The entire capital was in a stir for a moment.
That was the Regent!
The Regent was indeed a remarkable person!
With a wondrous background.
The Regent, named Zhan Ming, was the sixth uncle of the current Emperor and the late Emperor's most trusted confidant. When the late Emperor abdicated to the current Emperor, he appointed Zhan Ming as Regent to assist him.
One could imagine the immense power the Regent wielded!
It was equivalent to being second only to the Emperor.
And for Yun Yueyin to gain the Regent's favor, and for the Regent to marry her as a side consort, one could tell how important Yun Yueyin was to the Regent.
Although the Regent's mansion had some concubines, these concubines were in no way comparable to Yun Yueyin.
Yun Yueyin had a proper title, and was about to be grandly escorted into the Regent's mansion.
But these concubines, the Regent might favor today and dismiss tomorrow, their lives as cheap as grass.
In a single morning, Yun Yueyin had become the most envied woman in the capital.
The entire Yun family was incredibly excited.
And at this moment.
During the morning court.
Several officials impeached General Yun, citing various crimes, all sorts of accusations.
But immediately after, several others refuted these charges.
Zhan Tianhong coldly watched the officials arguing vehemently in court. Though he was young and frail, leaning somewhat weakly on the dragon throne, he possessed the majesty of an emperor.
With a sharp reprimand, he declared, "Enough! This matter need not be discussed in court. The Dali Temple is already thoroughly investigating!"
The people below each had their own motives.
Killing without drawing blood.
Zhan Tianhong found it inexplicably disgusting.
With an imperial decree, the court was dismissed.
On the way back to his sleeping quarters.
Geng Yufei intercepted Zhan Tianhong, earnestly pleading, "The evidence of General Yun's treason is complete. I beg Your Majesty not to protect the second daughter of the Yun family any further! Even if the second daughter of the Yun family taught Your Majesty the zither a couple of times, it does not mean she is innocent. She must know of the crimes General Yun has committed. Moreover, the second daughter of the Yun family disappeared for five years. Perhaps she went to another country."
She had witnessed with her own eyes yesterday that the Emperor had ordered people to protect Yun Shu at the Dali Temple.
Stating that Yun Shu should not be subjected to any punishment.
At that moment, for some reason, she suddenly felt a great sense of crisis.
Therefore, she now stood before Zhan Tianhong, demanding he come to his senses.
Zhan Tianhong looked down at Geng Yufei kneeling before him and said expressionlessly, "The inner palace must not interfere with government affairs! Empress, you are truly bold to dare to interfere with me! Do you believe I will cast you into the cold palace?"
Hearing others speak ill of Yun Shu, his heart instantly harbored a killing intent.
Geng Yufei had never seen such a terrifying expression on Zhan Tianhong's face before. She was so frightened that she sat down on the ground.
And instantly, she came to her senses.
She had...
How did she suddenly lose her reason and say these words to the Emperor?
The Emperor's look of disgust was like a thunderous blow.
It made her instantly realize that the Emperor seemed...
Seemed to believe Yun Shu greatly!
She quickly said, "This concubine knows she was wrong. This concubine should not have interfered in government affairs! This concubine spoke recklessly!"
"Scram!" Zhan Tianhong roared.
Geng Yufei paid no mind to how the surrounding palace servants were looking at her. She had to leave quickly now. When she calmed down, she would think carefully about what to do next!
Zhan Tianhong watched Geng Yufei flee in disarray, his eyes filled with coldness.
Suddenly, a palace servant approached Zhan Tianhong, "Your Majesty, news has just arrived from outside the palace. The Regent has returned."
"The Regent has returned?" Zhan Tianhong's eyes narrowed.
"Yes, the Regent has returned to his mansion. He just sent word that he will visit Your Majesty in the palace tomorrow," the palace servant added.
Zhan Tianhong was momentarily speechless.
But he tightly pursed his lips.
...
At the same time.
Yun Yueyin, accompanied by the Yun family, returned to the Yun residence.
As Yun Yueyin saw the Yun residence, with every step she took, her expression darkened slightly.
The Yun residence was not as grand as the houses she and the Regent lived in elsewhere.
Too shabby!
Seeing Yun Yueyin's displeased expression as she looked around, Madam Yang immediately said, "In a while, we should be able to move back to the General's mansion. This is just a temporary place to stay."
"Alright," Yun Yueyin nodded.
The pride in her demeanor made many in the Yun residence look up to her with longing.
The eldest daughter had truly soared to become a phoenix!
Look at the magnificent procession escorting her back from the Regent's mansion earlier, a sight rarely seen in the capital!
Yun Ying rushed up to Yun Yueyin, affectionately linking her arm, "Eldest Sister, you're finally back! I've really missed you these past few days!"
Yun Yueyin paused when she saw Yun Ying, a little surprised.
After several years of not seeing each other, Yun Ying had grown quite lovely.
She even seemed to be on the verge of surpassing her.
She smiled somewhat coldly, "So it's third sister. After a few years, third sister has become even more beautiful."
"Eldest Sister, after so many years, please don't tease Ying'er. Ying'er will never be able to compare to Eldest Sister. Eldest Sister is the person Ying'er will always aspire to be like." Yun Ying blushed slightly, but was also secretly pleased. Having seen Yun Shu's unparalleled beauty, she suddenly realized upon seeing Yun Yueyin that Yun Yueyin's appearance was comparable to hers. If Yun Yueyin was considered more beautiful, it was only by a small margin.
Therefore, if Yun Yueyin could marry the Regent, then she could surely achieve a high marriage too!
Hearing Yun Ying's flattering words, Yun Yueyin's fleeting unhappiness vanished. She smiled, "Third sister is still as sweet-mouthed as ever. Now that third sister is of age, I will find a good match for you and strive to find you a suitable husband."
Yun Ying's face flushed, "Eldest Sister, don't tease Ying'er. Ying'er still wants to spend more time with Grandmother and Eldest Sister!"
"Third sister still has a childlike heart," Yun Yueyin said.
Not far away, Old Madam Yun, supported by Concubine Xiao, hurried over.
Upon reaching Yun Yueyin, she tightly clasped Yun Yueyin's hand, "Oh, Yueyin! Your grandmother has missed you terribly! These past few years, your grandmother has been thinking of you day and night. You're finally back, it's wonderful that you're back!"
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
Yun Yueyin immediately supported Old Madam Yun, "Grandmother, Yueyin has also missed you dearly these past few years!"
The grandmother and granddaughter shared a deep affection.
Madam Yang and Concubine Xiao wiped away tears at the side.
After a while.
They finally arrived in the room.
Everyone took their seats one by one.
Yun Dezhi also returned from the imperial court.
Upon seeing Yun Yueyin, he immediately strode over.
"Yueyin! You're finally back, good, good, good, it's wonderful!"
Yun Yueyin called out, "Father."
"At this hour, is Father just returning from court?" Yun Yueyin asked with some curiosity.
Yun Dezhi's expression immediately turned grave, "It's because the court was filled with discussions today regarding your second... Yun Changfeng's treason. That's why the court was delayed. The evidence is conclusive, and the trial will commence in an hour. Alas, Yun Changfeng is truly audacious to dare to commit treason!"