Chapter 32: An Utter Farce

"My poor daughter, are you in pain? Let your father see." Inside the Yaoguang Palace, a strikingly handsome man held Yun Qiange while sobbing. His beautiful eyes glared with resentment at the Empress, Yun Qiongbil, standing not far away, and he shrieked hysterically, "It’s all your fault! It’s because you locked our child in prison that Qiange had to suffer like this!"

Yun Qiongbil rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. She pulled Jiang Chen into her arms to soothe him. "There, there. Didn't the imperial physician already take a look? The arrow didn't hit the Princess's bones; it's nothing serious."

Yun Qiongbil found nothing more taxing than her own Consort. Since she had locked their child in prison, he came to cry and make a scene every single day. Seeing that the Princess had been wounded today, he was practically tearing the Yaoguang Palace apart.

*So this is my father,* Yun Qiange thought, sitting on the couch and observing this "convenient" father and mother of hers.

It was evident that they were deeply in love. Though her father was getting on in years, he was well-preserved; one could tell from his exquisite features how peerless he must have been in his youth. Her mother, despite being the Emperor, possessed an inherent air of dominance. Even in her imperial robes, she radiated an aura of superiority over others. Yet, she showed no such arrogance before her husband, clearly doting on him immensely.

The arrow in her shoulder had already been removed and bandaged by the physician. She looked up at the Empress, who was busy coaxing her father, and said, "Mother, I was nearly killed by my younger sister. I hope you will seek justice for me."

The pressure points she had struck on Yun Xiyan should hold for half an hour. That time had likely passed by now; it was the perfect moment to send someone over. It was time to settle the score with her sister once and for all.

"Your Majesty, the Princess is your child, but Xiyan is also your child. Xiyan has always been obedient and sensible; how could she ever commit such a heinous, wicked act? Furthermore, we cannot simply take the Princess's word for it and brand Xiyan with the crime of attempting to murder her own sister. Your servant cannot accept this!"

A voice as soft as boneless silk resonated through the room; merely hearing it was enough to make one's bones melt. The speaker was Consort Xiao, Yun Xiyan's father. He clung to Yun Qiongbil, looking pitiful, while his side-glance swept across Jiang Chen in the Empress's arms with a trace of irony.

Jiang Chen clenched his fists so tightly his teeth ground together. He had been blind back then, treating this man like a bosom friend, only to have his man snatched away and his daughter harmed in the end.

"Then let us hear what Xiyan has to say. Dong Chun, go and bring the Second Imperial Daughter here," Yun Qiongbil commanded the official standing not far behind her.

The official named Dong Chun acknowledged the order and left with a few others. Before long, she returned with Yun Xiyan.

As soon as Yun Xiyan entered, she knelt straight on the floor. "Your daughter greets Mother and Father." Yun Qiongbil nodded, while Jiang Chen turned his head away, pretending not to see her.

"Xiyan, Qiange claims that you suddenly flew into a rage, killed your own attendants, and stabbed her. Is this true?"

Yun Xiyan shook her head, putting on the act of a standard, obedient daughter. "Returning to Mother, there is no such thing. It was the Imperial Sister who admitted in prison that she killed the Princess, which is why I went to bring her to confess."

Seeing Yun Xiyan’s docile appearance made Jiang Chen’s blood boil. Like her father, she was skilled at putting on a facade. He pointed a slender finger at the kneeling girl and said indignantly, "Hmph! My daughter did no such thing; she wouldn't be foolish enough to confess to it. Besides, if she were to confess, there would be a written confession, wouldn't there? Where is it?"

Yun Xiyan looked up, her expression filled with righteous integrity, appearing completely unperturbed. "There was one, but later, the Imperial Sister tricked me into going to the Cold Palace, killed my attendants, and tore up the confession."

Once these words were spoken, Jiang Chen was actually amused. He had watched this daughter of his grow up and knew her capabilities better than anyone. This was simply the most preposterous thing in the world!