Lu Ruoyun shook her head and spoke earnestly, "Cousin, please continue to be indifferent to me. That way, I can tell myself not to be infatuated with you. Otherwise..."
The Second Prince held Lu Ruoyun's hand. "Yunyun, I've made up my mind. I must take responsibility for you. I promise, if you stay by my side, you will not suffer any grievances."
"I don't want to make things difficult for Cousin," Lu Ruoyun said.
Recalling Su Qingyue's aggressive letters, and then looking at Lu Ruoyun, who was wholeheartedly concerned for him, the Second Prince's heart began to waver.
He loved Su Qingyue, but facing his cousin, who admired him wholeheartedly, he couldn't bear to hurt her.
"Don't worry, I will definitely handle this matter properly," the Second Prince said firmly.
The carriage soon arrived at the palace gates. The Second Prince held Lu Ruoyun's hand and walked towards Empress Lu's palace.
Initially, Lu Ruoyun struggled, saying it was improper. The Second Prince did not let go, and in the end, she had to 'helplessly' allow him to lead her.
Upon seeing the Second Prince, Empress Lu was furious. She dismissed the attendants and, with a stern face, began to reprimand him.
"Whether you resent or hate, all these things were done by your mother. Yunyun has been innocent from beginning to end. On the wedding day, you didn't show up. How do you expect her to conduct herself? The dignified eldest daughter of the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion became the laughingstock of the entire capital. Have you ever considered that if Yunyun were of a more fragile disposition, this joyous occasion could very well have turned into a funeral? What woman could endure such humiliation?" Empress Lu said indignantly.
"Do you know that the more you act like this, the more I detest Su Qingyue? You are a prince, and you are so dispirited over one woman. You are making a mockery of all the civil and military officials! Do you know what those little bitches say about me? They say I don't know how to raise my children, and that I've raised you to be a character as useless as mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall!"
"You have disappointed your mother greatly!"
"Aunt, please don't speak to Cousin like that. Cousin is deeply devoted to his wife and is loyal and righteous. These are rare and precious qualities! As for what those people say, Aunt, you really shouldn't pay them any mind. They say those things out of bitterness and jealousy towards you," Lu Ruoyun said. "As for the civil and military officials, when it comes to matters of state and the nation, their words naturally carry weight. For such trivial matters, Aunt can completely ignore what they say."
"Mother, I will treat Yunyun well in the future and ensure she doesn't suffer any grievances. However, this is not because of you, but because Yunyun is someone who deserves such treatment. I hope, Mother, that you will not interfere in my household affairs in the future. Furthermore, I hope you will not secretly continue to investigate Qingyue. Qingyue is already pitiful enough. For the sake of her calling you 'Mother' for so many years, can you show her some compassion?" The Second Prince's expression was cold, and his tone was very serious.
"You had better remember your words and not let Yunyun suffer any grievances. Su Qingyue... forget it, I don't care in the slightest about her fate. However, if she dares to trouble Yunyun by relying on your favor, don't blame me for being unmerciful," Empress Lu sighed, speaking with a hint of helplessness.
"Qingyue is not..." Lu Ruoyun tugged at the Second Prince's sleeve, stopping him from speaking further. "Aunt, please don't worry. Cousin dotes on me and will definitely not let me suffer any grievances. Cousin apologized to me after he sobered up. I have already forgiven him, so Aunt, please forgive Cousin too. Yunyun doesn't want to make things difficult for Aunt, much less for Cousin!"
"Who am I standing up for here? Hmm? You forgive this scoundrel so easily?" Empress Lu asked, feigning anger.