I never expected Shen Yunting would go to such lengths to refuse the arranged marriage.

His reputation in the capital is likely beyond repair.

Thinking of this, Qu Jingyun felt a warmth in her heart.

This nemesis is really something...

Shen Yue was also extremely shocked. If she hadn't been deliberately pinching herself, she probably would have screamed in surprise.

Her gaze would sometimes fall on Qu Jingyun, and sometimes on Shen Yunting not far away.

Is this true?

Is this the reason why Qu Jingyun and Shen Yunting divorced?

Shen Yue felt like her brain wasn't working properly.

Time flew by, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across Shen Yue's face.

Slightly embarrassed, he leaned close to Qu Jingyun's ear and whispered something.

"Mother, I'm feeling a bit unwell, do I need to go out and take care of something?"

Qu Jingyun nodded and watched the other person leave.

He glanced at Qu Jiu not far away and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Qu Jiu quickly disappeared into the corner, leaving no trace.

An incense stick's worth of time passed, but Shen Yue still hadn't returned.

Qu Jingyun felt a growing sense of worry.

She glanced at the sky, wondering if something bad had happened.

"Madam, Miss is missing." The maid's voice rang in her ears, and Qu Jingyun's heart skipped a beat.

Looking up, she met Qu Jiu's embarrassed expression, and her heart immediately panicked, her hand holding the wine glass trembling slightly.

Surely no one would dare to do anything to Shen Yue at this critical juncture?

Qu Jingyun's first reaction was to look towards where the Fifth Prince was. When she saw that he had left at some point, her heart sank to the bottom.

She slowly clenched her right fist, her face turning cold.

If anyone dares to lay a hand on Shen Yue at this time, she will not let them off lightly.

Qu Jingyun's change in expression did not escape Shen Yunting's notice.

He looked over worriedly, but because of the crowd, he couldn't ask directly, so he could only signal with his eyes.

Qu Jingyun glanced at him reassuringly, then took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

He was about to get up and go find the person himself.

But just then, a flustered figure attracted the attention of everyone present.

The palace maid ran in from outside and bumped into the palace maid who was serving the wine, causing chaos.

Everyone turned to look, and the Empress spoke first: "How dare you! Which palace maid is so unruly? Take her away immediately!"

"This servant, this servant knows her mistake, this servant just saw..." The palace maid knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly.

He didn't even realize it until the blood started to spread.

The Empress frowned, waved her hand, and ordered the guards to drag the person away.

But then he heard a voice beside him: "Wait."

The speaker was Consort Xian, the mother of the Fifth Prince.

She spoke gently, "This palace maid is probably frightened, that's why she's like this. We don't know what she encountered, so let's ask her before making a decision."

Her gaze seemed to fall on Qu Jingyun almost imperceptibly, and Qu Jingyun's eyes immediately turned cold.

The feeling of unease in my heart grew stronger.

After hearing Consort Xian's words, the Empress looked down at the palace maid.

"Tell me, what could possibly frighten you like this? You've disturbed everyone here."

The palace maid continued kowtowing, her face deathly pale.

"Your Majesty, spare me! I didn't mean to stumble upon you!"

Her words were ambiguous, which piqued the interest of everyone present.

Upon seeing this, the Emperor coldly rebuked, "Why aren't you speaking? Do you still intend to deceive the Emperor here?"

"Yes, someone was having an affair nearby. I heard the noise, and the other person seemed to be of high status. I was afraid of being silenced for witnessing something I shouldn't have, so I..."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

How dare someone have an affair in such a setting? Do they not respect the Emperor?

Everyone sighed with regret, and each of them couldn't help but ponder the best candidate.

Who could this be?

In the end, everyone's gaze fell on Qu Jingyun.

If they remembered correctly, Chen Yue, who was beside Qu Jingyun, had been missing for quite some time.

Could it be...

Qu Jingyun naturally thought of this as well, and a sense of panic welled up in her heart, but she did not show it on her face.

But when his peripheral vision fell on Consort Xian, he became increasingly uneasy.

If it really was the Fifth Prince who made the move at this time, wasn't he afraid of being questioned by the Emperor?

They have such audacity!

"What audacity! To dare to do such a thing at this critical juncture. I'd like to see what kind of person he is."

After giving a cold laugh, Consort Xian turned to look at the Emperor, a smile spreading across her face.

"Your Majesty, why don't we move to another place and see who has done such an outrageous thing?"

Seeing the eager expressions on everyone's faces, the Emperor pondered for a moment and then nodded.

Regardless of who did this, if they are not caught on the spot, the comments will only escalate, and I don't know who will be implicated in the end.

It's better to just find out the truth directly.

People who can do this in this kind of situation probably don't care about saving face.

After receiving the emperor's approval, the group followed the palace maids to the nearby woods.

As they drew closer, the man's heavy breathing and the woman's low voice reached everyone's ears.

It seems the battle is quite intense!

Everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, mixed feelings).

The closer they got, the more flustered Qu Jingyun became.

Shen Yue has been late in arriving; has she really been tricked?

A fleeting hint of coldness flashed across her eyes.

If Shen Yue is truly framed here, she will absolutely not let the person behind it get away with it.

Those despicable people will pay the price for their deeds.

"Don't worry, Yue'er is fine."

Shen Yunting's voice reached her ears, like a gentle breeze soothing the worries in Qu Jingyun's heart.

She looked up and saw that Shen Yunting was already walking ahead.

It was as if he hadn't approached her at all.

But Qu Jingyun knew very well that it must have been Shen Yunting who said those words.

Upon hearing this, Qu Jingyun immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

In a cheerful mood, I went to see the show.

"The adulterer seems to be wearing blue fabric. Could it be the Fifth Prince? I remember the Fifth Prince wearing blue clothes."

"Shen Yue doesn't seem to be on the field either. Wasn't there a rumor that Shen Yue was infatuated with the Fifth Prince? Although it was later clarified, it may not be entirely unfounded."

"These two are incredibly audacious. They actually dared to have an affair during the autumn hunting banquet. Aren't they afraid of being discovered?"

"Perhaps it was for the thrill? This time they've really messed things up. Look how ugly General Shen and Miss Qu's faces are."

Although the whispers were quiet, they still reached Qu Jingyun's ears.

She trusted Shen Yunting completely, so naturally she wasn't worried much.

He leaned leisurely against a tree.

"The Emperor has arrived! You adulterous lovers over there, why don't you stop now? How dare you!"

A stern shout rang out, and the movements on the other side finally slowed down.