She refused to marry.

Xiao Xuanjing frowned, his gaze falling on the woman.

Her actions completely exhausted his last bit of patience.

"Yes, every word she said is true." Xiao Xuanjing said calmly, "Miss Su, you made disrespectful remarks to me in front of everyone at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. The young master fought with me over this, and everyone witnessed it."

He slowly walked up to Su Wanwan and said, "As for last night, whether we spent the night together, I really don't know. The Empress can send someone to the Su family to investigate and ask the guards."

The Empress gave a wink, "Go investigate."

The guard beside him obeyed and left.

The area in front of the tent quieted down. The Empress picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and her gaze shifted back and forth between Su Wanwan and Ying Zheng.

The crown prince sat to one side, his eyes cold and sinister, especially when he looked at Su Wanwan, he looked like he wanted to devour her.

Su Wanwan pursed her lips and looked up at Feng Chenjun, who had walked up to her.

He is very calm now, but it is this calmness that gives the feeling that a storm is brewing.

Having been in contact with Feng Chenjun for so long, I already know him well enough.

He wouldn't kill someone if he were truly angry.

Only when you're truly angry will you have a blank expression.

Perhaps, Feng Chenjun has already decided her fate.

Ying Zheng squatted down, grasped her hand tightly, and said in a voice only she could hear, "Why are you getting involved in this mess?"

"Is the wound serious?" Su Wanwan glanced at the wound on his waist.

"It's nothing serious, just a minor injury. I'm the one who dragged you into this," Ying Zheng said guiltily.

Su Wanwan shook her head and joked, "I have high hopes for you..."

Ying Zheng was so moved he almost cried.

Su Wanwan pushed his hand away. "Your Highness, I have made it very clear that I love the Emperor."

Ying Zheng leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I'm willing to wait."

Your Majesty is right, she is very good at lying.

The guard went out and returned a short while later, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, the guards on duty did indeed see Miss Su return in the middle of the night."

"Returning at midnight doesn't prove anything," the Crown Prince said.

"Your Highness, the guard on duty also said that when Miss Su returned, she was carrying a jade pendant. Because I was on duty, I took a special look and it was indeed the young master's jade pendant."

After the father-in-law finished speaking.

A thin crack appeared in the cup that the prince had been gripping tightly.

Su Wanwan lowered her eyes.

Fortunately, she hadn't eaten much in Feng Chenjun's tent last night and was starving. She got up in the middle of the night to look for food but was caught. She had no choice but to take out Ying Zheng's jade pendant to escape.

When she returned, she encountered the guard who saw her holding the jade pendant and questioned her, assuming she had stolen it.

Xiao Xuanjing's breath hitched slightly as he looked down at Su Wanwan.

"Ying Zheng, is this injury really from the hunt?" the Queen questioned.

"Your Majesty, it was indeed an injury sustained during a hunt. The thief probably wanted to escape, so he went to great lengths to attract the attention of the Empress and the Crown Prince. He has likely already fled the palace." Ying Zheng said, his forehead beaded with sweat, as he cupped his hands in greeting.

The Empress looked displeased, and the Crown Prince was even more gloomy.

The three-dynasty veteran stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, now that the matter is clear, we should first find the culprit. Secondly, the Crown Prince's wound has reopened, so we should see the imperial physician first, otherwise we will not be able to explain to Prince Changxin."

After a long while, the Empress waved her hand and said, "Very well, all of you may leave."

"Mother!" the Crown Prince cried out, unwilling to accept defeat.

The prince's wounds, appearance, and features clearly identify him as the person who broke into the palace last night.

He didn't understand why his mother would spare the crown prince.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty the Empress and Your Highness the Crown Prince." Ying Zheng cupped his hands and helped Su Wanwan out of the tent.

After bowing, Xiao Xuanjing with a displeased expression also withdrew.

Su Wanwan's back was soaked with sweat. If Feng Chenjun hadn't admitted it, she would have been dead.

She looked up and saw Feng Chenjun walk past her. She shook off Ying Zheng's hand and chased after him.

"Your Majesty..."

Ying Zheng strode forward, but was stopped by Jian Qingshan. "The young master is already injured, so he should treat his wounds first. If His Majesty wanted to harm Miss Su, she would already be dead."

Yuan Zijing also pulled the young master back, "Young master, going now will definitely arouse the Crown Prince's suspicion..."

Ying Zheng stopped in his tracks.

Xiao Xuanjing quickened his pace.

Su Wanwan almost ran to catch up.

Once inside the tent, Xiao Xuanjing sat in a chair without saying a word.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Su Wanwan stood aside, not daring to speak.

Xiao Xuanjing turned around, his gaze fixed on Su Wanwan's face. "For Su Tailing, my protection of you until now is already more than enough!"

Su Wanwan walked up to Xiao Xuanjing, knelt down, and said, "Your Majesty, why won't you listen to my words?"

"Listen to me, how do you plan to argue?" Xiao Xuanjing's eyes were filled with anger.

"Although I am foolish, I can at least analyze the affairs of the world. King Changxin has 300,000 troops and the Crown Prince has 100,000, all guarding the border. People in the court are already dissatisfied with the Emperor's brother-in-law's interference in the court. If King Changxin raises an army, he will definitely march south all the way to the capital."

Although His Majesty is seriously ill, the Crown Prince's return to the capital was at His Majesty's behest. Sooner or later, the Crown Prince will obtain the Tiger Tally, and then civil war will be inevitable.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince have been locked in a tug-of-war for years, yet the Emperor has failed to bring down the Crown Prince, demonstrating the Crown Prince's unyielding power. Given this, why not simply grant the Crown Prince's favor and protect oneself?

"If you truly understand the political situation, you should know why Prince Changxin didn't return to inherit the throne back then," Xiao Xuanjing sneered.

Su Wanwan lowered her head, "This humble woman truly does not know."

Xiao Xuanjing's eyes were like a sword yet to be drawn, not cutting, but suffocating.

The tent remained quiet for a long time.

Xiao Xuanjing got up, which made a noise as he moved the stool.

Su Wanwan looked up and saw Feng Chenjun pull out a dagger; her heart pounded like a drum.

Xiao Xuanjing walked up to her, touched her face, and said, "Do you know why I've kept you here until now?"

Su Wanwan shook her head.

Xiao Xuanjing held her chin firmly. "I've seen too many people. Before me, they either kneel, fear, or scheme. You're different. You kneel, you fear, and you scheme. But you never admit defeat. You always manage to find a glimmer of hope for yourself. Do you still have one now?"

Su Wanwan retreated in fear, her fingers gripping the hem of her skirt.

Feng Chenjun's true nature has been revealed.

"Is there anything else you want to say?" Xiao Xuanjing stuck the dagger into the blanket.

Su Wanwan was so anxious that tears streamed down her face. "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that I'll reveal the imperial edict?"

"Now that the Crown Prince and the Heir Apparent are evenly matched, who would bother to deal with the young prince?" Xiao Xuanjing stepped forward.

"In my opinion, you were worthy of my attention and could be of use to me. What use are you now?"

Having said that, he drew his dagger.

Su Wanwan grabbed Feng Chenjun's wrist first, her voice trembling with tears, "This commoner knows of the spies lurking around Your Majesty."

Xiao Xuanjing paused. "Say it again?"

"I know his name." Su Wanwan's hands trembled slightly, her eyes filled with tears.