Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu picked out their formal wear and returned to their rooms.
The afternoon was peaceful, with no one disturbing them. Both of them enjoyed the tranquility, now all they had to do was wait for the Crown Prince Selection Ceremony.
Shen Qingqing even took a good nap, stating she needed to be well-rested. After all, there was a tough battle to be fought at the Crown Prince Selection Ceremony.
However, as they were preparing to go downstairs for dinner that evening, the butler appeared, his smile as unchanging as a mask.
"The King requests your presence."
Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu rose. As they passed the butler, Shen Qingqing paused, her voice cool, "If you could manage to restrain that gloating look, I believe Pei Xi would value you more."
The butler's expression remained unchanged. "Thank you for your guidance, Miss Shen."
The two figures strode away, but the butler's hands clenched into fists.
The grand hall was bustling. The King sat on the high throne, with Pei Ji and Pei Xi standing to his left. Their gazes towards Shen Qingqing differed. Pei Xi's expression was gentle, his eyes calm, though a hint of schadenfreude could be detected upon closer inspection. Pei Ji, on the other hand, radiated pure concern.
Nicole stood to the right, accompanied by a middle-aged man who was tenderly comforting her as she sobbed with her hands covering her face. Upon seeing Shen Qingqing, the middle-aged man's face contorted with anger. "It was you?"
Shen Qingqing, puzzled, asked, "Me what?"
"You bullied my daughter!"
At these words, Shen Qingqing understood. So, someone couldn't win an argument with words and had brought their parent to seek justice.
The King, seated above, said gravely, "Duke Chapulin, please do not be hasty. The ins and outs of this matter need to be clarified."
"What is there to clarify?" Duke Chapulin retorted, then placed a hand over his heart. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, I was too eager. You understand, she is my treasured pearl. She came to the palace on your command, yet it is I who grieves when she is wronged."
The King's tone softened slightly. "I understand. Rest assured, if Nicole was truly wronged, I will not stand idly by." He glanced at Shen Qingqing, his eyes devoid of any warmth. After these past few encounters, he had completely lost any good impression of her, leaving only annoyance. "If someone truly bullied her, I will make them pay the price!"
Duke Chapulin was immensely grateful. "Thank you, Your Majesty. You are indeed a wise ruler."
The King turned to Shen Qingqing, his voice imbued with authority. "Next, I will ask you a few questions. You only need to answer yes or no."
"You may proceed." Shen Qingqing was rather cooperative. Her attitude wasn't particularly respectful, but it was acceptable.
The King asked slowly, "This afternoon, did you encounter Nicole in the dressing room?"
"Yes." There was nothing to deny; it would be known with a simple inquiry.
The King continued, "Did you speak a few words to her?"
"Yes."
"You insulted her."
"No."
The King frowned. "If you dare to lie, I will not forgive you."
Shen Qingqing shook her head. "I am not lying..."
Before she could finish, Nicole, who had been sobbing hysterically, suddenly looked up, her tear-filled eyes glaring at Shen Qingqing, accusing, "You are lying! This afternoon in the dressing room, you ignored me, looked down on me, mocked me, and looked down on my family, the Fourth Prince, and even the King!"
Well, with these accusations, she was practically condemned to death. The King's face darkened considerably.
Shen Qingqing calmly replied, "Miss Nicole, have you lost your memory? It was you who demanded we leave without rhyme or reason. I am a person, not a ball. Why should I leave just because you told me to?"
"Moreover, I didn't even know who you were. Why would I look down on you?"
"I told you my identity clearly!" Nicole retorted angrily.
"That's precisely the point," Shen Qingqing said, pointing a finger at Nicole, then at her own head. "Do I look like an idiot? Knowing your identity, I would still dare to speak rudely? Am I looking for death?"
Nicole was momentarily speechless. Shen Qingqing turned to the King, stating resolutely, "I will not admit to something I have not done."
The King furrowed his brow slightly. Her words were not entirely without merit. If she knew Nicole's identity and still spoke that way, it would indeed be akin to seeking death. But Nicole... would she lie?
The King couldn't help but look at her. Nicole panicked. She had asked before coming if there were any surveillance cameras in the dressing room; of course, it would be as she said. But she hadn't expected her few words to expose her flaw. Flustered, she simply covered her face and continued to cry.
"Daddy, she clearly bullied me, yet in the end, she's the one who sounds reasonable?"
"There, there, don't cry." Seeing his daughter cry, Duke Chapulin panicked.
"They say marrying into royalty means being above everyone else, of noble status, and not suffering any humiliation from others. Why doesn't that apply to me?" Nicole's words were a litany of complaints, and she cried harder. "If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn't have come. I don't want this engagement either!"
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow, sighing inwardly: Foolish!
Duke Chapulin exclaimed in shock, "This is outrageous!" His sharp reprimand stunned Nicole into silence. She didn't know what to say. The Duke, however, had already turned to the King and was quickly apologizing.
"Your esteemed Majesty, she didn't mean that. She has been spoiled since childhood and has never been bullied, so she's a little overwhelmed. Rest assured, I will discipline her strictly when we return and prevent her from speaking carelessly."
Being bullied and seeking justice was one thing. But uttering such words was equivalent to looking down on the royal family and insulting it. Even Duke Chapulin could not tolerate it.
Nicole completely failed to understand what she had said wrong. "Daddy?!"
Duke Chapulin didn't even look at her. She instinctively looked at the King, only to find his expression wasn't very pleasant either. She began to feel a hint of panic and looked towards Pei Xi. He was her future husband; surely he would speak up for her?
Pei Xi covered his forehead, sighing wearily. "Miss Nicole, these two are my elder brother's guests, and therefore my guests. If they spoke rudely to you, I apologize on their behalf."
Shen Qingqing tutted. "Hey, mind your words. Who spoke rudely?"
Pei Xi's lips moved slightly, a flash of helplessness in his eyes. He conceded, "Yes, I misspoke. There seem to be some misunderstandings. But no matter what the misunderstanding, Miss Nicole, I apologize to you." His handsome features were as gentle as jade, causing Nicole's face to turn red.
Pei Xi's voice slowly continued, "However, since you feel the royal family is not suitable for you, then we cannot force it..."
Nicole's heart skipped a beat.
The King, however, felt there was still room for maneuver. "Pei Xi, let's not rush to a conclusion on this matter. The reason for pursuing this is because Miss Nicole was wronged. And the person who wronged her will apologize and admit her mistake, and then it will be over."
Shen Qingqing firmly refused. "I refuse."
"How dare you!" The King's expression turned stern. "This is the royal palace. I make the rules. You have no room to refuse."
Seeing that the King was about to resort to force, Pei Ji stepped forward. "Father, as Fourth Brother just said, this lady is our elder brother's guest, which makes her our guest. Since she did nothing wrong, it is indeed inappropriate for her to apologize."