Li Zhaoxian knew these were secret guards trained by the Empress Dowager, so it was unlikely they were lying. The gazes of the onlookers around him felt like needles pricking him.
Feng Feicui took out a fan, gently unfolded it, and waved it casually.
Li Zhaoxian's face still showed signs of struggle, while Song Tangli's hands and feet were already ice-cold, as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. This was clearly fake. She had clearly met Feng Feicui for the first time, so why was he slandering her like this?
Just as Song Tangli was about to explain, Feng Feicui interrupted her again.
"Lord Xie is here too. Why don't you ask Lord Xie, Your Highness? You may not believe me, but you should at least believe Lord Xie."
Upon hearing this, Song Tangli also looked at her pleadingly. She knew that Xie Qianzhong was in a high position and had no reason to lie. She was sure she could clear her name.
Xie Qianzhong raised his eyes, his gaze heavy and pressing down on Song Tangli like a mountain. In that instant, Song Tangli felt that everything she had done had been seen through.
Li Zhaoxian then turned his gaze to Xie Qianzhong, who had remained silent, his face showing a desperate plea.
Xie Qianzhong's gaze fell on Song Tangxue under the corridor again. His gaze was as gentle as a spring breeze. Xie Qianzhong did not speak, but simply nodded with a cold face.
Song Tangli stared at him in disbelief, her eyes wide. "It wasn't me, I didn't, I really didn't!" Her voice grew louder, as if she were speaking to everyone, or perhaps trying to convince herself.
But no one believed her anymore.
Even Li Zhaoxian, who usually doted on him the most, turned his head away, his lips pursed: "Alright, we'll talk about it later."
Seeing the way everyone around her avoided her, Song Tangli clung to Li Zhaoxian in terror; she couldn't lose Li Zhaoxian's affection.
"Don't you trust Ali either?"
Meeting her tearful eyes, Li Zhaoxian couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh, yet his mind was racing with thoughts, and he couldn't find words of comfort.
Song Tangli was filled with resentment. It was Song Tangxue who had become the target of everyone's anger! Why did it end up like this?
"I've never seen someone like you who says one thing to someone's face and does another behind their back. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't be able to trust you either!" Princess Tingyu finally had a chance to vent her pent-up anger.
Having just been rendered speechless by Song Tangli's sharp and witty remarks, she was now going to make her suffer the same fate.
"I see that Miss Song is really thirsty. I am a kind-hearted person and can't stand seeing others wanting but not getting. Why don't I ask my mother to send you a few handsome men?"
"If you don't like them, I can go to the Golden Palace and find those Imperial Guards. They are all outstanding individuals and will surely satisfy Miss Song."
Princess Tingyu looked at Song Tangli with a sinister gaze, her smile barely reaching her eyes: "Which one does Miss Song think is better?"
Song Tangli's face was pale, her fingertips trembling, and she shook her head helplessly, repeating a few words: "I didn't, I didn't..."
The disgust in people's eyes was palpable.
Li Zhaoxian closed his eyelids, shielded Song Tangli with his outer garment, and silently carried her outside.
Princess Tingyu snorted coldly and looked at their retreating figures, saying, "Miss Song should think this over carefully."
Without pausing, Li Zhaoxian led the people onto the carriage and threw them onto the soft couch. He then sat down on the other side without a word, pressing his slightly aching temples.
Song Tangli was crying so hard that tears streamed down her face. Her head peeked out from under her clothes, her eyes visibly swollen. Li Zhaoxian reached out to touch her.
Song Tangli hesitantly sidled up to him, but Li Zhaoxian neither pushed her away nor comforted her in his usual gentle voice.
Feeling that vibrant, beating heart slowly growing cold, Song Tangli knew she had to do something.
Reaching out, she touched Li Zhaoxian's forehead. Their two cool fingertips touched, and Li Zhaoxian silently withdrew his hand, letting Song Tangli rub his head: "Crown Prince has had headaches since he was a child. Ah Li's skills have improved over the years."
Yes, they had a relationship of over ten years, how did it turn out like this?
"When we were little, we always played the role of Ah Li as the Crown Prince's wife in plays. Do you remember, Crown Prince?"
“When I was nine years old, my elder brother, the Crown Prince, said he wanted to marry Ali. Ali was so happy that she couldn’t sleep all night.”
"I've been looking forward to this day day after day. And now my sister is back. I don't ask for much, I just want to stay by my brother the Crown Prince's side."
Song Tangli sighed softly and looked at Li Zhaoxian with lowered eyes: "Ali has never done anything to betray Crown Prince Brother. Crown Prince Brother must believe in Ali."
The softest spot in Li Zhaoxian's heart was touched; he had once vowed to protect this girl for the rest of his life.
The fingers on her forehead were finally grasped, and warmth surged into her heart, causing Song Tangli's heart to slowly calm down a little.
Li Zhaoxian carefully raised his hand and traced Song Tangli's cheek: "Ali has grown up."
The image of Xie Qianzhong's head bobbing in her mind kept replaying. Xie Qianzhong had no grudge against Ali, so was he lying?
Song Tangli rubbed her cheek against Li Zhaoxian's palm: "I know that Crown Prince is the best."
Even though Li Zhaoxian's attitude had softened somewhat, Song Tangli felt inexplicably uneasy again: "Your Highness won't abandon me, will he?"
Once a rift develops, can things ever be as perfect as before? Li Zhaoxian didn't know, and suddenly thought of the aloof Song Tangxue.
Letting out a deep breath, Li Zhaoxian embraced Song Tangli, but did not answer.
With Song Tangli's departure, the banquet could no longer continue. This incident, whether true or false, was unsettling.
Feng Feicui took the initiative to end the banquet, and everyone left in twos and threes, but Song Tangxue remained alone.
The warm spring breeze gently brushed against her temples, playing with the strands of hair as Song Tangxue stood with her eyes lowered under the eaves.
It's as if they're completely unrelated to others.
Princess Tingyu walked up to Feng Feicui and asked, "Lord Xie, would you like to leave together?"
Xie Qianzhong withdrew his gaze, which had been wandering elsewhere: "No need, I have other matters to discuss with Young Master Feng."
Feng Feicui, who quickly received the signal, said, "Yes, I have something to discuss with Lord Xie."
Princess Tingyu concealed the disappointment in her eyes and left.
Once everyone in the courtyard had left, Feng Feicui's gaze lingered on the other two people in the courtyard.
Song Tangxue walked over first, her gaze fixed on Xie Qianzhong, stopping in front of him. Her bright eyes were like spring sunshine, so captivating that they seemed to drown one in them.
"I have to thank Lord Xie again this time. If it weren't for Lord Xie, I would be in big trouble." Song Tangxue's voice was gentle, like a spring breeze, sweeping across a barren land called Xie Qianzhong, carrying countless seeds that quickly took root and sprouted.
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