Bai Murong was unaware of the Duke of Rong's thoughts.
Bai Murong harbored resentment in her heart. Was her grandfather's heart already leaning towards Bai Shengyi? Had he considered that if His Majesty granted Bai Shengyi's wish, her reputation would be ruined!
Bai Murong bit her lip tightly, her fists clenched, signaling Qin Zhao to quickly intervene. However, Qin Zhao, having been startled by Qin Si earlier, was in a daze and completely missed her.
Not only Bai Murong was looking at Qin Zhao; Emperor Ning Feng was also watching Qin Zhao. He was even more disappointed in Qin Zhao, seeing him as just like his low-born mother. No matter how he was taught, he couldn't change the fact that at his core, he was a soft-hearted coward.
"Marriage contracts are meant to foster good relations between families. Fifth Prince is not living up to expectations, and as his father, I have failed to teach him well, causing Sheng Yi to be wronged," Emperor Ning Feng first said a comforting word to the Duke of Rong.
Then, he addressed Bai Shengyi, "Since this is the case, your marriage with Fifth Prince will be called off."
He conveniently overlooked the matter of Princess Mingyu harming Bai Shengyi.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Bai Shengyi was not bothered by this minor issue. She seemed oblivious to the various glances from everyone, smiling faintly as she agreed and returned to her seat.
Emperor Ning Feng did not mention Princess Mingyu, merely explaining it away with a simple statement of "not living up to expectations." Did he think this matter would end there?
One must understand that sometimes, deliberate oversight could lead to unexpected outcomes.
Bai Shengyi curled her lips, glanced at Bai Murong and Qin Zhao who had also returned to their seats, and smiled meaningfully.
As expected, Bai Shengyi did not have to wait long before she heard a "snap" sound from beside her.
Bai Murong had not yet sat down when Sun Mingyu slapped her.
"Bitch!" Sun Mingyu grabbed Bai Murong's hair and, with a sweep, pushed her head towards the table!
Caught off guard, Bai Murong hit it with a loud thud.
"Hiss…" Bai Murong's face contorted for a moment. She forcefully broke free from Sun Mingyu's grip and said aggrievedly, "Your Highness, please don't fall for Bai Shengyi's scheme! She just wants to sow discord between us!"
Sun Mingyu was furious and couldn't listen to Bai Murong's explanation at all. Her spiritual energy enveloped her fingernails, digging deeply into Bai Murong's flesh. "Bitch! Who gave you the courage to covet someone belonging to this Highness!"
Bai Murong was completely suppressed. With red-rimmed eyes, she called out to Qin Zhao, "Your Highness Prince Gong, please quickly explain to Sun Mingyu on my behalf, this humble lady did not… Ah!"
Bai Murong's scream instantly silenced the hall that had just regained its liveliness.
By this time, the banquet had already begun with song and dance performances. This silence was all the more suffocating. Even the dancing girls trembled and crouched on the ground.
"Mingyu, what's wrong!" The Grand Princess, sensing the displeasure of those in high positions, quickly pushed Bai Murong aside, embraced Sun Mingyu, and gave Sun Mingyu a look.
Sun Mingyu didn't see the look, but being hugged by the Grand Princess, all her grievances seemed to well up. "Mother! I'm almost becoming a joke, woo woo… It's all their fault!"
She cried heartily, but failed to notice the Empress's increasingly displeased expression on her throne.
"Mingyu, Bai Murong, why are you crying? Are you mourning for me?" the Empress said coldly.
Bai Murong, covering her face and silently shedding tears, felt a pang of anxiety. She quickly and respectfully replied, "Your Highness, this humble lady dares not. This humble lady did not do it intentionally."
She believed herself to be consistently generous, dignified, gentle, and virtuous, and was quite famous in the capital. Even though the Empress favored Sun Mingyu, she wouldn't simply let Sun Mingyu hit her.
She waited for the Empress to ask the reason for her crying, but unexpectedly, the Grand Princess spoke sternly, "Empress, Mingyu is spoiled, and it was wrong for her to hit Miss Bai earlier. However, Miss Bai did not dare to harm Mingyu's face! Look—"
She turned Sun Mingyu's face. Indeed, next to her reddened nose from crying, there was a ferocious scar, as if Bai Murong had just scratched it.
Bai Murong's pupils contracted sharply, "This humble lady did not! Just now, it was Sun Mingyu who hit this humble lady, and this humble lady…"
"Enough!" The Empress waved her sleeve coldly. "Guards, escort Miss Bai and Sun Mingyu down to rest, so as not to spoil everyone's enjoyment!"
As the Empress finished speaking, palace maids and eunuchs immediately stepped forward and "invited" the two of them down. The Grand Princess cast a grim glance at Bai Shengyi and followed them out.
With so many incidents, everyone lost their interest. After Emperor Ning Feng and the Empress left, the banquet did not last long before it dispersed.
The Duke of Rong, worried that Bai Murong would disappear once the banquet ended, paid no attention to Bai Shengyi.
Bai Shengyi, having achieved her goals for the day, was in a good mood and paid no mind to these matters. She bypassed the main group leaving the palace and ambled out slowly.
"Miss Bai San, please wait." The Third Prince suddenly walked up to Bai Shengyi and said, "Thank you for today."
Bai Shengyi looked up, puzzled, but saw that the person had already left.
"What, have you changed your target again?" Qin Si, who had been worried when he saw Bai Shengyi without anyone to guide her, intended to personally escort her out of the palace.
However, the moment he approached, he saw Bai Shengyi staring intently at the Third Prince, and he was so angry he almost turned to leave.
What was going on with Bai Shengyi! Had her brain gone bad again?
Lord Rong had slipped away as soon as he saw Qin Si's actions, and had also taken Xia Qufeng, who had come looking for Bai Shengyi. Xia Qufeng was bewildered, but Lord Rong was considered a semi-elder to him, so he had no choice but to leave with him.
Bai Shengyi frowned. "His Highness Prince Ming, can you speak human words?"
If it weren't for his righteous intervention to help today, she might have been turning her pen to prepare for murder! Such a good mouth, why did the words that came out always make her so angry.
"I was wondering why the Third Prince thanked me," Bai Shengyi mused, resting her chin on her hand. "I just broke off a marriage contract today."
"Of course, he should thank you. You've eliminated a major support for Qin Zhao, and also made the Empress displeased with Sun Mingyu."
Qin Si snorted coldly, as if speaking casually. "The Empress likes Sun Mingyu and dislikes Fourth Princess. Over the years, Fourth Princess has been bullied by Sun Mingyu more than once, openly and secretly."
"Ah?"
Bai Shengyi was somewhat surprised. "Isn't Fourth Princess the Empress's biological daughter?"
"Yes, but Fourth Princess is an ordinary person." Qin Si's gaze held a hint of mockery.
In the palace, what use was a biological daughter who couldn't cultivate? She was far less beneficial than a niece with good potential.
"Your royal family is truly complicated," Bai Shengyi rubbed her hands and sighed with relief. "Fortunately, I was smart and extricated myself early."
Qin Si turned his head to look at her. He saw her gaze fixed ahead, her feet tapping rhythmically as she walked. Although she appeared extremely lively and restless, she seemed to contain an infinite amount of power.
He couldn't help but recall her resolute and decisive demeanor in the hall earlier, like a little fox baring its teeth, cunning and intelligent.
Compared to before, she had truly changed a lot.
"His Highness Prince Ming, thank you for your help today, but why do you have to walk with me?" Bai Shengyi suddenly asked, and if one listened closely, they could detect a hint of disdain.
Qin Si: ...
He was mistaken. Bai Shengyi was as annoying as ever!
He snorted coldly, his face darkening. "This Prince also needs to leave the palace, so I'll give you a ride. Or perhaps you know how to get out?"
Bai Shengyi indeed didn't know. She looked around. In such a vast palace, there wasn't a single eunuch to guide her!
When one is under another's roof, one must bow their head. She was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Then, my dear, thank you very much!"
"Shut up!"
Qin Si's ears turned red, and he strode forward.