Lin Yan’s words rang out with resonance, striking a chord in everyone’s heart.
"Lin Yan must have tried many ways to resolve this without success, which is why she risked being beheaded at the Peach Blossom Banquet to seek justice for her sister. Regardless of the truth or falsehood of this matter, such courage to face any power is worth encouraging." If this were her previous life, Gu Zhaoyan would have taken on the task herself, but now, it was enough to flatter the Emperor and let him take the lead.
"The Eldest Princess is right. Since Lin Yan has already sworn an oath, if she is lying, I will certainly give Deputy General Li an explanation. But if Deputy General Li and those soldiers truly ruined an innocent girl, then I..." The Emperor paused, looking at the expectant gazes outside the hall, and suddenly felt emboldened, "I will definitely punish them severely. Wei Zhong!"
Wei Zhong was the General of the Jinwu Guards, specifically responsible for the safety of the Capital.
"Your servant is here!"
"Take your men to the Zhenguo Military Camp immediately and investigate this matter thoroughly."
"Yes."
Wei Zhong was as his name implied—loyal—but he was not foolish. In her previous life, if it hadn't been for Wei Jiuzhao’s meticulous planning, Gu Zhaoyan would have been broken out of prison by Wei Zhong. The day after Gu Zhaoyan died, Wei Jiuzhao had impeached Wei Zhong, and the Emperor was so furious he demoted him to a commoner.
"Your Majesty, my father and Deputy General Li truly would not do..."
"General Wei, Lin Yan has made herself very clear. If there is fault, she will pay with her life. Instead of spending your energy defending them, you should pray that your father and Deputy General Li did not do this. Otherwise..." Gu Zhaoyan raised an eyebrow at him, "even if you become my Imperial Son-in-law, you will not be able to save them."
Gu Zhaoyan’s words struck Wei Jiuzhao like a clap of thunder. He turned his head and shot a sinister look at Lin Yan. Lin Yan, though fearful, suppressed her trembling and glared right back.
"Your Majesty, Eldest Princess, investigating matters takes time. It is getting late; I shall have the servants serve the meal, and we can eat while we wait." Facing the tense standoff, the Empress had remained silent. Her responsibility today was to host the Peach Blossom Banquet; she could not manage anything else, nor did she have the standing to do so.
"Very well." The Emperor nodded and looked at the three men still kneeling: "You three may rise as well. Since you are here, take your seats."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
As the three stood up, they all stumbled in unison; they no longer possessed the imposing air they had when they entered. They looked more like drenched chickens. *It’s a pity Qi Yelin isn't here; he’s really missing a spectacular scene,* Gu Zhaoyan thought, just as a loud exclamation rose from outside the hall.
"Prince Shen?"
"Doesn't he never attend the Peach Blossom Banquet?"
As soon as she thought of him, he arrived. Gu Zhaoyan smiled faintly, looked up, and watched as Qi Yelin strode in: "Your servant greets the Emperor, the Empress, and the Eldest Princess."
He was dressed in a dark blue, wide-sleeved robe with silver silk embroidery at the collar and cuffs. A wide belt with auspicious cloud patterns cinched his slender waist. A white jade crown topped his head, with two silk ribbons swaying gently in the breeze. Unlike his usual stiff and humorless court attire, today he carried a hint of the dashing prince.
Gu Zhaoyan noticed that just by standing there, Qi Yelin overshadowed the other three completely. In looks, temperament, cultivation, and speech, he crushed them in every aspect.
"Prince Shen, why are you here? Didn't you used to dislike these crowded banquets?" The Emperor was unaware of the thaw in the relationship between Gu Zhaoyan and the Prince, still believing them to be bitter rivals.
"Disliking them does not mean I cannot attend." As he replied, Qi Yelin’s eyelids lifted slightly, and he glanced at Gu Zhaoyan.
"Why are you looking at me?" Everyone knew they were at odds, so Gu Zhaoyan naturally wouldn't let anyone see a flaw: "Not early, not late, you arrive exactly at this moment. What, do you want to see me make a fool of myself?"
"Eldest Princess, why are you speaking so sharply?" The Emperor immediately felt dissatisfied. "Prince Shen’s arrival shows he values the Peach Blossom Banquet."
"The Emperor is right. I came today at the request of a friend." Qi Yelin said, looking at Gu Zhaoyan, "She said she has reached the age for marriage and wanted me to help her select a suitable husband. The Peach Blossom Banquet is full of talent, a perfect occasion. I gave my word, and I cannot break a promise."
She knew he was vindictive, but she hadn't expected him to be *this* vindictive. Gu Zhaoyan snorted and turned away: "Then Prince Shen, feel free to pick. I am hungry and am going to eat. Emperor, please excuse yourselves."
"Prince Shen, don't mind the Eldest Princess. Her temper has always been like that." Only after Gu Zhaoyan had left the pavilion did the Emperor dare to speak.
"If I minded, I wouldn't have come to the banquet today."
"The feast is about to begin. Prince Shen, sit with me. I happen to have some matters I wish to consult you on."
Qi Yelin bowed his hands: "It seems the Emperor has developed a love for learning since taking over governance. This is truly the fortune of Dayan and a blessing for the people."
"Not at all, not at all, there is still much for me to learn." This was the first time the Emperor had been praised by the Prince, and he was delighted, taking the Prince by the arm toward the dining area.
"Song Hesheng, how exactly did you handle this?" Once everyone had left, Shen Yuan let his pent-up anger explode: "Didn't you say everything was arranged? Is this how you arranged it?"
Song Hesheng did not speak. His mind was in chaos. He had clearly seen the Prince protecting the Eldest Princess, and the Eldest Princess had been at Prince Shen’s estate—so why were they at each other's throats today? Which was true, and which was fake?
"Song Hesheng, I am talking to you! Are you deaf?"
"What are you arguing about?" Wei Jiuzhao’s angry retort successfully cowed Shen Yuan. "You two have minor problems; in time, people will forget. But what about me?"
"If there is a real problem, it’s with your father and Deputy General Li; it has nothing to do with you," Shen Yuan muttered, crossing his arms. "If I had known this, I wouldn't have agreed to help you. Now look, I’m being constrained by a low-level official and can't break free. And then there's Lianxin..."
"Shen Yuan, if you truly cared for her, you would save her. Buy her a courtyard, find some servants, and take good care of her—there are many ways to handle this, yet you do nothing..." Wei Jiuzhao sneered. "It seems the Eldest Princess was not wrong at all."
"Wei Jiuzhao, what do you mean? Are you looking for a fight?"
"Enough! Can you two stop talking? Is this the place for an argument?" Song Hesheng’s head throbbed from their bickering. "At the very least, we are all free for now, aren't we?"