Mu Yunjin spent the entire next day in her room without going out. She went to bed early, looking forward to the coming day.

…

In Butterfly Flower City, a secret emerged overnight. It quickly spread from one to ten, ten to a hundred, and within a few short hours, it had spread throughout the entire Western Yuan Kingdom.

Early in the morning, Mu Yunjin slipped out the back door of the residence and headed for the main streets.

As soon as she entered the market, she saw a group of commoners gathered together, animatedly discussing something—

“Xiao Lian has such good fortune this time. His son has become involved with the Fifth Princess! That’s incredible, making a connection to the royal family.”

“I never would have guessed. This fellow Xiao Tianqi runs a gambling house and doesn’t seem respectable at all. The Fifth Princess must be blind to have taken a fancy to him.”

“Shhh, speak more quietly. You don’t know the inside story, do you?”

“Old Li, what do you mean? What are you talking about?”

…

…

“My brother, who works in the palace, told me that the Emperor originally intended to marry the Fifth Princess off to the Eastern Lin Kingdom as a peace bride, but the Fifth Princess was unwilling. So she secretly found Xiao Tianqi, and now it’s already too late, the deed is done…”

“Is that true? The Fifth Princess has already given herself to him?”

“Indeed she has!”

After listening for a while, Mu Yunjin walked ahead. Seeing that all the rumors had achieved the effect she wanted, her smile widened.

Chu Qingchang, this time I’ll make sure you fall so hard you can’t get up!

Over the next while, Mu Yunjin walked through two streets, hearing various versions of the story from the commoners. But the one constant was that everyone knew Chu Qingchang had been having a secret affair with Xiao Tianqi.

Before she knew it, she had walked to the entrance of the gambling house. The entire establishment was now surrounded by the imperial guards, with crowds of onlookers standing nearby.

Soon after, Xiao Tianqi was escorted out by several imperial guards.

Xiao Tianqi struggled as he was brought out. Catching sight of Mu Yunjin standing to the side, he sent her a pleading look.

Mu Yunjin smiled at him and nodded slightly, indicating that he should not worry.

Seeing this, Xiao Tianqi truly relaxed, pouting and speaking impatiently, “You’d better be polite to me. Otherwise, when this young master becomes the Fifth Princess’s consort, you’ll all have a taste of my retribution.”

Hearing this, the imperial guards who had been restraining Xiao Tianqi loosened their grip. They placed him in a carriage and headed toward the imperial palace.

Seeing Xiao Tianqi being taken to the palace, Mu Yunjin also headed in that direction.

…

At that moment, in the imperial court hall.

“Father Emperor, Mother Empress, your daughter has been wronged! I have always been disciplined and proper. How could I do such a scandalous thing?” Chu Qingchang knelt on the ground, looking at Emperor Xi Ming and the Empress in the center of the hall, then casting a pleading glance toward Empress Dowager Zheng sitting to the side.

Emperor Xi Ming, upon hearing this, was furious and snorted heavily. “Then explain, why do the rumors specifically target you? Have you truly not had a secret affair with that merchant’s son?”

“Father Emperor, your daughter would never dare do such a thing!” As Chu Qingchang finished speaking, she kowtowed heavily.

“My son, this must be some scoundrel spreading malicious rumors. Why not send someone to thoroughly investigate? Qingchang has been obedient and sensible since childhood. How could she do such a thing?” Empress Dowager Zheng spoke up to defend Chu Qingchang.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Qingchang is supposed to marry into the Eastern Lin Kingdom in the future. Now that such rumors have emerged, they will surely damage her reputation. We must investigate thoroughly to clear Qingchang’s name,” the Empress also echoed.

Emperor Xi Ming, having heard the words of the Empress Dowager and the Empress, softened his expression somewhat and waved at Chu Qingchang. “Qingchang, get up first.”

Chu Qingchang nodded.

At this moment, Xiao Tianqi was also escorted into the hall.

Entering the hall, Xiao Tianqi, seeing such an imposing scene for the first time, felt his legs tremble inexplicably. Upon seeing Chu Qingchang, whom he had been thinking about day and night, he took a deep breath and firmly remembered the instructions Mu Yunjin had given him.

“Xiao Tianqi, do you know what crime you have committed?” Emperor Xi Ming’s eyes darkened when he saw Xiao Tianqi.

Xiao Tianqi knelt. “This commoner does not know what crime he has committed!”

“Hmph, you scoundrel, who gave you the audacity to damage this Princess’s reputation?” Chu Qingchang was so angry she couldn’t help kicking Xiao Tianqi, who was on the ground.

Xiao Tianqi’s body tilted from the kick, but he looked at Chu Qingchang with deep affection. “Princess, why do you say such things? How can you speak such heartless words after our long-standing relationship?”

“You…” Chu Qingchang was furious upon hearing this and was about to strike Xiao Tianqi.

Fortunately, the imperial guards beside her restrained her.

“What exactly is going on here?” Emperor Xi Ming seemed to have run out of patience. Early this morning, he had woken up to hear several eunuchs and palace maids talking about Chu Qingchang’s affair, which had angered him so much that he had canceled today’s morning court session.

“Your Majesty is wise. This commoner and the Fifth Princess have admired each other for a long time and have privately pledged to marry. Please grant us your blessing,” Xiao Tianqi straightened his body and kowtowed heavily to the people on the throne.

At this moment, Mu Yunjin, who was using her lightness skill to hide in a large tree outside the hall, couldn’t help but burst into laughter as she carefully listened to the commotion inside.

Emperor Xi Ming’s heart, which had just sunk, rose again. He pointed angrily at Xiao Tianqi and Chu Qingchang. “Today, you two must explain everything clearly!”

“Father Emperor, your daughter doesn’t know this person at all. I don’t know who is maliciously trying to ruin my reputation,” Chu Qingchang knelt again, her face full of sincerity.

“Princess, why do you deny our previous relationship? You have already become mine, and I promised to marry you,” Xiao Tianqi frowned, his eyes showing deep hurt.

“Nonsense! Who sent you here? If you don’t explain clearly, I will behead you today!” Chu Qingchang stood up, drew a sword from one of the imperial guards, and pointed it at Xiao Tianqi’s neck.

Xiao Tianqi was startled but gathered his courage to speak. “Princess, if you truly want to kill me, go ahead…”

“But I haven’t spoken a single lie today.” Xiao Tianqi closed his eyes slightly. “If the Emperor and Empress don’t believe me, they can check whether the Fifth Princess still has her virgin red powder…”

At these words, Chu Qingchang’s hand holding the sword suddenly loosened, and the sword fell to the hall floor with a clang, the echo lasting for a long time.

Chu Qingchang’s eyes were full of astonishment and panic. After looking at Xiao Tianqi kneeling on the ground, she immediately understood who was directing him from behind.

Mu Yunjin, it was that wretched Mu Yunjin.

Emperor Xi Ming, after Xiao Tianqi mentioned the virgin red powder, had already observed Chu Qingchang’s reaction closely. Disappointment and anger flashed in his heart, and he angrily slammed the table.

“Kneel before me!”

Chu Qingchang knelt, biting her lip, and looked toward Empress Dowager Zheng.

Empress Dowager Zheng was somewhat confused at this point. From the bottom of her heart, she believed in Chu Qingchang’s character. She sighed, “Qingchang, show your virgin red powder to prove your innocence to your father.”

Chu Qingchang pursed her lips. After thinking for a moment, she wanted to reveal her affair with Rong Min. She had just opened her mouth when an announcement came from outside.

“The Ninth Princess and the Sixth Prince’s Consort arrive—”

As the announcement finished, Mu Yunjin and Chu Qingxuan were seen walking arm in arm into the hall.

Mu Yunjin had discovered Chu Qingxuan eavesdropping in a corner before jumping down from the tree. Seeing that she had also come to watch the spectacle, Mu Yunjin had persuaded her to enter together.

Emperor Xi Ming had always doted on Chu Qingxuan. Seeing her arrive, his brow relaxed slightly. Mu Yunjin was now Chu Li’s consort, so Emperor Xi Ming naturally didn’t consider her an outsider. He had people bring two chairs.

After sitting down, Mu Yunjin cast a challenging look at Chu Qingchang kneeling on the ground.

Chu Qingchang’s heart sank, knowing that she couldn’t reveal her affair with Rong Min now.

If she were to reveal her affair with Rong Min, Mu Yunjin might already have evidence of their secret exchange, and she would surely face a terrible fate.

Mu Yunjin’s move was truly vicious, killing invisibly.

“Princess, you can’t show your virgin red powder, can you? Why won’t you acknowledge our relationship? Is it because you look down on me for not being from a noble family, but merely a merchant?” Seeing Mu Yunjin’s arrival, Xiao Tianqi felt more confident.

Chu Qingchang suddenly collapsed, slumping to the ground, her eyes slightly red as she looked up at Emperor Xi Ming on the throne.

“Where is your virgin red powder? I want to see your virgin red powder!” Emperor Xi Ming was furious, pointing at Chu Qingchang, his heart already understanding everything.

Chu Qingchang had never felt so wronged. How could she possibly produce virgin red powder now?

“Oh? Fifth Sister denies having an affair with this gentleman but can’t produce her virgin red powder. Could it be that the person isn’t this gentleman, but someone else?” Chu Qingxuan spoke slowly, her voice clear, resonating throughout the entire hall.

Emperor Xi Ming’s face grew even darker.

Chu Qingchang was beyond defense. She lowered her eyes, analyzing the current situation, and realized she had been forced to the edge of a cliff with no way out.

With that thought, she cast a resentful glance at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow.

Chu Qingchang clenched her fists, gripping her sleeves, biting her lip, and taking several deep breaths. “Father Emperor, please bless your daughter’s union with this gentleman.”

She could only refer to Xiao Tianqi as “this gentleman” because she truly had no idea who he was!

Seeing Chu Qingchang now acknowledge her relationship with Xiao Tianqi, Emperor Xi Ming became furious. He stood up, walked down the steps, approached Chu Qingchang, and, regardless of her being a woman, kicked her hard in the abdomen.

“Committing such a vulgar and scandalous act, truly a disgrace to the royal family! I have no such debased daughter!”

“Father Emperor…” Chu Qingchang called out mournfully.

Xiao Tianqi, seeing this, immediately rushed over and embraced Chu Qingchang, then looked up at Emperor Xi Ming. “Your Majesty, it is this humble one’s fault. If you wish to punish someone, punish me, not the Princess.”

“Get away from me!” Chu Qingchang pushed Xiao Tianqi away.

Chu Qingxuan, watching this scene, walked over and took Emperor Xi Ming’s arm, speaking coquettishly, “Father Emperor, please calm down first.”

“The Xiao family has been merchants for generations, and their business outside is thriving like the midday sun, with vast wealth. They are not from a small family. Since Fifth Sister and this gentleman truly love each other, and things have come to this point, why not give your blessing to Fifth Sister and this gentleman, Father Emperor?” Chu Qingxuan said.

Mu Yunjin watched this scene with a smile, sipping her tea, appearing completely unconcerned with the matter.

Empress Dowager Zheng, seeing the situation, although she didn’t like Chu Qingxuan, had to follow along with her words given the current circumstances. “Little Nine is right. My son, the Xiao family, is a respectable one. Why not give your blessing to Qingchang and Young Master Xiao? Qingchang won’t suffer by marrying into their family.”

“Besides, regarding the matter with the Eastern Lin Kingdom, our royal family doesn’t lack princesses. Qingchang’s marriage to the Second Prince hasn’t been officially announced to the world yet. We can substitute someone else…”