Su Yunmo pondered for a moment, then stepped down from the pavilion. "You leave first."
Zi Yuan bowed and retreated.
At the same time, Linlang finally managed to rescue Lin Yuning ashore.
Lin Yuning, startled and enraged, raised her hand and slapped Linlang fiercely. "Useless!"
Linlang's face was turned by the blow. She lowered her eyes, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and knelt beside her. "It is my subordinate's incompetence."
"What's going on here?" Su Qingtian strode over, pulling Su Yunmo towards him and touching her clothes. "You little rascal, were you fishing in the water?"
Su Yunmo said helplessly, "Daddy, there are no fish here."
Lin Yuning looked at the father and daughter, her anger surging. "Should General Su properly discipline his daughter? She actually dared to push this consort into the water!"
"Into the water?" Su Qingtian looked at Lin Yuning strangely, then glared at Su Yunmo and admonished, "You can't even swim!"
Su Yunmo: "..."
Lin Yuning was choked with rage!
Emperor Ye Yao, surrounded by a crowd, swept his gaze over them, his expression stern. "What has happened?"
Lin Yuning knelt on the ground, her eyes red. "Your Majesty, I beg you to uphold justice for your daughter-in-law. Miss Su pushed me into the water for no reason and tried to drown me!"
Don't think Su Yunmo can act recklessly just because she has a general for a father. This is the imperial palace, and I am the Princess of Lian, bestowed by His Majesty.
Her intent to harm a prince's consort is no small crime. I must ensure she is put to death today!
Su Qingtian finally shifted his focus from Su Yunmo, frowning. "Your Majesty, although my daughter is mischievous, she would not do such a thing. I believe there is a misunderstanding."
The little rascal most likely, in a moment of naughtiness, pulled Princess Lian into the water while playing, didn't she?
"A misunderstanding? Does General Su intend to shield her? Many people saw me being rescued from the lake just now!" Lin Yuning gritted her teeth hatefully.
Emperor Ye Yao furrowed his brow, his gaze sweeping over Su Yunmo, but his question was directed at Lin Yuning. "Why did she do this?"
Everyone was also confused. Why would a child push the Princess of Lian into the water?
Lin Yuning paused slightly, then sniffled tearfully. "Your daughter-in-law does not know. I only heard her say something about avenging General Su."
It was not a secret that Su Qingtian had a conflict with Marquis Lin on the day of Prince Lian's wedding.
If Su Yunmo were to retaliate for this matter, it would not be impossible.
The crowd whispered amongst themselves.
Emperor Ye Yao's face darkened.
On such a joyous double-celebration day, such an incident would displease anyone.
Su Qingtian's expression also turned grim. He had to admit that this behavior was indeed in line with the little one's nature. xxs壹贰
"Momo didn't! Momo was just playing here. She fell in herself. It has nothing to do with Momo," Su Yunmo denied.
The crowd was somewhat uncertain, as there was no one else present at the time, and the maid who went into the water was also one of Princess Lian's people, unable to serve as a witness.
Others harbored doubts, but Su Qingtian knew his own child best. When this child was being stubborn, it meant she had done something wrong.
Good heavens, she actually pushed someone into the water!
"You little rascal, you've gone too far!" Su Qingtian put an arm around Su Yunmo, making her bend over, and raised his other hand to strike her heavily.
Su Yunmo endured the blow and immediately burst into loud sobs. "Momo didn't! I didn't! Daddy is bullying Momo, woo woo woo... Bad people, you are all bad people..."
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Lin Yuning's eyes.
Hit her well, hit her to death if possible!
Su Yunmo cried and struggled, her small face flushed red, tears welling up as she flailed her limbs.
The crowd felt a pang of pity seeing her cry so miserably.
However, the matter was of great importance, and no one dared to intercede.
Su Yunmo bit Su Qingtian's hand, escaped his grasp, and lunged towards the Emperor.
Eunuch Chang was startled and quickly moved to block.
But Su Yunmo reached the Emperor's leg first, trembling as she climbed into his embrace.
"Imperial Uncle, woo woo... Daddy hit me, save Momo, woo woo..."
Su Qingtian pulled out the sole of his shoe. "You little rascal, come here!"
So she's learned to find a protector, has she!
"Woo woo..." Su Yunmo hugged Emperor Ye Yao's neck, burying her small head in his embrace, her entire body supported by two small arms.
Seeing that Emperor Ye Yao did not embrace her, she cried even more pitifully.
"Imperial Uncle, Momo didn't do anything. That sister is slandering Momo... Save Momo, Momo will be good. Don't let Daddy hit me, woo woo..."
Eunuch Chang stepped forward with difficulty, intending to lift Su Yunmo down. After all, it was inappropriate for a minister's daughter to address His Majesty in such a manner.
Emperor Ye Yao waved his hand, dismissing Eunuch Chang Hui, and finally sighed, drawing the child into his arms.
He himself had gained a princess in the past two years.
The little one was only two years old, at the stage of babbling, and though not as beautiful as this girl, she was very adorable.
Seeing the child crying so miserably now, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
"Alright, alright, Imperial Uncle will protect you. Stop crying." Emperor Ye Yao patted Su Yunmo's back to comfort her.
Lin Yuning's eyes widened in disbelief. "Your Majesty! How can you let her off so easily? She was trying to murder your daughter-in-law just now!"
Emperor Ye Yao glanced at the little person in his arms.
Su Yunmo sobbed, trembling, her small hands clutching his chest tightly, her two watery eyes looking at him pitifully. "Imperial Uncle~"
Emperor Ye Yao relented, casting a displeased glance at Lin Yuning.
"Today is a joyous occasion. Children are bound to make mistakes. You are now the Princess of Lian. Your conduct should reflect royal dignity and tolerance. Do not be so tearful and unruly over such a small matter; it is unbecoming."
Lin Yuning felt as if struck by lightning.
A small matter? Su Yunmo tried to kill a prince's consort! How could this be called a small matter?!
Lin Yuning: "Your Majesty!!"
"Enough. You are soaked like this. What does it look like kneeling here? Go change your clothes quickly." Emperor Ye Yao ended the matter with a single sentence.
Lin Yuning clenched her fists tightly, bowed her head, and said "Yes," tears welling up in her eyes.
She couldn't understand why everyone liked Su Yunmo.
Su Yunmo, she deserved to be cut into a thousand pieces!
Su Qingtian frowned. Although he did not agree with sweeping the matter under the rug, fearing that Su Yunmo would become lawless in the future due to being doted upon, since the Emperor had spoken, he naturally could not say anything more.
"Your subject thanks His Majesty for his grace."
Su Qingtian cupped his hands in thanks, and at the same time, he did not forget to scold Su Yunmo, "You little rascal, what are you waiting for? Come down and apologize to His Majesty!"
Su Yunmo sobbed twice, then huffed and turned her head, burrowing into Emperor Ye Yao's embrace. "Momo doesn't want to go down. Daddy is a bad person. If I go down, you'll hit me again."
The little one was no longer crying. She pouted charmingly, puffing out her cheeks like a little hamster hoarding food for winter, making her look exceptionally endearing.
Everyone suddenly felt the atmosphere had eased considerably.
Eunuch Chang reminded, "Your Majesty, it is time to return to the banquet."
Emperor Ye Yao hummed in acknowledgment, turned, and headed towards the main hall, still holding Su Yunmo in his arms.
Su Qingtian felt something was amiss and tried to take Su Yunmo from him several times.
Su Yunmo, however, clung to Emperor Ye Yao's neck, throwing a childish tantrum.
"Momo doesn't want to follow Daddy. Daddy hit Momo. Momo will tell Mommy when we get home, and Mommy will punish Daddy by not letting him into the room tonight."