He had only said half of his words when he was interrupted frantically by He Hui.
"Yes, it was all my own will."
This answer caused quite a stir. Even though the servants didn't dare to speak out blatantly, they were whispering among themselves.
"I never thought there would be such a promiscuous woman around the prince. If she is fit to be the princess, then can't we all be princesses?"
"I've always thought this princess was just pretending to be weak. On weekdays, she looked down on us and mocked us for being unworthy. Now it seems she's really not a good person."
Hearing the words around her, He Hui let out a sneer.
"Then are you blameless? There were days when I was so scared that I couldn't fall asleep alone. He was the only one who could protect me."
After a pause, as if recalling the despair in the palace, she spoke even more harshly.
"In the palace, to avoid attracting attention, I injured myself countless times. If it weren't for him, I would have died long ago."
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. She pulled up her thin sleeve, revealing some scars that were still faintly visible but even more terrifying.
No one knew how much suffering she had endured to be so cruel to herself and leave those scars one after another.
Ji Huang opened his mouth. Her words brought back many bad memories. But as soon as he thought of those ambiguous marks on the window sill, he swallowed his words.
However, He Hui didn't stop. Instead, she became even more aggressive.
"If you hadn't left me to suffer alone in the palace back then, how could others have taken advantage of me? Now that things are exposed, you shift all the blame onto me. Oh, you're really a good husband of mine."
At this, Ji Huang couldn't hold back anymore. He looked flustered and tried to defend himself.
"Back then, it was you who supported me to go to the Northwest. Later, I sent the person I trusted most to protect you. I never thought you two would do such a thing. I do feel guilty towards you, but you shouldn't..."
Even though the rest of the words were unspoken, everyone present knew exactly what he meant.
Shi Muyuan watched this scene and felt that it was somewhat familiar.
After a long while, she finally remembered.
Wasn't this just pure modern PUA? Sure enough, He Hui was really cunning. If she wasn't sure that He Hui was from this era, she would have suspected that God had sent her a formidable opponent.
Although she knew that it was very likely that she wouldn't be able to get rid of He Hui, her enemy, in this farce tonight, she didn't plan to give up.
She stepped forward without hesitation and stood between them.
"Since when has an affair been blamed on others? According to you, Huang'er should have taken a concubine during his years in the Northwest. As a man, it's normal for him to have several wives and concubines. But he didn't do anything. He just remembered the promise he made to you back then. A man can be so loyal, but you, as a woman, have no sense of shame. I can drown you in a pig cage right now according to the law."
These sober words brought everyone back to their senses, and others also agreed with Shi Muyuan's view.
"There's no reason for a woman to have an affair. This has never been acceptable since ancient times. This princess is really abominable."
"Yes, the prince has never taken a concubine during his years in the Northwest. He never even met other women privately. I don't know how cruel the princess must be to do such a thing behind the prince's back."
Realizing that the words around her were becoming more and more unfavorable to her, He Hui gave Shi Muyuan a venomous look and then changed her strategy.
She lowered her head and wiped away her tears.
"Indeed, I was wrong to have an affair, but I really had no other choice. The prince can only blame it on fate. Well, after such a thing, I can't stay by your side anymore. I only hope that the prince can agree to one request of mine."
Ji Huang was a little surprised by her concession, but he didn't refuse.
However, the fleeting look of pity in his eyes was caught by Shi Muyuan.
Alas, in this world, the greatest sorrows are when lovers can't be together, when they are separated by death, when love is unrequited, and when the elderly bury the young.
But it wasn't a bad thing for him to realize that the person in front of him wasn't as simple as he thought.
"Speak."
"No matter what, Junlin is your child. If he stays with me, his mother, he will surely be scolded by others. With you around, at least you can silence the gossips."
This request left Ji Huang in a daze. He thought that the person in front of him would at least use their old feelings to move him and ask him to keep her. He never expected that she was only thinking about the child.
It took him a long time to speak in disbelief.
"Is your request really that simple?"
"Of course. The child is innocent no matter what. No matter how wrong I am as a mother, I can't involve him."
It was the first sensible thing she had said tonight, but Shi Muyuan didn't believe that He Hui's request was that simple.
It was obviously a strategy of retreating to advance. It seemed that she had another plan.
"It's really hard on you as a mother. But I'm quite curious about one thing. How long have you two been having an affair?"
He Hui cried even more bitterly. "Not long ago, when I took the child back to the Northwest, we encountered bandits. At that time, I thought I would never see you again. I made a mistake in a moment of confusion. I know you will never forgive me. I'm willing to leave the mansion from now on. I only hope that I can see the child sometimes and fulfill my responsibility as a mother."
"But if you leave here, where will you go? Back then, you took out all your silver to help me. Are you going to beg on the streets?"
Sure enough, Shi Muyuan knew that things weren't that simple. So this was what she was waiting for.
She knew that the person in front of her was soft - hearted, so she brought up the old things again, making Ji Huang feel even more guilty. Now no matter what she said, He Hui wouldn't have to leave.
The young girl gave her a cold look, seeing through everything but feeling helpless.
He Hui looked directly back at her without hesitation. Only she could see the pride deep in her eyes.
While the two of them were secretly competing, Ji Huang also looked at Shi Muyuan, as if asking for her opinion.
In this situation, she could only go with the flow. No matter what she said, the situation was already set.
Forget it. She would find another opportunity next time. Anyway, she still had another pawn. She just needed to find a suitable time.
"Huang'er, after careful consideration, I think that Hui'er also sacrificed a lot for you back then. On your way from the Northwest to here, she took good care of you all the way. If it's really just because of this, you might as well keep her. Just give her the status of a co - wife in the future to secure Junlin's position."
This was also a way for her to save face. Ji Huang looked delighted.
"Mother has a good idea. Let's handle it this way. Qingbai, you betrayed your master and committed such a serious crime. You don't have to stay by my side anymore. I've fulfilled our past affection. You can go."