Chapter Twenty: Beware of Xiao Huaijin

At this moment, everyone turned around, their eyes fixed on the room. They had all formed a vague suspicion as to who might be inside, and some of the noble ladies in the capital were already scanning the crowd, checking to see if a certain someone was missing. The answer was already glaringly obvious.

Soon, after a sharp cry from within, the woman inside tried to rush out, only to find a large crowd gathered outside to witness the farce. The woman was none other than Liu Ruyan, a lady with the bearing of a future empress. Upon seeing so many people, she was seized by sheer panic, wishing she could find a hole in the ground to hide in. But there was no such hole; she could only kneel before the Empress Dowager, her hair disheveled and her face streaming with tears.

"Aunt, I was framed! I was truly framed!"

Even though Liu Ruyan could sense that her body remained unviolated and intact, she knew that if today’s events were to spread, her dream of becoming empress would be shattered forever. She wailed that she was innocent, but why had she appeared in the side hall instead of Shen Yi? Could it be that Shen Yi had orchestrated all of this? No, that couldn't be right; they had all seen the relationship between Liu Ruyan and Shen Yi.

Seeing many gazes turning toward her, Shen Yi quickly stepped forward and knelt beside Liu Ruyan. This was the moment for Shen Yi to showcase her talent for sowing discord. She pulled Liu Ruyan tightly into her embrace, her eyes flashing with a feigned, fiery rage.

"Empress Dowager, this is the Imperial Palace, and this is your Flower Appreciation Banquet. Yet, right here at this event, Ruyan’s purity has been defiled. I implore you, Your Majesty, to uncover the true culprit and provide justice for Ruyan. She is not only a daughter of the Duke Liu household but also your own niece!"

Liu Ruyan tried to pull away, intending to declare that her purity was still intact, but Shen Yi held her fast, whispering, "Don't be afraid, Sister Ruyan. I trust that the Empress Dowager will certainly give you justice."

At that moment, Liu Ruyan was actually somewhat doubtful. She had suspected Shen Yi, wondering if she were behind it. But this was the Imperial Palace; how could Shen Yi possibly reach her? Could it be the Grand Princess? That was not impossible; the Grand Princess had always been jealous of her beauty. If she were ruined, it would certainly suit the Grand Princess's wishes.

The Empress Dowager cast a deep, searching look at Shen Yi before turning to her head maid, as if to provide an explanation to everyone present. "Investigate this. We must uncover the truth and give Ruyan the justice she deserves!" With that, the Empress Dowager swept away.

While holding Liu Ruyan, Shen Yi pondered the outcome. Would Zhao Jiayi be pushed out to serve as a scapegoat? Come to think of it, that was entirely possible!

As if by design, news of Liu Ruyan’s ruined reputation at the banquet spread throughout the city with lightning speed. Shen Yi could hardly help but suspect this was the handiwork of Qin Xuanbai. Furthermore, it was likely that Xiao Huaijin had also played a part. Although Xiao Huaijin was the male lead, that did not make him a magnanimous man. Liu Ruyan had tried to use the Purple Gold Pill to harm him; Shen Yi did not believe for a moment that Xiao Huaijin, as a Prince of the Dayu Dynasty and the Prince of War, would simply do nothing. As for the destruction of Liu Ruyan’s reputation, Shen Yi was no saint. Every action Liu Ruyan had previously taken was intended to kill her. What was happening now was simply her own reaping of what she had sown.

That night, after returning to the Prince’s estate, Shen Yi reflected on the events of the banquet, finding much of it difficult to grasp. Indeed, with her current level of cunning, surviving in this world was incredibly arduous. What she struggled to understand most was why Qin Xuanbai would help her. And this was the Imperial Palace—had the influence of the Qin family grown to such an extent? Or had Xiao Huaijin’s power reached the point where he could meddle within the palace walls? If so, wouldn't a rebellion be easy for him? Most infuriating of all was how much the current events deviated from the original plot of the book.

As Shen Yi sat lost in deep thought, a figure vaulted through the window. Having been so deep in contemplation, she had never expected anyone to enter her boudoir at night. Suddenly, the storybook in her hand was snatched away. Startled, she looked up to see none other than Qin Xuanbai.

Glancing at the title of the book, Qin Xuanbai chuckled, "So, Miss Shen is not above the common trends, enjoying such tales as *The Cold-Faced Scholar and the Charming Maiden*."

Shen Yi thought to herself, *It's a good thing I wasn't reading erotica, or you'd be even more shocked.* She had long since finished such books and had them stashed under her bed, no longer caring for them. She stood up, displeased. "Young Master Qin, breaking into a lady's chamber in the dead of night—if this were to get out, it would hardly be good for your reputation!"

With the book in one hand and his fan in the other, Qin Xuanbai used the fan to lift Shen Yi’s chin. He said with a frivolous air, "There are countless women in the capital who wish for me to enter their chambers, and I have never deigned to do so. Yet you, Miss Shen, truly surprise me. However, I saved you today and helped you scheme against Liu Ruyan. Don't you think you owe me a proper thank you?"

Shen Yi realized this man was a narcissist. She stepped back and offered a slight bow. "I, Shen Yi, thank you for your assistance, Young Master Qin. Now, can you please take your leave?"

Qin Xuanbai shook his head. "No, I have something I must tell you."

Shen Yi frowned but forced herself to remain calm. "Please, speak."

Qin Xuanbai said, "I have reached an agreement with the Prince of War today. I demanded that he grant you to me as my wife, and in return, the Qin family will assist him with all our might in whatever he undertakes."

Shen Yi was stunned. Was Xiao Huaijin really that kind of person? Please, he was the male lead! As the male lead, he should be righteous and loyal. It was difficult for her to believe such a thing.

Watching her expression, Qin Xuanbai shook his head slightly. "I know this is hard for you to believe, but the Prince of War is a man who will sacrifice anything to achieve his goals. Not just you, Shen Yi; even if it were his beloved Jiang Nansheng, he would abandon her. I came here today to warn you: be careful of Xiao Huaijin!"

Shen Yi looked at him intently and asked, "Are you finished?"

Qin Xuanbai nodded. "Naturally."

Shen Yi walked over to him, pushed him toward the door, shoved him out of her room, and slammed it shut. Standing outside, Qin Xuanbai opened his mouth to speak but stopped, feeling both annoyed and amused. This Shen Yi had taken his kindness for malice! Fine, he would consider himself the fool who helped the ungrateful, the farmer tending the snake.