The Lord God is kneeling on the washboard again

Li Yan, the daughter of Minister Li, was overcome with jealousy as she listened to the other ministers and their wives praising Duanmu Li. She clutched the handkerchief tightly, her knuckles turning white from the strain, and her pretty face was distorted by anger and jealousy.

Back then, she almost became the Prince Regent's concubine. Li Yan recalled that time with a feeling of resentment. She had believed that with her family's power and her own beauty, she would surely catch the Prince Regent's eye and become his concubine, enjoying wealth and glory from then on.

But now, the appearance of Duanmu Li shattered her beautiful dream. Looking at the praises of Duanmu Li, Li Yan felt that every word was like a slap in the face, making her feel ashamed.

"Why is it Duanmu Li? She is just an unfavored concubine's daughter, how can she get the favor of the Regent?" Li Yan roared angrily in her heart.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and the jealous fire in her eyes burned even more fiercely. To her, the laughter and joy of the people around her turned into ridicule and mockery.

Li Yan took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, but the heaving of her chest still revealed the turmoil in her heart. She secretly vowed to teach Duanmu Li a lesson and take back everything that belonged to her.

At this time, Madam Shangshu spoke out: "She was mocking Xing Xuanli in a subtle way. I heard that Fourth Miss Duanmu disappeared for five years, and this time she came back to bring a child back to the Regent." This made people doubt the authenticity of her words.

Mrs. Li Shangshu's words were like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves. The people around her began to whisper and discuss.

"This is really a rare thing. He disappeared for five years and came back with a child. It's really hard to believe." Someone muttered in a low voice.

"Maybe it's true, otherwise why would there be such a rumor?" another person echoed.

"But Fourth Miss Duanmu doesn't look like that kind of person." Some people also expressed different opinions.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Mrs. Li Shangshu was secretly pleased with herself and continued to exaggerate, "It's hard to say. Who knows what she's been through outside for the past five years? Maybe..."

Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by a stern voice: "Madam Minister Li, please be careful with your words! Don't make up stories without any evidence." It turned out that Yun Mohan's confidant could not stand it anymore and scolded him.

Mrs. Li Shangshu's face changed, but she still said unwillingly: "I just heard it, it was just a casual remark."

At this moment, Yun Mohan stepped forward, looked at her coldly, and said, "Madam Li Shangshu, there are some things you shouldn't say carelessly. If I hear you slandering my wife and children again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Mrs. Li Shangshu was so frightened that she quickly bowed her head and admitted her mistake: "Prince Regent, calm down. It was my fault that I spoke out of turn."

As soon as Li Yan's vicious words came out, the air around them seemed to freeze. Yun Mohan's face instantly turned gloomy, and his hawk-like gaze shot straight at Li Yan, as if he wanted to cut her into pieces.

"Li Yan, how dare you!" Yun Mohan shouted, his voice filled with suppressed anger. "How can I allow you to slander my princess like this!"

Li Yan was frightened by Yun Mohan's anger and trembled all over, but the jealousy in her heart made her lose her mind. She continued to speak without thinking, "Your Highness, I am telling the truth. You can't be deceived by this woman. She disappeared for five years. Who knows what shameful things she has done."

Li Yan was still saying something when she was suddenly kicked to the ground.

She lay on the ground in a mess, and when she looked up, she saw Xing Xuanli's personal maid Xiao Cui staring at her with eyes wide open.

"You are such a fool! If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will tear your mouth apart!" Xiao Cui roared angrily.

Li Yan was both embarrassed and annoyed, struggling to get up, "How dare you, a lowly slave, kick me!"

Xiao Cui stepped forward and looked down at her, "I'm kicking you! Do you think you can slander my young lady and young master so casually?"

At this time, people around began to point and talk.

"Li Yan is really too much. How could she say such a thing?"

"That's right, no wonder he got kicked, he really deserved it."

Li Yan's face turned even uglier when she heard these comments. She shouted at Xiao Cui, "Just wait, I won't let you go!"

Xiao Cui sneered, "Come on if you have the guts, and see who won't let go of whom!"

Li Yan was ashamed and angry, but she did not dare to

Yun Mohan noticed that Xing Xuanli was a little absent-minded at this time, and he felt distressed. He hugged Xing Xuanli tightly in his arms and said, "Li'er, I'm sorry for wronging you. I will definitely seek justice for you."

At this time, the Queen scolded Li Yan, "Li Yan, you are so presumptuous! How can you slander the Regent Princess like this?"

The Queen's voice was majestic and sharp, carrying an irresistible aura. Li Yan couldn't help but tremble when she heard the Queen's reprimand, and her face instantly lost its color.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Your humble servant...your humble servant spoke out of turn." Li Yan quickly knelt down and begged for mercy, her voice trembling and she didn't dare to raise her head.

The Queen snorted coldly, "A momentary slip of the tongue? Do you realize how much trouble your words will bring to the royal family? How can you sully the reputation of the Regent Princess?"

Everyone around was silent, not daring to make a sound.

The Queen continued, "How did Minister Li teach you? You are so uneducated and outspoken. I will definitely inform Minister Li about what happened today and ask him to discipline you."

Li Yan was so frightened that she burst into tears. "Queen, please spare my life. I will never dare to do it again."

Emperor Nanyuan also spoke at this time: "Minister Li is indeed a good teacher of his daughter." The emperor's voice was not loud, but it carried an invisible pressure that made everyone present feel nervous.

When Li Yan heard this, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, and her body trembled even more violently. She knew that the emperor's words were a great irony, which meant that the entire Li family might be implicated.

Minister Li was so frightened that he quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. My daughter is ignorant and it is all my fault for not disciplining her properly. I beg your Majesty to forgive me."

Emperor Nanyuan looked at him coldly, "Minister Li, as an important official of the court, you can't even take care of your own daughter. How can you share my worries?"

Minister Li broke out in a cold sweat. "Your Majesty, I will discipline my daughter strictly when I return. I will not let this happen again."

Emperor Nanyuan snorted, "It's better to do so, otherwise I will never show mercy."

Everyone present lowered their heads and dared not speak. The atmosphere was extremely depressing.

After a while, Emperor Nanyuan's expression softened slightly. "Everyone, get up. Today's affairs are over. Don't let this kind of farce disturb the peace of the palace again."

Everyone felt as if they had been granted amnesty, and they all thanked him and stood up. However, Li Yan and Minister Li hurriedly withdrew with fear on their faces, their hearts filled with worry about the future.

Everyone was whispering, saying that when the Regent was not at home, she volunteered to enter the Regent's palace, saying that it was Concubine Li who arranged the marriage. However, the Regent did not take it seriously and was kicked out.

"Oh, this is really embarrassing. He came here himself and was kicked out." Some people couldn't help but click their tongues.

"She is so overconfident that she thinks she can win the Regent's favor just by having Concubine Li's marriage arranged?" another person sneered.

"I heard it was a very awkward scene. She was crying and refusing to leave."

"In the end, the palace guards had to throw her out. It was really embarrassing."

"Li Yan is used to being arrogant and domineering because of the power of the Li family. I didn't expect that she would be met with such a setback from the Regent."

"That's right, you don't even consider whether you are worthy or not, yet you still dream of marrying the Regent."

"I think she just covets the power and position of the Regent."

"Hmph, now it's good. I've lost more than I gained and become the laughing stock of the entire capital."

Everyone was talking at once, their stories vividly described, their faces filled with expressions of gloating. Li Yan, who was not far away, overheard these discussions and her face turned ashen. She felt embarrassed and annoyed, but she couldn't lash out. She could only grit her teeth and glare at those gossiping people.

The Prince Regent has been searching for Fourth Miss Duanmu for many years, so how could he have room for another woman?

When everyone heard this, they all nodded in understanding.

"That's right. The Regent's deep affection for Fourth Miss Duanmu is obvious to all." Someone said with emotion.

"Over the years, the Prince Regent hasn't even had a concubine by his side. His heart and eyes are filled with the Fourth Miss Duanmu."

"I heard that the Prince Regent mobilized a lot of manpower and resources to find the Fourth Miss Duanmu. This persistence is really touching."

"No wonder Li Yan was kicked out for trying to get close enough. The Prince Regent's heart has long been completely occupied by Fourth Miss Duanmu."

"Yes, this kind of deep affection cannot be interfered with by just anyone."

"Li Yan still dreams of entering the Regent's Palace with Concubine Li's marriage proposal. This is simply wishful thinking."

Everyone was talking about it, full of admiration and envy for the relationship between the Regent and the Fourth Miss Duanmu, but at the same time they were even more disdainful of Li Yan's arrogance.

Duanmu Jin snorted coldly, "Lord Li, you'd better give me an explanation. How can my daughter be slandered like this?"

His voice was filled with anger and majesty, his eyes were wide open, staring straight at Minister Li, that look seemed to be able to pierce through people.

Li Shangshu's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat, and his body trembled unconsciously. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Master Duanmu, please calm down. My daughter is ignorant and speaks wildly. This is all due to my poor discipline."

Duanmu Jin remained unmoved and continued angrily, "Master Li, if you don't give me a satisfactory explanation for what happened today, I will not let it go. Although my Duanmu family may not be as powerful as your Li family, we will not tolerate others bullying us at will."

Everyone around was silent, no one dared to speak at this time.

Minister Li wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Master Duanmu, I will punish my daughter severely when I return and will give your daughter an explanation. I hope you will show some mercy."

Duanmu Jin glanced at him and said coldly, "I hope Lord Li will keep his word. Otherwise, I will go to the emperor to ask for an explanation."

After saying this, Duanmu Jin flicked his sleeves, turned around and left, leaving Minister Li standing there with a look of fear and uneasiness on his face.

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) stepped forward and said to Emperor Nanyuan: "Your Majesty, there are important matters in the palace. I will go ahead."

After saying that, he took Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li)'s hand and left the hunting ground.

Before Emperor Nanyuan could respond, the two men had already turned and walked off the field. Their figures appeared firm and resolute under the gaze of the crowd.

Xing Xuanli raised her head slightly and looked at Yun Mohan, with a hint of doubt in her eyes: "Han, is it inappropriate to leave in such a hurry?"

Yun Mohan held her hand tightly and said firmly, "Don't worry about it. I don't want you to suffer any more injustice here."

The sunlight shone on them, illuminating the silhouettes of the two leaning against each other. They walked hurriedly, their clothes fluttering in the wind.

In the hunting ground behind them, people were whispering and talking.

"The Regent has never acted like this before."

"It seems that the Regent really dotes on Duanmu Li."

"I don't know what important matter is going on in the palace that made the Regent leave so impatiently."

However, Yun Mohan and Xing Xuanli ignored all these discussions. They held hands and only wanted to get away from this place as soon as possible to find their own peace and tranquility.

Not long after Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) left, Lin Luochuan and Gu Beichen also left on the pretext of having family matters.

After the two of them hurriedly took their leave from the emperor, they galloped off on horseback to catch up. Seeing this, everyone in the hunting ground was filled with curiosity and speculation.

"Why did Master Lin and Master Gu leave in such a hurry?" someone whispered.

"Could it be related to the Regent?" another person speculated.

"Maybe they really have something urgent to do."

At this time, Yun Mohan and Xing Xuanli didn't know that someone was chasing them. They walked slowly along the path, enjoying this moment of tranquility.

Lin Luochuan and Gu Beichen sped all the way and finally saw Yun Mohan and Xing Xuanli in front of a forest.

"Nangong, wait for us!" Lin Luochuan shouted loudly.

Yun Mohan heard the voice, stopped, looked back, and a hint of surprise appeared on his face.

"Why are you here?" Yun Mohan asked.

Lin Luochuan dismounted and said with a smile, "We were afraid you'd get into trouble, so we came all the way to help you."

Gu Beichen also stepped forward and said, "Yes, Nangong, if there is anything, we brothers will face it together."

Yun Mohan felt warm in his heart and said, "Thank you, brothers, but I can handle this matter."

They smiled at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly became relaxed.

Emperor Nanyuan said, "The hunt is almost over. Let's return to the palace."

As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuch beside him shouted in a shrill voice: "Your Majesty, please return to the palace——"

Everyone sprang into action. The imperial guards quickly assembled, forming a tight circle around the emperor, while the palace maids busied themselves packing their belongings.

The ministers mounted their horses and followed the emperor's carriage. The whole procession began its return journey in an orderly manner, the sound of horses' hooves and wheels intertwined, raising clouds of dust.

Emperor Nanyuan sat in the gorgeous carriage with his eyes slightly closed, as if thinking about everything that happened during today's hunt.

The team moved slowly forward on the official road, and the people along the way knelt on the ground and shouted "Long live the emperor".

Returning to the palace, Emperor Nanyuan headed straight for the imperial study as soon as he disembarked from his carriage. He needed to calm down and think about how to handle the turmoil that had occurred in the hunting grounds today, as well as how to respond to any future situations that might arise.