Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

When Tao Jiuxi saw her father pleading for mercy, her heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled down. She couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, as if a huge stone had fallen from her heart.

"Then what does Lord Tao mean now?" The eldest princess frowned slightly, her face dignified.

The guests outside had all seen with their own eyes the two of them hugging each other tightly in the water. If Zhong Yunxi was punished at this time, it would also demonstrate her strict management of her subordinates, thereby intimidating others. The majesty of the Princess's Mansion would not tolerate any violation.

But if it was Tao Hongyuan who fell into the water and had such close contact with the people in the Princess's Mansion, and he, as a fourth-rank official, directly married the person taken in by the Princess's Mansion, then the Princess's status in the capital would be even higher and her prestige would be even greater.

"Since it's not Miss Zhong's fault, please don't punish her." Tao Hongyuan said sincerely, but he didn't seem to understand the princess's deeper meaning.

Zhong Yunxi listened at the side, and the panic in her heart receded a little like the tide. She secretly raised her eyes to look at the eldest princess, her eyes full of uneasiness.

"If we don't deal with her, who will take my Princess's Mansion seriously in the future?" The Princess' voice was majestic and unquestionable, echoing in the silent room, making the atmosphere even more solemn.

Tao Hongyuan understood that the princess must have other intentions, so he said respectfully, "Please explain clearly, Princess."

"Since Lord Tao said that it was his fault that he fell into the water, everyone has seen you hugging each other today. There are only two ways to go. Either punish her and uphold the rules of the mansion; or marry her into the mansion to preserve the reputation of both parties." The eldest princess stared at Tao Hongyuan with a sharp gaze, as if she wanted to see through him.

After hearing what the princess said, Tao Hongyuan's eyes were full of astonishment, as if he was shocked by this sudden decision.

Zhong Yunxi also heard the eldest princess' words. She looked expectantly at Tao Hongyuan, with nervousness and expectation in her eyes. Tao Hongyuan was her only life-saving straw at the moment.

At this moment, the eldest princess's majestic gaze was looking straight at him. Although it seemed that she had given him the right to choose, in fact, both choices were like hot potatoes to him, and not what he wanted.

The main reason was that all this happened too hastily, and he was pushed into this dilemma before he had time to think it over carefully.

Tao Jiuxi and Tao Qingwan were also extremely nervous at this time. They stared at their father intently, their hearts in their throats.

I thought it was just a small incident, but I didn't expect things to develop into such a counterproductive situation. I am worried about my father's decision and worried about this complicated situation.

The hall was quiet for a while.

The eldest princess seemed a little impatient. She frowned slightly, her expression becoming more dignified: "Since Master Tao is unwilling to be the villain, then I will make the decision."

Seeing that Tao Hongyuan still hadn't made a decision, the princess coldly ordered, "Come, drag her away."

When the guards heard the order, they went forward to arrest the person.

Zhong Yunxi looked at this scene and felt that the hope that had just been ignited in her heart was like a candle in the wind, being ruthlessly blown out bit by bit.

She couldn't help but burst into tears, which kept sliding down her cheeks.

"Wait." Tao Hongyuan said hurriedly to the guard.

He then bowed respectfully to the princess, his expression solemn, "Princess, I am willing to marry Miss Zhong. However, it has been less than a year since my wife passed away, and according to etiquette, I cannot hold a grand wedding ceremony for Miss Zhong at this time. If Miss Zhong is willing to accept this arrangement, I will send a sedan chair to bring her to the palace in three days."

When Zhong Yunxi heard this, a surge of joy surged in his heart.

It’s okay if we don’t have a wedding ceremony.

Tao Hongyuan was talking about marrying herself, not taking her as a concubine or a wife.

For her, this is the best outcome.

As long as she could enter the Tao Mansion, she secretly swore that she would treat Tao Hongyuan well in the future, live a stable life with him, and make up for her mistakes today.

"What Lord Tao said makes sense. Then I will draft the marriage certificate and wait for Lord Tao in three days." The eldest princess would be satisfied as long as Tao Hongyuan was willing to marry Zhong Yunxi. Now the instructions of His Majesty and Shen Zhiyi's request were completely resolved.

More importantly, this little disturbance could also increase the prestige of her princess's mansion.

Once the eldest princess opened her mouth, her decision was final. From beginning to end, she never asked Zhong Yunxi a single question.

"Yes, that being the case, if there are no other matters, I will take my leave today." Tao Hongyuan finished speaking and prepared to leave. At this moment, he just wanted to find a quiet place to calm himself and sort out this sudden and tangled situation.

After getting the eldest princess's permission, Tao Hongyuan turned around and left.

But he never even looked at Zhong Yunxi.

Tao Jiuxi and Tao Qingwan also bowed and took their leave, following their father's footsteps closely.

Shen Zhiyi followed closely and walked out behind Tao Jiuxi.

Seeing this, Tao Jiuxi quickly sent the maid behind her away: "Xiu'er, follow your sister first. Tell her I'll be there soon."

The maid Xiu'er took the order and followed Tao Qingwan.

Seeing the maid go away, Shen Zhiyi spoke: "Are you leaving now? The fireworks haven't even started yet."

"Don't set off fireworks today. Wait three days and then set them off near my house. Miss Zhong doesn't have a wedding ceremony, and it's too lonely. These fireworks can add some joy to her." Tao Jiuxi shook Shen Zhiyi's arm lightly and said coquettishly.

"Only you would feel sorry for her." Shen Zhiyi reached out and gently scratched Tao Jiuxi's nose, his eyes full of doting.

"Ayi, you stay here to clean up the mess and don't let the princess blame Miss Zhong too much. I think my father is furious right now. He doesn't like you anyway, so you'd better stay away for now."

"It wasn't me who designed him to fall into the water..."

"I know, but Miss Zhong is your future mother-in-law. You should protect her first, and she will support you and me in the future." Tao Jiuxi laughed.

At today's banquet, Shen Zhiyi must have spent a lot of thought to prepare a surprise for her. Although she only appreciated it for a moment, Tao Jiuxi was still very touched.

She looked at Tao Qingwan's back as she walked away, and quickly placed a kiss on Shen Zhiyi's cheek, as light as a dragonfly touching the water.

"That's it?"

"Isn't this enough?"

"Not enough, I'll come find you at night." Shen Zhiyi said in a low and gentle voice with a tender look in his eyes.

"Don't come! If you keep doing this, father will find out. I will go find Mu'er and Fu Ya tomorrow. After you leave the court, we will go to the west of the city to eat the Bo Xia offering."

Seeing his sister about to disappear in the corridor, Tao Jiuxi quickly spoke of his plan, and before Shen Zhiyi could respond, he trotted after his sister.

Shen Zhiyi's face was full of melancholy, his eyes glued to Tao Jiuxi's departing back. He felt that now that Tao Jiuxi no longer pestered him, his heart was filled with loss.

"Duke Shen!"

Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind.

"Fang Mingxiu, why do you always cling to me like a dog-skin plaster?"

Fang Mingxiu saw Shen Zhiyi's annoyed attitude, but he was not annoyed. His handsome face was full of smiles, with a hint of flattery: "This humble official wants to ask, will Miss Tao also go to eat the Boxia offering tomorrow..."