That day’s scandal could have completely ruined Rong Yue’s life, had it not been for Grand Tutor Rong’s swift action in enforcing family punishment. By beating Gu Helian nearly to death and expelling him from the Rong family, he shifted the focus of blame away from Rong Yue and preserved what little dignity remained.
Additionally, the intervention of the Crown Princess helped suppress the matter. With her order to seal all lips and Prince Cheng’s insistence on preserving the engagement, Rong Yue’s fate was spared from becoming another tragedy like the three women who had previously been engaged to Prince Cheng.
Had the truth of her supposed “impropriety” with her foster brother been exposed, Rong Yue would have lost her life alongside her reputation.
Tangning furrowed her brows tightly. “The person who orchestrated this was incredibly vicious. Clearly, they intended to take lives. They must have had a private understanding with Prince Cheng to know so much about him and Uncle Gu. And given their twisted and cruel nature, it wouldn’t be surprising if they originally planned to expose Aunt and Uncle Gu on the spot and destroy them both. Why did they stop?”
Even if others could be silenced, someone so intent on destroying Rong Yue could have spread even a fragment of this scandal, and it would have been enough to ruin her.
Xiao Yan responded calmly, “They stopped because they realized they couldn’t destroy this marriage. At that time, there weren’t many people present. If anyone leaked the incident, it would be impossible to cover all tracks.”
The Rong family wanted to conceal it, the Crown Princess had ordered silence, and Prince Cheng wouldn’t pursue the matter. Under those circumstances, anyone who spoke out would offend three powerful factions.
“No one would be foolish enough to risk that,” Xiao Yan added.
He continued massaging Tangning’s shoulder while analyzing the events of that time. “This person had an illicit relationship with Prince Cheng. Their ruthless methods show their possessive nature. If their status allowed it, they could have openly pursued him. But instead, they resorted to harming others, forcing Prince Cheng to clean up after them. That suggests a chasm between them—one they couldn’t cross.”
“Their relationship had to remain hidden, undisclosed to anyone. If they had made another move against Rong Yue, it would have implicated themselves.”
His voice was measured, each word peeling back layers of truth.
“The Prince of Cheng wasn’t someone easy to deal with back then. He was ambitious, coveting the crown prince’s position. His marriage was a key to his success. He carefully chose the Huo family and the other two families, only for this person to sabotage them all. When they nearly ruined his engagement to the Rong family, it’s unthinkable that he would have allowed it to continue.”
“And given Prince of Cheng’s personality, if it had been just an ordinary affair, he likely would have ended it decisively. Unless…”
Tangning turned abruptly, her eyes wide with realization. “Unless the person involved was someone special to him or someone he couldn’t touch.”
Xiao Yan nodded. Seeing that her pain had subsided, he leaned back against the carriage wall, withdrawing his hand.
“Prince of Cheng couldn’t remain unmarried forever, and the position of Princess Consort couldn’t stay vacant. Rong Yue and the Rong family were the best choices he could make at that time.”
“The incident with Gu Helian may have fooled others, but the Prince of Cheng must have seen through it. Knowing who was behind it, and that Rong Yue’s reputation hadn’t truly been tarnished, he wouldn’t have given up the marriage.”
“Even without the Crown Princess sealing the matter, the Prince of Cheng would have suppressed the incident. Not only did it win Rong Yue’s heart, but it also earned him a favor from the Rong family. As for the culprit, whether through threats, sweet talk, or promises of a brighter future, he could have convinced her that Rong Yue was merely a formality.”
Xiao Yan’s tone was sharp. “The Prince of Cheng could lie to Rong Yue for years. Convincing another woman would have been easy, especially if this person wasn’t just a ‘woman driven mad by love.’ There might have been deeper ties—mutual leverage or shared interests—binding them together in an endless cycle of entanglement.”
Tangning’s expression darkened as she listened.
Prince Cheng had spent years without taking a concubine or any other woman, remaining solely devoted to her aunt. The outside world admired their deep bond and saw his abstinence as a testament to his love for her. Their love was envied by all.
But if there had been another—a shadowy figure capable of taking lives, hovering over their “perfect” marriage—then her aunt’s happiness was nothing more than a cruel joke.
Tangning clenched her fists. She had assumed the Prince of Cheng was merely insincere, deceiving her aunt emotionally.
But now, the truth revealed itself to be far more humiliating.
Unable to hold back, she spat angrily, “He’s a complete bastard!”
Xiao Yan let her vent for a moment before continuing, “Of the people present that day, the Crown Princess has long since perished in the palace coup. The Third Prince died due to his connection to the Crown Prince, and the Third Princess Consort has been a nun for years, never returning to the capital. The Sixth Prince is now Prince Huan, and you’ve likely met his Princess Consort. As for the Fifth Princess Consort… you should be even more familiar with her.”
Tangning’s hand trembled slightly. Of course, she knew her.
Before ascending the throne, the Emperor had been the Fifth Prince, and his Princess Consort had been none other than the current Empress, Lady Lu.
During her engagement to the Lu family, Tangning had frequented the palace many times and encountered the Empress countless times. The Empress had always treated her kindly.
Unlike the dowager, who looked down on her and felt she wasn’t good enough for the Lu family, the Empress had genuinely supported the match. Even after the Lu family’s downfall, she had tried to have Tangning brought into the palace to mediate.
Recalling the Empress’s composed and dignified demeanor, Tangning’s expression grew heavy. “How… could it be her?”
Even Xiao Yan was taken aback by the revelation.
He had interacted with both the Princess Consort of Prince Huan and the Empress numerous times in the past. Neither had ever shown any indication of involvement with Prince Cheng.
Prince Huan was hot-tempered and had clashed with the Emperor since their youth. Even after the Emperor ascended the throne, Prince Huan remained on the outskirts of power, while his Princess Consort—strong-willed and domineering—raised arrogant children.
As for the Empress, she was the epitome of virtue, a model of chastity and propriety. A scion of the Lu family, she had devoted herself to her husband and children. The Lu family had invested everything in helping the Fifth Prince secure the throne.
When the Crown Prince fell and the Fifth Prince rose to power, the Lu family’s daughter ascended to the position of Empress, revered by all. Why would someone of her station risk everything to become entangled with a seemingly inconsequential Prince Cheng?
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You can read ahead to chapterr 300 (100+ extra chapters) here
OMG...what a shocking reveal!
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