Yun Duanhai collapsed onto the ground, his momentary lapse in judgment having doomed the Duke of Yun's manor.
How could he be so foolish, so stupid, to truly ruin Princess Anning's chastity? Would the current Emperor spare him?
He was merely indulging in wishful thinking.
Seeing Yun Duanhai’s dispirited state, Anning did not press him further. Instead, she crouched down and looked at him, saying, "Young Master Yun, it is not too late for you to repent. I am not one to hold grudges."
Yun Duanhai stiffened, his eyes meeting a pair of clear, water-like eyes, as bright as the bright moon.
He trembled violently, as if struck by a realization. He knelt on the ground and said, "As long as Your Highness spares the Duke's manor, from this day forward, I shall be at Your Highness's command…"
Anning's gaze shifted slightly. "Young Master Yun, you are related to my elder sister by marriage. To pledge your loyalty to me in this manner, it seems…"
Yun Duanhai let out a bitter laugh upon hearing this. "Did she ever consider the Duke's manor?"
The answer was clearly no, otherwise, he would not be here.
Just then, the sound of footsteps was heard from outside. Anning looked at Yun Duanhai, who also started in surprise. "No one should be here. Apart from me, there should be no one else."
Anning narrowed her eyes, and suddenly a voice spoke, "Father Emperor, your son truly heard the manor's servants say that Third Sister is resting here, feeling unwell."
"Anping, are you sure?" Emperor An looked at the closed room door, feeling a sense of uncertainty.
Anping, seeing an opportunity to deal a heavy blow to Anning, her expression became joyful. "Father Emperor, Anping is sure. Third Sister is right here. Father Emperor, please bring the imperial physicians to diagnose and treat Third Sister quickly. Any delay would be detrimental."
Emperor An was also anxious. His little Anning had only been awake for a few months; she could not fall unconscious again.
"Quickly, quickly! Imperial physicians, enter and attend to my little Anning!" Emperor An urged anxiously.
Inside the room, Anning looked at Yun Duanhai and sighed, "You see, Anping has already invited Father Emperor. If you follow her plan, you will be exposed before Father Emperor and everyone else. So, do you really think that by taking my chastity, Father Emperor will spare you and the Duke's manor?"
Yun Duanhai had been somewhat uncertain before, but now he was absolutely convinced that Anping had truly gone mad, wanting to drag the Duke's manor down with her insane actions.
"Your Highness, this subject admits his mistake!" Yun Duanhai slumped onto the ground, completely deflated.
"Princess, what should we do?" Rong Cui also grew anxious. If the princess was seen with Young Master Yun, even if nothing had happened, people would misunderstand.
Anning looked at Yun Duanhai and said, "Young Master Yun, it depends on what you do next."
Yun Duanhai was taken aback. He looked up at Anning, whose expression was calm, as if she feared none of this.
Her composure and calmness gradually calmed him as well.
"Moyuan…" Anning whispered.
Moyuan appeared before Anning, bowed, and asked, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"
Anning asked, "Is there a way out of here?"
Moyuan looked around and replied, "The windows are nailed shut, and the door is blocked. There is no way out."
Anning also knew that Moyuan was right. She glanced at the ceiling beams and said, "Let's go up there to wait."
Moyuan was surprised. "The ceiling beams?"
Anning nodded. "Yes, quickly."
The door was pushed open by Anping, who was eager to witness the scene she desired.
Suddenly, someone rushed out and grabbed her. Anping struggled, but how could she break free from a man?
"Cousin? Cousin, it's me, Anping!" Anping said urgently.
But the person holding her did not listen to her explanations and threw her heavily onto the ground.
Anping cried out in pain and could not help but angrily exclaim, "Cousin, it's me, Anping."
"I know it's you," Anping heard her cousin Yun Duanhai's voice from the darkness.
She trembled all over. "Cousin, if you know it's me, why don't you let go?"
"Anping, you plotted against me and then lured the Emperor. Your plan is very clever."
Anping trembled all over. "Cousin, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
"It's fine if you don't understand. What matters is that I understand your intentions."
Yun Duanhai's voice was cold, laced with a chilling glint.
The thought of her wanting to sacrifice the entire Duke's manor for her selfish desires enraged him.
Anping's eyes darted around. She quickly realized that someone in the manor must have abandoned her, otherwise, even if she did this, she should have been forgiven. "Cousin, if there's anything, anything at all, let's talk slowly and explain. Doing this now only makes others laugh at us."
"Who is laughing? Aren't you the one who brought people here to laugh at me?"
"No, Cousin, don't misunderstand. Did someone say something to you? Cousin, please don't believe them. What good would it do for me to do that? The Duke's manor is my maternal home. Would I let my own maternal home collapse? I wouldn't do something so foolish."
"I hope you are as you say," Yun Duanhai said coldly.
The door was completely opened, and the light from outside streamed in. Inside, only Young Master Yun was present; Anning was nowhere to be seen.
Emperor An breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed his little Congmi was unharmed. If Anning had been here, he would have ordered the killing of Young Master Yun. The mouths of the dead were the safest.
Yun Duanhai saw Emperor An and quickly stepped forward, bowing. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Emperor An nodded. "Is Anning here?"
Anping suddenly spoke, "Cousin, you are fond of Sister Anning, but you shouldn't have done this."
Yun Duanhai looked at Anping and asked, "What did I do?"
Anping smiled. "Isn't the person on the bed Anning?"
Yun Duanhai stiffened, turned back, and saw what appeared to be a human shape under the covers on the bed.
Could it really be Princess Anning?
Yun Duanhai subconsciously glanced at the ceiling beams. Although his movement was not fast, Anping still saw it.
"Your Majesty, your subject has been resting here all along. Princess Anning is not here," Yun Duanhai stated.
"How is that possible? Third Sister is right here." As she spoke, Anping stepped forward to pull the covers.
Yun Duanhai, still unsure if it was Anning, placed a hand on Anping's hand and said, "Princess Anping, there are so many people here."
Emperor An heard this and looked at the people behind him. "Withdraw."
All the attendants retreated. Anping shook off Yun Duanhai's hand and pulled back the covers. Inside, there were only clothes.
Yun Duanhai saw the clothes and breathed a complete sigh of relief. Fortunately, it wasn't Princess Anning.
Emperor An also sighed in relief. If it had been Anning, it would have been detrimental to her reputation.
"Anping, you said your third sister was here. Where is she?" Emperor An's voice held a hint of anger.
Anping shook her head. "No… it's impossible…"
"Elder Sister, what is impossible?" A voice came from outside.
Anping turned and looked at the newcomer. Who else could it be but Anning?