The assembly stood in stunned silence as Yanli walked away, leaving Prince Hanyu and Lady Lian at the center of the crowd's scrutiny. Whispers rippled through the noblewomen as they eyed the pair with barely concealed disapproval.
Consort Mei, struggling to maintain her composure, finally found her voice. "Your Majesty, surely this has all been… a misunderstanding." She cast a pleading glance at the Emperor. "Prince Hanyu has simply been overcome by emotion. He… he was planning a proper proposal to Lady Lian."
But the Emperor's face was as unyielding as stone. "Consort Mei," he began coldly, "even the most loyal of us must be held accountable for our actions. Prince Hanyu's conduct has brought disgrace to Lady Yanli and her family. Let us not mask this in feigned innocence."
Hanyu clenched his fists, shame tightening his features as he realized the depth of his failure. The Emperor's judgment was swift and stern. "Prince Hanyu, I will not accept this behavior from a member of this family. Your negligence has cost you the honor of marrying Lady Yanli, and I will not see her name further tarnished."
The Empress spoke up, her voice carrying both sympathy and censure. "Prince Hanyu, if you truly cared for Lady Yanli, you would have respected the sanctity of your engagement. This affair with Lady Lian could have been managed with dignity rather than this public scandal."
Lady Lian's face flushed, her triumphant expression faltering under the weight of the Empress's words. She shifted uncomfortably, finally realizing that her position was not as secure as she had assumed. Hanyu, trying to salvage what little dignity remained, muttered, "Mother, Lady Lian was… I intended to—"
Before he could finish, Prince Ren, who had silently observed the entire exchange, stepped forward, his voice calm yet unyielding. "Intentions mean little, brother, when they are hidden beneath dishonor. Lady Yanli deserves a husband who will respect her unreservedly, without the shadow of another's presence."
Hanyu's face tightened, a faint glint of resentment in his eyes as he met Prince Ji's gaze. "And who are you to lecture me on loyalty and marriage?" he shot back, bitterness lacing his voice.
Prince Ren merely raised a brow, his expression unperturbed. "Only a witness to the consequences of your actions, brother," he replied smoothly. "As you can see, Lady Yanli deserves better than the shadow you would have placed her in."
The Emperor nodded, his gaze still severe as he addressed Hanyu. "Ren is correct. You have shown little regard for your engagement. Perhaps it is time you face the reality of your choices."
Consort Mei, sensing that the situation was beyond her control, clutched Hanyu's arm, her face a mask of barely concealed fury. But even she could not deny the truth: her carefully orchestrated plan had failed spectacularly.
At that moment, Yanli's family, who had retreated to the edge of the hall, exchanged relieved glances. Her father, though still visibly shaken by the scandal, took a steadying breath and looked gratefully at Prince Zhen, who nodded to him in acknowledgment. Yanli's mother whispered words of comfort to her, and the other members of her family seemed to regain their composure, finding solace in the fact that Yanli had been vindicated in the eyes of the court.
Meanwhile, the Empress's eyes flickered with a spark of curiosity as she watched Prince Zhen and Yanli exchange a brief glance. This display of loyalty and protection was unlike anything she had seen from her normally distant, aloof brother-in-law who is more like a son to her, and her curiosity only deepened. She studied him with suspicion, wondering what had truly motivated him to intervene so decisively on Yanli's behalf.
The Emperor, too, seemed to share in this curiosity. He turned his gaze to Prince Zhen, his expression thoughtful as if he were silently appraising his younger brother's intentions. After a moment, he spoke, his tone softened but still firm. "Prince Zhen, you have demonstrated a commendable loyalty to Lady Yanli and her family. It is a quality we value deeply in this palace."
Zhen inclined his head respectfully, keeping his expression neutral. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Lady Yanli is an esteemed member of the court and deserves our respect."
Yanli, who had remained silent, cast a grateful glance at Zhen, her gaze filled with a mixture of appreciation and relief. His intervention had spared her from what could have been a public humiliation, and she was keenly aware of the implications his words had carried.
The Emperor turned to Yanli, his tone softening as he spoke directly to her. "Lady Yanli, I deeply regret the pain this engagement has brought you. You deserve a future free of such complications. If there is anything I can do to right this wrong, please do not hesitate to ask."
Yanli took a steadying breath, summoning her courage as she replied. "Thank you, Your Majesty. All I wish for is the chance to restore my family's honor. My only request is to end this engagement with Prince Hanyu. I ask nothing more."
The Emperor nodded solemnly. "Very well. Consider the engagement dissolved." His gaze shifted back to Hanyu, who had turned pale at the pronouncement. "Prince Hanyu, you will respect this decision. Lady Yanli is free to seek her future without further interference from you."
Hanyu looked down, defeated, his face a mixture of frustration and shame. "Yes, Your Majesty," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
With the Emperor's final word, the assembly began to disperse, the scandalous whispers growing louder as the nobles eagerly dissected the events of the evening. Lady Lian clung to Hanyu's side, her earlier pride evaporated as she realized the gravity of the scandal she was now embroiled in.
Consort Mei's face was a mask of fury as she watched Yanli and her family retreat from the hall, her gaze filled with resentment. But the Empress, watching her every move, made it clear that her disapproval was not easily forgotten. For Consort Mei, the consequences of her scheme's failure were only beginning.
As the crowd finally began to dissipate, Yanli and Prince Zhen found themselves standing side by side near the entrance. A brief, knowing glance passed between them, a silent acknowledgment of the alliance they had formed.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Yanli murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I will not forget what you did for me today."
Prince Zhen inclined his head, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Think nothing of it, Lady Yanli. You are deserving of much more than the palace politics would grant you."
A faint smile touched her lips as she held his gaze, feeling a flicker of warmth and gratitude. In that moment, a new understanding blossomed between them, one forged in the flames of court intrigue and betrayal.
As they stepped away from the palace grounds, Yanli's heart felt lighter, free from the weight of the engagement that had once been a source of excitement but had ultimately brought her nothing but heartbreak. With Prince Zhen's steady presence at her side, she knew that her journey had only just begun—and that whatever trials awaited her, she was no longer alone in facing them.