Prince Su was holding back laughter so hard his stomach hurt.
The Yun Family should be grateful they were at the palace gates; otherwise, he would have made them understand what it meant for a mother to be strong and a father to be stainless steel!
Daring to criticize his son and daughter-in-law to his face—were they tired of living?
But since they were at the palace gates, there was nothing to be done. He had to know when to stop.
With a smile, he stepped forward to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, let's go. It's getting late. As subjects, we mustn't keep His Majesty waiting."
He took Princess Su by the arm and left, casually dragging Lou Buqi along with him.
Lou Buqi, in turn, pulled Ju Yue along.
Prince Su, grinning broadly, led the three of them away at a brisk pace, disappearing through the palace gates in the blink of an eye.
The Yun Family wanted to retort, but with everyone gone, they could only swallow their words resentfully and follow into the palace.
Yun Feiyang, sharp and observant, noticed the guards stationed at the palace gates following the Lou family with their eyes, their gazes filled with admiration and praise.
Yet when they glanced back at his own family, the guards immediately straightened up, staring straight ahead as if they hadn't seen them at all.
Yun Feiyang looked at the figures disappearing ahead.
The Lou family’s attire and makeup were exquisite and opulent, down to the tips of their fingers.
Ju Yue even wore finger chains—delicate silver strands embedded with tiny jade butterflies, spread across the fair, luminous skin of her hands. The jewelry and the maiden’s skin complemented each other, dazzlingly beautiful.
In contrast, his own family wore their court robes properly, with no additional adornments.
Dull and drab, they didn’t inspire even a second glance.
A vague, inexplicable irritation suddenly stirred in Yun Feiyang’s heart.
Could it be that what he had always believed in was wrong?
No one could give him an answer.
The group followed the young eunuch into the warm pavilion.
The emperor’s health had worsened over the years, and even though it was already late spring in April, he still resided in the East Warm Pavilion.
A heated floor system warmed the room, and as soon as they entered, a wave of warm air, heavy with the scent of medicine and incense, rushed toward them, making Ju Yue’s breath catch.
Curious about what the emperor looked like, Ju Yue quickly glanced up.
The emperor was a slightly plump old man in his sixties.
He leaned his elbow on the imperial desk draped in yellow silk, holding two gleaming copper coins between his fingers, using them to pluck at the short stubble newly sprouted on his chin.
The coins clicked together rhythmically—tap, tap, tap—creating an inexplicable sense of pressure.
Ju Yue dared only one look before quickly lowering her head again.
A hoarse, authoritative voice rang out: "Who is my own daughter? Come forward and let me see."
The tone…
Ju Yue’s heart skipped a beat.
She had spoken those words out of necessity, but there was also the suspicion of putting the emperor on the spot.
If the emperor was broad-minded, he could simply laugh it off.
But if he was narrow-minded, he might see it as coercion.
What, only if I stand up for you does it count as loving my subjects like my own children? If I don’t, it doesn’t?
And this current emperor…
It was said he had been better in his youth, but as he aged, his suspicions grew heavier, and his moods became increasingly unpredictable.
Such an emperor was unlikely to simply laugh off her words…
Ju Yue’s heart tightened.
She had spoken recklessly yesterday, enjoying the moment, but now, standing before the emperor, she broke out in a cold sweat.
She was living in an era of imperial authority! Not the modern age of free speech!
A single word from those above, and her head could roll.
Still trembling with fear, she felt a gentle push on her back, nudging her forward.
Lou Buqi’s voice was gentle, more so than ever before: “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. Go ahead.”
Ju Yue imitated the way characters in TV dramas bowed and kowtowed.
“Your subject Ju Yue pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years.”
The emperor hummed in acknowledgment. “Raise your head.”
Ju Yue slowly lifted her head, her gaze still not daring to meet the emperor’s, focusing instead on the ground a foot in front of her.
Then she heard the emperor say, “Indeed, a lovely child.”
Ju Yue gritted her teeth and, without waiting for the emperor to question her, took the initiative to admit her mistake.
“Your Majesty, please forgive me! Yesterday, in a moment of desperation, I spoke out of turn. I did not mean to offend Your Majesty. I beg for Your Majesty’s mercy!”
The emperor fell silent for a moment before saying, “I heard about what happened yesterday. The Yun Family’s actions were indeed improper, and you were truly wronged.”
This statement served as a final judgment.
The members of the Yun Family all remained silent, not uttering a word.
The emperor continued, “But what I don’t understand is this: matters of marriage are decided by one’s parents. Since you were wronged, why didn’t you return to Ju Qian Tai to seek justice? Instead, you went to strike the Dengwen Drum?”
Ju Qian Tai was Ju Yue’s father, the Vice Minister.
The emperor’s words were a clear accusation of the Ju Family’s inaction.
The emperor’s eyes were filled with the gleeful anticipation of watching a spectacle unfold.
“You… don’t resent your father?”
Bai Yanling stared intently at Ju Yue, a faint sense of excitement stirring within her.
Accuse him!
Ju Yue, go ahead and accuse him!
Accuse the Ju Family! Accuse Vice Minister Ju!
Drag the entire Ju Family down, make them suffer!
Better yet, have the entire Ju Family stripped of their positions, dismissed from office, and banished from the capital!
That way, Ju Yue would have no support left in the capital.
Others also furrowed their brows.
The emperor’s words were laden with traps.
Even if the Ju Family had not stood up for Ju Yue or supported her, they had given birth to her and raised her.
The debt of life and upbringing is as vast as the heavens. If Ju Yue were to accuse the Ju Family now, not only would the Ju Family be ruined, but Ju Yue herself would also lose the emperor’s respect.
Then they heard Ju Yue say, “Your subject does not blame my father, nor my mother or brothers. I only blame myself.”
She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and steady as she looked at the emperor, and declared loudly, “Your subject only regrets not being strong enough!”
“If I were strong enough, no one would dare to bully me.”
Everyone was taken aback, and the hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
They all began to ponder Ju Yue’s words carefully.
Indeed, if one were strong enough, who would dare to bully them?!
Lou Buqi stared blankly at Ju Yue’s profile, and suddenly, his nose felt warm.
He reached up in a daze to wipe it, and his fingertips came away stained with a bright red smear.
Blood!
He was actually having a nosebleed!
How mortifying!
What on earth did his mother put in that bowl of Butang she made him drink?!
The emperor widened his eyes in surprise as he looked at Lou Buqi.
A nosebleed? Young people shouldn’t have such fiery tempers!
Ju Yue was also startled and quickly handed over her handkerchief.
Lou Buqi pressed her handkerchief against his nostrils and shot Ju Yue a deeply resentful look.
He complained to the emperor, “Your Majesty, it’s all her fault that I’m having a nosebleed!”
The emperor grew intrigued. “How so?”
Lou Buqi replied with a nasal tone, “She’s angry at me for snatching her away in marriage. Last night, on our wedding night, she wouldn’t even let me touch her!”
Everyone: “…”
Ju Yue: “…”
Prince Su and Princess Su, who had been quite worried about their son, silently turned away upon hearing this.
Forget it. It’s just a little nosebleed. Compared to the embarrassment we’ve suffered, it’s really nothing.
Prince Su’s hands itched, and he felt a strong urge to turn this brat into a dead brat.
Let him become a stinky brat in a couple of days!
In truth, Lou Buqi’s words were genuinely meant to praise Ju Yue.
A young girl being forcibly taken by a bully for marriage, resisting to the death—doesn’t that sound loyal and heroic?
Sure enough, the emperor was somewhat moved, and his gaze toward Ju Yue softened considerably.
Yun Feiyang’s body suddenly trembled, and he turned to look at Ju Yue in disbelief, his breathing growing heavy.
She…
Why?
Could it be that she still remembers her engagement with him?