Princess Wanping was fuming with anger.
She wasn’t angry at ng Qianqian, but at those two shaless and morally corrupt individuals.
Wei Mingxuan was the epito of shalessness and infamy—she had known that for a long ti.
But she never, ever expected Xun Yu to be just as despicable!
"What do I do? What do I do? I’m defiled now... I’m going to get a sty on my eye..."
Miss Li clasped her hands over her eyes tightly, on the verge of tears.
Princess Wanping sternly commanded, "Guards! Escort these ladies out!"
Chang Kuan signaled to his subordinates, who quickly split into two groups—one ford a human wall to block the disgraceful sight of Wei Mingxuan and Xun Yu, while the other group escorted Miss Li and Miss Huo out of the cave, ensuring their safety outside.
Tao Shiyu did not move.
ng Qianqian raised a brow and asked, "Miss Tao, why aren’t you leaving? Aren’t you ashad, as an unmarried young lady, to be standing here watching two n in such disarray?"
"I..."
Tao Shiyu was still overwheld by the shock, her mind in utter chaos.
She couldn’t fathom how things had turned out like this.
Everything had been going according to plan. Xun Heir had promised her that if she could make this happen, he would let her marry into the Xun Family and beco Chen Long’s wife.
But now, everything was ruined... utterly ruined...
She instinctively looked at Princess Wanping, trying to determine if the princess had noticed any discrepancies.
ng Qianqian seized the mont and remarked, "Oh, you wanted to point out that Princess Wanping isn’t married yet either? Who do you think you are to compare yourself to the princess? Her Highness is royalty!"
Princess Wanping: "Cut the flattery."
ng Qianqian: "Ungrateful apprentice!"
Princess Wanping, disgusted, ordered, "Get so water and wake them up."
"Understood."
Chang Kuan gave the order, and soone headed for the nearby stream to fetch water.
ng Qianqian whispered, "Your Highness, let’s step outside. Don’t stain your noble eyes."
Princess Wanping took a deep breath to suppress her disgust and walked out of the cave with ng Qianqian.
As they exited, ng Qianqian glanced back, flashing a bright but mocking smile: "Miss Tao, standing there frozen... you’re not thinking of joining them, are you?"
Princess Wanping furrowed her brows and admonished, "Watch your words."
ng Qianqian replied with a straight face, "I’m speaking with my mouth."
Princess Wanping: "..."
Tao Shiyu, with a face as pale as death, walked out as if she had just been dealt a catastrophic blow.
After settling Princess Wanping on a rock, ng Qianqian turned to Tao Shiyu with a look of feigned surprise and said, "Oh dear, Miss Tao, you look awful. This isn’t even your fault; why are you so scared?"
Princess Wanping was still consud by fury over Xun Yu and Wei Mingxuan’s actions, so she hadn’t paid much attention to Tao Shiyu. At that mont, however, upon hearing ng Qianqian’s comnt, she glanced at Tao Shiyu and realized her reaction was indeed unusual compared to the others.
ng Qianqian, who had always been at odds with the Xun Family, couldn’t hide her glee.
Miss Huo and Miss Li were flushed with sha and anger, profoundly regretting having entered the cave earlier.
But Tao Shiyu seed more overwheld by shock and... fear.
Shock was understandable, but what was she afraid of?
"Tao Shiyu."
Princess Wanping’s tone had shifted, even dropping the formalities in addressing her.
Tao Shiyu visibly trembled. "Your Highness..."
With an authoritative air, Princess Wanping asked, "Did you know beforehand that Wei Mingxuan was here?"
Tao Shiyu hastily denied it, "Your Highness, I’ve been wronged! Had I known such filth was taking place in the cave, I wouldn’t have brought you here no matter what!"
Miss Li, deeply upset, exclaid, "Weren’t you the one leading us here the whole way?"
Tao Shiyu stamred, "I... I rely found sothing Young Madam Lu had dropped... Oh right... Young Madam Lu, why was your belonging near this area?"
ng Qianqian nonchalantly shrugged, "I didn’t drop anything."
Tao Shiyu produced a handkerchief and a small sachet: "Aren’t these yours?"
ng Qianqian decisively shook her head. "My handkerchiefs and sachets are always kept close to . I’m not the careless type!"
Admit you swiped them from if you dare!
Would you?
With a faint smile, ng Qianqian remarked, "Neither the handkerchief nor the sachet has my na embroidered on it. How are you so sure they’re mine?"
Beads of cold sweat broke out on Tao Shiyu’s forehead as she stamred, "I thought they were yours..."
ng Qianqian quirked an eyebrow. "Oh."
Princess Wanping, having grown up in the Imperial Palace where intrigue was an everyday affair, found Tao Shiyu’s response far too unnatural.
Could it be that Tao Shiyu’s original intent was to lead them here to catch ng Qianqian in a compromising situation, but instead, she accidentally uncovered the scandal between Wei Mingxuan and Xun Yu?
Even though ng Qianqian was her romantic rival, Princess Wanping couldn’t believe she would betray Lu Yuan.
"It wasn’t you, was it?"
Princess Wanping asked ng Qianqian directly.
"?" ng Qianqian pointed at herself, feigning innocence.
Princess Wanping questioned, "Was it supposed to be you in there, but you sohow switched places with Xun Yu?"
They were sitting far enough from Tao Shiyu, Miss Li, and Miss Huo, who were standing under a tree so distance away. Lowering her voice, Princess Wanping ensured the trio couldn’t overhear.
Inwardly, ng Qianqian thought, "This apprentice truly has a sharp mind—when it doesn’t involve Lu Yuan, that is."
Sighing dramatically, ng Qianqian replied, "Your Highness, you really think too much of . Sure, I’ve got so martial skills, but even the best fighter can’t fend off too many opponents. Xun Yu always has several top-tier guards at his side. Even if I wanted to sche against him, I’d have to get past his watch dogs first. Do you think they’d allow it?"
It was the absolute truth.
Among Xun Yu’s guards, not to ntion the others, Xun Liu alone was enough to take on a hundred enemies single-handedly.
Princess Wanping frowned deeply. "But why would Xun Yu..."
ng Qianqian patted her on the shoulder. "People’s hearts are inscrutable."
Princess Wanping gave her an icy look. "ng Xiaojiu, what are you doing?"
ng Qianqian raised her eyebrows, speaking with a straight face, "Oh, just dusting you off, Your Highness."
Chang Kuan returned, his expression troubled. "Your Highness..."
Princess Wanping: "Speak."
Chang Kuan hesitated before reporting, "The n... have been woken up..."
Princess Wanping closed her eyes briefly in frustration, her voice cold and unyielding. "Then have them put their clothes on and get out here!"
Chang Kuan braced himself and added, "Young Master Wei... seems to be drunk... He’s yelled at us to mind our own business, said we’ve scared his little darling... and is now threatening to take my life..."
Princess Wanping: "...!!"
Miss Li imdiately covered her ears. "Ah! My ears are defiled too!"
After a pause, she asked tentatively, "Which one... is Xun Heir?"
Chang Kuan froze.
Miss Li broke down completely: "Aaaah! My heart is tainted too!"
Miss Huo gasped sharply.
If it were anyone else from the Capital City—whether a noble master or young lady—it might still be plausible to suspect coercion by Wei Mingxuan. But Xun Yu, the legitimate heir of the Pri Minister and Wei Mingxuan’s cousin? Even with all the nerve in the world, Wei Mingxuan wouldn’t dare act wantonly toward Xun Yu.
Unless... Xun Yu was a willing participant.
What a juicy scandal this was!
Perched atop a high rock, ng Qianqian squinted contentedly in the sunlight, her legs swinging leisurely back and forth.
Princess Wanping scolded sternly, "Compose yourself."
ng Qianqian tossed her head defiantly. "I won’t."
The princess was utterly exasperated with her.
"Your Highness, what should we do?"
Chang Kuan asked.
Princess Wanping replied coldly, "The royal autumn hunt is a major event, with the entire army mobilized to project our might before the world. This is a matter of national importance! For the two of them to behave so disgracefully at such a critical mont is an affront to the nation and unforgivable! Bind them up, throw them in the dungeon, and handle them according to the law!"
ng Qianqian clasped her fists and declared, "Your Highness is wise!"
Princess Wanping: "Scram."
ng Qianqian hopped down from the rock cheerfully. "Alrighty."
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