Having powerful backing truly makes a difference.

This turn of events was entirely unexpected by everyone present.

The Crown Prince of the Mu Kingdom had already lost consciousness, but the wounds on his body could not be concealed. For a grown man to be beaten so badly was indeed shameful—though since Mu Qingyu had done it, it seemed somewhat understandable, as she had injured quite a few commoners before. In those cases, however, everything was settled with silver, and the people dared not utter a word.

But now, with the Crown Prince of Mu Kingdom as the victim, everyone was secretly gloating and eager to see how the spectacle would unfold.

“Was it you who hurt our Crown Prince?” the chief of the guards demanded, glaring at Mu Qingyu, his voice grave and brimming with fury.

Mu Qingyu shrank back a little in fear, but quickly steadied herself, projecting an air of defiance. “Yes, I did. So what? It was your Crown Prince who provoked me first! Do you even know who I am? What right do you have to shout at me?”

Hearing her title, the chief naturally realized she was not of low standing. Still, although the Mu Kingdom was small, it would not allow itself to be bullied by a woman! Since they were visiting Tianlong, he would not let his nation lose face.

He declared, “I will report this to the Emperor of Tianlong! If he does not give our kingdom a proper explanation, we will not let this go!”

Le Qianxue watched as the Crown Prince of Mu Kingdom was carried away. After the chief finished speaking, he led Mu Qingyu into the palace, seeking justice.

Still, the chief knew that it was Le Qianxue who had intervened to stop Mu Qingyu earlier, and he was grateful. He said, “Thank you, miss. I shall surely repay you someday.”

Le Qianxue merely replied, “It was nothing. Your Crown Prince may have suffered an injury to a vital area. You’d best look after him.”

The chief, alarmed by her words, hurried after his lord.

The situation quickly escalated. After the imperial physicians examined the Crown Prince, one of them reported in terror, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince of Mu Kingdom has suffered internal injuries. Though I have administered acupuncture, he still cannot be awakened, and I do not know why.”

The Emperor’s face turned cold. This was a grave matter; if things went awry, it could cost a life.

He demanded, “What is going on? Can you not even determine why he won’t wake up?”

The chief of Mu Kingdom’s guards turned ashen, never expecting his lord to encounter such misfortune here. If the Crown Prince were to die, the relations between the two nations would surely suffer.

The Emperor’s anxiety put the imperial physician on edge, and he immediately knelt. “I deserve to die! I cannot determine the cause.”

Since Mu Qingyu was of the Duke Mu’s household, the old Duke was now terrified as well. If the Crown Prince died, their family would be in grave trouble. His hand trembled slightly as an idea occurred to him. “Your Majesty, last time my son was gravely ill, it was Master Yuan Tianci who cured him. Yuan Tianci is now a guest at Prince Zhan’s manor—why not summon him to the palace?”

There was little choice left, yet it was obvious that Yuan Tianci was now considered one of Zhan Lianjing’s people. Mentioning Zhan Lianjing only soured the Emperor’s mood further; he still remembered the humiliation from before, and Zhan Lianjing’s influence was considerable.

He glanced at the unconscious Crown Prince and waved his hand. “Very well! Send for him at once!”

But those at Prince Zhan’s manor were not so easily summoned, and Yuan Tianci himself was not one to enjoy these affairs. With Zhan Lianjing’s backing, he might well refuse outright.

Eunuch Chen went personally to invite Yuan Tianci, but Yuan Tianci was unmoved, showing no respect for the summons and causing considerable displeasure.

“Master Yuan, these are the Emperor’s direct orders. You must not refuse,” implored Eunuch Chen, hoping Yuan Tianci would understand the gravity of the matter.

Yuan Tianci, sipping his tea, replied, “As it happens, I’m not feeling well today myself. Even if I went, I wouldn’t be able to help.”

Eunuch Chen was at a loss. Were it not for the fact that this was Prince Zhan’s manor, he would have dragged Yuan Tianci away by force. But with Zhan Lianjing watching from not far away, how could he dare?

Left with no other option, he had to appeal to Zhan Lianjing.

Zhan Lianjing said coolly, “There is a simple solution to this. Since the Crown Princess Consort was the one who caused the injury, let her come and beg for help.”

Eunuch Chen was stunned—so Mu Qingyu had offended Zhan Lianjing. Clearly, the Prince bore grudges!

He sent a report back to the palace. At once, the Emperor ordered Mu Qingyu to come and plead for help.

Yuan Tianci, too, remembered Mu Qingyu’s earlier insult, when she’d called him a pretty boy. The memory alone was enough to make his anger flare.

Mu Qingyu came reluctantly, for the Emperor had made it clear that if she refused, she would lose her title as Crown Princess Consort.

Just as she was about to speak, Le Qianxue arrived.

“Master Tianci, why did you call for me?” Le Qianxue asked as she entered, catching sight of Mu Qingyu. She paused, her mood soured, but since Yuan Tianci had summoned her, she would not simply turn away.

She walked over, Mu Qingyu glaring at her as if she owed her a fortune.

Yuan Tianci pulled Le Qianxue down to sit beside him. “Sit. As your teacher, it is my duty to look after you.”

Le Qianxue was puzzled. “What’s going on?”

“Someone is here to beg us,” Yuan Tianci said with a smile. “So let us sit and enjoy it.”

Mu Qingyu’s brow furrowed, her voice rising sharply. “I’m only here to beg you, not Le Qianxue!”

Le Qianxue snorted with amusement as understanding dawned. “So the Crown Princess Consort really did go too far. With the imperial physicians helpless, you’ve come to beg my teacher for help.”

Others might think Yuan Tianci was her teacher, but in truth, he was her disciple. Not that it mattered—he always thought of her when something good happened, a true friend indeed.

Mu Qingyu huffed, “Who needs your help? You are not qualified. Yuan Tianci, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! If you push me, I can have you executed right now!”

Yuan Tianci nonchalantly cleaned his ear. “Oh, I’m so frightened. I fear death, but aren’t you afraid too, Crown Princess Consort? If the Crown Prince of Mu dies, you’ll join him in the grave, won’t you? Or perhaps they’ll spare your life—strip you of your title, leave you to starve and freeze. That would be truly pitiful.”

Mu Qingyu shrank back in terror. Indeed, she feared death—but she feared losing her wealth and status even more!

Gritting her teeth, she softened her tone. “Yuan Tianci, I sincerely beg you to come to the palace.”

“This is not how you ask for help,” Yuan Tianci replied. “At the very least, three prostrate kowtows, and then I’ll consider it.”

“You!” Mu Qingyu was furious. “You dare demand that I kowtow? I am the Crown Princess Consort! How could I possibly kowtow to a commoner, especially with Le Qianxue sitting there? Wouldn’t that mean kowtowing to her as well?”

Yuan Tianci lounged comfortably, ignoring her outburst. In the end, whether the Crown Prince of Mu lived or died was none of his concern.

Eunuch Chen, seeing the stalemate, was nearly in tears. This task was truly impossible!

He hurriedly said, “Crown Princess Consort, please, just kowtow quickly.”

Mu Qingyu grew even angrier. “How dare a eunuch tell me what to do? I will not kowtow! He’s just a commoner—how dare he expect such a thing from me? Absurd!”

Eunuch Chen was beside himself. The Crown Princess Consort had always lived in luxury and clearly did not understand the gravity of the situation. If the Crown Prince died, not only would Mu Qingyu be doomed, but the Duke Mu’s household would be implicated as well.

The old Duke Mu, knowing his daughter would mishandle things, had sent his son to intervene.

Just as Mu Shizi arrived, he overheard Mu Qingyu’s words. Annoyed, he apologized to Eunuch Chen. “Eunuch Chen, please forgive my elder sister’s improper words. I hope you will not take offense.”

Eunuch Chen was not one to press his advantage, and what mattered most was resolving the crisis. “Young Lord Mu, you are too kind. I only hope you can persuade the Crown Princess Consort. This matter is truly grave. If we delay further, I fear for the Crown Prince’s life.”

Mu Shizi nodded.

But Mu Qingyu still did not understand. She clung to her brother, complaining, “Brother, Yuan Tianci is being unreasonable! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be so angry!”

Seeing how spoiled his sister remained, Mu Shizi’s patience snapped. “Sister, do you understand the seriousness of this? Even if you must kowtow, you must do it!”

“How could I!” Mu Qingyu protested. “I am the Crown Princess Consort!”

Mu Shizi’s anger boiled over, and he slapped her hard across the face. Mu Qingyu’s head snapped to the side, her cheek burning. She could not believe her own brother would strike her rather than support her.

Mu Shizi spoke coldly, “Sister, it’s one thing for you to be reckless yourself, but do not drag our family down with you. If you cannot secure help, not even Father can protect you.”

Mu Qingyu took a hesitant step back, stunned.

Yuan Tianci and Le Qianxue watched the drama unfold with expressions of amusement. The sudden reversal was dazzling, almost blinding in its brilliance.

After a moment’s hesitation, Mu Qingyu knelt and performed three resounding kowtows before Yuan Tianci.

Eunuch Chen quickly prompted her, “Crown Princess Consort, say the words.”

“Yuan Tianci… Master Yuan, I beg you to come to the palace and save the Crown Prince of Mu…” Mu Qingyu’s voice was choked with humiliation—it was a torment she’d never endured before.

To Le Qianxue, it was nothing less than deserved. If you don’t court disaster, you won’t suffer for it; why go around beating people for no reason? She had brought this misery on herself.

Le Qianxue smiled. “So, Master Tianci, will you go to the palace?”

“You’re coming with me,” Yuan Tianci said, rising to his feet. Having taught Mu Qingyu a lesson, his anger had dissipated.

Le Qianxue was reluctant—this matter had nothing to do with her. But Yuan Tianci insisted, dragging her along. When they went to bid farewell to Zhan Lianjing, he whispered something to Yuan Tianci, who nodded in understanding.