Harem Daily Life

He Jinan was really anxious. He didn't expect Shu Siyi to do that.

Upon hearing this, Shu Yunyun calmly stood still and bowed, saying, "Second Prince, you've wronged me. I accidentally fell just now, and it was you who kindly helped me up, so that's why it looked like we were hugging. I absolutely have no intention of seducing His Highness the Second Prince."

Tao Yanyan snorted coldly, "Hmph, you've been hanging around in Qingyun Palace time and time again, no matter what you're up to. You know exactly what you're up to. Pass on my order. Shu Siyi is forbidden from entering Qingyun Palace. If discovered, she will be immediately sent to the Ministry of Punishment."

Shu Yunyun frowned. "Empress, even though you are the Empress, you can't just say I can't go anywhere. I'm a court lady, and I'm here on official business. What's wrong with that? If the Empress continues to accuse me without any basis, then we should go to the Empress Dowager and ask for her judgment."

Shu Yunyun was betting that the Empress Dowager, concerned about the Shu family's reputation, wouldn't side with Empress Tao and would speak up for herself no matter what. Tao Yanyan narrowed her eyes. She had just begun to suspect something was going on between the Empress Dowager and Shu Yunyun, and was worried she couldn't find out. Hearing her words, she nodded, "Alright, then I'll go to Changchun Palace. I want to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve."

She glanced at He Jinan, who quickly said, "I will go too. Today's matter concerns me, and I also want to ask the Empress Dowager to give me justice."

In Changchun Palace, the Queen Mother's eyelids twitched when she heard that the Queen had arrived with the Second Prince and Shu Yunyun.

"What's going on? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her? Is she messing with Jin An again?"

Eunuch Qin was also confused. After everyone arrived at the palace, Shu Yunyun's eyes turned red and she cried, "Please, Queen Dowager, please make a decision. The Empress Dowager is accusing me of seducing the Second Prince and wants to punish me."

Tao Yanyan: “…”

He Jinan: “…”

The mother and son took a deep breath, both disgusted by her evil face of complaining first.

The Queen Mother raised her eyebrows, a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes, and said, "Tell me, what did you do to make the Queen misunderstand like this?"

Shu Yunyun hurriedly told the story of how she accidentally fell and the second prince happened to help her.

"Empress Dowager, this is what happened. I was wrong for not standing firm, but the Empress blamed me without asking any questions. I feel truly wronged. Besides... the Second Prince always spoke to me in a gentle and soft voice, but today, facing the Empress's questioning, he actually said... that I was plotting against him. A woman's innocence is so important, but today, the Empress and the Second Prince both easily slandered my innocence. How can I be slandered in vain? I beg the Empress Dowager to intervene and give me justice!"

He Jinan was about to open her mouth to defend herself when Tao Yanyan pulled her aside. She stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I was just too concerned and lost my temper in front of Shu Siyi. However, Shu Siyi's actions were inappropriate in every way, and I simply couldn't stand it. Jinan is only sixteen this year. If someone with ulterior motives sets their sights on him, then as the Queen, I have the right to discipline him. I ask for Your Majesty's understanding."

The Queen Mother nodded and turned to ask Shu Yunyun, "Then according to your opinion, Shu Siyi, what should I do to seek justice for you?"

Shu Yunyun's eyes flashed with pride, and she pretended to be reluctant and said, "When the Empress scolded me in public for seducing the prince, I was truly ashamed. I thought, either the Empress apologizes to me in front of the Queen Mother, or, since my reputation is ruined, the Second Prince will have to take responsibility for me."

"Heh--" He Jinan sneered and clenched his fists in anger.

The Queen Mother also sneered and looked at Shu Yunyun leisurely: "Shu Siyi, you... have indeed been misunderstood by the Queen."

"Empress, Shu Siyi already has someone in her heart, but you don't know that, so you misunderstand her."

Everyone was stunned and looked at Shu Yunyun.

Shu Yunyun suddenly panicked a little. She looked at the Queen Mother and found that her eyes were so cold.

"Originally, palace ladies, like palace maids, were not allowed to leave the palace and marry until they were 25 years old. But since you, Shu Siyi, have acted inappropriately and caused the Queen to misunderstand, I will make a break for you and allow you to leave the palace early and marry that guard Wang."

Upon hearing this, Shu Yunyun quickly knelt down and said, "Queen Dowager, I have nothing to do with Guard Wang. I don't want to marry him!"

The Queen Mother raised an eyebrow. "How can there be no connection? I saw you and that guard Wang being affectionate with each other with my own eyes. How could it be fake? Don't be embarrassed. It's the beginning of love, and there's nothing shameful about falling for a handsome guard. I've made inquiries, and that guard is the illegitimate son of the Jingzhao Yin's brother-in-law. He's a righteous man... He likes to make friends and is a very popular person."

Shu Yunyun's face was filled with fear. She begged desperately, "No, I don't want to marry a guard. He was the one who coveted my beauty before. He was the one who pestered me unilaterally. I have no feelings for him. I... I am the only unmarried daughter of the Shu family. Queen Mother, you can't just give me away!"

Shu Yunyun moved out of the Shu family, but the coldness in the Queen Mother's eyes deepened: "Even if you are the only daughter of the Shu family waiting to be married, so what? Do you think I will choose a prince for you to marry? Are you worthy?"

Eunuch Qin stepped forward and called two people to take Shu Yunyun away. "Don't worry, Shu Siyi. I've already told the commander of the Imperial Guards about Guard Wang and asked him to transfer him to a good place. He's been safe these past few years, so there's no need to worry."

Shu Yunyun kept shaking her head: "I won't marry a guard. The Second Prince and I are in love and we have a great time talking..."

He Jinan: "..." He simply couldn't hear anything, so he simply covered his ears and turned his back.

Tao Yanyan had prepared many excuses, but he didn't expect that they would be useless. Before he even had the chance to say them, Shu Yunyun was betrothed to someone else by the Queen Mother.

Only after the person was dragged away did Tao Yanyan say, "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your help. I am deeply grateful."

The Queen Mother waved her hand and said, "It is also my Shu family's misfortune that such a fool with such lofty ambitions has emerged. I am sorry to have embarrassed you, Queen."

The Queen Mother had a trace of shame on her face, but she quickly concealed it. She looked at He Jinan and said, "My grandson must naturally be paired with the best woman in the world. I will slowly choose your marriage for you."

He Jinan quickly squatted beside the Queen Mother's legs and acted like a spoiled child: "Grandson listens to the Imperial Grandmother, but don't worry, the Grandmother is still young."

Tao Yanyan thought of He Xuan. This time, she had accompanied the army on the expedition, deliberately concealing her identity, but she had still met the second son of the Changyong Marquis's mansion, and it was said that they got along well. Since the topic of marriage was brought up today, Tao Yanyan mentioned it: "Queen Dowager, Jin'an, take your time and don't rush. Xuan'er, on the other hand, seems to be showing some signs of potential."