After the divorce, I was adorned in a phoenix robe, while my ex-husband's entire family dug up

Logically, one should first pay respects to one's parents-in-law. Since the late emperor has passed away, it is unavoidable to go to the palace to see His Majesty.

There was one layer she hadn't considered before.

The regent's actions will surely displease the people. Although His Majesty is the regent's elder brother, he is also a monarch and must give the people an explanation.

She didn't know what the Regent had sacrificed to secure this marriage, but it certainly wasn't a good thing, and she was the culprit.

Will His Majesty have a problem with her?

Even if the regent himself said that he wanted to steal another man's wife, His Majesty would still have second thoughts.

Entering the palace today might bring more misfortune than good fortune.

Inside the carriage, the space was cramped, and the air was filled with the scent of sandalwood.

"Nervous?" Pei Yi asked softly.

Wei Zhaoning pursed her lips, her mind already conjuring up a multitude of unfortunate scenarios.

"A little," Wei Zhaoning replied.

Pei Yi's gaze lingered, unable to return to his senses. The girl beside him twisted her handkerchief in her hands, her eyes lowered, her expression unreadable, her body stiff.

He felt a pang of sadness; the girl in his memory was bright and energetic.

She has become sullen, her brows are always furrowed, and she hasn't laughed from the heart in a long time.

The carriage stopped at the palace gate.

"Your Highness, we've arrived."

Yun Ce reported from outside the carriage.

Pei Yi got off the carriage first.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and he stretched out a hand, "Take my hand."

Wei Zhaoning's heart skipped a beat, and she placed her hand on it.

The two remained silent throughout the journey.

Pei Yi felt her palms were sweating, so he squeezed her hand even tighter.

"No one will do anything to the Regent's Consort, including His Majesty." His voice was calm and steady, as if he were reassuring Wei Zhaoning.

Wei Zhaoning felt that sense of security again, which was strange, as if she had seen it somewhere before.

Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Ambergris was burning in the incense burner.

The palace servants kept their heads down, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Without informing the eunuch, Pei Yi led Wei Zhaoning into the palace.

"Brother Emperor."

The emperor walked slowly out from behind the palace gate, the hem of his bright yellow robe sweeping across the gold-brick floor.

He sat on the dragon throne, his fingers casually stroking the dragon relief on the armrest.

"Here you are," he said, his voice carrying a sense of pressure.

Wei Zhaoning hurriedly bowed.

The hall fell silent for a moment. Wei Zhaoning felt the gazes scrutinizing him from above, and his palms sweated even more profusely.

"It's been a long time since I've seen the Wei family's daughter; she's even changed her identity," the emperor said indifferently.

Wei Zhaoning trembled almost imperceptibly, and Pei Yi gripped her hand even tighter.

"Brother, you frightened her," Pei Yi said, as if blaming him.

The emperor suddenly burst into laughter, "Just kidding! Get up and let me take a good look at you."

The anticipated chaotic scene didn't happen. Wei Zhaoning's pupils contracted slightly as she looked up to see Pei Yi smiling at her.

She immediately stood up, still shaken.

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction. "Lu Zhufeng is no good. I didn't consider everything when I arranged this marriage. Ayi's attempt to steal the bride didn't frighten you, did it?"

Wei Zhaoning was completely taken aback by the emperor's words and was somewhat stunned. "Your Majesty, no...no. The prince treats me very well."

"There's no need to be so formal. You should refer to yourself as your sister-in-law." The emperor narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"A-Yi rarely acts so rashly, but his methods are also wrong. As his elder brother, I failed to discipline him properly and should make amends. I imagine your family must be terrified."

She hadn't expected the Emperor and the Regent to have such a good relationship; the legendary favor they enjoyed was truly not just talk.

After chatting for a while, Wei Zhaoning gradually relaxed, realizing that she had been worrying too much today.

Near the end, His Majesty asked the Regent to stay behind so he could speak with him alone, and then sent Wei Zhaoning back to his residence.

Pei Yi always had a faint smile on his lips.

"Stop laughing. Ever since you saw your princess, your lips haven't stopped twitching." The emperor glared at him.

"Your Majesty, I am truly delighted. What's wrong with smiling?" Pei Yi said.

The emperor's eyes were deep and dark. "If it weren't for this whole mess, I would have thought you were going to be childless. It would have been so much better if you had done this sooner. I would have arranged the marriage for you back then, but you were such a silent person, never telling her you liked her."

Pei Yi felt a pang of pain in her heart when she recalled the bewildered look on the little girl's face when she first met her.

"There is something I must remind you of."

"During the days you were away from Beijing, Lu Zhufeng was always there for her. It's not easy to erase someone from her memory."

Pei Yi's eyes grew increasingly deep and dark.

*

Wei Zhaoning returned to the Prince's residence first. Fortunately, it was a false alarm. She was relieved to find His Majesty quite easy to get along with.

As soon as they entered the palace, the Seventh Princess was already waiting there.

Her expression was icy, but upon closer inspection, one could detect a hint of anger.

"You're finally back."

Wei Zhaoning smiled and said, "Seventh Princess went out for a trip and you're back so soon?"

Pei Ran sneered, "If I hadn't come back, I would never have known you were such a hypocrite. You have such a bad memory, Wei Zhaoning. Don't you remember what you told me last time?"

Wei Zhaoning fell silent for a moment. The last time she parted with the Seventh Princess, it was a pleasant farewell. The next time they met, it was such a confrontational scene.

"Seventh Princess, let me explain. It's not what you think."

Pei Ran stepped down, pinching Wei Zhaoning's chin. "Yes, it was a deal between you two. You were putting on an act for others, Wei Zhaoning. You still want to lie to me even now! Last time I was grateful for your help and thought you were a good person, but now it seems I really misjudged you!"

Wei Zhaoning sighed, "Believe it or not, this is a deal. Once this period is over, I will leave. The divorce papers were already drafted beforehand, Pei Ran, I'm not lying to you."

After hearing these words, Pei Ran seemed even angrier.

"Shut up!"

"A deal?! If it was a deal, how come my brother was publicly flogged a hundred times! You dare say you didn't seduce him!"

No one has ever let my brother suffer such a serious injury! But he did it for you! Can you say you have no feelings for each other?

Wei Zhaoning never expected the Regent to suffer such punishment...

"Is he injured?"

"Thanks to you, he made everyone keep it from you. Now the whole world knows about it, except you. See how well you've been protected?"

Don't you feel even a little bit of remorse? What on earth is it that made my brother do it? You seduced him, and that's it. You made my brother suffer so much, and now you still won't admit it. Wei Zhaoning, you truly disgust me."

Wei Zhaoning couldn't listen to a word; she kept thinking about how much pain Pei Yi would be in. A hundred lashes would have killed a weak man on the spot...

"If you really have a conscience, I'll give you two choices. First, get out of the palace immediately and never contact my brother again. Second, I'll send you back to the Yongxin Marquis's residence. Your ex-husband is probably missing you terribly right now."