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

Yue Fengru ran up to Cao Yuan.

"You've got some nerve, switching things out like that! You even dared to scheme against Father Emperor!"

Yue Fengru revealed a smug smile and said without any attempt to hide it, "Didn't His Highness Prince Shuo also use this incident to help you get rid of a thorn in your side? We've got a mutually beneficial relationship!"

"Who was that woman just now? And do you know why Father was there?"

"The woman was just an ordinary folk woman. I dressed her up specially and changed her into my clothes. It seems to have been quite successful!"

"There are plenty of women who want to climb into the emperor's bed. If I'm not willing, there are others who are!"

"Now that you've lost favor, do you think you'll have a good life back in the Marquis's mansion?"

Yue Fengru didn't care at all. "So what? I'll just cry and say someone else beat me to it. Who told me I'm so young!"

"As for why His Majesty was there, I have no idea. My father simply told me to wait for him in that hall."

Cao Yuan fell into deep thought. It seemed that her father had been deceived, but she didn't know exactly how he had been tricked.

"Have you seen that Vice Minister of Rites before?"

Yue Fengru shook his head. "Are you asking about my father's relationship with him? My father shouldn't know him. A vice minister of the Ministry of Rites who rose to power through women isn't even worthy of carrying my father's shoes!"

No one has ever said anything so audacious!

However, her saying this only proves that Xue Xinian has someone above him.

Within this inner palace, the only one who could conspire with Xue Xinian was the Second Prince Cao Ji.

Thinking back to what Cao Ji had done to her in her past life, Cao Yuan felt a cold sweat break out on her back.

No sooner had Yue Feng left than Cao Yuan heard a sound coming from the artificial hill not far away.

"Who's eavesdropping here!"

The person stopped moving.

"I will count to three. If you don't come out, you'll face the consequences!"

"three!"

Upon hearing this, the man's hand trembled and he fell off the artificial hill.

"Ouch!"

Cao Yuan walked over and bent down to examine the person. Only then, illuminated by the lantern in Jin Zhu's hand, could Cao Yuan clearly see the person's face.

"Wen Xuchang!"

"Your Highness! It's me!" Wen Xuchang endured the pain and got up from the ground.

"Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me!"

"Wen Xuchang, you climbed so high just to eavesdrop on my conversation!"

"Don't you want your head anymore?!" Cao Yuan deliberately threatened.

Although Cao Yuan's voice was not loud, it had an imposing aura that frightened Wen Xuchang so much that he knelt down on the ground.

"Your Highness, spare me! I just happened to be passing by!"

"You climbed up the artificial hill and just happened to pass by?"

Wen Xuchang had no choice but to kneel and kowtow, "Your Highness, spare me! I didn't hear anything! I just heard someone coming, and I was afraid of being discovered, so I went up the artificial hill!"

"Your Highness, I didn't hear anything!" Wen Xuchang said in a flustered manner, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

"Hmph! So what if you hear it? Do you think anyone will believe what you say?"

Cao Yuan's eyes were sharp, and her tone was arrogant.

Even if this person heard some things, no one would believe his one-sided story. After all, she was a prince with a prominent position, while Wen Xuchang was just a minor official with no background in the Ministry of Rites.

"The prince said so!"

Wen Xuchang quickly echoed, secretly rejoicing at Cao Yuan's statement.

"You're also from the Ministry of Rites, right?" Cao Yuan's sharp gaze swept over the man, as if trying to see right through him.

"Your Highness, I am an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites!" Wen Xuchang replied respectfully, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

"What are your responsibilities for this Qixi Festival?" Cao Yuan continued to press, a hint of authority flashing in her eyes.

"Your Highness, Vice Minister Xue is the main person in charge of the Qixi Festival, while I and other officials assist him."

Wen Xuchang bowed his head and clasped his hands in greeting, but his hands were trembling.

"Raise your head and answer me. I'm asking you what your responsibilities were."

"Venue setup, event arrangements, etc..."

So you're saying you're in charge of everything?

Wen Xuchang quickly explained, "No, I was only assisting Lord Xue; it was all Lord Xue who did it!"

"Lord Wen is too modest. Whoever I say is the principal person in charge, is the principal person in charge. Whoever I say is qualified to be the Vice Minister of Rites, is qualified to be the Vice Minister of Rites!"

Wen Xuchang was sweating profusely, and knowing the meaning behind Cao Yuan's words, he dared not respond.

Xue Xinian not only has Cao Yuan in front of him as a support, but also the Minister and the Second Prince as his backers.

Judging from his long career, Cao Yuan and the Second Prince seem to be at odds, as does he and Xue Xinian.

Unfortunately, she was just a princess, so even if she were made a king, it wouldn't matter. The Second Prince was, after all, a prince, and the throne would definitely be passed to him in the future.

Faced with this situation, he absolutely must not get involved in this complicated conflict.

"Does Lord Wen dare to accept this?"

Cao Yuan probed.

"Thank you for your promotion, Your Highness! However, at this stage, I only want to take care of my mother and do not have much energy to spare."

Cao Yuan sneered. She remembered that Xue Xinian had also rejected her before.

"Back then, Minister Xue was just as noble and virtuous as you, but in the end, he still had to rely on me!"

"If one day you are oppressed in the court, you may come to me then."

-

Xue Xinian returned the next morning.

The thought of having to deal with Cao Shang again when he got back made him anxious.

Not only did she ruin his plans in the palace, but after being scolded by the Second Prince, she still had to come and comfort him.

Ever since Cao Shang married into the family, she has either caused Xue Xinian trouble or made the household a living hell. Xue Xinian is getting more and more annoyed.

Xue Xinian cautiously pushed open the door, and the scene inside surprised him greatly.

The room was like a ruin; Cao Shang had smashed everything that could be thrown away.

Xue Xinian frowned and turned to leave, but Cao Shang called him from behind.

"Xue Lang! You're finally back! I've been waiting for you here all night."

Xue Xinian then noticed that Cao Shang was sitting in front of the dressing table in the inner hall.

"Shang'er! So you're here. I thought no one was here!" Xue Xinian wanted to go in, but he didn't know where to put his foot, so he had to slip in along the side.

"Shang'er, are you alright? His Majesty was just angry for a moment. He'll forget about it in time," Xue Xinian comforted him.

"Xue Lang, isn't all this my fault? Now you're suddenly trying to comfort me!"

Cao Shang said calmly.

Xue Xinian patiently said, "Shang'er, every time you cause trouble for A-Yuan, aren't you the one who suffers? Haven't you realized it yet? She's not easy to deal with!"

"Even if I hadn't said it yesterday, didn't she have any other ways to deal with it? We can't beat her now!"

Cao Shang suddenly stood up. "Yes, I can't beat her, so you help her against me? Xue Lang, I even gave up my reputation for you, and this is how you repay me?"

Xue Xinian frowned, "Enough!"