Zhao Qianlan and Song Ruoan exchanged a glance. Unlike the others, their faces did not show shock, but rather a sense of satisfaction and pride, as if they had expected this outcome.
Princess Jingyue was overjoyed. She rose from her seat and ordered two palace maids to seize Song Xizhi.
"Guards, she has disrespected the Empress Dowager and defiled the birthday gifts. Take her to a side room in the side hall and keep her under strict guard. After the birthday banquet, she can be handed over to the Empress Dowager for punishment! Let's not disturb the enjoyment of others for now."
Princess Jingyue was very confident in herself, and Song Xizhi's actions at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet were a sin in themselves.
All she had to do was plead with the Empress Dowager and act coquettishly... If the Empress Dowager was pleased, she might not only have Song Xizhi imprisoned and executed, but also demoted or dismissed from office.
As soon as Princess Jingyue finished speaking, two palace maids stepped forward to restrain Song Xizhi.
Seeing this tense situation, Liang Yongshu was really anxious!
Her mind raced, and she whispered to Song Xizhi, "Zhizhi, don't worry. I'll go find the Tibetan prince and have him use the excuse of the Holy Maiden treating the sick to bring you out."
"This matter must have been deliberately framed. Once the Empress Dowager has investigated the truth, she will not tolerate them."
As Song Xizhi listened to her words, he slowly turned his head and saw Liang Yongshu's extremely worried eyes.
Her eyes were bright and sparkling, as if they were filled with water mist.
She told me not to rush, but she looked even more anxious than I was.
Song Xizhi reached out to comfort her, then slowly stood up from his seat, his eyes sweeping over everyone in front of him. Everyone had their own ulterior motives and looked malicious.
She couldn't help but laugh inside.
Liang Yongshu felt the warmth of Song Xizhi's hand and looked at her calm and composed eyes, as if she had been prepared and was not afraid at all.
Song Xizhi opened his mouth slightly, about to speak, when a clear, gentle male voice suddenly rang out from outside. This person's arrival surprised everyone.
"It's just a vase. It probably got messed up somewhere during transport. Nobody did it on purpose. Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. She's doing good. Jingyue, why are you being so aggressive?"
In the dead of winter, Prince Ning wore an ivory-white, gold-embroidered round-necked robe, a cloak over his shoulders, and a folding fan in his hand.
As soon as he stood on the pavilion, he was enveloped in the warm breeze. He not only took off his cloak, but also raised his eyebrows slightly at Song Xizhi and gave him a flirtatious wink.
It was hot in the pavilion, so he waved his folding fan even more vigorously. The breeze made his hair flutter, making him look dashing and debonair.
Song Xizhi was somewhat surprised, but still nodded to him with a smile.
Only then did everyone at the scene come to their senses and stand up to bow to Prince Ning.
If it were anyone else, they would certainly give Prince Ning some face, but who knew that Princess Jingyue, who was spoiled and arrogant, would be even more relentless upon hearing these words:
"Uncle, you are mistaken. If you think that just because you are familiar with her you would you be willing to bend the law for personal gain and disrespect the Empress Dowager, then everyone would be expected to commit treason in the future?"
Seeing Prince Ning come to support Song Xizhi, Song Ruoan was so jealous she almost ground her teeth to powder. Hearing Princess Jingyue's retort, she felt as if she were hearing celestial music and hurriedly spoke up:
“Your Highness is right. Although Ruoan really doesn’t want to watch her sister be punished, she has made a mistake and should bear the consequences.”
"In front of so many people, I simply cannot bring myself to make the princes or empresses act out of personal favoritism and break the law!"
As Song Ruo'an spoke, determined to drag Song Xi down with her, she said, "Sister, you should confess quickly, so as not to make things difficult for the princes, otherwise you will be adding to your crimes!"
Zhao Qianlan nodded in agreement: "The Song family's reputation cannot be ruined. The members of the Song family are upright and honest. If they knew that their descendants were abusing their power in the palace, they would not rest in peace even in the afterlife!"
"Please, Your Highness, handle this matter impartially. We will accept whatever outcome you offer!"
As Zhao Qianlan spoke, she sobbed, appearing as a loving mother who was willing to sacrifice her own family for the greater good.
The Prince of Ning was speechless after hearing the back-and-forth of the mother and daughter's words, and he even stopped waving his fan.
He said it was a trivial matter, something that could be easily smoothed over, but he couldn't stand the righteous indignation of Song Xizhi's family.
If I were to try to let this matter go, it would be as if I were deliberately trying to ruin the Song family's reputation and the integrity of the Song family members.
To ensure that the Song family members cannot rest in peace even in the afterlife? That's a grave sin!
Even Prince Ning was speechless at this moment, which made Liang Yongshu even more flustered.
It seems that the only way to resolve this matter is to summon the Tibetan prince and use the pretext of the holy maiden treating a patient to send Song Xizhi away.
Liang Yongshu was pondering something in his mind, his brows furrowed as he gazed in Song Xizhi's direction.
This person, even on the verge of death, remained calm and composed. She couldn't tell if it was genuine or an act, which made her extremely nervous.
At that moment, Song Xizhi suddenly spoke. Her voice was slightly cool, yet like a gentle breeze, dispelling the gloom in the pavilion.
“Sister, what you said is very good. It is righteous to put aside one’s own family. It also shows the integrity of the Song family. I’m sure that the so-called son-in-law of the Song family thinks the same way as Sister He.”
Song Xizhi's words were so inexplicable that Song Ruoan was completely stunned: "Sister, are you out of your mind? Why did you mention unrelated people?"
Song Xizhi frowned, looking extremely remorseful: "It was my fault..."
Song Ruoan felt a sudden sense of relief.
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