Meanwhile, in Prince Xian Rong's chamber, he was busy arranging the few belongings he could carry__only what was necessary__ when the door bursted open without warning.
Prince Rong Yuan strode in.
He swept his gaze across the room, then his eyes stopped on the small travel bag resting on the bed.
Xian Rong felt a chill race down his spine.
He had not expected his brother to return so soon___nor to enter without announcement.
"Brother… you're back," he said stiffly, straightening at once.
Rong Yuan closed the door behind him. "What are those bags doing on your bed?"
"I__" Xian Rong hesitated. "My old clothes. I was going to give them away."
Rong Yuan gave a short, humorless smile. "For a moment, I thought you were planning to sneak out of the palace again."
Xian Rong's heart skipped.
"His Majesty summons you to the Inner Library," Rong Yuan continued.
Xian Rong's throat tightened. "Is… is there a problem?" he asked, urgency leaking into his voice.
"Did you create one?" Rong Yuan replied dryly, rolling his eyes.
"Come. Let's not keep Father waiting."
With that, he turned and left.
Xian Rong followed, his steps growing heavier with each turn of the corridor. His heart hammered wildly in his chest.
Why would Father summon me to the Inner Library at this hour?
He should be at dinner…
A terrible thought suddenly clawed at him.
Has he found out about the children? Or about our plan to escape?
His thoughts spiraled so deeply that he failed to notice Rong Yuan had stopped. He collided into his brother's back and nearly stumbled.
"I__I'm sorry, Brother. I didn't__"
"It's fine," Rong Yuan said flatly, not turning back, and continued walking.
Moments later, they reached the Inner Library. As Xian Rong stepped inside, his breath caught.
Seated within were members of the imperial family__ and among them sat Yue Rong.
Beside her were the two children.
His face went pale. His body felt unbearably heavy, yet Prince Xian Rong forced himself to stand straight, steadying his breath.
"Father. Mother."
He bowed deeply before lifting his head. "You sent for me."
"Yes. Take your seat," the Emperor said coldly.
After a brief silence, the Emperor cleared his throat. "Do you know this woman and these two children?"
Xian Rong's throat went dry.
"I…" He swallowed hard. "She… she is a maid in the palace."
At those words, Yue Rong felt something twist painfully in her chest. A tear slid silently down her cheek.
"Did you know her before she entered this palace?" the Emperor asked sharply.
"Outside these walls?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Xian Rong murmured.
The Emperor's eyes darkened. "Then are you telling me the rumors spreading through the palace are true?".
"I am sorry, Father," Xian Rong said, his voice shaking. "I made a mistake."
"Impossible!" the Empress cried out, rising from her seat. "My son cannot make such a shameful mistake. No one in the royal family has ever committed such disgrace! How could you allow such a thing to happen to you?" Her voice broke as she pointed at Yue Rong. "How could you let a woman seduce you?"
At those words, Yun Rong's tears fell freely.
"We were drunk, Father," Xian Rong said hoarsely. "We were both drunk."
Prince Rong Yuan lowered his head, saying nothing.
The Emperor's gaze shifted to Yue Rong. "Where are you from, young lady?"
"Xi… Xiyue," Yun Rong answered, her voice trembling.
Seeing her mother cry, little Lili began to sob as well, clutching Yue Rong's sleeve. Mimi, however, remained calm, her expression unreadable, as though the chaos around her meant nothing.
The Emperor stood abruptly. "You have brought disgrace upon my throne. This is an unforgivable sin. I will not have my name tarnished."
The room fell deathly silent.
"Since you both acted recklessly," he continued coldly, "you will take responsibility. You will leave my kingdom at once. You will take nothing that belongs to me, and you are never to return."
Everyone froze.
Without another word, the Emperor turned to leave.
"Your Majesty!" The Empress cried out, grabbing his sleeve and dropping to her knees.
At that moment, Mimi__silent until now__spoke.
"Mama," she said softly, her small voice echoing through the library, "the bad people have attacked this kingdom."
Every head turned toward her.
"What do you mean?" Prince Rong Yuan demanded.
Ignoring them, the Emperor continued toward the door.
Yue Rong suddenly rushed forward, blocking his path.
"Please!" she said desperately, not caring about protocol or the shocked gasps around her. "You must listen to my daughter. She sees things that others don't see. If she says this kingdom will be attacked__then it will be."
"Your daughter?" Prince Rong Yuan asked sharply.
"Yes," Yue Rong replied firmly. "They are girls."
Princess Moyin let out a soft chuckle, glancing at her husband. "So that explains the disguises."
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Before anyone could speak, Prince Rong Yuan's assistant rushed in, his face pale.
"Your Majesty," he announced urgently, "our kingdom has been attacked."
The Emperor shot Prince Xian Rong one final, piercing glance before storming out of the inner library. Prince Rong Yuan quickly followed after him.
The moment they were gone, Prince Xian Rong turned to Yue Rong and pulled her into his arms.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, holding her tightly.
Yue Rong broke down in his embrace. "I never meant to cause all this trouble…"
"Don't worry," he said softly, brushing her hair back. "Everything will be fine. I promise."
---
Meanwhile, Fang Leng slowly regained consciousness in his palace.
His eyes snapped open, and he realized he was bound by dark chains. With a sharp twist of his body, the chains shattered and fell away as if they had never existed.
Frowning, he stepped out of his chamber. The halls were empty.
Outside, he spotted two maids passing by.
"Where is her Highness?" he demanded.
"She left," one of them answered nervously.
"She traveled with the soldiers to Yunhai."
Fang Leng's lips curved into a dangerous smile.
Without another word, he mounted a horse and rode after Ji Woo, his figure disappearing into the distance.