ong live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! May Your Majesty reign for ten thousand years!" The execution ground immediately echoed with high-pitched cheers.Yun Shanyue heaved a long sigh of relief...Volume 1: Smiling at the Splendor Chapter 11

Li Yun didn't notice Ye Qingran's odd behavior and shook off his hand, continuing to walk forward.

Ye Qingran was stunned for a moment. The white jade-like complexion on his face turned slightly red as he felt his hand being shaken off. He suddenly snapped out of it and quickly caught up with Li Yun, walking by her side but this time, he dared not look at her face; he seemed somewhat uncomfortable about his earlier daze and asked, "Hey, did you... hear what I just said"

"I heard." Li Yun nodded.

"It's good that you heard it. Stay away from that weakling beauty in the future," Ye Qingran reminded her again.

"Mm!" Li Yun responded noncommittally. She was best at listening to others' advice; kindly warnings were usually not baseless. Since Rong Jing could save her with a light sentence, it showed how formidable this person was; she shouldn't get too close.

Seeing that Li Yun had listened to him, Ye Qingran felt elated and his eyebrows lifted again, his steps becoming lighter as he hummed a cheerful mountain song.

Li Yun glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but smile once more. From the moment she arrived here until now, everything had been under tense circumstances. It was rare to have someone who could make her relax.

The two of them quickly left Observation Garden.

Eunuch Lu, having completed his task, naturally smiled and followed behind the two figures.

Night Tianqiong watched as those two identical footsteps faded away. A fist clenched tightly within the sleeve had caused blood to seep into his palm, yet he remained oblivious, still reeling from Li Yun's smile directed at Night Qingran just now. His heart felt heavy and inexplicable frustration clouded his vision.

The Fourth Prince also watched as those two figures left together. Listening to the cheerful little tune Night Qingran was singing while seeing only Li Yun's clear and pure smile, though not for him, it still jolted his senses. He finally brought back his gaze upon seeing the obvious emotions on Night Tianqiong’s face, momentarily stunned before he smiled, "Eldest Brother Crown Prince, you were a step out of place today, weren’t you You didn't expect Moon Sister to be so resolute."

The Crown Prince brought back his gaze and turned to the Fourth Prince.

Although there was a sigh on the Fourth Prince's face, his words were dripping with sarcasm, "Ah, I feel sorry for you. Although Moon Sister is somewhat temperamental towards you, she’s always been very considerate toward you before. Now it's you who pushed her to the edge of a cliff, though she didn't fall off, but in the future, she won’t be the same person anymore!"

The Crown Prince suppressed his turbulent emotions and glared darkly at the Fourth Prince, "Fourth Brother, I see that you've been too idle recently. Should I report to our father about sending you to戍邊 (defend the border) The southwestern region isn't very peaceful now. With your superior martial arts skills and military strategy, you'd surely excel there."

The Fourth Prince's expression changed slightly but he still smiled faintly, "Defending the border doesn’t require my brother. My Eldest Brother’s Concubine’s uncle, Captain Wen, has already been sent ahead. Captain Wen is battle-hardened and can easily handle the six states of Shu in the southwestern region. Furthermore, Father pities Mother Consort Chen for her early passing; as he only has me as a grandson from his side with Grand General Chen, how could he bear to send me there There’s no need for Eldest Brother to worry about your brother."

Speaking of which, the Fourth Prince did not wait for the Crown Prince to speak again and paid deep respects to the Empress sitting at the top seat, "Mother, your son will take his leave!"

"Go then." The Empress waved her hand.

The Fourth Prince no longer glanced at the Crown Prince once; he turned around and walked away calmly.

Yè Tiānqīng's expression was gloomy, as if there was nowhere for him to vent his pent-up emotions. He turned around and bowed to the Empress too, "Mother, your son remembered that there is still one matter unreported to Father Emperor; I will take my leave now."

"Hmm, go then." The Empess nodded.

Yè Tiānqīng also turned and walked down the jade bridge.

The few people walking out in succession changed the air of the Scenic Garden from heavy to light instantly. The women all looked at each other before looking towards the Empress collectively. Princess Qingwan, however, was eyeing Yún Muhán who had been staring at the chessboard intently.

"I am tired today. Let us postpone the Poetry Recital for another day! You can all leave." The Empress looked over her subordinates and saw disappointment in many of their eyes; she withdrew her gaze, raised her hand to the old nursemaid behind her, and the latter immediately stepped forward to support the Empress as they left the Scenic Garden with a retinue.

"Escort Empress Dowager!" The group of women respectfully made way for her.

They watched until the empress dowager was out of sight, then everyone turned to look at Princess Qingwan.

Princess Qingwan stared at Yun Muh寒 for a long time but he didn't give her even a glance. She finally gave up and waved her hand irritably at everyone, "Since Empress Dowager and Crown Prince Brother have left, let's all go back."

The others also felt that there was no point in lingering any longer, so they all nodded and gradually dispersed.

However, the pink-clad woman and green-clad woman didn't leave. They were still puzzled as to why Yun Qianyue had received such favor from Prince Jing and Young Marquis Ran. She was arrogant and tyrannical with a bad reputation. No girl in the imperial court could compare to her in receiving their favors. Feeling aggrieved, they both looked at Princess Qingwan.

"What are you looking at me for How should I know what luck Yun Qianyue has today" Princess Qingwan glared at them and said to the pink-clad woman, "Linglan, your brother is Prince Jing. Don't tell me you don't know why he's saving Yun Qianyue."

Rong Linglan shook her head. "Princess, you should be aware that Brother has changed since his serious illness. Although he is gentle in nature, he is also indifferent. He doesn't care about anyone in the Glory王府. Even Grandfather can only see him if he arranges it beforehand with his close attendant. As for me, I hardly ever go to his courtyard once a year and even when I do, I don't always get to see him. He probably doesn't even remember who I am anymore. How would I know that today he went out of the王府to protect Yun Qianyue"

Hearing this, Princess Qingwan frowned. "Then do you know if there is any connection between Prince Jing and Yun Qianyue"

"It is said that he spends most of his day in **. Over the past decade, no one from our household has seen him step out of the estate even once. How could he possibly have any dealings with Yun Qianyue" Rong Linglan shook her head again.

Princess Qingwan looked at Rong Linglan who couldn't provide an explanation and turned to the green-robed woman, "Su Li, did you receive any message from Uncle Xiangqing Wang earlier How could Yun Qianyue have such good luck today She has become a hot commodity. Even my Imperial Brother, the Crown Prince, can't get her."

"In the morning, I only heard Grandpa say that Yun Qianyue might be in trouble today, so she came to the palace early. After entering the imperial city, she went directly to your inner quarters and has been with you ever since. Naturally, I don't understand what luck she had or how she managed to receive such protection from two powerful figures." Leng Sulie also said resentfully.

Princess Qingwan didn’t get any information either. She then looked at Yun Muhuan who had been sitting still without moving even when Empress Lian and the Crown Prince left, seemingly not hearing their conversation as he kept his head lowered. She waved her hand toward both of them, "You should return to your respective households now and find out what exactly happened."

The two people nodded in agreement, exchanged a glance, and understood that this princess favored Yun Muhuan, the Young Master of Cloud Manor. They tactfully withdrew since they preferred Crown Prince Daliang's straightforward character despite thinking highly of Yun Muhuan.

When their founding emperor first established the Heavenly Saint Dynasty, he bestowed his only brother with the title of hereditary Deqin King, which is today’s Deqin Manor. He also granted the titles of hereditary Xiangqing King to those unrelated brothers-in-arms who had sworn brotherhood in times of hardship during the war for the kingdom, now known as Xiangqing Manor. Two generals who fought alongside him until death were given the titles of hereditary Princes and became today’s Rong Manor and Cloud Manor respectively. Since an incident involving a woman he adored came from Cloud Manor, there was a will stating that each Heavenly Saint Empress must come from Cloud Manor.

So, one being the second daughter of Rong Manor, and the other being a princess of Xiangqing Manor who only held the title but had no blood relation with the royal family naturally both had opportunities to marry the Crown Prince.

The two people left with their own thoughts. The View Pavilion once again fell silent.

"Muhan, aren't you the least fond of this sister Why are you helping her today" Princess Qingwan approached Yun Muhan. Her voice softened involuntarily. He had always treated Yun Qianyue indifferently before, clearly indicating that he disliked her. Moreover, every time they saw him quarreling with Yun Qianyue, he never said a word. She originally thought that dealing with Yun Qianyue would make him happy, but she didn't expect that he was actually helping Yun Qianyue today.

"Even if I dislike her, she is still my sister. No one else has the right to bully her." Yun Muhan suddenly stood up, threw out this sentence, and left without even glancing at Princess Qingwan once, his head turned away from her. His slender figure quickly exited Jing Garden.

Princess Qingwan's face paled slightly as she involuntarily took a step back. She wanted to say something but in the end didn't utter a word. She originally thought that since he disliked that sister of hers, how could such an arrogant and undisciplined woman be worthy of being his sister That was why she had repeatedly helped Rong Linglan and Leng Shuli attack Yun Qianyue, thinking he would be pleased. But it turned out that things were not like that at all... Seeing Yun Muhan's figure disappear without even looking back, she angrily stamped her foot and swept the jade table with her sleeves, sending all the fruit plates and pastries to the ground. She then ran crying towards her own palace quarters.

At this moment, Li Yun had already left Jing Garden together with Ye Qingran.

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If you like the story, please add it to your [Bookshelf] and follow for more exciting content ahead!

I also recommend Zi Qing's completed masterpiece "Consort of Astonishing Splendor", which those who haven't read can take a look at. O(^_^)O she would need to carry him back after drinking this big jar of wine. She shook her head and said, "No way! He doesn’t drink!""Little miss, you’re already in charge before marrying him" Pu Shan raise...