Chapter 193: Chapter 157: A Change in the Heavens (Bonus Chapter for Gonggong)

The Empress and Emperor, upon seeing their daughter’s aggrieved expression, immediately felt heartbroken. They quickly took the box from Shen Jingxian and the gift inside, which was no longer recognizable, and began to shower her with praises.

“Yi Fen, how filial you are to bring gifts for your father and mother when you go out. Your father truly loves you for a reason!” He said as he lifted the box Shen Jingxian brought back and gave it a big kiss.

After kissing the box, he attempted to kiss the Empress, but she ruthlessly rejected him. Only then did he turn to Shen Jingxian and left a slobber mark on her face.

She understood perfectly well that her father had sauerkraut fish for lunch.

Shen Jingxian: Father, let me say thank you, for as long as you are here, the four seasons are warm and comforting.

The Emperor, unaware of his daughter’s disdain, even commented on how soft it was.

The Empress softly consoled her, “My child, when your father and I let you go out to play, it wasn’t so you could bring us gifts. It doesn’t matter if it’s spoiled.”

Even as she spoke, she carefully put away the box Shen Jingxian gifted, her face still showing a loving smile.

These are the two highest-ranking people in Yunyi Country, yet at this moment, they were as happy as two children.

Parents’ happiness is often just this simple.

“Er Ya, you must have been frightened today. Come let Mother hold you.”

“Okay.” Shen Jingxian obediently ran over and dove into the Empress’s arms.

The Empress had trouble sleeping since six years ago, and the hall was always filled with the scent of Baili Sandalwood, so much so that the Empress herself was also soaked in the rich fragrance.

As soon as Shen Jingxian nestled into the Empress’s embrace, she was enveloped by this scent, and in a trance, she felt as if she had fallen into a soft pillow, instantly overcome by sleepiness.

For Shen Jingxian, who had not often encountered this fragrance, the Baili Sandalwood was profoundly effective. She snuggled closer to the Empress and gradually fell asleep leaning against her.

As Shen Jingxian’s steady breathing was heard, the Empress and Emperor tacitly paused their conversation.

The Empress held Shen Jingxian, stroking her hair as she did when she was young, over and over. When she saw the distinct red mark on Shen Jingxian’s face, her gaze turned cold.

Prince Jing’s nephew.

The Empress glanced at the Emperor, her expression hostile: Why are you still standing here? Someone has bullied your daughter right to her face.

The Emperor sheepishly leaned in: I just want to take a few more looks at the sleeping Yi Fen～

The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly: I’ll count to three, one…

Emperor: I’m leaving now, my lady, please rest well.

The Empress looked back at her daughter in her arms, her gaze softening once more.

This is her life, and no one can touch it.

Once the Emperor left the Imperial Study Room, the foolhardiness on his face vanished completely, and he exuded a menacing aura, “Where is the person?”

The Commander of the Forbidden Army hurriedly replied, trembling, “Reporting to the Emperor, the person has been brought to the dungeon.”

“Did you chop off his hand?”

The Commander of the Forbidden Army was taken aback; that was Prince Jing’s nephew. He was just in charge of capturing him, so how dared he actually act?

“Reporting to the Emperor… no…”

The Emperor didn’t look back, “Whichever hand injured the Princess, chop off that hand. If both hands hurt the Princess, chop them both off.”

“Yes!”

The Commander’s face didn’t change, but he was shocked inside. This was not just an ordinary commoner but a noble of royal blood. Yet, the Emperor showed no mercy at all.

As always, anything pertaining to the Princess was the Emperor’s reverse scale.

Moreover, the Princess had only recently experienced such an incident; seeing her injured must further sadden the Emperor. The Commander presumed that this nephew of Prince Jing was likely in grave danger.

Just as he thought of this, he heard the Empress coldly say, “Bring Prince Jing to the palace to see me.”

After that, the weather in the Imperial City changed.

Prince Jing’s nephew attempted to assassinate the Princess in the street, causing her injury. This enraged the Emperor, who immediately summoned Prince Jing to the palace for questioning. Subsequently, Prince Jing was imprisoned, and all male members related to the Prince Jing Mansion within three generations were implicated.

The once-glorious Prince Jing Mansion, overnight, was left with only the women managing it.

Although the title of Prince Jing remained, the power had vanished.

All this happened so quickly that Shen Jingxian hadn’t yet woken from her sleep.

Pan Jiaojiao wanted to enter the palace to see Shen Jingxian as soon as possible but was blocked by people sent by the Empress. With no way to plead her case, she could only go to Song Yan.

Although she usually clashed with Song Yan, she knew Song Yan was clever. Things unclear to her could be understood by Song Yan at a glance.

When she found Song Yan, Song Yan was making tea, brewing the Princess’s favorite black tea, with a small bowl of milk simmering beside it, which was also the Princess’s favorite combination.

The Princess once said that mixing milk with tea turns it into milk tea.

Every time she finished dancing for the Princess, the Princess would hand her a cup of milk tea.

Thinking of this, Pan Jiaojiao’s nose turned sour, and tears were about to fall uncontrollably. She was confident that today’s events were not orchestrated by the Princess. The Princess wouldn’t do this to her; her father also comforted her when he left, saying there wouldn’t be any issues, given that the nephew had no good relations with them.

But the outcome now was completely different from what her father had said and what she had imagined. She felt there must be more complexity to this matter, but her mother would only cry, and her mind was too dull to understand. Unable to see the Princess, she could only turn to Song Yan.

Although she didn’t know if Song Yan would help her, her instincts still drew her in this direction.

Song Yan had long since moved out of the Song Mansion, living in a courtyard of three entrances and exits, which was a privilege granted by the Princess.

Since getting familiar with Song Yan, Pan Jiaojiao often went to her to enter the palace together to find the Princess to play, so she knew where Song Yan lived. The servants at Song Yan’s home also recognized Pan Jiaojiao, so they didn’t stop her.

Thus, Pan Jiaojiao smoothly ran to Song Yan.

Song Yan was slightly startled to see Pan Jiaojiao. She had heard about the situation at the Prince Jing Mansion, and she could roughly guess why Pan Jiaojiao showed up. However… she was confused as to whether their relationship was close enough to weather through hard times together. Why seek her at such a moment?

She really didn’t want any trouble.

Pan Jiaojiao’s eyes were red, her usually arrogant and domineering face now looking pitiful. Song Yan initially didn’t want to bother with her, but then she thought if Pan Jiaojiao went to the Princess with such a look and complained… she might as well get involved.

The Princess was kind and gentle, and Pan Jiaojiao was constantly indulged by her when she acted out…

Song Yan tapped on the table, finally pointing to the seat across from the tea table when Pan Jiaojiao almost cried, and said calmly, “Don’t cry here; I won’t comfort you like the Princess.”

This successfully stopped Pan Jiaojiao from shedding tears. She was a noble woman. How could she cry in front of someone like Song Yan?

She reached out, wiping away the tears before they completely fell, and said to Song Yan, “Who cried?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep