Chapter 161

Emperor Yong’s eyebrows furrowed sharply upon hearing the news. “Isn’t it Qiao family’s eldest son’s wedding today? Why is Lord Qiao Zhongguo here in the palace?”

The Queen’s heart tightened upon hearing this, but she showed no concern and merely said indifferently, “Your Majesty, perhaps something urgent happened at the Qiao residence.”

Emperor Yong couldn’t sit still upon hearing this and immediately stood up to leave.

The Queen bowed respectfully. “Farewell, Your Majesty.”

As soon as Emperor Yong turned the corner and exited the hall, the Queen straightened up, her expression cold.

Indeed, life becomes much easier once you start treating men as insignificant. She then turned her thoughts back to Zhan’er’s wedding, realizing there was still a lot to meticulously prepare.

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When Emperor Yong arrived at the Imperial Study, he saw the Crown Prince and Lord Qiao Zhongguo standing at the door, accompanied by a group of people, one of whom was cloaked.

Emperor Yong asked immediately, “Zhan’er, what’s going on here? Lord Qiao, isn’t today your family’s joyous day? Why are you here at the palace?”

The Crown Prince quickly bowed and replied, “Father, there was a mishap at the Qiao family’s wedding banquet, and we need your judgment.”

Emperor Yong glanced at the group and said indifferently, “Come in and speak.”

Huang Pei quickly stepped forward to open the door to the Imperial Study, ushering Emperor Yong inside.

The Crown Prince walked in front, Lord Qiao Zhongguo escorted the Grand Princess at the back, and once all three entered the Imperial Study, the door was closed.

Emperor Yong took his seat, eyeing the cloaked person. Before he could speak, the Grand Princess removed the cloak.

She had already tidied her appearance on the carriage and looked relatively composed.

Having likely thought of a solution on the way, the Grand Princess appeared much calmer now.

Emperor Yong was somewhat surprised. “Xian’er? What’s going on?”

The Crown Prince bowed and recounted what had happened at the Qiao residence in detail.

Upon learning that the Grand Princess had lost her composure in public, Emperor Yong’s face darkened, showing great displeasure.

The Grand Princess quickly knelt down and cried out, “Father, Xian’er has brought shame to the royal family and is willing to be punished, but please, Father, find the culprit for Xian’er!”

Lord Qiao Zhongguo’s eyes flashed slightly upon hearing this.

Oh, the Grand Princess is trying to play the game of crying thief to catch a thief?

He immediately stepped forward and said solemnly, “Your Majesty, I concur!”

“It is my fault that such an incident happened in my residence, and even more so that it almost allowed Tan Xiuzhuan to offend the Grand Princess!”

“I have no idea how such a grave mistake occurred in my residence, causing the Grand Princess to accidentally walk into the men’s dressing courtyard.”

Lord Qiao Zhongguo’s face was heavy, filled with pain as he spoke.

“Tan Xiuzhuan?”

Emperor Yong quickly caught the key name.

After all, Tan Xiuzhuan was a newly favored official whom he was extremely satisfied with in all aspects.

The Grand Princess showed a hint of panic upon hearing this but quickly regained her composure.

Emperor Yong turned his head and asked, “Where is Tan Xiuzhuan?”

Just then, Huang Pei’s voice came from outside the hall. “Your Majesty, Tan Xiuzhuan requests an audience.”

“Summon him!” Emperor Yong commanded loudly.

Tan Hanchi stepped forward and entered the hall. As soon as the door closed behind him, he knelt on the ground and shouted:

“Your Majesty, I do not wish to marry the Princess. Please, Your Majesty, grant my request!”

These words were straightforward, causing Emperor Yong’s expression to darken suddenly. The Grand Princess clenched her fists, while Qiao Zhongguo’s eyes lit up.

This Tan kid is clever, Qiao thought. Since someone else is taking the lead, he was happy to take a break.

“Lord Tan, when did I ever say you had to marry the Princess?” Emperor Yong’s brows furrowed deeply as he looked at Tan Hanchi with a probing gaze.

Tan Hanchi looked up with “somewhat surprised” eyes, glanced at the Grand Princess, and then quickly lowered his head again, speaking urgently:

“Your Majesty, at today’s Qiao family’s wedding banquet, I was on my way back from the dressing courtyard when the Grand Princess stopped me.”

“There were no palace maids with her, and she dismissed the Qiao family’s servants. Then… then…”

“Then what?” Emperor Yong asked, frowning.

Tan Hanchi trembled slightly before speaking “fearfully”: “I knew it was improper to meet privately, but the Grand Princess insisted on keeping me there, even… even pulling on my sleeve!”

“Your Majesty, I was terrified and was about to leave immediately when the Princess emitted a strong, sweet fragrance that muddled my senses!”

“Just as I was about to lose my reason, Lord Qiao returned from changing and dragged me away just in time!”

“Your Majesty, I did not offend the Princess, nor do I wish to marry her. I thought the Princess was acting with your permission.”

“I have studied hard for over a decade, traveled far and wide, faced many difficulties in the imperial examinations, and only now have I reached Your Majesty’s side.”

“I wish to repay Your Majesty and serve the court. Please, Your Majesty, do not force me to marry the Princess!”

With that, Tan Hanchi bowed deeply, his forehead touching the ground.

Emperor Yong’s expression changed several times as he listened, because what Tan Hanchi said matched what Qiao Zhongguo had reported earlier.

“Xian’er, what is going on?” Emperor Yong asked, his expression unclear as he looked at the kneeling Grand Princess.

The Grand Princess, still kneeling, quickly responded, “Father, I had a reason for seeking out Tan Xiuzhuan!”

Qiao Zhongguo raised an eyebrow at this. The Grand Princess was indeed clever, knowing that denying the encounter outright would not stand, so she openly admitted it instead. He was curious to see how she would spin her story.

The Grand Princess’s expression turned sorrowful, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Father, you know that in July, I visited my second brother once. You did not see him, but he had lost a lot of weight and his spirit was low.”

“I have always felt extra pity for my second brother since he lost his mother when he was young. Now, seeing him suffer in the Imperial Clan Court, my heart aches!”

“But my second brother did indeed make a mistake and angered you, Father. So, I didn’t dare plead with you directly or inquire about your current attitude.”

“I thought that since Tan Xiuzhuan is now favored by you, he might have some insight into your thoughts. That’s why I tried every possible way to meet him.”

“Father, I was too anxious and lost my composure, leading Tan Xiuzhuan to misunderstand my intentions!”

“As for the scent he mentioned, it must have been the work of some villain who wanted to disgrace me!”

The Crown Prince, hearing this, couldn’t help but marvel at how the Grand Princess truly took after her birth mother, Concubine Wan. She was not simple at all.

Concubine Wan and the Grand Princess knew well how to exploit and gauge their father’s feelings for Concubine Yu and the second prince over the years.

Concubine Wan had used this to maintain her standing in the harem, ensuring the Emperor visited her frequently every month.

Today, the Grand Princess had brought up the second prince and Concubine Yu, absolving herself completely while putting on a show of deep sibling affection.

Fortunately, Mrs. Qiao was wise and timely in presenting the key witness.

This time, the Grand Princess would have no escape!