consort of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. Whoever dares to question Ah-Li is questioning my King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion!" Princess Zhaoyang also chimed in, laughing, "Xiuyao is right. Whoever dares to question Princess Consort Ding is essentially starting a conflict with me. Princess Consort Ding, be at ease. Everyone here is well aware that you were wronged today."
"Prince, Princess Consort, my younger cousin was insensible and misunderstood the Princess Consort. I apologize on her behalf. Please, Princess Consort, forgive her."
Ye Li lowered her eyes and remained silent, exuding a humble demeanor, knowing that she had the Prince to address the situation on her behalf.
Mo Xiuyao said flatly, "Heir, apologies should be made by those involved to show sincerity. Don’t you agree?" Lei Tengfeng was taken aback. Mo Xiuyao’s insistence that Princess Ling Yun should apologize in person was meant as a slap in the face, refusing to leave any room for compromise. He glanced at Ye Li thoughtfully and said, "Princess Ling Yun is still young. It’s my lack of guidance as a brother that led to this, so I should be the one to apologize." Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, a faint smile on his lips. "Maybe the Heir should teach the princess what ’one person’s actions are one person’s responsibility’ means and how to be held accountable for their actions. Today’s incident... Can I interpret it as Xiling Kingdom challenging Ding Kingdom?" Princess Ling Yun’s eyes had already welled up as she was publicly reprimanded by the man she had admired for so long.
Lei Tengfeng’s heart skipped a beat. He wished he had known from the beginning how obstinate Mo Xiuyao would be; he would’ve directly forced Princess Ling Yun to apologize. Losing face is surely better than losing one’s life! Princess Ling Yun would surely stay in East Chu. As long as he was in East Chu, he could protect her. Once he left, who knows how she would fare. He believed that Princess Ling Yun wanted to confront Princess Consort Ding from the beginning of this incident, but he was a hundred percent sure that Princess Consort Ding was not that innocent. To make matters worse, Mo Xiuyao elevated this incident to reflect Xiling Kingdom’s attitude towards Ding Kingdom. Although Mo Xiuyao was currently disabled, the power of Ding Kingdom and the dreaded Black Cloud Cavalry were still intact. If Mo Xiuyao had shown a little more weakness, that would’ve been better. But his stubborn stance made him all the more apprehensive. Xiling Kingdom does not need war at the moment.
"Ling Yun! Apologize to Princess Consort Ding!" Without hesitation, Lei Tengfeng commanded Princess Ling Yun immediately.
"What? Apologize to her!" Princess Ling Yun shrieked. Everyone present frowned involuntarily; even Commandery Princess Ronghua gave a disdainful snort. Even she, known as the most arrogant commandery princess in the Capital City, would never deign to be so discourteous on such an occasion. The upbringing of a Xiling Kingdom princess was truly something to behold.
Princess Ling Yun glared at Ye Li and hissed, "Why should this princess apologize to her? I am the most prestigious princess in Xiling, can she handle an apology from me?"
Ye Li frowned, "Princess, your refusal to apologize—is it because you look down on me, this Princess Consort?"
"What have you got for me to respect?" Princess Ling Yun arrogantly raised her chin, eyeing Ye Li askew. She had thoroughly investigated Ye Li these days. She was the neglected daughter of a minister’s family, known in the Capital City for being without talent, virtue, or beauty. Even Prince Li couldn’t stand her and had abandoned her due to her notoriously bad reputation. It was merely due to her good luck that she was chosen by His Majesty to marry Prince Ding. As for the first place in the Flower Festival competition, Princess Ling Yun didn’t care about it at all; in her eyes, Ye Li was just lucky.
Ye Li’s eyes flashed with a cold light. She’s still young, no need to stoop to her level... To hell with ’still young’! This girl is just asking for a lesson! If we were still in the army, a brat this reckless would have been skinned alive by now! "So... is the princess belittling me as an individual, or is she belittling the status of the Princess Consort of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion?" Ye Li asked.
"You’re simply not worthy of being Princess Consort Ding!" Princess Ling Yun exclaimed. Ye Li drew in her lips and smiled at Princess Ling Yun. Everyone present mentally applauded her for her good temper and demeanor. "Then Princess, who in your opinion, is worthy of the title of Princess Consort of the King of Ding Kingdom?" If you dare to say it’s you... I, this Princess Consort, will submit to you.
Princess Ling Yun choked up and swiftly glanced at Mo Xiuyao. However, her affection was unrequited; Mo Xiuyao remained indifferent, just glancing at his wife with a faint smile, completely oblivious to Ling Yun’s resentful gaze. Even if she could openly proclaim her ambition to be Princess Consort Ding in front of Ye Li, she didn’t have the nerve to assert in front of everyone that only she was worthy of being Prince Ding’s consort. Ye Li found Princess Ling Yun’s resentful expression fascinating. This princess, upon her first meeting with Mo Xiuyao, was able to exhibit such... deep feelings. If Xiuyao were the same person he was eight years ago, one could say it was love at first sight. However, he currently lacked the qualities to make someone fall in love at first glance. Could hero worship really make a girl this obsessed? Furthermore, shouldn’t she be idolizing the heroes of her own country? Or perhaps this princess has no sense of borders?
"If it were in the past, I wouldn’t mind if the princess looked down on me. But now... I cannot let the honor of the ancestors of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion be tarnished because of me," Ye Li stared at Princess Ling Yun.
Putting on a haughty air, Princess Ling Yun stated, "This princess will absolutely not apologize to someone inferior to this princess!" Ye Li raised an eyebrow, "Earlier, the princess challenged me to a sword fight, which I declined. How about we have another competition now? If I lose, then consider today’s matter... as if I, this Princess Consort, pushed the princess, and I will be at your disposal, Princess. If the princess loses..."
"Impossible!" Princess Ling Yun said, "This princess will never lose to you!"
Ignoring her, Ye Li continued, "I want you to kneel down and apologize in public to me, in front of all the civil and military officials and noble ladies during the palace banquet."
"You! Very well, this princess accepts!" Before Lei Tengfeng could stop her, Princess Ling Yun had loudly declared, "If you lose, this princess wants you to perform three prostrations and nine kowtows all the way from the palace gate to the busiest part of the Capital City, admitting to everyone that you are not worthy of being Princess Consort Ding!"
Ye Li nodded calmly, "Deal."
"Hold on!" Princess Zhaoyang stood up and said, "I recall that Princess Consort Ding has no knowledge of swordsmanship."
Ye Li smiled, "The Eldest Princess is correct, so instead of a sword fight, let’s have an archery competition. I believe Princess Ling Yun is skilled in archery, right?"
"Ha! You want to compete with this princess in archery?!" Princess Ling Yun seemed as if she had heard a hilarious joke; she scoffed arrogantly while staring at Ye Li, "This princess learned archery at the age of seven, and by ten, not an arrow missed its target. Can you... even draw a bow?"
Ye Li lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, "So, you’re refusing the competition?"
"This princess is afraid of you losing too disgracefully. Since you overestimate your abilities, this princess will just indulge you. How are we going to compete?"
Ye Li smiled contentedly and stood up. She faced the Emperor and Empress and said, "In that case, I hope Your Majesty and Her Highness Empress will be our witnesses." Emperor Mo Jing looked at her and asked, "Are you sure about this, Princess Consort Ding? Have you thought it through thoroughly?" Ye Li smiled, "Please grant me this, Your Majesty. The honor of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion cannot be trampled on."
Mo Jing stared at Ye Li for a long time before finally speaking out in a deep voice, "Alright, I grant it."
Ye Li bowed respectfully, "Ye Li thanks Your Majesty for granting this." Then she turned to Princess Ling Yun and, with a smile, invited her, "Princess, please proceed."
"Hmph!" Princess Ling Yun turned around and headed out of the hall first. Ye Li leisurely followed with a calm and elegant smile.
Lei Tengfeng, following behind, gazed at the upright and resolute silhouette in front of him. An inexplicable feeling of apprehension rose in his heart.
