After the system set its sights on the dragon throne, the princess started courting death every day.

Fu Qingbai paused briefly before continuing, "A life was at stake, and I was unwilling to betray my conscience and stand by and watch her die. Moreover, the one in the pool was a princess. I swore an oath in my heart: even if I were to die tonight with my injured leg, I would definitely save the princess. Fortunately, just as I reached the shore and was about to go into the water, I saw Princess Miankang lying on the bank, barely alive."

I stood on the shore and asked the princess if she could come up and if she needed my help, but no matter what I asked or said, the princess remained silent. I then mistakenly thought that the princess had fallen into a coma, and in my haste, I disregarded everything else and rolled up my sleeves to pull her up.

But the princess wasn't unconscious; she had been struggling in the water for too long and was too exhausted to speak clearly… It's my fault I didn't hear her. So I grabbed her hand, and she scolded me to let go. But I thought that since things had come to this, I might as well pull her up first.”

Xiang An was shocked: Fu Qingbai said that he had not done any of these things, and his words were all trying to take all the blame on himself.

What kind of mess is this? Xiang Xin was the one who started it all. Xiang An wanted to tell the truth, but as soon as he moved, his hand tightened, and he realized that their hands were still clasped together.

Fu Qingbai's fingers were long and strong, and his palms were large, completely enveloping hers, giving her a great sense of security. The downside was that his palms were rough, with some prickles that made her hands itch. The backs of his hands were a healthy wheat color, not the fair white she had seen before, probably due to the daily exposure to the sun at the border.

She tried to pull her hand away from his palm, but he only gripped it tighter.

"I originally intended to go to Your Majesty to apologize immediately after this matter was settled," Fu Qingbai said with a bitter smile, "but who knew that I would see Your Majesty... and so many officials and their families when I turned around. I'm lucky that I was able to apologize quickly."

After speaking, he subtly changed the way the two hands, which were clasped behind him, were held. He inserted his fingertips deep into the other's smooth, soft fingers, hand roots touching hand roots, palms touching palms, so perfectly that it seemed that apart from life and death, nothing in the world could separate the two.

Xiang An felt aggrieved by his actions, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, he dared not move for fear of attracting attention.

The emperor's anger gradually subsided, his expression becoming indistinct, his eyes fixed on Fu Qingbai.

Even from a distance, through the lamplight, Xiang An inexplicably sensed that the emperor was plotting something, perhaps still thinking about how she would die.

"Is this the Princess Miankang that the Emperor mentioned to me earlier? She is truly one of a kind." He spoke with a half-smile, a mix of mockery and keen interest, his languid tone suggesting a serious illness.

In fact, Ogiwara Ao was seriously ill. Just by looking at his pale, bloodless face, one could tell that he was a sickly man who would not live more than three years. In addition, he always loved to wear white clothes, and the loose clothes wrapped around his thin body. Even a gust of wind would make him bulge out of his sleeves.

"Indeed." The emperor shifted his gaze. "What does the Third Prince Di think?"

"Such a lovely and lively daughter, is the Emperor really willing to part with her?" Ogihara Ao sat crookedly on the stone bench, a smile on his face but not reaching his eyes. "Moreover, given the current situation, it seems the Emperor shouldn't have told me. He should have bestowed a marriage upon Princess Miankang."

The emperor remained silent, his face tense, seemingly lost in thought. The crowd appeared as quiet as wooden statues, but they listened intently, all awaiting the emperor's decree.

“Your Majesty, I am guilty, all the blame lies with me,” Fu Qingbai released his grip, slowly knelt down, his upright back bent, “I beg Your Majesty to exchange all my merits for a decree from the Emperor.”

Hearing this, Xiang An vaguely understood some of the ideas. He changed his previous intention to fight Xiang Xin to the death and came up with a more ingenious plan. He then knelt down and said, "General Fu is very kind, but I do not want to marry her. I do not want to make things difficult for you."

The word "love" is the most mysterious. It can make people want to die, yet it can also make them linger in the world. General Fu once said that he had no feelings for his son, and his son felt the same way. It is torture for two heartless people to be together.

General Fu has saved my life; he is my savior. To force me to marry him would be tantamount to repaying a debt of gratitude. Father, I voluntarily wish to become a nun in a nunnery, spending the rest of my life in solitude. I humbly beg Your Majesty's permission.”

Upon hearing this, Xiang Xin suddenly stepped forward and knelt down. "Father, the dignity of the royal family cannot be offended. Xiang An has done such a disgraceful thing and should naturally be severely punished. How can it be resolved with just a word like 'sending him to a nunnery'?"

The emperor glanced at Xiang An and Fu Qingbai, then at Xiang Xin kneeling at his feet, and finally at Fu Qingbai. He said coldly, "Xiang An will be punished by kneeling for an hour. Fu Qingbai, come with me. As for the rest, do as you see fit. The banquet will continue."

The emperor turned and left. No one dared to linger and dispersed. Only Ren Xueqing, whose skirt was embroidered with a few red plum blossoms, quietly approached and took off the cloak tied around her neck and draped it over Xiang An's shoulders: "It's late. Be careful."

"Xue'er."

"Hey—, here it comes."

Not far away, Madam Wang was waiting for Ren Xueqing. She walked quickly over, took Madam Wang's arm, and walked towards the banquet hall, chatting and laughing.

A gentle breeze caressed my face, the pond water murmured, and the sounds of cicadas and frogs filled the air. The clouds that had obscured the moon on the horizon dispersed, and the bright moonlight shone down, bathing the earth in a silvery glow.

"Princess." Xiao Ru stumbled over, then staggered and knelt down, tears streaming down her face. "Are you hurt?"

"It's nothing." Xiang An shook his head. "Xiao Ru, drive the carriage back to the manor and tell Qin Zheng that I will not be coming home for dinner tonight. Distribute the food as a reward."

"No, this servant wants to stay with the princess."

“Xiao Ru, listen to me,” Xiang An grabbed Xiao Ru, who was still crying, his fingers tightening slightly, his eyes flickering. “Your legs are not good, you shouldn’t kneel for long.”

Xiao Ru hastily wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, her face resolute: "Yes, this servant will obey."

Watching Xiao Ru's departing figure, Xiang An finally loosened the sleeve she was tightly clutching. As long as Xiao Ru brought back the news that she was not returning to the manor, Yan Qing would know what to do.

Tonight, the secret guards will enter the palace to investigate. Before entering the palace, she told Yan Qing not to worry about her and to be careful. If she is safe, she will find a way to bring the news back. If she does not return to her residence or send a message before 9 PM, the 60,000 secret guards will directly enter the palace and kill the emperor and Xiang Xin at all costs.

The moonlight moved slowly, its domineering and bright light illuminating the countless stars, making the world seem as bright as day.

On the cobblestone path, Changfu came carrying a lantern, followed by a long line of guards. The next moment, the soft voice unique to eunuchs rang out: "His Majesty's decree—the Ninth Princess is to be given thirty strokes of the cane and confined to her quarters for one year."

The board was raised and then lowered, the silvery moonlight turning red.