Inside the main hall, melodious music filled the air, and the skirts of the dancers drew graceful arcs in the air as they danced.
Li Xi sat in the corner, but her gaze had already drifted elsewhere.
As she recalled what she had just witnessed, a cold smile crept into her heart.
This high and mighty princess actually has such a shameful side. Having an affair with her future brother-in-law is incredibly beneath her dignity.
Just then, Emperor Yue suddenly noticed that Mo Molian had gone out to change her clothes and had not returned for a long time.
Seeing this, the eldest prince seized the opportunity to interject, "Father, I just saw my fifth sister heading towards the Imperial Garden."
"Someone, send someone to summon the princess back."
"yes."
The eunuch was walking out of the palace when he happened to run into a palace maid who was walking into the palace in a panic.
The palace maid, seeing the eunuch, acted as if she had seen a savior and hurriedly said, "Eunuch, quick, come with me to the Imperial Garden! The princess... she's gone!"
Upon hearing this, the eunuch's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly turned to Emperor Yue and reported, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Fifth Princess has gone missing in the Imperial Garden!"
Upon hearing this, the Yue Emperor's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly stood up and strode out of the hall. "Go find him quickly!"
Soon they arrived at a secluded side room, where they could hear the sounds of men and women laughing and joking.
"This...this is outrageous!" Emperor Yue was so angry that he trembled all over and kicked open the door.
Inside the room, a woman and a man, their clothes disheveled, were seen embracing.
"Guards, pull them apart! Let me see who dares to be so audacious!" The Yue Emperor glared at them angrily.
The eunuchs rushed forward to separate the two, and when they saw who they were, they were all stunned.
"Father..." The eldest princess was terrified when she saw Emperor Yue and immediately pushed away the man beside her.
"You wicked creatures! How dare you call me Father after committing such a shameless act!" Emperor Yue roared in fury. "Take these two away and imprison them in the Inner Palace! No one who witnessed what happened here is to speak of it to anyone! Otherwise..."
"Father, please calm down!" The eldest prince knelt down with a thud. "My sister must have been framed."
The eldest prince never expected that the person here was actually his younger sister, his own sister.
This shouldn't be the case. According to the arrangement, the Fifth Princess and the Heir Apparent of the Marquis of Dingyuan should be inside, that纨绔子弟 (spoiled brat).
He was completely baffled and didn't know how to react.
Emperor Yue glanced at him and sneered, "Hmph! It's all because you and the Empress have spoiled her that she's caused such a disaster! I will make my own decision on this matter; there's no need for further discussion!"
Having said that, he turned and left. Li Xi watched all this, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Where has Lian'er gone? Find her for me immediately!" Emperor Yue strode out.
The eldest princess and Zhang Qian had their mouths covered and were forced to lie down.
The chief priest, who was enjoying the song and dance in the main hall, was invited to a side hall.
Inside the side hall, the atmosphere was somber, a stark contrast to the cheerful laughter outside.
As soon as the chief tutor entered, he saw the eunuch standing there with a solemn expression, waiting for him.
Upon seeing the Chief Tutor arrive, the eunuch whispered the whole story to him: "Chief Tutor, something terrible has happened. The Princess and Zhang Qian were caught having an affair in the palace by His Majesty."
The chief tutor's expression changed drastically upon hearing the eunuch's words.
He has always placed high hopes on his grandson Zhang Qian, regarding him as the pride of the family.
However, he was shocked and disappointed to be told that Zhang Qian had done such a disgraceful thing with the princess in the palace.
The chief tutor knelt down, his voice trembling with pleading: "Your Majesty, Qian'er is usually well-behaved and sensible, he is definitely not such an arrogant person. Someone must have framed him, Your Majesty, please investigate!"
Chief Fu knew that this matter was of utmost importance. If the news were to leak, not only would Zhang Qian's future be ruined, but the reputation of the entire family would also suffer an unprecedented blow.
What terrified him even more was that if this matter was classified as an act of debauchery within the imperial harem, Zhang Qian would face an extremely cruel death sentence.
Just then, the Fifth Princess arrived, running over excitedly: "Father, guess what I found?"
She took out a snow plum blossom from behind her as if it were a precious treasure, and said in a sweet voice, "Father, look, the plum tree that Mother planted has finally blossomed. Isn't it beautiful? Your son specially picked the most beautiful one to give to Father."
The white plum blossoms, as pure as snowflakes, blend seamlessly with the snow.
The Emperor's fury was somewhat calmed by the Fifth Princess's innocent and carefree attitude.
He glanced at the snow plum tree, his gaze softening slightly, but his voice still carried a hint of sternness: "It's freezing cold, and you've been out for so long. The palace maids said you were missing. I had people search everywhere, but we couldn't find you. You scared me to death."
The Fifth Princess pouted and said aggrievedly, "I'm sorry, I was in such a hurry that I forgot to tell you."
Seeing his daughter's aggrieved look, Emperor Yue couldn't bear to scold her: "Alright, alright, don't do that again next time."
The Fifth Princess nodded obediently, her appearance as pure and innocent as a fawn. She gently tugged at Emperor Yue's sleeve and said coquettishly, "Father, I know I was wrong. Next time, I will inform you in advance wherever I go."
Emperor Yue was amused by her coquettishness, and the anger on his face subsided considerably. He gently patted the Fifth Princess's head and said softly, "It's good that you know you were wrong. My princess should be obedient and well-behaved, so as not to worry your father."
As he spoke, the Yue Emperor turned his gaze to the snow plum tree, a hint of appreciation in his eyes: "These plum blossoms are truly beautiful, as white as snow, perfectly complementing the winter snow scene."
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Princess also looked up at the snow plum tree, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and affection: "Father, this plum blossom is so beautiful! I have never seen such a beautiful plum blossom before."
Emperor Yue smiled and nodded, saying, "These plum blossoms are indeed a rare sight."
The tender moment between father and daughter was interrupted by the sudden arrival of the Empress.
She caught a cold today and didn't attend the palace banquet. She never expected her princess to have such a thing happen to her.
"Your Majesty, Xin'er must have been framed! Your Majesty, please investigate!" The Empress's voice trembled with pleading.
She knelt before the emperor, her hands tightly gripping his sleeves, tears welling in her eyes.
The emperor looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He knew all too well how much the empress doted on Xin'er, and he understood her feelings at that moment.
"Empress, please get up." The Emperor gently helped the Empress up, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"Your Majesty, Xin'er has always been well-behaved and sensible. She would never do such a thing." The Empress said, tears streaming down her face.
"I saw it with my own eyes, and the facts are undeniable. As for how things unfolded, let them handle the interrogation. You may return now." The Emperor's tone grew increasingly harsh.
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