Chapter Thirty-Three

o Yun Qianyue.Yun Qianyue took it and continued her scribbling, then looked back at Yun Muhuan.“Keep going!” Yun Muhuan said again.Yun Qianyue could only continue scribbling. When she was done, she tu...Volumes of Laughter Chapter 33: The Glamour of Smiles (Part 1)

The Prince heard Ye Qingran's words and looked at Ye Tianqiong.

Ye Tianqiong glanced at Yun Qianyue but saw that she still wasn't looking at him, causing a sense of frustration to rise in his heart. He nodded his head, "Alright!"

"Then the Crown Prince and Young Noble Ye, please!" The Prince gave them both a bow before leaving the room first as the host.

Following behind the Prince, Ye Tianqiong and Ye Qingran also left the room.

In the house remained only Old Lord Wang, Yun Qianyue, Concubine Feng, and her daughter, First Miss Xianghe. The two of them looked smugly at Yun Qianyue, thinking that soon when Lord Wang stormed back in angrily, they would see how she could still sit there calmly.

Yun Qianyue closed her eyes, leaned her head on Old Lord Wang's shoulder, and yawned. "Grandpa, I'm so sleepy. Let me sleep for a while, and when you have news, wake me up."

"You stinky brat, always sleeping," Old Lord Wang said with a scolding tone, but he didn't push her away.

Yun Xianghe looked at Yun Qianyue, who was leaning against the old王爺 and about to fall asleep with jealousy. She hated herself for not being a legitimate daughter; if she were, it might have been her leaning on the old王爺 now.

The Phoenix Concubine sneered inwardly, thinking that she would let this dead girl enjoy herself for a moment. Soon enough, she will taste the consequences!

For a while, there was silence in the room as no one spoke.

"Regarding yesterday's incident where the eldest Miss got injured at Qianyue Pavilion and today's morning when Phoenix Concubine was thrown into the lake, what is the real cause Today I want to hear the truth. Anyone who lies will be beaten out of the estate once I find out the facts." At this moment, a stern voice of the王爺 came from outside. Without waiting for anyone to respond, he said to Cai Lian, "Cai Lian, you start first!"

The Phoenix Concubine was furious inside; after years of serving the王爺 diligently, he still sided with that dead girl. But so what if she had to speak first Once everyone started refuting her claims, her words would drown her.

"Yes, Your Excellency!" Cai Lian, who was trembling initially, suddenly stood up straight as she remembered the calm expression of her mistress when comforting her. She clearly and precisely recounted: "Yesterday, after Miss sent Prince Jing off from Qianyue Pavilion, the eldest Miss led a group of ladies to block the entrance of the pavilion..."

Cai Lian narrated yesterday's events without omission, emphasizing how the eldest Miss wanted to hit her mistress and that she was beaten herself. She then showed the王爺 her face wounds with clear handprint marks still visible; she hadn't followed her mistress' instructions to apply medicine on purpose so that it would be evident today. Cai Lian also mentioned this morning when Phoenix Concubine called dozens of hidden guards to kill her mistress and how fortunately, her mistress's own guards appeared in time. At first, she was nervous recounting the events before the王爺, Young王爺, and Prince Zhentiao but later became more indignant as she painted a vivid picture of what happened.

Yun Qianyue wasn't actually asleep; she thought that this little girl surely had a talent for storytelling.

The Prince Regent turned increasingly pale upon hearing this. Although he could be somewhat naive at times, it did not mean that he was truly foolish. He had lived for over half a century and knew countless people. How many were eyeing the Cloud王府 If this prince regent were really incapable, he would have been toppled long ago. However, he always believed that household affairs were not something men should involve themselves in. Even though he knew about Concubine Feng's actions these recent years, he merely turned a blind eye to them. He never expected her to be so brazen with her conduct.

Especially when he had always thought that although Cloud Xiange was born as an illegitimate daughter, she possessed the demeanor of nobility. She was his pride and joy after Cloud Qianmo disappointed him. Now it turns out that Cloud Xiange would do such a thing; Concubine Feng actually used half of the hidden guards given to her to kill her legitimate daughter at the time. No matter how unambitious this daughter might be, she was still his child, his child with the woman he loved most, and his only child. This was also why he had never remarried or elevated any other woman as his primary consort in all these years. Now that there was a chance of losing this daughter, he felt so furious at once that his hands trembled.

After Cai Lian's words fell silent, she lowered her head and stood quietly without saying another word.

"Sigh, it is truly terrifying! I never expected that after seven years of not returning to the capital, things inside this Cloud王府would be so eye-opening." Night Qingran tsked in amazement. He did not seem to see the prince regent's ashen face and said with a smile towards him: "Uncle Prince Regent, it is indeed unseemly for your residence to have no official princess consort. If Lady Qian were still alive, things would not be such a mess in your household either. Moreover, Moon Sister is the only daughter of Lady Qian. If she were killed by those hidden guards given to other women by you... Sigh, sigh..."

Night Qingran hesitated twice before leaving his words unfinished. The implication was clear.

The prince regent's anger was completely ignited. Just as he wanted to roar in rage, the Crown Prince Night Tianqin spoke calmly: "This is merely a one-sided account by this little girl. She is after all Moon Sister’s personal maid. Why don't you listen to what others have to say If everyone else confirms her story, then it will indeed prove that the facts are as she said and Uncle Prince Regent can deal with the matter fairly. Otherwise, more investigation is needed."

Hearing this, the prince regent suppressed his anger and nodded: "What you said makes sense! Come forward one by one to say your piece!"

Concubine Feng inside the room was delighted that her niece had not married Prince Consort Night in vain; he helped her at critical moments after all. Cloud Xiange’s beautiful eyes were focused on Night Tianqin's figure outside the courtyard, unable to tear away from him.

The Old Prince冷哼了一聲。

Yun Qianyue seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep, her breathing even.

After the prince spoke, there was an awkward silence in the courtyard for quite some time.

"What's wrong All of you gone mute Speak up!" The prince put on an imposing act. Today he realized that it had been a long time since he had asked about matters concerning his inner chambers; apparently no one took him seriously as a prince anymore.

"Your Highness, Sister Cai Lian spoke the truth," said a young maidservant who had been promoted by Yun Qianyue. She was still quite nervous and her voice trembled, but she managed to finish speaking.

"Your Highness, it is indeed true. This servant can testify," another maid who had also been promoted by Yun Qianyue quickly added. With the first one leading the way, although she was scared, she wasn't as nervous when speaking.

"Your Highness, this old servant can also testify," said Zhao Mama, one of the three people left behind by Yun Qianyue, stepping forward.

“Hmm, you all are from Yun Shallow Moon’s quarters and aren’t enough to provide testimony. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak” The prince didn't expect his daughter to actually have a few loyal servants, and he softened his expression as he asked the others.

"Your Highness, what they said is true. This servant (slave) can testify. Miss Yun Shallow Moon only resorted to violence out of necessity," upon the prince's words, several people immediately kneeled down on the ground.

The Prince was taken aback, showing a look of surprise, "Which courtyard do you all serve in"

"This slave serves the Second Young Lady's courtyard. Yesterday, I followed the Second Young Lady to Moonlit Crescent Pavilion," said one person.

"This slave is assigned to Fourth Miss’s courtyard. Yesterday, I accompanied Fourth Miss to Moonlit Crescent Pavilion," another person spoke up.

"This slave serves Fifth Miss’s courtyard, and yesterday was accompanying Fifth Miss to the Moonlit Crescent Pavilion." Another person also chimed in.

...

The rest all started speaking one after another. There were maids, elderly female servants (aunties), and young male servants, each from different rooms and courtyards. They all testified that Cai Lian's statements were true. Some even elaborated on details that Cai Lian hadn’t mentioned.

They said how the Eldest Miss had been domineering and insistent in punishing Moonlit Crescent Miss, forcing her to take action to stop the Eldest Miss.

Ye Qingran's lips curled into a smile. Unexpectedly! It seemed he didn't need to help at all!

No emotion could be seen on Ye Tianqiong’s face; his phoenix-like eyes became even more enigmatic and unfathomable.

"Impossible! How could this be possible These heartless... " Upon hearing the accusations outside, Feng Side Concubine’s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to accept what she had just heard. She couldn’t stay in her room any longer and quickly ran out.

Xiang He was also incredulous. Over the years, who hadn’t flattered and sought favor from her mother when she held power as the head mistress of the Yun Qian王府 Now, how could everyone have turned against them all at once She followed Feng Side Concubine out.

The old王爺watched as both women rushed out and rapped Cloud Qianyue’s head. "Smelly brat, are you gloating" he asked with a snort.

"Don’t吵 me, I’m sleepy!" Cloud Qianyue waved off the old王爺and continued to nap.

"Damn girl, go sleep somewhere else," the old王爺was about to hit Cloud Qianyue again.

Cloud Qianyue seemed to have eyes on her head and quickly grabbed his hand in warning. "So what if I am gloating There’s no merit for you in this matter. Don’t expect any gratitude from me. If you吵 me anymore, I’ll pull your beard."

The old王爺's beard bristled. "You’re getting cheeky!" He then saw that Cloud Qianyue was still sleeping and said with narrowed eyes: "Then explain to me why everyone is testifying in your favor if there’s no merit for me Once you make sense, I’ll let you sleep."

"Feng Side Concubine has been accumulating power in this府 for years. There are other妾s and the王爺has other daughters besides her Yun Xianging. Though they all kowtow to her publicly and follow her lead, behind closed doors, they likely wish to personally do away with her. Now that I’ve provided them an opportunity to overthrow her, how could those people not seize it So naturally, everyone is testifying for me." Cloud Qianyue mumbled incoherently, her voice fading until she was finally breathing evenly again and had fallen asleep once more.ror for fulfilling my wish!" The Seventh Princess stood up and did not return the scroll she was holding to Yun Qianyue but rolled it up instead. She might have a slender figure, but her back remained...