Chapter 9

Originally, she only intended to bring Gu Qi to clear his name today, but unexpectedly, he fainted.

The Marquis Han’s mansion was suddenly in chaos. The Duke of Dinguo and her son expressed their concern briefly before returning to their own residence.

In the Half Moon Hall.

Yu Yunji leaned against the bedpost, gazing at the side profile of the unconscious person on the couch.

What could be done now? Not only had today’s events failed to clear his name, but they had also confirmed the rumors outside. If they couldn’t quickly prove the Marquis Han’s change, they might follow the original’s old path.

She realized that in recent days, whenever she tried to avoid or change something, errors would always occur, interrupting her attempts to alter the plot.

“Your Highness, do you really not want this slave anymore…” Someone outside was sobbing.

The person cried breathlessly, their voice as plaintive as a warbler’s, heartbreaking and pitiable, as if they might faint at any moment.

The person continued crying: “This slave only asks for a glance from the wife-master, even if just one look…”

Yu Yunji felt quite a headache: “Who’s outside?”

Ruo Shui said in a low voice: “Your Highness, it’s Jiao Lang.”

Yu Yunji pondered for a moment, unable to recall such a character from the book: “Let him in.”

As Ruo Shui was about to leave, she added: “Tell him to be quiet, so as not to disturb the Male Empress.”

——

Yun Mengze looked through the gauze curtain at the changing scenery outside the carriage: “Mother, this Male Empress of Marquis Han is not simple.”

Yun Jinxin scanned several lines of a secret letter she was holding: “It’s nothing more than watching their husband and wife perform a duet. Ordinary men, inexperienced and shallow-minded, how could they not be simple?”

Yun Mengze shook his head: “But the only thing the rumors can confirm is that the husband and wife are deeply in love.”

The Duke of Dinguo fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.

Deeply in love, indeed deeply in love, being affectionate in public in front of guests.

“I will definitely find good wife-masters for you and your brother, at least ones who can be presentable,” Yun Jinxin said.

How could royal people behave like this? Such conduct would only make people look down on them. Although she held the title of Marquis Han, no one had ever looked up to her. If she didn’t have royal blood, someone like her would have long since ceased to exist in this world.

“I just didn’t expect Marquis Han to let this matter go so easily today,” Yun Jinxin pondered, “This good-for-nothing, could she have set a trap for us? Does she have some other scheme?”

“Then we’ll deal with it as it comes,” Yun Mengze’s gentle eyes flashed with coldness, “Mother, we noble families can’t let her knead us like dough.”

Yun Jinxin’s gaze shifted to the signature on the letter, which bore the characters “Chuan An”: “My child speaks wisely. This world is not hers alone to dominate.”

Inside the Half Moon Hall, Jiao Lang was still crying.

“This slave dared not appear without permission, fearing to offend the Male Empress’s eyes, but couldn’t resist the longing for the wife-master. Please, wife-master, don’t blame me…” Jiao Lang gently tugged at her lilac-colored skirt embroidered with butterflies, fawning so closely that he almost pressed his cheek against her cloud-patterned shoes.

Yu Yunji frowned slightly.

She really disliked the behavior of the person before her. She wasn’t the original owner, and she didn’t like others serving her in such a subservient manner.

Jiao Lang carefully observed her expression, and seeing her frown, he felt both fearful and angry.

What good was the principal husband lying on that couch? Others might not know, but he had sent his sister to inquire, and found out that this madman had hidden many things, which he would look at over and over again every day, clearly having someone else in his heart.

How could such a person deserve the position of Marquis Han’s Male Empress? Originally, Yu Yunji had promised this position to him, but now she was being deceived, and wouldn’t give him the position of Male Empress.

What could be done if things continued like this? If not for the wealth and glory, why would he debase himself to this extent?

Yu Yunji didn’t know what the person prostrating at her feet was thinking. She said, “Alright, you’ve seen me today, haven’t you? Go and rest early.”

“How can the noble body of Her Highness the Princess stay up all night? Let this slave do it,” Jiao Lang’s cloying voice sounded, so sweet it could almost be wrung out.

Yu Yunji said, “You go and rest early. I’ll watch over the Male Empress.”

Jiao Lang didn’t argue, but rose with tears in his eyes, then as if losing his balance, he cried out and fell towards her.

…It was obvious he was trying hard to act.

Jiao Lang cried in her arms, refusing to leave, and a strong scent of powder assailed her nostrils.

“Cry, cry, cry. What are you crying for?” Gu Qi on the couch slowly woke up, looking with disgust at Jiao Lang, who was loosely held in her arms, or rather, looking with disgust at both of them.

Yu Yunji released the person in her arms. Jiao Lang slid to the ground, feeling even more wronged: “Don’t be angry, Male Empress. It’s all this slave’s fault for disturbing you late at night…”

“You know you’re wrong, yet you don’t get out. Do you want this princess to throw you out?” Gu Qi half-propped himself up, coldly glancing at the tearful person below.

Jiao Lang tugged at her skirt, tears streaming: “Your Highness.”

“Matters of the inner court are decided by the Male Empress.”

Yu Yunji pulled her skirt from his hand and spoke gently.

Jiao Lang was carried out.

Looking at the bright window lattice of the Half Moon Hall, the tears in Jiao Lang’s eyes were gone, replaced only by a face full of hatred as he clenched his fists.

“Fine, fine, such a spoiled Male Empress. So what if you’re the principal husband? Just you wait, let’s see how long you can remain smug!”