A short night is hard to please! A stunningly handsome prince dotes on her exclusively.

"Lou Xiang's words are too serious."

These four simple words made Lou Shenghan secretly complain in his heart. No matter how many years had passed since they last met, this Xuan King still had the same deadpan expression and was completely oblivious to romance.

Xin Moling looked in the direction of the sound and nodded to the indifferent man opposite him. In his opinion, Yuan Huaixuan's appearance was no different from when he saw him many years ago, although he had only seen Yuan Huaixuan two or three times since he was a child.

As the four of them sat down, Yuan Huaiyu quickly asked, "Cousin Moyan, Cousin Aling, why does Xue'er say that someone bullied her just now?"

Ever since Xin Moling entered the pavilion, Yuan Huaixue has been staring at him with a pitiful expression, but the general completely ignored her. Little did he know that someone beside him was also intentionally or unintentionally observing his sister!

Upon hearing Yuan Huaiyu's question, Xin Moling immediately stood up and calmly apologized to Xin Mingwan.

“Aunt, just now in the garden, Her Highness the Princess questioned the origin and identity of Buyu. In a moment of panic, Mo Ling spoke out against the Princess, which angered her. She has come to the pavilion to apologize to the Empress Dowager and the Princess. Buyu was brought to the palace by Mo Ling and has not been taught the palace rules. If she was disrespectful to the Princess just now, Mo Ling will take full responsibility. When we arrive at Baoguang Hall later, Mo Ling will also report to His Majesty truthfully and accept the punishment willingly.”

Before anyone could process Xin Moling's logical and reasoned words, Hua Buyu hurriedly stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xin Moling. Her pitiful expression became even more broken, and she spoke in a long, nasal voice, sounding aggrieved.

"Your Majesty, it's all Bu Yu's fault. If it weren't for the fact that Bu Yu heard someone insulting Princess Yan Yan and became furious, and considering that Bu Yu is just a country woman, her voice was inevitably a bit loud, and she didn't expect to startle Her Highness the Princess. Bu Yu deserves to die. I beg Your Majesty not to punish A Ling. Whatever punishment is needed, let Bu Yu bear it..."

As she spoke, Hua Buyu began to sob softly, glancing tenderly at the man beside her. Xin Moling happened to turn to look at her, and only Hua Buyu could see the helplessness in his eyes. But to everyone present, it was a beautiful scene of mutual affection.

Upon witnessing this scene of singing and responding in unison, a princess was so agitated that she could hardly breathe and could only gasp for air.

Seeing this, Lou Shenghan couldn't resist teasing the spoiled royal princess again.

"Your Highness seems to be looking unwell. Could it be that your eye ailment is affecting your health? Granny Fangxing, would you please go to the Imperial Hospital and invite the head physician to examine the princess?"

"you……"

Yuan Huaixue was so angry by his words that she could barely speak and could only glare at Lou Shenghan with a huff.

"Alright! Hehehe~ It's just you kids making a fuss, there's no need for me to punish you, and why should I punish you? Buyu and Ling'er, rise!"

Hearing the Empress Dowager mediate, the two slowly straightened up, but instead of sitting down, they stood aside, making way for the passageway.

Xin Mingwan instantly understood what the two meant. She straightened her expression slightly and asked in a deep voice, "Just now I heard Buyu say that someone insulted Yan'er, which caused the misunderstanding between Xue'er and Ling'er, is that right?"

Hua Buyu quickly spoke up to testify, "Yes, yes, yes! Your Majesty, it was these people who wantonly insulted Yan Yan, saying she was ugly, and even said she looked like a ghost, and what's more... I can't even bring myself to say it..."

She even winked at the Empress Dowager on the throne to show her sincerity.

Xin Mingwan's expression changed abruptly, and her tone became slightly stern and solemn.

"Buyu, step forward and point them out for me. I need to teach these gossipy young ladies who don't understand palace rules a lesson!"

A sharp-eared young lady from a prominent family outside the pavilion heard this and quickly knelt down to beg for forgiveness. The other four or five women followed suit and knelt down as well, all crying and pleading for forgiveness.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, I did not insult the princess!"

"Your Majesty, please spare my life!"

"Princess...Your Highness, please save me!"

Hua Buyu stepped forward and pointed at several girls, all of whom had laughed loudly earlier, including the girl who said Xin Moyan had changed drastically. Hua Buyu pointed at her head in particular. Only Tang Huishuang remained. Seeing that the girl was honest and was the first to recognize Xin Moyan, she didn't laugh at all.

"Your Majesty, it's this one, this one, and these few others. They're all making fun of Yan Yan!"

The people who were chosen trembled violently, almost bowing their faces to the ground, crying and begging for forgiveness.

"Mother~"

Seeing that her followers were about to be punished, Yuan Huaixue quickly spoke up, intending to plead for them, but Xin Mingwan raised her hand slightly and said indifferently.

"Xue'er, you were deceived by these ill-mannered young ladies in the past, which led to your estrangement from your cousin Yan'er. Your mother and brothers have always spoiled you. Now that you are an adult, you must be sensible and know right from wrong. Don't be deceived by these people again, lest you damage the relationship between your brothers and sisters."

After speaking, she glanced at the group of people kneeling on the ground and continued, "Guards, just now, Bu Yu pointed out that these young ladies from noble families are ignorant of manners, have been leading Princess Jia En to overstep etiquette and lose the ability to distinguish right from wrong for many years, and even wantonly insulted Princess Danhua in the harem. They are a disgrace to their noble families. Considering that their families are diligent and hardworking in the court, issue an order to send these young ladies home and instruct their parents to properly educate them. They shall never be allowed to enter the palace again."

"Yes, Queen Mother!"

The imperial guards nearby quickly stepped forward, each pulling one of them away from the imperial garden, and the cries for mercy gradually faded into the distance...

"Are you two satisfied with my decision?"

Hua Buyu instantly smiled obsequiously, showering Xin Mingwan with compliments.

"Your Majesty, you are truly the most just and impartial Empress Dowager I have ever met, and you are so young and beautiful, and so approachable. I have been without a mother since I was a child. If it weren't for your noble status as Empress Dowager, I would definitely have recognized you as my godmother, so that I could always be filial to you!"

The men present all twitched at the same time. They knew Hua Buyu's temperament well, but they never expected her to be so shameless as to even dare to dream of recognizing the Empress Dowager as her godmother!

"Hehehe~ This is truly amusing. If you visit me often, I will consider you my daughter!"

"Mother, Xue'er won't allow it!"

Yuan Huaixue felt increasingly aggrieved as she listened. Not only was Hua Buyu trying to take away her brother Ling, but she was also going to take away her mother...

"Your Majesty, His Majesty and his ministers are all in the Baoguang Hall. Everything is ready. Please, Your Majesty, along with all the princes, princesses, and noble ladies, move to the Baoguang Hall!"