Prince Pingyang and Princess Dai followed Yun Yueyin's gaze.
Initially, their eyes were fixed on Zhen Lin and Princess Ningde, overlooking the person beside them. With an unremarkable appearance, they assumed it was a servant.
To their surprise, it turned out to be the culprit?
"Yes! Father, Mother, it's her. Don't be fooled by her appearance; she's incredibly audacious and tried to seduce me! She's so ugly, not even a tenth as beautiful as Zhenzhen. How could I possibly have let her succeed! Then, fearing exposure, she twisted the truth before Ningde, causing me this suffering!" Zhen Xu and Yun Yueyin, of one mind, both pointed at Yun Shu.
"Guards! Seize her!" Prince Pingyang slammed his palm down on the table beside him with a resounding boom.
Yun Shu, hearing this, felt a sharp glint in her eyes. So this was why she was summoned; they intended to vent their anger on her?
Servants who had been waiting outside rushed in at Prince Pingyang's command, heading straight for Yun Shu, ropes in hand. It was clear they intended to bind her, leaving her no room to resist.
They were unequivocally trying to take Yun Shu's life!
Yun Shu chuckled inwardly. She hadn't expected to become a scapegoat one day.
"I'd like to see who dares," Zhen Lin stepped in front of Yun Shu, halting the approaching servants.
Princess Ningde looked at Prince Pingyang with immense disappointment. She knew her father would do anything to protect that woman and her son, but she never imagined he would be so completely blinded by them!
She said coldly, "Father, are you planning to defy the imperial decree? The Emperor has already made his judgment, and Father intends to slap the Emperor's face? Does Zhen Xu's word carry more weight than the Emperor's? Father, even though I am your daughter, I cannot stand by and cover up wrongdoing. Today, this matter should be brought before the Emperor for verification. Only then will Father understand what is true and what is false."
Before, her brother had been ill, and Prince Pingyang's mansion needed a Prince Pingyang. But now that her brother had recovered, an aging Prince Pingyang in the mansion was no longer essential.
Some people, she thought, should retire to a place of scenic beauty.
Yun Shu looked at the brother and sister standing before her and a thought suddenly struck her. She suddenly didn't want Princess Ningde's relationship with the Sha Gong to be too close, or to be entangled with the death of Old Master Qin.
Otherwise...
Yun Shu lowered her gaze, concealing her thoughts.
Princess Ningde's words initially stunned Prince Pingyang, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes. However, the next moment, a few soft, tearful cries from Princess Dai reignited his anger.
He slammed his large palm on the table again.
"Unfilial daughter, unfilial daughter! You actually want to escalate this to the Emperor! His Majesty is busy with state affairs, and this is our family matter! You are deliberately trying to humiliate me in front of everyone! How could I have given birth to such an unfilial daughter like you?" Prince Pingyang once again brought up filial piety.
Princess Dai, with tears in her eyes, spoke earnestly to Princess Ningde, "Your Highness, although you have never regarded me as your mother, I have always considered you my own daughter. Today's incident is the fault of you and your brother. Why are you defying your father? We are the family! You are angering your father for the sake of someone of unknown origins who harbors ill intentions. The reputation of unfilial conduct spreading will not be good for you and your brother, will it?"
"Alas, my lord, it is all my fault. In truth, everything is my fault. I should never have married into Prince Pingyang's mansion back then. If I hadn't, you, the Princess, and the Heir Apparent would not have fallen out. It is all my fault! No one needs to be punished today; let me end it all. My lord, order your men to beat me, beat me to death."
It had to be said that Princess Dai was truly a master strategist.
In a few words, she had reversed the situation, branding them with the reputation of being unfilial.
Then, she took all the blame upon herself. Seemingly asking for punishment, she was in fact making Prince Pingyang dislike her stepchildren even more.
Surviving under such a high-level stepmother was not going to be simple for Princess Ningde and Zhen Lin to maintain what they possessed.
Zhen Xu's eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Zhen Lin and Princess Ningde, "You are too much! To protect a female swindler, you are trying to force my mother to her death! That female swindler must die today, and I will not let her leave Prince Pingyang's mansion today!"
Suddenly, Zhen Xu felt an oppressive chill radiating from him. He was somewhat taken aback.
Then he saw Yun Shu's icy gaze sweeping over him.
That gaze was as calm as a deep, ancient well, exuding a terrifying chill.
It was as if killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant.
Zhen Xu trembled at first, then regained his composure. A mere nobody dared to look at him like that? What a joke! Did she think she could leave this room today relying on Zhen Lin and Princess Ningde?
What a pipe dream!
With his father and mother here, and so many of them gathered, how could they possibly let a powerless woman leave unharmed?
Absolutely impossible!
Yun Yueyin said no more. There was no need for her to speak now; Princess Dai was already doing an excellent job. Prince Pingyang's heart was entirely with Princess Dai.
However, she found it strange. She noticed that Ning Ruan had never shown the slightest sign of fear. And Princess Ningde and Heir Apparent Zhen also didn't seem to fear Prince Pingyang.
Zhen Lin's expression was extremely grim.
Fearing that Ning Ruan behind him might be frightened, he turned his head to Yun Shu and said, "Miss Ning, please rest assured. No matter what, I will not let anyone harm you. You entered safely today, and you will leave safely tomorrow."
He hadn't wanted her to see the true state of affairs in Prince Pingyang's mansion, but now she had.
Seeing them like this, would she look down on them, these so-called noble families, even more?
Having such a father who couldn't distinguish right from wrong was a curse from a past life.
Yun Shu gave a soft hum, "I trust Heir Apparent and Princess."
Zhen Lin's heart trembled slightly. The woman's trust made his expression even more stern. He looked coldly at Prince Pingyang.
"Are you all finished speaking? Father, I will now formally introduce Miss Ning. She is a divine physician I invited into the mansion, my savior." Zhen Lin said in a deep voice.
Savior?
Prince Pingyang hadn't noticed before. He had never been very satisfied with his sickly son and thus paid little attention to his son's condition. But now, upon closer inspection, he truly was different from before.
Seeing Prince Pingyang staring at Zhen Lin, Princess Dai realized something was amiss. With red eyes, she quickly said, "If she truly saved you, then she is indeed Heir Apparent's savior. But is Heir Apparent deliberately protecting her? Many renowned divine physicians could not cure Heir Apparent, so how could she have succeeded? She is simply a deceitful female swindler with wicked intentions. Heir Apparent's eyes must be sharp and not be easily deceived."