At the Noble Consort’s Feet

ge of the bed to retrieve the wooden box.
Turning his attention to He Yuan Shi, he delivered a chilling question, “Why is she still here?”

He Yuan Shi stood motionless in the distance, momentarily stunned.
His Majesty had not given explicit instructions on how to handle Fourth Miss Zhong.
Thus, he refrained from making any presumptuous decisions and instructed everyone to pay her no heed.
Now, with His Majesty’s inquiry, it became apparent that he had no intention of retaining her presence within the palace.

He bent his body and cast a sympathetic glance at Miao Yun, quickly summoning two eunuchs with a wave of his hand.
“Hurry, escort Miss Zhong back to her residence.”

Miao Yun stood in stunned silence, her voice trembling as she called out, “Your Majesty…”

“Miss, you have endured much hardship, staying in the palace all this time to uncover the actions of that monk.
Now that the matter is resolved, it is time for you to return home,” He Yuan Shi interjected, disguising her overnight stay with His Majesty as part of the investigation into Xuan Guang’s affairs, a necessary measure.

“No, no, I am not…” Miao Yun stepped back repeatedly, finding it hard to believe the turn of events.

His Majesty clearly cared deeply about a woman’s innocence.
After the princess had a liaison with her own brother, he promptly married her off to him.
So why, after spending the night in Zichen Hall with her, would he not let her stay in the palace?

It was evident that when His Majesty was with the Third Sister, he displayed a gentle and refined demeanor. 

He Yuan Shi, seeing her reluctance to leave, was about to signal the two eunuchs to take action when suddenly a voice from outside the hall shouted, “Your Majesty, the Princess of Wuyang has arrived!”

Li Jing Ye set aside the book in his hand.
“Let her in.”

As soon as the words fell, Li Ling Yue stormed in with flushed eyes, disregarding the customary greetings, and directly demanded, “Why would Your Majesty treat him like this!”

“Him” naturally referred to Xuan Guang.

“You should ask yourself what shameless deeds you have engaged in with him.” Whether it was due to the lingering effects of the elixir he had consumed the previous night or for some other reason, at this moment Li Jing Ye, although filled with anger, felt an inexplicable calmness within, no longer experiencing the previously uncontrollable rage and suffocating pain.
“The garments of a Royal Princess were found in a monk’s meditation room, tarnishing the reputation of the royal family!”

Li Ling Yue’s eyes were bloodshot, shaking her head vigorously in response, her voice hoarse as she said, “He and I have never engaged in any shameless acts! He traveled from Fusang across the vast ocean to Great Wei, wholeheartedly seeking the true essence of Buddhist teachings.
After great difficulty, he became a disciple under Heavenly Master Hui Xian and has rigorously observed the precepts for many years.
How could he suddenly lose his resolve because of me…”

Tears of guilt lingered in her eyes.
“That cloak was merely a sentimental token, yet Your Majesty, without even questioning me, ordered his execution!”

When she suffered a miscarriage, her heart was filled with pain and unrest.
Each night, sleep eluded her until she entered the palace to attend to her ailing mother.
It was her mother’s counsel that urged her to seek repentance and solace before the Buddha.

On that day, she knelt alone before the Buddha, and it was Xuan Guang who lit a bright lamp for her as an offering.
With closed eyes, she recited scriptures, experiencing a tranquility and peace that had eluded her for several months.

He had embraced the path of Buddhism, and there was no connection between them.
It was her own lingering attachment that refused to fade.

Within the sleeping quarters, Li Ling Yue gradually lowered herself, her hands clasping her knees, unable to contain the tears of anguish any longer.
“Your Majesty made me give up my cousin, and I did.
You made me marry Zhong Hao, and I accepted my fate, I married him… Now, only by his side can I find a moment of peace, yet Your Majesty treats him like this! I am a Princess, how can I have lost even this modicum of power?”

Li Jing Ye sat on the couch, looking down at his huddled younger sister and calmly spoke, “For this matter, you have only yourself to blame.”

He slowly shifted his gaze away, his words carrying a trace of melancholy.
“When you embarked on marriage, I made it clear to you that if you were ever mistreated, you must inform me, and I would take charge.
But now, reflect upon your actions.
Even if the person you engaged in an affair with had been an ordinary spouse, I would not have dealt with it in such a manner.
However, fate had it that he is a practitioner of the Buddhist path, a highly regarded and trusted disciple among the populace.”

Li Ling Yue paused, a mixture of guilt and self-reproach flickering in her eyes, causing the flames of her anger to momentarily subside.

However, suddenly, she stood up, emitting a bitter laugh filled with sarcasm.
“Your Majesty, you are mistaken.
How can you blame me? When you took my brother’s wife, did you not send Third Miss Zong into the realm of the monastic order? How is my connection with a monk deemed taboo? Is it a matter of allowing officials to commit arson while prohibiting the common people from lighting a lamp?”

“Do not speak recklessly!”

It had been a long time since anyone mentioned the absurdity of that time in his presence.
He had almost deceived himself into thinking that others had forgotten about it.
But now, his own younger sister had brought it up again, as if striking at the core of his being, causing ripples to surge through his previously calm heart.

Li Ling Yue paid no heed to his reprimand, her gaze sweeping across the hall until it finally landed on Miao Yun, who stood in the corner.

“It’s really you.
You are bolder than your mother, who was both petty and cowardly.” She took a couple of steps closer, her eyes burning with deep-seated hatred and resentment, as she scrutinized Miao Yun from head to toe.
“Tell me, why is it that while my elder brother can indulge in the wine shops and brothels of Pingkang District every day, I am not allowed to set foot outside the temple? What sense does that make?”

Startled by her piercing gaze, Miao Yun instinctively took a step back, clasping her fingers tightly.
“Princess, you have misunderstood.
I merely wanted to alleviate my mother’s worries and ensure that my elder brother has an heir soon.”

“I don’t believe a word you say.” Li Ling Yue closed in, her entire being filled with unrestrained anger, showing no restraint whatsoever.
“Since you are so filial, perhaps you can bear the brunt of my wrath on behalf of your mother.”

Speaking those words, Li Ling Yue wasted no time and swiftly raised her hand, delivering a forceful blow.

A resounding “slap” echoed through the air as Miao Yun, caught off guard, felt the impact on her left cheek.
Stumbling to the side, she collided with the corner of the couch, causing a surge of pain that brought tears streaming down her face.

Witnessing Li Ling Yue’s unwavering advance, Miao Yun hastily reached out, grasping onto the edge of the couch to help herself up.

In her struggle, the fabric of her attire slid slightly, revealing several bruises on her exposed skin.

Li Ling Yue’s eyes flickered briefly, then she looked at the pair before her and let out a hollow laugh.
“Your Majesty abhors my actions, and yet you yourselves indulge in illicit relationship with an unmarried lady.
Zhong Miao Yun, you shamelessly attempt to ascend His Majesty’s bed, and yet you have the nerve to criticize me? How preposterous!”

Trembling with fear, Miao Yun instinctively moved closer to Li Jing Ye’s side.
“Your Majesty—”

Li Jing Ye, however, had no intention of looking at her again.
His gaze remained fixed on the wide-open doors of the hall.

Under the bright morning sunlight, Li Zhi stood by the entrance, calmly observing the chaotic scene within the hall, her expression devoid of emotion.