Yun Shu and Gu Zhiruo, who had retreated a step, were only splashed with water on their clothes, but not on their faces.
As Geng Yufei's accusation rang out, everyone began to question if Yun Shu's face was fake.
Yun Yueyin sneered inwardly. She had merely orchestrated for this rumor to reach Geng Yufei, and Geng Yufei had indeed not disappointed her!
Yun Shu glanced at Zhan Tianye.
Since Geng Yufei was intent on seeking her own demise today, she would make Geng Yufei taste the consequences of her foolish actions!
And Yun Yueyin, don't worry, today was the perfect opportunity to deal with both of them.
Zhan Tianye sensed Yun Shu's gaze. Their eyes met, a mere exchange of glances, yet for some reason, they understood each other's thoughts. Zhan Tianye nodded.
"Will Mother be alright? I..." Gu Xiaofeng's eyes reddened, eager to rush forward.
Zhan Xiaoli pulled Gu Xiaofeng back. "They won't win against Mother. Mother can definitely handle them. Besides, if Mother can't handle them, Father will appear."
"So many people here are too wicked!" Zhan Xiaoli whispered again, then added to Gu Xiaofeng, "Xiaofeng, you must be careful. Many people here are two-faced."
"Okay!" Gu Xiaofeng nodded immediately.
"Who is slandering this commoner as disfigured?" Yun Shu asked with a faint smile, showing no signs of panic. Her elegant and composed demeanor made Geng Yufei feel uneasy.
It was as if Yun Shu held some secret over her.
But the thought vanished as quickly as it came. How could that be possible? No one could know her secrets.
"This matter was informed to me by someone, and the evidence is conclusive. Yun Shu, you are too audacious! Guards, go and tear off the fake skin from Second Miss Yun's face!" Geng Yufei was merely acting on hearsay, with no concrete evidence. She had initially thought that splashing a basin of water would expose Yun Shu, but she hadn't expected the clumsy palace maids to fail even such a simple task! Only scattered droplets landed on Yun Shu's clothes, and her face remained completely dry.
A nearby palace servant, upon hearing the order, was about to step forward.
"Who dares?" Zhan Tianye's cold retort cut through the air.
"Prince Ye, you..." Geng Yufei frowned in dissatisfaction. Why was Prince Ye repeatedly defending Yun Shu today?
"You intend to condemn someone based on a rumor? What use are the officials? Who spread the rumor and what is the truth, let the officials investigate thoroughly! Once it's confirmed who has falsely accused a daughter of an official, they shall be torn apart by five horses and executed immediately!" Zhan Tianye's words were devoid of emotion, striking everyone with awe.
Geng Yufei's expression changed abruptly.
The Empress Dowager immediately cast a reproachful glance at Geng Yufei. After all these years, how could her younger relative from her maternal family be so foolish?
Even after becoming Empress, she would resort to hearsay to accuse someone in public?
At the very least, she should have produced some credible evidence.
She could have first disfigured Yun Shu and then completely driven her mad today.
However, Geng Yufei didn't know how to employ such tactics! She had to be so foolish.
Yun Shu glanced at Zhan Tianye, then spoke, "Prince Zhan's words are reasonable. This matter indeed needs to be brought before the officials."
Secretly, she glanced at the guards stationed not far away. On her way into the palace earlier, she had seen a familiar face among the guards, one she had encountered a few days prior.
Yun Yueyin's hands tightened abruptly. This was the rumor she had spread, would it be traced back to her?
Why was Prince Ye protecting Yun Shu so fiercely?!
She stared intently at Zhan Tianye. Could he possibly have fallen for Yun Shu too?
Yun Yueyin looked towards Zhan Ming, hoping he would quickly say something to Prince Ye at this moment.
To her surprise, Zhan Ming seemed oblivious to what was happening, his eyes fixed on Yun Shu.
She had already seen him with other women before, and now, he was not even trying to conceal it in the palace!
She clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her facial expression contorting uncontrollably.
She detested Yun Shu to the bone!
"Empress, it is merely a rumor, no need to make a fuss," the Empress Dowager intervened at the opportune moment.
Geng Yufei was in an awkward position, her mind in turmoil. Not only had she failed to make Yun Shu disliked, but she had also made herself, the Empress, appear so incompetent in front of everyone!
She bit her lip and said unwillingly, "It was my momentary urgency; I did not consider whether the matter was true or false."
"Enough, there is no need to discuss this further," the Empress Dowager's tone held a hint of coldness.
Geng Yufei immediately understood that she had done something foolish!
She felt even more annoyed by Yun Shu's presence.
She stared at the teacup in Yun Shu's hand. She had clearly seen Yun Shu drink from it, yet why hadn't Yun Shu caused any embarrassment in public?
Yun Shu leaned over and whispered a few words to A Cha.
Then, subtly, she handed something from her hand to A Cha.
A Cha was always quick-witted.
A maid who wasn't noticed, when she moved away from her mistress, was rarely detected.
However.
Yun Shu looked at Zhan Tianye and found him watching her.
His dark eyes seemed to see through everything, observing her every move clearly, as if he knew what she would do next.
She curved her lips upwards nonchalantly.
Instantly, everything around her paled in comparison.
That radiant and slightly audacious smile burned like a flame in Zhan Tianye's heart.
She, who was about to do something mischievous, was breathtakingly beautiful.
His expression remained unchanged, but Qiu Lu, standing beside him, was utterly shocked.
"It's over, it's over, it's over.
His Highness seems to like Second Miss Yun even more.
Look, Second Miss Yun just smiled, and His Highness is already staring spellbound!
Yun Yueyin took the opportunity to speak with the Empress Dowager, her flattering words making a good impression on the Empress Dowager.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager liked her even more than a few years ago, Yun Yueyin knew that her next words would surely win the Empress Dowager over to her side.
Next, Yun Yueyin also presented Geng Yufei with a jade bracelet. The bracelet was of excellent quality and was part of her dowry, originally intended for the Regent's mansion. But now, to utterly destroy Yun Shu, she had to reluctantly part with it.
Geng Yufei was initially displeased, but women love beauty, and seeing the exquisite jade bracelet, she was delighted.
"Yun Yueyin seems to be currying favor with the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress today. Yun Shu, you really must be careful!" Gu Zhiruo reminded Yun Shu sharply.
Yun Shu smiled and nodded, "Alright, I will be careful."
From the corner of her eye, she saw A Cha returning.
The smile on her lips deepened.
Gu Zhiruo was stunned for a moment. Why did she feel that Yun Shu's smile now held a deep meaning? And, despite smiling, there was a chilling glint in her eyes that was unsettling.
Just then, Yun Yueyin stood up.