Huairou felt deeply guilty towards Kong Baiyan.
Perhaps she shouldn't have accepted the arranged marriage back then!
If that's the case, perhaps Kong Baiyan wouldn't have ended up like this...
Huairou looked at Madam Kong: "Madam..."
“Mother!” Kong Baiyan shifted his knees slightly and turned to Madam Kong.
Madam Kong looked at him with tears streaming down her face, her heart aching.
Kong Baiyan kowtowed to Madam Kong: "Mother, please don't make things difficult for Prince Huairou. I have only myself to blame for my current predicament, and I have no one to blame but Your Highness..."
Madam Kong covered her mouth.
Kong Baiyan then turned to Dean Kong and the rest of the Kong family: "Father, uncles, I apologize for failing to marry Her Highness the Princess and elevate our entire family to the status of royalty..."
The people from the Confucius Mansion all looked very grim.
Kong Baiyan continued, "Baiyan once told Her Highness the Princess that he had no interest in an official career and only wanted to live a carefree life..."
This statement is actually a lie.
Since entering school, Bai Yan has studied diligently, hoping to pass the imperial examinations and even aspire to become a high-ranking official...
However, his father and uncles were grooming Baiyan in a different direction, hoping that he would marry a princess or a noblewoman in the future...
Over the years, Bai Yan had been very unhappy, until... he learned that his betrothed was Princess Huairou..."
As he spoke, Kong Baiyan turned his head and looked deeply at Huairou with tearful eyes.
Huairou's eyes were already red and swollen.
Kong Baiyan smiled at her.
Your Highness, please don't cry...
Huairou bit her lip and silently shed tears.
Kong Baiyan withdrew his gaze and continued, "In Baiyan's eyes, Princess Huairou is the most beautiful woman in the world, and Baiyan is not worthy of her."
After the engagement, Bai Yan felt increasingly unworthy of Prince Huairou...
My entanglement with Biyun led to her becoming pregnant out of wedlock. I feel ashamed before Prince Huairou and also ashamed before Biyun.
It's all my fault.
It was my lack of resolve that led me to do the wrong thing I shouldn't have done...
For the rest of his life, Bai Yan will atone for his actions.
"Baiyan, Baiyan..." Madam Kong cried out in anguish.
Cheng Biyun bit her lip and glared at Huairou with hatred, as if she were remembering an enemy.
Kong Baiyan got up from the ground and bowed to the Kong family members: "Uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters-in-law, and sisters, Baiyan will take his leave now."
After saying that, he straightened up and walked out of the courtyard gate.
My steps were lighter than ever before.
Cheng Biyun wiped her face and got up from the ground: "Baiyan, wait for me..."
In the blink of an eye, the two figures disappeared outside the door.
Upon seeing this, Zheng Kuo said, "Princess, Princess, please return to the palace."
Huairou's eyes reddened, and she left the Confucius Mansion in a daze.
Even after helping her into the carriage, Yuan Yao was still worried.
As soon as the carriage started moving, Huairou buried her face in Yuan Yao's shoulder and cried her heart out...
After crying, Huairou looked up and said, "Yao'er, it was my fault that Kong Baiyan was harmed."
Seeing this, Yuan Yao felt helpless and heartbroken: "Sister Huairou, Young Master Kong has fallen to this state because of you."
However, the bigger reason lies within himself.
Tears welled up in Huairou's eyes.
Yuan Yao continued, "Even if Kong Baiyan's marriage to you is eventually called off, he can still marry an outstanding noblewoman after the engagement is called off."
Even more so, if you were to plead with the Emperor on his behalf, you could certainly find him a princess or similar woman to be his wife.
However, he lacked resolve and was misled by Cheng Biyun's words.
If he truly loves you and is committed to you, he wouldn't let Cheng Biyun drift away from him, nor would he allow Cheng Biyun to speak ill of you..."
Yuan Yao said a lot in one breath.
Brainwashing is a common practice in modern times!
However, she didn't expect that Cheng Biyun was also a master of brainwashing!
If this ability had been used elsewhere, how could we have ended up in this state today?
If only she hadn't been so eager to climb the social ladder, perhaps she would have married Kong Baiyan in a grand and glorious way.
Originally, Huairou was prepared to find a way to help them get together...
well……
There is always a reason why someone is pitiful.
By the time they returned to the palace, it was already dark.
Yuan Yao escorted Huairou back to Fengwu Palace and handed her over to the Empress before returning to Qianhua Palace.
The side hall was brightly lit by candlelight.
You can smell the delicious aroma of food from afar.
"Princess, you're finally back!" Jing'er and Aruo breathed a sigh of relief and jogged over from the door.
"Where is Father?" Yuan Yao asked.
Jing'er replied, "His Highness is waiting for the Princess to dine together."
Yuan Yao nodded: "Let's go in."
Before anyone even appeared, the Ninth Prince's voice rang out: "You've finally decided to come back?"
The sound was faint and ethereal.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao knew he was jealous.
Yuan Yao smiled and entered the hall: "This is Yao'er's home. Can't Yao'er come back?"
"You still know this is your home?" the Ninth Prince said lightly. "If I didn't know, I would have thought that Phoenix Palace was your home."
Phoenix Palace?
puff……
Is he upset that she always goes to Huairou but doesn't spend time with him?
Yuan Yao walked up behind the Ninth Prince and leaned on his back: "Father, don't you want Yao'er to go play with Sister Huairou?"
Since that's the case, then Yao'er will have to find someone else!
Who does Daddy think Yao'er should play with?
His Highness the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace? Or Yun Chan of Chaoyun Palace?
The other princes and princesses are too young…
Hearing her speak so seriously, the Ninth Prince couldn't help but chuckle: "When did I ever say that I wouldn't let you go to Huairou?"
"You're always out and about, never home. Can't I even say something to you?"
“Yes! Of course!” Yuan Yao replied.
The Ninth Prince smiled and said, "You're so glib! Let's eat, I'm hungry."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao stood up and said, "Yao'er will serve Father his meal!"
She rolled up her sleeves with an air of importance, picked up her chopsticks, and asked, "Which dish would Your Highness like to try? I'll get it for you."
"How about trying this fish jelly first? This fish jelly is rich in collagen and can beautify and nourish the skin..."
"puff……"
The palace servants standing nearby couldn't help but burst out laughing.
The Ninth Prince has a slanted eye.
Immediately, apart from Jing'er, Aruo, and a small eunuch, everyone else wisely withdrew.
The old man picked up the fish jelly and put it in his mouth.
Yuan Yao smiled sweetly: "Daddy, how does it taste?"
The Ninth Prince nodded: "It's acceptable."
My arrogant dad!
Yuan Yao sat down next to him with a smile.
The Ninth Prince put down his chopsticks, took a sip of tea, and asked, "Has the marriage proposal to Huairou been called off?"
“Yes!” Yuan Yao nodded: “His Majesty was furious today. In front of the Kong family, he personally said that he would break off the engagement with Sister Huairou.”
Yuan Yao recounted to the Ninth Prince what had happened at the Confucius Mansion that day.
After saying that, she frowned: "Father, both Huairou and I feel that the Emperor has changed!"
The current emperor has a terrible temper and is very irritable; he only becomes somewhat better in front of Consort Lan.
Moreover... even though the Emperor clearly looked weak and tired, with Consort Lan around, he was exceptionally energetic..."
The more he heard, the more somber the Ninth Prince's expression became.
Glancing at the night outside the palace, the Ninth Prince said coldly, "Little Yao'er, accompany me to Yong'an Palace."
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