TSWRLM -Chapter 197 I Said Kneel, So Kneel!

Princess Hengyang wanted a face-to-face confrontation. Yun Wantang remained completely calm, though her eyes welled with tears as Wen Yanshu entered, looking as if she had been gravely wronged.

As expected, Wen Yanshu first looked at her before turning to Princess Hengyang.

The princess didn’t care who he looked at first. She spoke coldly: “Over the years, I’ve endured much criticism because of my princess consort. Today, his beloved has finally returned. I request that the princess consort explain everything clearly in front of everyone.”

Before Wen Yanshu could speak, she added: “If I truly am the villain who tried to separate lovers, then today I will break with the princess consort, personally kneel and serve tea, and apologize to Fifth Madam of the Grand Tutor Residence. But if I am innocent, then Fifth Madam must kneel and admit her wrongdoing to me!”

Despite her hangover, Princess Hengyang’s aura far surpassed Yun Wantang’s. Her words weren’t merely about proving innocence—they were an exercise of power to intimidate.

Someone couldn’t help but speak up for Yun Wantang: “Even if the princess is innocent, shouldn’t she punish the slanderers rather than vent her anger on another innocent person harmed by rumors?”

Many nodded in agreement. Princess Hengyang didn’t get angry. She glanced at them coolly: “This is my matter with them. None of you have any right to bark. Anyone who dares speak again will be dragged out and slapped!”

Outside, the sound of slaps continued, and combined with her words, the intimidation was overwhelming.

The crowd exchanged looks, afraid to make another sound.

With the room finally quiet, Princess Hengyang lifted her chin at Wen Yanshu, signaling him to speak.

Before he could, Yun Wantang spoke first: “Many years ago, I went with my husband to Wengzhou. I had no private dealings with the princess consort. Why must you make things difficult for him or for me? Even if we clarify things here today, spreading it further will only invite more criticism. With all due respect, Your Highness, this is not wise.”

Earlier, the princess had demanded Yun Wantang kneel and admit fault. Now Yun Wantang was politely advising her not to make a greater spectacle. The contrast was stark.

Yun Wantang didn’t even need to look at the crowd—she knew they were now leaning in her favor. As for the princess consort, it went without saying.

In the presence of an imperious princess, a gentle, considerate woman like Yun Wantang naturally garnered sympathy.

Yun Wantang smiled subtly, confident, when Wen Yanshu spoke in his smooth, polite voice: “Actually, over the years, I’ve been curious why so many rumors claimed I adored you.”

“……”???

The princess consort didn’t like Yun Wantang?

Impossible.

These rumors had existed for years, and he had never denied them.

The crowd, shocked, assumed this was just the princess consort’s excuse. After all, Yun Wantang now had a happy family and children—if he denied past feelings, it would be better for both of them.

Just as they rationalized for him, Wen Yanshu continued: “When the rumors first appeared, I posted notices throughout the city via the Night Patrol clarifying the truth. I only met you a few times, exchanged a few words, and had no private relationship. When Princess Hengyang sought a husband under the official announcement, I was honored.”

“……”???

Had the princess consort really posted notices clarifying this? None of them remembered seeing them—not even Princess Hengyang.

Could the princess consort have truly clarified the matter?

Just then, the inspecting officer brought forward ten-year-old archival notices from the Night Patrol: “Everything the princess consort said is true. I wasn’t in office ten years ago, but these archives still contain the notices he personally wrote.”

The officer held the notice high.

Not only did the notice contain Wen Yanshu’s written clarification, but at the bottom were the names and seals of several classmates who were willing to testify for him.

These classmates weren’t as famous as Wen Yanshu or Shen Qingyuan at the time, but over the years, they had all become prominent officials.

Countless people wished to become the princess consort. If the notice were fake, it would have been exposed long ago. Even those who affixed their seals would have been punished alongside him for deceiving the emperor. How could they have made it this far?

The crowd exchanged astonished glances.

If the princess consort didn’t like Yun Wantang, yet posted notices to clarify it, then who had spread the rumors that he adored her?

Princess Hengyang could never have invented a rival for herself.

All eyes instinctively turned to Yun Wantang.

Yun Wantang remained calm, looking directly at the princess: “I don’t know how the news spread back then, but all these years, I’ve never said a word against Your Highness.”

Her words were firm and confident, without a trace of guilt. Any doubts the crowd had quickly vanished.

Indeed, Yun Wantang had moved to Wengzhou immediately after marrying. She had never spoken ill of the princess.

Why would she fabricate a rumor that the princess consort loved her, provoking the princess? That would harm her reputation.

It had to be someone jealous of her or holding a grudge against Princess Hengyang, deliberately spreading lies.

The crowd quietly excused Yun Wantang in their minds. Princess Hengyang, however, remained impassive. Facing Yun Wantang, she asked: “So you now admit that the princess consort never loved you, that I never stole your beloved, and that I never acted out of jealousy to force you into a distant marriage?”

“Your Highness, please believe me. I have never said such words to slander you or the princess consort.”

Indeed, Yun Wantang had never explicitly said so. At the time, she had only shown a fleeting sadness when hearing about the princess’s search for a husband under the official announcement. From that, rumors of Princess Hengyang’s jealousy spread.

Her beauty and talent had long been renowned throughout Hanjing, yet few knew that ten years ago, Wen Yanshu, the top-ranked scholar, was a rare handsome man.

Even the highest goddess could be moved by a mortal heart. How could Wen Yanshu not admire her?

Thus, no one would believe the notices he posted.

Even if Princess Hengyang investigated now, she would find no clue.

Yun Wantang lowered her eyes, hiding her thoughts, though she regretted losing the princess as a “green backdrop” highlighting herself in the future.

She had been intelligent since childhood and exceptionally beautiful. Even without noble birth, she was admired wherever she went. Even after marrying and having children, she still had admirers. She enjoyed being placed on a pedestal, effortlessly surpassing other women.

To have the princess beneath her—especially satisfying.

But this time she would stay in the capital; there would be plenty of opportunities later.

As Yun Wantang pondered this, Princess Hengyang’s voice rang out again: “Since you admit my innocence, kneel.”

“Your Highness, I’ve said it—I have never spoken words to slander you.”

The princess raised an eyebrow: “I said kneel, so kneel!”