The next day, rumors flew in all directions, claiming that the eldest young lady of the Xiao family was green with envy and had beaten the woman brought back by the Prince Regent until she suffered a miscarriage.
Xiao Mingyue’s father was Xiao Zhan, the Grand General Protecting the State. Having lost his wife in his early years, he was left with Xiao Mingyue as his only daughter, naturally pampering her in every conceivable way. Thus, it seemed entirely plausible that she would commit such a deed.
However, Xiao Zhan believed in his daughter implicitly. She would never commit such a malicious act, and it had to be a deliberate frame-up by that seductive vixen.
Thinking of this, he actually felt like submitting an imperial impeachment against Feng Buji. Yet, since Feng Buji had just returned victorious from war and his influence was at its absolute peak, it was not a good time to act.
A royal banquet had originally been scheduled in the palace today to celebrate the Prince Regent’s victorious return, but due to this unexpected turn of events, it could only be postponed for a few days.
In the afternoon, a troop of soldiers suddenly arrived outside the General’s Residence, surrounding the entire compound so tightly that not a drop of water could leak out. The onlookers gathered outside were pointing and whispering in commotion.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao Zhan walked out with a darkened expression.
Seeing him, Feng Buji showed none of his usual respect. His face was terrifyingly somber, and his thin lips parted as he barked coldly, “Bring Xiao Mingyue out!”
Feng Buji was the only non-royal prince of a different surname in the current dynasty. His ancestors were sworn brothers with the founding emperor of the Great Qi, granting his lineage continuous control over immense power.
The current Emperor was weak and frail due to illness, causing supreme authority to fall into outer hands. This had led to Feng Buji being granted the title of Prince Regent to ensure the stability of Great Qi’s empire.
Rumors among the common folk suggested that if anything were to happen to the Emperor, the throne might be passed down to Prince Regent Feng Buji. The ministers at court feared him and tried to impeach him, but all were ruthlessly suppressed by his iron-fisted methods. His victorious return from war now only solidified his supreme status—second only to one, but above tens of thousands.
Now that he had led soldiers to surround the General’s Residence, no one even dared to raise a voice against him.
Xiao Zhan’s brows were knit tight. Seeing Feng Buji’s stance, if he refused to hand over his daughter, Feng Buji would likely turn the entire General’s Residence upside down.
Yet Xiao Mingyue was his only daughter. Even if it meant defying an imperial decree, he would protect her safety.
“My daughter went to Foguang Temple today to pray for blessings. Please return, Your Highness.”
“Is that so?” Feng Buji was clearly unconvinced. The moment he lowered his raised hand, the guards behind him swarmed forward.
Xiao Zhan was still the Grand General Protecting the State, holding command over two hundred thousand troops. How could he allow anyone to recklessly barge in and out of his residence? Immediately, his men stepped forward to block their path.
Both sides drew their blades against each other, creating an atmosphere so tense that swords were ready to clash at any second, drawing gasps from the watching crowd.
“Look at that, aren’t the Prince Regent and the eldest young lady of the General’s Residence childhood sweethearts? They were even betrothed, yet now they’re causing such a scene for another woman, tsk tsk tsk.”
“I heard that before the Prince Regent left for war, he promised to marry Xiao Mingyue as soon as he returned. Who knew his heart would change in just three years? Truly heartbreaking.”
“Speaking of which, just what kind of sacred figure is that other woman? To think she could make the Prince Regent cut ties with the Xiao family for her sake?”
“Who knows where that vixen came from! You men are all equally cheap!”
Feng Buji felt a momentary daze. Looking at the sword in his hand pointed at Xiao Zhan, the rage in his heart gradually cooled down.
He suddenly lowered his sword and tried his best to hold back his temper, saying, “Have Mingyue come out and apologize to Hua Heng, and this matter will be settled.” This was the greatest concession he could possibly make.
*Just an apology?* Xiao Zhan didn’t believe it. Would a ruthless man like Feng Buji truly let Mingyue off so easily?
Even if Feng Buji chose not to pursue the matter out of their past affection, once she stepped into the Regent’s Residence and that vixen whispered sweet nothings into his ear, Xiao Mingyue’s situation would be just as perilous.
Therefore, he would not yield.
As the two sides remained locked in a stalemate, a faint tinkling of silver bells sounded, followed by the appearance of a crimson figure stepping into the public eye.
Xiao Mingyue walked out from within. Her long, black hair was held up simply by a single jade hairpin, her face devoid of any makeup. Her skin was tender, white, and soft as a peach, her eyebrows dark without drawing, and her lips naturally red without paint. She was as drop-dead gorgeous as a fairy stepping out from a painting—dazzlingly exquisite and enchanting.
Everyone held their breath, and even Feng Buji’s eyes couldn’t help but flash with a momentary glint of awe.
“Mingyue, why did you come out?” Xiao Zhan said with anxious concern, his scalp tingling as he caught the cold sneer on Feng Buji’s face.
“Father, I do not wish to put you in a difficult position. I will not admit to things I haven’t done. Going with him today is solely to dissolve our betrothal,” Xiao Mingyue said with resolute firmness.
Since they were a pair of lovers destined for each other, why should she act as the villain tearing them apart? She might as well let them go—and let herself go too. She would treat those dozen years of love and time as having been thrown to the dogs. From this day forth, their paths would never cross again, and she would care no longer whether he fared well or ill.
“Xiao Mingyue, you actually have some backbone! Then this Prince will see for himself how you humiliate yourself!” Feng Buji was driven mad with rage. The moment he heard the words “dissolve our betrothal,” he almost failed to hold his sword steady.
She had murdered his child, so what right did she have to dissolve the betrothal with him!
Hua Heng was right; he had simply spoiled her too much. A temper like hers was utterly unworthy of being his Princess Regent!
Feng Buji grabbed her arm viciously, dragged her to the front of the carriage, and shoved her inside with violent force.
The crowd watched the spectacle with malicious delight:
“Now, this is going to be a good show to watch.”