Chapter 24: Beautiful Daughter vs. Heirless Emperor 24
Everyone knelt down, only Ji Yunhuan remained standing.
The empress dowager came in a hurry, her steps were so fast that even the palace maids and nannies who were traveling with her were left behind, which shows how anxious the empress dowager was.
Only Nanny Yan caught up. Wherever the empress dowager went, the kneeling crowds made way for her and no one dared to bump into her.
Ji Yunhuan bowed and the Queen Mother grabbed her hand, "No need to be polite, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"I am fine. Thank you, Queen Mother, for your concern. I just ran into an old friend and was busy for a while. I made such a big noise and even alarmed the Queen Mother. I am terrified."
The empress dowager let out a long sigh of relief, only to realize that she was sweating coldly. She had walked too fast and even her calves were trembling.
"I'm glad you're okay, I'm glad you're okay. You scared me. If anything happens to you, I'll..."
There was a flash of murderous intent in the Queen Mother's eyes. If anything happened to Ji Yunhuan, if her grandson was gone, none of the people who were blocking them here would survive!
Nanny Yan stepped forward to support the Queen Mother and said loudly, "The Queen Mother held the Hundred Flowers Banquet, not for you to gather and cause trouble! The Queen Mother is kind-hearted and cannot bear to see you bullying a weak woman!"
The Queen Mother took a deep breath and barely suppressed the anger in her heart. "I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. You are such a beautiful and fresh child. You outshine all the flowers in the garden. No wonder you arouse jealousy!"
"Why are you all gathered here instead of enjoying the flowers? You are biased and spread rumors, just like a gossipy woman in the market. How can you have the demeanor of a lady from an official position?"
The onlookers knelt on the ground and trembled.
They just came to watch the fun. The eldest daughter of the Ji family had a very bad reputation and had almost become a laughing stock in the entire capital. How could they have thought that the empress dowager would actually come forward to defend Ji Yunhuan?
"Your Highness, please do not be deceived by her. She is not a good wife and has lost her chastity. She even attempted to seduce the prince of the Marquisate. I could not bear to see this, so I spoke out to stop her!"
As soon as Ji Yonglian finished speaking, the Queen Mother kicked her!
People in the palace paid attention to etiquette, and even if they wanted to punish someone, no one would do it personally. It was obvious that the Queen Mother was really angry.
"A woman's chastity is so important, how can you make up stories and frame her?"
Ji Yunhuan lowered her head to hide the hatred in her eyes. If it wasn’t for Aunt Zhang’s plan, how could she be dragged into the dark alley by the thieves!
People cannot prove their innocence, so no matter how many rumors there are, she can only endure them.
Fortunately, she no longer cares about it now. When she reaches a higher position and her child becomes emperor, even if the tongues of the world are as sharp as swords, they cannot hurt her at all.
The Queen Mother patted Ji Yunhuan's hand and said softly, "Don't be afraid, Huan'er. I know you are a good child."
Ji Yunhuan had already undergone a physical examination before she was favored by the emperor, and she had her period the first time she was favored by the emperor. The emperor has always been cautious and would never let the royal bloodline be tainted.
It’s just that this matter cannot be exposed for the moment, but she will not let Huaner suffer any injustice again.
Ji Yonglian explained anxiously: "I didn't say anything out of the blue. Many people saw it. She was..."
"Shut up!" the Queen Mother shouted angrily, "I thought you were young, so I just slapped you in the face, but you don't repent and maliciously slander my elder sister. You are really vicious and I will not forgive you."
"Someone! Drag him away, give him twenty strokes of the cane, and throw him out of the palace!"
Ji Yonglian collapsed to the ground, crying sharply, "Queen Dowager, please spare my life. What I said is true. Ji Yunhuan, that bitch... wuwu..."
The executioner covered Ji Yonglian's mouth to prevent her from saying anything unpleasant and polluting the Empress Dowager's ears.
Ji Yonglian was dragged away. From outside the Hundred Flowers Garden came the muffled sound of flesh hitting flesh. Ji Yonglian's cries were blocked in her mouth, leaving only sobs of pain.
Su Honglang knelt on the ground, sweating profusely. He hesitated for a long time, but in the end he did not open his mouth to plead for Ji Yonglian.
The Queen Mother didn't like him in the first place, and his words would only add fuel to the fire. He believed that Lian'er could understand his difficulties.
Lian'er can only be wronged now. The Queen Mother will not beat the official's daughter to death. She will just give her a light punishment and a severe warning.
The Queen Mother looked around and said, "Today's matter ends here. If I ever find out that someone spreads rumors or causes trouble again in the future, I will never forgive them!"
Everyone lowered their heads even lower and said in unison: "We will follow the instructions of the Queen Mother!"
Ji Yunhuan was deeply moved and bowed to the Queen Mother, saying, "Thank you, Queen Mother, for clearing my name. Your Majesty is wise and intelligent, and is truly a role model for women all over the world!"
Everyone loves to hear flattery, and the Queen Mother was in a good mood. "As long as you are upright, you don't have to take the words of vulgar people to heart. If you are open-minded, your life will get better and better."
"I just found out today that you actually have an engagement with the Dingyuan Marquisate. The Marquisate's son is treacherous and treats the marriage as a joke. Marriage is a big deal, and it has always been decided by parents and matchmakers. How can a man cancel an engagement in public? Wouldn't that make people laugh?"
"In my opinion, this marriage is a good one to cancel! Since he has changed his mind and broke off the engagement in the street without any regard for your face, you will suffer if you marry him. I think you are a blessed woman, and a blessed woman will not marry an unblessed man. Your good days are still ahead."
Ji Yunhuan stood beside the Queen Mother and nodded obediently.
She looked down at Su Honglang. Now times have changed and it was Su Honglang's turn to kneel on the ground and beg her.
"Huan'er, it's not like that. I was deceived and broke off the engagement in a fit of anger. We were childhood sweethearts, and I still have you in my heart."
"I won't back out of this marriage. Huan'er, please say something and tell the Queen Mother that we are in love and I will definitely marry you!"
Ji Yunhuan sneered in his heart. What was this about being in love with each other? It was just that he wanted to cling to her because she was favored by the Queen Mother.
Once she is no longer useful, Su Honglang will not care about her life or death at all!
"I have nothing to say. I will leave everything to the Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother nodded in satisfaction. "Su Honglang, you were ungrateful and broke off the engagement first. I will make the decision today. The engagement between the two families is annulled. In the future, we will each marry separately and not interfere with each other. Do you have any objection?"
Mrs. Dingyuan rushed over in a panic, her hair in disarray, and she knelt on the ground begging:
"Please show mercy, Queen Mother. It was all because of this child's stupidity that he committed such a crime. The Marquis' Mansion will come to apologize and let the two families reconcile."
"It is said that it is better to destroy a temple than to ruin a marriage. The Queen Mother has always been kind. I believe she would not ruin someone's marriage for no reason, right?"
The Queen Mother became even more furious. "What do you mean by without reason? I wanted to save some face for you, but you are so shameless!"
"I've said it clearly. Su Honglang is not worthy of the daughter of the Ji family. That's why I decided on her behalf and cancelled the marriage!"
Madam Hou wanted to fight for it again, but Nanny Yan said coldly, "Madam, the Queen Mother has issued an order, do you want to disobey it?"
The Marquis’s wife’s face turned pale. She knew there was no turning back and could only kneel down to express her gratitude.
Su Honglang slumped on the ground and even forgot to thank him.
It was not until Ji Yunhuan's figure gradually went away that he suddenly stood up and wanted to chase Ji Yunhuan.
With a loud slap, the Marquis' wife slapped her son hard and said angrily, "You ignored everything I said to you! Even if Ji Yunhuan is not good in a thousand ways, it is the marriage that the Marquis arranged for you!"
"The Xu family was kind to us back then, so you are not in the right to cancel the engagement rashly. Now you have even brought this to the Empress Dowager. In the future, which noble lady in the entire capital will be willing to marry you?"
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