Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

The next morning, the sun had just risen, and golden sunlight streamed through the windows onto the courtyard of the Yunnan Palace. The family began their day as usual. Some were brandishing swords in the center of the spacious courtyard, their swift movements and sharp moves awe-inspiring. Others had just risen and were washing up. The atmosphere was tranquil and peaceful.

After a morning exercise, the whole family sat around the dining table to enjoy a delicious breakfast. The table was filled with a variety of exquisite snacks and steaming hot porridge. Everyone enjoyed the food while chatting and laughing, creating a harmonious and warm atmosphere.

After breakfast, everyone was preparing to return to their respective courtyards to rest or attend to matters when they suddenly heard hurried footsteps at the door. Then, Erwang, the gatekeeper, ran over breathlessly and announced loudly, "Your Highness, the two princesses, and the young master, someone has been sent from the palace."

Upon hearing this news, the people present exchanged glances, all realizing that the person arriving this time was most likely the eunuch delivering the imperial decree. Dugu Xin pondered for a moment, then quickly ordered, "I didn't expect him to arrive so soon. Erwang, please invite the eunuch in. Everyone else, hurry up and clean up the food. Don't let the palace envoys see this."

Before he'd finished speaking, everyone sprang into action. The women deftly gathered the dishes and plates from the table and carried them to the kitchen for cleaning. The men then worked together to lift the table aside and quickly wiped away any remaining food crumbs and grease. Before long, the once somewhat messy dining room was neatly organized, as if the lively dining scene had never occurred.

At that moment, Erwang had already entered, leading the distinguished guest from the palace. A closer look revealed that this person was none other than Gao Lishi, a man deeply favored by the emperor. He was dressed in a gorgeous brocade robe and wore a modest smile, yet his every gesture exuded a sense of majesty and dignity.

As soon as Gao Lishi entered the room, he bowed respectfully to everyone in the room and said, "This old servant pays his respects to the King of Yunnan, the Crown Prince, and the two princesses." Faced with this powerful eunuch in the palace, Dugu Xin and others naturally did not dare to neglect him.

Dugu Xin personally stepped forward, gently helped Gao Lishi up with both hands, and said with a smile, "Eunuch Gao, you are so polite. Please stand up! Your presence in my humble abode is truly an honor. I wonder what brings you here?"

Gao Lishi was very pleased with their attitude, so he said, "Your Majesty of Yunnan is too polite. I am here to read the imperial edict."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Xin and his family exchanged glances, then knelt down in greeting. Gao Lishi then resounded, "Princess Yi'an Dugu Jingyao, receive the decree. By the will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

Princess Dugu Jingyao of Yi'an is a woman as worthy as any man. Her innocence has been proven, and the injustice she has endured has left me with deep sympathy. I now grant her an additional dowry to honor her achievements and comfort her heart. I decree this!

After hearing this, Dugu Jingyao bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. Long live the emperor!" Gao Lishi then handed the imperial edict to Dugu Jingyao.

Then Gao Lishi said, "Don't worry, everyone. There is another imperial edict."

The people kneeling below remained kneeling. Gao Lishi took out another imperial edict and said, "By the will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Dugu Moyan, the legitimate son of the King of Yunnan, is a man of noble character, filial piety, and both civil and military talents. I am deeply pleased. I now confer the title of Crown Prince of Yunnan to rectify his reputation. I hope that he will exercise self-discipline and diligence in government affairs in the future, and live up to my expectations and the trust of the King of Yunnan. I decree this!"

After hearing the imperial edict, Dugu Moyan, like Dugu Jingyao just now, bowed and said, "I thank the emperor for his grace. Long live the emperor!"

After the ceremony, Gao Lishi also handed the imperial edict to Dugu Moyan. After receiving the imperial edict, the family stood up.

Gao Lishi said with a smile: "This old servant congratulates Princess Yi'an and the Prince of Yunnan."

Dugu Xin was also very proud, so he smiled and said to Gao Lishi: "Eunuch Gao, have a cup of tea before leaving."

Gao Lishi waved his hand and said, "No, no, the emperor is still waiting for me to return and report!"

Dugu Xin also felt regretful. At this time, Dugu Jingyao gave Shi Jian a look. Shi Jian understood and took out a purse and gave it to Dugu Jingyao. Dugu Jingyao stepped forward and said, "Eunuch Gao, you have worked hard. Since you don't have time for tea, please accept this as a token of our appreciation."

Gao Lishi initially tried to refuse: "This is so embarrassing."

Dugu Xin took the purse, stuffed it into Gao Lishi's hand and said, "Eunuch, please don't be polite. Take it."

Gao Lishi took it and weighed it lightly, feeling very satisfied. His smile became more sincere as he said, "Thank you very much, King of Yunnan, Princess, and Prince. I will take my leave now!"

Dugu Xin and his entire family respectfully escorted Gao Lishi out of the mansion, not stopping until they reached the door. They watched Gao Lishi board the carriage, the driver whipping his horse, the clatter of hooves echoing through the streets, the carriage slowly pulling away, and gradually moving away. Only after the carriage disappeared around the corner did Dugu Xin and the others turn around and return to the mansion.

After entering the mansion, everyone dispersed and began to busy themselves with their own affairs. At this time, Gao Lishi was sitting upright in the spacious and comfortable carriage, thinking about what he had seen and heard today.

He couldn't help but shake his head and sighed, "This family of the Yunnan Palace truly understands the ways of dealing with people! Everyone is so humble, polite, and well-mannered. No wonder His Royal Highness Prince Guangping favors Princess Yi'an, and even the current emperor has great trust in this prince of a different surname!"

At the same time, Li Chu, who was on the other side, learned that Gao Lishi had already set off for the Yunnan Palace to announce the decree, and immediately ordered his men to find Feng Shengyi to discuss important matters.

When Feng Shengyi hurried over, Li Chu whispered, "Hurry and think of a way to spread the news that Princess Yi'an has successfully proven her innocence and that the emperor has issued an imperial decree to reward her. Make sure this incident causes a sensation in Chang'an City."

Feng Shengyi took the order and left. Soon he came up with a series of clever ways to spread the news.

As expected, not long after, public opinion in Chang'an City suddenly shifted. On the streets, people were buzzing with discussion, and the topic almost entirely revolved around Princess Yi'an.

Some people were amazed: "Princess Yi'an is truly a heroine! She was able to calmly deal with such a difficult situation and prove her innocence."

Others angrily accused: "The mastermind behind this is really too much. They actually used such despicable means to slander a woman's reputation. It is simply unforgivable!"

Many people even spoke out for Dugu Jingyao, feeling that she had suffered great injustice and unfair treatment. In short, most people's opinions now tend to support and sympathize with Dugu Jingyao.

When they heard the news, the Guo family was filled with jubilation. People rushed to tell each other, their joy beyond words. The Shen family was also very lively, and everyone's tense nerves were finally able to relax. Even Murong Linzhi felt relieved when he heard about this. And the hard-working female workers all had relieved smiles on their faces.

However, in this relaxed and joyful atmosphere, there was one person whose reaction was completely different - Cui Caiping was standing in her own courtyard in anger.

As expected, Cui Caiping's courtyard was already in turmoil. Like a mad lioness, she roared and raged at the servants and maids around her, sometimes throwing things and sometimes shouting curses. The entire courtyard was turned upside down by her, with people running wild and clamoring, and no one dared to approach her.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Han sat in the house, her brows furrowed, a look of helplessness on her face. She was filled with confusion and bewilderment at what was happening before her eyes.

According to common sense, anyone poisoned by that kind of love poison would be completely virginal. If so, they would have long since crumbled into a pile of bones, buried in the earth. But why was Dugu Jingyao so completely unharmed? Could it be that she hadn't been poisoned at all? Was the so-called poisoning just a deliberate false rumor?

But on closer inspection, this possibility seemed unlikely. The inn's waiter and a soldier accompanying them had both confidently stated that they had heard the sounds of sex coming from the room, and that the sounds had lasted for quite some time. Could even these be false?

Thinking of this, Mrs. Han couldn't help but gasp. It turned out that the person who harmed Dugu Jingyao this time was not someone else, but herself!

At the beginning, in order to allow her daughter to successfully ascend the throne of Princess Guangping, and also for the future prosperity of her family, she took the risk and killed Dugu Jingyao.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Instead of achieving her goal, she ended up making things worse. Not only did the Emperor criticize her and her brother, but Dugu Jingyao also received a dowry from the Emperor, and Dugu Moyan even became the Crown Prince of Yunnan. It truly lived up to the old saying, "You lose more than you gain by stealing a chicken!"