Wang Yuan followed Xiao Xuan out of the East Palace. The luxurious carriage was already prepared and ready to depart, all according to the standards and treatment for a Crown Princess.
However, Xiao Xuan had no intention of riding in the same carriage with her, nor would he ever do so. He found it disgusting to even glance at a woman like that.
After being helped into the carriage by the maids, Wang Yuan looked at the group of eunuchs and palace maids below with a radiant expression, feeling an unprecedented sense of comfort.
She was no longer the subservient, obsequious servant she once was, but the high and mighty mistress of the Eastern Palace.
Ning Yin's frail appearance just now disgusted her. Not only was she pale, but her figure was also not nearly as alluring as her own. His Highness must have been extremely disgusted by her.
Thinking about it, her gaze rippled as she looked affectionately at the upright and handsome man before her.
She thought Xiao Xuan would sit beside her, but to her surprise, the man took a long stride and mounted the horse in front of him.
He didn't even turn his head, as if she had nothing to do with him, which inexplicably made her feel a little unhappy. But when she turned her head and saw the respectful appearance of the group of servants, Wang Yuan comforted herself.
It's alright. Your Highness is such a noble man; you must always maintain your dignity and presence in front of others.
Xiao Xuan, on horseback, narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking that a bloody battle was about to take place at Huguo Temple. He gave Qingying a look, and Qingying cupped her hands and nodded to him.
By luring the enemy out of their hiding place, he was determined to find and eliminate all the spies hiding in Daqi, and make Chu Xiao pay a heavy price.
The reason he was willing to keep Chu Xiao as a puppet was simply because he didn't want the people of both countries to suffer the ravages of war, and he didn't want to be accused of being ruthless and bullying the weak.
At the man's command, the grand royal convoy slowly drove out of the palace and headed towards the Huguo Temple.
Along the way, crowds of onlookers lined both sides of the road to watch the spectacle.
Wang Yuan sat in the most luxurious sedan chair, a smug smile on her face, but vicious thoughts churning in her mind.
Becoming Xiao Xuan's woman was her dream. She risked her life to take someone else's place, rising from a lowly palace maid by the Empress Dowager's side to where she is today. Only she knows how much suffering she endured.
Now that her wish had finally come true, a triumphant smile suddenly appeared on her lips.
Seeing the envious looks on the faces of the people on both sides, and their fear of imperial power, made her even more arrogant.
People in the crowd occasionally exclaimed in admiration, saying that she was truly stunningly beautiful.
Little did they know that Wang Yuan's original appearance could only be described as pretty, not stunning at all. She was a master of makeup, and she copied Ning Yin's appearance perfectly.
This greatly satisfied her vanity and made her even more convinced of her charm and methods.
However, she also knew that if a woman in the palace wanted to remain in favor and gain a foothold in this place full of intrigue, she had to eliminate all obstacles by any means necessary, and the first one to be targeted was Ningyin, who was still living in Changxin Palace.
As she thought about it, a sinister and ruthless glint flashed in Wang Yuan's eyes. Just then, a pair of eyes in the crowd suddenly stared intently at Wang Yuan.
That was her father, Wang Yang, who had fled to the border of Chu after absconding with the general's estate.
The reason he returned this time was because Wang Yang heard that his daughter had entered the palace and even made a connection with the crown prince.
Although money could ensure he would live a life of comfort and security, he was tired of living a life of hiding and running. If his daughter were to become the Crown Prince's woman, the punishment he suffered because of the General's Mansion should be lifted.
You should know that getting close to the Crown Prince means that you will become the future father-in-law of the Emperor, and no one in the capital city will dare to mess with you.
Hearing that the Crown Prince would be parading through the streets with his Crown Princess and going to Huguo Temple to offer sacrifices to Heaven, he wanted to see if this Crown Princess was his daughter.
Wang Yang's gaze was fixed on Wang Yuan, but something seemed off about her.
This person clearly resembled Wang Yuan in appearance and mannerisms, but her face was so stunningly beautiful that it amazed him.
He couldn't help but swallow hard at the sight of such a beautiful woman.
However, Wang Yang still noticed something amiss: his daughter had a red mole on the back of her neck.
Just as the carriage approached him, Wang Yang squinted and carefully examined her. Sure enough, he noticed a red mole on the Crown Princess's neck.
"Yuanyuan, Yuanyuan!"
Wang Yang was both surprised and delighted. He knew his daughter could do makeup, but he never expected her to look so stunning that he, her father, almost didn't recognize her.
He shouted several times, and Wang Yuan felt a familiar voice calling her, but she didn't dare to turn around or react in any way.
After all, if Xiao Xuan found out that she had impersonated someone else, and her family was implicated by the General's Mansion and committed a capital crime, she would be punished for multiple crimes. Even if she knew that the man loved her, she would never dare to take such a risk.
What she needs to do now is pretend she doesn't know anyone, and once she's secured her position, she'll figure out a way to bring her parents back.
Wang Yang shouted until his throat was hoarse, but Wang Yuan didn't turn around, and he felt a little frustrated.
Back then, he meticulously cultivated Wang Yuan all in order to marry his daughter into a noble family.
Now that their daughter has become the Crown Prince's woman, it is the greatest honor for their family.
But this brat actually pretended not to recognize him; she's got some nerve!
He clenched his fist and quickly chased after them.
The convoy soon stopped in front of Huguo Temple, where Abbot Liaoyuan and his disciples were already waiting to greet them.
Xiao Xuan sat upright on his horse, his expression arrogant and his eyes sharp.
He merely glanced at the fake abbot before him, then dismounted and said to the crowd, "Rise."
Wang Yuan, in the carriage behind, was still confused. She thought the ceremony for bestowing the title of imperial concubine should be held in the Hall of Preserving Harmony, and that the parade just now was a customary practice before the bestowal of the title.
Unexpectedly, the carriage took her all the way to Huguo Temple. Although she was puzzled, she remembered that Ningyin had also come to Huguo Temple to offer sacrifices to heaven last time.
She and His Highness fasted and stayed overnight here before returning to the palace the next day.
Thinking of this, she felt a little relieved, thinking that she must be different from Ning Yin.
After the fake abbot stood up, he said some polite words to Xiao Xuan, and then looked at the woman in the carriage.
He had met Ning Yin and was immediately captivated by her beauty, which left a deep impression on him regarding the Crown Princess.
The fake abbot squinted and looked again and again, confirming that it was the same person, before revealing a strange smile.
"Your Highness, please have the Empress alight from the sedan chair. The auspicious time is almost here."
Xiao Xuan nodded, his expression cold and stern, and gave Chen Dechang behind him a wink.
Chen Dechang hurriedly went to the front of the carriage and reached out his arm to help Wang Yuan down.
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