At the Sacrificial Altar, the ceremony for the formal recognition of the princess was underway. Colorful banners fluttered in the wind and lanterns were strung everywhere; the atmosphere was exceptionally lively.
Pei Shangyan strode in like a gust of wind. Every gesture he made was imbued with an extraordinary nobility and a formidable presence that brooked no resistance. He was the embodiment of imperial authority, possessing the true stature of a sovereign. The civil and military officials, along with the royal kin gathered for the ceremony, could not help but admire the Crown Prince.
"His Highness the Crown Prince truly grows more like His Majesty in his prime every day!" one official sighed in admiration.
"His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven; it is only natural that the princes and princesses all possess such dragon-and-phoenix grace—with the exception of that one black sheep, that fake," another remarked.
"Quite right. If the lineage is improper, the person is improper. Ignorant and incompetent—unlike the little princess, who, at only a month old, has already mastered the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is truly the most talented woman in the capital!"
These harsh, mocking words reached Pei Shangyan’s ears, causing him a flash of irritation. Sister Zhi had been raised by his own hand—how could she be ignorant and incompetent? He was on the verge of reprimanding them to hold their tongues, but a second thought stopped him: if Sister Zhi had indeed acted with a devious heart, stepping in to help her now would only make him appear unfair toward his younger sister.
Pei Shangyan reached the dais where the Emperor sat. He bowed and offered a salute. "Father, Sister Zhi has already repented, and I have read the Imperial Edict. She will be here momentarily."
The ruler of the empire, sitting on the throne, possessed such a powerful aura that it left no room for debate; his natural imperial majesty was peerless. He nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. "When she arrives, she will apologize to Xier in front of everyone. Then, this matter will be put to rest."
"Father!" The woman in palace attire sitting beside the Emperor stood up, unable to hide her anxiety. "Xier has already forgiven Princess Yuanzhi. Forcing her to apologize before so many people will only damage Princess Yuanzhi's self-esteem."
This was Pei Yunxi, the biological princess whom the Emperor had brought back only a month ago. Though raised among the commoners, she was poised and dignified in her conduct and speech. She was beautiful, with fair skin and delicate features, and her voice was as crisp as a silver bell, providing a refreshing sense of ease.
The Emperor looked at her, and his eyes immediately filled with warmth. His expression softened, and his tone turned doting. "Yuanzhi harmed you, yet here you are pleading on her behalf."
"Princess Yuanzhi was only afraid that Xier would steal the love of Father and my royal brothers. She was confused for a moment and lashed out. I suppose it is because Xier and Princess Yuanzhi have not spent enough time together, which led to this misunderstanding. We are a family, and within a family, how could there be grudges that last overnight?" As she spoke of family, Pei Yunxi glanced shyly at the Emperor, appearing quite embarrassed.
The Emperor was very pleased with his daughter's sense of propriety. Moved by her cautious, gentle attitude, he reached out and took her hand. "Even in a family, rules are rules. She hurt you, so she must acknowledge her mistake and be punished; only then can she truly repent."
Pei Yunxi bit her lip and nodded obediently. "I will do whatever Father says."
Just then, a palace attendant announced loudly, "Princess Yuanzhi has arrived!"
Mu Yuanzhi walked slowly through the varied gazes of the crowd. As if in a trance, she could still hear the voices condemning and ridiculing her. She felt as though she were back in the prisoner’s cart, surrounded by shouts and threats. She steadied her emotions, summoning the strength to continue forward.
The main dais grew closer, but she could not seem to see the Emperor’s face clearly. It was only when she snapped back to reality that she realized tears had welled up in her eyes. She sniffled, forcing the tears back.
No one cared about her tears anymore.
"This daughter greets Father," Mu Yuanzhi said respectfully, lowering her gaze and curtsying.
"There is no need for such formalities," the Emperor, the Ninth-Five Supreme, sat upon his dragon throne. Even with a smile, he felt as distant as the sun high above. Mu Yuanzhi could only look up at him; she could no longer act like a spoiled child as she once had.
Because she stood at a distance, Pei Yunxi rushed forward to greet her. "Princess Yuanzhi is here!"
Seeing Pei Yunxi again, Mu Yuanzhi felt as if an entire lifetime had passed. *This woman is still so good at acting!*
As Pei Yunxi drew closer, she realized with a start that the cloak Mu Yuanzhi was wearing was the very one she had embroidered for Xiao Yichen! *How could this happen?* Pei Yunxi felt a surge of disbelief. She searched urgently for Xiao Yichen’s figure. When she saw him looking their way, she wanted to confirm it with a glance, but his eyes were fixed entirely on Mu Yuanzhi. A bitter, unpleasant feeling welled up inside her.
The cloak she had given him was the result of a half-month’s hard work. Why was it on Mu Yuanzhi? Had she demanded it?
Pei Yunxi looked away, unwillingly staring at Mu Yuanzhi with a look of wronged restraint.
Someone nearby could not hold back. "Mu Yuanzhi, why are you wearing the garment that my little sister gave to Xiao Yichen?!"
It was the Fourth Prince, Pei Shangling.
This was not the first time Mu Yuanzhi had heard Pei Shangling’s malicious accusations. She still felt a sting of hurt, but she pushed it aside quickly.
"So this cloak was embroidered by our little sister for my fiancé. I had no idea," Mu Yuanzhi said, looking utterly distressed.
Pei Shangling had initially felt that Mu Yuanzhi wasn't beyond saving for admitting Pei Yunxi was her sister, but he was choked by her words. How could she say that? Wouldn't that make the little sister appear…
Sure enough, as soon as Mu Yuanzhi finished speaking, the atmosphere turned awkward. As the saying went, a man should fear his wife’s sister, and a woman should fear her husband’s brother. Why did the little princess not know how to avoid such suspicion? Embroidering such an intimate item for a future brother-in-law?
Pei Yunxi had not expected Mu Yuanzhi to be so sharp. In one sentence, she had reminded everyone that Xiao Yichen was Mu Yuanzhi’s fiancé. Her face flushed with embarrassment. She could feel the probing, scrutinizing gazes upon her, and her ears burned with heat.
Pei Yunxi’s flustered appearance pained Pei Shangling, who had stirred up the trouble. It was his own lack of consideration—he had been too focused on standing up for his little sister and had been careless!
Among the officials, Xiao Yichen’s gaze shifted back to Pei Yunxi. He felt a pang of guilt; it was his oversight that had caused her to be in such an awkward position.
By now, Mu Yuanzhi had already taken off the cloak and returned it to Pei Yunxi. "Please don't be angry with me, little sister."
With the cloak removed, her blood-stained prisoner’s garb was fully exposed. It was a shocking sight.
The hall erupted in an uproar. Many people quietly cast glances toward the Emperor. Although it was understood that one would be punished upon entering Yongxiang—as no one cared if a criminal was injured, and those locked in the palace prison rarely saw the light of day again, leading the wardens to act with impunity—it was one thing to know it and another to see it with one's own eyes.
Mu Yuanzhi was, after all, still a princess; the Emperor had never stripped her of her title. To punish a princess was no minor offense.
Pei Shangling’s gaze rested on Mu Yuanzhi, his eyes darkening. He knew she was the one who feared pain the most.
Seeing that the atmosphere was odd, Pei Yunxi coughed deliberately. Pei Shangyan and Pei Shangling immediately looked over with great anxiety, terrified that their little sister had not yet fully recovered.