Su Wenyuan knew he was acting and pretending, and was willing to cooperate, standing obediently beside Sheng Jingyu.

Meng Qi has already taken Yi Pingxiang away; they're still behind the artificial hill.

Yi Wenming didn't even try to stop him; he wasn't in the mood. He was about to die anyway, so he was thinking about how to save his own life.

"Who else bullied the princess just now? Tell me their names," Sheng Jingyu pressed.

Some people were so frightened that they knelt on the ground, and the rest were in no better shape, trembling. When Consort Wan's gaze swept over them, she found that none of them could stand up.

How can she become the Crown Princess like this?

"If Prince Chen wants to interrogate me here, then I will not accompany him!" Consort Wan said through gritted teeth.

After preparing for so long, it all turned out to be a complete mess; it's a joke.

Sheng Jingyu suddenly realized, "The banquet isn't over yet! Then let's not disturb you any longer. I also have important matters to attend to. I haven't yet delivered this corrupt official to Father Emperor."

Those people thought that Sheng Jingyu was willing to let them go, and they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

But Sheng Jingyu added, "I won't ask who these people are. They should come to the Prince Chen's residence to apologize before sunset tomorrow. If they don't come, I will pay them a visit."

Su Wenyuan smiled slightly and said, "The Prince Chen's Mansion welcomes you."

In this rush, Su Wenyuan will take her revenge on them one by one when they come over tomorrow.

These people felt a chill run down their spines when they saw Su Wenyuan's smile.

On the other side, Meng Qi had already dragged Yi Pingxiang back, her cheeks swollen and red, blood seeping from the corners of her mouth, and she was being dragged around.

He hit her so hard not to vent his anger for Su Wenyuan, but because he was angry himself.

He ate most of the snacks, but this caused trouble for Su Wenyuan. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and the harder he hit her.

No one pities Yi Pingxiang; she deserves it.

The girl He, whom she had mentioned earlier, spat in her direction.

Su Wenyuan saw this and said with a smile, "Your dancing isn't that bad, you just don't use your brain. Learn to be smarter first before you get involved in those elegant things."

Those who spoke up for Miss He at that time also revealed gloating smiles.

There's a reason why Yi Pingxiang is unpopular. In her courtyard, she has beaten countless maids to death and forced pretty maids to become concubines for other men.

Many ladies in the capital had been swindled by her.

She went to great lengths to please certain people, and this is her retribution.

"Meng Qi, Miss Yi is yours. Send her back to the Yi residence and have people guard her closely. We'll discuss this further after Father has dealt with the matter," Sheng Jingyu instructed.

Yi Pingxiang suddenly cried out incoherently, "Your Highness! Please spare my family and spare me too! I didn't mean to, I did it for Lu Wanying, have you forgotten her?"

Su Wenyuan was startled. The female lead she had been waiting for for so long had actually appeared at this moment? But it was still just a name.

Sheng Jingyu frowned upon hearing the name.

Yi Pingxiang shouted again, "She was devastated and couldn't eat when she learned that you had married a princess! If you despise her background, why don't you despise Su Wenyuan?"

Su Wenyuan was stunned. Did the female lead have a past with Sheng Jingyu?

How come she doesn't know when this happened!

Could the fierce rivalry between Sheng Jingyu and the Crown Prince also be related to this female lead? Su Wenyuan imagined a grand drama unfolding before her eyes.

Ye Shan angrily reminded him, "Meng Qi! What are you doing?"

Why don't you cover her mouth and let her talk nonsense?

With a cold expression, Sheng Jingyu led Su Wenyuan away.

They had all been gone for quite some time, and Wan Chunting's side still hadn't reacted.

So many incredible things have happened, especially the changes in Prince Chen.

Yet he seemed unchanged, still as assertive and ruthless as ever, except when it came to the princess.

This princess is quite fierce. In the palace, in front of Consort Wan, she fought violently, showing no regard for palace rules.

Consort Wan couldn't do anything about her; she neither punished her nor said anything harsh.

"I saw the princess handing pastries to the maid. I should have explained it for the princess."

"I even saw the maid deliver some snacks. At the time, I thought it was better to avoid trouble, getting involved with Yi Pingxiang would be too much of a hassle."

Those who did not come forward to testify are now filled with regret.

They had always wanted to get close to Prince Chen, and today was such a great opportunity—just a few words on behalf of Princess Chen—but they missed it.

However, the ones who regret it the most are not them, but those who have to apologize tomorrow. I can already imagine what it will be like when they get home tonight. Some of them are already crying.

It's all their fault for being so talkative; of all people to talk about, why did they have to bring up Su Wenyuan?

Even Consort Wan, who was at the front, regretted it. Why invite Su Wenyuan of all people? She ruined the banquet.

Of the people present, there were a few she originally liked, but now, because of Su Wenyuan's presence, she no longer found them appealing.

Su Wenyuan could hit someone on the spot, but they were too scared to say a word. That's the difference.

Although Su Wenyuan was an illegitimate daughter, and the Prime Minister would not help Sheng Jingyu because of her, Su Wenyuan had a generous dowry that everyone in the capital envied.

In terms of both looks and courage, it would be hard to find another person who can compare to her.

Consort Wan grew angrier the more she thought about it. Was this banquet just a self-inflicted humiliation?

It should have been expected long ago; since Su Wenyuan could anger the Empress, she could certainly drive her mad.

"Disperse, everyone." Consort Wan waved her hand weakly.

Everyone left one after another, but a few were summoned by the Empress's people.

Consort Wan hosted a banquet, inviting almost all the eligible young women in the capital.

The Empress was about to select concubines and maids for Sheng Jingyu, and naturally she had her own preferred candidates, just waiting for them to leave.

On this day, all the mansions in the capital were quite lively, but the most lively one was the Prime Minister's mansion.

Su Lin'er was kicked out right away, which was incredibly embarrassing. When she returned, she started arguing with Wang Shi.

They disliked her for having been a mistress and said that because of her poor background, she didn't understand anything.

On such an important occasion as today, how could I possibly go there dressed up without any clothes just to scheme against Su Wenyuan?

Wang felt wronged, because it was clearly something she had agreed to herself, and now she was being blamed for this and that.

They argued for a long time, but Su Yuan didn't want to listen and went straight back to her room to rest.

Before he could even lie down, someone from the palace came to invite him to the palace to discuss matters concerning Yi Wenming's embezzlement.

When he returned, Wang Shi and Su Lin'er were still arguing, completely unaware of what had happened in the palace.

"Stop arguing! Are you ever going to stop?! You're not the only one who embarrassed yourself in the palace today. You should be glad you came back early! Otherwise, you wouldn't even know how you died." Su Yuan shouted.

If Su Lin'er doesn't come back, she'll definitely cause even more trouble than Yi Pingxiang. At that point, she'll be doomed!

"What do you mean?" Su Lin'er didn't understand.

Su Yuan said coldly, "Consort Wan's flower-viewing banquet has been ruined! Su Wenyuan hit someone on the spot, but returned from the palace unharmed."

Su Lin'er's eyes widened, and she said indignantly, "Why? I was kicked out just for saying a few wrong words, but she got away with hitting someone?"