Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Before long, Shang Ruyi arrived at Liangyi Hall.

Outside the hall, it was still somewhat dark, making one suspect if Yu Wenquan was still resting. However, upon pushing open the door, the intense bright lights inside instantly stung the eyes. The hall was already brightly lit, with even the candelabras in the far corners illuminated.

Yu Wenquan was sitting at the upper part of the hall, one hand resting on the table, and standing beside him was none other than Han Shanggong, who had just recently left the palace but was summoned back.

At this moment, she was speaking in a low voice. Upon seeing Shang Ruyi enter, she immediately fell silent.

Shang Ruyi glanced at her briefly, then stepped forward to greet Yu Wenquan with a bow: "Your daughter greets Father Emperor."

Yu Wenquan said nonchalantly, "Stand up."

Shang Ruyi immediately stood up.

Usually, when they met, Yu Wenquan would be cheerful with her, granting her a seat immediately after the formalities. But this time, he did not grant her a seat and did not speak again after those three words. Shang Ruyi had no choice but to stand in the hall. The coldness from the floor gradually seeped through her shoes, numbing her legs, and the chill spread throughout her body.

After a brief silence, it was still Yu Wenquan who started talking. He asked, "Do you know what happened tonight at Qianqiu Palace?"

Shang Ruyi lowered her head and said, "Your daughter does not know. But from what is said outside, it seems like a thief broke into Qianqiu Palace."

"Then, do you know who the thief is?"

"Your daughter slept early tonight, unaware of the events outside."

"Unaware of the events..."

Yu Wenquan slowly repeated these four words and then looked down at her. Shang Ruyi calmly met his scrutinizing gaze without any panic.

Until Yu Wenquan said, "Last night at Bai Fu Hall, the dancer Sun Xianyue, do you recognize him?"

"...!"

Shang Ruyi’s heart skipped a beat.

Although she had never seen this man before she glimpsed that nimble figure at Wangyun Pavilion, but the seemingly meaningful words of Yu Mingyue last night at Bai Fu Hall had already alerted her. At this moment, hearing Yu Wenquan mention Sun Xianyue, the shadows of unease in her heart grew darker, and she became increasingly cautious.

Shang Ruyi said, "Your daughter has seen them practicing at Wangyun Pavilion, but has not observed closely. Later, I only saw his dance at Bai Fu Hall."

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Han Yuhui glance at her.

This glance gave Shang Ruyi a chilling feeling. She sensed something was off, and the next moment, Yu Wenquan had already slowly said, "Only this once? Then why did you have a secret meeting with him at midnight?"

"Secret meeting at midnight?"

Upon hearing these four words, Shang Ruyi’s back instantly went numb, and even Tushere beside her gasped.

This crime of a secret meeting with an outside male, even if not in regard to the Emperor’s concubines, is extremely deadly for her as a Princess with a husband fighting abroad. In a flash, Shang Ruyi suddenly understood where the inexplicable unease she felt since Sun Xianyue’s appearance came from, as well as the cause and effect of tonight’s events. She immediately said, "Father Emperor, please investigate thoroughly. Your daughter only rested in Qianqiu Palace tonight and did not step outside at all. How could she have a secret meeting? My palace maid can testify for me!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Tushere immediately said, "Yes, Emperor, the servant can testify."

Yu Wenquan glanced at her, "Oh? Speak."

Tushere said, "Tonight, the Princess rested alone and did not go out to meet anyone."

Yu Wenquan frowned slightly, saying nothing.

Beside him, Aunt Hui gave him a glance, then turned to Tushere and said, "The Princess did not go out, which does not mean no one entered Qianqiu Palace. Moreover, were you by Princess Qin’s side all night?"

"I—"

Tushere was instantly speechless.

Although she believed her lady would never do such a thing, she had indeed not been with Shang Ruyi all night. Shang Ruyi had skipped dinner and rested early, and after that, she was alone.

Therefore, she could not testify.

Yu Wenquan gave Tushere a look, his face showing neither joy nor anger, just lightly raising his chin.

Immediately, several guards escorted someone in from outside, none other than Sun Xianyue.

He was wearing a long gray-blue robe, with his hands bound behind him, staggering into the brightly lit hall. He must have struggled just now, for even his hair was slightly disheveled, a stark contrast to the ethereal figure clad in white who danced at Bai Fu Hall before.

Upon entering the hall, he was pressed down to kneel, and seeing his miserable state, Shang Ruyi’s breath grew even heavier.

Sun Xianyue, pressed down to kneel, immediately raised his head, "His Majesty the Emperor, this commoner is wronged!"

In his speech, he also saw Shang Ruyi standing aside, his expression faltering slightly.

Seeing him like this, a chill ran through Shang Ruyi’s heart.

Yu Wenquan said sternly, "Sun Xianyue, you say you are wronged. How are you wronged?"

"I—"

Due to seeing Shang Ruyi, Sun Xianyue seemed a bit confused. His intended words came out stuttered, while Yu Wenquan’s hand, which had been resting on the table all along, now slightly clenched into a fist. Shang Ruyi saw his fingertips seemed to be holding something, hidden because it was pressed on the table.

Yu Wenquan said, "Is it because you violated palace rules, going out privately at midnight?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Xianyue’s breath caught, and he finally bowed his head: "This commoner is guilty."

Yu Wenquan continued, "Why did you violate palace rules, going out at midnight?"

Sun Xianyue’s face grew even paler: "I, this commoner..."

Only at this point did Yu Wenquan slowly raise the hand that had been pressed on the table, his fingertips holding a thin piece of paper, coldly staring at Sun Xianyue with a gaze that seemed to sweep over Shang Ruyi as well: "Is it because of this item found on you?"

Upon seeing the paper, Sun Xianyue’s face turned ashen, his gaze anxiously flicking to Shang Ruyi.

At this moment, Shang Ruyi seemed to have understood.

But she did not speak immediately, only fixating her eyes on the paper, while Yu Wenquan finally looked at her with a chilly gaze: "Princess Qin, did you write this to him?"

Shang Ruyi said, "Father Emperor, your daughter has never written anything to Sun Xianyue."

"Oh?"

"But, your daughter wishes to see what is written on it."

Yu Wenquan handed the paper to Han Yuhui, who took it and slowly walked to Shang Ruyi, offering it to her: "Princess Qin, please look."

Shang Ruyi coldly stared at her before accepting the paper, which, under the surrounding bright lights, clearly revealed a few small words—

Tonight at midnight, meet in the backyard of Qianqiu Palace; do not let others know, important.

Yi’s word.

This handwriting...