"Stop looking, they are coming for you," Consort Liang said, lowering her voice.
"Hmm?" Xiao Yi slowly withdrew his gaze and glanced at Consort Liang beside him.
He seemed to just realize that everyone's eyes were on him, and he raised an eyebrow.
Consort Liang had no choice but to briefly recount what had just happened to Xiao Yi. "Yi'er, what exactly is going on?"
How did the matter at the Fengluan Palace get dragged onto him?
Actually, the Empress hadn't thought to investigate thoroughly because of the Crown Prince's preconceived words, but the Emperor was not so easily fooled. The events of that day simply could not withstand close scrutiny.
Nor was it something Cui Yunchu could just bluff her way out of with mere words.
Xiao Yi's gaze landed on Cui Yunfeng, who was sitting properly below him. In his lazy eyes, there was a hint of teasing.
"..." Cui Yunfeng could only soften her expression, purse her lips, and blink at him.
That gentle, obedient, and pleading look in her eyes pleased Xiao Yi greatly.
"Oh, so that's what this is about." Xiao Yi turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "No need to ask, it was my doing."
His tone was loose and incredibly casual.
Consort Liang was so angry she nearly fell backward. "Are you truly not afraid of being beaten to death by your imperial father?"
Xiao Yi chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Imperial Father only has two sons. He will at least leave me with one breath."
The mother and son's voices were not low, and the Emperor beside them naturally heard everything clearly.
The Emperor could be said to be very strict with the Empress and her son, but he was particularly lenient towards Consort Liang and her son. Especially since Consort Liang had married into the Eastern Palace before she even came of age; it could be said that the Emperor had raised her himself, and their affection was beyond that of ordinary concubines.
Therefore, after getting along for so long, the mother and son were inevitably a bit spoiled. Xiao Yi, in particular, relying on the Emperor's favor, was even more arrogant.
"You are insolent!" The Emperor's gaze was sharp.
Xiao Yi slowly stood up, strolled over, and knelt before the Emperor. "It was my improper conduct, and I am willing to be punished."
"..." Consort Liang froze.
This wasn't her son's style of doing things. He just knelt and asked for punishment like that?
In the past, even if he was in the wrong, he would still argue his case. "Yi'er, could it be that you have some unspeakable difficulties? Your mother and your imperial father are both here, just tell us."
The Emperor's gaze revealed an indescribable cold detachment.
Xiao Yi's expression remained unchanged. "No, I dare to take responsibility for what I've done. Imperial Father, just punish me."
"Good, very good." The Emperor's hand on the armrest tightened slightly, and the depths of his eyes were freezing cold.
The Empress on the side finally found an opportunity to interject. "So that's how it is. No wonder the Crown Prince refused to speak no matter what. It turns out he wanted to protect his brother, even ignoring the grievances of Miss Liu, his side consort."
The Empress sighed repeatedly.
Consort Liang looked at the pretentious manner of the mother and son, feeling incredibly angry.
Shedding crocodile tears! Today's situation was clearly a trap dug by the Crown Prince for Yi'er to jump into. Otherwise, why would the Emperor suddenly decide to come to the Fengluan Palace out of nowhere?
"Why did you treat the Liu family's girl like this?" the Emperor questioned in a deep voice. His gaze swept over the female members of the Cui family seated below. "I will only give you one chance."
His last sentence was full of warning, and his dragon eyes were filled with threat.
Xiao Yi's complexion remained as usual, but he turned his head to glance at where Cui Yunfeng was, a brazen smile hooking the corners of his lips.
"Because Miss Liu resented Miss Tang's position as the official consort but couldn't exact revenge, she directed her spearhead at the Second Miss Cui, causing the Second Miss Cui to fall into the water and become severely ill."
"Naturally, I had to get back at her for that."
His words, like his smile, were unbridled, not hiding his thoughts about Cui Yunfeng in the slightest.
The room instantly fell into silence. Even Consort Liang looked at Xiao Yi with an indescribable expression, her temples throbbing.
The heart that Liu Wanting had just revived felt as if a basin of cold water had been instantly poured over it. She looked at Xiao Yi in disbelief.
"Your Highness Prince An, you..."
In front of the Emperor, the Empress, and Consort Liang, she ultimately did not dare to say that Prince An was talking nonsense.
"The Second Miss Cui falling into the water was not my doing."
Xiao Yi's tone was slow and leisurely. "You are the biggest suspect. If I suspect you, then it's you. I am not a judge; I don't need evidence to bring trouble to someone."
"." These few words choked Liu Wanting so much that her face turned pale green.
"Your Highness Prince An." A clear and cold voice suddenly rang out, devoid of any emotion. "You must think clearly. Are you really admitting to this?"
"I admit it," Xiao Yi said.
Shen Xiabai chuckled softly. His eyes, as deep as an abyss, swept over everyone in the hall one by one, and then he continued to remain silent.
The Emperor's gaze grew colder as he said, "My beloved subject Shen, in your opinion, how should this matter be resolved?"
"This is Your Majesty's family matter. I... do not dare to speak recklessly."
"Speak since I told you to."
Shen Xiabai cupped his hands and replied with a yes. His plain and aloof face looked entirely businesslike. "This matter is not too big, but His Highness Prince An raised a hand against the daughter of an official. If he is not punished, it will inevitably cause discussions among the civil and military officials."
"My meaning is that Prince An should be punished, and Miss Liu should be given some compensation."
Cui Yunchu looked at Shen Xiabai's orchid-like posture, his feigned detachment, and his deadpan appearance of fairness, and ground her teeth.
Sure enough, this dog had a universe hidden in his belly and had ulterior motives; he came specifically to cause trouble for the Cui family.
The Emperor nodded. "My beloved subject Shen's words are reasonable. Prince An acted improperly. He is sentenced to fifty strokes of the cane and grounded for a month. If he offends again, he will definitely not be forgiven lightly."
"The Liu family's girl is dignified, virtuous, beautiful on the outside, and intelligent on the inside. She is granted the title of County Princess."
The hall fell into a bizarre silence, and everyone raised their eyes to look at the Emperor seated above.
They only heard him order again, "The Empress will also pick some items that women like from the treasury and reward them to Miss Liu. This matter will end here."
