Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

At this moment, Xiao Muyao was reviewing memorials in the imperial study.

Meanwhile, Emperor Jingzhao had just finished lunch with the two beauties presented to him at Longteng Palace and Dongling.

Emperor Jingzhao's novelty towards the two beauties had not yet worn off.

Therefore, it should have been him and Xiao Muyao who each reviewed half of the memorials.

However, in the past few days, Emperor Jingzhao has been having Xiao Muyao review all the memorials.

Of course, he also believed in Lao Liu's abilities.

Otherwise, he wouldn't feel comfortable entrusting all the affairs of the country to him.

He may have fun, but he would never neglect his work.

He was somewhat puzzled when he heard that Lingyan had come to request an audience.

Didn't she say she wasn't feeling well?

He couldn't even attend the Ninth Prince's wedding banquet yesterday, and he missed the morning court session today.

It must be because she's been working too hard lately, since Lao Liu's wife has always been in poor health.

But she is still ill, so she must have something important to discuss with him.

He immediately summoned her to the palace.

After entering the palace, Lingyan bowed to Emperor Jingzhao as was customary.

The two beauties, who had now been granted the title of concubine, immediately curtsied to Lingyan.

After Lingyan got up, Emperor Jingzhao asked with concern, "Weren't you still ill? What could possibly make you come here at this time while you were sick?"

Lingyan naturally put on hospital makeup before going out.

Therefore, she looked pale and her lips were bloodless, making her appear extremely weak and frail.

Furthermore, she coughed a few times upon hearing Emperor Jingzhao's question, making it seem even more that she was seriously ill.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Jingzhao immediately offered her a seat and had Eunuch Yuan serve her hot tea.

After expressing her gratitude, Lingyan picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Then, she put down her teacup and replied weakly, "Your Majesty, I have come today because of the Ninth Prince's wedding banquet yesterday. Upon learning that my sixth sister dared to do such a thing, I feel truly sorry for the Ninth Prince's wife. To be publicly humiliated at her own wedding banquet and to be pointed at and gossiped about as an omen of bad luck—how could the Ninth Prince's wife, a mere commoner, endure such a blow and such rumors? I feel very sorry for her, and as a woman myself, even though I am ill, I must seek justice for her!"

Emperor Jingzhao was already aware of what had happened yesterday.

Today, Lao Liu also told him the results of the investigation, which were exactly the same as what the matchmaker had said.

Therefore, Emperor Jingzhao immediately sent someone to reprimand the Sixth Princess.

He thought that the matter was over and done with.

What else could be done?

Unexpectedly, the sixth son's wife actually came despite her illness to seek justice for that woman.

He couldn't make a decision on this matter right now.

Just then, a eunuch outside the Dragon Palace came to report that the steward of the Ninth Prince's residence was requesting an audience.

Emperor Jingzhao immediately sent someone inside.

The steward was originally Emperor Jingzhao's man. After entering the hall, he bowed very respectfully to the group.

Then he reported his purpose: "Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince's Consort fell ill this morning and is now bedridden. The royal physician diagnosed her with a heart full of unresolved issues, which, combined with her already weak constitution, has made her illness worse and she is unable to get up. The Ninth Prince is furious and has sent me to convey a message to Your Majesty, saying that his beloved wife has suffered an undeserved calamity. They have no grudge against the Sixth Princess, yet the Sixth Princess's actions have caused his wife's heartache to be incurable. He will pursue this matter to the end and seek justice for his beloved wife!"

Emperor Jingzhao only realized the seriousness of the matter upon hearing this.

I never expected this matter to have such consequences; it seems this matter cannot be resolved peacefully.

Given the Ninth Prince's deep affection for his princess, he would likely not let the matter rest until he received a satisfactory resolution, and would continue to pursue it relentlessly.

Therefore, he said to the steward below, "Go back to the manor and tell the Ninth Prince that I will definitely give him a satisfactory explanation."

The butler bowed his head in agreement.

He then bowed respectfully again and withdrew from the main hall.

At this moment, Lingyan sighed, "I don't know why Sixth Sister would target the Ninth Prince's Consort so much. After all, they are complete strangers. But if they are complete strangers, why would she harbor such hostility towards her? So, I can only guess that it might be because of the Ninth Prince. Otherwise, there is no other reasonable explanation. But Sixth Sister is already married, so Father Emperor should ask her directly about the reason. Otherwise, I'm afraid..."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingzhao also considered the consequences of the matter.

If what the sixth prince's wife said is true, his daughter targeted the ninth prince's wife because she liked him.

Now that she herself is married, will this matter affect the relationship between the couple and the harmony in the household?

Will there be any scandals that would tarnish the royal family's reputation?

Thinking of this, Emperor Jingzhao immediately ordered someone to summon the Sixth Princess to the palace.

Lingyan chuckled at this, then sat down to eat snacks and drink hot tea, waiting contentedly.

In less than half an hour, the Sixth Princess stepped into the Dragon Palace with trepidation.

Seeing that Lingyan was also there, she immediately stiffened her neck and looked at her with unfriendly eyes.

He then turned his gaze away and bowed to Emperor Jingzhao, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingzhao told her to rise, then looked down at the tense and flustered Sixth Princess and asked in a deep voice, "I already know about yesterday's wedding banquet. Tell me the truth, why did you instruct someone to do such a thing?"

Emperor Jingzhao stared intently at the Sixth Princess, his eyes filled with scrutiny and majesty.

After all, this matter concerns the royal family's reputation, and he must get to the bottom of it.

At this moment, Emperor Jingzhao sat on the dragon throne, his posture upright, exuding an irresistible imperial aura.

The atmosphere in the entire Dragon Palace became oppressive because of his seriousness.

The Sixth Princess had been feeling uneasy ever since she stepped into the Dragon Palace.

Faced with Emperor Jingzhao's majestic gaze and serious questioning, her body trembled slightly involuntarily.

Her face turned deathly pale instantly, her eyes revealing terror and panic, but she still tried to remain calm.

She bit her lip, trying to keep her voice from trembling, and said loudly, "Father, I am innocent! I did not do it at all. It's all a slander. Someone is deliberately framing me!"

Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes conveyed a strong sense of grievance and anger.

As she spoke, her eyes gradually reddened, and tears welled up in them, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, making her look even more pitiful.

She continued to sob, "Father, you are my biological father! How can you believe outsiders rather than your son? I have always respected and loved you and never dared to deceive you in the slightest. How can you doubt me so easily?"

Then her voice rose a few decibels, trembling with sobs, and she said, “Father, you have already ordered someone to reprimand me today. Do you still not want to let me go after you have wronged me?”

She seemed to be trying her best to defend herself, or perhaps she was pleading with Emperor Jingzhao.

But she would occasionally glance at Lingyan out of the corner of her eye, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes.

It was definitely her meddling that got her into this situation.

Otherwise, Father would have already let this matter rest.

At this moment, the entire Dragon Palace echoed with the Sixth Princess's cries and explanations, making the atmosphere even more tense and oppressive.