Princess Lingyun's Farce

did you provoke her Let's go back or grandmother will be unhappy." To her surprise, even the cool-headed Ye Shan showed some concern for her this time. Seeing that others had already gone far ahead,...The Princess Lingyun's Farce

In the instant she fell into the water, Ye Li still couldn't help but curse. Although these years she had been diligently training her physical abilities and endurance, it was still far from the harsh conditions of mud and rain that she faced in her previous life. Moreover, even though she now inhabited a body that had been pampered all her life and wasn’t favored by anyone, when she first entered the water, she felt a slight indulgence. Fortunately, Ye Li had prepared herself mentally for this situation and quickly adjusted to it as she swam towards Princess Lingyun who was struggling in the water.

From just one glance, Ye Li could tell that Princess Lingyun didn't know how to swim. She couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Very well then, should she praise her courage for sacrificing herself for love Not knowing how to swim and still jumping into the water! Well, let her feel what it’s like to drown; she’ll soon understand what ‘acting within one's capacity’ means. Originally, Princess Lingyun wasn’t very panicked because she knew someone would come to rescue her soon. But quickly, she found herself sinking rapidly towards the bottom of the lake and struggled even more desperately in panic.

Ye Li snorted inwardly when she felt the water ripples indicating that others had jumped into the water to help. She swiftly turned behind Princess Lingyun, knocked her unconscious while she was flailing about, then dragged her towards another side of the lake until she estimated that Princess Lingyun would reach her limits before pushing her back.

Almost instantly, everyone from the imperial garden gathered at the lakeside. The guards from Xi Ling Kingdom and those in the imperial garden had already jumped into the water to rescue people.

"The person is there!" Someone shouted suddenly on the lakeside as the crowd hurriedly looked over and saw a colorful brocade emerging out of the water, followed by Duchess Ding floating up with one hand supporting Princess Lingyun. To everyone’s eyes, it seemed that Duchess Ding had rescued Princess Lingyun.

Ye Li smiled at the unconscious Princess Lingyun while watching the guards who discovered them swimming towards her, "Princess, wake up. Someone is here to rescue us."

Ye Li's earlier actions were not too heavy-handed; the pulled-out-of-water Princess Lingyun quickly opened her eyes but found Ye Li smiling mockingly at her. Ignoring their surroundings, Princess Lingyun shrieked, "Let go of this palace!" and started struggling fiercely.

"Princess, don’t move. Be careful..."

"I don't need your interference!" Seeing the guards approaching, Princess Lingyun became more arrogant and pushed Ye Li away.

Very well... With a look of fear in her eyes, Ye Li sank back into the water following the direction Princess Lingyun had pushed her.

The moment Princess Lingyun reached the shore, waiting palace ladies immediately dressed her up with dry clothes. Qingyu and Qingxia angrily stared at Princess Lingyun, "Princess, our duchess saved you kindly; why did you push her"

Looking around to see many people condemningly watching her, Princess Lingyun was stunned. This wasn't what she had planned! "I didn’t push her!" Hua Tianxiang coldly smiled, “A princess who dares to do and not take responsibility is despicable. Even if you need to lie, try crafting a believable one Do you think we all are blind” Princess Lingyun angrily said, "She pushed me into the water; I don’t need her help." Princess Zhaoyang sternly stated, “Princess’s meaning is that Duchess Ding pushed you into the water and then jumped in to save you But you’re fine while she hasn't surfaced yet Best pray for Duchess Ding's safety. Otherwise, even if you're a princess of Xi Ling, we won’t let it go!"

"Duchess... Found her..." Qingyu anxiously cried as on the lake, Qingshuang and Qingluan carried the clearly unconscious Ye Li out onto the surface of the water. People hurriedly helped pull her ashore and dressed her in dry clothes; Qingyu held her hand to take her pulse.

Princess Zhaoyang anxiously asked about Ye Li, "How is she Where’s the imperial doctor" Qingyu raised her head and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Princess. Duchess drank some water so she fainted; she should be fine but needs to rest.” Princess Zhaoyang looked around and decisively stated, “This place is closest to Chaoxia Palace; take Duchess Ding there.” Everyone escorted the unconscious Ye Li towards Chaoxia Palace under the guidance of Princess Zhaoyang. Meanwhile, Princess Lingyun who had safely made it ashore was unintentionally overlooked by everyone.

Watching the rapidly departing people, Princess Lingyun’s face alternated between green and white.

"Princess..." A Xi Ling palace lady cautiously called out to her.

"Get lost!" Princess Lingyun angrily said.

In Chaoxia Palace, the atmosphere was solemn. In an inner chamber, Mo Xiyaoyao sat beside the unconscious woman with a grave expression as he watched the imperial doctor take her pulse. The princess sat by him and frowned, "How is Duchess Ding" After pondering for a moment, the imperial doctor glanced at Mo Xiyaoyao before answering, “Your Highness, there’s nothing seriously wrong with Duchess Ding. She might be shocked; I’ll prescribe some soothing medicine to calm her down and expel the cold.” The princess said worriedly, "Since she's fine, why hasn’t she woken up" The imperial doctor replied, "That… as a woman, after suddenly choking on water, it takes time to recover. But it’s not severe; resting a bit should help her regain consciousness." Recalling how Princess Lingyun pushed Ye Li when she was rescuing her, the princess's expression darkened further and nodded, “Then prepare some medicine for her.”

"This official will withdraw."

In the room now left only with Princess Zhaoyang and Mo Xiyaoyao, Princess Zhaoyang stood up, saying, "Xiyaoya, take good care of Duchess Ding. As for Princess Lingyun, I’ll seek justice for Duchess Ding." Mo Xiyaoyao nodded indifferently, “Trouble you then; but let's handle this matter when Ye Li wakes up.” Sighing softly, the princess agreed and said, "As you wish, you take care of your duchess. I need to go now." Watching her leave, Mo Xiyaoya slowly wheeled over to stand beside the unconscious woman.

Ye Li’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she slowly opened her eyes, asking, “How did you know” Shaking his head, Mo Xiyaoyao replied with a faint smile, "Intuition. How could I not see it when even the imperial doctor was fooled" Recalling the physician's confused and bewildered expression before he finally declared shock as the reason for unconsciousness, Mo Xiyaoya’s eyes softened.

"Ye Li, I never knew you were so fond of rescuing people in danger," said Mo Xiyaoyao indifferently.

Ye Li helplessly replied, "I had no choice. If I didn’t save her, she would claim that I pushed her into the water."

Mosixiayao's eyes flickered and he said, “Outside, Princess Lingyun insisted it was you who pushed her.”

"Outside… she’s really persistent. Such a fuss over nothing" Ye Li exclaimed in astonishment. Underwater, she had thoroughly harassed that Princess Lingyun; she couldn’t believe the woman still stirred up trouble without even visiting a doctor.

Thinking about her encounter's perpetrator, Ye Li narrowed her eyes slightly and stared at Mo Xiyaoya’s handsome face visible from his wheelchair, “Speaking of which... this matter is also because of you. Do you have anything to say”

Mosixiayao raised an eyebrow and looked at her questioningly. Sighing lightly, Ye Li said, "That Princess Lingyun has a one-sided infatuation with you and declared she would become your main wife."

"Princess Lingyun of Xi Ling" Mo Xiyaoyao frowned.

Ye Li stared at him dangerously, “You don't actually have any future agreement or something like that with this princess, right” Even an 8-year-old girl could be so manipulative; such a scoundrel deserved to die!

Mosixiayao shook his head and said seriously to Ye Li, "I’m certain I haven’t met Princess Lingyun."

"Never having met her, how can she insist on marrying you, even jumping into the lake Could it be… due to Ding Kingdom's status" Ye Li was puzzled. She didn't doubt Mo Xiyaoyao’s honesty on this matter; in fact, meeting between him and Princess Lingyun was unlikely.

"Marriage to Ding Kingdom doesn’t seem beneficial for a princess of Xi Ling," Ye Li pointed out, "The best choice would be marrying her to the emperor."

"Otherwise, why would they bring a princess all the way here Is it just to visit"

Moxiu Yao said, "Western Ling and our Great Chu have never been on good terms. Even though things have been peaceful in recent years, everyone knows that sooner or later there will be another war. Generally speaking, Western Ling would not really send a princess for a political marriage to Great Chu."

In such circumstances, the political marriage would essentially be like taking a hostage. Once the two countries are at war, it doesn’t matter if you’re a princess or a duchess; you will become a tragic victim. Ye Li frowned and said that indeed, under these circumstances where both sides know what’s going on, even though Emperor of Western Ling might have many daughters to spare, there would be no need to send one to the enemy.

Moxiu Yao looked at her as she sat by the bed with a frown, his eyes warming. "No need to think too much about it. Whether or not they want to form an alliance will be clear during tonight’s palace banquet."

When Ye Li and Moxiu Yao walked out of the room, everyone inside fell silent immediately. Clearly, what happened in the imperial garden had shocked many people—not just Empress but even Emperor himself. Along with him came envoys from other countries except for Beirong. As soon as they saw them come out, Mo Jingqi’s gaze landed on Ye Li and then asked after a moment, "Prince Ding, how is Princess Consort" Moxiu Yao said calmly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Ahli has no major injuries." Empress nodded with relief and said, "If Prince Consort is fine, please sit down."

The two thanked her and Ye Li took a seat. Across from them, Western Ling’s Southern Prince Regent Le Tengfeng stood up and loudly said, "Princess Consort Ding, Lingyun just got scared and accidentally startled Your Highness. Please forgive us." Before he finished speaking, Princess Lingyun beside him was already in pain as she cried out, "Brother, I told you that she pushed me down!" Zhao Yang Princess frowned at Lingyun and said, "Princess, everyone here saw that it was Princess Consort Ding who tried to save you. You were the one pushing her into the water after she had expended all her strength." Lingyun’s face turned red as she said, “I have witnesses.”

Zhao Yang Princess frowned and said coolly, "I know what you mean, but your maidservant just witnessed that it was Princess Consort Ding who pushed you into the water. However… given how Princess Consort Ding treated you at Fengde Palace and in the water, I doubt her maid’s words will be convincing."

Lingyun cried out, "You’re saying this princess is lying!" Zhao Yang Princess looked coolly at her without answering. Her expression was enough to speak for itself.

"Lingyun, stop causing trouble!" Le Tengfeng said sternly.

Lingyun’s anger made her cry out as she spat angrily, "Fine! If you don’t believe this princess, I will prove it by dying!" She then pulled a gold hairpin from her head and aimed at her chest.

"Princess, no—!"

"Lingyun—!"

Le Tengfeng quickly grabbed Lingyun’s arm to snatch the hairpin. He looked somewhat exasperated at this stubborn cousin of his and also glanced suspiciously across at Ye Li. Although this cousin was usually capricious, she had never reacted so vehemently before—could it be that she really did wrong Princess Consort Ding

"Princess Consort Ding, may I ask how exactly the incident happened" Le Tengfeng looked straight into Ye Li’s eyes.

Ye Li calmly met his gaze and said softly, "I don’t know what happened either. Princess Lingyun was talking to me when she suddenly fell into the lake. Then I followed her in."

Le Tengfeng’s brows furrowed even more as he stared at Ye Li with some wariness. “You also fell in Do you know how that happened”

Ye Li shook her head, "Princess Lingyun suddenly fell down. I was so shocked I didn’t have time to think before I fell into the lake."

"It seems Princess Consort Ding can swim," Le Tengfeng said.

Ye Li smiled slightly and replied, “I wouldn’t say that. It’s just that since I had a near-drowning experience when I was young, I learned some basic swimming techniques. But as I don’t have much experience, it turned out this way…”

Although Ye Li didn’t seem to say anything concrete, everyone present heard everything and could even imagine the full picture in their minds. Everyone had seen that Lingyun Princess was forcing Princess Consort Ding to talk with her and must have said something unpleasant which made her so agitated she fell into the lake, taking the princess consort down with her. If it were merely this much, they would just take it as an accident, but how could they overlook the fact that Princess Consort Ding had tried to save Lingyun yet was met with a betrayal

Defenestration caused the Ding Wangfei to fall into a coma. And while she was unconscious, she claimed that it was the other party who pushed her down. Immediately, everyone's gaze towards Princess Lingyun and the Xi Ling envoy changed in the great hall. The nobles of Dachu never had much fondness for people from Xi Ling anyway; this incident made them even more disliking of them. What kind of character did these people from Xi Ling have

"Actually, Princess Lingyun doesn’t need to act like she is going to die over this matter. After all, this is the Dachu imperial palace. If anything happens to the Xi Ling princess, wouldn’t it damage the friendly relations between Xi Ling and our country Although I am a woman, I would never do something that would harm peace between both countries," Ye Li looked at Princess Lingyun calmly as she said, "I’m somewhat puzzled though. My lord and I came from the imperial garden where we left our maidservants behind. According to reason, no matter whether it was the princess who fell into the lake or if I pushed her in, your maidservant would not have been able to see anything unless she stood by the lakeside. How did they witness me pushing Princess Lingyun down Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, could you please summon my maid and the maids of Princess Lingyun"

The emperor glanced at Mo Jingqi on his side. Seeing that he had no objections to Ye Li’s words, he nodded, "Let it be as the Wangfei said."

Qing Luan and others quickly entered, along with the maidservants who accompanied Princess Lingyun from Xi Ling. It was still Princess Zhaoyang who took the lead in asking, “Were all of you following the Wangfei and princess”

Qingyu stepped forward and said, "Princess, at that time, Princess Lingyun wanted to talk privately with our Wangfei and dismissed her own maidservants first. Therefore, Wangfei told us not to follow."

Zhaoyang raised an eyebrow and continued asking, “Then did you see what happened on the lakeside” Qingyu shook his head and said, "There is a rockery between the lake and the imperial garden. We were far away from it and were blocked by the rockery, so we couldn’t see anything that was happening." The maidservant of Princess Lingyun stepped forward and said, “We saw it; Wangfei pushed our princess into the water.”

Zhaoyang smiled and said, "I know about that rockery on the lakeside. I played in there when I was young too. If you stood behind the rockery, you would not be able to see what happened at all."

"We… We were by the peach grove near the lake," the maidservant said as she panicked and glanced at her side.

Zhaoyang nodded. "If that is so, it’s possible that you did witness something. But I want to know why you were all around half of the imperial garden away from where you should have been. I recall there being a small river between the peach grove and the rockery by the lake. And the bridge seems rather far."

"This…" The maidservant, who was standing in front of the emperor and empress dowager, did not dare to evade her question even if she had the courage to do so. She could only say, “Yes… Princess ordered me… To go there…”

Zhaoyang smiled again and said, "Go where If you were picking peach blossoms in March, it would make sense. But now that we’re nearing June, no one usually goes over there."

"Your highness... Your highness..." The maidservant panicked and looked to Princess Lingyun for help, but even she couldn’t think of a reason at the moment other than to insist, "Regardless of how my maids got there, they saw that I fell into the water."

Zhaoyang’s gaze did not waver as she asked sternly, “If you say it was Wangfei who pushed Princess Lingyun down, then how did she do so Was Princess Lingyun facing or turned away from Wangfei Which hand did Wangfei use to push her Did Princess Lingyun scream for help when she fell into the water” The maidservant’s face froze before she said slowly, “I remember… Princess was facing away from Wangfei. Wangfei… Used both hands to push her down and after falling in, she struggled and called out for help.”

Le Tengfeng turned pale as he cursed inwardly.

Zhaoyang’s expression changed and she said sternly, "How dare you lie! The guards on patrol at the lakeside did not hear any cries for help but only heard your voice. They saw ripples in the water before they realized someone had fallen into it. How could you have possibly heard Princess Lingyun cry for help Or is your hearing better than that of the palace guards"

"I… I…" The maidservant, who was already at her limits and forced to come up with such a long answer, immediately fell to the ground when scolded. “Princess spare my life... Princess spare my life…”

Le Tengfeng suddenly said, "Stop! You clearly did not hear Princess Lingyun’s cries for help; just tell His Highness what you know and don’t embellish or lie." The maidservant was stunned before she hurriedly replied, “Yes… Yes… I am wrong to have added more... I didn’t hear the princess calling for help…”

Le Tengfeng turned back towards Ye Li with a smile as he bowed and said, "Forgive me, Wangfei. This maid has never seen much of the world since she followed Princess Lingyun from young and is currently scared. She was misled by her fear today... I hope Wangfei can forgive her." Looking at the stubborn expression on Princess Lingyun's face, Ye Li’s smile turned cold as she said, “Your Highness’ words are too severe. It’s not a major matter after all. However… this is my first time attending an imperial banquet and making such a mistake that it shames the Ding Wang family and my lord… Perhaps what Princess Lingyun says might be correct. Do you think so too”

Princess Lingyun huffed and turned away from Ye Li.

The princess in charge of the capital city, who was seated next to Princess Zhaoyang, suddenly smiled as she asked, “What did Princess Lingyun say that even Wangfei agrees with”

Ye Li sighed softly. "I have acted so impolitely and disgraced my lord’s dignity. Perhaps the Ding Wang might send me a divorce letter tomorrow, and another woman will become his wife."

The empress scolded her softly, “Don’t be ridiculous; this was just an accident; would the Ding Wang really be so unforgiving”

Sitting idly by watching the show, Mo Xiuyao nodded respectfully and said, "Your Majesty is right." He then turned to Ye Li and smiled, "Gleam, rest assured. No matter what happens, you are still my legal wife in the esteemed Dingguo Mansion! Anyone who questions Gleam is questioning me!" Princess Xiaoyang also laughed and said, "Xiuyao is absolutely correct. Anyone who dares question the Queen Consort is courting trouble with this princess. You can rest assured."

"Your Excellency, your wife, my royal cousin was acting out of ignorance today. I’m here to apologize on her behalf. Please forgive me."

Ye Li lowered her eyes and did not say anything, putting on a look that she left everything in the hands of His Excellency.

"Young Master Lei, it’s better if you have your cousin personally issue an apology as well to show sincerity. Isn’t that right" Mo Xiuyao replied calmly. Li Tengfeng was stunned. Mo Xiuyao was forcing his beloved niece to apologize in front of everyone, a clear slap in the face. It was evident he did not want to give her any leeway at all. After giving Ye Li a thoughtful glance, Lei Tengfeng said, "Princess Lingyun is still young and inexperienced. I have failed as an elder brother. Hence, it should be me who apologizes." Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrow slightly and smiled, “Perhaps you should also teach her what it means to take responsibility for one’s actions. Is that right” Princess Lingyun was already blushing furiously when she was berated in front of the person she had admired all this time.

Lei Tengfeng’s heart skipped a beat. If he knew Mo Xiuyao would be so stubborn, he would have forced his niece to apologize from the start. Losing face is better than losing your life! Lei Lingyun definitely needed to stay in Dongchu for the time being. Only if she were on good terms with Mo Xiuyao would she still be safe in Dongchu, but should something happen to him, she wouldn’t even know how she died. Lei Tengfeng believed that it was indeed Princess Lingyun who had targeted his wife this morning, but he did not believe for a moment that the Queen Consort was truly innocent. What scared him more was Mo Xiuyao bringing up the incident as an act of West Leye’s provocation towards Dingguo Mansion. Though Mo Xiuyao was now crippled, his power remained formidable with the Black Cloud Cavalry still at his disposal. If he had been a little softer in dealing with Lei Lingyun and her cousin, things would not have escalated so quickly. However, such an uncompromising attitude from Mo Xiuyao made him even more apprehensive of Dingguo Mansion’s capabilities. West Leye did not need war right now.

"Lingyun! Apologize to the Queen Consort!" Lei Tengfeng immediately ordered his niece.

“What I have to apologize to her” Princess Lingyun shrieked, earning disapproving looks from everyone present. Even Lady Ronghua turned her nose up at such an impertinent act for a princess of West Leye. Though she was the most haughty countess in Jingcheng, she would never be so rude in this situation.

Princess Lingyun glared at Ye Li hatefully and said, "Why should I apologize to her As the highest ranked princess of West Leye, how can a mere lady like that even deserve my apology"

Ye Li frowned. “Your Highness refuses to apologize because you look down on me”

"Is there anything about you that I should look up to" Princess Lingyun sneered and turned her nose up at Ye Li. She had been gathering information about the latter for days, finding out that she was a cold-shouldered lady of Jingcheng’s most prestigious family with an unfair reputation as one of the city’s three “useless” misses: talentless, immoral, and ugly. Even Prince Li could not bear her reputation and abandoned her. She had only been chosen by the Emperor due to her luck. As for winning the Hundred Flowers Ball, she was merely lucky.

A flash of coldness flickered in Ye Li’s eyes. She kept calming herself down: She is still a child; I shouldn’t take it personally… who cares if she’s still a child! This brat needs to be taught manners or she would get into serious trouble one day. If she were still in the army, he would have already stripped her of a layer of skin for being so reckless and careless.

“So, does your Highness look down on me or my title as the Queen Consort” Ye Li asked calmly.

"You’re not fit to be a Queen Consort!" Princess Lingyun cried out. Smiling slightly, Ye Li looked at Princess Lingyun and everyone present was impressed with her good temperament. “Then who do you think is qualified for the position of Queen Consort” If she had said that only she could take the title… then I would have respected your opinion.

Princess Lingyun choked on her words and glanced at Mo Xiuyao quickly, but he did not look like he was interested. With a faint smile on his face, he simply stared at his wife without realizing the resentful gaze of Princess Lingyun. Even though she could proclaim her desire to be Queen Consort in front of Ye Li, she still did not have the audacity to say only she deserved such a position. On the contrary, Ye Li was amused by her resentful expression. She had never met Mo Xiuyao and yet, on their first meeting, she already showed such intense emotion… It’s called love at first sight! Even if it were eight years ago, he could still have said that Princess Lingyun fell in love with him upon seeing him for the first time. But now, there was little chance of that happening to anyone. Could her admiration for a hero really have made her so infatuated Even so, shouldn’t she admire heroes from her own country

Or is this princess an international citizen without a nationality

"If it were in the past, me disliking you would not matter. But now… I cannot have the ancestors of Dingguo Mansion suffer due to my actions," Ye Li stated coldly. Princess Lingyun haughtily said, "I will never apologize to someone who is inferior to me!" Raising an eyebrow, Ye Li replied, “Your Highness invited me for a sword fight earlier and I politely declined. How about we try again now If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me today. But if your Highness loses…”

"Impossible! There’s no way I’ll ever lose to someone like you!"

Ignoring her outburst, Ye Li continued, "I will require your Highness to kneel and apologize in front of the whole court during a banquet."

"You… Fine. I agree," Princess Lingyun said quickly before Lei Tengfeng could stop her. “But if you lose, you have to bow three times with nine kowtows from the palace gates to Jingcheng’s busiest streets and apologize for your unworthiness as Queen Consort!”

Ye Li nodded in approval, "Agreed."

"Hold on! Princess Xiaoyang interrupted. “I remember you don’t even know how to wield a sword.”

Smiling, Ye Li replied, “That’s true. Hence we won’t be having a sword fight. We’ll have an archery competition instead. I’m sure your Highness is proficient in it as well”

"Hah! You want to compete with me in archery" Princess Lingyun laughed out loud at the thought of such a thing, “I started learning how to shoot a bow at seven and could hit my target every time by ten. Can you even draw your bow"

Smiling slightly, Ye Li said, "Does this mean that you are not willing to compete"

"I’m afraid you’ll look too foolish if you lose. Since you’re so confident, I will give you a chance to redeem yourself and ask how we should proceed."

Satisfied with the princess’s eagerness to accept defeat, Ye Li stood up and said respectfully to Emperor Jingqi and Empress Dowager, “Please be our witness.” The Emperor asked her, "Are you sure Think carefully before making a decision." Smiling back at him, Ye Li replied, “I would appreciate it if Your Majesty could give me this chance. It is important that the dignity of Dingguo Mansion not be trampled upon.”

Emperor Jingqi was stunned and stared at her for a long time before he said calmly, "Alright."

Ye Li bowed respectfully to him, “I thank Your Majesty for your support,” then turned to Princess Lingyun and smiled, “Your Highness, let’s begin.”in a secluded valley thirty miles away from the city, constructed similarly to what she built near the capital but much larger and with more training programs. Qin Feng had worked out these ideas toge...