The moment Yin Chujin stepped into the dazzling Liuying Hall, the hope in her heart shattered into pieces. She finally understood what Xiao Yelei had said to her before she got out of the carriage: You'll be disappointed if you count on your father to stand up for you!
As soon as the carriage entered the palace, a palace servant informed the emperor. The result was this: Liuying Hall was filled with extravagance. It was early morning, and the emperor, who was supposed to be diligently handling state affairs, was playing with the palace maids in the hall. He was playing hide-and-seek with his eyes covered. From time to time, the palace maids' coquettish voices and the emperor's lewd laughter could be heard in the hall.
The corners of Yin Chujin's mouth twitched. She really didn't want to accept this fact. This princess's father was actually a fatuous ruler! He didn't think about the kingdom's affairs and was greedy for beauty! Instead of counting on him, it was better to count on herself.
"Father!" Yin Chujin stood at the door and shouted expressionlessly. She looked up slightly and saw Xiao Yelei, who was equally expressionless, but she did not miss the contempt in his eyes.
Because of her loud voice, Liuying Hall instantly fell silent. When the palace maids saw the two people standing at the door, they bowed one after another. "Greetings, Princess and Prince Consort."
The emperor tore off the cloth. The moment he saw Xiao Yelei and Yin Chujin, he was a little dissatisfied that they had disturbed his mood. "You're here? Sit!" With that, he flicked his sleeves and returned to his throne.
Yin Chujin felt as if someone was scratching at the corners of the walls in her heart. As a father, his daughter had been married for three days and when she came back, her head was wrapped in a thick cloth. He didn't even say a word of concern? It seemed like the excuse she had prepared wouldn't be of any use.
After Yin Chujin and Xiao Yelei sat down, the emperor finally noticed the wound on her forehead and asked about it casually. Yin Chujin looked at Xiao Yelei and saw that he had turned his head away, as if he was certain that she did not dare to speak nonsense. Indeed, now was not the time for her to retaliate. Moreover, the emperor sitting in front of her was not reliable at all.
Hence, she restrained her emotions and smiled. "Father, it's fine. I accidentally tripped."
"Mm, it's good that you're fine." After saying this, the emperor did not continue the topic. Instead, he turned his attention to Xiao Yelei.
Yin Chujin understood that they were talking about national affairs.
Xiao Yelei hinted at her purpose in coming to the palace with his eyes. At the same time, he turned around and instructed the palace maids, "The princess knocked her head a few days ago and has been feeling dizzy these few days. Take her back to Jinyu Pavilion to rest first."
"Yes, Prince Consort!"
Jinyu Pavilion was Yin Chujin's private quarters in the palace. He was really scheming to send her back to get what he wanted so quickly. However, there was indeed no need for her to stay.
Yin Chujin stood up and curtsied to the emperor before leaving with the palace maids.
Jinyu Pavilion…
Yin Chujin sighed and sat on the bed. Zhu'er had not been allowed to enter the palace. After she dismissed the palace maids, she had already rummaged through the things left behind in the pavilion. Other than the paintings and words written by the princess, she did not see anything special on the paper. If she had brought it to the Xiao Manor, Xiao Yelei had already searched the dowry that the princess had brought with her on the night of the wedding, but he had not found anything. Excluding the possibility of the Xiao Manor, if it was really with Yin Chujin, it should be at the Jinyu Pavilion.
Now, there were two key questions. Firstly, she didn't know what Xiao Yelei wanted. Secondly, even if she knew what he wanted, she wasn't the real Yin Chujin and didn't know where to put it.
She closed her eyes and pondered. If she really had that thing in her hands, would she obediently hand it over? She had no idea what Xiao Yelei was up to…
"Your Highness, the Prince Consort wants you to meet him outside Liuying Hall in an hour. The Prince Consort says it's time to return to the manor." Outside the door, a palace maid urged.
"I'm on my way!" Yin Chujin replied. Unwilling to give up, she rummaged through the hidden areas again but to no avail. In the end, she had no choice but to give up. As for dealing with Xiao Yelei, she could only take it one step at a time. Lies could be made one after another. The most tragic outcome would be death by his hands. She was really not afraid after dying once.
The palace maid brought her back to Liuying Hall along the original path. On the way, they met two women in gorgeous dresses. From the palace maid's greetings, she knew that they were also princesses, but they did not even look Yin Chujin in the eye. They looked at her disdainfully and turned their heads away.
Yin Chujin was actually this pitiful after losing the emperor's favor. She sighed softly and didn't care much about this. Just as she was about to urge the palace maids to continue forward, the two princesses turned around and beckoned the palace maids who were leading the way for Yin Chujin to leave. They even smiled and left a message…