The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 9: True Favor or False Favor (2)

"Mother, you're absolutely right! I believe Sister Yue has long needed a lesson," Princess Qingwan chimed in, aligning herself with the Empress. "This incident has caused such a commotion, and if she isn't punished, how could the wrongful souls from Wangchun House rest?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, exactly so!" added the girls in pink and green attire, exchanging amused glances as they agreed.

Li Yun pretended to look incensed as she glanced over at Princess Qingwan and the other two sycophants, then turned toward the Crown Prince. His expression remained unruffled, showing no reaction as she was taken into custody, deepening her face with frustration. She pivoted her look into one of outraged defiance and called out loudly, "I only burned Wangchun House down because of you! And you'll just stand there and let them send me to the Ministry of Justice's prison without a word? You truly are heartless!"

Her accusation rang loudly in the air, carrying an undeniable edge of genuine rage. She couldn't help but feel pity for this girl who had passed on, once so deeply infatuated with a man who was this cold-hearted. Not only had she wasted her devotion, but this same man was now leaving her to die. Such a man, even as a Crown Prince, was hardly worth her time. She wouldn't care if he did fall from power one day!

The Crown Prince clearly hadn't anticipated this outburst. His expression froze, momentarily speechless.

The Empress, too, was taken aback that her always-docile niece would hurl such a furious accusation at the Crown Prince, her face frozen with surprise.

The Fourth Prince, however, found it unsurprising. A slight, cold smile flickered across his face as he watched on. It was clear to him that Yun Qian Yue had genuinely changed after yesterday's incident. She had finally seen through the man she had once adored and was now filled with righteous fury. Her anger was more than understandable.

In fact, he hoped she would become even more outspoken—curse him out even more. After all, if she was already being sent to the Ministry of Justice's prison, it would be nearly impossible to leave alive. Even if she did make it out, she would hardly be the same. She had far too many enemies in the capital. Her fall would only bring relief to her rivals and open the path for others. After all, she was occupying the highest position a young lady could have.

Since the establishment of the Heavenly Saint Dynasty, the founding emperor had decreed, "All empresses must come from the Yun Family." This command had become a standing rule, making Yun Family daughters highly esteemed. As the only legitimate daughter of the Yun Family, Yun Qian Yue was the first in line to become empress. If she couldn't retain her position, others would eagerly vie for the chance, with some even hoping to pull the Yun Family down altogether, removing their presence from the court and making the dynasty's political stage theirs to claim. The Yun Family, though, had deep roots and powerful ties that would not be easily overthrown. It was bound to be an intriguing show.

The Fourth Prince watched with a spectator's amusement, mulling over various thoughts. He was curious whether his esteemed Crown Prince brother would choose to save Yun Qian Yue. Did he intend to secure the Yun Family's support, or would he forsake them and allow her to be taken? Saving her would mean taking a stand for the Yun Family, while leaving her to fend for herself would effectively distance himself from them. Either decision would come with consequences.

When Li Yun's words ended, the pavilion fell silent. All eyes turned to the Crown Prince.

Li Yun also fixed her gaze on him, having already pieced together most of the situation through the heated dialogue. It appeared that someone had taken advantage of Yun Qian Yue's infatuation with the Crown Prince by leaking news of his visit to Wangchun House. Her reaction had been swift—she couldn't tolerate the thought of her beloved frequenting such a place, leading her to storm in. Then, perhaps pushed to the edge by humiliation or further manipulation, she had set fire to the establishment.

This incident, seemingly straightforward, concealed the workings of a grand scheme. Rather than targeting her alone, the plot was clearly intended to undermine the Yun Family and even possibly implicate the Crown Prince. If he chose to intervene, the repercussions would be severe. On the other hand, if he stood by, the fallout would be equally damaging.

Reflecting on this, Li Yun felt a dark satisfaction creep into her eyes, masked by the fury in her expression. She, a blade of grass in the cracks of a cliff, wouldn't be pushed off so easily. Now, she was curious to see if the Crown Prince would come to her rescue.

After a moment of hesitation, the Crown Prince's handsome face shifted through multiple emotions, his deep eyes darkening into an unreadable depth. He maintained his silence, clearly grappling with conflicting thoughts.

Li Yun continued to glare at him, her fury mounting, tinged with visible sorrow and bitter disappointment. Her expression came naturally, fully authentic, as though she had lost her last hope.

The guards holding her in custody hesitated to act, recognizing her identity. She was the sole legitimate daughter of the Yun Family, the girl who would one day sit beside the Crown Prince as his empress. A single misstep in handling her could mean their heads.

"The Heavenly Saint Dynasty has stood for a century," the Crown Prince finally spoke, his voice steady but icy, avoiding her eyes. "Since the time of the founding emperor, the Yun Family has enjoyed unparalleled favor. The Yun Family daughters have embodied virtue, intelligence, and discipline, respected as exemplary young women."

Li Yun's heart sank as his tone grew ever more severe—this man truly was as ruthless as they claimed.

The Empress's eyes darkened as well, watching her son intently as he continued.

The Fourth Prince's smile grew more pronounced, waiting for the rest of the speech.

Princess Qingwan, the girl in pink, and the one in green all exchanged gleeful glances, well aware of the implications of the Crown Prince's words. Yun Qian Yue, the supposedly noble daughter of the Yun Family, was now widely reviled and feared, hardly a model young lady and hardly fit to marry into the royal family or become empress.

"In addition, the founding emperor's edict mandated that all empresses be selected from the Yun Family," the Crown Prince went on in a voice as detached as it was meticulous. "This privilege, bestowed upon the Yun Family, was grounded in the faith that its daughters would be paragons of decorum. However, even the founding emperor, in his wisdom, could not have foreseen what might happen a hundred years later, nor the possibility that his beloved Yun Family would produce an unworthy, corrupt young woman—a direct disappointment to the Heavenly Saint Dynasty."