He thought of his residence, the Chiguan Palace that was located at the far western edge of the imperial city.
That was where all the hostage princes and princesses from the vassal states of the Beirong Kingdom lived.
The distance from here was at least one hour's walk. If he had to walk back like this, his legs would be ruined.
So Yue Mingxuan selectively reached out his fair hand and about to place it on Rong Tieshan's palm.
But just then, a small figure squeezed out from the crowd. Before Yue Mingxuan could even see the person's face clearly, a familiar anxious voice pierced his ears, it was sharp enough to make his eardrums ache, "Your Highness! You must not listen to that man! He is lying to you! He is a deceiver!"
When Su Jin rushed to Yue Mingxuan's side with tears in her voice, she caught sight of the pale legs beneath his robe.
Her expression turned even more furious and pained, her tears streaming down her face like a flood as she cried out even louder, "My Fifth Prince! How could you do such a thing? The Fifth Prince of Dongyue Kingdom has truly been tricked by a man into giving away his body! Your Highness… what will you do from now on?"
Amidst the ear-piercing cries, the commoners outside the city all stopped in their tracks and turning their heads to watch.
When they heard the maid loudly shout such explosive words like "Fifth Prince of Dongyue Kingdom" and "deceived by a man into giving his body," the crowd let out waves of sharp gasps.
So this was him, the betrothed of Prince Rong, the infamous Fifth Prince of Dongyue Kingdom.
Truly, his reputation was worse than reality.
Everyone in Beirong Kingdom already knew about the Fifth Prince's shameful name.
He was said to have no dignity at all.
Despite knowing that Prince Rong had no feelings for him, he shamelessly clung to the title of "fiancé" and followed him like a shadow every single day.
The women who had always adored Prince Rong to the point of worship felt their hearts shatter when they saw the so-called Fifth Prince.
He was ugly, pitiful, and now rumors spread that he had secretly given his body to another man.
To them, it was nothing less than a stain upon their perfect and holy male god.
The curses of the commoners rose one after another like waves.
On this side, Su Jin cried even louder, wailing at the top of her lungs: "Fifth Prince! How are you going to explain yourself to Prince Rong? He already sent people across the city searching for you. If this continues, how will the marriage be explained?"
Before she could finish speaking, her eyes flicked toward the noble man on horseback. The instant she saw him, her body went weak, collapsing to the ground in fright. "P-Prince… y-you… why are you here?"
As though remembering something, Su Jin panicked further, she falling to her knees and begging desperately: "Prince, it's not what you think! My master didn't mean to stay out all night, he was tricked! He would never do something outrageous. Please, you must believe him!"