Eunuch Shi immediately moved a nearby chair over and then served a cup of hot tea.
All the civil and military officials stood, while only the Emperor and the Crown Prince were seated, with Murong Xuan holding a cup of tea in his hand.
He tilted his head slightly as if he had just noticed Shen Xiyue, his face full of surprise: "Hmm… is that County Princess Huayang? What happened to your face? And why are your clothes torn like this?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor You'an's barely suppressed anger flared up again. Pointing at Qi Xun, he scolded: "It's all because of this scoundrel!"
Qi Xun's face turned pale, then paler still.
He couldn't help but feel that the Crown Prince's question was deliberate.
Before he could figure it out, Murong Xuan sighed again:
"Rumors are spreading outside that Heir Qi has shifted his affections to another, even going so far as to set fire to his bride on their wedding night… I thought these were deliberate slanders and falsehoods, believing that a scion of a noble family would never commit such rebellious and outrageous acts. Little did I expect it to be true."
Qi Xun: "…"
In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he had already experienced for the second time what it felt like to have fuel added to the fire.
Emperor You'an no longer hesitated: "Crown Prince, there are only two days left before the departure to Jiangnan. Since you insist on going, you'll have to endure the hardship. If there's anything you don't understand, ask Chancellor Song. He once served as an official in Jiangnan during his posting."
Finally, he added a concerned remark: "Be careful not to overexert yourself. Take the physician from your manor with you."
After all, this was his own son, and he did feel some affection for him.
Murong Xuan rose from his chair: "Yes, thank you for your grace, Father."
Emperor You'an grunted in acknowledgment. Flood control wasn't particularly difficult anyway. If the Crown Prince wanted to go, let him see for himself.
However, seeing the Crown Prince now, he calmed down a bit… He didn't know how long the Crown Prince's frail health would hold up, so he shouldn't block the paths of his other sons too completely.
Looking at Qi Xun, whose face was ashen and on the verge of madness, Emperor You'an pinched the bridge of his nose: "Drag him out and give him another fifty lashes! Then send him back to the Qi family to reflect on his actions!"
This meant he was to be placed under house arrest!
Qi Xun knelt on the ground, his entire body trembling and on the verge of collapse. He still couldn't figure out who had posted those notices!
Because of them, he had been beaten twice, Shen Xiyue had demanded a divorce, his assignment to the south was gone, and now the Emperor had placed him under house arrest!
How could he ever show his face again?!
Moreover, he had already received thirty lashes earlier. Another fifty—would he even survive?
The imperial guards who had carried out the punishment earlier expertly gagged him and dragged him out.
Marquis Qi, heartbroken for his son, wanted to plead for mercy. But when he looked up and met Emperor You'an's disgusted and disappointed gaze, he swallowed his words resentfully.
Fine, my son. After all, this was your idea. You'll just have to endure it now.
"If there is nothing else, all ministers may retire from court!"
Emperor You'an, barely suppressing his anger, felt utterly exhausted.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In the end, this incident had subtly implicated the princes, and the Emperor's intentions remained unclear. Who dared to say anything more?
…
As she walked out of the grand hall, Shen Xiyue felt a sense of unreality.
The Emperor had actually agreed to her divorce from Qi Xun!
From now on, every step away from Wenyuan Marquis Manor would lessen the fear in her heart.
Her cousin had volunteered to supervise the guards carrying out Qi Xun's punishment, and she followed her uncle, Chancellor Song.
Chancellor Song was full of heartache: "Xiyue, don't worry. After the divorce, go back and live well in the mansion. Don't be afraid of the injury on your face—your uncle will find you the best doctor! Also, I'll have someone bring your dowry back for you in a moment…"
Just as Shen Xiyue was about to explain that her facial injury was fake, a voice as gentle as a breeze suddenly rang out: "Chancellor Song, the physician in my mansion is highly skilled and can treat the County Princess."
Shen Xiyue: "…"
She instinctively wanted to refuse. What need did she have for a doctor?
How could Murong Xuan not know what was really going on with the "injury" on her face?
What was he trying to do now?
But with so many people around and eyes everywhere, she simply couldn't explain!
She lowered her gaze, speechless.
Chancellor Song, however, didn't stand on ceremony with Murong Xuan and accepted his proposal. After all, Doctor Mu from the Crown Prince Mansion was famously skilled.
"County Princess Huayang," Murong Xuan suddenly turned and called her softly.
His tone was neutral, and Shen Xiyue pretended to be serious: "What is it?"
"Where would you like your dowry moved? I can arrange it for you."
Shen Xiyue thought for a moment: "Let it be placed in Junzhu Mansion."
Moving a dowry out and then back in wasn't exactly auspicious. Her uncle had already been very protective of her, and she needed to consider the reputation of the Song family as well.
As for the mansion granted to her by the Emperor, it was spacious and regularly maintained.
Murong Xuan glanced at her but said nothing, giving a slight nod instead.
If he remembered correctly, the Junzhu Mansion granted to her by the Emperor was directly opposite the back gate of his Crown Prince Mansion.
The group left the palace and returned to the Crown Prince Mansion.
The servants welcomed them into the main hall.
Shen Xiyue finally found an opportunity to explain to Chancellor Song.
"Uncle, the injury on my face is fake… Last night, I discovered that Qi Xun had no intention of saving me—he wanted me dead. When I went to lodge a complaint today, I deliberately made myself look like this."
She spoke half-truths, carefully omitting Murong Xuan's involvement.
Chancellor Song, of course, sided with his niece. Hearing this, he was delighted: "Really? It's good that Xiyue is unharmed! I was worried… You handled this well. The Qi family truly deserves this!"
Shen Xiyue nodded: "It's true."
As she spoke, she reached up and peeled off the fake scars on her face to show her uncle.
Chancellor Song quickly said: "Good, put it back on. Keep it like this for now. Later, I'll have your cousin submit a memorial against them and make the Qi family compensate you with silver for treating your face."
Shen Xiyue: "…"
Truly, a chancellor is a chancellor!
As he spoke, Chancellor Song glanced at Murong Xuan: "Although the County Princess's injury is fake, this official thanks Your Highness for your kindness. Regarding the relief efforts in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, I do have some experience. Would Your Highness be willing to listen?"
Murong Xuan smiled lightly: "Chancellor Song is too polite. I am all ears."
Chancellor Song and Murong Xuan went to the study to discuss matters, leaving Shen Xiyue to sit idly by herself.
Before long, Shuangye came over with a cup of hot tea, speaking with an easy familiarity: "County Princess, you're back. His Highness specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare some grilled lamb from the Western Frontier. It'll be ready to eat soon!"
"Back"?
The way she said it…
A sudden wave of sorrow welled up in Shen Xiyue's heart.
For two lifetimes, ever since coming to the capital, she had never truly returned to the Western Frontier.
Yet Murong Xuan had specifically ordered the kitchen to prepare grilled lamb from her homeland in the Western Frontier.
Shuangye chattered away, "What are you daydreaming about? Princess, hurry up and tell me, did everything go smoothly today?"
Shen Xiyue smiled, the corners of her lips naturally curling upward with a hint of mischief:
"Smoothly! With you dressing me up like this, how could it not go smoothly? Let me tell you…"
She picked out the things she could share and told Shuangye about them. The two of them chatted so congenially that even when the Crown Prince sent Maoping over several times to urge her to join them for the meal, they were still chattering away.
Until Murong Xuan came in person to invite her.
He stood at the doorway, frowning slightly: "The maid is yours to keep. You can chat with her slowly once you take her back. Come and have your meal."
Shen Xiyue: "…"