Luo Yun'e's heart skipped a beat, "What does Prince Yu mean by this?"
"This King is merely following the rules," Ye Jingyu swept his gaze over the kneeling maidservants, speaking each word deliberately.
"Qianxue, drag the false accuser away and have her beaten to death, and also..."
He turned to the one who had searched Su Yunmo, "Insubordination, cripple her hands." xxs1
Qianxue stepped forward quickly, first reaching the person who had searched, pressing her to the ground, and in two or three moves, broke her wrists.
After two 'crack' sounds, the person immediately screamed, the screams unending.
Qianxue's movements were so swift that Luo Yun'e didn't even have time to react.
Ye Jingyu watched as the person's wrists were broken and said in a deep voice, "There are still matters in the front hall, this King will go attend to them first. Farewell."
He strode away, holding the little dumpling.
Leaving everyone else looking at each other in bewilderment.
Good heavens, Prince Yu was clearly showing the Empress who was boss.
The falsely accused maidservant knelt on the ground, loudly calling for help from Luo Yun'e.
But she was quickly dragged away by Qianxue.
Luo Yun'e watched helplessly, without even a chance to retort.
She gritted her teeth in hatred, having no choice but to accept this show of dominance, "Return to the palace!"
Granny Qin beckoned the sedan bearers to rise, and together with the fainted Lin Yuning, they retreated.
The rest of the onlookers, seeing that both masters had left, also dispersed.
On a rockery not far away.
Ye Jingcheng stood with his hands behind his back, "Marquis, did you see clearly? This King did not lie to you, did he?"
To be able to move the night-shining pearl from such a distance was no small feat.
Lin Zequ's eyes were cold as he gazed at Ye Jingyu's departing back, his sight lingering on the little dumpling, "I underestimated her."
Normally, Su Yunmo's current body would no longer possess the bloodline of the Southern Xinjiang royal family. The Glazed Lock saving her life was already the best outcome.
Logically, she should no longer be able to use the Glazed Lock as she did in her previous life, yet the Glazed Lock had recognized a new master.
This was completely beyond his understanding.
A hidden guard stepped forward, "If the Marquis desires anything, your subordinate can find a way to obtain it."
"Useless. What use is it to me if I take an item that has recognized a master?" Lin Zequ flicked his sleeve.
The hidden guard immediately bowed and retreated to the side, not daring to say another word.
Ye Jingcheng asked, "Then what are the Marquis's next plans?"
"She is now completely bonded with the Glazed Lock," Lin Zequ's eyes were complex, "It seems our plan must be put on hold."
Ye Jingcheng flicked a speck of dust from his sleeve, "This King can wait, but I fear my good third brother will not. He has already begun a thorough investigation into the matter of Duke Yingguo, as ordered."
"Once this matter is exposed, the Marquis should know what you will face, and this King need not elaborate."
A hint of killing intent flashed in Lin Zequ's eyes, "This Marquis knows. Please, Your Highness, wait another three days. After three days, all will be clear."
"Very well, then this King shall await your good news." Ye Jingcheng cupped his hands and turned to leave.
Lin Zequ gazed in the direction Ye Jingyu had departed from at the foot of the mountain, his eyes gathering a dark gleam.
Meanwhile, the little dumpling was carried out of the Imperial Garden, her chin propped up as she frowned.
Ye Jingyu looked down at her, "What is it?"
"Do you find this matter a bit strange?" Su Yunmo scratched the back of her head, puzzled, "Even if the Empress is stupid, she wouldn't come up with such a method to scheme against me for no reason, would she?"
Even if Ye Jingyu hadn't come today, even if something had truly been found on her, even if the matter had escalated.
In the end, His Majesty would most likely have given her a minor punishment, and it wouldn't have posed any real threat to her.
It was possible the Empress might have failed to achieve her goal and suffered a setback, especially since she had just received so many treasures yesterday. There was no need for her to steal the night-shining pearl, and His Majesty wasn't a fool; he wouldn't be easily deceived.
Then why did Luo Yun'e insist on making such a fuss?
Ye Jingyu stopped walking, "Did you use the Glazed Lock to transfer the night-shining pearl to Lin Yuning?"
Su Yunmo nodded, and then a sharp glint suddenly appeared in her eyes, "Their goal is the Glazed Lock?"
It was Lin Zequ!
She let out a cold snort and took out the Glazed Lock from her embrace, "Want to snatch something? It's a pity the Glazed Lock has already recognized its master."
"This King believes they were likely testing whether it had recognized a master," Ye Jingyu narrowed his eyes, another strange glint flashing in their depths.
With even the Empress playing along, it seemed a major move was about to be made.
Ye Jingyu looked down at the little dumpling in his arms, then suddenly reached out and grabbed her collar, lifting her into the air, "You must have someone with you when you go out these few days. You are not allowed to run around by yourself."
The little dumpling snorted, crossed her arms, and turned her head away, "Do you think I'm afraid of them?"
Ye Jingyu poked her nose with a finger, "Do as I say and do not argue. If you disobey, this King will find someone to watch you secretly."
The little dumpling was stunned for a moment, and after a while, she uttered two words: "Tyrant."
Ye Jingyu: "..."
He narrowed his eyes and stared at her, speaking each word deliberately, "Your assessment is very accurate. Therefore, you had best not displease this King, or I will skin you and roast you."
Let him call her a tyrant. As long as she was safe.
The little dumpling pouted and turned her head away, ignoring him.
Ye Jingyu stared at her without speaking. After a while, she relented and whined, "I know."
Is it not enough if I listen to you?
Ye Jingyu's face showed a satisfied smile, and he embraced her again, rubbing her head with his large hand, "It's cold outside, this King will take you to the front hall."
Su Yunmo grunted and snuggled into his embrace.
Lü Luo followed behind them, her eyes wide with disbelief, her gaze on Ye Jingyu carrying a hint of admiration.
To be able to make their young lady yield, Prince Yu was truly a formidable figure.
At this moment, the front hall had gathered a few people, chatting in twos and threes to keep warm.
It was not yet time for the banquet, and the hall did not have long tables set up. Instead, there were small tables with fruits and pastries placed on them.
"Momo?" Zhou Wanyou saw the little dumpling's figure and came forward from inside the hall.
Su Yunmo immediately broke free from Ye Jingyu's embrace and ran over, bumping into Zhou Wanyou's arms and nuzzling affectionately, "Mother~"
Ye Jingyu's embrace was empty, and the spot that had felt warm was suddenly filled with a cold wind. He sighed inwardly.
"I heard from the servants that you entered the palace long ago. Why didn't you come to find your mother? Where did you go to play?" Zhou Wanyou affectionately poked her forehead.
The little dumpling said pitifully, "Mother, Momo didn't~"
"Momo and this King took a stroll in the back garden," Ye Jingyu walked over, "Please do not mind, Madam General."
Zhou Wanyou looked up at him, "Your Highness Prince Yu, what are you saying? I should thank you for taking care of Momo."
She lowered her head and rubbed the little dumpling's head, "Did Momo thank Prince Yu?"
The little person lifted her head from her embrace and turned back, "Thank you, Brother Yu."
The little one drew out the sound, her voice childish and sweet. After thanking him, she immediately buried her head in Zhou Wanyou's embrace again.
Ye Jingyu saw her clinging so dependently and suddenly felt a pang of jealousy.
But his expression remained unchanged, his face as usual, "Since Momo has found her mother, this King will not disturb your mother-daughter time."
Zhou Wanyou bowed and thanked him again.
Ye Jingyu then turned and left.
After he left, Zhou Wanyou immediately picked up the little dumpling, "Momo, did something happen?"
Otherwise, Prince Yu was responsible for organizing today's banquet and should have been busy. Why would he have the time to personally send the little one over?