Even the young masters and ladies from noble families watching the play understood this implication, so how could the emperor and princess not understand it?
"My dear minister...have you misunderstood something?"
Despite Xie Shiyan's arrogance, the emperor could not anger him.
Xie Shiyan sneered, "Whether I have misunderstood or not, His Majesty and the Princess know perfectly well."
He pulled Gu Jiangli back three steps and continued:
"Since the princess and the emperor both think that reputation is very important, why not experience what it's like for the royal family to have a bad reputation?"
"My wife and I will take our leave now."
With that, he flicked his sleeve, took Gu Jiangli's hand, and strode away from the Imperial Garden.
The group of young masters and ladies were left bewildered, while the emperor and princess were pale-faced.
"Father... what does Brother Ayan mean by that? Is he going to deal with me? Is he going to deal with the royal family? Father, Brother Ayan wouldn't do that, right?"
Princess Jinghe was in a panic and tears kept flowing.
The emperor, holding her trembling hand, addressed the crowd watching the spectacle:
"The matter has been properly handled today. I hope everyone will keep quiet. I do not wish to hear anything outside the palace about what happened in the Imperial Garden today!"
The crowd quickly replied, "Yes."
The emperor gently wiped away Princess Jinghe's tears. "It's alright, your father will handle it. Just stay in the palace and don't go out to play for the next few days."
Princess Jinghe nodded repeatedly with a pained expression.
The crowd exchanged furtive glances.
The emperor's meaning was very clear: he did not want any news that would harm the royal family's reputation to be spread.
These people are also very sensible; they know they have to agree at this point.
but......
There's no such thing as a secret that stays hidden forever.
————
On the carriage leaving the palace.
Gu Jiangli lifted the curtain to admire the scenery inside the palace.
Xie Shiyan watched her from the side.
"Did you vent your anger?" he asked.
Gu Jiangli lowered the curtain and smiled:
"I didn't expect Shi Yan to be so eloquent. The words she said to the princess almost moved me to tears."
"General, if I may be so bold as to ask, were those words spoken sincerely?"
Xie Shiyan was suddenly stunned.
Gu Jiangli's pupils shone with a dazzling light, making one's heart race.
The words I had just uttered kept echoing in my mind.
Then, he directly denied it:
"That was said on purpose to teach Princess Jinghe a lesson."
"I don't care, Shi Yan has already said it, so I'll take it as true."
Stop trying to glorify yourself.
Gu Jiangli slumped her shoulders in frustration and muttered, "You're just being arrogant all the time."
Xie Shiyan frowned, watching her lips move but not hearing a sound, and asked again, "What did you say?"
"Oh, nothing. I was just wondering what you're planning to do to tarnish the royal family's reputation."
Xie Shiyan replied, "I don't need to do it; the emperor can't silence public opinion."
With so many people there, someone will surely spread the word about what happened today.
Gu Jiangli nodded, seemingly unconcerned.
Xie Shiyan will always find a way; she doesn't need to worry about it.
Throughout the journey, she would always lift the curtain of the carriage to look at the scenery along the road.
The capital was indeed very lively. If it weren't for the fact that it was already late, she would have really wanted to wander around.
Not long after, Xie Shiyan solemnly grabbed her hand and turned to lower the carriage curtain.
"What's wrong?" Gu Jiangli looked at Xie Shiyan's expression, as if something had happened.
Xie Shiyan lowered his voice and said, "Someone is following us."
"ah?"
————
Inside the palace.
Princess Jinghe sat on the bed and cried incessantly.
No matter how the emperor tried to comfort him, it had no effect.
"Oh, my dear daughter, please stop thinking about your brother Ayan, okay? He doesn't have those feelings for you. Look at what he said today; it's clear he's trying to dissuade you from having any thoughts about him."
"No!" Princess Jinghe lifted her head from the tear-stained pillow. "Brother Ayan is mine!"
"But he's already going to marry another woman."
"Father, please let him marry me, please, I beg you..."
"Xie Shiyan's marriage is not something that can be decided by a single imperial decree from me."
Princess Jinghe's eyes turned fierce.
"Then let's make it a fait accompli! Let Brother Ayan have no choice but to marry me!"
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