"Rong Yue!" Princess Ji's face twisted in fury.
Unfazed, Rong Yue stepped forward, shielding Song TangNing, Qian Qiyue, and Xue Ru behind her. "What advice does Princess Ji have for me?"
Princess Ji glared at Rong Yue, whose beauty seemed even more radiant than before, and spat, "Yan'er is a junior! These children were merely bickering, how could you be so vicious as to slander her?"
"Your divorce from King Cheng already caused an uproar in the capital. Instead of staying quietly at home, you flaunt yourself outside without a shred of feminine virtue, no wonder you raised such a mannerless brat like Song TangNing!"
Rong Yue smirked. "My divorce from Xie Tianyu was approved by His Majesty. The entire capital knows that traitor plotted rebellion, so why should I sequester myself in mourning for him? Princess Ji, however, seems deeply sympathetic toward a criminal."
"What’s the matter? Does the Ji household mourn the rabbit’s death because they fear the hound’s fate? Or do you share the same treasonous ambitions as Xie Tianyu?"
Mourning the rabbit’s death, implying resentment toward Emperor An’s ruthlessness. Sharing the same ambitions, suggesting collusion with the traitor Xie Tianyu.
"You!" Princess Ji’s face paled, but before she could retort, Rong Yue cut her off.
"‘Princess’ Wenqing is over twenty, with who knows how many lives on her hands. My family dares not claim such a child. Moreover, if I recall correctly, she was stripped of her princess title and stipend long ago for murder."
"Princess Ji begged in the palace for days, and it was only the Empress Dowager’s intervention that suppressed the matter to preserve Prince Ji’s dignity. His Majesty, filial to his mother and brotherly toward his kin, turned a blind eye. But it seems the Ji household has forgotten this entirely."
"Xie Yuyan still parades around calling herself a princess, showing no respect to Song TangNing, a county princess personally ennobled by the Emperor. Where are the manners you speak of?"
Rong Yue’s words were like cold water splashed into boiling oil. The crowd outside the Grand Hall erupted in shocked whispers.
Wenqing Princess—no, Xie Yuyan—had been stripped of her title?!
The scandal of Xie Yuyan’s "murder and husband-stealing" had been infamous. Though the palace had reprimanded her, the details were never publicized. With the Empress Dowager’s protection, only the victims and a handful of royals knew her title had been revoked.
Prince Ji Mansion, clinging to their dignity, naturally never advertised it. After confining Xie Yuyan for over half a year, they reined her in slightly upon her release. Outsiders, assuming Prince Ji Mansion still enjoyed imperial favor, kept their distance and never dared provoke her.
No one expected her princess title to have been revoked long ago!
"She’s not a princess?!"
"Then why does she still call herself Wenqing Princess?"
"The Prince Ji family has no shame! At that recent polo match for matchmaking, they were still touting her as a princess seeking a consort!"
"Thank goodness my son didn’t step forward. Imagine only finding out after an engagement that she’d fallen from imperial grace or worse, after marriage! What a farce that would’ve been!"
As the crowd buzzed with gossip, Princess Ji’s face drained of color. She never imagined Rong Yue would know this.
Xie Yuyan, even more humiliated to have her secret exposed, saw red. In a fit of rage, she yanked the whip from her waist and lashed out at Rong Yue.
"Xie Yuyan, have you lost your mind?!"
Qian Qiyue swiftly pulled Rong Yue aside, countering with her own whip. It struck Xie Yuyan’s arm with a sharp "crack!"
"Get out of my way!"
Xie Yuyan staggered back. Seeing Qian Qiyue shielding Rong Yue, she redirected her fury—and her whip—toward Song TangNing’s unprotected face.
But before the whip could land, a hand snatched it mid-air.
"Seeking death!"
Yue Jian yanked hard, sending Xie Yuyan stumbling forward, then delivered a brutal kick to her stomach. Xie Yuyan shrieked as she flew backward, crashing against the vermilion steps of the Grand Hall’s entrance. The heavy doors rattled from the impact.
"Yan'er!"
Princess Ji rushed to her daughter’s side, cradling the unconscious, bloodied girl. She glared at Song TangNing. "How dare you let your servant assault a royal?!"
"Princess Ji, don’t slander me."
Song TangNing, her earlier gentleness gone, tilted her head coolly. "My aunt holds the same rank as you. The Lady of Rong Mansion personally appointed by His Majesty. Xie Yuyan, stripped of her title, is nothing but a commoner. Attacking a noble is a crime. My maid merely defended her. Do you have any objections?"
"You!"
"If you do, it doesn’t matter." Song TangNing smiled. "Yue Jian, arrest Xie Yuyan. Deliver her to the Privy Council’s judicial bureau. Let them decide the punishment for assaulting a superior."
Yue Jian stepped forward. Princess Ji turned ashen.
Everyone knew the Privy Council was Xiao Yan’s domain—and Xiao Yan’s protectiveness of Song TangNing was legendary. If Xie Yuyan entered their courts, even without charges, she’d be skinned alive.
The Fourth Prince’s consort, who had been quietly observing, finally intervened. "Why escalate this? It’s just a minor quarrel. Bringing the Privy Council into it would make it seem like a grave incident at Lingyun Temple."
She positioned herself between the two factions, addressing Song TangNing placatingly. "Tonight is the Yulan Festival. It’s unfitting for such strife. Yuyan is spoiled and acted rashly in defending the Princess. Surely the County Mistress and Lady Rong can overlook a young girl’s folly..."
"Pfft—a 'young girl' of twenty."
Qian Qiyue eyed the Fourth Prince’s consort with disdain. “So young”
The Fourth Prince’s consort stiffened, recalling Qian Qiyue’s bluntness during Qixi Festival. Ignoring her, she pressed Song TangNing: "I know she went too far, but today is for prayers and remembrance. Must we disturb the spirits with violence?"
Madam Qian, who had quietly joined the scene, spoke up drily. "The Fourth Prince’s consort is ever the peacemaker, always conveniently present to plead for mercy."
The Fourth Prince’s consort faltered. "Madam Qian..."
The crowd’s gazes turned speculative.
Madam Qian ignored her, whispering to Rong Yue, "The Ji family and Xie Yuyan have been humiliated enough. If they persist, they’ll face the consequences. Don’t waste energy on them now." She lowered her voice. "Master Xindeng is here."
Rong Yue and Song TangNing glanced toward the entrance. Sure enough, several monks stood there, led by Lingyun Temple’s abbot, Xindeng.
"Amitabha." Xindeng clasped his hands. "Could these benefactors set aside their grievances for this humble monk’s sake?"
Rong Yue hesitated. Song TangNing remained silent.
Xindeng’s serene eyes settled on Song TangNing. "Benefactor, you are blessed by heaven, your fortune is profound. I implore you to forgive where forgiveness is due."
Song TangNing’s heart lurched.
Meeting Xindeng’s gaze, she felt an uncanny sense of exposure as if those tranquil eyes saw through everything.
After a pause, she lowered her lashes. "Since the Master has spoken, let this matter rest."
"This monk thanks you."
Xindeng turned to his disciples. "Escort these two benefactors to the rear quarters to rest."
The monks hurried to assist Princess Ji and Xie Yuyan. Princess Ji shot Song TangNing a venomous glare before hastening away with her daughter.
As the crowd filed into the hall, settling onto cushions with mixed thoughts, Xindeng began his sutra recitation as if no conflict had occurred. His measured voice soothed the restless atmosphere, gradually calming the attendees.
Only Song TangNing remained unsettled, her eyes fixed on the monk before the altar.
That look in Xindeng’s eyes and the words "blessed by heaven"
It felt as though her greatest secret had been laid bare.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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