Resisting the Wind and Splendor

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Chu Yueli's eyes darkened.

What does the theft at the Prince Ning's residence have to do with her?

“I know it wasn’t you, but Prince Ning said he saw the girl with his own eyes, and she looks exactly like you.” Liu Yun looked very anxious.

"I came out to find you and tell you what happened."

"Has Jing Lei returned yet?" Chu Yueli thought for a moment, feeling that things weren't so simple.

"No, but... Your Highness, the people who came to arrest you were not from the Prince Ning's residence, but... but the imperial guards from the Emperor's side."

These words made Chu Yueli's heart tighten suddenly.

Finally, I realized that something was wrong.

The theft at Prince Ning's residence was just an excuse; the one who truly wanted to arrest her was the Emperor.

“Since she is Father’s person, I cannot run away. I should go back.” She is the Princess Consort of Mo and the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s Mansion. Every move she makes involves not only the Mo Prince’s Mansion but also the Duke’s Mansion.

If the emperor wanted to arrest her, she had no choice but to go back with him; there was no way she could escape.

"I know, I just wanted to inform you, Your Highness, first, so that you could think of a way to deal with it."

Liu Yun briefly explained to her what had happened in the Prince's mansion.

Her room had already been searched, and Zisu insisted that the princess was in the palace.

"Now that even Zisu has been arrested, I'm afraid she'll be taken to the palace too." When she mentioned Zisu, the anxiety in Liuyun's eyes clearly intensified.

"I'll figure something out, don't worry." Chu Yueli walked towards the back door.

Liu Yun asked anxiously, "Your Highness, have you thought of a solution?"

"Not yet, but you must find Jing Lei and tell him to put the things away and not bring them back to the Mo Prince's Mansion."

Jing Lei hasn't returned yet, probably because he's looking for a safe place to pack his things.

Fortunately, Jing Lei was quick-witted enough. If he had brought the item back and it had been found by the Emperor's men, he would never have been able to clear his name again.

However, since the Emperor is determined to arrest her, this suspicion is unlikely to be cleared no matter what.

"They're coming out." Chu Yueli glanced at Liu Yun immediately upon hearing the noise: "Go find Jing Lei quickly."

“…Yes!” Liu Yun looked back one last time, gritted her teeth, and strode away.

As soon as Liu Yun left, the back gate of the Prince's Mansion was opened, and a group of people rushed out with torches.

Upon discovering Chu Yueli, they immediately surrounded her.

"Greetings, Princess Consort Mo!" Leading the group was Qi Wei, the commander of the Imperial Guards.

Qi Wei walked up to Chu Yueli and said expressionlessly, "Please forgive me for disturbing you so late at night, Your Highness. However, the Ning Prince's residence was burglarized last night, and someone saw Princess Mo at the Ning Prince's residence. His Majesty has ordered me to summon Your Highness to the palace for questioning. Please come with me to the palace."

Chu Yueli's gaze passed over her and fell on Zisu, who was being held by two guards not far behind him.

Seeing the bloodstains on Zisu's lips, Chu Yueli's face darkened, and she wanted to step forward.

Qi Wei immediately stepped forward, blocking her path, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, please!"

"You suspect me of breaking into the Ning Prince's residence at night, that's my own business, and has nothing to do with my maid." Chu Yueli said coldly, her face grim. "Release her, and I'll go to the palace with you!"

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, this maid is a complete liar and disobedient. I must take her back to the palace for questioning!"

Qi Wei cupped his hands in greeting to her: "I was merely following orders, so please don't make things difficult for me, Your Highness."