The villagers looked at the smiling girl with complicated expressions in their eyes.

Originally, it was thought that Meng Yun'er would not have an easy life after running away like a drowning dog, but unexpectedly she returned wearing gold and silver and enjoying wealth and honor.

However, regardless of whether things are going well or not, his own father is to be executed tomorrow, and his own brother is to be exiled thousands of miles away. Yet he can still act as if nothing has happened and laugh and joke around. Isn't that a bit too cold-hearted?

Seeing everyone looking at her with such enthusiasm, Meng Yun'er assumed it was out of envy and smiled even more broadly, not forgetting to reach out and adjust the heavy gold hairpin on her head.

Fang reached out and touched the jade bracelet on the octagonal table. "Sister Hua'er, thank you so much for today..."

"Wait!" Su Hua raised her hand and pressed down on the jade bracelet, her gaze sweeping between Meng Yun'er and Jun Qingcheng.

"We are all now searching for the thief who stole Princess Mingzhu's jade bracelet."

If I remember correctly, you have exactly five whorls on your hand, and the whorl on your index finger is broken off, exactly matching the fingerprint mark left on this jade bracelet, isn't that right?"

Meng Yun'er's fingertips trembled, and she awkwardly withdrew her hand. "What thief? It was just a misunderstanding."

The weather was unbearably hot, and the princess's jade bracelet was covered in sweat. I thought I'd take it to the river to wash it, but I lost it halfway there and only found it now. So, naturally, there are my fingerprints on this jade bracelet."

"Ah! It was all a misunderstanding?"

Su Hua raised an eyebrow noncommittally, her almond-shaped eyes glancing at Jun Qingcheng beside her. "I just don't know, is this Meng Yun'er's personal opinion, or is Princess Mingzhu's opinion as well?"

After saying that, he asked Su Dalang and the other two to step forward and stand in front of the Jun family master and servants.

Jun Qingcheng's expression darkened slightly. Su Hua meant that as long as she admitted that the jade bracelet was not stolen but accidentally dropped on the ground, she would have to apologize to these children in public immediately, for slandering an innocent person.

This is the first time in my life that someone has shown such disrespect to the Prince of Yan's residence.

This is so embarrassing for her!

Seeing Jun Qingcheng's expression, Meng Yun'er hurriedly advised, "Even lips and teeth bite, let alone the way people get along. If there's a misunderstanding, just clear it up."

Why must you be so unreasonable, Hua'er?

What good will it do for Sister Hua'er to insist on trampling on the royal family's dignity?

"Why would I tarnish the royal family's reputation?" Su Hua completely ignored the question, her expression indifferent. "I just want to know whether the so-called theft of the jade bracelet was the work of a thief or a mistake by the princess's own people."

After all, Princess Mingzhu had just promised that if it could be proven that the jade bracelet was not stolen by my two nephews and Mudfish, she would apologize to the three of them in front of the elders and villagers and clear their names.

Moreover, under Yu the Great, the emperor was subject to the same laws as commoners.

"If Princess Mingzhu falsely accuses someone of being a thief without cause, and doesn't even offer an apology, does that mean Princess Mingzhu is more valuable than the current emperor, or that your Yan Prince's mansion's self-imposed laws are above the laws of the Great Yu?"

Upon hearing this, the noisy crowd instantly fell silent enough that you could hear a pin drop.

The villagers all cowered like quails, heads bowed, not daring to utter a sound. How could they, mere peasants, dare to discuss such things as the Emperor's laws?

However... Hua'er's words, upon careful consideration, are truly without fault. When the Emperor makes a mistake, he issues a decree of guilt. If a princess makes a mistake and is unwilling to even offer an apology, wouldn't she be more imposing than the Emperor?

The three little Su brothers looked at Su Hua with stars in their eyes. If there weren't so many people around, they would have loved to raise their little fists and clap their hands in approval.

Qin Yucheng's obsidian eyes were full of laughter.

Hua'er's mouth is so sharp; he's never seen her lose to anyone. Every word she utters is like a dagger to the heart, leaving no room for criticism.

Upon hearing this, Meng Yun'er bit her lip and glanced at Jun Qingcheng, not daring to say anything more, while the latter blushed slightly with anger.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Su Hua darkened slightly. If she didn't apologize, she would be untrustworthy, more valuable than the emperor, and the Prince of Yan's mansion would be acting under its own law.

This country girl has some nerve.

"Well, what's your decision, Princess?" Su Hua raised her eyes, her face breaking into a smile.

"If Meng Yun'er's words are true, then she is the thief who stole the jade bracelet. Since Yu Cheng is here, when we go back later, we can have her go to the county government office for tea."

"Princess..."

Meng Yun'er felt a sudden urgency and subconsciously looked at Jun Qingcheng.

"No need to say anything more." Jun Qingcheng raised her hand to stop them, and when she looked up again, she was as ethereal as when they first met, her eyes full of tenderness as she looked at Su Dalang and the other two.

"You are Da Lang, Er Lang, and Ni Qiu, right? Today, it was my and the maid's negligence that led us to mistake you for thieves, causing you trouble and leading to this incident. I wonder if you would be willing to accept my apology?"

The three of them were a little stunned by her sudden change and subconsciously looked up at Su Hua.

Seeing Su Hua nod, Fang Chongjun and his servant nodded in agreement.

Seeing Cai Die's arrogant expression, Su Erlang grumbled somewhat discontentedly, "I'll reluctantly forgive you this time, but you can't slander people like this again next time..."

"Erlang, say less." Su Dalang hurriedly tugged at his sleeve.

The royal family has always been high-class and has many rules. Only because my aunt was there today was they able to clear their name. Who knows what will happen next time we encounter them?

Jun Qingcheng turned around and sat down, glanced at Cai Die, and raised her hand to touch the hairpin in her hair.

The Star and Moon Pearl Hairpin was a gift from the Emperor on the day of the Princess's birth, symbolizing that the pearl was naturally formed and should be cherished.

With just one glance, Cai Die instantly understood and coldly swept her eyes over the Su family. "You just kept talking about the laws of Yu the Great, but have you forgotten that you are commoners and our princess is a princess personally appointed by the Emperor?"

Why don't you kneel down and pay your respects when you see our princess?

Could it be that he is showing contempt for imperial authority and harbors rebellious intentions?