Chapter 20: Explosive and Astounding Scenes
The princess actually said she would personally escort her, which flattered Lu Mingzhu. She knew that the princess didn't like Nian Nian, but this was, after all, her territory, so Lu Mingzhu could only purse her lips and couldn't say anything to politely refuse.
She was just a little curious, and always felt that the princess wasn't really afraid of her getting lost.
"Rou'er, you should come too."
The eldest princess called Yu Zhirou very affectionately, thinking that they would be family in the future, and that she would rely on this sister-in-law with superb medical skills to treat her cold illness.
The princess's procession was grand and imposing, and it didn't look like she was seeing someone off at all. As they walked, the nobles from other prominent families in the side rooms were all taken aback and turned to look at them.
When they were halfway there, a servant from the manor rushed over.
"Your Highness, the Empress and the Regent have arrived."
"What? The Empress Dowager has arrived? And the Regent as well?"
The eldest princess swallowed hard. She hadn't expected her mother to come at this critical juncture, especially with that ruthless regent.
However, their arrival was just in time, allowing the Regent to see just how despicable and fickle the woman who publicly confessed her love to him truly was.
Having made up her mind, the eldest princess said to the servant, "Please invite the Empress Dowager and the Lord to the Lilac Pavilion."
The eunuch's shrill voice rang out shortly afterward.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived! The Regent has arrived!"
The eldest princess stepped forward warmly to pay her respects, her smile as radiant as a flower.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities, Minghan. These Ruyi scepters are a birthday gift that your mother carefully selected for you. The Emperor has taken a liking to you as his precious daughter and has specially granted me permission to leave the palace to see you, escorted by the Regent."
The Empress, with her graceful bearing, stood among the kneeling crowd, her dazzling golden headdress gleaming in the sunlight.
"Your son thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness. I am grateful for the assistance of the Regent."
Although the eldest princess looked down on eunuchs, she dared not disrespect Chunyu Han. Everyone in the capital knew how formidable this fearsome man was, and she could not afford to offend him.
Chunyu Han cupped his hands in return to the princess, his cold, narrow eyes showing no other expression.
"The sun is blazing at noon, Mother. Please come with me to the side room to rest for a while. This afternoon, I have invited the best opera troupe from the capital to come and entertain us."
As the eldest princess spoke, she led everyone toward the side room, not forgetting to activate her important chess piece.
"Miss Lu, please go and rest first. Miss Yu is resting in this Lilac Pavilion."
Yu Nian's name was mentioned subtly, and Chunyu Han's lowered eyes flickered slightly.
Yu Nian was in such a hurry this morning because she was rushing to keep an appointment.
"Miss Yu is here too, so I'll have a chat with her. I get along very well with that girl."
Others may not know what the Eldest Princess meant, but the Empress did. This was a task she had given to the Eldest Princess, and she had come here specifically to check on the results.
"That's good, Cuckoo, go open the door."
The princess waved her hand, and Dujuan eagerly went to open the door. As expected, the door was locked from the inside. Dujuan knocked on the door a few times and called out "Miss Yu Wu," but received no response.
"The Fifth Miss drank a bit too much at the lunch banquet and probably fell asleep."
While the princess was still trying to cover up her secret, the sound of porcelain shattering suddenly came from the room, and the princess's expression changed instantly.
Everyone around looked solemnly at the closed door, but a hint of excitement flashed in the Empress's eyes. Although it was fleeting, it was still caught by Chunyu Han who was standing next to her.
The Empress seemed a little off, and Chunyu Han's hand, which was behind his back, tightened its grip on the prayer beads.
"Dujuan, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and call someone to go upstairs and open the door!"
At the princess's command, Dujuan immediately led her men to ram the door. Several burly servants broke the bolt in no time.
The door opened, and wisps of blue smoke quickly escaped from the room, dissipating into the air without a trace.
Du Juan and the servants walked in front, followed closely by the eldest princess, the empress, and others.
The light gauze curtains in the room hung casually, and several coarsely made outer garments were scattered on the floor, which did not look like women's clothing at all.
The princess furrowed her brows and, feigning seriousness, asked Dujuan a question.
Are you sure Miss Yu is resting here?
Du Juan knelt down in fear and hurriedly said.
"This servant is certain that this servant saw Miss Yu Wu enter."
"Whether it is or not, we'll know once we go into the bedroom."
The Empress looked at the clothes in front of her and had a bad feeling. These were definitely not the Crown Prince's clothes.
The princess gave Dujuan a curt scolding, then stepped forward herself, feeling quite pleased with herself. Judging from this, even if she hadn't taken the final step, she was practically done for.
Broken porcelain pieces were scattered on the bedroom floor, indicating that the scene had been quite intense.
The princess abruptly pulled back the bed curtains, but the scene before her eyes made her unable to laugh anymore.
"Elder sister, save me!"
Li Mingjin finally saw his savior. He was taking a nap when he opened his eyes to see a slovenly man with a pockmarked face rushing towards him, shouting something like "little beauty" in a foul language. Li Mingjin himself felt weak and powerless all over.
He had dismissed the guards who were with him, leaving him in a state of utter chaos and disarray.
The bed curtains were lifted, revealing a scene of the Crown Prince and a burly man, one above the other. The jade crown that bound the Crown Prince's hair was nowhere to be seen, and his long hair was loose. With his fair complexion, he really looked like a woman.
Upon seeing this scene, the Empress's body went limp, and she nearly fainted.
The eldest princess was also stunned by what she saw. How could Ma Si'er be rolling around with the crown prince!
After a few breaths of stalemate, Chunyu Han's cold voice rang out.
"Canghai, suppress the thieves."
Canghai accepted the order and led his men to rush up and forcibly drag the burly man who was still pressing down on the prince on the bed off the bed.
The prince staggered to his feet. Having lived two lives and possessing such a noble status, when had he ever suffered such a humiliating disgrace! The pockmarked man had been swearing as soon as he entered, tearing at his clothes.
The crown prince lost all face. When he looked up, he was shocked to see that even his mother had come. Enraged, he snatched a sword from a guard and was about to kill the big man.
Before the prince could recover his strength, the sword he swung was easily blocked by Canghai.
"How dare you!"
"Your Highness, please forgive me. This person appeared in the heavily guarded Princess's residence without any reason and made inappropriate advances towards you. This is suspicious and should be handed over to the Dali Temple to find out the truth, so as to give Your Highness justice and set the record straight."
Canghai glanced at his master, knelt on one knee, and said in a humble yet respectful manner.
This time, not only the Crown Prince, but also the Eldest Princess and the Empress were stunned.
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