The officials of Dashang were stunned. What a masterful move—turning their own scheme against them!
"How about this? Why don't the Crown Prince and I step into the room together to clear the names of the Prince and the Crown Princess?"
Yao Yingying’s dazzling beauty, paired with an enchanting smile, caused more than a few onlookers to lose their composure. Zhou Wei’s face was ashen, his heart filled with suspicion. Yao Yingying was simultaneously hinting at an affair between Zhou Qiming and Yao Mengtao, while also insisting on dragging Zhou Qiming into the room to verify it. Naturally, there would be nothing in the room—was she trying to help him, or set a trap?
Torn between doubt and belief, Zhou Wei swallowed the words he had been about to say—a command for everyone to enter and inspect the room. He feared that Yao Yingying might have planted something, and if he couldn't explain it clearly before the court officials, Emperor Zhou would certainly not let him off the hook during tomorrow's audience. Yao Yingying’s maneuver had effectively tied his hands.
Zhou Qiming’s expression remained unchanged, though his jaw was visibly clenched. It was obvious what he would find if he went in, but what about the aftermath? The marriage alliance between Dashang and Anguo was mutually beneficial: Anguo provided gold and silver, and Dashang ceased its military campaign. It was not a matter that could be resolved simply by repudiating a wife. Furthermore, if the "adulterer" was revealed to be their own Prince Jing, the resulting royal scandal would leave Zhou Qiming with absolutely no shred of dignity remaining.
However, if he didn't go in, he had already made his intentions public. For a future sovereign to go back on his word... would that not invite accusations of incompetence?
Yao Yingying, seemingly oblivious to Zhou Qiming’s predicament, pressed on: "Why so quiet, Your Highness? Is something troubling you?"
The officials turned their heads away, unable to bear watching or listening any further. They were both princesses from Anguo; why was the contrast between them so stark?
Zhou Qiming tightened his jaw and looked at Yao Yingying. "Aunt, why are you so impatient? Are you perhaps trying to use someone else to... handle something?"
Yao Yingying let out a soft, mocking laugh, her eyes filled with disdain. She already knew Zhou Qiming’s answer. That single look made the veins on Zhou Qiming’s forehead throb with fury. But his training told him he could not act impulsively. There was no point in quarreling with her now; the situation had already far exceeded his original expectations. His plans to use this opportunity to topple his uncle or make Yao Mengtao pay were ruined. To escape unscathed and preserve his reputation was already a stroke of fortune.
"Princess Consort, the Crown Prince is still young. After hearing your ambiguous remarks, he naturally misunderstood; it is not a matter of distrust toward the Crown Princess." A gentle voice emerged, rescuing the gathered nobles. Yan Xiaoyu was refined and scholarly, his every movement dignified, his speech measured and humble. "You may be new to Dashang and unaware, but the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are a devoted couple, a perfect match. I must remind you, Princess Consort, not to lead everyone here into baseless speculation."
"Otherwise, I might be forced to wonder just how sincere your own claims of trusting Prince Jing really are. And to cause such a scene on the wedding day—are you dissatisfied with this marriage? Or is it Anguo that is dissatisfied?"
A counter-attack. A defense through offense.
Only then did Zhou Qiming remember that he still had this capable man at his disposal! In his past life, the talented individuals around him had encountered unexplained problems, and due to his status, Zhou Qiming had distanced himself from them one by one, leaving only this Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War, Yan Xiaoyu. At the time, Zhou Qiming had been blind to Yan Xiaoyu's brilliance; it was only when Zhou Wei ascended the throne that he realized Yan Xiaoyu had been the one helping him survive the schemes of Yao Yingying and the rest of the royal family. It was a pity he had realized it too late. By the time he understood and tried to turn the tables, there was no one left to rely on, and he was eventually murdered.
He wondered what had become of Yan Xiaoyu in the end. If he, too, had been reborn, a single question later would confirm it. And as for his current plans! With his capable allies still by his side, he only needed to root out those with ulterior motives, and the throne would surely be his!
"I see clearly today: the ability of Dashang to twist black into white is truly a talent that trickles down from the top."
Zhou Qiming decided to swallow his pride, and Yan Xiaoyu stepped in to divert the topic. Yao Yingying clicked her tongue.
Yao Mengtao, having escaped death, was still trembling, but her vicious eyes fixed on Yao Yingying’s face from the shadows, radiating raw hatred. She had done it on purpose! She had been so close to making Zhou Qiming believe her! Yao Mengtao ground her teeth. Things had reached such a point that suspicion and resentment had already been planted in Zhou Qiming’s heart. How could she ever feel at ease in the Central Palace again? Everything had been perfect before she met Yao Yingying... and after being reborn, she was supposed to receive even more love! She hated her!
Yao Yingying swept her gaze toward Yao Mengtao, her phoenix eyes bewitching and unforgettable. Suddenly, under that gaze, Yao Mengtao actually forgot her hatred and resentment.
"You joke, Princess Consort. There is no point in pursuing today’s events any further. Both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have had a bit to drink, so I shall escort them back to the Central Palace." Yan Xiaoyu bowed to Yao Yingying with a smile. "We shall not disturb your wedding night with the Prince any further."
The officials bowed and took their leave; this farce at Prince Jing's Estate was finally coming to an end.
The smile on Yao Yingying’s stunning face held a hidden meaning, her soul-stirring eyes shimmering with a strange light. "Deputy Minister Yan, do take care."
Yan Xiaoyu frowned slightly. The "take care" made him feel extremely uncomfortable—almost as if he were surrounded by hidden dangers. But that was preposterous. She was merely a princess from a marriage alliance; how could she have the ability or the nerve to truly act against a high-ranking official of Dashang?
Yan Xiaoyu said no more and turned to leave with Zhou Qiming. Yao Mengtao bit her lip and followed. She didn't know what she would face upon returning, but there was no better excuse to stay behind.
Unlike Yao Mengtao’s anxiety, Zhou Wei’s expression finally relaxed, though he still looked displeased. "Yao Yingying, if you won't let me have peace, I won't let you have it either! This is my Prince Jing's Estate, my territory! You would do well to remember whom you must rely on!"
Yao Yingying raised her eyelids, her gaze filled with disdain and arrogance. "Foolish."
With that, she turned and walked away. The palace maids and eunuchs followed in her wake, treating Zhou Wei as if he were invisible. Zhou Wei’s face turned livid, his fury burning. "Yao Yingying, you must not know how to spell 'death'! Guards! Seize her!"
The echo of his voice died away, and the surroundings remained deathly silent. Zhou Wei froze for a moment, then roared: "Wang Yong! Get out here and obey my command!"
Still, there was no response from anywhere in the darkness.