The palace maids and eunuchs were so frightened they dropped their lanterns and fled. The people behind them only saw shadows shifting but had no idea what was happening ahead.
"Who's there? Bring them forward," the Emperor commanded sharply. Two figures were immediately brought before the assembled crowd.
The man's clothes were disheveled, his face flushed—none other than the recently sent-out An Junwang, trying to sober up. The woman's attire was slightly messy, but she kept her head bowed low. It was too dark to clearly see her features, but that didn't matter. The pale yellow robe was unmistakable—it was Chen Fei, without a doubt.
The Empress Dowager nearly fainted at the sight and turned to look at the Emperor—only to find him frozen, as if turned to ice, utterly devoid of life.
She recalled how Chen Fei left shortly after An Junwang did. Who would have thought these two would end up together like this?
"This must be Chen Fei deliberately seducing him. An Junwang was drunk; otherwise, how could he have done such a thing?" The Imperial Consort's anxiety was obvious as she hurriedly whispered, "Quickly take them away. Don't let the Empress Dowager or His Majesty see this mess."
Kneeling nearby, Meng Wenxian realized this wasn't what they had planned. The Consort had clearly said that as long as Chen Fei seduced the Junwang and everyone saw it, then he'd have no choice but to marry her—and they could be together openly.
Now the Consort was trying to sweep it under the rug instead of letting her make her case. No way—she had to speak.
Just as Meng Wenxian tried to lift her head, the Consort ordered the eunuchs to clamp her mouth shut and force her head down.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, so many people are watching. Let's just drag them away first."
If they took the couple away now, then even if Meng Wenxian appeared later, no one would believe her. She and An Junwang would be nailed to the pillar of shame, beyond redemption.
The Emperor swayed, burdened by days of humiliation and the bitter sting of betrayal. It felt like thousands of ants were gnawing at his heart. Why was fate so cruel to him? His beloved Yao'er had betrayed him.
He didn't want to hear the details—who was right or wrong. He wanted no more of these two people and signaled the palace guards.
"Drag them away."
The single order seemed to drain the last bit of his strength. The crowd held their breath. Who else but An Junwang would get cuckolded by the Emperor himself?
The Emperor's head swam; he seemed about to collapse. Suddenly, a soft body leaned in to support him.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Everyone turned, stunned to see it was Chen Fei. Even the Consort gasped, "Chen Fei? What are you doing here?"
Meng Wenxian feigned innocence. "I just went to change clothes and found everyone gone. I followed quietly. What's going on?"
Seeing Meng Wenxian, the Emperor felt as if everything was a nightmare. He clung to Meng Wenxian tightly, nearly in tears.
The kneeling woman wasn't his Yao'er—how could his Yao'er betray him? Fate had finally shown mercy.
"My Yao'er, my Yao'er."
"I'm here, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager grew more excited than the Emperor—An Junwang was saved. As long as he hadn't slept with Chen Fei, everything was fixable.
Just a woman—drag her out and beat her to death. Afterwards, explain that the Junwang was drunk and innocent. That would erase all suspicion.
The Empress Dowager pulled the two apart eagerly and said, "Chen Fei, you came just in time. Someone tried to take advantage of the Junwang's drunkenness. You oversee the harem—quickly have her taken away and executed."
She glanced down at the kneeling woman, who looked up fearfully, revealing some resemblance to Chen Fei.
Meng Wenxian struggled fiercely, something falling from her mouth.
"Your Highness, please save me! I'm your sister!"
Meng Wenxian rubbed her forehead. That wretched girl deserved a thousand deaths, but she couldn't be killed bearing disgrace. That would tarnish the Meng family's reputation—something her father and brothers had fought tooth and nail to protect.
The Emperor no longer cared about An Junwang's scandal. His Yao'er was the priority.
"What's wrong, Yao'er?"
Meng Wenxian leaned weakly against the Emperor, whispering, "I just went to change, but suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous."
"Send for the imperial physician."
The Emperor carried Meng Wenxian back to the main hall, soothing her all the way, "Maybe you ate something bad or the wine affected you. Let me take you back to Hanxiang Hall."
Shaking her head, Meng Wenxian refused. "My sister is still here. I want to know what happened."
"As you wish."
The Emperor settled Meng Wenxian beside him, and the others returned to their seats.
An Junwang and Meng Wenxian were brought before the hall, kneeling in the center awaiting judgment.
The Empress Dowager pointed urgently at Meng Wenxian. "Did you seduce An Junwang?"
An Junwang, now mostly sober, crawled forward, crying out loudly, "I was drunk and knew nothing! It was this wretched woman who seduced me! I swear I don't know anything!"
Meng Wenxian knelt silently, like a rose battered by storms, stubbornly holding onto a few remaining petals while her body was covered in thorns.
A few days ago, the Consort had taken her into the palace. Meng Wenxian thought she would be executed—but instead, the Consort planned for her.
If she could seduce An Junwang tonight in front of everyone, then she'd be his. It would be impossible for him to deny her. As Chen Fei's sister, she'd surely be granted marriage to An Junwang.
She'd loved An Junwang for years, once dreaming of becoming his wife. Fate had been cruel, and becoming his concubine was already enough.
During her time in the manor, An Junwang was attentive and caring; she thought marriage was imminent. But Chen Fei always coddled her and never mentioned the marriage favor to the Emperor.
Now she finally had a chance to openly become An Junwang's woman. No matter what the Consort's schemes were, she would try.
Seeing An Junwang crying beside her, Meng Wenxian never expected him to be so cold.
"Have you forgotten our past?"
"What past do I have with you?"
The Empress Dowager quickly ordered, "Shut her up! She's spouting filthy lies and defaming the Junwang."
It was clear she intended to sacrifice Meng Wenxian to protect An Junwang's reputation.
Looking to the Emperor, Meng Wenxian quietly pleaded, "Your Majesty, please let my sister finish speaking."
The Emperor knew this was complicated—he had survived countless palace intrigues himself. But An Junwang was the dynasty's future heir; his reputation must be untarnished. Whoever it hurt today would be sacrificed.
He looked at Meng Wenxian with regret and softly comforted her, "Your sister is cunning, plotting against you repeatedly. Her death would be just. You're too kind-hearted, Yao'er."