Chapter 106 My sister-in-law has such a big attitude
The main courtyard of Prince Jing's Mansion.
Li Bao'er told Mu Cenlin all the information she had obtained from Fang Xu, including the possibility that Xi Yuan might be colluding with the Crown Prince, and the secrets of the Western Regions royal court that might be involved in Ling Jin's background.
After listening, Mu Cenlin's expression turned solemn. He pulled Li Bao'er into his arms and said in a deep voice, "Your information corroborates what I found." He took out several secret reports. "Xi Yuan's identity is extremely unusual. He is very likely related to the seriously injured Second Prince of the Western Regions. The Crown Prince must be implicated in his successful infiltration of the capital. Ling Jin's departure is probably not just a simple matter of being involved in the struggle in the Western Regions."
He looked down into Li Bao'er's worried eyes and patted her back reassuringly: "This matter has far-reaching implications, involving diplomatic relations between the two countries and the power struggles in the court. We must act with caution. Don't worry, since Ling Jin is someone you and A Yu care about, I will definitely find out his whereabouts and ensure his safety."
As they were talking, Li Yu slunk in, head down, and plopped down on a stool next to her. She said in a muffled voice, "Sister, brother-in-law, I don't want to go back to the Prime Minister's residence... It feels so empty without Ling Jin. I feel terrible. I want to stay here with you."
Looking at her younger brother's red and swollen eyes, Li Bao'er knew that Ling Jin's departure had been a great blow to him.
He even said he'd keep her company, which clearly meant he wanted her to keep him company. But what could she do? He was her younger brother, so she had to spoil him. Bao'er looked at Mu Cenlin, her eyes asking for his opinion.
Mu Cenlin was helpless with his brother-in-law and nodded: "Fine, if you want to stay, then stay. It will save your sister from worrying about you."
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard. Xiao Yizhi, still bandaged, walked in with a frosty expression, supported by servants.
He first glanced at Li Yu, who was sitting right next to Li Bao'er, a sinister glint in his eyes, then his gaze fell on Mu Cenlin, his tone deliberately distant and resentful:
"Your Highness." He cupped his hands in a stiff gesture. "My injuries have not yet healed, and I fear I am no longer able to serve Your Highness. Now that the Prince's residence is well-governed by the Princess and the young master, there is probably no need for a useless person like me. After much thought, I believe it would be best for me to move out of the residence to recuperate, so as not to... get in the way of certain people."
As he said this, he glanced meaningfully at Li Bao'er, clearly intending to use this tactic of feigned retreat to provoke Mu Cenlin's desire to stay and his sense of guilt.
He was certain that no matter how much the prince doted on Li Bao'er, he wouldn't really be willing to let his capable advisor leave.
However, Mu Cenlin merely glanced at him indifferently, his face expressionless, showing not even a hint of trying to persuade him to stay. He directly instructed Yuan Ting beside him:
"Yuanting, go and help Mr. Xiao pack his luggage and see him out of the mansion." His tone was as calm as if he were handling a trivial matter.
Xiao Yizhi froze on the spot, all color draining from his face, staring at Mu Cenlin in disbelief. He hadn't expected Mu Cenlin to be so decisive, without even a polite attempt to persuade him to stay!
A tremendous sense of humiliation and betrayal surged into his heart, a hundred times more painful than the kick Li Yu had given him! He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his flesh, his gaze like a poisoned knife, viciously slicing across the calm face of Li Bao'er.
It's all because of this woman! She must have been the one sowing discord between the prince and the prince!
"Very...very well!" Xiao Yi squeezed out the words through gritted teeth, his voice trembling with anger. "This subordinate...takes his leave!"
He turned abruptly, staggered out, his back view filled with suppressed anger.
Watching his departing figure, Li Bao'er was genuinely puzzled. According to the normal plot, the one who should be jealous should be Qingluan, but Xiao Yizhi's malice towards her was far greater than Qingluan's...
Mu Cenlin, however, acted as if nothing had happened. He squeezed her palm and said in a low voice, "Irrelevant people don't need to be bothered with."
Li Yu, sitting to the side, made a face at Xiao Yizhi's back and muttered under her breath, "Serves him right!"
In recent days, with Ling Jin's departure, Li Yu has matured a lot. Every day, she goes to the military camp for training with Mu Cenlin. Her mother also feels sorry for the two of them and often sends people to deliver pastries made by her. Even her uncle Wang Zheng, who rushed back for his wedding, was kept in the capital by Mu Cenlin because he wanted the general to teach the Ironclad Guards about combat.
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is just around the corner, and the capital is enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
Mu Cenlin stepped out of the carriage first. He was dressed in crimson today, which made his complexion appear even paler, exuding a restrained and domineering aura. His hair was bound with a black jade crown, and the innate sharpness and nobility between his brows made it impossible for anyone to look him directly in the eye. He turned around and carefully helped Li Bao'er out of the carriage with his well-defined knuckles.
Lai Po-yee also attended the event in full regalia, wearing a bright red royal-grade palace dress, a nine-phoenix crown, and surrounded by pearls and jade, exuding elegance and nobility.
Standing next to Mu Cenlin, one in deep purple and the other in bright red, the colors contrasted sharply yet were exceptionally harmonious, like figures stepping out of a painting, instantly captivating everyone's attention.
Many people had heard about Princess Kangning's affair, and seeing Prince Jing and his wife looking so radiant, they were even more curious about what was about to happen.
As Li Bao'er's younger brother, Li Yu was also allowed to accompany them. He wore a royal blue brocade robe, looking spirited and high-spirited, and followed closely behind his sister and brother-in-law.
Upon entering the Taiji Hall where the banquet was held, after a series of elaborate rituals, everyone took their seats according to their rank.
After several rounds of drinks, the eldest princess, seated at the head of the table, slowly set down her wine cup. Her gaze swept over Kang Ning, who was wearing a veil, and she hesitated for a moment. But then, a glance at Mu Cenlin, who was hiding a smile, made her throat tighten.
"Kang Ning, some time ago, I heard that there seemed to be some misunderstanding between you and Princess Jing?"
Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent instantly, and all eyes turned to Princess Kangning.
Princess Kangning's face turned pale, and her fingers holding the wine cup trembled slightly. A few days ago, after being released from the dungeon by that madman Mu Cenlin, she cried and begged the Princess to stand up for her and punish Mu Cenlin and Li Bao'er severely.
However, contrary to her usual doting attitude, the eldest princess not only failed to seek justice for her, but even demanded that she publicly apologize to that vile woman, Li Bao'er, at today's palace banquet!
How could she be so unfair! She was Princess Kangning, who was showered with love and affection. This mere legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion was nothing more than a pawn sent by the Emperor to Prince Jing to annoy him!
She hates it all!
Seeing Kang Ning's stubborn refusal, the eldest princess felt very distressed. However, Mu Cenlin was a vengeful person, and if she did not do this, even her brother, the emperor, would not help her.
The eldest princess spoke again, her voice carrying an undeniable authority: "Princess Jing is a royal daughter-in-law, of noble status. As a princess, you should be mindful of etiquette and conduct, and be careful in your words and actions. If you have done anything inappropriate, you should apologize to uphold the dignity of the royal family."
This is quite clear: they are forcing Princess Kangning to apologize to Li Bao'er in public.
Princess Kangning bit her lip, her eyes instantly reddening, filled with humiliation and resentment. To be forced to bow and apologize to Li Bao'er, whom she had always looked down upon, in front of so many nobles was worse than death!
Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Princess Kangning trembled as she stood up, slowly making her way to the center of the hall. Facing Li Bao'er and Mu Cenlin, she bowed with extreme difficulty, her voice barely audible, tinged with a sob:
“Kang Ning… Kang Ning’s previous words and actions were inappropriate and offended Princess Jing. Please… forgive me, Your Highness.”
Li Bao'er sat upright in her seat, her face calm, and did not speak immediately. She accepted Princess Kangning's greeting until the other was about to collapse, then slowly opened her mouth, her voice clear and melodious, carrying the air of a princess:
"Since the princess has acknowledged her mistake, I am not one to hold grudges. I hope the princess will remember her place in the future and refrain from making any further mistakes. Please rise."
"Sister-in-law, you really have quite the airs..." A clear, gentle male voice suddenly appeared in the main hall.
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