Jixiang sneered, “Naturally it was for the Princess and the position of Prince Consort. If Young Master Du hadn’t become suspicious and used a scheme to force him to reveal his true nature, no one would have thought that the refined and elegant Young Master Cui was actually such a sinister and vicious scoundrel. The saying ‘you can know a person’s face but not their heart’ is absolutely right.”

Ruyi struggled to digest Jixiang’s words, then after a while asked, “So what’s the situation now? Has Cuiji been executed by His Majesty?”

“No.” Jixiang shook her head, “Although Master and Madam Zheng and Lord Pei testified against him, Cuiji never personally admitted to killing Young Master Zheng. He only said things like Young Master Zheng wasn’t qualified to marry the Princess. The Cui family seized on this point to plead for him, asking His Majesty for leniency, and he was sentenced to hard labor at the quarry.” She then sneered, “They say it’s hard labor, but everyone knows the Cui family will definitely bribe everyone up and down. When the time comes, he’ll still be living comfortably as a young master at the quarry, just unable to leave the quarry.”

Ruyi said incredulously, “But he’s a murderer! His Majesty gave such a light sentence – did the Zheng family agree?”

Jixiang sighed, “The Zheng family naturally disagreed, but murder charges require complete evidence of both witnesses and physical proof. The evidence was already destroyed completely by Cuiji. That Young Master Du could force him to this point is already extremely difficult. To convict him… how easy could that be? The only fortunate thing is that the Princess doesn’t have to marry this sinister scoundrel. However… first Young Master Zheng died, and now this – she’s failed to marry twice. Who knows what people will say about the Princess.” At this point, she said resentfully, “It’s all Cuiji’s fault. If he hadn’t been so greedy and tried to marry the Princess, how would things have turned out this way!”

Ruyi said helplessly, “It’s useless to say these things now. Let’s go in and tell the Princess about this. I hope the Princess can think it through.”

Just as Jixiang was about to nod, a figure stood before them, “I will go speak with Yunyi. You all stay here.”

Hearing this voice, Ruyi and the others realized that Empress Xiao had somehow arrived at Changsheng Hall. They quickly curtsied, “We pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”

Empress Xiao brought Red Carp and passed the bowing crowd to enter the inner hall. Yunyi still maintained her previous posture, sitting quietly by the bed in her beautiful bright red wedding dress. Empress Xiao walked over and slowly lifted the red veil from her head, revealing that beautiful face that was seventy to eighty percent similar to her own.

“Mother?” Yunyi looked at Empress Xiao in surprise. On the wedding day, only after bowing to heaven and earth could the husband lift this red veil, signifying a lifetime together. Mother couldn’t possibly not know this rule, so why…

After her gaze lingered on Empress Xiao’s face for a moment, she asked, “Has something happened?” Actually, from early on…

Empress Xiao nodded, suppressing the soreness in her eyes, “Over an hour ago, Du Ruhui and the others brought Cuiji to see me and your father. Although there’s no direct evidence, from the words of Master Zheng and Pei Qiantong, it can be inferred that Cuiji killed Zheng Yang.”

Hearing this suddenly, Yunyi stood up from the bed in surprise, “Him? So you’re saying Zheng Yang’s death wasn’t an accident?”

“It never was.” Empress Xiao sighed and recounted what had happened in Qianyuan Hall not long ago, including the testimony of Master Zheng and others, as well as the Cui family’s sophistry and pleas for mercy. It was similar to what Jixiang had said, “Because there wasn’t conclusive evidence, plus the Cui family’s influence, your father ultimately didn’t execute Cuiji, only sentenced him to hard labor at the quarry.”

After calming her emotions, Yunyi asked, “So this marriage is canceled?”

Empress Xiao nodded, “This whole affair is Mother’s fault. I didn’t see through Cuiji’s true nature and only thought he was wholeheartedly devoted to you. Plus his family background was decent, so I hastily arranged your engagement. Fortunately, you didn’t actually marry him, or Mother would have ruined your entire life.” She said the last sentence with lingering fear. Yunyi was her most beloved child, and she had wholeheartedly wanted to find Yunyi a good family, only to nearly fall for Cuiji’s deception.

Yunyi took her hand, “Mother, don’t say that. I know everything Mother did was for my benefit. Besides, people’s hearts are separated by their bellies – how easy is it to see through them?”

Her words comforted Empress Xiao, who patted her hand, “Rest assured, next time, Mother will look very carefully and absolutely won’t let something like this happen again.”

“Mother.” Yunyi was silent for a moment, then said, “Could the matter of selecting a Prince Consort be postponed for a while? I really don’t have the mood for it right now. Moreover, with two consecutive weddings ending up like this, my reputation is probably being spoken of terribly. What good young man would be willing to marry me?”

“Yunyi…” Empress Xiao was about to speak when Yunyi said again, “Please fulfill this request, Mother.”

Seeing her speak this way, Empress Xiao nodded helplessly, “Alright, we’ll do as you say and discuss it again later. This way Mother can also keep you for another year or two.”

Yunyi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Thank you, Mother.”

Not long after Empress Xiao left, Du Ruhui also came to Changsheng Hall. Upon seeing Yunyi, he immediately bowed deeply and said solemnly, “I failed to judge people clearly and nearly harmed the Princess. Please punish me, Princess.”

Yunyi helped him up, “You discovered Cuiji’s murder and prevented this wedding. What crime is there in that?”

Du Ruhui said guiltily, “If I hadn’t persuaded you that day, the Princess might not have agreed to this marriage, so… I am guilty.”

Yunyi shook her head, “Back then, Cuiji disguised himself thoroughly and deceived not only you, but also Mother and me. Even without you, he would have found ways to make this marriage happen, so there’s no need for self-blame.”

Du Ruhui sighed deeply, “I always thought I had some ability to judge people, but I never realized I was being used all along. Thinking about it now, I’m afraid the rumors about the Princess’s husband-killing fate were also spread by him to ensure no one would compete with him for the Princess.”

Yunyi shook her head, “To become Prince Consort, he calculated everything, but in the end, it was all for nothing.” She then said, “After this incident, the Cui family probably hates you to death. You must be careful.”

“I know.” Du Ruhui looked deeply at Yunyi, “The Princess is wise and kind. In the future, you will surely find a good husband.”

Yunyi smiled, “What’s meant to be mine won’t escape even if it’s at the ends of the earth. Conversely, what’s not mine is useless no matter how much I seek it daily. Let everything follow fate. Only by letting go can one find peace.”

Her words brought the first smile to Du Ruhui’s face in days, “After this incident, the Princess’s words have gained some Zen wisdom.”

Yunyi joked, “Perhaps one day I’ll see through the red dust of this world and become a nun. Would Young Master Du be willing to accompany me then?”

“Me?” Du Ruhui touched the hair at his temples and smiled, “If I accompanied Your Highness in becoming a monk, I’m afraid my mother would come fight the Princess to the death, so I’d better not.”