This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 293: Court quarrel

"Young lady, you are not someone to discuss matters concerning my waters."

Shangguan Yun snorted coldly. This wasn't the first time he had seen Xizhu. Although she was somewhat mysterious, what was she compared to the behemoth that was the water?

This is the source of their confidence in their own abilities.

"That's good. Don't end up hurting your back; a dignified water department shouldn't have become someone else's lackey."

"Do you want to die?"

Meng Qianfan was known for his fiery temper, and Xizhu's words completely ignited his anger. Even Yun Xiyao, who was standing nearby, turned her gaze towards Xizhu.

Xi Zhu waved her hand dismissively.

"Interesting. A small Prince's mansion has attracted so much attention. I really want to see what you're after."

Seeing Xizhu walking towards her, Huangfu Lingxue felt much more at ease. This was a powerful figure; with him backing her up, Yong'an City wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

"Xizhu, you're here. Please have a seat." Ruoxue couldn't hide her excitement. Because of their identities, they were in a very passive position in this matter, unable to do anything about it and suffering in silence.

"Don't worry, let's see what the Shen family is up to. I'm curious what's here that can attract them. Let's wait and see."

Xizhu gave them a reassuring look, then sat down to the side and watched the Shen family girl with great interest.

Shen Li's eyes flickered, her uncertain gaze lingering on Xi Zhu. For some reason, she felt a sense of familiarity with this woman as soon as she entered, as if she had seen her somewhere before.

But then he thought about his own origins, and how all the people he had met were high and mighty. How could they possibly have come to a mundane place like Yong'an? Perhaps they just looked alike.

She withdrew her gaze, walked to the center of the hall, and held up the marriage certificate, displaying it to those around her.

"Esteemed seniors, my marriage certificate has been approved by the Xiao family and His Majesty the Martial Emperor. I believe there is no objection to this, is there?"

"Of course, the marriage certificate is genuine."

Shangguan Yun was the first to support it, and with him leading the way, everyone else nodded in agreement.

"Then I must ask you, with me, the powerful Princess Consort, here, how can you bunch of filthy prostitutes be sitting in the hall? Get down here now!"

Shen Li's tone was extremely harsh, her words directly targeting Ruoxue, but Ruoxue seemed oblivious to these taunts, lost in her own thoughts.

The others didn't care at all. The eldest princess acted as if to say, "What can you do about it?" and ignored them completely. Xizhu was even sticking her head out to chat with the people next to her.

"I am the Princess Consort of the Prince of Kao Shan, what do you have to say?"

Seeing that no one paid any attention, she turned her gun around and pointed it directly at Huangfu Lingxue.

"I have nothing to say. You can continue. Didn't I already say that we'll talk about everything after Xiao Xingchen wakes up?"

This was the first time anyone had seen Huangfu Lingxue like this; it was clear she was refusing to leave, and that she was going to take over no matter what anyone said.

The fourth prince couldn't help but burst out laughing, clutching his stomach in mirth.

"Um, I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. Shen Li, right? Please continue, please continue."

Shen Li's face turned cold. When had she ever suffered such humiliation?

"Since Princess Chang insists on having Xiao Xingchen speak, then please carry him out. I need to see him, dead or alive. I can't help but suspect that he may have met with some misfortune."

"Yes, my husband has been hidden so well by you vixens. Have you already ruined him? He hasn't shown his face for many days."

Xiao Xingxue also rushed out and stood beside Shen Li, loudly accusing her.

As the two launched their attack, Huangfu's ancestor also began to speak.

“Ling Xue, one of these two is a betrothed principal wife, and the other is a concubine with whom you have consummated your marriage. If they want to see Xiao Xingchen, you really have no reason to stop them.”

“Ancestor Xinfeng is wrong. If just anyone can come and claim to be the Queen Consort, what if a few more women come and claim to be Queen Consorts too? We’ll have to wait and verify the truth.”

Huangfu Xinfeng's words had already pushed the Princess to the brink, but the Crown Prince's sudden remarks shocked everyone once again.

This is the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty. He has never spoken up for the Eldest Princess; there are even rumors that they are enemies. This is why everyone is surprised by the Crown Prince's words.

"Xiao Xingxue, although you are a daughter of the Xiao family, everyone knows that Xiao Xingchen is not well-liked in the Xiao family. You still throw yourself at him. Don't tell me this is true love. If it were true love, why doesn't Xiao Xingchen mention it?"

"After Xiao Xingchen appeared, he only admitted that one person was his first wife. Although that person has disappeared, Yong'an probably knows everything, right? And you said that he had a night of pleasure with you, but that can't be verified."

"And speaking of this young lady from the Shen family, I was present when you presented this marriage certificate to His Majesty the Martial Emperor. To be honest, although the marriage certificate is genuine, who can be sure that it's between Xiao Xingchen and you? It was an arranged marriage, and you won't say who witnessed this marriage certificate,"

"With so many problems unresolved, Ancestor, isn't it inappropriate for you to seize the Prince Kao Shan's Mansion?"

"What if, I mean what if, Xiao Xingchen wakes up and finds out you're all fake? Where would that leave the reputation of our Great Qian? A royal palace has been robbed! If word gets out, we'll be laughed at by the whole world. We can't afford to lose face like that, don't you think?"

The Crown Prince's words caused Shen Li and Xiao Xingxue's faces to turn cold simultaneously, and everyone else also showed surprise.

The Crown Prince had always kept a low profile, leading everyone to believe he was a useless prince. However, these words directly voiced the doubts of the two women in front of the Emperor of Daqian.

If irrefutable evidence cannot be presented, the Great Qian Dynasty will lose all face, elevating this dispute over a husband to the level of national destiny.

This silenced many critics and made everyone look at him with new respect.

The eldest princess also glanced at him in surprise, then nodded to the crown prince. At that moment, their relationship seemed to thaw.

“The Crown Prince is right. Xiao Xingchen is, after all, the Prince of Daqian. His princess must have a clean background. You keep saying that she is his princess or concubine, but do you have any other evidence?”

Huangfu Lingxue would never let such an opportunity slip by. Taking advantage of the Crown Prince's words, she directly stepped forward to reverse the situation.

"Shen Li, you keep saying that we are not worthy to know about the existence of the Shen family, implying that the Shen family must be a large and powerful family. Don't you think your words are naive? If it is a large family, why would it be afraid of others knowing?"

"You're trying to cover up your true intentions. You don't even dare to introduce yourself, yet you dare to directly try to steal the position of Princess Consort. Who gave you the audacity? Do you really think you can disregard the Great Qian Dynasty? If you're so arrogant, shouldn't you at least consider who you're dealing with?"

“My Great Qian is not to be trifled with. You are showing contempt for the dignity of my Great Qian.”