Everyone was stunned. No one had expected the usually dignified Lady Rong to fight so viciously.
Princess Leyang’s meticulously styled hair was torn loose, her scalp burning as Rong Yue dragged her head back and rained down slap after slap, her face quickly swelling.
"Y-you—let go of me—!"
"How dare you—!"
"Help—!"
The princess shrieked in pain, and her attendants finally snapped out of their shock, lunging forward to rescue her. But before they could lay a hand on Rong Yue, a flash of steel cut through the air.
One of them clutched his bleeding arm and staggered back with a howl. Cang Lang and Hang Li swiftly moved to shield Rong Yue, their blades drawn.
The sight of blood snapped the onlookers out of their daze.
"Lady Rong!" Old Madam Fu called sharply. "There’s no need for violence—let’s talk this through!"
Madam Qian was equally horrified. She could tell something sinister had happened tonight, and though she despised Princess Leyang, the woman was still a member of the imperial family. If anything happened to her, Rong Yue would pay dearly.
"Lady Rong, don’t act rashly! Everyone here witnessed what happened tonight—justice will be served. Release the princess first!"
"Yes, let’s discuss this calmly!"
"Maybe there’s been a misunderstanding!"
The crowd urged restraint, but Princess Leyang, emboldened, snarled, "Rong Yue, you bitch! How dare you hurt me?! I’ll have you—"
"Ah—!"
Her head jerked back as Rong Yue yanked her hair so hard it felt like her scalp was being ripped off. Rong Yue’s voice was icy. "Then I’ll kill you first."
"You wouldn’t dare!"
Princess Leyang panicked, and the onlookers grew frantic.
Tangning stared at Rong Yue, stunned by the murderous rage radiating from her. She had never seen her aunt react like this—but then she remembered the bloodshed in the Song household in her past life, when Rong Yue had stormed in after her disgrace.
This was her aunt’s true nature.
She would protect Tangning at all costs, no matter the time or place.
Warmth filled Tangning’s eyes as she stepped forward and gently grasped Rong Yue’s wrist. She turned to Cang Lang and Yue Jian. "Knock out the people inside first, and find something to cover the Fourth Prince’s consort."
Cang Lang strode in and struck Sun Yi’s neck with the hilt of his blade, sending the man collapsing unconscious. Yue Jian tore down a brown curtain from the prayer hall and draped it over the half-naked consort.
Only then did Tangning speak softly to Rong Yue. "Aunt, let her go for now."
Seeing the fury still burning in Rong Yue’s eyes, she added,
"The truth of what happened here isn’t clear yet. Princess Leyang called my name for no reason—that alone is suspicious. And since the Fourth Prince’s consort is involved, we must investigate thoroughly."
"Abbot Liaowu and the others are here now. Lingyun Temple is also a victim in this. We should report this to the authorities—let the law decide right and wrong."
Rong Yue’s rage subsided slightly at Tangning’s words. With a cold snort, she released her grip—only for a clump of hair to fall from her hand. Princess Leyang whimpered, clutching her scalp.
"Report it! Report it now!"
"No, you can’t!"
Two voices clashed at once.
Princess Leyang screamed against reporting the incident, while the other voice—
The crowd turned to see the Fourth Prince being wheeled forward in his chair, his entire body radiating malice. Even with half his face hidden behind a mask, the visible half was twisted in fury.
"This cannot be reported!"
"That’s not for you to decide, Your Highness," Rong Yue said coldly.
The Fourth Prince’s heart sank. He turned desperately to Tangning.
"County Princess, tonight’s events were clearly a plot against my household. Yinxuan was violated—she’s the victim here! If this is reported, the scandal will spread like wildfire. The rumors alone would destroy her!"
His eyes pleaded, but Tangning only frowned.
"Your Highness is mistaken. The Fourth Prince’s consort would never willingly engage in such depravity. But we cannot simply ignore what happened to her. If you know someone plotted against your household, how can you let them go unpunished?"
"I understand you wish to protect her, but too many people witnessed this tonight. Can you guarantee no one will talk? If rumors spread unchecked, wild speculation will only harm her more."
"If you truly care for her, you should demand the truth. Bring the culprits to justice, for her sake, and for Lingyun Temple’s!"
The Fourth Prince’s face twitched as Tangning spoke so righteously about protecting his consort.
He had no idea how things had gone so wrong, but he knew the truth behind tonight’s scheme—and he couldn’t afford an investigation.
He lowered his voice. "But what about Yinxuan? The authorities may not uncover the truth, but her reputation will be ruined—"
"Then let the Privy Council handle it."
Cang Lang strode out, dragging the unconscious Sun Yi wrapped in the curtain. He tossed him onto the ground with a thud, his expression dark.
"The man who was with Sun Yi is dead. This is now a murder case—you can’t cover it up, Your Highness."
He pulled a small object from his robes and hurled it into the sky.
A streak of light shot upward before exploding in a bright flare.
"The signal has been sent. The Black Armor Guard will arrive shortly. No one leaves this temple tonight!"
You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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