It was unexpected that Zhen Xu and Yun Yueyin dared to escalate the matter.
What were they thinking?
What good would it do them to make such a scene?
Could the two of them possibly stand against Zhen Lin and Princess Ning De?
Clearly, they hadn't realized this, and might even be under the delusion that they could turn the tide.
Initially, she hadn't wanted to draw attention, but it seemed she was forced to say more.
Even less noticed was Qin Linglong's return. Seeing that everyone's attention was on Princess Ning De and the others, Qin Linglong's eyes darted, and she immediately slipped away, planning to change her clothes before returning!
Even heaven was on her side!
Just then, everyone's gaze was once again drawn to His Highness the Prince of Jin, who spoke unexpectedly.
"A liar has appeared in Prince Pingyang's estate. How does Prince Pingyang raise him?"
Zhan Tianye rarely spoke, and even when he did, his words were brief. Yet now, he was reprimanding Zhen Xu.
This was a clear indication that he was siding with Princess Ning De and Young Master Zhen!
Princess Ning De looked at Zhan Tianye in disbelief. He was actually helping her... and her brother?
For a moment, Princess Ning De's emotions swung wildly. The humiliation she had suffered in the mountains, followed by this sudden happiness, made her feel as if she were in a dream.
So illusory.
She had never imagined he would suddenly speak up to help!
"I beg His Highness the Prince of Jin's pardon. It is I, Zhen Lin, as an elder brother, who failed to fulfill my responsibility. Zhen Lin will have someone escort him back to the estate later to be properly disciplined." Although Zhen Lin felt a strange sense of surprise, he responded with remarkable speed.
The Emperor was slightly taken aback and his heart suddenly rejoiced. Could it be that Jin'er had developed some feelings for Princess Ning De?
Appearing now to protect Princess Ning De, there could be no other explanation.
Princess Ning De also calmed her shaken heart and looked at Zhen Xu with a soft, disappointed tone, "Second Brother, you truly disappoint me. Even at a time like this, you haven't forgotten to smear others. If you truly hurt us, will you actually get what you want?"
The siblings' words completely reversed the situation.
Yun Shu, who had already prepared herself to step forward, looked at the siblings, then finally her gaze fell upon Zhan Tianye. She curved her lips slightly.
Zhan Tianye also looked at Yun Shu.
Their gazes met in silence. It was this brief exchange that somewhat calmed the intense killing intent in Zhan Tianye's heart; he desperately wanted to kill that ignorant fool.
Zhen Xu was shocked.
Yun Yueyin was also shocked. The Prince of Ye was helping Princess Ning De? Could it be that the Prince of Ye had truly fallen for Princess Ning De?
It seemed impossible no matter how she thought about it!
Did the Prince of Ye no longer care for Yun Shu?
Their expressions of astonishment only solidified the belief that they were lying.
Those who had been half-believing the couple now saw them as a joke. Everyone knew the character of Young Master Zhen and Princess Ning De!
Seeing the undisguised suspicion in everyone's eyes, Zhen Xu felt he had no way to explain himself.
He was consumed by anxiety, his eyes blazing, "Don't believe Princess Ning De! She's just twisting the facts! Why do you believe her and not me?"
Yun Yueyin's eyelashes trembled violently. It was as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water. She forced herself to calm down. The Prince of Ye had intervened, and the Emperor remained silent. Even if what they said were true, no one would listen!
She took a deep breath and shook her head at Zhen Xu, "Husband, don't say anything more. No one will believe us."
The more they spoke, the more mistakes they would make.
The more shame they would incur.
She could only salvage some dignity by saying to Princess Ning De, "Heaven sees all that is done. Princess, you know in your heart whether you have done these things or not."
"Yes, heaven sees all that is done. You two will pay the price for everything you have done today." Princess Ning De looked at Yun Yueyin with icy eyes.
Yun Yueyin's reaction was indeed swift.
Hearing Princess Ning De's words, Yun Yueyin's heart skipped a beat. A sudden thought struck her that Princess Ning De might not be as simple as she appeared.
However, at this moment, she didn't have much time to ponder Princess Ning De.
She was tired of the stares from the people around her.
"Husband, your body is important. Let's leave quickly," Yun Yueyin said to the palace attendants carrying Zhen Lin.
Zhen Xu refused to give up. He suddenly saw Yun Shu, who had returned, and pointed at her, shouting, "Ask her! You ask her! It all started with her!"
If it weren't for this wench resisting him and preventing his success, would he be subjected to ridicule now?
And would Zhen Lin and Ning De have gained the upper hand?
At these words, everyone followed Zhen Xu's指, their gazes falling upon Yun Shu.
They saw the ordinary-looking woman Zhen Xu had pointed to.
She appeared rather plain, and if one didn't look closely, they might mistake her for a maidservant from someone's household or a palace maid.
However, it was strange. Though she appeared ordinary, she gave off an extraordinary aura.
Zhen Lin and Princess Ning De both looked at Yun Shu.
Zhen Lin's heart sank. She had been dragged into this after all! He had never hated anyone so much. Zhen Xu, in his eyes, had instantly become someone who had to be eliminated.
"Miss Ning, rest assured, with me and Ning De here, he cannot wrong you," Zhen Lin said quickly, completely unwilling to let the crowd's suspicion harm her.
Princess Ning De also said, "Yes, with me and my brother here, we will absolutely not let anyone bully you."
Hearing Princess Ning De mention "bully," Zhan Tianye's eyelids flickered, and a terrifying killing intent flashed in his eyes.
He had already decided to kill.
He stood up and walked over.
Others hadn't noticed yet.
By the time they realized, he had already approached Zhen Xu.
Zhen Xu sensed a shadow fall upon him, blocking the light. He looked up, and his entire body froze.
"His Highness... Prince Jin?"
The words that came out of his mouth were also incredibly stiff.
Why had His Highness the Prince of Jin suddenly appeared before him?
Yun Yueyin also noticed. She was kneeling at the moment and had to look up. When she saw Zhan Tianye's somewhat terrifying expression, she froze, as if instantly encased in thick ice.
It rendered her completely immobile!
She was too familiar with the Prince of Ye's fearsomeness!
Even Zhan Ming was no match for the Prince of Ye!
She never imagined the Prince of Ye cared so much for Princess Ning De, even more than for Yun Shu. Thinking of this, she knew that dealing with Princess Ning De and Zhen Lin would only become more difficult in the future!
Yun Shu's eyelids twitched slightly at this sight.
Princess Ning De's heart clenched even more fiercely. Without thinking, she immediately walked in front of Zhan Tianye and said softly, "He might have suffered an accident and is injured, which is why he is so confused. Your Highness the Prince of Jin, please do not be angry."
The crowd let out a sigh of collective wonder. Who would have thought!
His Highness the Prince of Jin had hidden it so well before, and others couldn't see how much he liked Princess Ning De. Now, everyone understood!