Concubine Feng watched Yun Qian Yue carefully while she spoke, her face nearly contorted with rage. Since when had this dead girl learned to play innocent? That expression clearly feigned grievance—what was there for her to feel aggrieved about? From yesterday to today, she hadn’t suffered the slightest loss. On the contrary, she had injured Xiang He and thrown her into the lake. What grievances could she possibly have?

“Oh? Is that so?” Ye Qing Ran was taken aback before letting out a derisive laugh. “You, a little girl who seems outwardly tough but is actually soft-hearted to the core—it’s a wonder if others don’t bully you first. How could you even manage to bully someone else?”

A confidant at last! Yun Qian Yue almost teared up. She looked at Ye Qing Ran, sniffed, and said softly, “Only you could understand me. No one else thinks so. Even my father believes I bullied others. He’s my own father, yet he’s ready to punish me without asking for the facts. If even he thinks that, where else can I reason things out? Now that you’ve arrived, I was just waiting for my punishment. How can I possibly go out with you?”

Ye Qing Ran sharply turned to glare at the prince.

The prince’s face immediately filled with embarrassment and guilt. He had been away from the estate for the past few days and had just returned today. Outside, he’d heard rumors that his most troublesome daughter had burned Wangchun Tower, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, which prompted a collective memorial from court ministers. He had been furious. Later, he learned that Xiao Wangye and Prince Jing had intervened to save her, which had eased his anger somewhat. But upon returning to the estate, he heard that she had crippled Xiang He’s hand, preventing her from ever playing the zither again, and that Concubine Feng had to be fished out of the lake. His fury flared again, and he brought Concubine Feng to confront her without bothering to investigate. Naturally, in his mind, Yun Qian Yue was to blame. He hadn’t expected to find his daughter so changed.

“Uncle Wang, how could you punish Yue meimei without asking for the facts? You’re truly muddled! Yue meimei has such a soft temperament. Yesterday in the palace, she was bullied so badly that she hid by the Yuanyang Pond, crying her heart out. Later, when Crown Prince tried to hold her accountable, she didn’t utter a word in her defense, waiting quietly to be taken away. With such a gentle disposition, how could she bully others? She should already count herself lucky not to be bullied!” Ye Qing Ran scolded the prince.

The prince’s expression became even more remorseful. He turned to Yun Qian Yue and said, “This is indeed my fault. I shouldn’t have…”

“Concubine, this lowly one… this lowly one…” Suddenly, Concubine Feng’s crying grew louder, interrupting him.

“Aunt, please don’t get so upset! Take care of your health. Tell us exactly what happened! Why was Cousin Xiang He’s hand so severely injured yesterday? She has studied the zither for ten years and plays beautifully. It’s truly a pity that her hand is crippled. Who could be so heartless to inflict such harm?” the Crown Prince’s concubine said angrily.

“It’s because of—” Concubine Feng found an opening to speak.

“Hmph, looks like I came at the perfect time today,” Ye Qing Ran interrupted. “Good! In that case, this prince will accompany you to see who is accusing you of bullying them and exactly how you bullied them. Horse racing can wait; such events can happen anytime, but situations like this are rare.”

Ye Qing Ran waved his hand, and a chair floated over, landing lightly beside Yun Qian Yue. He sat down in a leisurely manner, his seat unusually close to hers.

Yun Qian Yue marveled at the feat. Waving a hand to summon a chair like that—it was just like the soul-attracting tricks on TV! She couldn’t help but wonder if she could do it. Impulsively, she extended her hand toward an empty chair nearby, but the chair didn’t budge. She felt dejected. It seemed she couldn’t do it after all. What a lousy Phoenix Scripture, despite the old man claiming it was so powerful!

“Yue meimei? What are you doing with your hand?” Ye Qing Ran asked, puzzled.

Disappointed, Yun Qian Yue lowered her hand and lied without blushing, “Nothing. Sitting too long made my limbs stiff. Just stretching.”

“I see!” Ye Qing Ran nodded, believing her explanation without question.

Old Lord Yun snorted. Of course, he knew what his mischievous granddaughter was trying to do. What was so impressive about moving things from afar? If she mastered the Phoenix Scripture he’d passed to her, she could move mountains. No vision at all! He scolded, “You silly girl!”

Yun Qian Yue stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

Ye Qing Ran noticed her mischievous expression and chuckled. He had never encountered a girl like her—calm, composed, decisive, perceptive of the political landscape, and exceedingly intelligent. Yesterday, in the palace, when he and Ye Tian Qing were at odds, she had chosen to surrender herself to the Ministry of Justice’s prison, clearly understanding the bloody consequences if the situation escalated. Her confidence during the horse race, her playful humor—everything about her fascinated him. Among all the women he’d met over the years, none had captivated him like she did.

Yun Qian Yue turned and saw Ye Qing Ran smiling warmly. She sighed inwardly. It wasn’t enough that he was handsome; did he have to smile like that too? And so close! Didn’t he know her resistance to attractive men was weak?

Just as she was about to tell him to back off, the Crown Prince’s concubine suddenly spoke with a laugh. “The entire capital says Xiao Wangye keeps his distance from women. But judging by this, it seems not to be the case. Yue meimei clearly holds a special place in Xiao Wangye’s heart. He’s been away for seven years, yet upon his return, he’s so close to Yue meimei. Could it be that they’ve been exchanging letters all these years?”

Hearing this, Yun Qian Yue slowly lifted her gaze. For the first time, she looked at the Crown Prince and his concubine since their arrival.

Night Tian Qing wore a black robe instead of his court attire, and though he’d shed his princely aura, he appeared as an ordinary young nobleman. The only difference was the dark, complex expression in his eyes. Beside him stood a stunning woman adorned with luxurious attire, her head full of ornate hairpins, her neck snow-white and adorned with gold and jade bracelets. Her entire demeanor radiated wealth and elegance. At this moment, she held Concubine Feng’s hand, her gaze filled with a provocative smile as she looked at Yun Qian Yue and Ye Qing Ran. Her words were laced with innuendo.

In ancient times, letters exchanged between an unmarried man and woman were highly scandalous. Given Yun Qian Yue’s involvement with Ye Tian Qing, the implication of such correspondence with Ye Qing Ran was damning, potentially suggesting she was stringing along multiple men—perhaps even including Rong Wangfu’s Rong Jing, who had returned with her yesterday.

Even the old prince’s expression darkened.

Concubine Feng rested her head on the Crown Prince’s concubine’s shoulder, a malicious grin flashing beneath her tears. As expected of her niece—exactly as she’d planned. If they didn’t ruin Yun Qian Yue’s reputation today, they would at least tarnish her image beyond repair.

Yun Qian Yue immediately recognized their intentions and laughed coldly. The Crown Prince’s concubine was no pushover, capable of delivering a fatal blow with just a single sentence. She retorted calmly, “It sounds as though Crown Prince’s concubine saw this with her own eyes. Following your logic, given the number of misdeeds I’ve committed over the years, and the emperor’s continued protection of me without punishment, does that mean I’ve been exchanging letters with him as well?”

The Crown Prince’s concubine’s face turned pale. She hadn’t expected Yun Qian Yue to invoke the emperor. Even with all her courage, she dared not imply such a thing.

“Ha! Exactly! Crown Prince’s concubine, you truly have sharp eyes! Are you saying my royal uncle’s study is piled with letters from Yue meimei alongside official documents? Incredible, simply incredible!” Ye Qing Ran laughed heartily, turning to Night Tian Qing. “Crown Prince, your concubine truly has remarkable abilities. With her by your side, she can surely monitor the entire kingdom—down to the emperor himself!”

His words were venomous. If Yun Qian Yue’s remark had lit a spark, Ye Qing Ran’s retort turned it into a roaring blaze. Monitoring the Rong Wangfu was one thing, but spying on the emperor was treason. Night Tian Qing, as the Crown Prince, could not bear such accusations.

As expected, Night Tian Qing’s face darkened. He turned sharply to his concubine and roared, “What nonsense are you spouting? I know everything about what Yue meimei has done over the years. How could she have exchanged letters with Ye Qing Ran? If I hear another baseless claim from you, I’ll send you packing from the Crown Prince’s estate!”