Jiang Ruan's clothes were immaculate, her hair perfectly in place, yet even in such circumstances, her elegance remained undiminished. The civil and military officials at court had caught a glimpse of her when she accompanied Empress Dowager Yide back to the palace, knowing she was enchantingly beautiful. Now, after not seeing her for many days, her sudden appearance in the Golden Hall—even clad in prisoner's garb—only accentuated her exquisite features, as if she were a vivid and alluring malevolent spirit. It seemed as though this young woman grew more beautiful with each passing day, her radiance now surpassing even her previous appearance. For a moment, some of the younger officials in the court were utterly captivated.
Jiang Ruan walked slowly, her gaze settling on the man in black robes standing at the forefront of the officials. Today, he wore a first-rank court robe embroidered with golden pythons, making him stand out even more strikingly among the crowd of heaven's favored sons. He was, without a doubt, the most eye-catching figure present.
Noticing Jiang Ruan's gaze, a flicker of amusement flashed in Xiao Shao's eyes. With that smile, his handsome and heroic features took on an added layer of refined charm, exuding an innate grace.
This silent exchange did not escape Liu Min, who had been closely observing Jiang Ruan's every move. A sense of loss washed over him, his heart aching inexplicably. His initial concern for Jiang Ruan instantly transformed into overwhelming discomfort. He turned his head slightly away, unwilling to witness this disheartening scene any longer.
Ye Li smiled gently, his eyes fixed intently on Jiang Ruan as if she were prey about to fall into a trap, his expression brimming with smug satisfaction.
Standing beside Ye Li, Ye Lang leaned slightly inward, as if avoiding something. To others, it merely appeared that the timid and weak fourth prince was nervous about testifying for the first time.
Zhao Guang frowned deeply, his gaze filled with heartache as he looked at Jiang Ruan. This was his Zhao family's flesh and blood, now imprisoned, yet he, as her grandfather, could do nothing. Xiao Shao had already warned him that there was a plan in place. Though Zhao Guang had a fiery temper, he knew Xiao Shao was a man of his word, and acting rashly might disrupt his arrangements. But now, with no sign of action from Xiao Shao, Zhao Guang had already cursed him vehemently in his heart, thinking, What a reckless pup, toying with my Zhao family like this! Could I have been deceived? Is this brat just a coward, too afraid to clear Ruan's name and backing out at the last moment?
Unlike Zhao Guang, Empress Dowager Yide, though equally worried for Jiang Ruan, showed not a trace of it on her face, maintaining her usual serene composure. Only the ruby nail guard on her left hand betrayed her unease as it slowly traced the edge of her chair—a habitual gesture whenever she was troubled.
Jiang Ruan held a special place in Empress Dowager Yide's heart. Initially, she had seen her as Princess Yuan Rong, but over the years of their interactions, genuine affection had grown. Now, Jiang Ruan was also Xiao Shao's beloved. The empress dowager knew Xiao Shao's temperament well—such a man, once he set his heart on someone, would never waver. Since he had chosen Jiang Ruan, he would never allow her to remain in danger.However, Xiao Shao's temperament was unyielding, and Empress Dowager Yide found it difficult to intervene in this matter because she understood that Xiao Shao must have already taken action in secret—though she didn’t know what exactly he had done. She could only hope that Jiang Ruan’s composed nature might temper him somewhat. Of course, the Empress Dowager could never have known that in certain matters, Jiang Ruan’s temperament was ten thousand times more unyielding than Xiao Shao’s.
"Princess of Great Peace!" It was the Minister of Justice, Luo, who spoke under the Emperor’s instruction. "You murdered Princess Heyi—the evidence is irrefutable, and your intentions are unforgivable. To harm a member of the imperial family is a crime of the highest order. What do you have to say for yourself?"
After the case was handed over to the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Court had already conducted a preliminary trial, during which a guilty verdict was nearly pronounced. However, Jiang Ruan adamantly refused to confess, and later, the matter was delayed due to the Emperor’s decision to personally oversee the trial.
"Princess Heyi was not killed by me," Jiang Ruan declared.
Her expression showed not a trace of panic, her words firm and resounding, as if they were indisputable proof. People tend to believe what they see before them, and even those who had been convinced of Jiang Ruan’s guilt now wavered slightly—after all, people are always more lenient toward beauty.
"What sharp words, what a venomous beauty!" Shu Fei sneered coldly. "At such a young age, you harbor such malice! I don’t know how my Heyi offended you, but you took her life! As her mother, I will demand justice for my child. Princess of Great Peace, a life must be paid for a life!" Shu Fei then turned to the Emperor, her eyes instantly welling with tears. "Your Majesty, Heyi was your daughter. You must grant justice to your consort and to Heyi, who has passed!"
The Emperor glanced down at Jiang Ruan, who knelt with her head bowed in the hall, and said indifferently, "Princess of Great Peace, if you claim you did not kill Heyi, then you must provide evidence. If you cannot, then We can only conclude that you have nothing to say in your defense!"
By the end of his words, his tone had sharpened, carrying an inexplicable undercurrent of intimidation—the wrath of the Emperor could bring about countless deaths. The officials trembled inwardly, recognizing the signs of the Emperor’s rising anger, and none dared to speak, fearing the fury might turn toward them. Yet the young woman in the hall remained utterly composed, as if the Emperor’s thunderous rage were nothing more than a spring drizzle, fleeting and insignificant.
Her gaze swept briefly over the officials, pausing for a moment on the yellow-robed monk standing beside the Emperor. The monk, with his kind and benevolent expression, held prayer beads in one hand. Meeting her gaze, he lowered his eyes slightly, about to murmur a Buddhist chant.
"I can testify for her—Princess Heyi’s death had nothing to do with her!"
A clear, bright voice suddenly rang out in the hall, abrupt as a thunderclap striking everyone present. Xiao Shao frowned slightly, the Emperor’s eyes flickered, Shu Fei straightened abruptly in her seat, and Empress Dowager Yide’s fingers, adorned with ruby nail guards, stilled.
Jiang Ruan, however, widened her eyes in shock, her body trembling as she turned around in disbelief.
This earth-shattering declaration, like a stone cast into the tranquil waters of the imperial court, sent ripples through the hall. Emerging from behind the eunuchs and palace maids who escorted him, a small figure stood tall and straight, carrying an air of solemnity—none other than Ye Pei.Everyone looked at Ye Pei in astonishment. The Thirteenth Prince had almost reached the point of being completely ignored in the court. While Ye Lang was merely incompetent, he at least had Consort Xian above him to protect him, so he wasn’t bullied. But Ye Pei was born to a lowly palace maid, and now that his birth mother had passed away, he had become utterly forgotten in the palace. If not deliberately mentioned, no one would likely remember there was such a person in the palace.
Perhaps Ye Pei had dressed up specially today, choosing a lotus-blue brocade robe. The color was dignified, but Ye Pei was only an eight- or nine-year-old boy, making it look somewhat awkward on him. Moreover, though the robe appeared to be made of fine brocade, it was likely an outdated style from years ago, and it was clearly ill-fitting at first glance.
Yet even so, the small figure walked forward with steady steps. Though not tall, he carried an air of calm composure. Even the Emperor couldn’t help but show a flicker of surprise in his eyes. It was said that one’s demeanor could be judged by their behavior, and Ye Pei’s sudden appearance before everyone was nothing like the weak, cowardly lowly prince they had imagined. Instead, he exuded an innate grace and presence, even giving the illusion that, given time, this prince would surely rise above the ordinary. At such a young age, he already possessed a restrained and steady demeanor. Though members of the imperial family were naturally privileged, even Ye Li in his youth had been no different.
Ye Pei walked into the Golden Hall, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt beside Jiang Ruan. “Imperial Father,” he said, “this son can testify that Princess Heyi was not killed by the Princess of Great Peace!”
Jiang Ruan stared blankly at the boy before her. Seen up close, unlike the bullied child she had encountered before, Ye Pei seemed like a completely different person, his face deliberately composed in a maturity that felt utterly unfamiliar.
Ye Pei had always been timid, often bullied in the palace due to his birth mother’s low status. In her past life, she had entered the palace around this time and had encountered Ye Pei being mistreated. After offering a few words of comfort, the matter somehow reached the Emperor’s ears, and Ye Pei was entrusted to her care.
In that life, she and Ye Pei had relied on each other in the palace. He had been the most sensible child she had ever known, yet like her, he had been trapped in the depths of the palace, never given the chance to shine in court like the other princes. Before meeting her, Ye Pei had been deliberately stunted by those with ulterior motives in the palace. Though eight or nine years old, his mind had been no different from that of a four- or five-year-old.
Now, this child was acting completely contrary to his past self. There was no trace of the dull-wittedness from before—his gaze was clear and sharp. Ye Pei had always been handsome; in her past life, Li Dong had taken a liking to him precisely because of his extraordinary beauty. Now, the boy’s refined features, kneeling beside Jiang Ruan, gave the people in the Golden Hall a fleeting sense of déjà vu. For a moment, they felt the two shared a striking resemblance in demeanor and bearing, though they quickly dismissed it as overthinking.Ye Lang and Ye Li's expressions shifted slightly. The appearance of Ye Pei was unexpected for both of them. Although Ye Pei was said to be unfavored, nominally he was still a prince like them. In Ye Li's eyes, Ye Pei wasn't even worth an ant—his name was rarely heard in the depths of the palace. Young in age and raised to be useless from childhood, he posed no threat at all. His sudden appearance today, especially if he were to speak up for Jiang Ruan, had already shocked Ye Li. Now, Ye Pei's demeanor and bearing deepened Ye Li's unease.
The Emperor gazed at Ye Pei with a complicated expression. This son had never been on his mind. Over the years, he couldn't even remember how many princes had died—the palace was never short of buried bones. Perhaps it was heaven's punishment on him. Among his sons, those with talent were either ambitious wolves or utterly incompetent, like the Crown Prince, shallow in character. If not for his secret protection, the Crown Prince would have long become a casualty in others' power struggles.
The Emperor couldn't recall Ye Pei's mother. In the depths of the palace, a prince born of lowly origins was insignificant to him, and he had never cared. Seeing Ye Pei today, he felt an indescribable emotion.
The youth was strikingly handsome, with delicate features. Having lived long in the palace, his skin was excessively pale, but his young age kept it from looking sickly—instead, he resembled a captivating crystal doll. He had inherited the royal family's innate grace and carried it flawlessly. Despite years of seclusion and unknown living conditions, not an ounce of his noble bearing had diminished.
More importantly, from the moment he entered, he met the Emperor's gaze directly, his voice respectful but not subservient, his demeanor composed but not arrogant. He didn't seem like an eight- or nine-year-old child—more like a youth of fifteen or sixteen.
The Emperor suddenly realized he had overlooked a potentially outstanding prince for so many years.
Xiao Shao's expression flickered slightly. He noticed something unusual in Jiang Ruan's gaze toward Ye Pei—though she tried to hide it, a trace of it still leaked out. He had Brocade-clad Guards planted in the palace and had heard of the Thirteenth Prince's circumstances—a spoiled, feeble-minded child raised to be useless. How could such a drastic change happen overnight? Earlier, Jiang Ruan had intervened to help Ye Pei, and according to the Brocade-clad Guards' reports, Ye Pei had still been a timid prince bullied by palace maids. How had he transformed into this poised and composed figure today? The palace servants accompanying him also behaved impeccably, clearly genuinely respectful of their master.
He had initially thought Ye Pei's appearance was Jiang Ruan's doing, but now it seemed otherwise—her expression showed she was unaware. What exactly was this Thirteenth Prince's intention?
Xiao Shao paused. Perhaps it was his imagination, but Ye Pei's mannerisms bore an uncanny resemblance to Jiang Ruan's—almost identical.
After a long silence, the Emperor finally spoke slowly, "Oh? And how do you intend to testify?""On the day of the incident, I was also at the Bathing Breeze Pavilion and witnessed with my own eyes that Princess Heyi was dragged onto the chair by two palace maids. At first, I thought they were just playing around, but then the Princess of Great Peace arrived. I saw her step forward to inquire, and immediately after, Princess Heyi collapsed. The incident happened so suddenly that I was bewildered and slipped away unnoticed. Later, I heard the news that the Princess of Great Peace had been imprisoned. After much deliberation, I felt something was amiss. Though fearful, I couldn’t stand by and watch her be wronged. I admit my cowardice for only coming forward to testify now. I beg Your Majesty to discern the truth!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd collectively gasped. What did the Thirteenth Prince mean by his testimony? He claimed to have been present as a witness, while the Fourth Prince Ye Lang also insisted he had seen everything with his own eyes. Ye Pei’s words were clearly accusing Ye Lang of lying!
Ye Lang’s expression shifted several times, well aware of the gravity of the situation. Now that Ye Pei had spoken, he was inevitably dragged into this mess. Regardless of the outcome, Ye Pei’s statement had already sown seeds of doubt in the Emperor’s mind.
Who was Ye Pei? Merely an eight or nine-year-old child. No matter how composed he appeared, his youth was undeniable. People would assume a child had no reason to lie, whereas Ye Lang’s credibility was far more questionable.
Before Ye Lang could defend himself, Consort Shu impatiently interjected, "Do you realize what you’re saying? The Fourth Prince also witnessed it firsthand. Are you implying he’s lying?" Consort Shu seethed with hatred for Ye Pei—a lowborn child of a palace maid, now conspiring with Jiang Ruan to exonerate her. If so, she would drag this Thirteenth Prince down with them and make him pay for his audacity!
Empress Dowager Yide regarded Ye Pei with puzzlement. Initially surprised to see him, she had assumed it was Xiao Shao’s arrangement, wondering when the two had become connected. Yet upon hearing Ye Pei’s clear and articulate speech—unlike the rumors circulating in the palace—she felt somewhat reassured. She trusted Xiao Shao’s judgment implicitly. If Xiao Shao had chosen Ye Pei, the boy must be exceptional. Among the princes, one with talent but no ambition was a rare find indeed.
At once, Empress Dowager Yide cast a cool glance at Consort Shu and remarked, "The matter is not yet settled, Consort Shu. I find you overstepping."
Not daring to offend the Empress Dowager, Consort Shu reluctantly fell silent, though her mind raced with schemes to implicate Ye Pei as well.
The Emperor glanced at Ye Pei. Though displeased that the boy was defending Jiang Ruan, he still asked, "Oh? You do realize the Fourth Prince’s account differs from yours."
"Your Majesty, I do not know what Fourth Brother said, but I saw him present when the palace maids escorted Princess Heyi to the Bathing Breeze Pavilion. I also overheard his subsequent words to the Princess of Great Peace." Ye Pei’s voice was bright and clear, devoid of the gloom typical of grown men, instead carrying the transparency and vigor unique to youth. It was soothing to the ears, lending an air of credibility to his words.
Ye Lang clenched his fists as the Emperor asked, "What words?"Jiang Ruan glanced at Ye Pei. At this point, she was somewhat uncertain whether Ye Pei had been present that day. To her, Ye Pei's appearance today was utterly baffling. It was precisely because of his sudden arrival that her plans involving Huijue could not proceed. Ye Pei shouldn’t have been there that day, and what puzzled her even more was how, in such a short time, Ye Pei seemed like a completely different person. What exactly had happened?
"Your son heard Fourth Brother tell the Princess of Great Peace that when he brings up the matter of marriage before the Empress Dowager, she must not refuse—otherwise, she would be guilty of a capital offense," Ye Pei declared loudly.
As soon as these words were spoken, the Golden Hall fell into silence so profound that even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.
Ye Lang’s face instantly turned deathly pale, and his first reaction was to glance at Ye Li’s expression.
Jiang Ruan was momentarily stunned, then inwardly scoffed. It seemed Ye Pei definitely hadn’t been at Fengbo Pavilion that day. His words were undeniably shrewd—no sooner had he spoken than not only did the Emperor’s expression shift slightly, but even Ye Li’s composure wavered.
Ye Lang had framed Jiang Ruan for murder solely for Ye Li’s sake, with the ultimate goal of forcing her into Ye Li’s household. Yet Ye Pei’s statement implied something else entirely—that Ye Lang intended to marry Jiang Ruan himself. Ye Li, outwardly magnanimous but deeply suspicious, would inevitably wonder whether Ye Lang was feigning compliance while secretly pursuing his own agenda. Though Ye Lang was incompetent, he still had Xian Fei backing him. With Noble Consort Chen now out of favor, Ye Lang might very well have a chance to rise further. If Jiang Ruan married Ye Lang, the benefits she could bring to Ye Li would instead fall to Ye Lang.
It wasn’t impossible that Ye Lang harbored ulterior motives.
Ye Li’s eyes flickered faintly, no longer as composed as before. Having conspired with Ye Lang for years, he knew exactly what the latter was thinking. Furious at Ye Pei’s divisive tactic but unable to explain himself to Ye Li in front of everyone, Ye Lang grew increasingly anxious. He strode to the center of the hall and knelt before the Emperor with a loud thud.
"Father, please judge fairly—your son is wronged!" Ye Lang’s voice was heavy with anguish. A skilled actor, he wore a convincingly bewildered expression, his gaze at Ye Pei filled with aggrieved indignation. "Thirteenth Brother, we are brothers of the same blood. Who has manipulated you into slandering me? You are still young—do not fall into someone else’s trap."
His words subtly directed suspicion toward Jiang Ruan, successfully playing on the Emperor’s distrust of her. Given Ye Pei’s youth, it was entirely plausible he had been misled. The officials all turned their eyes to Jiang Ruan, who remained outwardly composed but inwardly unsettled.
What was Ye Pei trying to achieve? She had no wish to drag him into this affair, yet his actions today had undoubtedly drawn the attention of many in court—including Ye Li, who would surely note his unusual behavior. Making such a spectacle today might not bode well for Ye Pei. Without the means to protect himself, it was predictable that after today, his standing in court would improve—but so too would his troubles multiply.For a mother, protecting her child is instinctive. Jiang Ruan was unwilling to involve Ye Pei, but no one could have anticipated the situation escalating to this point, leaving everyone at a loss for how to resolve it.
"Every word I've spoken is true, and I beg Your Majesty to judge fairly." Ye Pei ignored Ye Lang's words, his tone as stubborn as ever.
The Emperor gazed at Ye Pei with deep, inscrutable eyes and said gravely, "Both of you have your own versions of events, and one of you must be lying. Even with your testimony, the Princess of Great Peace cannot be absolved of involvement."
Even with Ye Pei's testimony, the conflicting accounts meant Jiang Ruan's innocence couldn't be proven. The drama was far from over.
Unexpectedly, Ye Pei shook his head. "No, I'm not the only witness. There is one more person who can testify for the Princess of Great Peace."
The court erupted in murmurs—another witness?
"Oh? Who else?" the Emperor asked.
"And me." A voice suddenly broke the silence. The Crown Prince smiled faintly and stepped forward from among the officials.
The Empress and Empress Dowager Yide both tensed, Ye Li's clenched fist trembled slightly, and Ye Lang stared at the Crown Prince in disbelief.
The Crown Prince gave Jiang Ruan a meaningful glance before walking over to Ye Pei’s side. With a sweep of his robe, he knelt down as well, the three of them now kneeling side by side. The Crown Prince addressed the Emperor, “Your Majesty, everything the Thirteenth Prince said is true, for I was also present that day.”
Jiang Ruan frowned. Ye Pei had not been there that day, so the Crown Prince’s words were nothing but lies. She had instructed Xiao Shao not to interfere, and the Crown Prince’s sudden involvement was certainly not Xiao Shao’s doing. Even if someone from the General’s Residence wanted to find a way to save her, they wouldn’t go through the Crown Prince. Therefore, it couldn’t be them either. This matter was becoming rather peculiar. Jiang Ruan glanced at Ye Pei, and a thought suddenly flashed through her mind—could it be Ye Pei?
Before the Emperor could speak, Shu Fei (Consort) finally lost her composure and cried out again, “Crown Prince, what nonsense are you spouting? Have you been bewitched as well?”
The Empress cast a cold look at Shu Fei and said, “Shu Fei, mind your words.” Though the Empress held only a nominal position in the palace, she still commanded some authority in the Emperor’s presence. Normally, she turned a blind eye to the affairs of the inner court, but when it concerned the Crown Prince, she had no choice but to intervene. She wouldn’t care if Shu Fei framed or schemed against others, but once it involved the Crown Prince, she couldn’t stand idly by.
“Silence.” The Emperor was also angered by Shu Fei’s outburst. He had previously indulged her out of sympathy for the loss of her beloved daughter, but now she was truly crossing the line. However, he was still suspicious of the Crown Prince’s sudden defense of Jiang Ruan. This son of his was foolish and easily manipulated, often acting arrogantly and making reckless decisions. It was unlike him to step forward and help someone voluntarily. Today, his stance clearly favored Jiang Ruan—could there be some connection between Jiang Ruan and the Crown Prince? Ye Pei’s involvement had already puzzled him greatly, so why was the Crown Prince meddling as well?
(End of Chapter)
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