Chapter 96
While everyone was stunned, Rong Rong snatched back her veil, put it on, and left, causing a gasp to erupt in surprise.
As if they were unhappy that the beautiful scenery was blocked, everyone groaned, but when they realized what was happening and met Rong Rong's cold eyes, they all blushed and fell silent.
These once arrogant and self-important young masters from noble families, what identity, status, demeanor, and temperament could they possibly have in front of Rong Rong now?
Rong Rong ignored everyone and left on her own. Yu Yingyan turned around, his lips parted, wanting to keep her there but having no reason to, and could only watch helplessly as Rong Rong walked further and further away.
The commotion was quite loud, attracting the attention of the women nearby.
Led by Princess Changning, a group of ladies and young women came before Yu Yingyan and his companions.
"What happened?" Princess Changning asked anxiously, as she was most afraid that something might go wrong at today's banquet.
The young ladies also looked on with curiosity, some even glancing shyly at the young man they admired.
Unfortunately, the young men were still somewhat dazed and seemed detached from reality.
Their appearance was even stranger.
Princess Changning cried out, "What exactly happened?"
The young men finally regained their composure. Looking at the many ladies and young women before them, they exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
They couldn't possibly say that they were so captivated by the beauty of Lady Jiangyang that they lost their minds and exclaimed in unison, could they?
This is extremely rude and heretical.
While the other young masters dared not speak, Yu Yingyan had no such reservations. He opened his folding fan and laughed, "It's nothing. I was simply captivated by the beauty of the Lady of Jiangyang."
"Really?" Princess Changning's face was full of surprise, with a hint of excitement in it.
Behind her, several young ladies suddenly changed their expressions, among them Jiang Yanghou's former admirers.
The rest are heartbroken to see their beloved prince charming being distracted by another woman.
"Where is she?" Princess Changning couldn't wait to see Rong Rong. In her heart, she had already regarded her as an idol. She could make Xie Tianrui lower his head and make this group of self-important young talents react so strongly. Wasn't she worthy of admiration?
There were quite a few ladies and young women who shared similar thoughts with Princess Changning, and there was a subtle restlessness in the crowd.
Yu Yingyan pointed in the direction Rong Rong had left, still hoping that Princess Changning could bring her back.
To everyone's surprise, Princess Changning's expression changed instantly.
"Going east? Are you sure it's going east? That's His Majesty's courtyard!"
Yu Yingyan and the others' expressions changed as well.
Everyone knows that the current emperor despises women who approach him unintentionally. If Rong Rong offends His Majesty, she may be executed on the spot!
Yu Yingyan disregarded everything else and turned to chase after Rong Rong in the direction she had left, with Lou Boshan quickly following behind.
The two disappeared from everyone's sight in an instant, one after the other.
The remaining young masters looked at each other, then gritted their teeth and followed.
"Wait!" Princess Changning exclaimed anxiously.
It would be one thing for Lady Jiangyang to disturb His Majesty, but for Yu Yingyan and his large group to go, things would escalate.
"Go quickly and invite your aunt over!" Princess Changning instructed her maid before hurriedly chasing after Yu Yingyan and the others.
The ladies and young women who remained looked at each other in bewilderment. The elders of the noblemen all cried out in alarm and chased after them, fearing that they might anger His Majesty and lose their lives.
"Are they crazy?"
"Perhaps he wanted to save someone?"
"Even if Lady Jiangyang gets into trouble, it's her own fault. Why would she go to His Majesty's place? Who knows what she's up to?"
"Perhaps we took the wrong turn?"
"That's just bad luck for her. May she be reborn into a better family in her next life."
"It seems she was also unlucky. An orphan girl, she was fortunate enough to be noticed by the Marquis of Jiangyang and gained immense wealth, but she was too young to bear it. What a pity."
The man spoke of regret, but his expression remained one of cold indifference, a trait people were accustomed to.
Princess Wenyi, the aunt of Princess Changning, arrived quickly. Ignoring everyone else, she hurried towards Emperor Chengyuan's courtyard, and after a few hesitations, everyone followed closely behind.
They didn't want to miss this good show.
Mu Fangfang hid in the crowd, head bowed, sneering.
No one knew that she had deliberately arranged for someone to lead Rong Rong to the Emperor's courtyard.
The entire southern border region knew that Emperor Chengyuan deeply loved the late Empress and was consistently indifferent to other women.
When Emperor Chengyuan first ascended the throne, many ministers pressured him to select concubines and appoint empresses, but he refused them all.
A minister threatened suicide and attempted to smash his head against a pillar. Emperor Chengyuan ordered his men to stop the minister, and immediately afterwards, he was beheaded at the Meridian Gate, his family property was confiscated, and he was exiled.
Emperor Chengyuan's methods were bloody and cruel, yet none of the noble families dared to resist him.
This was because General Yang, who held considerable military power, always stood behind Emperor Chengyuan.
Some audacious beauties attempted to seduce Emperor Chengyuan, but they all met tragic ends, even implicating their families.
After many similar incidents, everyone realized that their emperor was only affectionate towards the late empress and indifferent to other women. After that, no woman dared to approach Emperor Chengyuan.
Mu Fangfang's plan was to use His Majesty to kill Rong Rong; she couldn't wait to see Rong Rong's miserable end.
Many people foresaw Rong Rong's fate.
Aside from Princess Changning and Yu Yingyan, who were genuinely worried for Rongrong, the rest were either watching the show, gloating, or indifferent to the situation.
While things were in chaos here, Rongrong's place was peaceful and serene.
She was enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.
Xie Tianrui had to leave first, and she didn't plan to stay any longer. She asked the servants of the Grand Princess's residence where the main gate was, and then led her maid toward the gate.
I never expected the garden to be so beautiful, even the exit was so uniquely designed.
Enjoying the beautiful scenery as I walked, I unknowingly found myself in a grove of trees. I could hear the sound of water not far away, so there must be a pond there.
At this moment, Rong Rong realized that she seemed to have taken the wrong path. She turned to leave, but suddenly a voice came from the woods, "Who's there?"
......
Lotus Garden, Penglai Courtyard.
Li Tianyi sat wearily in the hot spring pool, leaning against the pool wall and closing his eyes to rest.
He had been awake for several days, but his body was still in a state of disarray. He knew that he had truly reached the end of his life.
His current physical condition is a result of his deliberate neglect.
He let a minor illness develop into a major one because he was unwilling to seek treatment.
In fact, he should have gone to be with Rongrong long ago, but the Southern Frontier cannot be without a qualified successor, so he has been holding on and waiting for the Crown Prince to come of age.
Now that the crown prince has grown up and can stand on his own, he can finally leave in peace.
Li Tianyi's face was calm, even somewhat serene, but no one knew that his body was constantly enduring pain.
He did it on purpose; he even used a curse on himself because he was afraid of going insane and losing his mind. He used pain to keep himself awake, and every day he lived was torture.
Not far away, Nan Shi quietly watched Li Tianyi. He knew what his master wanted to do, and he was prepared.
As his life was about to end, he finally let himself indulge in a greedy and frantic longing for the Crown Princess and the late Empress.
Even after so many years, he could still vividly describe the princess's voice and smile.
He admitted that his suffering was no less than that of his master; he was alive, but he was merely a soulless shell.
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