"Ah!"
Empress Pei turned pale with fright, while the palace maids around her stood frozen in shock.
Just as the vicious dog was about to bite, a sharp shout suddenly rang out from the crowd: "Fubao!!"
The dog halted instantly, but its fur bristled, its front paws frantically scraping the ground as it growled menacingly at Empress Pei...
Thud!
Murong Rui, Empress Pei's son and the Second Prince, rushed forward and kicked Fubao away. "Where did this beast come from? How dare it attack Her Majesty?"
His kick was vicious—Fubao lay on the ground, unable to get up for a long moment.
Chu Ruoyan's eyes flashed coldly as she moved to intervene, but Nanny Zhou yanked her back forcefully.
Princess Jiahui's eyes lit up. "This princess just heard someone call it 'Fubao.' Madam of the Duke of Chu's Mansion, does this beast belong to your household?"
Lady Jiang the Younger knew it was Chu Ruoyan's dog, and her heart sank.
With the Duke urgently summoned to the palace by the emperor, there was no one to speak up for them...
Just as she was fretting, Murong Cong, the Fifth Prince and son of Consort Xue, stepped forward arrogantly. "No matter who owns it, since this happened here, the Duke of Chu's Mansion must take responsibility! Madam, your negligence nearly harmed Her Majesty. What punishment do you deserve?"
Lady Jiang the Younger's legs gave way, and she knelt immediately. "This humble wife accepts punishment! Please, Your Majesty, decree my penalty!"
"Mother! That dog isn’t—" Chu Ruolan started to speak but glanced at Chu Ruoyan and swallowed her words.
To everyone's surprise, Chu Ruoyan admitted calmly, "It's mine."
The moment she spoke, all eyes snapped toward her.
Gu Feiyan and Madam Zou, in particular, looked delighted—how dare a vicious dog nearly bite the Empress? Wasn’t this a death sentence?
The Fifth Prince raised a brow, seemingly surprised, but Princess Jiahui couldn’t contain herself. She pointed at Chu Ruoyan and declared, "Your Majesty, you heard her! She deliberately raised a vicious dog to attack you—this is a grave offense! I beg Your Majesty to report this to His Majesty at once, revoke her title as County Princess Changle, and punish her severely!"
Chu Ruolan couldn’t hold back. "My elder sister didn’t intentionally—"
"Silence! Who do you think you are, daring to contradict this princess?" Princess Jiahui snapped. Only the presence of so many onlookers stopped her from ordering her maids to slap Chu Ruolan.
Chu Ruolan clenched her jaw, ready to argue further, but Chu Ruoyan stopped her with a cool remark. "Your Highness speaks so confidently—did you witness it yourself?"
Princess Jiahui, eager to drag her into the fray, sneered. "Everyone here saw your dog attack Her Majesty! Even with a hundred mouths, you can’t deny it!"
Empress Pei frowned at Chu Ruoyan. "Do you have anything to say?"
In truth, whether it was intentional didn’t matter—what mattered was that such a blunder on this occasion proved Chu Ruoyan’s incompetence...
The Empress sighed inwardly. She had once considered arranging a marriage between Chu Ruoyan and the Tenth Prince, but now it seemed she had overestimated her.
All eyes remained fixed on Chu Ruoyan.
Yet she remained composed, offering a respectful bow to the Empress before walking over to Fubao.
The dog trembled in pain from Murong Rui’s kick, but its eyes still locked onto Empress Pei with unsettling intensity...
Its claws scraped the ground restlessly, as if deeply agitated...
A suspicion formed in Chu Ruoyan’s mind. She turned to the Empress. "Your Majesty, may I ask what fragrance you are wearing today?"
Empress Pei was taken aback. Then Chu Ruoyan added, "Forgive my boldness, but you must be wearing sachets with pear-blossom incense and sandalwood."
Princess Jiahui paled. "Stop changing the subject! We’re discussing your dog’s attack—why bring up sachets?"
Chu Ruoyan arched a brow. "Why so nervous, Your Highness? Unless... you were the one who gifted Her Majesty this sachet?"
Princess Jiahui’s widened eyes betrayed her. Murong Rui suddenly recalled, "That’s right! Didn’t you present Mother with a handmade sachet two days ago? She even praised you for your thoughtfulness..."
Empress Pei seemed to remember as well. She retrieved a green sachet from her sleeve.
The moment it was revealed, Fubao’s pupils dilated—it barked furiously and lunged again!
Empress Pei’s gaze sharpened. "Jiahui?!"
This sachet had been given to her just two days prior, with Princess Jiahui insisting she carry it at all times, claiming it had revitalizing properties...
If this was deliberate, the malice was unforgivable!
Princess Jiahui waved her hands frantically. "N-no! It wasn’t me! It was—" She pointed at Chu Ruoyan. "She must have trained the beast to react to the sachet!"
Concubine Shu, Princess Jiahui’s birth mother, hurriedly knelt before the Empress. "Sister, even with a hundred lives, Jiahui wouldn’t dare harm you! There must be a misunderstanding!"
Empress Pei’s face darkened, but she remained silent.
Chu Ruoyan smiled faintly. "This is easily resolved. Since Your Highness insists the sachet has no effect on Fubao, why not wear it and walk past him?"
Without waiting for a reply, she tossed the sachet to Princess Jiahui.
The princess caught it reflexively—
"Ow!!"
Fubao shot forward like an arrow, sinking its teeth into her hand!
"Ah!! My hand!!"
Princess Jiahui’s agonized scream pierced the air as blood gushed from her right hand.
Concubine Shu nearly fainted from terror. "Quick, save the princess!"
But without the Empress’s order, none of the servants dared move.
Finally, Empress Pei spoke through gritted teeth. "Changle, call off your dog."
Chu Ruoyan complied. "Fubao."
The dog released its grip at once, darting back to her side while baring its teeth at Princess Jiahui.
"My child! My child, speak to me!" Concubine Shu sobbed over her daughter, who was on the verge of passing out from pain. Yet Princess Jiahui forced her eyes open, glaring venomously at Chu Ruoyan. "You... just wait... I’ll tell Father..."
Before Chu Ruoyan could respond, Empress Pei laughed coldly. "Oh? Will you tell him you plotted against your rightful mother? Or that you’ve reaped what you sowed?"
This princess had been spoiled rotten by the Emperor. After the polo field incident, she’d learned nothing—and now, at the investiture ceremony, she’d done it again!
Had she only targeted the Chu sisters, Empress Pei might have overlooked it for the sake of the imperial family. But to dare use the Empress as a pawn in her schemes?
The thought enraged her. Years of commanding the inner palace lent her voice an icy authority that silenced the entire gathering.
"Princess Jiahui, for your unfilial defiance, you are to be confined to your quarters. After today’s ceremony, this Empress will decide your punishment!"
Concubine Shu wailed. "Your Majesty, have mercy! Jiahui’s hand is injured—"
"Ah, yes. Concubine Shu, for failing to discipline your daughter, you shall accompany her. Murong Rui, summon the imperial physician for your sister—and inform His Majesty of today’s events!"
This cut off any chance for Concubine Shu and Princess Jiahui to twist the story first.
Murong Rui promptly led them away. Nearby, Consort Xue cursed under her breath. "Useless fools."
Everyone had been teaching her the trick of using scented sachets to lure hounds, yet Princess Jiahui was foolish enough to get caught...
She shot a glance at the Fifth Prince—it seemed she would have to take matters into her own hands!
As the commotion settled, the guests took their seats according to rank.
Once the ceremonial officer had presented the imperial edict and documents, Chu Ruoyan knelt to receive the decree, declaring, "Ruoyan thanks Your Majesty. May the Emperor live ten thousand years!"
Empress Pei personally helped her rise, smiling as she said, "Still referring to yourself as 'Ruoyan'?"
Chu Ruoyan paused briefly before smoothly correcting herself, "Changle thanks Her Majesty for the reminder!"
Empress Pei nodded, her satisfaction with the girl growing by the moment.
Originally, she had worried that her younger brother's desire to marry Chu Ruoyan might displease the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. But today, the Emperor had not only issued the ennoblement decree but also granted her a county princess title with its own estate—proof that the incident involving the Marquis of Pingjing had been completely swept aside. All earlier concerns had now vanished.
Just as she was about to broach the subject of marriage, a shrill voice suddenly rang out from beyond the courtyard.
"Lu Yuan, daughter of the Earl of Yongding, accuses County Princess Changle of reckless disregard for human life! I beg Her Majesty the Empress to deliver justice!"
