Chapter 147: Are you shielding your own daughter?

She got up, ignoring the onlookers' gazes, and chased after them.

Gu Rongjin amusedly watched their couple's farce, then went over to see if there was any other excitement.

Lan Ting Princess had been arrested; naturally the Li Prince and the Chun Prince of Huangli State also came, they blamed each other, each trying to prove the other was the mastermind behind the plague.

"The Li Prince, Lan Ting Princess is your wife; naturally she was instigated by you—you can't escape responsibility for this!" the Chun Prince snorted coldly.

The Li Prince scoffed: "Who doesn't know the white deer was captured by you and presented through your hands? Clearly you've long been colluding with Lan Ting!"

Having said that, he coldly glanced at the disheveled Lan Ting Princess, feeling no marital affection, his eyes full of disgust.

At this moment Lan Ting Princess didn't care how the Li Prince treated her; she only wanted Pei Yunxi dead!

The Lan Ting Princess, now able to speak, only focused on accusing Pei Yunxi: "Stop arguing! It's Pei Yunxi! The plague was her doing! I merely went along—she wants Mu Yuanzhi dead!"

Pei Yunxi's eyes widened: "Don't spout nonsense! Father Emperor, don't listen to her one-sided words!"

"You poisonous woman! It's because of you that I had to go marry off! Everyone's been deceived by this poisonous woman—who knows how many schemes she's used to harm Mu Yuanzhi!" Lan Ting Princess pointed angrily at Pei Yunxi.

Pei Yunxi's heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm, knowing Lan Ting Princess had no evidence at all!

The farce in the hall continued; the Son of Heaven's expression was dark and inscrutable as he looked down at them, saying nothing.

Xiao Yichen also remained silent.

To others she seemed mad, but he heard every word she said.

"Xiao Yichen! Your wife is a poisonous woman! You must believe me! You can't keep such a venomous woman by your side!" Seeing no one believed her, Lan Ting Princess turned her gaze to Xiao Yichen.

Xiao Yichen remained silent, but his expression clearly showed he had taken in Lan Ting Princess's words.

"Enough!" the Son of Heaven flicked his sleeve: "Take her, lock Lan Ting Princess up in the Imperial Court of Justice!"

"Your Majesty!" Xiao Yichen finally spoke: "This matter is grave, involving two states; I implore Your Majesty to refer this case to the Cabinet!"

Upon hearing this, Lan Ting Princess rejoiced: Xiao Yichen must have listened!

Who knew the Son of Heaven would say: "This concerns your wife Yunxi; handing it to the Cabinet would surely invite criticism of bias, so let it go to the Imperial Court of Justice."

Lan Ting Princess immediately understood: "Your Majesty, are you shielding your own daughter?!"

He feared Xiao Yichen might uncover something!

"Impudent!" the Son of Heaven shouted.

Lan Ting Princess did not silence herself; she thought, whether live or die, she would drag Pei Yunxi down with her!

"If Your Majesty has no selfish motives, you should order a joint trial by the Three Courts! Otherwise, how can you give Huangli State an explanation?!" Lan Ting Princess immediately elevated the matter.

The Son of Heaven's eyes flashed with anger: "What else? Take her down!"

Being dragged down by the guards, Lan Ting Princess continued to shout and accuse Pei Yunxi's crimes, until she was slapped until her mouth split and bled, unable to speak further.

Of course this was also the Son of Heaven's secret sanction, which emboldened the guards to use punishment without restraint.

Xiao Yichen's gaze shifted between the Son of Heaven and those guards; he grew ever more convinced that some things were known only to him.

The Son of Heaven looked at the two foreign princes in the hall and said: "Your sovereigns have already authorized me to handle this fully, so please also submit to the Imperial Court of Justice's investigation."

What else could they do? Naturally they had to comply.

Compared to this, the Li Prince and the Chun Prince now just wanted to kill each other.

After leaving the hall, Xiao Yichen sought out Gu Rongjin; Pei Yunxi, who had intended to follow, was called back by the Son of Heaven.

"Yunxi, tell me honestly—are you involved in this?" the Son of Heaven demanded, standing before the imperial case, his aura stern.

Pei Yunxi boldly met the Son of Heaven's gaze, gritted her teeth and denied: "Father Emperor, I dare swear before Heaven that I have never done such a heinous act!"

She raised three fingers in oath.

Lan Ting Princess has no evidence; otherwise she would have produced it. She carried out this deed flawlessly—there's no way she'd leave a flaw.

"Furthermore, Father Emperor, if I were involved, how could I be foolish enough to expose it myself?"

The Son of Heaven's expression eased for a moment: "Alright, no need for the oath; I naturally trust your nature is not evil—you may go."

"I take my leave, Your Majesty."

Pei Yunxi furtively wiped the cold sweat from her palms; as she turned to walk, her hands and feet felt icy.

After she left the hall, where were the traces of Xiao Yichen and Gu Rongjin?

I don't know whether Chen Gege will believe those people's nonsense.

"Xi Er!" Consort De rushed over anxiously: "Xi Er, are you alright? Lan Ting Princess's random accusations frightened Mother Consort so much her heart almost stopped!"

"It's fine; the innocent will be cleared. How could Father Emperor possibly listen to such slander?" Pei Yunxi smiled at Consort De.

Consort De felt a bit relieved, then asked: "Why did Father Emperor take back your princess residence and order you to live at the Xiao Family?"

She said this while glancing at the Brave Martial Guard stationed not far away.

These Brave Martial Guards clearly weren't Xi Er's personal guards; they seemed more like surveillants.

Pei Yunxi hesitated: "Maybe it's because of my elder sister..."

She looked as if she wanted to speak but held back.

"How could Father Emperor suddenly show such favoritism?" Consort De wondered.

Pei Yunxi felt wronged yet pretended to be magnanimous: "It's alright, Mother Consort; Xi Er doesn't really mind these things—she just wants to live happily with Chen Gege."

Consort De hearing this said: "You're husband and wife; of course you should live well. Best to have a son and a daughter soon—then your marital life will be more harmonious."

This was exactly what Pei Yunxi thought; she tugged Consort De's hand and asked shyly: "Mother Consort gave birth to Ling Gege, Ning Gege, and Xi Er—such good fortune, is there some secret to it?"

Consort De glanced around, lowered her voice, and told Pei Yunxi: "Come to Mother Consort's chambers; I have something for you."

The gates of Weiyang Palace were shut tight; the master absent, Xiao Yichen lingered outside without leaving.

He approached Gu Rongjin, asked him many things; Gu Rongjin wouldn't utter a word, naturally he didn't regard those remarks as human speech.

His silence only reinforced his suspicion; so he sought those who had searched Changle Palace that day—everyone avoided speaking deeply—but in the end Qi Shihuai told him they had found a jar that once held Southern Border Red Spiders, and also other items.

Qi Shihuai's words, between the lines, were nothing but blame toward Pei Yunxi.

She was indeed not what he had seen...

The innocent romance, kindness and loveliness he thought were all false.

But he, because of this illusion, made a decision he would regret for life!

Xiao Yichen gazed vacantly at the deserted Weiyang Palace.

Ah Zhi...

Xiao Yichen paced outside Weiyang Palace for a while before realizing he could go to Wuming Palace.

Ah Zhi doesn't live here, but she will surely come to look for her junior martial brother.

Xiao Yichen rushed nonstop to Wuming Palace, only to find it completely deserted!

He casually grabbed a palace servant sweeping outside and asked, "Where is Lord Qilin?"

"Lord Qilin has moved out of the palace, the Grand Empress Dowager's condition has improved greatly, and Lord Qilin has submitted a memorial to the emperor requesting to leave the palace."

Having left the palace, if he wants to see her, he can only go to the Princess's residence.

When Xiao Yichen arrived at the Princess's residence, it was already completely dark, and the residence was brightly lit.

Just thinking of her and Gu Rongjin enjoying themselves inside made Xiao Yichen feel sad.

He sat on the steps outside the Princess's residence, replaying in his mind every moment of his past interactions with Mu Yuanzhi, as if from another lifetime.

Boom—!

It was the sound of fireworks shooting into the sky; Xiao Yichen gazed at the gorgeous sparks, recalling the scene of them strolling the temple fair together to watch fireworks.

"Brother Chen?"

"Ah Zhi?"

In a daze, Xiao Yichen seemed to see again that playful, lovable Mu Yuanzhi who would only circle around him, holding fireworks and asking if he wanted to play together.

But when he focused his gaze, what stood before him was not Mu Yuanzhi but Pei Yunxi!

Xiao Yichen instantly flew into a rage: "Don't ever call me like that again!"

He rose to his feet, unwilling to see that hateful face again.

Pei Yunxi's expression was hurt: "Brother Chen, why on earth do you treat me like this?"

Her hand clutching the handkerchief trembled; these days she had already been very humble, yet how could he still turn a deaf ear to her?

They are married; shouldn't they be loving and devoted? Why are they like enemies?

He just sat outside the Princess's residence, waiting for Mu Yuanzhi, right?