Throughout the journey, although Li Guanwen appeared to keep his eyes straight ahead, he was actually secretly observing the woman beside him and forming some judgments in his heart.

No wonder the Empress, upon hearing the news that Miss Qin had filed an imperial petition, could even set aside her anxiety about her own father’s imprisonment and ordered her most capable dowry nanny to come investigate. If this young lady entered the palace, her appearance alone would make her stand out among the noble ladies. If she also had some wit, her future prospects would be limitless.

Li Guanwen’s attitude toward Qin Yining became increasingly cautious.

As a young eunuch who had been bullied in his early years, Li Guanwen understood most deeply the principle of “don’t look down on the poor youth.” Even as they ascended the steps, he didn’t forget to remind Qin Yining: “Miss Qin, please wait outside the hall while this servant goes to announce your presence to His Majesty.”

“Yes, thank you for your trouble, Eunuch.” Qin Yining replied with a courteous smile.

Li Guanwen saw that her attitude was neither servile nor arrogant, polite yet dignified. Thinking that she had come this time to file an imperial petition against the fierce Prince Zhongshun no less, how could such a woman be ordinary? His regard for her increased several degrees.

Li Guanwen went in to report, and in a moment came out to invite Qin Yining inside.

Qin Yining appeared calm on the surface, but her heart was extremely nervous.

Li Qitian was different from both emperors of the Great Yan. He was quite scheming and skilled in his methods. Someone who could force a supremely intelligent person like Pang Xiao to the point where he couldn’t act rashly—how could such a person be easy to deal with?

To be honest, she was very panicked.

But since she had already chosen this method, she couldn’t turn back now.

The imperial study was very spacious, with floors paved in black marble tiles so polished they reflected like mirrors. The treasure shelves displayed not precious objects but books. In the bookcases behind the large black lacquered desk, classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections were categorized and arranged. Li Qitian wore a brand-new bright yellow casual robe and sat upright behind the desk, his index finger adorned with a jade ring tapping the table surface. The sound echoed particularly crisply in the empty room.

“This subject pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years in peace.”

“Rise.” Li Qitian’s voice was exceptionally gentle.

“Thank Your Majesty.”

Qin Yining bowed again, then rose and stood with her head lowered.

She had specifically learned proper etiquette from Nanny Zhan, and her movements displayed such elegant grace and deportment that she was even more pleasing to the eye than Li Helan, who was an actual princess.

Li Qitian sat in his original position, unobtrusively observing her while thinking to himself that indeed, heroes have difficulty passing the test of beauty. No wonder Pang Zhixi couldn’t help but love and hate this woman, unable to forget her.

Li Qitian’s voice became even more amiable.

“Since I ascended the throne, this is the first time anyone has beaten the Dengwen Drum. What surprises me even more is that the one with courage to beat the drum and file an imperial petition is actually you, a young woman. Miss Qin, what great injustice do you have? If it’s some trivial matter not worth mentioning, I will punish you for making a mountain out of a molehill and deceiving me.”

Although Li Qitian’s attitude was gentle, the meaning in his words was not. Combined with Qin Yining’s understanding of Li Qitian’s methods, facing such a deeply scheming emperor, the oppressive feeling was so intense it seemed to transform into vines with substance, wrapping around a person’s body.

Qin Yining took a deep breath and said steadily: “In response to Your Majesty, this subject dares not act presumptuously. I truly have a great injustice. This subject accompanied my father, traveling thousands of li to seek refuge with Your Majesty. Because I knew Your Majesty is a sage ruler and the Great Zhou court welcomes all talents, my father finally had a place to display his abilities. Our whole family was very happy, thinking that coming to Great Zhou, father would have a wise ruler to serve loyally, and this subject could also live peacefully in the prosperous capital. Who knew that not only were we robbed by bandits on the road, causing my parents to become separated, but as soon as I entered the city, I was kidnapped by villains!”

Speaking to this point, Qin Yining’s beautiful eyes were already full of tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall, saying with anger and humiliation:

“Prince Zhongshun, disregarding this subject’s wishes, forcibly abducted me into his mansion, intending to… intending improper conduct. This subject, alone and powerless, truly had no recourse. Yesterday, Prince Zhongshun said he had grown tired of this subject and drove me out of the prince’s mansion that very night…”

Qin Yining’s tears finally slid down as she knelt and kowtowed: “Under the Son of Heaven’s feet, Prince Zhongshun committed such lawless acts. I beg Your Majesty to give this subject justice and severely punish this villain!”

Listening to her tearful accusation, Li Qitian raised his eyebrows in surprise.

The incident of her being forcibly brought back to the mansion by Pang Xiao had caused a citywide commotion that everyone knew about, and he knew somewhat more than ordinary people.

He had also once suspected the feelings between Pang Xiao and Qin Yining, but according to the spies’ reports, Pang Xiao’s attitude toward her was clearly one of love mixed with hate, affection mixed with cruelty.

He hadn’t expected that someone as self-controlled as Pang Xiao could still do something like driving someone out in the middle of the night in a fit of anger.

Li Qitian was entertained by this lively drama and felt extremely relaxed. Only his expression maintained that same majestic appearance.

“Such a thing happened?” He stood up in surprise, pacing with his hands behind his back. “I had no idea it was like this.”

“This subject was confined in the prince’s mansion, suffering all kinds of torment. If not for holding on with the hope of seeking Your Majesty’s gracious justice, this subject would have long since ended her life by dashing her head against a wall. Today I finally escaped that tiger’s den. This subject begs Your Majesty to seek justice for me.”

Qin Yining kowtowed repeatedly.

Li Qitian was pleased inwardly but maintained a serious expression: “Your one-sided account is insufficient to be believed. How about this—I’ll summon Prince Zhongshun to the palace so you two can confront each other face to face. If it’s confirmed that this matter is true, I will give you justice and punish him. How about that?”

Qin Yining understood instantly.

Li Qitian wanted to see Pang Xiao’s humiliation!

Such a despicable person, really…

Qin Yining felt angry inside but had to admit this was exactly the effect she wanted.

“Every word this subject spoke is the truth. I’m not afraid of confrontation. This subject is willing to confront the villain!”

Li Qitian nodded and smilingly instructed Li Guanwen to summon Pang Xiao to the palace, then ordered a young eunuch to bring Qin Yining a chair and serve tea and snacks.

Qin Yining sat restrainedly sideways on the chair, head lowered, anxiously waiting.

Soon, Pang Xiao arrived at full gallop and was led into the imperial study by Li Guanwen.

Qin Yining heard footsteps and suddenly raised her head, meeting eyes directly with Pang Xiao who was striding forward.

A flash of bewilderment crossed Pang Xiao’s face, followed immediately by anger and embarrassment.

Qin Yining’s eyes were red with hatred, but because His Majesty was present, she could only forcibly suppress her rage.

Li Qitian observed both of them unobtrusively, nearly bursting with laughter inside.

“My dear brother, do you know why I summoned you today?”

Pang Xiao bowed to Li Qitian, then cupped his hands: “In response to Your Majesty, this subject does not know.”

“Don’t know?” Li Qitian smiled. “I thought that seeing Miss Qin, you would naturally understand what this is about. Let me ask you—did you forcibly abduct her into your mansion to humiliate her?”

Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao glared darkly at Qin Yining and said: “In response to Your Majesty, this subject did not forcibly abduct her.”