Her cheek burned with searing pain, and half of her face rapidly swelled red.
Tears filled Xiao Yu’s eyes as she looked up at Xie Jin.
“What did I do wrong for Your Highness to strike me so harshly?”
“What did you do wrong?” Xie Jin snapped. “Here on Yuling Mountain, in this sacred Buddhist sanctuary, you actually dared to secretly meet another man! You have no regard for a woman’s virtue, yet you think I have no right to hit you? Bitch! I’ll divorce you!”
“Your Highness should have evidence before making such accusations. I spend every day worshiping Buddha and copying scriptures. When have I ever secretly met another man?”
“Evidence? Every day after you finish copying scriptures, you go to Jingxin Hall to meet a man in secret! Tell me! Who is that bastard you’ve been meeting?”
“Cough… cough… What is Prince Rui doing? Beating your newlywed wife in front of so many people hardly befits the dignity of the imperial family.”
“Who are you to—Ninth Imperial Uncle!”
Xie Jin was already furious, and being interrupted only made him angrier. He turned around, ready to reprimand whoever had spoken.
But the moment he saw the man standing not far away, his words died in his throat.
It was Ninth Imperial Uncle.
Gu Jiuci was supported by a guard, his face pale. Yet his phoenix eyes remained as bright as the stars.
There had originally been only a handful of people nearby, but the moment Xie Jin exclaimed, “Ninth Imperial Uncle,” several more people immediately gathered around.
Gasps of astonishment sounded one after another.
“Ninth Imperial Uncle! That really is Ninth Imperial Uncle!”
“Heavens! I actually got to see Ninth Imperial Uncle with my own eyes in this lifetime! I could die without regrets now!”
“Even an immortal descending from the heavens couldn’t possibly look more extraordinary!”
Their hushed whispers drifted into Xie Jin’s ears.
One young lady was so overwhelmed that she fainted on the spot and had to be carried away by her servants.
Xie Jin immediately regretted his actions.
How could he have forgotten that Ninth Imperial Uncle was also staying on Yuling Mountain?
And of all times, Ninth Imperial Uncle had happened to witness this scene!
Xie Jin swept his gaze around and suddenly realized that he had acted too soon.
Originally, he should have waited until Xiao Yu was caught in the act of meeting her supposed lover. If he had caught them together, she would have had no way to deny it.
But the moment he saw Xiao Yu, rage had overwhelmed him.
He had deliberately chosen to confront her in a public place so others could witness what happened. Even if his own reputation suffered somewhat, he would still appear to be the victim. Perhaps others would even sympathize with him.
Yet now, the people gathered around were all dressed in expensive clothes. They were clearly noblewomen and young ladies from prominent families in the capital.
Worse still, no one seemed interested in the scandal between him and Xiao Yu anymore.
All their attention had shifted to Ninth Imperial Uncle!
“What’s wrong? Why has Prince Rui suddenly gone silent?” Gu Jiuci asked. “I heard that Princess Rui came to Yuling Mountain to pray for Dowager Consort Yu, copying scriptures and worshiping Buddha on her behalf. Surely Prince Rui does not object to that?”
“Ninth Imperial Uncle, I heard that she was secretly meeting another man here. I was so furious that I lost control and struck her…”
“I see… Cough…” Gu Jiuci paused before continuing calmly. “Perhaps someone misunderstood because Princess Rui has spent the past few days discussing Buddhist scriptures with Master Liaofan and me. Could it be that this frail body of mine is the ‘wild man’ Prince Rui was referring to?”
“What? Ninth Imperial Uncle…”
Xie Jin was immediately rendered speechless.
Could it be that when Xiaobaozi wrote that Xiao Yu was “secretly meeting a man,” he had actually been referring to these discussions with Ninth Imperial Uncle?
If Xiao Yu had merely been discussing Buddhist teachings with Ninth Imperial Uncle while Master Liaofan was also present, how could that possibly be considered a secret rendezvous?
Had Xiaobaozi seen things incorrectly?
“Your Highness, I know in my heart that I have done nothing improper. I merely had the good fortune to discuss Buddhist teachings with Ninth Imperial Uncle and Master Liaofan, yet Your Highness misunderstood me so terribly! I have truly been wronged!”
As Xiao Yu spoke, she covered her face and began to sob softly.
The side of her face that Xie Jin had struck was already badly swollen, making her look utterly pitiful.
How could the surrounding onlookers fail to understand what had happened now?
“Who would have thought that the mighty Prince Rui would believe rumors so easily?”
“I heard that Prince Rui and Princess Rui were childhood sweethearts!”
“They’ve only been married for a few days, yet Prince Rui is already beating his princess consort! How does that resemble the rumors that he was deeply in love with her? I’m afraid his heart belongs to someone else!”
“You haven’t heard? Apparently, on the very day of his wedding, Prince Rui brought a pregnant woman back to his residence!”
“Seriously? Isn’t that practically slapping Princess Rui in the face in front of everyone?”
…
Xie Jin’s expression alternated between pale and livid.
If he still could not understand what had happened by now, then he truly would have been a fool.
The only question was whether Xiaobaozi had sent that misleading message of his own accord…
Or whether someone had instructed him to do so.
Seeing that the situation had developed far enough, Gu Jiuci waved his hand.
Someone immediately stepped forward to disperse the crowd.
A young monk from the temple also approached and informed them that Master Liaofan wished to see them.
Once they arrived at Master Liaofan’s meditation hall, the master carefully explained how the three of them had come to discuss Buddhist scriptures together.
It turned out that Ninth Imperial Uncle frequently visited Yuling Mountain to pray for blessings and discuss Buddhist teachings with Master Liaofan.
Despite the difference in their ages, the two were close friends and shared a deep appreciation for Buddhist philosophy.
One day, after Xiao Yu finished copying scriptures, she happened to pass by and offered a few of her own insights.
Thus, what had originally been a discussion between two people became a discussion among three.
Every day after Princess Rui finished copying scriptures, the three of them would sit beneath the bodhi tree in the rear courtyard of Jingxin Hall, drinking tea and discussing Buddhist teachings.
Who could have imagined that someone would twist such an innocent gathering into a claim that Princess Rui was secretly meeting a lover?
It was utterly absurd.
Xie Jin was so embarrassed that he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
Master Liaofan’s gaze remained serene and gentle. After finishing his explanation, he excused himself and left.
Only three people remained in the courtyard.
Gu Jiuci sat calmly with his guard standing behind him.
Farther away, Xiao Yu stood to one side, supported by Yuyan and Anxiang.
“Princess Rui has suffered an injustice. Sit down. Today, I will make sure justice is done for you.”
Only moments ago, Ninth Imperial Uncle had been coughing so badly that his breathing was unsteady.
Yet now, he spoke calmly and effortlessly. His gaze was cool, and only his frail appearance hinted at his poor health.
Xie Jin felt his scalp go numb.
He could not understand why Ninth Imperial Uncle was so interested in his affairs today that he had decided to interfere in a dispute between husband and wife.
Since Ninth Imperial Uncle had already spoken this way, he was clearly going to handle the matter as an elder of the imperial family.
It would be better for Xie Jin to admit his mistake first.
After all, he had indeed been careless.
He had simply assumed that since Xiao Yu had already been accused of misconduct before, then this time…
Xie Jin’s knees weakened, and he dropped to the ground.
“Imperial Uncle! Your nephew was wrong! I should never have listened to a servant’s slander and misunderstood Yu’er.”
“You two grew up together as childhood sweethearts, yet you do not even have this much trust in her. As Prince Rui, your behavior truly disappoints me.”
Gu Jiuci took a sip of tea.
His tone remained gentle and unhurried, almost as though he had no intention of seeking justice for Xiao Yu at all.
Yet the calmer and more indifferent he appeared, the more frightened Xie Jin became.
Ninth Imperial Uncle might be sickly, but that did not mean he was merciful.
He was a man who could determine the life or death of an imperial court official while smiling and chatting pleasantly.
Who in the capital did not fear him?
“It was all because a servant delivered false information. Naturally, I didn’t believe it at first, but they described everything in such convincing detail that I lost my head for a moment… Imperial Uncle, Yu’er and I grew up together. Of course I know what kind of person she is. I was simply deceived!”
Gu Jiuci set down his teacup and glanced at him.
“Get up. I never told you to kneel. If someone saw Prince Rui kneeling here, wouldn’t you lose all your dignity?”
He paused before continuing casually.
“I originally had no intention of interfering in your family affairs. Unfortunately, I happen to be the ‘wild man’ that servant was talking about.”
“I would very much like to know which servant is so blind that he could mistake me for some random man.”
Xie Jin stood up.
Hearing Ninth Imperial Uncle repeat the words “wild man” made cold sweat break out across his back.
At this point, his only choice was to push Xiaobaozi forward to take the blame.
“Xiaobaozi, a servant Yu’er brought with her, was the one who sent the message back to the residence.”
“Then bring him here. I would like to see for myself whether there is something wrong with his eyes.”
The guard behind Gu Jiuci acknowledged the order and left.
Before long, he returned carrying Xiaobaozi as effortlessly as if he were holding a little chick.
Xiaobaozi dropped to his knees, his entire body trembling.
“You are Xiaobaozi?”
Gu Jiuci looked down at him.
“You claimed that you saw Princess Rui secretly meeting with me. Tell me—which of your eyes saw it?”
Xiaobaozi quickly raised his head.
The moment he realized that the man before him was Ninth Imperial Uncle, he became so terrified that he could barely form a complete sentence.
“This servant… I-I didn’t… didn’t see…”
“Since you didn’t see anything, how did you decide that Princess Rui was secretly meeting some wild man?”
Xiaobaozi immediately prostrated himself on the ground, unable to utter a word.
Xie Jin, however, was beginning to lose patience.
He glanced cautiously at Ninth Imperial Uncle before kicking Xiaobaozi.
“Tell the truth immediately! You couldn’t even recognize Ninth Imperial Uncle, yet you dared to send me such nonsense! Is this how you perform your duties?”
Tears and snot streamed down Xiaobaozi’s face.
At this point, he could no longer afford to remain silent.
If he failed to explain everything clearly, he might not even leave this place alive!
He repeatedly slammed his forehead against the ground.
“Your Highness! Ninth Prince, spare my life! I know I was wrong! I was blind! I only heard a man’s voice from outside—I never actually saw Ninth Prince!”
“It was… it was Concubine Jin from the residence! She told me to create a misunderstanding and send the information back to Your Highness!”
The moment Xie Jin heard those words, his expression froze.
Apparently, even he had never expected Jinniang to be involved.