She refused to marry.

"This matter arose because of me, and I am willing to pay with my life." Xiao Xuanjing kowtowed.

"Why would you pay for a woman's life?" His Majesty asked, his eyes slightly annoyed.

"Today I struck the Crown Prince, but I want to strike the man who abuses his imperial power to harass my wife."

"Su Wanwan is the lady I have chosen. At White Lotus Mountain, 50,000 soldiers died in battle, leaving less than a thousand survivors. It was she who brought provisions and saved my life and the lives of my generals." Xiao Xuanjing said calmly.

"She went to White Lotus Mountain?" The eldest princess asked, lowering her eyes in doubt.

"Yes, Mother." Xiao Xuanjing cupped his hands. "I have sent a hundred men to deliver messages and supplies to the court, but I have received no response."

On the last occasion, Deputy General Jian was sent to investigate, and it was discovered that the Crown Prince had sent men to guard outside the pass, preventing any messengers from entering the capital.

If it weren't for you, Madam, I would not be able to see Your Majesty today.

"Your Majesty, do not spout nonsense," the Empress rebuked.

Xiao Xuanjing took out a letter from his bosom. "This was found on the bodies of those guarding the border. I implore Your Majesty to take a look. Of the 50,000 soldiers, half did not die in battle, but starved to death."

Eunuch Zhang stepped forward and presented it to His Majesty.

His Majesty looked at the thirty letters requesting provisions and the imperial edict written by the Crown Prince. The rumors he had heard were now becoming a reality.

"Absurd! How could the Crown Prince allow you to frame him?" The Empress remained seated.

"Your Majesty, the Lady was abducted into the palace. I made a mistake and was unaware that it would lead to such a disaster." Xiao Xuanjing kowtowed again.

"You're talking nonsense!" The Empress stood up angrily.

"Your Majesty has witnesses." Xiao Xuanjing raised his eyes. "Bring them in."

A maidservant then entered through the door.

Su Wanwan took a look and recognized her as the maid from the East Palace that day.

"This servant greets Your Majesty."

"You tell me," His Majesty said, clutching the letter tightly in his hand.

"That day, the guards brought in a woman bound up. My aunt told me to keep an eye on her. Later, His Highness the Crown Prince returned, and then..." The palace maid didn't dare to continue.

"Speak!" The Empress Dowager slammed her hand on the chair.

"Then..." the maid kowtowed, "This servant dares not speak."

"I will spare your life. Speak!" the Empress Dowager said sternly.

"Then she took off her clothes..." The palace maid kowtowed, "Your Majesty, this servant dares not..."

The hall immediately erupted in commotion as the ministers whispered amongst themselves.

"Stop talking! Get out." His Majesty lowered his head in annoyance and waved his hand irritably.

"Your Majesty, even so, so what? The Crown Prince likes this woman, and he can take her as a concubine in the future. Feng Chenjun said that this woman is his betrothed wife."

"How ridiculous! I have never heard of Fengchen Jun betrothing any woman to anyone, but I have heard quite a bit about her romantic affairs with the Crown Prince." The Empress glanced sideways.

"Your Majesty, I have already presented jade as betrothal gift and married Su Wanwan," Xiao Xuanjing said.

"What a joke! You, the dignified Prince Fengchen, would use jade as a betrothal gift to marry the daughter of a disgraced official? Even if you did, the Princess wouldn't agree, would she? Princess, don't you think so?" the Empress mocked.

Inside the main hall.

The Grand Tutor stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"explain."

"It is true that Prince Fengchen and Miss Su have already pledged their lives to each other and have bowed to heaven and earth. Your Majesty the Empress Dowager can testify to this." The Grand Tutor looked at the Empress Dowager.

"How can I testify?" the Empress Dowager asked, displeased.

"Lord Fengchen presented the jade pendant as a gift to betroth Miss Su to him. Later, for some reason, Miss Su said that the jade pendant had been given to the Empress Dowager. Is this true?" The Grand Tutor raised his eyes.

The Empress Dowager scoffed lightly, "Yes, the jade pendant of Prince Fengchen is indeed in my possession."

"If that's the case, then that makes sense." The Grand Tutor cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, these two thought they would never survive being trapped on White Lotus Mountain, so they bowed to heaven and earth and became husband and wife. At that time, Lord Fengchen was in dire straits, and the only valuable thing he had was his jade pendant, so he used the jade pendant as a betrothal gift to marry Miss Su. The two of them had already become husband and wife."

After returning to the capital, due to Miss Su's reputation, Feng Chenjun planned to personally propose marriage in the next few days and even asked me to write the betrothal letter. However, unexpectedly, Miss Su was taken into the Eastern Palace by the Crown Prince.

"This old minister is also puzzled. Miss Su's appearance is not considered outstanding in the capital. Why would the Crown Prince forcibly bring Miss Su into the palace at this moment?" After saying this, he took out the betrothal letter.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Su Wanwan.

Then came whispers and murmurs.

Su Wanwan didn't want to curse, but the Grand Tutor was truly saving her life.

Eunuch Zhang handed the betrothal letter to His Majesty. His Majesty glanced at the date on the letter, which read April after spring, precisely the time when news of Fengchen Jun's death in battle arrived.

His Majesty sighed softly.

Then he lowered his eyes and remained silent.

The hall fell into a long silence.

"Your Majesty, the crown prince of the nation has suffered such a calamity, are you going to sit idly by and do nothing?" the empress rebuked.

His Majesty looked up, glanced at the Empress, and then shook his head.

Upon seeing this, the Empress suddenly burst into laughter.

"Very well, since Your Majesty cannot make the decision, then I will." The Empress stood up.

"Guards, seize Lord Fengchen and await his fate!"

At the Empress's command, guards entered and approached Feng Chenjun, bowing to His Majesty. "Your Majesty, please give the order."

His Majesty glanced at the Empress, "Empress, why was the Imperial Brother-in-law absent from court today?"

The Empress sneered, "Of course, there's no need to attend court."

"Very well." His Majesty nodded slightly. "Guards, take him away and confine him to the Eastern Palace. No one is allowed to visit him without my permission."

Seeing this, the guards walked to the Empress's side and said, "Your Majesty, please!"

"Outrageous! What are you doing? You've captured Feng Chenjun!! Let him go!" The Empress's veins bulged.

Upon seeing this, the guard said, "Your Majesty, my apologies."

After saying that, they carried the Empress out.

"Your Majesty! How could you do this to me!!!! Your Majesty!!!!" the Empress screamed hysterically.

Su Wanwan was also stunned.

Just now, when she said she wanted to arrest Feng Chenjun, she clung tightly to the emperor's robes. Now, seeing the empress being taken away, she nervously let go and looked at Feng Chenjun.

"The Imperial Uncle rebelled and was arrested last night." Xiao Xuanjing took her hand.

Su Wanwan dared not show the slightest joy. If the emperor's brother-in-law rebelled at this time, the crown prince would not fare much better.

It seems the Crown Prince is about to change hands.

"Dismiss the court!!!" the eunuch shouted.

Su Wanwan was puzzled. Was that all? She looked up and saw that His Majesty was already out of breath.

Several imperial physicians helped His Majesty out of the dragon throne.

They left the palace.

Su Wanwan nestled in the Emperor's arms, holding Feng Chenjun's hand tightly.

I was lucky today, I almost died.

Xiao Xuanjing sat languidly, his gaze thoughtful, gently playing with his wife's hair. "Wife, let's get married."

Su Wanwan frowned. She didn't want to, but now that she was forced into this situation, she couldn't get over this hurdle without getting married.

"it is good."

Xiao Xuanjing's eyes lit up, and he gently kissed her face.

"Let's go to Wangyue Tower."

"What are you going there for?" Su Wanwan looked up.

"My wife owes me." Xiao Xuanjing lowered his head and gave her a light kiss.