As Yan Yue's voice fell, the male and female guests around them erupted in surprised commotion. This was a feudal dynasty, and most people were reserved, rarely seeing someone openly confess their love in such a public setting.
Despite the surrounding noise, Leng Yuanxiang's eyes were solely focused on Yan Yue.
The man, holding a basket of peonies, slowly approached Leng Yuanxiang. With a voice as clear and pure as pearls falling on jade, he affectionately said to her, "Xiangxiang, I couldn't find the roses you mentioned, but my heart is sincere. So, will you?"
Leng Yuanxiang's eyes welled up with tears. She truly never expected Yan Yue to remember every casual remark, every detail she had ever mentioned.
She was a transmigrator from modern times. Although she had gained the love of Emperor Situ Chuanqiong upon arriving here, this man was an emperor, destined to overlook many small matters.
Leng Yuanxiang secretly yearned for a proposal. However, Situ Chuanqiong had merely brought her into the palace in haste, and she wasn't even the only woman in his harem. Deep down, she felt she had always been wronged.
Yet, Leng Yuanxiang didn't consider that, as an emperor, Situ Chuanqiong's actions towards her were already a special consideration.
If anyone was truly wronged, it should have been the original host, Chu Yulan. After all, she was the legal wife, the one who had endured hardships alongside him.
However, at that time, Leng Yuanxiang didn't think that way. She only believed that she and Situ Chuanqiong shared true love. Their union was a decision to follow their hearts and embrace their love, based on reality.
But now, this selfish transmigrator could no longer afford to consider her so-called true love with Situ Chuanqiong. This was because she believed she no longer loved this man.
Therefore, when another equally excellent man confessed his love and proposed, Leng Yuanxiang accepted without hesitation. She took the basket of peonies and said, "I will! Yan Yue, I will go to the ends of the earth with you."
Most of the onlookers became excited and spontaneously applauded, celebrating the loving couple.
Naturally, there were exceptions. Situ Chuanqiong and his entourage on the second floor were far from happy.
Situ Chuanqiong's expression was extremely grim. Wang You, standing beside him, dared not speak out of turn while the Emperor was angry. The remaining guards barely dared to breathe, fearing that if the Emperor felt humiliated, he might silence them.
Upon hearing Leng Yuanxiang's answer, Yan Yue subtly glanced towards the second floor. He saw it was silent, a stark contrast to the surrounding liveliness. He knew then that his plan had succeeded.
However, as he looked down at Leng Yuanxiang's face, filled with surprise and a hint of shyness, Yan Yue felt a pang of guilt. After all, during their time together, he had indeed been impressed by her talent. To harm and deceive this woman in order to repay a debt of gratitude truly weighed heavily on his conscience.
"Never mind," he thought, gently embracing her. "Once this matter is resolved, if she wishes, I will take her with me, and we'll find a place where no one knows us and live in anonymity!"
Meanwhile, on the second floor, Situ Chuanqiong clenched his fists tightly, suppressing his surging anger for a long moment.
After all, there were too many people here. If it became known that his consort had been publicly humiliated in such a manner, he would lose all face.
He had considered eliminating everyone present, but firstly, he hadn't brought enough guards. Secondly, no one yet knew Leng Yuanxiang's true identity. Thirdly, any survivors might spread the news, and he couldn't possibly kill everyone in the world!
Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, Situ Chuanqiong chose to endure. With a dark expression, he said, "Wang You, return immediately, gather your men, and bring Leng Yuanxiang to me."
"Yes! Your humble servant obeys!" Wang You quickly departed to carry out the Emperor's orders.
...
Shortly after Leng Yuanxiang and Chun Yue left Cloud Top Tower, they were forcibly escorted into a carriage by a group of disguised guards.
"Do you know who I am? How dare you treat me like this?" Leng Yuanxiang retorted angrily.
Chun Yue was also terrified. "My lady's status is not simple. Release us quickly, or you will all face dire consequences."
The disguised guards remained expressionless and did not respond.
Soon, the carriage stopped, and Leng Yuanxiang and Chun Yue were roughly brought out. Before them stood a large, unfamiliar mansion.
The guards dragged them inside and then separated the mistress and servant, leading them in different directions.
It was then that Leng Yuanxiang truly began to panic. She anxiously said, "My good sirs, have you made a mistake? I am the young lady of Prime Minister Leng's mansion."
The guards remained unmoved, not even glancing at her.
Leng Yuanxiang secretly thought, "This is bad! Could it be the enemies of Leng Guang, my cheap father? Why do these people show no reaction when I mention his name!"
As they approached a doorway, the entire mansion was eerily silent. Leng Yuanxiang grew increasingly fearful. She began to shout, "I am the Emperor's most beloved Consort Leng! Dare to treat me like this, and I will have the Emperor exterminate your entire families!"
This time, the guards did look at her, but still remained silent. The leader, pushing open the door, thought to himself, "From now on, whether you are the most beloved consort remains to be seen!"
As the door opened, Leng Yuanxiang vaguely saw a person sitting behind a screen. Judging by their build, it appeared to be a man.
"I advise you to release my maid and me immediately. Since I haven't seen the face of the person behind you, I promise not to pursue this matter further. We can consider it a misunderstanding."
As Leng Yuanxiang was pushed forward, she closed her eyes and continued, "I promise I haven't opened my eyes. Hurry and let me go, or the Emperor will know, and you will all die!"
Leng Yuanxiang, with her eyes closed, felt the person pushing her leave and close the door behind them. She was so frightened she could barely stand. "I... hurry... release me..."
Still receiving no answer, she cautiously opened her eyes and was so terrified that she collapsed onto the ground. The mastermind before her was none other than the current Emperor, Situ Chuanqiong!
"You wretched Situ, what are you doing! You scared me to death!" Leng Yuanxiang recovered and began to wipe away her tears.
"The Emperor's most beloved consort? Threatening to exterminate families?" Situ Chuanqiong repeated Leng Yuanxiang's words one by one.
Finally, he let out a mocking laugh and said, "So, you do remember you are my consort?"