Yun Shu idly rubbed her teacup, lost in thought.
She failed to notice a gaze sweeping over her again from not too far away.
This time, the gaze was even more profound than before.
But Yun Shu was preoccupied and didn't notice.
Meanwhile, the Minister's wife was fixated on Prince Jin's every move, eager to confirm her suspicions. And just as she'd hoped, she saw Prince Jin looking at Ling Yue again!
Excellent!
Unable to contain herself, she said to Qin Ling Yue, "Prince Jin is looking at you again."
Qin Ling Yue immediately looked over and indeed saw Prince Jin's gaze sweeping towards her. Her face flushed instantly. Prince Jin truly liked her! No, no, no, she deserved Prince Jin's affection.
She was superior to other women in every aspect, and Prince Jin would surely see it! So it was perfectly normal for Prince Jin to like her! Wonderful! Prince Jin liked her! She could be Prince Jin's side concubine! Then, in the capital, who would dare look down on her! Everyone would hold her in high regard!
"Mother, Prince Jin will definitely choose me later," Qin Ling Yue said with great confidence.
The Minister's wife nodded repeatedly, "You're right, Prince Jin will definitely choose you. Don't worry, Mother has already prepared a generous dowry for you."
"Thank you, Mother!" Qin Ling Yue exclaimed, overjoyed.
Not long after.
Suddenly, a series of gasps erupted from not too far away.
The consecutive cries of alarm disturbed the palace banquet.
"What is going on?" the Emperor of Xixia's voice, cold and sharp, demanded.
A palace servant rushed over, flustered, and reported urgently, "Your Majesty, something has happened..."
The Emperor of Xixia, his face grim, rose and followed the servant.
Those attending the banquet also followed, considering the screams had come from nearby.
Moreover, some felt that one of the voices in the screams sounded familiar.
Driven by curiosity, they immediately moved in that direction.
Before they even reached the location, they heard several voices.
"How could it be you? Who are you?"
"Do you believe I'll kill you?!"
"It was the princess who stripped and pounced on this subordinate, I am framed!"
"Nonsense! How could this princess possibly pounce on you!"
"This subordinate was on patrol when the princess pounced and then said, 'Young Master Zhen, I heard you've liked me for a long time, so I've come to spend some time with you today.' I couldn't even push the princess away, and then the princess... the princess..."
These competing defenses, each explanation, carried out.
Everyone understood.
It turned out that Princess Shengyue, unable to bear her loneliness, had intended to pounce on Young Master Zhen, but had accidentally pounced on a guard.
Yun Shu, listening to the exchange, subtly raised an eyebrow and glanced at Ningde County Princess and Young Master Zhen, who seemed to have just arrived.
Young Master Zhen's brow furrowed, a look of disgust flashing across his face at the scene before him.
Ningde County Princess gasped, "Princess Shengyue, you... you were trying to bully my brother? But you... fortunately, fortunately, I've been with my brother all along, otherwise... alas! Princess Shengyue, this is truly scandalous."
The Emperor of Xixia felt as if he had been slapped, and by his own daughter, no less. His face was dark, filled with immense disappointment. "Shengyue, you are beyond reproach!"
Princess Shengyue looked at the crowd that had gathered, her panic rising. She realized she had been tricked by Ningde County Princess. She had clearly seen Young Master Zhen and pounced, but when she pounced, the person had changed!
This was a well-laid trap, designed for her to fall right into it!
At this moment, she was more disheveled than ever. Her clothes were in disarray. Although nothing had actually happened, this was enough. Her reputation was now utterly ruined!
Hateful! Despicable! She had fallen into the trap!
Panicked, she explained to her father, "Father, it was this guard, he suddenly pounced on me and started saying these nonsensical things! No matter how much I tried to push him away, I couldn't! He must have been instructed by someone to harm me!"
Qian Jin then ran over and pleaded, "What the Princess said is true. Someone deliberately led this servant away, and then tried to harm the Princess. They are too cruel! Your Majesty, you must do justice for the Princess!"
Looking at the scene, everyone understood.
It was simply that Princess Shengyue mistook the guard for Young Master Zhen and pounced, intending to force Young Master Zhen to marry her! In this way, she could escape her current predicament.
Princess Shengyue's reputation was already tarnished, but after what happened tonight, her reputation would only be worse!
"Guards, escort the Eldest Princess back to the Princess's manor. From now on, without my decree, Princess Shengyue is not allowed to step outside the Princess's manor an inch!" the Emperor of Xixia commanded.
His words were devoid of any affection a doting father might show, filled only with anger.
She had truly disgraced the royal family!
Upon hearing this, Princess Shengyue collapsed to the ground. In her panic, she looked at Zhan Tianye, "You are my brother, Brother, save me! I am your sister, if you just say a word, Father will spare me!"
At this critical moment, Princess Shengyue placed all her hope on Zhan Tianye.
Everyone looked at Zhan Tianye.
Yun Shu also looked over.
Zhan Tianye's expression remained as cold as ice, his face utterly expressionless. He didn't utter a single word.
Ningde County Princess also watched Zhan Tianye intently, fearing that Prince Jin might, out of face, actually speak a few words in Princess Shengyue's defense. If he spoke, the Emperor would surely go easy on Princess Shengyue.
However, she never expected that he wouldn't even bother to say a word.
The Emperor of Xixia knew Zhan Tianye wouldn't speak, so he waved his hand, "Take her away."
"Father!"
"Prince Jin!"
"Hear me, I've been framed, I've truly been framed! Why don't you believe me? Why!"
Princess Shengyue cried out in despair.
However, no one was willing to listen.
Many of them had previously resented Princess Shengyue's arrogance and bossiness, wishing for her downfall, so no one spoke up to help her!
Yet, some secretly looked at Young Master Zhen, surprised that Princess Shengyue had set her sights on him.
Had she forgotten whose sister he was? That was Ningde County Princess, and Ningde County Princess was soon to be Prince Jin's consort!
If Prince Jin were to protect anyone now, it would surely be his future consort!
The surroundings fell silent.
No one had expected a palace banquet to witness such a scene.
"Everyone, return to your seats."
With the Emperor's command, everyone silently returned to the palace banquet.
As Yun Shu turned, she suddenly collided with a pair of dark eyes, her gaze meeting Zhan Tianye's once more.
Her expression shifted slightly.
Zhan Tianye's eyes were frighteningly deep, as if he were confirming something.
However, there were too many people, and everyone was moving. Zhan Tianye's glance was as swift as it was fleeting.