Nan Chaoyin slapped Nan Yujin, his eyes wide with fury, and pointed at his nose, scolding him, "You scoundrel!"
Blood trickled from the corner of Nan Yujin's mouth, the slap mark clearly visible on the left side of his face. Yet, Nan Yujin showed no sign of resentment, only protesting his innocence.
"Of course I know I'm wronged!" Nan Chaoyin's brows furrowed. "But now that things have come to this, what use is there in merely saying you're wronged? The princess, because of you, has lost..." Nan Chaoyin paused, his words faltering as he considered Hui'an's dignity and refrained from being too direct. "In any case, you must provide an explanation to the princess and the prince!"
Nan Yujin's pupils trembled. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched and relaxed, clenched and relaxed again. His father wanted him to marry Princess Hui'an, but if it were him... he was unwilling, truly unwilling. His father had arranged for Zhang Silang, so why had it ended up being him?
Nan Yujin suddenly turned his head, looking at Nan Shiying.
His eyes held a questioning gaze, his expression filled with indignation.
Nan Shiying blinked. Could she admit to this? Certainly not!
She raised an eyebrow, a beautiful arc forming on her lips, her voice seemingly laced with hidden daggers, like a sharp blade concealed beneath sponge: "Why is Young Master Nan looking at this consort? This consort and the Prince have remained in the banquet hall without leaving. If this consort had the ability to plant spies in your Nan residence, then hundreds of your Nan household would have long been sent to hell!"
Nan Yujin's pupils contracted. Nan Shiying's undisguised malice sent a chill through his entire body. She did not doubt the truth of her words. If it came to hatred, Nan Shiying wanted them dead more than anyone else!
Nan Shiying's mention of spies gave Nan Chaoyin a jolt. He suddenly felt that this matter might not have been Ji Jinmo's doing, but perhaps... Nan Chaoyin turned his head, looking at Yu Chengxuan.
Yu Chengxuan glanced at Nan Shiying impassively, then felt Nan Chaoyin's gaze. He shifted his eyes back to Nan Chaoyin, fanning himself with his fan, and let out a cold laugh: "What? Does Young Master Nan look down on my Imperial Sister? Prime Minister Nan, is this the sincerity and resolution you speak of? Hah, truly laughable!"
"Imperial Sister, let us enter the Imperial City!"
Yu Chengxuan stepped forward, pushed aside the maid who was restraining Hui'an, and grabbed Hui'an's wrist, leading her towards the door.
Nan Yujin rose and blocked their path.
"What? Does Young Master Nan intend to fight us?" Yu Chengxuan questioned sharply.
The envoy from Da Li stood behind Yu Chengxuan and Hui'an. The accompanying generals had already stepped forward, protecting Yu Chengxuan and Hui'an. If Nan Yujin dared to make a move, he would immediately erupt and take him down!
Nan Yujin did not speak. Instead, he abruptly knelt and kowtowed to beg forgiveness: "Princess, Prince, although I am wronged in this matter, it is ultimately because of me that the Princess has suffered grievance. I am willing to do my utmost to compensate for the harm I have caused the Princess. Although I have not entered officialdom, I own several shops, several estates, and hundreds of mu of farmland. I dare not claim to provide the Princess with a life of luxury and comfort as in Da Li, but I am willing to give the Princess my best. I implore the Prince and Princess to give me a chance, a chance to make amends for everything!"
"Hah~"
Hui'an let out a cold laugh. She slightly bent her body, looking down at Nan Yujin from above, the hatred in her eyes burning like a raging inferno, wishing she could devour Nan Yujin whole: "Nan Yujin, you want a chance? You can have it. As long as you die, as long as you die before my eyes, then I will forgive you."
"Your Highness Princess!"
Nan Yujin's throat tightened. This meant there was no room for negotiation.
Yu Chengxuan kicked Nan Yujin to the side and pulled Hui'an down the stairs.
If one did not already know the relationship between Yu Chengxuan and Hui'an, observing his actions, one would think he was deeply in love with Hui'an.
Nan Shiying withdrew her gaze from Yu Chengxuan, looked down at Nan Yujin, clicked her tongue, and showed a mocking expression. However, she did not speak to taunt him. Instead, she walked to Nan Yuan'er's side and gave her a smile: "Nan Yuan'er, it is best to treat the wound on your face promptly. If it leaves a scar and you become ugly, then it will be this consort's fault."
After speaking, she turned to Nan Chaoyin and said, "Prime Minister Nan, your residence is still as filthy as ever. From top to bottom, you are all so nauseating!"
"My Prince, the show is over, let's go."
Nan Shiying said this as she walked to Ji Jinmo's side and took his hand.
Ji Jinmo was as docile as a large cat, allowing Nan Shiying to lead him away from Sui Hua Pavilion.
Nan Chaoyin glanced at Nan Yujin and Nan Yuan'er. He turned and walked towards Nan Yuan'er. Just as Nan Yuan'er was about to speak, Nan Chaoyin delivered a heavy slap.
"Useless trash!"
"Hurry and find Zhang Silang. Before I return home, I want to know the entire sequence of events!"
With that, he said to Nan Yujin, "You, get up and accompany me to the palace to see the Emperor!"
Nan Yuan'er covered her cheek, looking at Nan Chaoyin in disbelief. Over the years, her father had never hit her. But now... this matter had gone awry, and what did it have to do with her? She had been刁难 (diāonán - made things difficult for) and insulted by Nan Shiying, and slapped by her, cutting her face. Not only did her father not inquire if her injuries were serious, but he had hit her instead?
Nan Yuan'er's tears trickled down her cheeks. In the past, no matter how angry Nan Chaoyin was, seeing her like this would soften his heart. But today, Nan Chaoyin not only did not soften his heart, but he wished he could slap her again.
"Yuan'er, when you discovered that the person in the room was your brother and not Zhang Silang, why did you still escalate the situation? For years, I have kept you by my side, hired the best teachers for you, taught you to read and understand principles, taught you military strategy, and allowed you to break free from this confined courtyard to pursue a more expansive world. And you? After studying for so many years, you are still fixated on these disputes within the inner court? For your own selfish gain, you have neglected the overall situation and placed the Nan residence in this predicament. Do you still have the face to cry?"
"Father, I..."
"Do not tell me you did not discover it. Yuan'er, do not mistake my pampering of you for unconditional indulgence, nor do you take everyone else for a fool! Do you think that your actions today have not been seen through by others?"
"I..."
"Enough, stop talking. Go find Zhang Silang and figure out exactly what happened!"
"Yes... Daughter understands!"
Nan Yuan'er's tears mingled with the wound on her face, causing a stinging pain. She lowered her head, gritting her teeth, and thus prevented more tears from falling.