The Empress Dowager's expression changed instantly upon hearing this. She had just thought this woman was quite talented and charismatic, and hadn't even had a chance to speak yet.

"The Regent has risked his life for our Yue Kingdom, eliminating enemies and bandits. This time, he went to the southern border to quell the rebellion and has not returned for a long time. The Regent's reputation is a matter of national honor. Who is this young lady below the stage? You cannot speak nonsense." Consort Chen had also heard many rumors in the capital. Coincidentally, the young lady of the Yan family was not present. Now that someone had made the suggestion, she would lend her a hand.

If the rumors are true, Yue Xiyuan's reputation will be ruined, and the General's Mansion will be guilty of deceiving the emperor, which might not be a bad thing for her son.

"Reporting to Consort Chen, I am Song Shuyun, the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. I am not lying. The news has spread throughout the capital these past few days." Song Shuyun was somewhat frightened, but she knew there was no turning back. Moreover, her good friend Liu Xuening had witnessed Yan An eloping with the guard, so how could it be false? She felt more confident.

five days ago…

Liu Xuening and Song Shuyun went to Qianyi Pavilion to buy an outfit for the Hundred Flowers Banquet. The clothes at Qianyi Pavilion are of the best quality in terms of both fabric and style, but of course, the prices are also very high. Liu Xuening and Song Shuyun only come here two or three times a year.

During a casual chat, Liu Xuening inadvertently revealed: "A few days ago, when I went to Yuelai Guest House for a meal, I saw the Yan family's carriage heading south out of the city. The carriage driver was a very handsome guard. As he drove, the guard said, 'Princess Yue'an is leaving the city, so hurry up and make way!' Yesterday, my eldest sister happened to ask me to deliver a visiting card to Princess Yue'an. The servants at the Yan family said that their young lady had caught a cold and could not receive guests, so they turned me away. Just as I was about to go back, I heard two passing servants say that their young lady did not catch a cold at all, but had disappeared a few days ago."

"Sister Xuening, do you mean Yan An eloped with that guard?" Song Shuyun asked excitedly. If that were the case, then the Yan family would have disgraced the royal family and committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, and she could rightfully become the mistress of the Regent's Palace.

"Don't talk nonsense. I just heard it. Alright, Sister Yun, I've made my choice. My elder sister has something to discuss with me, so I'll take my leave first." Today, Liu Xuening had used all her monthly salary saved up over half a year to buy this relatively inexpensive dress. Thinking that Liu Ruyan could have clothes delivered to her door by Qianyi Pavilion every month, she couldn't help but clench the dress in her hand, her eyes turning ferocious, filled with deep-seated resentment.

"The position of the legitimate daughter will be mine sooner or later, and the position of the Regent's Consort will also be mine. They are all mine." Liu Xuening swallowed her hatred. "Song Shuyun, don't disappoint me."

Song Shuyun did not disappoint Liu Xuening. He found several people to spread rumors in front of the Regent's Palace. Even the after-dinner conversations that the Regent's Palace carriage encountered on the way to the palace on the day of the Hundred Flowers Banquet were arranged by Song Shuyun.

At the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Song Shuyun, who knelt down and spoke frankly, was inexplicably confident in her actions, as if she could already feel the Regent's gratitude towards her.

Madam Song, who was standing to the side, knew that her daughter had been spoiled and that her poetry and songs were all so-so. She thought her daughter had changed her ways today, but she didn't expect that she had been used by someone again. At this moment, she was terrified that her daughter would say something reckless.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, and Consort Chen, please forgive me. Yun'er is still young and speaks without thinking. She also drank some wine and is talking nonsense. I hope you will allow me to take my daughter away from the banquet so as not to disturb your enjoyment." Madam Song knew that if she didn't leave now, it would be all over.

“Mother, I’m not lying. Everyone in the capital knows that Princess An eloped with a guard from the Yan family a few days ago. Otherwise, why wouldn’t Madam Yan have brought Princess An to the banquet today?” Ignoring Madam Song’s attempts to pull her away, Song Shuyun blurted out the rumors.

Madam Song's face turned deathly pale, and she sat there in a daze, muttering, "It's over, it's over..."

Because Yan An's actions concerned the nation and the safety of Yue Xiyuan, the Yan family claimed that Yan An had caught a cold and was unable to receive guests. The Yan family had heard a lot of rumors in the past few days, but because Yue Xiyuan wrote to them to hold back for the time being, they could only suppress them secretly.

Upon hearing Song Shuyun insult her precious daughter's reputation, Jiang Luo immediately lost her temper and stood up, intending to slap the man's head.

"Who is ruining this princess's reputation?" Yue Xiyuan, holding Yan An's hand, strode towards Song Shuyun.

Yan An originally wanted to continue watching Song Shuyun's performance from the shadows, but unfortunately, Yue Xiyuan's body temperature was getting lower and lower.

Although Yue Xiyuan had sent a letter, the Emperor, Empress Dowager, Jiang Luo, and Yan Yi were finally relieved to see Yue Xiyuan's imposing figure and chilling aura. Their excitement was beyond words.

"Your subject greets the Empress Dowager and Consort Chen." "An'an greets the Emperor, Aunt, and Consort Chen."

"Good, good, it's good that you're back. Please take a seat." The Empress Dowager struggled to suppress her joy.

Yue Xiyuan led Yan An to sit next to the Empress Dowager, not wanting the person in his heart to leave him.

Opposite Yue Xiyuan was Yue Zhixiao. Yan An met Yue Zhixiao's gaze directly. He had a smile on his lips, and he was gentle and refined, but Yan An only felt that it was a bottomless abyss.

Yue Xiyuan sensed the intense gaze Yue Zhixiao was giving Yan An. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes, and his expression turned cold. However, Yue Zhixiao seemed oblivious to this and raised his glass to Yue Xiyuan.

"Yan An, you eloped with a guard, and now you don't even bow to the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Consort Chen. Do you know your crime?" If she hadn't spoken, the Empress Dowager might not have said anything now because of Yue Xiyuan and Yan An's return, but Song Shuyun would definitely not let go of this good opportunity.

Song Shuyun clenched her fists as she looked at Yue Xiyuan, who was holding Yan An's hand. Her eyes were filled with malice, and hatred surged in her chest like a tidal wave. She firmly believed that Yan An had eloped with the guard, and that the Regent would definitely look at her with new respect after she exposed him.

“Miss Song, I am Princess Yue’an of the current dynasty, the future Princess Consort of the Regent, and the Empress Dowager is my aunt. The Emperor has granted me permission not to perform the rites before the palace. Is this explanation satisfactory?” Yan An’s thin, crimson lips curled into a wicked smile.

"If you're satisfied, then this princess also needs an explanation from Miss Song. What crime is it to falsely accuse the current princess, the future queen consort of the regent, and to address me by my name without even bowing?" The title "future queen consort of the regent" is quite useful, isn't it?

"Beating him to death!" Yue Xiyuan added.

"Then let's take him out and give him twenty lashes." Yan An glanced disdainfully at Song Shuyun kneeling on the ground.

"Yan An, you can't hit me! You eloped with the guard, disgracing the royal family. You are the one who should be punished!" Song Shuyun was still unwilling to give up. She still believed that Yan An had really eloped with the guard and that Yue Xiyuan had been bewitched by Yan An. She wished she could grab the culprit who had made her so disgraced and crush her bones.