“How could this happen?” Old Master Yun said anxiously. “Qingqing, hurry to the palace and explain to His Majesty that these betrothal gifts were sent by the Regent for the marriage proposal, and you’ve already severed ties with the Crown Prince!”
Before Yun Qingqing could respond, the eunuch sneered as if he had heard a joke:
“Oh! What a ridiculous fantasy! To escape punishment, you’d even fabricate such lies! Look at her appearance—what kind of virtue is that? It makes me sick just to see her! How dare she try to deceive His Majesty with such clumsy lies? What crime should she be charged with?”
He mocked and humiliated them to the extreme, expecting the people of the Yun Estate to be utterly ashamed. Yet, after his words, he noticed everyone looking at him with complex expressions.
It seemed… there was surprise mixed with a hint of pity?
Feeling displeased, the eunuch frowned and was about to speak when a cold, stern voice suddenly came from inside the hall:
“What did you just say about this king’s Princess Consort’s appearance?”
“R-Regent!” The eunuch’s face turned pale with fright as he recognized the noble man being wheeled out in a chair.
His legs gave way, and he knelt on the floor with a thud, slapping himself repeatedly.
“Your Highness, please forgive me! This lowly servant was blind and failed to recognize the Princess Consort! I never meant any harm! Please spare my life, Your Highness! Spare my life, Princess Consort!”
Yun Qingqing watched with a smile as he slapped himself over twenty times before leisurely walking toward the gate:
“Didn’t the Emperor summon me to the palace? Aren’t you going to lead the way?”
The eunuch glanced fearfully at the Regent and, seeing no objection, scrambled to his feet as if granted a pardon.
“Yes, yes! This lowly servant will lead the way immediately. Please, Princess Consort!”
“Wait.”
Xiao Changheng suddenly spoke, and the eunuch knelt again with a thud.
The Regent approached Yun Qingqing, his usually stern expression softening noticeably:
“This king will accompany you.”
Watching Yun Qingqing leave the estate surrounded by attendants, Yun Bai Lian nearly tore her clothes apart in resentment.
That wretched woman was clearly taking advantage of the Regent’s blindness, using some trick to make him marry her!
She gritted her teeth and whispered:
“Father, Mother, think of something quickly! We can’t let that ugly monster marry into the Regent’s household. Otherwise, what good days will we have left?”
“What’s there to panic about?” Yun Zhiping said coldly. “As long as her mother remains unconscious for a single day, I don’t believe she’d dare lay a finger on us!”
Yun Bai Lian and Second Madam immediately sneered, feeling much more at ease upon remembering this.
As they whispered among themselves, they suddenly saw Nanzheng, who had escorted the Regent out, return and walk straight to Yun Zhiping, expressionless:
“Second Uncle Yun, it’s time to settle the accounts.”
Yun Zhiping’s eyelids twitched, and his earlier smugness vanished instantly.
…
Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.
“Your Majesty, Yun Qingqing disregarded Your Majesty’s decree and forced a marriage proposal on the streets. She’s not only bullying the Su family but also slapping the imperial family in the face!” Madam Su had already embellished the story she’d heard and concluded, “Such wicked deeds must not be lightly forgiven! I beg Your Majesty to punish her severely!”
Su Yurou stood beside her, eyes red and face full of grievance.
Prime Minister Su also said gravely:
“Yun Qingqing is clearly taking advantage of being a descendant of a meritorious official to act recklessly. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for my family!”
The Emperor on the Dragon Throne looked ill, his brow tightly furrowed.
“I’ve long heard that Yun Qingqing has been clinging to the Crown Prince, but she never crossed the line. How could she go so far today?”
“Your Majesty, if Yun Qingqing dares to force marriage upon the Crown Prince by threatening suicide today, what won’t she do in the future!” the Empress also said angrily. “If such behavior is not severely punished, where will imperial authority stand!”
The Emperor rubbed his temples, nodding with both anger and exhaustion:
“The Empress speaks wisely. When Yun Qingqing arrives… cough… I will certainly question her thoroughly!”
Outside the Imperial Study at that moment, Yun Qingqing had just reached the door when she heard bursts of angry reprimands from inside.
Sensing the sudden chill in the aura of the person beside her, she turned and patted Xiao Changheng’s hand:
“Your Highness, don’t be angry. Leave this trivial matter to me.”
The guard pushing the wheelchair shuddered. This woman had nerves of steel—how dare she take such liberties with His Highness just because of their engagement…
But as soon as this thought arose, he saw his own aloof and noble master grasp Yun Qingqing’s hand in return, saying solemnly:
“Do as you wish without restraint. I will handle everything for you!”
The guard’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He had never seen His Highness treat any woman like this! Was this still his master?
“Don’t worry, I’m not someone to be bullied easily!” Yun Qingqing’s eyes curved into a smile as she reassured him, then turned and entered the Imperial Study first.
Xiao Changheng’s hand now empty, his brow furrowed slightly.
Her hand… why was it so cold?
After a moment of contemplation, he whispered an order to his attendant before following her inside.
As soon as Yun Qingqing appeared, the gazes of everyone in the room focused on her, each revealing deep meaning.
The woman wore a dirty white dress that was still damp, her disheveled hair stuck together in clumps, and her face covered in festering, scabbed sores was almost unbearable to look at.
It seemed she had indeed thrown herself into the river to force the marriage, hence her wretched state.
Seeing this, the Emperor’s expression darkened further. Just as he was about to speak to Yun Qingqing, he suddenly noticed Xiao Changheng following behind and was taken aback:
“Imperial Brother, why… cough… why have you come?”
Hearing his breathless cough, Xiao Changheng frowned:
“I happened to have some business and thought I’d visit you, Brother. How has your health been lately?”
“Much better, Imperial Brother. Don’t worry. Please sit for now. I’ll speak with you shortly.” The Emperor’s expression softened considerably as he ordered, “Someone, bring tea for the Regent King!”
Prime Minister Su’s expression had soured the moment the Regent King appeared.
He had heard on the way that the Regent King, bewitched by Yun Qingqing, forced the Crown Prince to divert the betrothal gifts to the Yun Estate. Could he be here now to support Yun Qingqing?
But looking at that hideously ugly face, Prime Minister Su felt somewhat reassured. How could the Emperor possibly allow such an ugly woman to marry the Crown Prince?
Yes, he should simply request an Imperial Edict for the marriage later. Once it’s set in stone, what could the Regent King do about it?
Having secretly made his plan, Prime Minister Su spoke up to remind:
“Your Majesty, regarding Yun Qingqing forcing marriage midway and seizing the betrothal gifts the Crown Prince intended for my daughter, I hope a decision can be made soon.”
The Emperor turned a stern gaze toward Yun Qingqing but was again repulsed by her swollen, scabbed face. Displeased, he said:
“Yun Qingqing, in consideration of your family’s meritorious service, I will give you a chance. Apologize to the Su family and return the betrothal gifts immediately, and I may consider leniency.”
Yun Qingqing chuckled, unhurriedly taking out a scroll of silk:
“Your Majesty, I haven’t done anything wrong. Why should I apologize?”