"There is no need."
Yun Shu shook her head, her face still pale with lingering fear.
"This Princess cannot even bear the sight of men in guard uniforms at the moment. They only remind me of danger. Fortunately, the Eastern Palace is not far from the Imperial Study. I shall report this matter to Father Emperor directly."
Without waiting for a response, Yun Shu took Yun Chuhuan by the hand and hurried away.
Midway through, Yun Chuhuan glanced back. He caught a glimpse of the guards beginning to clean the scene behind them.
"Fifth Sister, what did that palace maid say just now?"
"She said the Crown Prince intends to deal with me."
"Deal with you? How?"
"I do not know."
Yun Shu quickened her pace.
"That is precisely why we must seek Father Emperor."
"Oh... right."
Yun Chuhuan started moving faster as well, his short legs pumping quickly.
"But Father Emperor likes Crown Prince Imperial Brother so much. What if he refuses to punish him?"
"Who said I want him punished?"
After all, nothing had yet occurred. Even if punishment came, how severe could it truly be?
Yun Shu kept moving swiftly. Before long, they reached the front of the Imperial Study once more.
From a distance, Li Dehai caught sight of them. His welcoming smile was just starting to spread across his face when he noticed the blood staining Yun Shu's robes. His expression shifted drastically.
"Your Highnesses, what happened? This blood..."
"Something did happen."
Yun Shu did not stop walking. Her voice was quick and firm.
"May I see Father Emperor at once?"
"Well..."
Li Dehai hesitated. Just then, a sharp sound of porcelain shattering rang out from within the study.
Li Dehai turned, then leaned in close to persuade softly.
"Your Highness can hear it for yourself. His Majesty is already in a terrible mood. Entering now would not be appropriate. Might this old servant go in first and announce your arrival?"
"Then I must trouble you, Eunuch Li."
"It is no trouble at all. This is what a humble servant must do."
Seeing the two young royals finally pause and abandon their plan to rush inside, Li Dehai hurried into the study with quick, careful steps.
"Who is it now?"
Inside, Emperor Xuanwu was still seething after a heated exchange with the Fourth Prince. When he saw Li Dehai return, his fury flared again.
"Send them away. We are not seeing anyone."
"Your Majesty, this is not the usual sort."
Though Li Dehai was not yet sure what had happened, the fact that Princess Sheng An was covered in blood meant the matter was certainly no trivial one.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Li Dehai dared not treat the Emperor's words as literal. He stepped closer and whispered a few urgent sentences into the Emperor's ear.
As expected, Emperor Xuanwu's expression changed instantly. He almost leapt from his seat.
"Then what are you waiting for? Let them in immediately!"
"At once, Your Majesty!"
Li Dehai bowed and retreated, barely concealing his lack of surprise. Not long after, a trembling, tear-tinged voice echoed down the corridor—
"Father Emperor, save us!"
Thud!
That single cry broke whatever restraint the Emperor had been holding onto. He stood up in a rush.
As he stepped around the dragon desk, Yun Shu burst in like a gust of wind and ran straight into his arms.
Yun Chuhuan followed a few paces behind. His round eyes widened with surprise at his sister's sudden move, but after a heartbeat of hesitation, he too shouted and launched himself forward.
"Father Emperor, save us!"
Emperor Xuanwu was momentarily stunned.
This child was shorter than Xiao Wu, yet somehow charged in with even more force. Was it because he was too plump?
Nearly knocked over by the stout little figure, Emperor Xuanwu's mouth twitched. The jolt dispelled much of his inner tension.
If they had the strength to barrel into him like this, the situation could not be too grave.
He grasped both children by the backs of their collars and pulled them off.
His gaze swept over Yun Shu. As Li Dehai had said, her robes were indeed stained with blood. Yet her garments were intact, without signs of injury. It must have been someone else's blood. His anxiety eased slightly.
Returning to his seat, Emperor Xuanwu was about to question them when his eyes fell upon the Fourth Prince, still kneeling on the floor.
His tone turned cold.
"Fourth, you may go."
"Yes, Father Emperor."
Understanding that his audience had ended, the Fourth Prince's face betrayed his reluctance. Though he had not achieved his goal, he had no choice but to rise and withdraw.
Once the Fourth Prince's figure vanished completely, Emperor Xuanwu spoke again, his voice steady and commanding.
"Speak. What happened?"
His gaze sharpened as it landed on Yun Shu.
"What is the meaning of the blood on your robes? And what did you mean by 'save us'? Who dares threaten your lives?"
"Just now..."
Yun Shu recounted everything that had happened on their way past the Eastern Palace. Her lips trembled slightly by the end, her face full of fear.
"The Crown Princess's personal maid claimed that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess intended for her to suffer a miscarriage today. They meant to frame me, but their plan failed.
She also said the Crown Prince would not stop there. He has other schemes to use against me.
Father Emperor, I am afraid."
"What?"
Before the Emperor could react, Yun Chuhuan gasped, his face contorting in shock.
"A miscarriage? I heard that falling while pregnant can easily cause one. The Crown Princess nearly fell right beside me today. Was she trying to frame me instead?
Father Emperor, I am scared too!"
"Silence!"
What nonsense was this child spouting?
Why was he involving himself in this?
Emperor Xuanwu shot him a withering glare, then turned his attention back to Yun Shu. His eyes darkened.
"Are you certain that maid said such things?"
"I am certain."
Yun Shu nodded firmly, but then her expression dimmed. She lowered her gaze.
"I understand I have no proof. Even if I did, the crime has not yet taken place.
Still, just in case... Father Emperor, might you help me think—
If, and I only say if, the Crown Prince truly intends to harm me again, where might he strike next?"
The wind outside fell still.
The room descended into a tense silence.
Yun Shu's heart pounded. She had no idea what kind of reaction Emperor Xuanwu would have.
The Emperor, meanwhile, stared at her, unreadable. His expression revealed nothing of his thoughts.
As for Yun Chuhuan...
He simply looked bewildered. Though he sensed something was amiss, he had no idea what. His gaze flicked between his sister and Imperial Father, waiting to see what would happen next.
===
Do you love the "misunderstood MC" trope?
You know, those protagonists who are accidentally seen as legendary figures while remaining completely oblivious? Think Momonga from Overlord, Tanya Degurechaff from Youjo Senki (Saga of Tanya the Evil), or Lin Jie from I'm Really Not The Demon God's Lackey.
Just like them, our MC is seen as a terrifyingly brilliant and powerful figure—except she has no idea why everyone fears her so much. If you enjoy watching side characters overanalyze every little thing the MC does—while the MC is just vibing—then you'll love this story!
"The Invincible Money-Grubbing Fairy"
Yao Ranran was just playing a cultivation game when she got isekai'd as a minor side character. Worse, the male protagonist ruined her cultivation, leaving her a cripple! But no worries—she's got a blacksmith shop, a laid-back attitude, and one goal: Get rich or die trying.
While others see her as an unfathomable, terrifying genius, the truth is… she's just winging it. Her disciples and allies? They're convinced every move she makes is 5D chess. Enemies? They tremble at her "ruthless schemes." Meanwhile, Yao Ranran is just sipping tea under her unbreakable 99,000-layer shield, wondering why everyone keeps calling her a peerless fairy.
Will the world ever realize the truth? Or will Yao Ranran accidentally ascend to legend while just trying to run her shop?