Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

"Father, I know it's because I'm not capable enough. But what woman in the world would share her husband with another?"

Princess Rongjia dared not argue any longer, wiping away her tears with grievance, "I know I was wrong, and I will never resort to violence again if something like this happens. Please help your daughter."

Prince Rong's face was ashen, but seeing his daughter's tears, he felt a pang of heartache. "It's good that you know you're wrong. You are a member of the royal family, how dare the government interrogate you! Wipe your tears, save them for when you cry in front of the emperor later."

"Are we going to see the Emperor?" Princess Rongjia asked, somewhat frightened.

"Do you think Xie Yunting is someone to be trifled with?" Prince Rong knew he couldn't escape responsibility. "He's got leverage over Qian Jin, and now that Qian Jin's trying to protect himself, do you think he'll still stand up for you?"

If he didn't only have one daughter, Prince Rong would never have spoiled her like this. Now that he sees that his daughter isn't clever enough, he shouldn't have let her marry into the Jiangyuan Marquis's household in the first place; he should have chosen a family with a simpler population.

But what's done is done, and now all we can do is clean up the mess.

"When you see the Emperor, do as I say," Prince Rong whispered to his daughter before going to see Xie Yunting.

Upon seeing Prince Rong, Xie Yunting gave a perfunctory bow, then turned to tease him, "Your Highness has truly raised a fine daughter. She insists on becoming someone else's concubine, and now she's even harming the original wife. Will you still protect such a wicked woman?"

"Xie Yunting, watch your words. No matter what, Rongjia is still a princess bestowed by the Emperor; she is not someone you can humiliate at will!" Prince Rong wished he could skin Xie Yunting alive. Before Xie Yunting, there had never been such a rogue in Bianjing. "The government office is not qualified to interrogate Rongjia. I will take them to the palace to see the Emperor!"

Xie Yunting agreed, "Then let's go and argue with the officials."

Before they entered the palace, Xie Yunting had already sent someone to inform Cui Lingrong of the progress. Now he sent someone again to inform Cui Lingrong of the latest developments.

When Cui Lingrong learned that the Qian family had confessed that Princess Rongjia had instigated the incident, but Prince Rong brought Princess Rongjia and the Qian family to the palace, she felt that things would not be resolved so simply.

Cui Lingrong summoned Ershun and said, "Now spread the word about Princess Rongjia framing Young Master Yu."

Although it is said that the emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people, how could they really be the same when things really come to that?

The emperor governs the country with benevolence, and what he values ​​most is his reputation.

This is a good time for Cui Lingrong to deal with Princess Rongjia. Only by making a big fuss and letting everyone know that Princess Rongjia is wicked will the Emperor be forced to punish her under pressure.

As soon as Er Shun left, Qiu's mother was afraid that the old lady would be unhappy if she found out. "The old lady already has a lot of resentment towards you. If you make a scene and the whole town knows about it, the old lady may punish you."

"Whether it's kneeling in the ancestral hall, copying books, or being confined, I'll accept it. But I don't want to miss this opportunity, and how can the old lady prove that I'm the one who spread the news?" Cui Lingrong took a deep breath. "Aunt Qiu, I've tolerated them long enough. If I continue to deal with them calmly, who knows when Princess Rongjia will harm me and the people around me again."

Autumn's mother sighed, "You're right."

Cui Lingrong calmed herself down; she needed to be calm to clear her mind.

But to her surprise, the emperor wanted to see her and Song Shulan.

When the eunuch who delivered the message arrived at the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence, both Cui Lingrong and Song Shulan were stunned.

Song Shulan, in particular, was in a state of confusion upon learning that Princess Rongjia and Prince Rong were also in the palace. After getting into the carriage, he couldn't help but ask Cui Lingrong what had happened.

"Your Excellency has asked the wrong person. How could I possibly know anything about palace affairs?" Cui Lingrong was also wondering why the Emperor wanted to see her and her husband.

It concerns Princess Rongjia. How is the Emperor's interrogation going?

Cui Lingrong was filled with questions.

Song Shulan was mostly afraid; he always felt it wasn't a good thing.

The two, each with their own thoughts, followed the eunuch outside the main hall.

Princess Rongjia and Madam Qian were already kneeling inside. Princess Rongjia's forehead was red and swollen. "Uncle, I really had no intention of harming anyone. I just wanted to close the cloth shop. As for what Minister Qian said, he misunderstood."

Qian Jin was covered in sweat. Hearing what Princess Rongjia said, he could only kowtow, since Prince Rong was watching him closely.

"Your Majesty is wise. I had no intention of harming anyone. It was all my subordinates who acted on their own," Qian Jin said.

Xie Yunting snorted coldly, "Lord Qian, aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning on a rainy day?"

Qian Jin frowned and glared at him.

"You even poisoned your own son, and now you claim you had no intention of harming anyone? What about the suffering my brother endured in prison?" Xie Yunting's anger flared as he looked at Qian Jin. "Your Majesty, you are a benevolent ruler. I believe you will be absolutely fair and just. Minister Qian deserves his punishment, but Princess Rongjia is certainly not a kind-hearted woman! This kind of vicious woman, who harmed others for jealousy, should be severely punished by Your Majesty!"

Princess Rongjia trembled. She wished she could kill Xie Yunting, but Xie Yunting had her weakness in his grasp, so she could only show her weakness with tears.

At this moment, a palace attendant came to deliver a message, saying that Marquis Jiangyuan and his wife had arrived.

"Let them in." The Emperor was exhausted. Rongjia was a royal daughter, and if bad news about her spread, it would damage the reputation of the imperial family. But Xie Yunting persisted, giving him a headache.

He was very curious about what kind of person Cui was that Rong Jia was so wary of.

After a while, the eunuch brought in a man and a woman. His gaze quickly swept over Song Shulan and landed on the face of the woman next to Song Shulan.

Even though the officials were well-traveled and knowledgeable, they had never seen such a beautiful woman. Cui's appearance was indeed pleasing to the eye.

"Your humble servant/your wife pays respects to Your Majesty."

This was Cui Lingrong's first time meeting the Emperor. She was nervous and uneasy because she didn't know the specific situation, whether the Emperor was on her side or wanted to punish her.