Ji Hao paused before he could finish speaking about the punishment, staring at Ruan Qing'an with an ambiguous expression. The Marquis of Yongle was a great contributor, unlike Ji Wuyu, a prince with no foundation whom Ji Hao disliked.

If Ruan Qing'an is punished arbitrarily, damaging the public relationship with the Marquis of Yongle, it would likely demoralize the entire army...

Ji Hao pondered for a moment, then smiled at Ruan Qing'an, his previous angry rebuke of Ji Wuyu completely gone: "Alright, alright, it's because I have high expectations for the Ninth Prince that I got so angry. Qing'an, you tell me what happened."

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."

Ruan Qing'an bowed again before saying, "Your Majesty, this matter actually arose because of me. Young Master Sun was injured at my Yongle Marquis's residence. In terms of both sentiment and reason, it has nothing to do with His Highness the Ninth Prince."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the Imperial Study became tense.

Sun Tianyuan's eyes widened even more, and he couldn't help but say, "Ruan Qing'an, are you crazy? What's it to you? Why do you have to get involved!"

"Shut up!"

Minister Sun's face turned green. He bowed to Ji Hao and said, "Your Majesty, it is my dereliction of duty. My son is unruly and insolent, but we cannot allow him to be bullied. This is—"

"So, does Your Excellency think that Qing'an is the kind of person who bullies others? The Yongle Marquis's family are all loyal and righteous people. I am strictly disciplined by my father, so how could I bully Young Master Sun for no reason?"

Before Minister Sun could finish speaking, Ruan Qing'an retorted, looking directly at him with a slightly cold, leaden-gray eye: "If Minister Sun has any insights into my father's upbringing, would you be willing to discuss it with my father after this matter is settled?"

"..."

Minister Sun shut his mouth. Although the Marquis of Yongle had lost his military power, he was not someone to be trifled with, especially since he was very protective of his own.

Ji Hao waved his hand and said, "Alright, Qing'an, you can speak. After all, this happened at the Yongle Marquis's residence. As for Minister Sun, it's best not to believe everything you hear."

Upon hearing this, Minister Sun's face darkened even further, but apart from Ji Wuyu, he couldn't afford to offend anyone, so he could only remain silent and warn Sun Tianyuan with his eyes.

Ruan Qing'an then continued, "Your Majesty, it was I who ordered my servants to beat up Young Master Sun; His Highness the Ninth Prince was unaware of it."

"Qing'an, do you know what you're saying?"

Ji Hao's eyes held a slight chill.

Ruan Qing'an nodded: "Of course I understand, Your Majesty. Although Young Master Sun was on good terms with me in the past, he always abided by the rules and knew how to behave properly. He had also been a guest at my Yongle Marquis's residence. But this time, Young Master Sun accidentally entered a woman's boudoir."

"In my haste, I mistook him for a lecherous rogue, which is why I ordered someone to beat Young Master Sun, leading to this misunderstanding. Young Master Sun was so badly beaten that he lost his senses and saw His Highness the Ninth Prince at the Yongle Marquis's residence, which is why he thought it was His Highness who did it."

Hearing Ruan Qing'an's distorted words, Sun Tianyuan was so angry that he reached out his hand. Just as he was about to speak, Minister Sun slapped him on the head, silencing him.

Ji Wuyu, who was kneeling to the side, couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and glance at Ruan Qing'an. Even he didn't believe what she was saying, but she said it with such conviction that it seemed like the truth.

Minister Sun remained calm and countered, "Since it's a misunderstanding, why doesn't Your Highness explain? Are you feeling guilty?"

"You flatter me, Your Excellency."

Ruan Qing'an chuckled: "I am engaged to His Highness the Ninth Prince. I am the future Princess Consort. It is one thing for Young Master Sun to have wandered into the courtyard by mistake, but if he were to also have wandered into my private quarters and damage a woman's reputation, the crime would be even greater!"

Minister Sun's expression darkened slightly: "Does that mean that even though my son was beaten, you and the Ninth Prince are in the right?"

"Of course, Your Highness didn't say anything for Young Master Sun's sake. Otherwise, if he insulted me, the future Princess Consort, it would be an insult to the Prince's face. And Your Highness is His Majesty's son. Do you expect Young Master Sun to insult His Majesty's face?!"

Ruan Qing'an spoke confidently, bowing his head to Ji Hao.

“Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince was only afraid that this matter would affect you, and he had no intention of embarrassing the Minister. That’s why he swallowed his anger. Please forgive him, Your Majesty. This matter is just a misunderstanding.”

Ji Wuyu, swallowing his anger: ...

He didn't even know when he became so good-tempered.

Seeing Ruan Qing'an lying without even thinking, Ji Wuyu was almost amused. His restless princess consort actually had this side to her.

Oh well, I guess I misjudged her...

【Affection Value: 0】

037: [I was terrified! At least it's not a negative number anymore.]

Ruan Qingan's expression was not good: "Yes, thanks to Sun Tianyuan's actions, we've gone back to square one."

"...Kill Sun Tianyuan! He's too despicable!"

With Ruan Qing'an's silver tongue and the Yongle Marquis's mansion as his backer, the tables turned in an instant, and the one who got into trouble was Sun Tianyuan, who was beaten pitifully.

This infuriated Minister Sun, who was so angry that his fingertips trembled. He wanted to say something more, but when he saw Ji Hao's rather unpleasant expression, he could only shut his mouth.

Ji Hao also felt a bit of a headache. He didn't really care about Ji Wuyu, but once Ruan Qing'an married Ji Wuyu, she would be a member of his royal family. But then Sun Tianyuan's affair caused all this trouble...

He pressed his temples and spoke in an annoyed tone.

"Alright, let's leave it at that. Since it was a misunderstanding, Minister Sun, just have the imperial physician examine your good son. As for you, Ninth Prince, Qing'an has already said so, so you can all go back. You did the right thing this time."

These words definitively defined the nature of the matter.

Ruan Qingan was the first to bow: "Your Majesty is wise."

Seeing that Ji Wuyu seemed a little dazed and hadn't reacted yet, she tugged at his sleeve. Only then did Ji Wuyu come back to his senses and meet her leaden gray eyes, which were filled with a hint of joy.

He was slightly taken aback, and for some reason his heart skipped a beat. He turned his head hastily and bowed as well, saying, "Thank you for your mercy, Father Emperor."

After saying this, Ji Hao waved his hand, dismissing everyone, and casually added, "By the way, Minister Sun, remember to tell your good-for-nothing son to stop causing trouble!"

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Minister Sun gave a wry smile.

Sun Tianyuan never expected that after being beaten, he would also be scolded. He was so angry that he fainted, which scared Minister Sun half to death. He had no choice but to take him away and rush to the Imperial Hospital.

Ruan Qing'an and Ji Wuyu lagged half a step behind as they walked out of the imperial study. They watched Sun Tianyuan's miserable state with wide eyes. Ruan Qing'an couldn't help but sneer, while Ji Wuyu had no interest in watching the spectacle.

Half of his attention was focused on the person beside him, his dark eyes silently scrutinizing Ruan Qing'an's beautiful profile.

—She looked sickly, and should have been as fragile as someone who could be held in the palm of your hand, but it turned out that she was quite cunning and manipulative.

"you……"

Ji Wuyu was at a loss for words.

What was initially thought to be a pair of adulterers turned out to be an act by her. It was assumed that she and Sun Tianyuan were colluding to frame each other, but Ruan Qing'an proved with her actions that she had no ulterior motives...

Before he could finish speaking, Ruan Qing'an suddenly grabbed Ji Wuyu's wrist and wiped the cut on his wrist with a handkerchief: "I know Your Highness is suspicious and doesn't believe me."

"But Your Highness must always remember that you are my future husband. I share your glory and your loss. The Yongle Marquis's Mansion behind me is also closely related to your interests."

She spoke softly and gently, and when she looked up, the excessively close distance and the cool fragrance mixed with herbs made Ji Wuyu momentarily dazed, as if she were truly his wife.

After wiping away the bloodstains, Ruan Qing'an pressed the handkerchief against Ji Wuyu's chest, her slender fingertips touching it.

Her leaden eyes were smiling.

"Your Highness, remember to feel with your heart."

Before Ji Wuyu could speak, Ruan Qing'an left first, calling to Green Bamboo beside her, putting on her thousand-gold fur coat, and strolling away—it's time to leave, so that people can have endless memories.

Only Ji Wuyu remained standing there, subconsciously clutching the handkerchief still carrying her scent, and fell silent for a moment.

Ji Wuyu half-closed his eyes and sighed softly.

His princess consort is really good with words...