Chapter 88: Green Hat!

  The atmosphere in Qingtang Courtyard was quite strange.

  When the seventh day of summer arrived, the courtyard was surrounded by maids and attendants from various courtyards in the mansion. Inside the courtyard, a row of armored guards with swords stood watch. In the crowded throng outside, some people stood on tiptoe to get a glimpse, while others whispered among themselves. Yet every face seemed to hold three parts tension and seven parts anticipation, not much different from the expressions of the masses in later generations who gathered to watch a spectacle or something new.

  There is no mistress in the mansion, and the King of Jin is not around. It's not surprising that such a thing happened and it would be chaotic.

  Why did the news of the princess's accident spread throughout the courtyard in an instant?

  Xia Zhi Qi only glanced at those people, then followed Mei Zi's lead, along the path they cleared, and hastily entered the inner chamber where the princess resided.

  As soon as I entered, I was shocked at once.

  It's worse than she expected before she came.

  Two ghosts were kneeling on the ground with their clothes disheveled, their heads hung low, and their faces had obvious red marks from being slapped. When they saw her come in, they raised their heads slightly, and their eyes showed a kind of inexplicable confusion and guilt.

  Apart from Dongfang Yuanyi, who was holding a handkerchief and pretending to sigh in sympathy, another one, Wei Shi, also lowered her head and stood at the side, honestly not daring to make a sound.

  While the Moon Yu who was taking care of the backyard of the Jin Wang Fu for Zhao Zun, was now sitting on the edge of the bed, with red eyes comforting the crying Zhao Zi Yue. Her attire was as neat as ever, her hair combed without a single strand out of place, but her elegance naturally set off the messy scene on the bed.

  Tattered clothes...

  The belly-baring midriff...

  A crumpled quilt...

  Everything was silently telling what had just happened here.

  Zhao Ziyue curled up in the quilt like a wounded little beast, her sobbing voice had already become hoarse, her hair bun was disheveled, and only one of the pearl-inlaid earrings hung from her ear. The exposed neck showed obvious love bites, making that small ball look even more fragile and pitiful.

  All her previous resentment towards him had dissipated.

  Thinking of her previous words about accompanying him to the East Palace, Xia Chuyi suddenly felt a little regret.

  If I had brought her along, this wouldn't have happened, right?

  No one can predict what will happen in this world.

  From now on, that spoiled and capricious but also extremely happy little princess may no longer exist.

  A faint sense of desolation suddenly rose in her heart.

  "Has Dr. Chu arrived?"

  Yuè Yù's head turned sideways, and she was the first to greet her. A pair of eyes had red threads in them.

  Xia Zhi Qi slowly took two steps closer, looking at her and also at Zhao Zi Yue's disheveled hair and the tear-stained small face under it. He didn't say a word until Moon Yu was stared at by her to the point of feeling somewhat uneasy on his face, then she coldly asked in a low voice.

  "Big sister Moon, why are there so many people gathered outside?"

  Yu'e was startled, "Really? I'm so anxious that I've become muddled." She said, her eyes reddening as she stood up, "I'll go out right away and send them off."

  "It's okay." Xia Chuqi sneered and curled up the corner of his mouth, then turned to leave without saying another word. Seeing him arrive and then leave again, Zhao Ziyue's small body trembled, her tear-swollen eyes looked over, and she called out in a sobbing voice.

  "Chu Qi... don't go..."

  Summer seventh day, I took a step back, turned around and looked at her, "I'll be right back."

  Xia Chuqi once again appeared at the gate of Qingtang Academy, instantly attracting the attention of the onlookers. The guards blocking the entrance naturally made way for him. The servant girls probably all wanted to know how this son-in-law, who had not yet married but was already "wearing a green hat" given by the princess, planned to wrap things up. Under their humble expressions, each one hid a hint of expectation and curiosity that was hard to detect.

  "Listen up, everyone!"

  It was rare for Xia to have such a solemn expression on the seventh day of summer, her tone was very heavy, after finishing these few words, she slowly scanned around, a delicate face that was not particularly outstanding among the group of women, carried an inexplicable cold and severe air, this was a completely different demeanor from her usual self.

  "Princess Ziyue's spider rash has recurred, and her mood is hard to calm down. It's better if everyone doesn't gather around to watch. Otherwise, once the princess gets angry, I'm afraid no one will be able to withstand it. Moreover, Princess's temper is something that everyone knows about. This time she got spider rash, if anyone dares to gossip about it outside, not only will the palace and the princess not tolerate you, but even I, the crown prince consort, won't let anyone off easy..."

  Her sudden words left everyone gasping in confusion.

  Wasn't it said that the princess and her guard did something like that? How did it turn into a spider?

  Those people outside are just like Mei Zi, they haven't actually seen anything themselves, it's just that in a place with many women, the rumors spread especially fast. Now having heard her words, guessing at her meaning, curious about the real answer, one by one their gazes "swish swish swish" fell onto her face.

  At the beginning of summer, on the seventh day, she cast a glance with her eyes and curled up the corner of her mouth.

  "Your Highness is not in the mansion now, and no one is in charge. Have you all forgotten your duties? Well, that's okay. Although Your Highness is not here, I, the imperial son-in-law, am still present. As I'm not familiar with everyone, perhaps you're not quite clear about my character. Today, I'll make it clear: whoever dares to utter another word of nonsense will be made mute for life by me, got it?"

  She slammed the door shut, and the originally lively courtyard suddenly fell silent.

  After the emperor issued the imperial edict to grant the title of imperial son-in-law, Xia Chuyi still considered himself a good doctor and did not have the self-awareness to pay respects to anyone who saw him.

  Now she is called the majestic and dignified "husband of a princess", who can resist her majesty?

  To put it bluntly, these people dared to come and watch the princess's embarrassing affairs, only because the prince was not in the mansion, and Yue Yu, who managed the backyard, did not come out to stop them, so they took advantage of the opportunity.

  Since the king is not around, he is indeed the most powerful one among them, being the husband of the princess.

  Soon, the onlookers from various departments, finally knelt down and dispersed...

  Looking at the deserted courtyard, Xia Qi's eyes became even colder.

  Even if it were a woman of the modern era, she would not be able to bear being surrounded and gawked at in such a situation, let alone in ancient or feudal times. Even if Zhao Ziyue was a princess of the imperial family, chastity was paramount. Once she had been betrothed, her body belonged to her husband. Now that this incident has occurred, for the sake of the royal family's dignity, the first priority should be to prevent it from spreading and minimize unnecessary rumors. However, things have developed in the opposite direction, causing a commotion throughout the entire estate, attracting so many people to come and gawk.

  She could imagine that by now it had spread beyond the mansion and throughout the capital.

  It will soon reach the ears of the emperor and the imperial concubine.

  She smiled coldly and whispered an order to her guard.

  "Alright, no one is allowed to approach Qingtang Courtyard."

  "Yes! Prince Consort."

  Today's son-in-law is quite majestic, and those guards are even more respectful of her.

  ……

  She entered Zhao Ziyue's inner chamber once again, glanced at the Second Ghost kneeling on the ground, and lowered her voice, "Tidy up your clothes and go outside to keep watch. The princess is ill, and you, a guard, are kneeling here, what does it look like?"

  Is he ill? His face still had a hint of eerie flush, and when the second ghost lifted his head, the finger marks on his face became even clearer. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Xia Chuqi, opening and closing his mouth several times wanting to say something, but he was naturally quick-witted, and under Xia Chuqi's cold gaze, he quickly came back to his senses from his daze, stood up with a whoosh, didn't say anything else, only glanced at Zhao Ziyue on the bed once, and silently retreated.

  Only a few women were left in the house.

  Xia Zhong Qi turned around, looked around in a circle, and waved his hand.

  "You all get out, I want to have a few words with the princess alone. Also, about the princess's illness, keep your mouths shut, otherwise..."

  With a "crack", she casually chopped off a Ru kiln blue glaze flower vase on the case.

  "This vase is her fate."

  At the sound of the vase shattering, Dongfang Yuanyi was the first to look over with a sarcastic gaze. "Wow, what a big show you're putting on today. When something like this happens to the princess, we should be comforting her, but instead some people want me to cover it up? Are they guilty of something and afraid to let His Highness find out the truth?"

  The actual situation and guilty conscience are not as piercing as that word "sister-in-law".

  Xia Chuqi glanced at her and said, "Madam is indeed bold and daring, speaking of overstepping words without knowing shame. A small concubine, a slave's body, also dares to call herself the elder sister of Princess Ziyue, isn't she afraid of being laughed at?"

  "You..." Dongfang Wanyi was about to lose her temper, pointing at her and ready to explode, but Xia Chuyi gave her a stern glance and asked her in a dismissive tone.

  "Doesn't madam understand the principle of shooting the bird that sticks its head out?"

  "Dongfang Wanyi's face turned red with rage, 'You vicious and despicable woman, neither male nor female, flirting around, now wanting to shut our mouths, what kind of thoughts have you come up with?'"

  With a faint smile, Xia Chuqi gazed at her for a moment before his expression suddenly turned solemn.

  "What this son of a bitch means is, you, get the hell out of here."

  "The two words '驸马' still have a certain weight. After all, the husband of a princess is still considered a prince consort, whereas a concubine is not considered the wife of a king, but rather just a servant. Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yuanyi's face changed color, her lips trembling with rage, she let out a heavy hum and was about to leave with Xiangcui."

  But just as she stepped out, Xia Chuqi called her back.

  "Dongfang, you forgot to pay respects to the imperial son-in-law."

  Dongfang Wanyi was also a proud person by nature, and she was extremely impulsive. Upon hearing this, she suddenly felt like she couldn't hold back her anger anymore. "Chu Qi, don't be too arrogant."

  "Is the prince teasing you?" He gave her a cold glance, and Xia Chuqi's gaze suddenly swept over Yu'e, then swept over Wei Shi, who was terrified. His eyebrows rose, and his eyes suddenly took on a hint of arrogance that neither of them had ever seen before.

  "Alright, since you said so, I won't cheat you, just for the sake of reputation."

  Another loud "crash" sound, and Xia Chuyi was seen holding the neck of the vase, without saying a word, she swiftly swung her hand and smashed it towards Dongfang Yuanyi's beautiful face. Dongfang Yuanyi's eyes widened in shock, she let out a cry, and awkwardly covered her head with her hands, as the shattered vase grazed her wrist and hit the wall, also leaving a deep gash on her wrist.

  The whole house fell silent.

  The only sound was the flower vase falling to the ground and shattering with a "bang".

  Everyone was shocked beyond belief - Chu Qi, who had always been smiling and carefree, was actually so terrifying when he got angry, and his actions were just as ruthless, in no way inferior to the prince's anger.

  "Have you all seen it?"

  Xia Chuqi said, and then sat down on Zhao Ziyue's bed with a plop.

  "Has the imperial son-in-law memorized all the things he wants to say?"

  As expected, the kind-hearted people were bullied, and when she lost her temper, not only Dongfang Yuanyi, but also Wei Shi and Yueyu, including a group of women who were in the house, looked at each other in dismay, all knelt down and paid their respects, calling out "Prince Consort", saying they didn't dare to go out and talk nonsense again.

  The old emperor's edict was indeed not for show.

  For the first time, Xia Qiuzi tasted the benefits of status and power, but her heart wasn't entirely at ease. Why do people have to be like this? If you don't step on others, then you'll just wait for others to trample you?

  Suddenly, she realized why Zhao Zhu didn't stop this from happening.

  Being the husband of a princess, especially Zhao Ziyue's husband, is indeed very useful. At critical moments, it's simply a god blocking a god, a Buddha blocking a Buddha. Who let the old emperor dote on Zhao Ziyue?

  She thought silently for a moment, coldly observing the kneeling women, watching their expressions one by one. After a long time, she finally said calmly, "You may leave, all of you."

  Everyone has dispersed, and the room has returned to calmness.

  Oh no, except for Zhao Ziyue's suppressed sobbing sounds.

  From head to toe, from her anger to scolding, she had been crying all the time, without stopping, and not saying a word more, as if still immersed in her painful heart, desperately pulling the quilt, curling up her body, with a pair of eyes that cried red, there was shame, loss, panic, confusion, and even more was bewilderment and fear.

  Azusa Moon

  She turned sideways, Xia Qi Qi made an effort to keep her attitude as calm as possible, smiling at her.

  "It's just a minor illness, what's the big deal? Why are you crying like that."

  Zhao Ziyue curled up even tighter, her arms wrapped around her head, as if she hadn't understood the meaning of her words, and there was no other reaction, only a faint "waa waa" crying sound coming from under the quilt.

  "Hmm..."

  As he looked at her bowing her head, the skin exposed at the neckline had a color of love after, Xia Qi's heart sighed and gently patted her back.

  "It's all over, everything has passed. Once you've recovered from your illness tomorrow, you'll still be the proud little princess of a big family, and no one will dare say anything to you. Lift up your head, wipe away your tears, don't let people see your weakness, after this, they won't be afraid of you anymore, who else can you bully?"

  Zhao Ziyue sniffled, her back stiffened for a moment, and finally lifted her head, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at her, her small body trembling all over.

  "I didn't mean to, I don't know what's going on, I really don't know anything... why is it like this......"

  "I know, I know!"

  Gently tracing her back, Xia Chuqi suddenly discovered that Zhao Ziyue usually made her resentful. But now, seeing her become like this, she didn't feel any pleasure in her heart.

  "Zi Yue, just consider it a bad dream that never happened, okay?"

  "I..." sobbed, Zhao Ziyue's eyes were filled with pain, but her gaze was fixed on her face, "Chu Qi, will you still marry me?"

  This question is...

  If it weren't for this matter, Xia Qi would have said "no" without hesitation. But as a woman herself, she understood how vulnerable women were at times like these. Especially ancient women, and she was once a proud princess. She really couldn't bear to say the words of refusal, refusing him might very possibly destroy a girl's hope for survival.

  "Okay."

  She spat out the word without hesitation.

  Zhao Ziyue bit her lower lip, stunned for a moment, and then burst into loud wailing. She suddenly threw herself over and tightly hugged her, with tears and snot all rubbed onto her shoulder. And in the instant she stood up, Xia Chuiqi's eyes saw on the silk velvet soft blanket, a little bit like roses, a bright red...

  The last hope was shattered.

  It seems she and Ni Gui really did...

  Thinking of this little princess's pride being destroyed like that, Xia Chuyi couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. She patted the maid who was crying and hugging her neck, and it took her some effort to calm her down and pry open her hands, looking at her rabbit-like bright red eyes, preparing to deal with the aftermath.

  "Zi Yue, don't cry anymore, it's okay. I'll have someone prepare some water for you to take a bath first, and also..."

  After hesitating for a moment, she chose a more tactful way of putting it.

  "You still need to take some medicine, I'll go and get it for you right away."

  In this era, it's difficult to have a good abortion after doing something. She can only try her luck, no matter what, this Zhao Ziyue is only fourteen years old, if she gets pregnant with a child all at once, it won't be too good for her body either.

  But her words were in vain, as Zhao Ziyue refused to let go, embracing her tightly with both arms, her disheveled hair falling onto her shoulders, and sobbing even more violently than before.

  "Chu Qi, why did that spider listen to you? Tell me."

  Xia Chuqi was taken aback for a moment, and suddenly felt a little choked up.

  After all, still a child at heart, in the blink of an eye, I was able to think of that matter again.

  "You go take a bath first, I'll tell you when I get back, okay?"

  "It's no good." Zhao Ziyue sniffled hard, her crying voice accompanied by a thick nasal tone, "I want to know first before I go take a bath."

  With a sigh, Xia Qi patted her back and said, "It's simple. Because I drew the 'track' on the wooden board with my hands and feet, and in the ink used to draw the lines, I added realgar and wormwood water. Spiders also have a sense of smell, they are afraid of that medicine, so naturally they don't dare to step on the lines on both sides..."

  Zhao Ziyue raised her head and stared at her blankly.

  Suddenly, she pouted and burst out crying loudly again.

  "It was you pretending to be mysterious and intimidating, but they weren't listening to you at all..."

  Summer begins on the seventh day of July, "Yes, I deceived you."

  "You're a cheat, a big cheat..."

  Sniffling and sobbing, Zhao Ziyue's words were all low and reproachful. But Xia Chuyi knew that she was just feeling unwell in her heart and wanted to find a way to vent. When people are in pain and sorrow, having the opportunity to scold, shout, or cry it out is also a good thing.

  "Okay, don't cry, don't cry."

  Like coaxing a child, Xia Qiuran followed her back, letting her scold without saying much, a rare good temper. She thought that since Zhao Zhen was not in the mansion, what she could do for his sister was only this.

  "Chu Qi......" Crying and crying, Zhao Ziyue suddenly lifted her head, bit her lip, and in her tearful eyes was a kind of unspoken persistence and determination. "You go tell someone to prepare hot water, I want to take a bath, my body..."

  Biting her lower lip, she thought for half a day before uttering a single word, "Dirty."

  She glanced at her silently, and Xia Chuqi furrowed his brow, "Don't talk nonsense, who said you're dirty? You are still our most innocent and lovely Princess Ziyue, the little princess most doted on by the current emperor, no different from before, understand?"

  "Hmm." With a pursed mouth, Zhao Ziyue's tears welled up in her eyes, as if she had struggled for a while before sobbing and saying, "Thank you for saying that, Chu Qi. I know you're not sincere about wanting to marry me, but just looking at my pitiful state, you sympathize with me. However, you are also the person who has been kindest to me aside from Father Emperor, Mother Empress, and Brother. I must repay you."

  How can I repay her?

  The seventh day of summer is somewhat laughable and tearful.

  "Don't cry! And also, Ziyue, when you're taking a bath, be careful..."

  She had said "be careful" several times, but Xia Qi still couldn't bring herself to say it. If she were a woman at this moment, it would be much easier, but unfortunately her identity was that of the crown prince, and in front of Zhao Ziyue, she was a man. She didn't know how to properly convey her meaning without being misunderstood by Zhao Ziyue or appearing too forward herself.

  She hummed for half a day, but ended up confusing Zhao Ziyue.

  "Chu Qi, is there something you want to say?"

  The corners of her mouth twitched slightly, Xia Qiuli clenched her teeth and gripped her hand tightly, maintaining a relaxed tone. "Zhuoyue, listen to me, first and foremost, I'm a doctor, so what I'm about to say is from a medical standpoint. When you take a bath, make sure to clean your body thoroughly, especially...inside. If not, it might affect the little one growing inside you. You're still young and weak, and that wouldn't be good for you, understand?"

  She thought she was being very calm, but Zhao Ziyue's originally flushed face became even redder, like the cherry blossoms in March, and then suddenly turned as pale as snowflakes in December. After an awkward stare, Summer 7 nodded understandingly with a sincere expression that wasn't fake at all.

  "Chu Qi... I understand..."

  She burst into more tears, her nose twitching.

  "You're really good to me, you don't despise me, and you still come to help me..."

  She took a deep breath, looking at her tears again, Xia Chuyi felt that this task was really too difficult. When Zhao Zhu returned, she must have cut him off with a lot of silver.

  She let go of her hand and patted Zhao Ziyue, who was still crying, and stood up.

  "I'll go let Qingteng in."

  "Alright, go..."

  Staring at her back, Zhao Ziyue bit her lip tightly.

  ……

  ……

  Wrote a prescription for contraception to Li Mei, who was waiting outside. After she went out to pick up the medicine, Xia Chuyi slowly walked towards Er Gui, who had been kneeling on the floor of the outer room all along.

  "Brother Gui, sit up and talk."

  The two ghosts did not get up and did not lift their heads.

  "It is I who have wronged Princess Kokgetsu, when Your Highness returns, I will request death for myself."

  Always talking about death! Why were the ancients so muddle-headed? Isn't living better than being dead?

  Xia Ziyu patted his shoulder and sat down in the chair beside him, "Alright, you want to die, I won't stop you. Maybe it's not convenient for you, but before you die, make things clear, what exactly happened today?" She didn't dare ask Zhao Ziyue, afraid of hurting her little heart. But asking Er Gui, she didn't need to consider that much.

  The two ghosts swallowed their saliva and raised their heads, with a lingering red glow still in their eyes.

  "After you left for the East Palace, I brought Princess Ziyue back to the Qingtang Courtyard. She was furious and smashed some things in her room, then told everyone to get out. No one dared to disobey her, so we all retreated outside. I was worried that she might cause more trouble or try to sneak away again, so I sat guard at her door..."

  "What's next?" Xia Qi asked.

  "Then..." A look of awkward confusion appeared on the face of the second ghost, "And then I don't know what happened, at first I felt a bit sleepy, and then my body started to feel hot, and then I heard the princess inside, moaning inside, I thought she was hurt or something had happened, so I rushed in, but when I saw her...she had taken off her own shirt, I, I..."

  Seems like there's something shameful about his own behavior, Er Gui clenched his fists tightly.

  "I don't even know what happened, I just...I did something beastly, my brain was like it wasn't in control...When I came back to myself, I only then realized...I had actually violated the princess, done something deserving of death..."

  "I understand."

  Xia Chui sighed and looked at his already red and swollen cheeks.

  "Ghost brother, you go back and rest first. Something like this has happened, no one wants to think about it, now the most important thing is the princess's reputation, that's also the royal family's face. Whoever asks you, don't reveal half a word, just say you were ordered by the lord to come to Qingtang Institute to protect the princess, the princess had a relapse of spider eczema, was in so much pain, and had a tantrum, beating you up badly."

  Hesitated for a moment, Er Gui's eyes were somewhat hesitant, "But I..."

  "There's nothing to be said." Xia Chuqi knew what he was thinking. He glanced at him and calmly said, "Whether you want to ask for death or take responsibility for Ziyue, it's not the time now. The royal family's reputation is more important than anything, and perhaps soon the emperor will know about this matter. But I believe that he will also suppress the matter silently like me, and won't make a fuss. So, even if you want to be the prince consort, you'll have to wait."

  "I don't want to be a son-in-law." The second ghost closed his eyes tightly, "It's just me, I'm a man, I've done this kind of thing, how can I pretend like nothing happened and just walk away?"

  "What are you going to do?"

  "I..."

  Looking at the second ghost, looking at the worry in his eyes, Xia Qi said quietly after a moment of silence, "You can't do anything! You have to pretend that nothing has happened. For you, for the princess, and also for me and the king. Ghost brother, if you have a conscience, don't even think about saying something like asking the emperor for death. You should know what a girl's chastity means, what a princess' chastity means. As the king's personal guard, following him all year round, you're not a foolish person. At this time, what you should do and shouldn't do, don't need me to teach you again, right?"

  ……

  ……

  After sending away the two ghosts, when she returned to the inner room on the seventh day of summer, Qingteng had already taken Ziyue to the purification chamber. She looked around at the open windows in the house and carefully checked everything inside, including the faint scent still burning in the green crane incense burner in the corner of the wall, but couldn't find anything unusual.

  She naturally wouldn't believe that Zhao Ziyue and Er Gui were in a normal romantic relationship.

  But judging from Er Gui's words, he didn't take any medicine before entering the inner chamber. Zhao Ziyue seemed to be in a state of clear consciousness. So, there is only one possibility - the fragrance induced lust.

  But she went to the East Palace today, and when she entered the room, everything was gone. Or it can be said that someone had already handled it cleanly. The person who did this thing has very clean hands, the window is open, and people are coming in and out, all smells have been diluted.

  There is no later generation here, and there are no instruments to check the human respiratory tract.

  Moreover, who would dare to openly investigate such a "scandalous" matter?

  To take a woman's chastity to satisfy oneself is truly despicable!

  She thought, when Zhao Nineteen comes back and finds out about this, he'll definitely be heartbroken to death. After all, this is his only sister.

  At this thought, her fingers on the windowsill paused, and her body stiffened for a moment.

  Will Zhao Yu think that Xia Qi did this? Because she didn't want to be the crown prince's wife, she tried every means to tarnish the princess's reputation. Once this matter spreads out, she can completely refuse the marriage on this account. In this era, a woman's chastity is considered more important than her life. Even if it were the old emperor himself, he wouldn't be able to force someone to marry an unchaste princess as his wife.

  If she really goes with the flow and asks to cancel the engagement with the royal family, then this "non-existent" crime might just end up on her shoulders.

  At that time, even if Zhao Zun could believe her, the old emperor and Gongfei in the imperial city would not be able to believe her. To say it, Princess had such a thing, the biggest beneficiary is Chu Qi. And Chu Qi is a person who often uses poison and medicine. If he doesn't marry the princess, the old emperor who dotes on his daughter will eventually give him a hat to let her die. Even if he "married" the princess, it's uncertain whether the old emperor could spare her life.

  She suddenly felt somewhat relieved about her handling of things earlier...

  It seems that the person who harmed her didn't understand her at all.

  But anyway, although it's a bit despicable, that person is indeed very formidable. Now looking back, her scheme has also succeeded halfway, at this moment in the imperial city, the old emperor should be so angry that he wants to kill her.

  ……

  ……

  Dongfang Qingxuan had yet to leave the Jin Wang Fu.

  When he received his message on the seventh day of summer and went to the front hall, he was slowly savoring tea with a tranquil expression, as if enjoying the chaos in the Jin Wang Fu. On that handsome face which could not be described by words, there was still an inexplicable smile.

  "Does the Grand Commander want to stay for dinner?"

  "Is the emperor asking me?"

  This "husband" was shouted with a full flavor, but after careful consideration, there was also a hint of ridicule in it.

  "It's possible, but isn't it very expensive?"

  Xia Chuqi slightly raised the corner of her lips, smiled lightly and sat down in the chair beside him, dismissing the attendants in the hall. She took a sip from the teacup in front of her and let out a comfortable sigh.

  "It's great, I can finally be on an equal footing with the Grand Commander, no need to be humble and courteous anymore. So, being a royal son-in-law is quite enjoyable after all."

  Dongfang Qingxuan rubbed his forehead, seemingly smiling yet not quite, "No wonder, the prince consort can even wear a green hat."

  At the beginning of summer, she turned her eyes and carefully looked at the stunning beauty in front of her.

  "Grand Commander, don't speak recklessly, if there's no evidence, I'll sue you for slander?"

  "Bandits?" Dongfang Qingxuan muttered to himself, "How ridiculous! I am a proud member of the Brocade Guard, how could I be called a bandit? Who would believe you if you said that out loud?"

  “……”

  A pair of eyes measured him with interest, Xia Chuqi stifled a smile and slightly hooked her lips.

  "Essentially, the Brocade Guards and bandits are one and the same."

  He snorted, Dongfang Qingxuan smiled and brought the topic back, "Does the prince think that I can't find any evidence? Or is the prince guilty?"

  As expected, another one saying she's guilty conscience.

  It seems many people want her to wear this "green hat" after all?

  She raised an eyebrow, Xia Qiuli gave a cold laugh, and sized up Dongfang Qingxuan from head to toe. Her eyes suddenly took on a hint of scrutiny that was almost imperceptible.

  "The Grand Commander's reminder suddenly made the Prince realize something. It turns out that you, Grand Commander, didn't leave earlier not just to watch the excitement, but because you have a guilty conscience? What did you mean by what you said to the King of Jin at the city gate yesterday? You deliberately sent him away, was it to make a move on his sister? You don't want me to be the Prince's husband, right? To be honest, if the Princess really has something going on, you, Grand Commander, are the most suspicious."

  "Hmm..."

  The Eastern Blue Mystic's lips drew out a faint smile, and on his face, which was already stunningly handsome, an additional radiant smile appeared that made men envious and women resentful.

  "They all say Chu Xiao Lang is clever, but I didn't expect him to be so foolish."

  "Ah," Xia Qiuzi raised an eyebrow, seemingly puzzled, and looked at him seriously. "General, why not just say it clearly once?"

  The Eastern Blue Dragon's slender and narrow phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.

  "The princess is in trouble, who is most suspicious, isn't it you, Prince Consort?"

  He also realized this point.

  Xia Chuqi smoothed out her sleeve, took a sip of tea, and moistened the corners of her mouth.

  "So, Governor, are you going to help me or leave me to be disciplined? Or would you rather go search Princess's room in the name of the Imperial Guard and see if you can find any evidence of my crime? You're not afraid, just go ahead. But when the time comes, I'm afraid the first person who wants to get rid of you, Governor, will be His Majesty himself."

  "Wrong!"

  A faint smile, and a glimmer of light floated in the Eastern Blue Mystic's eyes.

  "I'm just staying behind to see the excitement."

  She slightly curved her lips and leaned forward, looking at him with a cold expression.

  "I'm afraid it's not that simple, is it? Think back to when the Grand Commander vouched for my masculinity in front of the Emperor. If I were to become a royal son-in-law or if this identity were to be exposed, wouldn't you, Grand Commander, also be implicated? How would you explain yourself to the Emperor then? Chu Qi thinks that the reason the Grand Commander stayed behind today is because he's worried about his own reputation and dignity."

  "What am I worried about?"

  "I'm going to accidentally fall into someone else's trap, you'd better help me wipe my butt in advance."

  Her metaphor was a bit crude, but it made Dongfang Qingxuan's eyes light up with delight.

  "Right and wrong at the same time."

  "What's the meaning of this?"

  A pair of sparkling eyes fell on her face, Dongfang Qingxuan smiled slightly, "You're right about one part, and as for the other part, I'm just waiting to see when Chu Xiaolong will remember, I'll arrange it."

  "Xia Qi Qi raised an eyebrow strangely, 'What's going on?'"

  "Are you planning on bringing me back home as a concubine? You wouldn't be thinking of using me and then discarding me, would you?"

  "Ah!" exclaimed Xia Chuqi, staring at him with her eyes rolling back and forth.

  "Is the Grand Commander enthusiastic about being small?"

  The Eastern Blue Mystic smiled, his white onion-like fingers stroking the Qinghua teacup, so tender that it was beautiful to behold. "It depends on who is looking, I am very enthusiastic about being your little husband, and can share a woman with the prince, which is also a blessing in life."

  Those two words "share" made Xia Chuqi's ears suddenly turn red.

  She could lose to a person but never lose her composure, especially in front of this Eastern mystic.

  "Alright, let's go back and wait for the Commander-in-Chief——"

  Just as the words had fallen, someone suddenly stumbled into the hall from outside. It was none other than Qingteng, who attended to Zhao Ziyue. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and when she saw Dongfang Qingyun, she hesitated for a moment before bursting into sobs, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing.

  "Prince Charming, hurry up and rescue the princess, quickly..."

  Xia Zhong Qi suddenly stood up, "What's wrong with Zhi Yue?"

  Qingteng let out a loud wail and cried, "Princess... Princess..." Probably thinking it wasn't good to say more in front of Dongfang Qingxuan, she didn't care about etiquette anymore. She scrambled up, grabbed Xia Chuqi's wrist, and ran off. As they ran quickly, she handed over a piece of paper from her hand to Xia Chuqi.

  The princess was so distressed that she took her own life...

  "Ah?" Xia Chuyi suddenly gasped.

  Qingteng gasped for breath, crying and sobbing, "When the princess was bathing, she said she wanted to wash herself and coaxed all the maids out. The princess has always had a big temper, and the maids didn't dare disobey her. It's just that no one expected... such a strong-willed person would actually leave a note and commit suicide..."

  Xia Chuqi's mind was buzzing and she felt a bit dizzy.

  Thinking back to Zhao Ziyue's previous behavior, she suddenly realized. She asked her why the spider would walk along the track, and she thought it was just a child's curiosity, but now that she thinks about it, it was her unresolved doubts, and she couldn't let go of some things.

  On the paper in hand, there are several crooked lines of words with many typos.

  It was written by Princess Ziyue herself.

  "Father, Mother, Ziyue is not smiling, Ziyue has left first, it's not related to Brother and Fuma's matter, it's just that Ziyue didn't know how to pick and choose, disgracing the imperial family's face, really deserving of a thousand cuts and ten thousand chops, dying would be a waste... In the next life, Ziyue will be your daughter again, in the next life I'll still marry Chu Qi, Father, Mother, don't blame Brother for liking him, I think, I also like him..."

  Digression

  First spread then correct mistake, weather a bit cool, body uncomfortable, please everybody forgive me.