Ye Xi's words not only clarified Yi Yuan's stance but also avoided mentioning the matter of the clothes. It was as if she had acknowledged that only Cao Sheng and Yun Qianying were behind this.
She's a smart woman...
With his eyes narrowing slightly, Emperor Zhaohuan suddenly burst into laughter.
"I didn't expect that the Prince of Yu'an would also show concern for his colleagues. Hehe... Since that's the case, I'll make the decision for you."
Glancing askance at Cao Sheng, who was curled up in pain and too weak to move, a flash of disgust crossed Emperor Zhaohuan's eyes.
"Cao Sheng has behaved improperly and has a despicable character. Bullying innocent girls is a disgrace to the Queen and the Grand Tutor! After his hand heals, he shall be flogged fifty times and sentenced to one year of hard labor. From today on, he is not allowed to attend any banquets. His status as a scholar and a juren shall be stripped, and he shall never be allowed to take the imperial examinations or enter officialdom!"
"As for Yun Qianying, considering that she is a female and this is her first offense, she shall first solemnly apologize to the Princess of Yu'an. Then she shall be beaten thirty times on the palm and copy The Rules for Women a hundred times and personally deliver it to Zhihong Garden to show her repentance."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
As soon as the words fell, Ye Xi bowed respectfully and was the first to express her gratitude.
Then came Grand Tutor Cao and Yun Qi...
Yun Qianying was so angry that she almost crushed her silver teeth, but she had no choice but to kneel down with Yun Qi to thank the emperor. Then, gritting her teeth, she reluctantly apologized to Ye Xi.
Nodding, Emperor Zhaohuan was quite satisfied.
He glanced at Yi Yuan, who was pursing his lips and silent, and Yi Zhen in the distance, who was wearing a faint smile. A complex look flashed in his eyes. Emperor Zhaohuan waved his hand.
"Alright, today's banquet is over. I'm tired. Zhen'er, pack up your things and don't keep your mother waiting."
Courtesying gracefully, Yi Zhen smiled sweetly.
"Yes, Father."
Everyone also responded in unison. After respectfully seeing off Emperor Zhaohuan, they immediately left in a hurry.
Grand Tutor Cao ordered someone to send Cao Sheng back first. Then he came to apologize to Ye Xi sincerely, scolding Cao Sheng severely before leaving with Cao Wei, who had finally stopped causing trouble.
When the gods fight, the mortals suffer. As the mortals who were almost affected, they quickly disappeared from sight.
Yi Zhen walked over gracefully, bowed slightly, with a look of apology, gentleness, and innocence on her face.
"Uncle Wang, then Zhen'er will leave first."
"However, Zhen'er always keeps her word. As long as Uncle Wang investigates, Zhen'er will always be at your service."
After saying that, she smiled and glanced at Ye Xi, who was only showing half of her body behind Yi Yuan. Nodding slightly, she left generously.
"A Zhen,"
Qiao Yan was still waving stupidly.
"Take your time. Let's get together again next time."
Then she turned to say good things about Yi Zhen to Ye Xi. Before she could speak, she heard Yun Qi say guiltily.
"Miss Ye, I'm really sorry. It's all my fault for not taking good care of Xiaoying. You can rest assured that I will definitely discipline her strictly when I get back and will never be partial."
"Humph—"
Just as Ye Xi was about to reply, Qiao Yan suddenly changed her expression and snorted.
"You're not partial? You were even willing to take 60% of the blame for her. Excuse my bluntness, Young Master Yun. Your sister has a wicked heart. If you can't be strict with her, who knows what more vicious things she might do in the future."
"Alright, A Yan,"
Qiao Yan was really too straightforward. Seeing Yun Qi blushing and turning pale from being scolded, Ye Xi couldn't bear it. She grabbed Qiao Yan and said.
"General Yun is just fulfilling his duty as an elder brother. Just like you and your elder brother. If you made a mistake, your brother would definitely not just stand by and watch."
Thinking of her elder brother, Qiao Yan glared at Yun Qianying, who was shrinking back and didn't dare to step forward. Pouting, she finally didn't say anything more.
It was Yi Yuan, who had been silent since Emperor Zhaohuan appeared, who finally spoke coldly.
"It's your business to fulfill your duty as an elder brother, but Xiaoxi is someone I cherish like a precious pearl. I don't want anyone with ill intentions around her. Young Master Yun, it's better for you to keep your distance from now on."
"Considering the great kindness you once did to Xiaoxi, I'll temporarily not pursue this matter today, but this is only a one - time deal. If she dares to scheme against Xiaoxi again, just see if she can still have a place in this capital."
His heart sinking, Yun Qi took a step forward anxiously, wanting to defend his sister and himself. But he was afraid that his sister might do something irreparable if she couldn't think things through. Immediately, he stopped in his tracks, feeling caught between a rock and a hard place.
"A Yuan,"
Ye Xi softly tugged at Yi Yuan's long sleeve.
"We didn't plan this scene in advance. At banquets or when going out, we're bound to meet. Moreover, even if I don't go out, if someone really wants to harm me, they might go to great lengths to come to me. If keeping a distance could prevent disasters, then today's disaster wouldn't have happened."
"Exactly,"
Liu Mengxian quickly tried to smooth things over. After all, the Yun and Liu families were in - laws, and Yun Qi had often protected her when she was a child. If the Yun family and Ye Xi fell out, she would be in a difficult position.
"In fact, Qianying was very well - behaved when she was a child in the capital. She was like a little dumpling, always chasing after me and calling me Fourth Cousin. Maybe after spending so many years on the south - western border, Aunt and Uncle felt sorry for her because life was hard and spoiled her a bit, which is why she became like this."
"However, Cousin has always been upright and adheres to principles rather than showing favoritism. Since Qianying made a mistake today, Cousin will definitely discipline her more strictly. I believe she will never do such a thing again."
Staring at Ye Xi, Yi Yuan felt a pang of jealousy in his heart.
[Shen Zhou hurt you, and you said you would keep your distance. Cao Sheng let you down, and you fought back with all your might. But when it comes to Yun Qi, why are you so biased?]
[Previously, you even said something about familiarity. Could it be that you really have feelings for Yun Qi? You even made up some nonsense about him being like an elder brother to deceive me.]
Yi Yuan was so jealous that Ye Xi was both shocked and amused by his wild thoughts.
In front of so many people, Ye Xi didn't want to expose his little thoughts directly. Glancing at Yi Yuan, whose eyes were so cold that they could freeze people, Ye Xi reached out and hooked Yi Yuan's long fingers like a kitten. She shook his hand coquettishly and said in a soft, pitiful voice.
"A Yuan, my hand hurts."
"The special ointment that General Yun gave me before was very effective, but I've used it all up. Can you ask him for another bottle for me?"
The slender fingers gently shaking on his hand were delicate and cool. The eyes full of dependence and admiration sparkled like the water surface under the spring sun. Yi Yuan felt his heart soften completely, and the jealousy that had been surging just now disappeared instantly.
Reluctantly holding Ye Xi's fair hand back, Yi Yuan lifted the corner of his lips slightly.
"Okay, I'll ask for it for you."
A glint of joy appeared in Ye Xi's eyes. She blinked, thinking: It worked.
Yi Yuan didn't notice Ye Xi's little cunning at all. He stretched out his hand to Yun Qi confidently and simply said.
"Give it."
Yun Qi: ...It's as if I owe you.
Unable to help but complain in his heart, Yun Qi still obediently took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom.
"I only brought a small bottle to today's Qionglin Banquet. I'll send more to Zhihong Garden later."
"Then thank you, General Yun."
Ye Xi quickly thanked him.
The group said a few more words. Yun Qi hesitated for a long time but finally didn't ask about the flower. Then they all dispersed.
But as soon as Ye Xi got into the carriage, she suddenly felt a strange sensation in her heart. A buzzing sound suddenly rang in her ears, and she almost fell out of the carriage.