After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

Xue Xiqiong lowered her head and dared not utter a sound, seemingly because of Cao Shang's status.

Cao Yuan quickly added, "Sister, she's probably scared. Father, please don't pursue the matter further! Just consider it my fault!"

"It was your son who shouldn't have run off! Father, please don't pursue the matter."

"Cao Yuan, you are truly wicked! You keep male lovers outside all day long and never come home, and you even have secret meetings with men in the palace! You even tricked Father Emperor into coming here, you are shameless!"

"Nonsense! How dare you speak of your imperial sister like that in public?! You're ashamed of yourself as already! How could I have raised such a rebellious son!" The emperor's face was full of disgust.

"Father, everything I've said is true! Everyone in the manor knows! I'm even keeping male concubines here! You must believe me!"

Cao Yuan's lips curled into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.

At this point, no matter what Cao Shang says, no one will believe him anymore.

"Royal sister! You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want! I clearly said that I was with Xinian that day, but you didn't believe me and insisted that I was having an affair with another man! If you don't believe me, you can ask Xinian!"

Being together during the day counts as being together!

Just then, a group of people hurriedly walked in. Leading them were Xue Xinian and several ministers from the Ministry of Rites.

Among them, besides Xue Xinian, was another familiar face: Wen Xuchang. These people were all officials in charge of the Qixi Festival banquet.

Everyone knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty!"

Xue Xinian bowed his head and replied, "Your humble servants just received the news and rushed here immediately. We don't know what happened here!"

"Shang'er said that Yuan'er is keeping male lovers in the manor. Is that true?"

Xue Xinian was startled. He looked at Cao Shang, wondering what kind of trouble she had gotten herself into this time.

Cao Shang looked at Xue Xinian confidently, "Xue Lang, don't be afraid! Just tell Father the truth! Father will stand up for us!"

"Shang'er, how can you bring up such a thing again!" Xue Xinian said nervously.

"what happened?"

Xue Xinian calmly replied, "Your Majesty, this is originally a matter of my family, and I should not speak of it further!"

“But that was a misunderstanding! He was just A-Yuan’s advisor! He didn’t keep a male concubine in the mansion! I also believe that His Highness Prince Shuo would not do something so unbecoming.”

"What advisor appeared in the Empress's bedroom in the middle of the night?" Cao Shang still tried desperately to deny it.

"Shang'er, you don't understand! A-Yuan is currently managing many affairs of the Ministry of War, so naturally you don't know the difficulties she faces while you're in the manor!"

Cao Yuan felt a little smug seeing Xue Xinian speaking up for her.

Cao Shang changed the subject, "What about last night? She didn't come home all night, you can't exactly say she was with you, can you?"

Cao Yuan raised her head, and could only bite the bullet and make up an excuse, "Last night I was..."

“Last night, A-Yuan was naturally with me!” Xue Xinian said first.

Cao Yuan and Cao Shang both looked at Xue Xinian in shock.

he?

He actually helped me deceive Cao Shang?

"Xue Lang, do you know what you're saying?"

Cao Shang stared at him in shock, "When were you with her last night?!"

"You have deceived the Emperor! What is your punishment?"

Upon hearing Xue Xinian's words, Cao Shang hurriedly spoke up, trying to persuade the emperor, "Father, you mustn't be fooled by her! She deliberately set you up here to get close to those disreputable women; she definitely has no good intentions!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Xinian panicked and quickly stopped him, saying, "Shang'er! Don't talk nonsense!"

The emperor was furious and shouted, "You unfilial son! Get out of the palace right now and reflect on your actions! Without my decree, you are not to step out of the palace gates!"

"Father! You've all been deceived by her..."

Cao Shang was pulled away by several palace maids. Her voice gradually faded into the distance, but it was still clearly audible, containing resentment and anger.

"Your Majesty, this was due to my oversight. Please forgive me."

Xue Xinian looked terrified, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, and knelt down to kowtow and apologize.

The emperor snorted coldly, "Minister Xue! You have married my two daughters, so they are now members of your Xue family! If you've caused such a scene in the palace, you must be even more outrageous at home!"

"It is my fault for failing to properly discipline them!"

Xue Xinian kowtowed again.

Every time they entered the palace, it would cause a huge uproar, turning the entire palace into chaos and turmoil.

Not only did it become a laughing stock in the palace, but it also made those court officials laugh at it.

"If you still can't manage the household affairs well in the future, I think the position of Vice Minister of Rites can be given to someone more capable than you!"

The emperor's words struck Xue Xinian's heart like a heavy hammer.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xue Xinian's face turned ashen, his body trembled slightly, and he collapsed to the ground.

His eyes widened, and his lips moved, but no sound came out.

The ministers behind him also showed surprise, but quickly regained their composure. They exchanged glances, their eyes revealing a hint of schadenfreude.

Cao Yuan was secretly pleased with herself, thinking that she had so easily worn away her father's goodwill towards Xue Xinian.

Whether the emperor sensed Cao Yuan's smugness or not, he suddenly changed the subject and looked at Cao Yuan, "And Yuan'er! Since you won't divorce, you should properly balance your relationship with Shang'er. What kind of behavior is this, making such a scene every time!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Yuan trembled slightly, lowered her head, and whispered, "Yes! Your subject knows her mistake!"

The emperor sighed, then turned and left with the woman from earlier.

"Brother, I... I'm leaving now." Xue Xiqiong followed Fan Qingli away.

"Qingli, wait for me!"

Xue Xiqiong jogged after her, and said to Luo Xuemei next to Fan Qingli, "Why did you run away? You were just with me."

"I just told you not to go, but you insisted on going with Princess Huafeng. I felt something was wrong as soon as I entered the palace with you!" Luo Hongmei immediately distanced herself from the situation.

"I……"

"Alright! Let's leave it at that!" Fan Qingli said in a deep voice.

"Qiong'er! From now on, you are not allowed to get close to Princess Huafeng, do you hear me?"

"Ah! I know."

Luo Hongmei raised an eyebrow at Xue Xiqiong.

She won this round again.

"Xi Nian! Let's go home too!" Cao Yuan looked at Xue Xi Nian, who was standing on the ground, and reluctantly went over to help him up.

"I don't know what happened! I had just stepped out the door when my sister came in with her entourage! It's so strange that Father would be favoring other women inside!"

"I don't know either!" Xue Xinian said softly, his mind still lingering on what the emperor had just said.

"Don't worry, Father is just angry that your sister disturbed his private affairs. Father will certainly not remove you from your position as Vice Minister of Rites."

"Ah Yuan! I'm fine. The banquet just ended and I need to wrap things up. Why don't you go back first, Ah Yuan?"

Cao Yuan nodded with a smile, "Alright then! Come back soon!"

Cao Yuan turned around, her smile vanishing. Just as she stepped out of the palace gate, the woman behind her called out to her.

"Your Highness Prince Shuo!"