“Ah!”
Hearing about something was one thing, but seeing it was quite another. The noble ladies, finally snapping out of their daze, couldn’t help but scream, their sharp cries piercing the air. Ye Li wanted to rub her ears in resignation – these poor young ladies would need to drink several cups of calming tea after this. Fortunately, although the people inside had been deeply engaged, they couldn’t miss the commotion of someone bursting through the door. The occupants had managed to wrap themselves tightly in blankets with lightning speed the moment the door opened. “It doesn’t matter anyway,” Ye Li thought silently, “there’s still a translucent screen by the window.”
But the maid who had burst in had no intention of sparing her master’s reputation. She immediately let out an even more piercing cry, “Your Highness, what have you done to the Princess?!”
Was that even a question that needed asking?
The maid’s sharp cry instantly silenced the still-screaming ladies outside. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances – which Prince and Princess were these? They were deeply convinced that the Li Wang Manor had never consulted the almanac for auspicious dates when conducting weddings!
“What has happened here?” Noble Consort Xianzhao finally arrived hurriedly with her entourage, seeing the crowd at the door and asking in a stern voice. At least she knew it probably wasn’t anything good and had brought only a few people whose presence couldn’t easily be refused. Though to Ye Li, it made little difference now.
“Noble Consort, this…” Ye Li hesitated before continuing, “Perhaps we should first let the young ladies withdraw to rest.”
Noble Consort Xianzhao’s eyes flickered as she looked at Ye Li, nodding, “The Wang Fei speaks wisely. My apologies to all the young ladies for this disturbance. Please withdraw for some tea and rest.” The crowd naturally agreed repeatedly, each noble daughter practically flying away from this eerily atmospheric place. Ye Li, following behind everyone, also prepared to go with the flow but was grabbed by Ye Ying, who stood beside Noble Consort Xianzhao. “Third Sister, could you stay? We… we don’t know what happened here…” Noble Consort Xianzhao also nodded, “Indeed, it’s good for the Ding Wang Fei to remain. If anything happens, she can serve as a witness. Let’s go in and see.”
Ye Li didn’t know what expression she should wear anymore. She gave a dry laugh and said, “If that’s the case… perhaps we should let the two inside make themselves presentable before meeting?”
Noble Consort Xianzhao’s expression changed slightly as she shouted sternly toward the inside, “How dare you! Come out at once!”
A whimpering cry came from inside, followed by sounds of hurried movement. Soon, a tall figure emerged from behind the screen, followed by a petite female figure.
“Li’er, how can you be here?!” Noble Consort Xianzhao demanded harshly. The tall man, clothes disheveled and face ashen, was none other than Mo Jingli, who should have been entertaining guests in the front hall.
“Your Highness!” Ye Ying screamed, pointing at the two who had emerged, her delicate frame swaying as if about to collapse. Everyone shifted their gaze from Mo Jingli to the woman behind him. She was equally disheveled, her black hair in disarray. Her enchanting eyes still held tears, and faint red marks extended from her neck down beneath her collar. “Princess Qixia…” Lady Nan Hou’s voice trembled. Although the Emperor hadn’t officially taken Princess Qixia as his consort yet, how could their privileged families, with their various information channels, not know that the palace was already preparing for the Conferring Ceremony, and even the Ministry of Rites had already drafted her title?
Looking at Ding Wang Fei who stood to the side supporting Ye Ying, Lady Nan Hou immediately made up her mind and said, “Noble Consort, Ding Wang Fei, this is rather inappropriate. Perhaps we should step outside to discuss?” Ye Li nodded, “Lady Nan Hou speaks wisely. Noble Consort, let’s discuss this outside.” Noble Consort Xianzhao, wearing an ugly expression, swept her gaze over Mo Jingli and Princess Qixia before nodding, “The Ding Wang Fei speaks sense. Let’s step outside – and you two, make yourselves presentable and come out immediately!”
When they returned to the main hall, the other female guests had already been sent by the Noble Consort to rest in other courtyards. Ye Li and the others naturally couldn’t leave at this point. Seeing the stiff, unsightly expressions of Lady Nan Hou and the other ladies who had come with Noble Consort Xianzhao, Ye Li felt more balanced in her heart – after all, it wasn’t her business; she might as well treat it as entertainment.
Ye Ying sat beside Noble Consort Xianzhao, sobbing and whimpering, making the already heavy atmosphere in the flower hall even more gloomy and depressed. Noble Consort Xianzhao grew impatient with her crying and swept her a cold glance, saying, “Silence! All you do is cry!” Ye Ying didn’t care that the Noble Consort was angry – this sudden incident had hit her the hardest. What could be more devastating than finding your beloved husband, on the day he was taking a second wife, rolling in bed with another woman? “How can the Wang Ye do such a thing, and why does Noble Consort scold me? It’s not my fault…”
Noble Consort Xianzhao said irritably, “Shut your mouth and sit aside!”
With such a major incident, even if Noble Consort Xianzhao wanted to conceal it, she couldn’t. Moreover, there were simply too many people present today, and just from the expressions of the female guests they passed on their way here, it was clear they mostly knew exactly what had happened. Noble Consort Xianzhao wouldn’t do something as futile as trying to hide it, so she directly sent someone to the front hall to invite several royal relatives close to the Li Wang Manor, while also dispatching a swift messenger to inform the Empress Dowager, who hadn’t yet left the palace to attend her son’s wedding.
When the royal relatives from the front hall arrived, Mo Jingli and Princess Qixia had just finished making themselves presentable and emerged one after another. The moment Ye Ying saw Princess Qixia, who despite having carefully cleaned up still maintained a tender expression and shy demeanor characteristic of someone who had just finished making love, she wanted to rush over and tear her apart. “You shameless woman!” Princess Qixia, seeing Ye Ying lunging toward her, screamed in fright and stepped backward, conveniently falling into Mo Jingli’s arms. Ye Ying instantly saw red, “You adulterous couple… you shameless woman, I’ll kill you…” Everyone hurriedly restrained Ye Ying, both consoling and calming her, creating such a chaotic scene that the newly arrived guests frowned at the sight.
Ye Li turned her head just in time to see Mo Xiuyao enter. She smiled faintly and, no longer paying attention to the chaos beside her, walked slowly to meet him. “Why did you come?”
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, looking at Noble Consort Xianzhao sitting in the main seat with an ashen face. The Noble Consort had invited several of Mo Jingli’s uncles and royal brothers, and certainly couldn’t leave out the highest-ranking Ding Guo Wang. Moreover, since the Ding Wang Fei was already here, adding the Ding Wang made little difference.
“Jingli! What mess have you created?!” An elderly prince with white whiskers and an imposing presence was so angry his beard trembled as he snorted and pointed at the crying Ye Ying, “Isn’t this the Wang Fei you insisted on having? And this… today is your wedding day, with so many guests present, and now you pull this stunt? What do you mean by this? You’ve utterly disgraced your Imperial Father and Royal Brother!”
Mo Jingli stood with an ashen face, his lips moving but ultimately saying nothing. This elderly prince was the only surviving elder brother of the previous emperor, and naturally carried immense authority. As the only uncle of the Mo Jingqi brothers, his influence was profound. Even Mo Jingli wouldn’t dare easily defy this uncle. Another slightly younger prince held back the furious elderly prince, saying, “Second Brother, calm down. Let’s sit down and hear what Jingli has to say. Don’t frighten the children.” This one had a much better temper, though his expression when looking at Mo Jingli was equally displeased. The remaining two were Mo Jingli’s elder brothers who, having competed for the throne with Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli in earlier years, naturally didn’t have good relationships with their brothers. Hearing their uncles’ words, they simply found places to sit, treating it all as entertainment.
“Why is Ah Li here?” Mo Xiuyao asked softly.
Ye Li looked at him helplessly, “Just happened to run into this.”
Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, not asking further as he pulled Ye Li to sit beside him.
Everyone in the great hall was probably feeling awkward, except for the continuously sobbing Ye Ying and Mo Xiuyao, who maintained his composure with his face half-hidden. After all, what they needed to discuss now was rather unusual, and even more unusual were the parties involved – one being the current Emperor’s brother and the other the Emperor’s intended future consort. Although the royal family had seen all sorts of scandalous and filthy affairs, everyone at least knew how to maintain a semblance of dignity. To have something like this happen in broad daylight, spreading among nearly all noble ladies in the capital within moments, was truly rare.
“Silence! What are you crying for?” The elderly prince had also grown irritated by the endless ghostly wailing and slammed his palm on the table in anger.
Ye Ying jumped in fright, immediately stopping her cries. She stared blankly at the elderly prince with a tear-stained face, not daring to speak. The elderly prince gave a light snort before turning to Noble Consort Xianzhao, “Noble Consort, what exactly happened here? With such an incident, how… how are we to explain this to His Majesty?” The elderly prince understood clearly why Noble Consort Xianzhao had summoned them. With such an incident, the Emperor would certainly be furious – committing adultery with the Emperor’s chosen consort, execution would be a light punishment for Mo Jingli. However… Noble Consort Xianzhao certainly didn’t want Li Wang to die, the Empress Dowager certainly didn’t want it, and His Majesty… probably didn’t want it either. Moreover, His Majesty probably didn’t want to offend Nanzhao now. Therefore, they needed to plead for Li Wang and give His Majesty a way to handle this gracefully!
Noble Consort Xianzhao sighed and said, “I don’t know exactly what happened either. I just heard there was trouble here and hurried over to find…”
Ye Ying snorted and shrieked, “What else could it be? This shameless woman seduced the Wang Ye…”
“Ye Ying!” Noble Consort Xianzhao frowned and stared at Ye Ying severely, “Mind your status! Don’t behave like some ill-bred shrew! If you don’t wish to stay here, return to your chambers.” Ye Ying bit her lip and turned her head away, falling silent. The elderly prince frowned and looked at Mo Jingli standing in the hall, asking, “Jingli, at this time you should be receiving guests in the front courtyard. Why are you in the ladies’ resting area? Have you forgotten basic etiquette after getting married?” Mo Jingli had always been proud and aloof and likely had never encountered such a humiliating situation in his life. Moreover, it was in front of Mo Xiuyao, whom he had opposed since childhood, and Ye Li, whom he believed he had abandoned. This realization made him feel even more mortified, his entire face filled with overwhelming anger. “Someone sent word requesting my presence.”
“So?” The young prince sitting to the side sneered, “And after coming here, you ended up tumbling in bed with His Majesty’s consort?” The mockery in his eyes was evident. Ye Li had met all these princes before – the speaking one was Mo Xiuyao’s half-brother, Yi Wang Mo Jingyi. Mo Jingli shot him a dark glare, but Mo Jingyi paid no attention, simply giving a cold laugh before turning to examine the ceiling.
“Who sent for you? Who were you coming to see? Even you are not permitted to enter the ladies’ resting area at will – surely you know this rule?” The royal uncle also frowned as he spoke. Everyone’s mood was far from pleasant. Attending a wedding only to encounter such a situation – if it had been an ordinary young lady, it would have been manageable; Mo Jingli could simply take her as a concubine. But it had to be a princess and not just any princess, but one already designated to be an Imperial Consort. Having been drawn in by Noble Consort Xianzhao, they had no choice but to wade into these troubled waters. At this point, everyone present looked at Princess Qixia as if she were a little better than a common harlot. Princess Qixia understood perfectly well what their expressions meant and hurriedly shook her head, “No… no, it wasn’t me. I never sent any message to the Wang Ye.”
The elderly prince gave a light snort, stroking his graying beard while looking askance at Princess Qixia, “No? Then how did Li Wang happen to be in your chambers? At that time, the ladies were either gathered for tea and conversation or the young ladies were strolling in the garden. Why was the Princess alone in her room? More importantly… Zhaoyang didn’t attend the wedding banquet, so why is the Princess here?” The elderly prince’s questions came one after another, seeming rather aggressive. But everyone’s mood was so poor that they were not inclined to sympathize with Princess Qixia, this foreign princess. Princess Qixia shook her head in confusion, showing none of her usual willfulness and arrogance. After fearfully glancing at the expressionless crowd in the flower hall, Princess Qixia’s eyes suddenly lit up as she pointed in one direction, “It was her! She must have set a trap for me and the Wang Ye!”
Ye Li, caught in the crossfire, reflected that her earlier suspicions weren’t wrong – foreign princesses did have problems with their minds.
“Lower your hand, or else this Wang won’t mind ensuring you never use it again.” Mo Xiuyao looked at the agitated Princess Qixia with calm eyes and spoke softly. Princess Qixia couldn’t help but shudder, unconsciously moving closer to Mo Jingli, missing the hatred that flashed through Ye Ying’s eyes as she sat to the side.
“In Da Chu, she’s my only enemy,” Princess Qixia bit her lip and continued, “And Li Wang’s too – everyone knows this.” Princess Qixia wasn’t truly foolish; she knew very well that if she was perceived as having actively seduced and schemed against Li Wang, even with her status as the future Imperial Consort, if Da Chu executed her, Nanzhao wouldn’t intervene on her behalf. So she had to clear herself of responsibility. But at the moment, she truly couldn’t figure out who might want to frame her, and among those present, only Ye Li was her enemy, so pinning the blame on her was the best choice.
“The Ding Wang Fei?” Everyone was startled.
Ye Li sighed helplessly and said softly, “Princess, my Wang Ye and I arrived at the Wang Manor at around the third quarter of the wei hour. Afterward, we paid our respects to the Noble Consort and the other ladies, and at about the same hour, I left with Fourth Sister. We chatted in the garden for less than a quarter-hour before joining the young ladies from the Hua, Qin, and Murong General families. We then stayed in the garden chatting. Many young ladies were there who could testify. Furthermore, we discovered you two… um… before the second quarter of the shen hour, meaning less than an hour had passed from my arrival at Li Wang Manor to the incident. The only suspicious period would be when I was with Fourth Sister, from shen hour to the first quarter of shen hour. Princess Qixia didn’t receive an invitation yet arrived before my Wang Ye and me. May I ask how the Princess thinks I could have learned of her presence at Li Wang Manor and her exact whereabouts, then arranged for someone to deliver a message to Li Wang, all within just a quarter-hour? Hmm?”
This statement not only accounted for Ye Li’s whereabouts but also cleared her of any suspicion of conspiring with Ye Ying.
“Hehe, Wang Fei missed one point… we must also subtract the time Li Wang and the Princess spent, ahem… so Ding Wang Fei didn’t even have that quarter-hour,” Mo Jingyi said, waving his fan with a smile.
With this said everyone’s looks toward Princess Qixia grew even more unfriendly. She had done something shameless and then tried to frame Ding Wang Fei first.
Princess Qixia choked, having never really expected to successfully implicate Ye Li. She had only hoped to buy some time to catch her breath but hadn’t anticipated Ye Li would calmly expose her lie on the spot. Finding herself at a loss, Princess Qixia could only burst into tears, “Wuu… it wasn’t my fault…”
“Enough!” Mo Jingli, who had been silent all this time, stared at Ye Li for a long while before suddenly saying in a low voice, “You needn’t pressure her further. This Wang will take responsibility.”
Bang! The elderly prince was so angry he slapped the table, his face alternating between blue and white as he stared at Mo Jingli, his pointing finger trembling, “Nonsense! You’ll take responsibility? What responsibility? What do you think you’re doing? A real man owns up to his actions?” Mo Jingyi stepped forward with a grin to support the elderly prince, saying cheerfully, “Royal Uncle, please calm down. Li Wang probably just forgot that Princess Qixia is Brother Emperor’s designated Consort Xia, our brother’s future wife. Please calm down…” His words, rather than soothing the elderly prince’s anger, only inflamed it to new heights. “Worthless creature! Have you learned your morals and shame from a dog’s belly? Enough… I wash my hands of this matter. I couldn’t handle it even if I wanted to. Do whatever you want!” In his fury, the elderly prince gave up entirely.
Noble Consort Xianzhao hurriedly tried to pacify him, “Your Highness, please calm down. Jingli spoke such nonsense because he didn’t know better. Please don’t blame him, Your Highness. His Majesty… regarding His Majesty…”
The elderly prince glanced at her and gave a light snort, “Doesn’t know better? Indeed, he doesn’t know better. Isn’t it all because of how you’ve spoiled him? Look at everything he’s done this year – which of these things would any normal person do? I expect he’ll end up piercing the heavens themselves one day.” The elderly prince had been very dissatisfied with this nephew ever since Mo Jingli had insisted on breaking off his engagement. The marriage had been granted by the late Emperor while he was still alive, and the bride was the granddaughter of the Xu family. As long as Miss Ye had no major faults, he should have endured even if he was dissatisfied. Looking at it now, this Third Miss Ye had turned out quite well, while the Fourth Miss Ye he had insisted on marrying was the one who couldn’t be presented in proper company.
Noble Consort Xianzhao concealed her displeasure and could only do her best to appease the elderly prince with a smile. They still needed him to speak to His Majesty – if Mo Jingli went to face the Emperor like this, even if he wasn’t executed, the Emperor’s fury would surely flay him alive.
Finally, when the elderly prince’s anger had subsided, they continued questioning, “Where is the person who delivered the message? Surely you remember what they looked like? Also, who brought Princess Qixia in? These past few days, there have been rumors in the capital about Li Wang and Princess Qixia. Princess Zhaoyang is most proper, and after His Majesty’s decree, she had been keeping Princess Qixia confined and not allowing her to go out. Princess Zhaoyang didn’t even come to Mo Jingli’s wedding, so how did Princess Qixia get here?”
“I… I…” Princess Qixia said plaintively, “When I arrived, the people at the gate didn’t stop me.” She had arrived early, and having visited Li Wang Manor many times before, many people there recognized her. So even though she didn’t have an invitation, the manor’s staff hadn’t stopped her.
A steward of Li Wang Manor came in to report that they had found some aphrodisiac incense in the room. Everyone was speechless. Princess Qixia had come to Li Wang Manor on her own, and somehow the servants hadn’t reported it to their masters. Then Mo Jingli, completely ignoring propriety between men and women, had come to the ladies’ resting area upon receiving a message. And then…
“This isn’t a coincidence, this is melodrama,” Ye Li thought silently. It seemed this time the Emperor’s not-yet-acquired beauty was destined to slip away.
“Enough, we’ll wait for the Empress Dowager to make arrangements. Also, quickly send someone to inform Princess Zhaoyang to take Princess Qixia back!” the elderly prince said impatiently. Then, glancing back at Mo Xiuyao, he added, “Xiuyao, what do you think?” Mo Xiuyao smiled warmly and politely, “Your Highness is the elder, everything should be decided by you.” The others also hurried to express their willingness to follow the elderly prince’s lead.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager did care deeply about her youngest son – she arrived even before Princess Zhaoyang. Of course, this was also because Li Wang Manor was the closest royal residence to the Imperial Palace. The Empress Dowager stormed in wearing an imperial yellow phoenix robe, saying, “We hadn’t even left the palace when you sent someone to report trouble. What exactly has happened on this joyous day? Was the disgrace of the last wedding not enough?”
Ye Ying’s face paled, but she dared not confront the Empress Dowager’s anger directly. She could only hide to the side in silence.
Everyone rose to pay their respects. After the Empress Dowager was seated, she listened as the elderly prince and Noble Consort Xianzhao recounted the events. Before they could finish, she flew into a rage, severely berating Mo Jingli. When the Empress Dowager scolded her son, naturally no one dared interrupt and could only listen. The uninvolved noble ladies wished they could plug their ears, silently vowing never to visit Li Wang Manor again after a few days.
When Empress Dowager finally vented her anger, Mo Jingli, and Princess Qixia were already kneeling on the ground begging for mercy. The Empress Dowager looked at Mo Jingli for a long while, her expression finally softening somewhat. She heaved a long sigh and asked the elderly prince, “Royal Brother, how do you think we should handle this?” The elderly prince stroked his beard and replied, “Since the Empress Dowager is here, naturally we should hear her judgment.” The Empress Dowager sighed sadly, “This matter… truly damages His Majesty’s face. Even if We plead on his behalf, it may be difficult to quell His Majesty’s anger.” The elderly prince naturally understood the Empress Dowager’s meaning. “Indeed, Jingli’s outrageous behavior reflects poorly on us uncles who failed to guide him properly. My brother and I will personally go to the palace to plead for Jingli, hoping His Majesty will grant me this favor.”
The Empress Dowager smiled gratefully, “Royal Brother is His Majesty’s most respected uncle. His Majesty surely won’t deny Royal Brother’s request. Li’er, quickly thank your uncle.”
Mo Jingli said in a deep voice, “Jingli thanks Uncle and Second Uncle.”
The elderly prince snorted, ignoring him. Having secured the elderly prince’s promise, the Empress Dowager was naturally very satisfied. Although the elderly prince no longer participated in government affairs, he carried great authority among the royal relatives. As long as he was willing to intercede, most princes would give him face, and even if the Emperor was angry, he couldn’t punish too severely. Noble Consort Xianzhao was also very satisfied. Looking at Mo Jingli and Princess Qixia, she asked softly, “Sister Empress Dowager, regarding Princess Qixia…”
The Empress Dowager frowned and said, “We will discuss it with His Majesty and find a way to bring her into the household in a few days.” The Empress Dowager didn’t bother concealing this from the noble ladies present. Princess Qixia’s status was different – unless she never appeared in public again, this matter would eventually come out. Now that she had spoken, all the clever people present naturally knew what to say and what not to say.
“I object!”
“I object as well!” Two female voices rang out, one from inside and one from outside, startling everyone once again. The inside voice naturally belonged to Ye Ying, who stood pale and swaying. Outside, Princess Lingyu stood in fiery red wedding attire, her red veil lifted but not removed, her almond eyes blazing. She stood in the doorway, chin raised as she glared at everyone in the flower hall, saying, “This Princess objects! East Chu, don’t think you can humiliate this Princess so!” Beside Princess Lingyu, Lei Tengfeng swept his cold gaze across everyone present and said icily, “Empress Dowager, isn’t East Chu going too far?”
Before one wave settled, another rose.
Before anyone could speak, Princess Lingyu strode into the hall to where Mo Jingli and Princess Qixia stood. Under everyone’s watching eyes, she delivered a swift, vicious slap to Princess Qixia’s face. “Shameless woman!” Half of Princess Qixia’s face instantly reddened, with blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. Seemingly not satisfied, Princess Lingyu raised her hand to strike again but was caught by Mo Jingli. “Haven’t you made enough trouble?”
Princess Lingyu sneered disdainfully, yanking her hand free from Mo Jingli as she said coldly, “No matter how much trouble this Princess makes, at least I’m not shameless enough to seduce a bridegroom at someone else’s wedding. Such trash, and yet a princess of a country – you’ve disgraced all princesses! I hear you’ve been clinging to Li Wang for a while? Before, this Princess didn’t care who you seduced. But doing this at this Princess’s wedding is challenging me directly.”
The Empress Dowager frowned and said sternly, “Princess Lingyu, in this matter Li Wang and Princess Qixia were also innocently framed. If you have grievances, We will have Li Wang apologize to you later. Don’t cause a scene now in front of so many princes and ladies.” Princess Lingyu gave a cold laugh, reached up to tear off her red veil, and threw it to the ground, saying, “Apologize? This Princess cannot accept that! This Princess won’t marry! Do whatever you want! Either she goes or I go!”
Noble Consort Xianzhao asked, “Then what does the Princess want?” Princess Lingyu replied proudly, “Have Li Wang kill this shameless woman with his own hands, and this Princess will pretend nothing happened.”
“What?!” Everyone was shocked. Mo Jingli sheltered Princess Qixia behind him, staring at Princess Lingyu, “Have you gone mad? She’s a Princess of Nanzhao.”
“So what? This Princess is a Princess of Xiling. You think this Princess fears some small country like Nanzhao?” Princess Lingyu raised her eyebrows.
Lei Tengfeng coldly observed everyone and said, “It seems Lingyu is right – East Chu truly doesn’t take our Great Xiling seriously. In that case, Your Highness, I see no need to proceed with today’s wedding. Don’t you agree?” Mo Jingli remained silent. Princess Lingyu snorted coldly, “Brother, now you see. They don’t take us seriously at all.”
Lei Tengfeng gave Princess Lingyu a bland look and said, “Pack up. We’re going back. We’ll bid farewell to the East Chu Emperor immediately, and we’ll depart shortly.”
“Yes.” Princess Lingyu cast a disdainful glance at Princess Qixia and Mo Jingli, showing no shame at the wedding’s failure – quite satisfied with this outcome.
“Young Master, this matter can be discussed. This concerns diplomatic relations between our nations. Please don’t act rashly,” the elderly prince sighed, rising to persuade him. Lei Tengfeng replied indifferently, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but East Chu has indeed gone too far. We of Xiling were not discourteous at first. I believe even the East Chu Emperor would agree we’re not in the wrong. Ding Wang, Ding Wang Fei, please be fair – don’t you agree?”
Ye Li secretly cursed Lei Tengfeng’s craftiness in dragging them into this. Under everyone’s attention, she smiled somewhat reservedly and said, “Young Master, indeed Li Wang and Princess Qixia were in the wrong, but many questions remain unanswered. More importantly, this was completely accidental – our East Chu’s sincerity toward your country is absolutely beyond doubt. Surely Young Master doesn’t deny this? Wasn’t bringing Princess Lingyu here for an alliance marriage? I don’t believe you’re willing to take her back.”
The elderly prince looked at Ye Li approvingly and smiled, “The Ding Wang Fei speaks truly. We will certainly do our best to compensate Princess Lingyu for Li Wang’s offense. If this affects the friendship between our nations, that would be most inappropriate. Please reconsider, Young Master.”
Seeing Lei Tengfeng’s expression turn contemplative, Princess Lingyu frowned anxiously, “Brother!”
Lei Tengfeng gave her a bland look before turning to the Empress Dowager, “Lingyu is our Imperial Uncle’s most beloved princess – at home, no one would let her suffer even the slightest grievance. How does East Chu plan to compensate Lingyu?” Princess Lingyu trembled slightly, showing subtle disappointment, but under Lei Tengfeng’s cold gaze, she dared not speak further.
The Empress Dowager asked gravely, “What compensation does Young Master desire?”
Lei Tengfeng’s eyes flickered as he declared loudly, “The future heir to Li Wang must be born of Lingyu. Most importantly, Princess Qixia can never hold any position equal to or above side consort. She must never bear Li Wang’s children.”