Yun Jing Is Here to Support Anli

The Heavenly Emperor listened to the Crown Prince's report and said, "You completed this mission well. What reward do you desire?"

The Crown Prince shook his head. "It is my duty, Your Majesty. I do not desire a reward."

The Heavenly Emperor then looked at Meng Liangmiao. "And you?"

Meng Liangmiao quickly and respectfully replied, "Assisting the Crown Prince is my duty. I would go through fire and water without hesitation."

The Heavenly Emperor's expression softened, and he was about to speak.

After finishing his pastry and a cup of wine, Yun Jing chuckled lightly. "As expected, rumors are not to be believed."

"Oh?" The Heavenly Emperor turned to him. "What rumors?"

Yun Jing glanced at Meng Liangmiao.

Meng Liangmiao happened to look over, and their eyes met. His heart skipped a beat, and he felt a strong sense of foreboding.

Yun Jing curved his lips and leaned back leisurely.

"On my journey here, I heard quite a bit about the eldest son of the Meng family beating his sister. They say he beat his sister until she vomited blood and fainted in front of all the disciples."

Yuan Tuo thought to himself, Did those people mention vomiting blood?

"There is such a thing?"

This question came from the Crown Prince, who looked at Meng Liangmiao with displeasure.

"More than that," Yun Jing added calmly. "He also bribed Duan Mu, trying to get Meng Shiwan, who had already been disqualified, into Xuantian Academy, only for the Dean to expel them both."

Meng Liangmiao became agitated and berated Yun Jing, "How can you speak such nonsense in front of the Heavenly Emperor?"

"Slap! Slap!"

"Boom!"

A gust of wind swept past as Yuan Tuo landed two blows on Meng Liangmiao's face, left and right, and then kicked him in the chest, sending him flying into the Jade Pool's railing.

He glared with cold eyes. "You dare to disrespect the Great Emperor Dangmo? Are you seeking death?"

"Dang..."

Meng Liangmiao's cheeks burned with pain. His anger had just risen when it immediately vanished, and he knelt down in fear.

"It was my fault for not recognizing your greatness."

"Oh~" Yun Jing drawled out the sound. "You are still so arrogant in front of the Heavenly Emperor. It seems the rumors have some truth to them. Was your earlier subservience just an act?"

"No, it wasn't..."

"Meng Liangmiao!" The Crown Prince reprimanded him in a low voice. "Shut up!"

He then knelt before the Heavenly Emperor. "Father, he was too eager to protect his sister and made a grave mistake by not recognizing your greatness. But considering his diligent service by my side all these years, please spare him this once."

Yun Jing sneered. "A fine excuse, 'eager to protect his sister.' Does he protect his own kin, or strangers he picked up on the street? Such a lack of judgment, and he even resorts to bribery. He's irritable and prone to anger. Is he suitable to be the Crown Prince's companion?"

The Crown Prince looked at Yun Jing excitedly.

The Great Emperor Dangmo is concerned about me.

He quickly distanced himself from Meng Liangmiao and frowned at him.

"How have you become this kind of person? You just told me that Meng Anli and the Lu family framed you. Is it all true?"

The Heavenly Emperor finally understood. This person was protecting Meng Anli.

He sighed. "Meng Liangmiao, you truly lack judgment."

Without waiting for Meng Liangmiao to explain further, the Heavenly Emperor directly issued his command.

"Spirit Official, draft an edict. Meng Liangmiao, due to his improper conduct, is stripped of his position as the Crown Prince's companion and the position of steward in the Ministry of Salaries. He is to be sent to the Imperial Kitchen to tend the fires, to observe his future conduct."

Yun Jing frowned slightly. Only twelve years? The punishment was too light.

Has my stance not been made clear enough?

The Heavenly Emperor saw his expression and knew he was not satisfied.

He then said, "If it weren't for Anli's kindness and generosity, and the thought that punishing him too harshly would cause her distress, the punishment would not have been so light."

Yun Jing cursed the old fox inwardly, skilled as he was in the art of the mean.

That child must hate her entire family. She certainly won't feel sorry for them.

But since the Heavenly Emperor had already spoken, Yun Jing would not refuse him.

Seeing Yun Jing's expression indeed soften, the Heavenly Emperor wanted to understand the extent of his favoritism towards Meng Anli.

He then asked the Crown Prince, "A few days ago, Meng Mingde said that Anli's inner core was destroyed, and that she felt unworthy of you, so she requested to break off the engagement. I did not agree. What are your thoughts?"

Yun Jing picked up a cup of wine, his expression calm. His long eyelashes drooped, obscuring his eyes, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

The Crown Prince responded without hesitation, "We should share both fortune and hardship. I will not abandon Anli because of this minor matter."

The Heavenly Emperor could not ascertain Yun Jing's attitude, but at least he had not objected.

The stone in his heart finally settled.

He praised the Crown Prince, "This is the virtue a benevolent and righteous ruler should possess."

The Crown Prince performed a deep bow to Yun Jing, "I've heard there's Huan Dan Grass in the Northern Underworld that can produce an inner core. Can Shaoguang get me one for my fiancée?"

Yun Jing's lips curled into a chilling smile. He downed the wine in his cup, letting the jade dew slide down his throat before looking at the Crown Prince with mockery.

"No."

"Yes," the Crown Prince dared not press further, "Then I'll think of another way."

The Heavenly Emperor secretly shook his head. This foolish son, doesn't he know the principle of saying too much leading to more mistakes?

He waved for them to leave, intending to chat with Yun Jing.

Yun Jing stood up, "Brother, I can't hold my liquor. I'll take my leave for now and we can meet again another day."

The Heavenly Emperor tried to keep him, "Aren't you staying in the Heavenly Palace?"

Yun Jing's gaze swept over the singing, dancing, and music.

"I prefer quiet."

The Heavenly Emperor was left speechless. After Yun Jing left, he pouted and whispered, "He's so ill-tempered and stubborn, and completely unromantic. How could I have had that thought just now?"

Outside the South Heavenly Gate, Yuan Tuo said indignantly, "Meng Liangmiao's brain must have been kicked by a donkey. I gave the Heavenly Emperor some face just now and didn't go too hard on him. He got off too easy."

Yun Jing remained silent.

Yuan Tuo was used to it and changed the subject, "But Crown Prince Shaoguang is quite devoted, sharing hardships with Anli."

Yun Jing's steps halted, his eyes filled with coldness. "Devoted? If he's so devoted, why doesn't he know where she went for a year? Doesn't he know she already obtained the Huan Dan Grass? And he still stands up for her enemy?"

Yuan Tuo pondered for a moment, finally understanding. When he looked up again, Yun Jing had already walked far away.

He quickly chased after him, "Does that mean what Master said was a pretense? Why?"

Yun Jing looked back at his clear eyes, "Either read more books or cultivate more. Otherwise, venturing out alone makes you vulnerable."

"Oh."

Yuan Tuo scratched his head. He admitted he was slow, but couldn't he at least tell him why?

*

Meng Anli had already returned to her dormitory with the pill.

After seeing off wave after wave of disciples who were concerned about her.

Finally, as night fell and the disciples had all left, Lu Yao closed the door and asked Meng Anli with concern.

"Are you really not feeling unwell anywhere?"

Meng Anli smiled and shook her head, "Don't worry, I'm really fine. He barely touched me before I was sent flying back. The blood was also something I forced out myself."

Lu Yao was still worried, "Is it okay to force yourself to bleed?"

"It's fine," Meng Anli took her hand, her eyes curving into smiles, "You can rest assured."

She looked in the direction of the Heavenly Palace, "I just hope His Majesty can still handle this impartially this time."

"He definitely will. I'll ask my father how things are outside."

She opened her communication mirror, and Lu Zhiyuan happened to be contacting her.

He shouted excitedly, "Good news, good news!"

Lu Yao was also infected, "Tell me quickly."

"His Majesty has decreed that all of Meng Liangmiao's positions have been stripped, and he's been sent to the Imperial Kitchen to tend the fire, hahahaha..."

"Really? That's great!" Lu Yao also started laughing.

Meng Anli was surprised. She had never expected such a heavy punishment. She thought it would be like Meng Mingde, a bit of a beating and a fine on insignificant salary.

Stripping him of his position was unexpected.