He made a move to slap the Fourth Prince Consort. Unfortunately, the Fourth Prince Consort was not someone to be trifled with. With a swift counter, she slapped back on the other cheek. Smack, smack, she slapped back and forth over ten times before the Fourth Prince Consort finally stopped. Then, with a stern expression and a tone carrying authority, she spoke. "Hui Yue, have you only grown in age but not in wisdom? You can eat indiscriminately, but you should not speak carelessly. How dare you maliciously frame someone right in front of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor? You truly are bold! Aren’t you just trying to find out why the Fourth Prince speaks in defense of the Noble Consort?" Then she swept her gaze over the faces of the others who were watching the commotion and finally fixed her eyes on Lin Wanyi. "Because I, the Princess Consort, and the Noble Consort Yi Ning felt like old friends upon meeting, and it happens that I have no daughters at home, so I took the Noble Consort Yi Ning as my goddaughter, understood?" Once the Fourth Prince Consort spoke, everyone was flabbergasted. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel※fire.net Including Lin Wanyi herself. But she quickly realized that this was the Fourth Prince Consort giving her a way out. Immediately, she half-knelt to pay respect and said. "It’s all my fault for being unruly. I didn’t intend to let outsiders know about this matter, which affected the reputation of my godparents. Now having tarnished your names, it is my fault. I beg you, godmother, not to be angry." When she said this, not one of those who were watching the play looked pleased. The status of the Noble Princess Consort Yi Ning, is not too high or too low. But having the Fourth Prince Consort acknowledge her as a goddaughter is indeed significant. If it were mere banter, it would be somewhat acceptable. But with the incident of slapping the Princess Hui Yue in between, it became quite remarkable. It is evident that the Fourth Prince Consort holds Lin Wanyi in high regard, even at the cost of offending the Royal Princess. In the future, they must be more cautious within the harem. "I spat! What godfather and godmother, says it nicely, but it’s just to cover up their disgrace... Do you all think this Princess is blind? Mother... Mother... Your child was slapped for no reason, is it not a disgrace to Da Wei? Aren’t you going to intervene?" At this moment, Princess Hui Yue was like a rampaging peacock, clamoring everywhere, yet no one dared to approach. This frenzied appearance, seen by the Empress Dowager, evoked feelings of pity mixed with frustration. As the Empress Dowager remained silent, the Emperor flared up in anger. "Take her away, send her directly back to the Princess Mansion, and dispatch a hundred Imperial Guards to encircle the Princess Mansion. Release her only after she sobers up and stops speaking nonsense!" This time, the Imperial Guard was too lazy to quarrel any longer, delivered a chop to knock her out, and dragged her away. That demeanor scared the adjacent Prince Consort, who glanced at the Emperor on the Dragon Chair with a trembling gaze. Seeing no further entanglement from the Emperor, he breathed a sigh of relief. But with the Princess taken away, he, the Prince Consort, remained here awkwardly. Thus unsure whether he should retreat. Witnessing this, the Fourth Prince Consort knelt in the direction of the Empress Dowager, her back straightened unwaveringly. "This humble wife is guilty, should not have slapped the Princess out of anger over personal feelings. The Princess is right, this matter affects Da Wei’s reputation, I beg the Empress Dowager’s punishment! This humble wife willingly requests to step down in order to calm the public’s anger." Requesting to step down? Wouldn’t that mean the Fourth Prince loses his wife? Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince could no longer sit still. Immediately he stood up and said. "The Princess Consort acted for the integrity of this minister and the Noble Consort, so if the Empress Dowager is angry, just direct it at me and please forgive the Princess Consort." With the Fourth Prince standing, many of the clansmen could no longer remain seated. Especially those who usually had close ties with the Fourth Prince Mansion, they too spoke up in support. In an instant, the entire palace banquet shifted from its previous joyous atmosphere to one of somberness. Lin Wanyi was not one to protect her own interests at others’ expense. In the end, this matter was a disaster caused by her and the Emperor leaving the palace. How could she let the Fourth Prince and Princess Consort bear responsibility? Thus she stood and walked to the side of the Fourth Prince Consort, not afraid of offending the Empress Dowager, knelt alongside and said. "It all arises from me, please do not blame others. This humble wife willingly requests self-restriction within the palace for three years to appease the Empress Dowager and the Princess’ anger." Even if Lin Wanyi agreed, the Emperor would disapprove. Thus looking displeased, he prepared to defend her. But then he heard the Empress Dowager finally speak, her tone still gentle and calm, yet her words made everyone anxious. "Fourth Prince and Princess Consort, rise up. It is not such a major issue, merely the drivel of Hui Yue after too much drink, since the Emperor has already sent her back to sober up, then the matter is settled." Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Yet before they could express gratitude, the Empress Dowager continued. "However, the Noble Consort’s words indeed have some truth, whether willingly or not, this commotion ultimately began because of you and thus a light punishment should be meted. Three years might be too long, so house arrest for one year will suffice." Then she raised her voice and addressed those present. "The Empress Dowager’s decree, the main seat of Yihua Palace Noble Princess Consort Yi Ning conducted herself improperly before the court, brushed against the Empress Dowager and the Princess, hence is punished with a year of house arrest within the palace. If anyone pleads on her behalf, they will face the same punishment!" "This humble wife thanks the Empress Dowager for the punishment, will sincerely reflect during the house arrest and repent!" With a graceful kowtow, this chaos finally came to an end. The veins at the Emperor’s temple throbbed momentarily, tempted to intervene on Lin Wanyi’s behalf, yet her words effectively blocked any chance for defense. In frustration, he then addressed the Empress Dowager. "Mother, I am feeling unwell, will retire for now and visit Cining Palace another day for salutations." "Since the Emperor is unwell, the Empress Dowager is too, hence this palace banquet is concluded. Everyone take care of his or her own, the Empress Dowager dislikes hearing rumors, anyone found spreading them will be immediately beaten to death!" "All comply with the Empress Dowager’s decree." Thus, the feast meant to welcome guests and cleanse the dust concluded . When Lin Wanyi rose, her leg was somewhat numb. She almost stumbled, yet was steadied by the Fourth Prince Consort beside her. "Are you alright, Your Highness?" "I’m fine, thank you for your concern, Fourth Prince Consort." The Fourth Prince Consort and Lin Wanyi had previously exchanged only a couple of polite remarks, hardly acquainted. If not for today’s urgent matter, she wouldn’t have rashly concocted the tale of accepting a goddaughter. But Lin Wanyi’s responsible demeanor earlier did earn genuine admiration from the Fourth Prince Consort. Moreover, listening daily to the Fourth Prince praise Lin Xingzhi, she felt somewhat closer to Lin Wanyi. Thus she smiled and replied. "Your Highness, having accepted me as godmother, there’s no need for formalities anymore, in private occasions call me godmother, no need for restraint." Lin Wanyi requested a year of house arrest within the palace, if it were someone else, they’d likely flee.