Chapter 237 Love Grows Stronger

With the palace coup coming to an end, Pei Siyan ordered his men to "send" Emperor Muzong back to Funing Palace, and then he went straight back to the East Palace.

In Wutong Garden, Dou Wenyi's 'illness' had greatly improved, and she came out of the pharmacy with a slightly tired look on her face.

Ta Xue nuzzled affectionately against her heels, and she knelt down to hug it, gently stroking its back.

At this moment, a palace servant came to report that Consort Sheng was requesting an audience.

Dou Wenyi frowned slightly, but still let her in.

As soon as Sheng Xiyue entered the room, she knelt down on the ground with a thud, her tone earnest, "Your Highness, I really had no idea that Feng Tingyun was plotting against you. Although he had received favors from the Sheng family in the past, he had left the Sheng family many years ago and had no connection with us. I know I deserve to die a thousand deaths, and I hope you will be magnanimous and not take your anger out on the Sheng family."

"Is that so?" Dou Wenyi's expression turned slightly cold as she gave her a deep look.

"Feng Tingyun has no grudge against me, yet he insists on fighting to the death with us to help you achieve your goal. Consort Sheng, you wash your hands of this with just a few words. How heartless of you!"

That day, Pei Siyan protected her and she escaped death. She herself was mostly unharmed, but unfortunately, Pei Siyan's back was cut by shrapnel from a thunderbolt. In addition, he was whipped dozens of times by Feng Tingyun, leaving countless shocking scars on his back.

Cuizhi also injured her right leg and is still unable to get out of bed.

Feng Tingyun naturally met a gruesome end, his body shattered into pieces by a thunderbolt.

"Do you know that he was so audacious as to whip His Highness the Crown Prince? This is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of his family!"

Sheng Xiyue's breath hitched, and her body trembled. "How dare he? I never even dared to dream of replacing you. He's the one who's incredibly audacious!"

Dou Wenyi patted Taxue's head and chuckled, "At the auction in Xiyuan, why did your painting sell for five thousand taels of silver? Do you really not know? Why did he go to Prince Rui's mansion? And why did he commit such a terrible mistake because of a single sentence you said? Do you really know nothing about his deep affection for you?"

"I originally thought Consort Sheng was a virtuous and gentle lady from a respectable family, but I never knew you were so vicious."

"You believe I stole the Crown Prince's favor, and you're jealous of me, wishing you could get rid of me as soon as possible. The Crown Prince and I almost lost our lives, and you think you can get away with it all with a casual 'I didn't know'?"

"Is Consort Sheng too naive, or too stupid? Shouldn't you give us an explanation?"

Sheng Xiyue's expression changed repeatedly. Did she know everything?

She originally thought that by using Feng Tingyun and the emperor to get rid of her, there would be no chance of failure. Who would have thought that Pei Siyan would risk his life to save her?

Fortunately, Feng Tingyun is dead, and there is no way to verify the facts. She must distance herself from the situation.

She was too hasty and underestimated Dou Wenyi's standing in the Crown Prince's heart.

But now that Pei Siyan holds great power, the aristocratic families may face retribution. If he insists on pinning this score on the Sheng family, then things will get complicated.

Sheng Xiyue's eyes instantly reddened. "Crown Princess, I really didn't mean to compete with you. I will take the initiative to break off the engagement. Please, please spare the Sheng family."

He pronounced the words "break up the engagement" with extreme difficulty, as if he were giving up an immense blessing.

"I can't help you!" Dou Wenyi shook her head in disappointment. She still hadn't grasped the situation. The current situation couldn't be resolved with just a simple annulment of the engagement.

Feng Tingyun injured Pei Siyan; they can't just let it go like this!

Ta Xue suddenly raised her head, meowed twice, then jumped down from her arms and ran to the door.

Dou Wenyi looked up at the curtain and saw a familiar, tall figure sweep in.

"Yi'er—"

Pei Siyan frowned impatiently when he saw Sheng Xiyue on the ground. "Sheng Xiyue, you have never listened to me. This matter will be handled by the Imperial Clan Court."

Sheng Xiyue panicked completely, tears streaming down her face, "Your Highness, please, for the sake of our childhood friendship, spare Xiyue some dignity..."

Once she is accused of plotting to murder the Crown Princess, her life will be ruined.

"Someone come here—"

The guards from the Eastern Palace immediately rushed in.

"Consort Sheng attempted to murder the Crown Princess. Take her to the Imperial Clan Court and order them to interrogate her thoroughly!"

Sheng Xiyue stared wide-eyed, then collapsed to her knees, her voice filled with despair as she cried out, "Your Highness, I was truly wrong! Please don't do this! I genuinely love you. I only complained to him a few times; I really didn't know he would go so mad—"

"Your Highness, please, don't do this! Do you want to make enemies of all the powerful families in Tianning City? The Sheng family can be used by Your Highness!" Sheng Xiyue almost tore her throat apart.

The guards grabbed her and dragged her out. Sheng Xiyue struggled desperately, her hair disheveled, her face full of distress, and she still wanted to speak.

Pei Siyan didn't even look at her, and said casually, "I reminded you, but you were reckless and too greedy."

Dou Wenyi was slightly taken aback, and sighed deeply, not expecting Pei Siyan to be so decisive.

Pei Siyan raised his hand and smoothed the hair on her forehead. "If you don't want to see her, why let her in? From now on, you won't see anyone you don't want to see."

"Your Highness, these are turbulent times. Do we really have to completely break ties with the Sheng family?"

Pei Siyan grasped her hand, his gaze calm and resolute. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. The powerful families of Tianning City are deeply entrenched and riddled with deep-seated problems. The Sheng family is also implicated in the empty granary case; they're used to resting on their laurels and siphoning off the people's wealth. It's time... to sweep away these malpractices and start anew!"

The red glow of the setting sun shone through the window, covering his shoulders with a holy light.

Dou Wenyi gazed at his eyes and brows, as if she could see a peaceful and prosperous world.

She suddenly touched his waist, remembering the wound on his back, and felt a pang of heartache. She couldn't help but chide him, "Your Highness, the wound on your back should have been treated a long time ago, otherwise it will leave a scar..."

"Yi'er..."

The man beside her suddenly lowered his head, then abruptly raised his eyebrows, reaching out to grab her chin with a half-smile. "Yi'er, are you worried about me, or are you concerned about the scars? If I really get scars, will you stop liking me?"

"Pei Siyan, what's wrong with you? You know perfectly well—"

Before he could finish speaking, he silenced her with a kiss, the man taking advantage of her, as if to vent his anger, and ruthlessly plundering her...