His words shocked everyone. Ruan Ning had never heard him mention this before and couldn’t tell whether he was punishing Liu Yi or genuinely had this intention. Huo Rou, just getting up, felt as if cold water had been poured over her. Despite her losses today, Chu Yuan’s fierce protective demeanor moved her; she longed to be the woman by his side. However, he planned to marry someone else, which made Huo Rou unwilling to relinquish her claim on him.
Chu Xiang was aware of Chu Yuan’s intentions, as he had mentioned them before.
However, Chu Xiang knew it was impossible. The Emperor valued him highly and would never agree to him marrying the daughter of a criminal. He had advised Chu Yuan not to rush and promised to discuss it slowly with the Emperor. However, today, provoked by Liu Yi, he announced it publicly.
This matter would not remain hidden from the Emperor. How should they handle the situation now?
Countless gazes fell on Ruan Ning—envious, surprised, disdainful, and curious. Many could not understand what made this notoriously arrogant woman so special that it provoked the Prince of Ning’s fury.
Suddenly, a eunuch’s sharp voice rang out: “His Majesty has arrived!”
As soon as Chu Anzheng entered, the Mei Garden fell silent. In the tense atmosphere, he walked through the crowd, looked at Chu Xiang, and coldly said: “Crown Prince, you were here. How could you let the Prince of Ning suffer such grievance?”
Chu Xiang bowed and apologized: “It is the son’s negligence. Please forgive me, Father Emperor.”
Liu Yi was furious. The Prince of Ning suffered a grievance? He clearly attacked first. How could the Emperor be so biased?
He was unwilling to accept this. With so many eyes watching the Prince of Ning strike first, did the Emperor want to ignore right and wrong and protect the Prince of Ning blindly?
When his temper flared, he was about to argue with Chu Anzheng when Huo Rou pulled him back.
Huo Rou looked at him with tearful eyes and shook her head. Seeing her tears only fueled Liu Yi’s anger, solidifying his resolve to seek revenge despite the Emperor’s wishes. At that moment, Huo Rou knelt and pleaded: “Your Majesty, Crown Prince, forgive me. It is this maiden’s fault, causing a dispute between the Prince of Ning and Liu Shizi. Please punish this maiden!”
Earlier humiliated, she decided to take a gamble. By taking responsibility in front of the Emperor, she hoped he would understand the situation and appreciate her efforts toward harmony. She believed that if the Emperor asked her name, her previous embarrassment would be worth it.
However, she misjudged Chu Anzheng’s temperament. He disliked women with scheming minds. Originally, he planned to use the Crown Prince to soften the matter, but since someone was willing to take responsibility, he declared: “Since you caused this trouble, you will kneel here for two hours to reflect. If you dare to meddle again, I will not be lenient!”
“Huo Rou was shocked, and Liu Yi was furious, immediately saying: ‘Your Majesty, this matter was actually caused by the Prince of Ning…’
Before he could finish, he heard his father Duke An’s voice: ‘Rebellious son, kneel and admit your mistake immediately!’
Duke An, who had been mostly drinking tea in the flower hall at the banquet, was taken aback to learn that Liu Yi was beaten by the Prince of Ning, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. Liu Yi had sent a family letter beforehand but was so eager to see Huo Rou that he traveled day and night, arriving even faster than his letter. Duke An had no idea of his return and felt both surprised and confused.
Hearing Liu Yi arguing with the Emperor, he rushed over, scolding: ‘How dare you be disrespectful in front of the Emperor? Kneel down immediately!’
Liu Yi, with his fiery temper, retorted: ‘Father, why don’t you ask about the details before blaming me? This is not my fault, nor Ah Rou’s. Why can’t I speak?’
Duke An was furious, feeling dizzy. Previously, Liu Yi had almost offended all the noble families in the capital due to Huo Rou. He had exerted great effort to send his son home to keep him calm, only for Liu Yi to return and challenge the Emperor for Huo Rou, making life difficult for the family.”
Dare to talk nonsense again and I’ll beat you to death!”
He glared at Huo Rou, making her heart sink. She moved closer to Liu Yi, distressed.
Chu Anzheng, impatient with their quarrel, casually asked, “Duke An, how many sons do you have?”
Duke An quickly replied, “This subject has four sons.”
“Since you have other sons, choose a virtuous and well-mannered heir,” Chu Anzheng said, extending his hand to Chu Yuan. “Prince of Ning, help me return to the palace.”
Chu Yuan silently supported him back to the palace, followed by Ruan Ning, who thought about the original female protagonist’s remarkable power. Just a slight provocation had ruined a heir’s future. She wondered if Liu Yi would still be devoted to her after this.
An Guo Gong dragged the stunned Liu Yi away angrily. The onlooking crowd quickly dispersed, leaving Huo Rou kneeling in the snow, her face pale and tears soaking her clothes. In the past, many young talents would have comforted her, but now that she had incurred the emperor’s displeasure, they could only pity her from a distance, too afraid to approach. Meanwhile, women who resented her began spreading rumors about her being an unlucky person.
Otherwise, why would Liang Fu become disabled and Liu Yi lose his position due to her?
In the emperor’s bedchamber, Chu Yun stated: “No, we will not agree to Ning Ruan becoming your princess. If you truly like her, reward her and visit her more often, but a low-ranking criminal slave can never be a royal wife.”
Ning Ruan stood there, feeling belittled.
Chu Yuan glanced at her, sensing her frustration. “Ning Ning, go back. Don’t be afraid. I’ll handle everything.”
Ning Ruan retreated outside, letting out a long sigh. It was strange that despite the emperor doting on Chu Yuan, they always fought when they met.
After she left, Chu Yuan looked at Chu Yun Zheng, sarcasm in his voice: “Your Majesty said you would remove her criminal slave status. Are your words not worth anything?”
Chu Yun Zheng, recalling how he spoke to Chu Xiang with more respect, asked: “Must you speak to me like this?”
In the dim light, Chu Yuan noticed the white hair at his temples and felt a twinge of sadness, turning his head in silence.
Chu Yun Zheng saw this and felt somewhat comforted, realizing that Chu Yuan still cared for him. He sighed and explained, “I’ve removed her criminal slave status, but she was a criminal slave. That removal is just for show. Should I pretend she has a noble background? I’ve investigated her character; she is narrow-minded, arrogant, and not a suitable match for you. With your attributes, I want to find you an unparalleled principal consort.”
“In my eyes, she is unparalleled,” Chu Yuan replied softly.
“No, everyone in the capital knows her past with Liu Yi. Marrying her will make you a laughingstock,” Chu Yun Zheng insisted.
Chu Yuan shrugged off the concern: “So what? As long as I like her and she’s willing to marry me, I don’t care about the past.”
“Foolish! If a woman’s heart is not with you, what’s the point?” Chu Yun Zheng countered.
Chu Yuan hesitated, then said quietly, “My father never regretted marrying my mother. From what I know, my mother loved him too.”
“Nonsense!” Chu Yun Zheng burst out, cursing.
He slammed the table, roaring at Chu Yuan: “Who allowed you to call him your father? What relationship do you have with him? I am…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, just breathing heavily and staring at Chu Yuan with a mix of hatred, anger, and helplessness.
Chu Yuan looked at him with an indifferent smile, softly saying, “Your Majesty doesn’t dare to continue?”
