Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 64. Your Majesty, your concubine...
64. Your Majesty, Your Consort Has Been...
"Ah!"
It’s one thing to hear, another to see. The young ladies, finally snapping out of their shock, could not help but scream, and a piercing chorus of shrieks resounded. Ye Li helplessly wanted to rub her ears. Poor young girls, they should drink several bowls of calming tea when they get back, she thought.
Thankfully, despite the passion of the couple inside, the racket of the door being flung open, coupled with the intrusion of a third party, was loud enough to gain their attention. Consequently, when the door was opened, they hastily grasped the quilt and wrapped themselves into a tight bundle. That being said, there was no real need for the cover because there’s a Venetian-like light silk screen in front of the window, Ye Li thought silently.
However, the maiden who rushed in showed no intention of preserving her master’s dignity. She let out an even more miserable shout, "Prince, what did you do to the Princess?!"
Do you really need to ask?
The maiden’s sharp cry abruptly silenced the screaming young ladies outside. All of them looked at each other in confusion. Which prince and which princess were involved this time? The people genuinely believed that Prince Li’s Mansion had definitely not consulted an almanac for an auspicious wedding date! 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
"What happened here?" Grand Consort Wise Zhao finally arrived with her entourage, asking gravely as she saw the crowd gathered at the door. Grand Consort Wise Zhao deduced it wasn’t a trivial matter. The people she had summoned were few, only those she presumed would be difficult to refuse. To Ye Li, though, it made no difference.
"Grand Consort, here..." Ye Li hesitated, then said, "Perhaps we should let the young ladies go and rest first."
Noticing a subtle flicker in Ye Li’s eyes, Grand Consort Wise Zhao nodded. "Princess Consort Ding is right. The young ladies were frightened. Please go and relax for a while with a cup of tea." The crowd naturally agreed, and the young ladies of high birth swiftly departed the strangely atmospheric place. Ye Li prepared to follow the crowd and leave but was held back by Ye Ying, who stood beside Grand Consort Wise Zhao. "Third Sister, can you stay? We... we don’t know what happened here..."
Grand Consort Wise Zhao also nodded. "Indeed. It’s good that Princess Consort Ding is here. If something has happened, she can be a witness. Let’s go inside and see."
Ye Li didn’t know what expression to display. She gave an awkward laugh and said, "If that’s the case... why don’t we invite the two people inside to come out after they have tidied themselves up?"
Grand Consort Wise Zhao’s expression changed slightly. She sternly commanded towards the room, "How audacious! Come out now!"
Sobbing sounds came from inside, followed by a flurry of frantic activity. Before long, a tall figure, with a petite woman trailing behind, emerged from behind the screen.
"Li’er, why are you here?!" Grand Consort Wise Zhao scolded sternly. The tall man, disheveled with a livid expression, was none other than Mo Jingli, who should have been entertaining guests in the front hall.
"Prince!" Ye Ying exclaimed, pointing at the two figures that emerged. Her delicate body seemed on the verge of collapsing. Everyone’s gaze shifted from Mo Jingli to the woman trailing behind him. They noticed that the woman, just like Mo Jingli, was disheveled, her dark hair in disarray. Her alluring eyes were filled with tears, and faint, ambiguous red marks trailed from her neck, disappearing under her collar.
"Princess Qixia..." Marchioness South, standing beside Grand Consort Wise Zhao, trembled slightly at the sight. Even though the Emperor had not yet officially made Princess Qixia his consort, information about the imperial palace preparing for the investiture ceremony was well known among the elite families. Even the Ministry of Rites had already prepared the title.
Glancing at Princess Consort Ding, who was supporting Ye Ying to one side, Marchioness South quickly decided, "Grand Consort, Princess Consort Ding, it’s rather inconvenient here. Let’s discuss this matter outside."
Ye Li nodded. "Marchioness South is right. Grand Consort, let’s take our discussions outside."
Grand Consort Wise Zhao swept a stern glance at Mo Jingli and Princess Qixia, then nodded. "Princess Consort Ding is right. Let’s go outside. You two clean yourselves up and come out immediately!"
When they returned to the main hall, the other women had already been escorted by the Grand Consort’s people to rest in other courtyards. Ye Li and her companions were naturally unable to leave for the time being. Seeing the stiff and horrified expressions of Marchioness South and the other married ladies who had come with Grand Consort Wise Zhao, Ye Li felt quite balanced. Since none of this had anything to do with her, she’d merely treat it as watching a play, she mused.
Ye Ying sat next to Grand Consort Wise Zhao, sobbing quietly, which only added to the somber and oppressive atmosphere of the flower hall. Grand Consort Wise Zhao grew impatient with her crying. She glanced at her coldly and said, "Shut up! All you know is how to cry!"
Ye Ying didn’t care that Grand Consort Wise Zhao was angry; the unexpected incident was the most devastating to her. What could be more heartbreaking than discovering the man she loved—her husband—rolling in bed with another woman on the same day he took another formal wife? "The Prince did this. Why are you scolding me, Grand Consort? It’s not my fault..."
Grand Consort Wise Zhao, exasperated, cried, "Shut up and sit aside!"
With such a major event, even if Grand Consort Wise Zhao wanted to conceal it, she couldn’t. Besides, there were too many people present today. Just by looking at the expressions of these female relatives on their way here, she knew that most of them had an inkling of what had happened. Grand Consort Wise Zhao wasn’t the type to bury her head in the sand. She immediately sent someone to call a few close royal family relatives over from the front hall and dispatched a messenger on horseback to inform the Empress Dowager, who had yet to leave the palace to preside over her son’s wedding.
Just as the relatives from the front hall assembled, Mo Jingli and Princess Qixia emerged one after the other, looking presentable. When Ye Ying spotted Princess Qixia—although painstakingly groomed, with an endearing look of post-coital shyness on her face—she was filled with resentment. She longed to throw herself at her. "You vile woman!"
The princess, shocked at Ye Ying’s aggressive advance, shrieked and retreated a step, unintentionally falling into Mo Jingli’s arms. Ye Ying’s eyes reddened with fury. "You vile pair of adulterers... You slut, I will kill you..." The crowd promptly restrained her. Chaos ensued with attempts to coax and console her, drawing frowns from the newly arrived male relatives.
Ye Li glanced back just in time to see Mo Xiuyao walk in. She smiled lightly, ignoring the nearby commotion, and leisurely approached him. "Why are you here?"
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, casting a glance at Grand Consort Wise Zhao, who was seated at the head of the table, her face ashen. Grand Consort Wise Zhao had invited several of Mo Jingli’s uncles and imperial brothers, among whom the Prince of Ding Kingdom certainly couldn’t be overlooked. Moreover, since Princess Consort Ding was already present, the presence of Prince Ding didn’t make much difference.
"Jing Li! What on earth are you up to?!" A venerable prince, with magnificent white whiskers, was in such a rage that his whiskers were puffing out. He snorted and pointed at the sobbing Ye Ying. "Is this the Princess Consort you were so desperate to marry you’d die for her? And this... today is your wedding, with so many invited guests, and now this display... what do you mean by this? You’ve disgraced your Imperial Father and Imperial Brother!"
Mo Jingli’s face was livid. He clenched his jaw, and though his lips moved, he said nothing. The elderly prince was the late Emperor’s only surviving elder brother, and thus Mo Jingli’s and Mo Xiuyao’s only paternal uncle. Naturally, his authority was profound, and even Mo Jingli dared not easily disobey him. Another prince, a few years younger, calmed the furious old prince. "Second Brother, calm down. Let’s sit down and hear what Jing Li has to say. Let’s not scare the young man." This one was evidently more temperate, but his expression also harbored clear dissatisfaction with Mo Jingli. The remaining two were Mo Jingli’s elder brothers. Due to the struggle for the throne in earlier years, their relationships with Mo Jingli and Mo Jingqi (the Emperor) were naturally not good. After hearing what their two uncles had to say, they nonchalantly found seats, clearly intending to watch the drama unfold.
"What’s Ah-Li doing here?" Mo Xiuyao asked in a low voice.
Ye Li looked at him helplessly. "Just ran into it."
Mo Xiuyao gave a light smile, didn’t ask further, and pulled Ye Li to sit down beside him.
Except for Ye Ying, who kept sobbing, and Mo Xiuyao, who remained calm with his face half-concealed, everyone else in the hall felt pretty awkward. After all, what they were about to discuss was rather unusual. The individuals involved were also extraordinary: one was the Emperor’s younger brother, and the other was the woman intended to be the Emperor’s Consort. Scandals among royals were not uncommon, but at least everyone knew to keep them obscured. Today’s spectacle, unfolding in public and spreading like wildfire through the Capital City’s nobility, was indeed rare.
"Shut up! What are you crying for?" The old prince, irritated by the incessant, ghost-like wailing, thumped a palm on the table and bellowed.
Ye Ying was startled, and her crying immediately stopped. She looked at the old prince with a tear-streaked, dazed expression, not daring to speak. The old prince gave a light hum, then looked at Grand Consort Wise Zhao and said, "Grand Consort, what on earth is going on? This kind of incident... His Majesty..." How are we to explain this to His Majesty? The old prince also knew very well what Grand Consort Wise Zhao meant by summoning them here. If something like this happened, the Emperor would definitely be furious. Adultery with the Emperor’s chosen consort—even executing Mo Jingli would be considered lenient. However... Grand Consort Wise Zhao certainly didn’t want Prince Li to die, neither did the Empress Dowager, and perhaps... not even the Emperor. Furthermore, the Emperor probably wouldn’t want to offend Nanzhao right now. Therefore, they had to plead for Prince Li, to give the Emperor a way out!
Grand Consort Wise Zhao let out a sigh and said, "I don’t know what happened. I just heard of the incident and rushed over and saw..."
Ye Ying snorted and said sharply, "What else could have happened? Isn’t it this slut seducing the Prince..."
"Ye Ying!" Grand Consort Wise Zhao stared at Ye Ying with a frown and said sternly, "Mind your own status! Don’t act like an ill-mannered shrew! If you don’t want to stay here, go back to your room."
Ye Ying bit her lip and turned her head, no longer speaking. The old prince frowned, looked at Mo Jingli, who was standing in the hall, and asked, "Jing Li, you should be in the front yard greeting guests at this time. Why did you appear in the women’s rest area? Did you forget even basic etiquette after your wedding?"
Prince Li had always been cold and arrogant; he probably hadn’t encountered such a humiliating situation in his entire life. Furthermore, it was in front of Mo Xiuyao, with whom he had been at odds since childhood, and Ye Li, whom he considered abandoned by him. This realization made him feel even more humiliated. His face was a mask of immense fury as he bit out, "Someone sent a message asking this Prince to come here."
"So what? After you came, you tumbled in bed with the Emperor’s consort?" The man speaking was Mo Xiuyao’s younger paternal half-brother, Prince Yi, Mo Jingyi, who was sitting to one side, scoffing. The mockery in his eyes was plain for all to see. Ye Li had met these princes before. Mo Jingli shot a dagger-like glare at Mo Jingyi, his face dark. Mo Jingyi, however, didn’t care. He just gave a cold laugh and nonchalantly tilted his head to study the ceiling.
"Who sent the message? Who were you coming to see? Even you are not allowed to enter the women’s resting area at will. Don’t you know this rule?" An uncle on the side also frowned, voicing his displeasure. Everyone’s mood was far from cheerful. Attending a wedding only to encounter such an incident... If it were an ordinary young lady, they might as well let Mo Jingli marry her. But unfortunately, it was a princess, and a princess who had already been designated as an Imperial Consort. Dragged into this by Grand Consort Wise Zhao, they had no choice but to wade into these muddy waters. At this moment, everyone present looked at Princess Qixia as if she were a lascivious harlot. Princess Qixia must have known what their expressions meant. She hurriedly shook her head and said, "No... it’s not me. I never sent a message to the Prince."
The old prince gave a light hum, stroking his white beard, and looked askance at Princess Qixia. "No? Then how did Prince Li happen to be in the princess’s room? At that time, the ladies were either chatting over tea, or the young ladies were strolling in the garden. Why was the princess also in her room? More importantly... Princess Zhaoyang doesn’t seem to have attended the wedding banquet, so why are you here?" The old prince threw out one question after another, appearing somewhat aggressive. But with everyone currently in a foul mood, it was apparent they had no patience to sympathize with this foreign princess. The panic-stricken Princess Qixia shook her head, showing none of the arrogance and imperiousness she had previously displayed. Glancing in panic at the expressionless faces in the hall, Princess Qixia’s eyes suddenly lit up. She pointed in one direction and cried, "It’s her! It must be her who framed me and the Prince!"
Ye Li, an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire, reflected, So my earlier suspicion was correct: these foreign princesses indeed have issues with their heads.
"Put down your hand," Mo Xiuyao said faintly, looking calmly at the agitated Princess Qixia. "Otherwise, this Prince wouldn’t mind ensuring you never use that hand again."
Princess Qixia involuntarily shivered and subconsciously moved closer to Mo Jingli, missing the look of resentment that flashed in Ye Ying’s eyes from the side.
"In Great Chu, I only hold a grudge against her," Princess Qixia bit her lip and said. "And Prince Li, Prince Li also holds a grudge against her. Everyone knows that." Princess Qixia wasn’t a fool. She knew that if she were seen as the one proactively making advances and plotting against Prince Li, her future status as Imperial Consort wouldn’t save her from execution, even if Nanzhao didn’t intervene to protect her. So, she had to clear herself of all responsibility. But for a moment, she couldn’t figure out who wanted to frame her. Among those present, only Ye Li held a grudge against her, so blaming Ye Li was the best choice.
"Princess Consort Ding?" The crowd was taken aback.
Ye Li sighed in resignation and spoke softly, "Your Highness, Prince Ding and I arrived at Prince Li’s Mansion around 1:45 p.m. After that, we visited the Grand Consort and the other ladies, and left with Fourth Sister around 3:00 p.m. We chatted in the garden for less than a quarter-hour, then joined the three young ladies from Hua Mansion, Qin Mansion, and General Murong’s Residence. We spent the rest of the time chatting in the garden, witnessed by many other young ladies, I believe they can testify. Furthermore, when we discovered the two of you... ahem... it was not yet 3:30 p.m. This means that from my arrival at Prince Li’s Mansion to the incident was less than two hours. The only time that might arouse suspicion would be the period I spent with Fourth Sister, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Princess Qixia apparently did not receive an invitation and arrived at the mansion before Prince Ding and I. May I ask, Your Highness, how could I possibly, in a mere quarter of an hour, know of your presence at Prince Li’s Mansion, ascertain your exact whereabouts, and then send someone to lure Prince Li over? Hmm?"
With this statement, Ye Li not only clearly accounted for her own whereabouts but also dispelled any suspicion of conspiring with Ye Ying.
"Heh," Mo Jingyi chuckled, fanning himself. "Princess Consort Ding also forgot one thing... the time Prince Li and the princess spent... *ahem*... also needs to be deducted. So, Princess Consort Ding didn’t even have that quarter of an hour."
Upon hearing this, the crowd’s gaze toward Princess Qixia grew even more hostile. How audacious of her to commit such a shameless act and then falsely accuse Princess Consort Ding.
Princess Qixia was taken aback. She hadn’t really expected to convict Ye Li based on this, merely hoping to buy herself some time to catch her breath. She hadn’t anticipated that Ye Li would calmly expose her lies on the spot. Finding herself in a dilemma, all Princess Qixia could do was burst into tears. "Sob... It really wasn’t my fault..."
"Enough!" Mo Jingli, who had been silent all this time and staring at Ye Li for a while, suddenly spoke in a low voice, "You don’t need to press her anymore. This Prince will take responsibility."
"BANG!" The elderly prince was so infuriated that he slammed the table, his complexion fluctuating between ashen and white as he pointed a trembling finger at Mo Jingli. "Scoundrel! You’ll take responsibility? What responsibility will you take? Do you think you’re being a responsible man, daring to act and take responsibility?"
Mo Jingyi stepped forward with a smile to support the elderly prince, saying placatingly, "Imperial Uncle, please calm your anger. Prince Li probably just momentarily forgot that Princess Qixia is His Imperial Brother’s designated Consort Xia, our future Imperial Sister-in-Law. Calm down, calm down..."
If he hadn’t said anything, the elderly prince might not have been so enraged. But upon hearing him, the prince’s rage escalated to a new level. "Scoundrel! Have all your lessons on propriety, righteousness, and honor gone to the dogs? Enough... This Prince won’t get involved, nor can I. Do whatever you want!" In a fit of rage, the elderly prince washed his hands of the matter.
Grand Consort Wise Zhao quickly tried to soothe him. "Your Highness, please calm down. Jing Li is just ignorant and spoke such outrageous words. Please, as his uncle, do not blame him. As for His Majesty.... His Majesty..."
The elderly prince glanced at her, huffed, and said, "Ignorant? Indeed, he is ignorant. Isn’t it all because you’ve spoiled him? Look at all the things he’s done this year—are any of them things a normal person would do? I reckon one day he’ll poke a hole in the sky!" Ever since Mo Jingli had insisted on dissolving his engagement, the elderly prince had been very displeased with this nephew. The marriage was decreed by the late Emperor when he was alive, and the other party was the Xu Family’s maternal granddaughter. As long as that Miss Ye had no major faults, he should have endured it, no matter how dissatisfied he was. Now it seems Third Miss Ye is perfectly fine; it’s that Fourth Miss Ye, the one he was dead set on marrying, who is unpresentable.
Grand Consort Wise Zhao suppressed her displeasure, managing only a forced smile for the old prince. They would still need him and the others to speak to His Majesty; if Mo Jingli were to face the Emperor like this, His Majesty’s wrath, once unleashed, would mean that even if Mo Jingli didn’t die, he’d lose a layer of skin.
Only after the old prince had calmed down did he continue to ask, "Where is the person who delivered the message? Surely you remember what they looked like? Also, who brought Princess Qixia in?" Recently, there had been rumors in the Capital City about Prince Li and Princess Qixia. Princess Zhaoyang was most meticulous about etiquette; after the Emperor issued an edict, she had been restraining Princess Qixia from going out. Princess Zhaoyang didn’t even attend Mo Jingli’s wedding. So, how did Princess Qixia get in?
"I...I..." Princess Qixia said, aggrieved, "When I arrived, the people at the gate didn’t stop me." She had come early and had visited Prince Li’s Mansion many times before, so many people there recognized her. Therefore, although she didn’t have an invitation, the mansion staff hadn’t stopped her.
The steward from Prince Li’s Mansion came in to report that they had found some aphrodisiac incense, used for certain activities, in the room in question. Everyone in the room was speechless. So, Princess Qixia came to Prince Li’s Mansion on her own. The servants of Prince Li’s Mansion neither reported it to their master nor did he know. And Mo Jingli, completely unaware of the situation, heard a message and, utterly disregarding the propriety between men and women, went to the women’s resting area. And then... it happened.
This isn’t a mere coincidence; it’s a total melodrama, Ye Li mused. It seems the Emperor’s yet-to-be-acquired beauty is fated to fly away this time.
"Enough. We’ll deal with this when the Empress Dowager arrives. Also, quickly send someone to inform Princess Zhaoyang to take Princess Qixia back!" the old prince said impatiently. He glanced back at Mo Xiuyao and added, "Xiuyao, what do you think?"
Mo Xiuyao replied politely with a warm smile, "Your Highness is the elder; everything shall be decided by you." The others quickly chimed in, deferring to the old prince’s judgment.
Thankfully, the Empress Dowager did indeed care a great deal about her younger son. She arrived even before Princess Zhaoyang. Of course, this was partly because Prince Li’s Mansion was the closest princely residence to the imperial palace. The Empress Dowager, clad in a bright yellow phoenix robe, swept in, radiating fury. "I had not yet left the palace when you sent word that something had happened! What on earth happened on this joyous day? Wasn’t the disgrace from the last wedding enough?"
Ye Ying’s face paled, but she dared not directly face the Empress Dowager’s sharp disapproval. She could only hide to one side, silent.
Everyone rose and paid their respects. Once the Empress Dowager had taken her seat, she listened as the old prince and Grand Consort Wise Zhao recounted the events. Before they could finish, the Empress Dowager had already flown into a rage, harshly scolding Mo Jingli. When the Empress Dowager scolded her son, others naturally dared not interject and could only listen. The few unrelated noblewomen present wished they could block their ears, secretly vowing never to visit Prince Li’s Mansion again after today.
Once the Empress Dowager had finally vented her anger, Mo Jingli and Princess Qixia were kneeling on the ground, begging for her forgiveness. The Empress Dowager studied Mo Jingli for a long while, her expression finally softening somewhat. She let out a long sigh and said to the old prince, "Royal Brother, what do you think is best for this matter?"
The old prince, stroking his beard, replied, "Since Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has graced us with your presence, this matter should naturally be at Your Majesty’s disposal."
The Empress Dowager sighed, a hint of sorrow in her expression. "This matter... it truly damages His Majesty’s dignity. Even if I were to plead, I’m afraid it would be difficult to quell the anger in His Majesty’s heart."
The old prince, of course, understood the Empress Dowager’s meaning. "Speaking of which, for Jing Li to commit such a disgraceful act is also due to our failure, as his uncles, to discipline him properly. My royal younger brother and I will personally go to the palace later to plead for Jing Li, hoping His Majesty will grant this old man some face."
The Empress Dowager smiled gratefully. "Royal Brother is the uncle His Majesty respects the most. His Majesty will certainly not refuse Royal Brother’s request. Li’er, quickly thank your Eldest Uncle."
Mo Jingli said solemnly, "Jing Li thanks Eldest Uncle and Royal Uncle."
The old prince harrumphed, ignoring him. Having received the old prince’s promise, the Empress Dowager was naturally very satisfied. Although the old prince no longer involved himself in court affairs, he held considerable prestige among the imperial relatives. As long as he was willing to intercede, most of the princes would show him deference; even if the Emperor was furious, he could not punish Mo Jingli severely. Grand Consort Wise Zhao was also very satisfied. She glanced at Mo Jingli and Princess Qixia, then softly asked, "Empress Dowager Sister, this Princess Qixia, what are your thoughts..."
The Empress Dowager frowned. "I will return and discuss with His Majesty. In a few days, we will devise a way for her to enter the household." The Empress Dowager said this without avoiding the noblewomen present. Princess Qixia’s status was different; unless she was to live in seclusion for the rest of her life, this matter would inevitably get out. Now that she had spoken, those present were intelligent enough to know what should and shouldn’t be said.
"I disagree!"
"I also disagree!" Two female voices, one from within the hall and one from outside, rang out, startling everyone once more. The one inside was, naturally, Ye Ying, pale-faced and trembling. And outside, Princess Ling Yun stood, resplendent in fiery red. Her red wedding veil was pushed up but not entirely removed, her almond eyes blazing with fire. She stood at the doorway, chin up, glaring at everyone in the flower hall. "This princess disagrees! People of East Chu, don’t even think of humiliating this princess like this!"
Beside Princess Ling Yun, Lei Tengfeng swept a cold gaze over everyone present and said in an icy tone, "Empress Dowager, isn’t East Chu acting too outrageously?"
One wave had yet to settle before another rose.
Before anyone could speak, Princess Ling Yun had already strode into the main hall, walking up to Mo Jingli and Princess Qixia. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she landed a swift, harsh slap across Princess Qixia’s face. "Slut!" Half of Princess Qixia’s face immediately swelled red, and a trace of blood trickled from the corner of her lip. As if that wasn’t enough to vent her anger, Princess Ling Yun raised her hand to strike again, but Mo Jingli caught her wrist. "Haven’t you caused enough trouble?"
Princess Ling Yun sneered disdainfully, shaking off Mo Jingli’s hand. "No matter how much of a scene this princess makes, I wouldn’t be shameless enough to seduce the groom at someone else’s wedding banquet! This kind of person is actually a princess of a nation? She’s a disgrace to all princesses! I heard you’ve been pestering Prince Li for a long time, haven’t you? Who you chose to associate with before was none of this princess’s concern. But to do such a thing at this princess’s wedding is a direct provocation to me!"
The Empress Dowager frowned and said sternly, "Princess Ling Yun, in this matter, Prince Li and Princess Qixia were also innocently framed. If you have any grievances, I will have Prince Li apologize to you afterward. Now, in front of so many princes and madams, do not act unruly."
Princess Ling Yun scoffed, yanked the red wedding veil from her head, and threw it to the ground. "Apologize? This princess cannot bear such an apology! This princess is not marrying him! Do as you please! It’s either this slut or me; if I’m here, she’s not!"
Grand Consort Wise Zhao asked, "Then what does Your Highness wish?"
Princess Ling Yun proudly declared, "Let Prince Li kill this slut with his own hands, and this princess can pretend nothing happened."
"What?!" Everyone was aghast. Mo Jingli shielded Princess Qixia behind him, glaring at Princess Ling Yun. "Are you mad? She is a princess of Nanzhao."
"So what? This princess is still a princess of Xiling. A mere minor state of Nanzhao, is this princess supposed to be afraid of her?" Princess Ling Yun retorted, raising her eyebrows.
Lei Tengfeng looked at everyone with cold eyes. "It seems Ling Yun is not wrong. East Chu indeed holds no regard for my Great Ling. In that case, I, the Heir Apparent, see no need for today’s wedding to proceed. Prince Li, wouldn’t you agree?"
Mo Jingli remained silent. Princess Ling Yun huffed. "Royal Brother, now you see it, don’t you? They simply don’t care about us at all."
Lei Tengfeng gave Princess Ling Yun a dismissive glance and said, "Pack your things; we are leaving. We will go to the palace immediately to bid farewell to the Emperor of East Chu, and then we will depart at once."
"Yes." Princess Ling Yun glanced disdainfully at Princess Qixia and Mo Jingli. Her eyes held no trace of shame from the aborted wedding; clearly, she was quite satisfied with this outcome.
"Heir Apparent, this matter can be discussed." The old prince sighed and rose to persuade him. "This concerns the diplomatic relations between our two nations. Heir Apparent, please do not act impulsively."
Lei Tengfeng responded indifferently, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. However, this matter is truly East Chu’s fault; it was not Xiling that was discourteous first. I believe that even before the Emperor of East Chu, we would not be the ones at fault. Prince Ding, Princess Consort Ding. We implore you both to uphold justice. Would you two say we are wrong?"
Ye Li secretly cursed Lei Tengfeng’s cunning for dragging them into this. Under everyone’s gaze, she managed a somewhat reserved smile. "Heir Apparent, this matter indeed involves fault on the part of His Highness Prince Li and Princess Qixia. However, there are still many unresolved doubts. More importantly, this incident was a complete accident. Our Great Chu’s sincerity towards your esteemed country is absolutely beyond doubt. I trust the Heir Apparent does not deny this?" Princess Ling Yun was brought over precisely for the marriage alliance; I really don’t believe you’d dare take her back, she thought.
The old prince looked at Ye Li with approval and smiled. "Princess Consort Ding is right. Regarding Prince Li’s offense against Princess Ling Yun, we will certainly do our utmost to compensate her. If this affects the friendship between our two nations, it would be most improper. Please, Heir Apparent, reconsider."
Seeing Lei Tengfeng’s face show signs of deliberation, Princess Ling Yun frowned and said anxiously, "Royal Brother!"
Lei Tengfeng shot her a cool glance, then looked at the Empress Dowager. "Ling Yun is my Imperial Uncle’s most beloved princess. At home, no one can bear to see her suffer the slightest grievance. I wonder how East Chu intends to compensate Ling Yun?"
Princess Ling Yun trembled slightly, a trace of disappointment on her face, but under Lei Tengfeng’s indifferent gaze, she dared not speak further.
The Empress Dowager said gravely, "Heir Apparent, what compensation do you desire?"
Lei Tengfeng’s eyes flashed, and he declared clearly, "The future Heir of Prince Li must be Ling Yun’s son. Most importantly, Princess Qixia must never hold any official title, including that of Secondary Consort or any rank above it. She must never bear Prince Li’s child."
