Murong Xuan’s eyes flickered, and he hastily released his grip.
Flustered, he gathered the disheveled wedding robe around her, covering the snow-white peaks that had stirred his heart.
“How… could it be you?”
His tone was filled with disbelief, tinged with remorse and apology for his mistake, along with a trace of pity that was almost imperceptible.
Shen Xiyue, however, was extremely nervous, fearing she might disturb the crowd outside. She quickly reached out to cover his mouth: “Shh—”
Now was not the time to talk.
Outside, Qi Xun, dressed in his wedding robe, kept glancing toward the room. He couldn’t help but wonder—why was there no movement at all?
Had something gone wrong?
One of the guests teased, “Look, Cousin Xun’s soul has been completely captivated! Hurry and lift the veil! Let us all admire the bride’s beauty~”
Qi Xun pretended to have been seen through: “You flatter me, Fourth Prince.”
The Fourth Prince and the Eldest Prince were both born to Noble Consort Qi, brothers from the same mother. Naturally, they were aware of today’s plan to some extent and smoothly gave Qi Xun a way out.
Qi Xun raised his wine cup, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips, expertly concealing the excitement in his eyes. He had endured for so long, waiting only for this day!
From now on, with his cousin Prince Yao backing him up, his parents would no longer stand in the way of him and Zhilan being together!
Unable to contain himself any longer, he set down his wine cup and strode toward the room.
Listening to the chaotic footsteps approaching from outside the door, Shen Xiyue couldn’t help trembling all over.
The shame of being caught in bed, the panic that left no room for relief after her rebirth, and the hatred and fear from her previous life—of being manipulated and used until her family was destroyed—flared up, turning her eyes red.
Murong Xuan watched her stunned, terrified expression and felt as if his heart had been seized in an instant.
He still remembered the fleeting glimpse at the Spring Banquet, when County Princess Huayang Shen Xiyue, dressed in red, was laughing joyfully as Qi Xun amused her. At that time, he had averted his gaze.
But now, Shen Xiyue’s hands and feet were icy cold, her eyes filled with hatred that had turned into despair. Clutching his hand, she whispered urgently, “Hide quickly, under the bed, I beg you…”
Her hands were cold and trembling slightly, just like her voice at this moment.
Murong Xuan’s expression turned inexplicably strange. Hide under the bed?
Did she really think he was here for a secret affair?!
He gripped her hand in return, wrapped his long arm around her, and pulled her into his embrace: “On your wedding night, if you lose your virtue to another man, will you even survive? I’ll take you away!”
He had already checked—there was a rear window in this room. With his skills, taking someone away wouldn’t be a problem.
Shen Xiyue was suddenly lifted into the air, startling her. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Murong Xuan’s neck, and her legs unconsciously encircled his waist.
Then, realizing how improper her posture was, she hurriedly tried to jump down.
But Murong Xuan, though slender, was surprisingly strong. With one large hand supporting her bottom, he held her firmly against his chest.
Shen Xiyue struggled but couldn’t move an inch: “Your Highness, no! Put me down quickly. You’re too frail, you can’t carry me…”
Murong Xuan felt inexplicably irritated, his voice turning colder: “Don’t you know whether I’m capable or not?”
With one hand supporting her, he used the other to grab a cloak and wrap her tightly in his embrace.
Shen Xiyue clung to him like an octopus. In a daze, she paused for a moment—capable or not… just now?
Who would bring this up at a time like this?!
Murong Xuan wore a sour expression, forced to repeatedly recall his less-than-stellar performance moments ago.
Holding her tightly with one arm, he cast a cold glance outside and saw the approaching figure beyond the door. With swift, agile movements, he tore down the red silk drapes filling the room and flung them toward the entrance.
Immediately after, he pulled out the dragon-and-phoenix wedding candles, thick as a baby’s arm, and threw them as well. Flames half a person’s height instantly erupted.
"Ah! Fire! The bridal chamber is on fire—"
The commotion outside grew instantly chaotic. Qi Xun’s advancing footsteps halted abruptly, and he dared not proceed further.
Inside the room, Murong Xuan, holding her, gathered his strength and prepared to leap toward the rear window. But as his gaze swept over the wedding bed, his steps suddenly paused.
Shen Xiyue followed his line of sight and saw the disheveled bedding. On the pristine virginity cloth, traces of a faint, intimate hue remained—undeniable evidence of what had transpired.
She was about to say, "Your Highness, don’t worry. Once the fire spreads, nothing will remain." But before she could speak, she watched, almost in disbelief, as he reached out without hesitation, plucked the cloth bearing the first blood from the bed, and tucked it into his own chest.
Shen Xiyue: "…"
Crown Prince’s Residence.
Inside the room, candlelight glowed brightly. Shen Xiyue sat in a spacious bathtub.
The warm water enveloped her body, finally allowing her to calm down and regain some clarity of mind.
Leaning against the side of the tub, she slowly opened her eyes, carefully examining the furnishings in the room. Nothing was extravagant; each piece was dignified, simple, yet exquisitely elegant and refined.
Though this place felt utterly unfamiliar, an inexplicable sense of peace settled over her.
At last, she had escaped the den of demons and survived.
A maid entered, holding a set of fresh clothes, and knelt respectfully before her. "This servant is Shuangye, sent to attend to you."
Shen Xiyue gave a soft acknowledgment, her heart still trembling with lingering fear.
Shuangye, however, was naturally sociable. "Mistress, I have some knowledge of medicine. I am a disciple of Doctor Mu in the residence. I’ve prepared some ointment to reduce swelling. If you experience any discomfort, I can examine and treat you."
"……" Shen Xiyue’s ears flushed inexplicably. She was perfectly fine—she didn’t need treatment!
The one who clearly needed treatment was Murong Xuan!
She asked softly, "Where is he?"
"His Highness is handling matters in the study at the front courtyard… um," Shuangye paused mid-sentence, suddenly realizing the princess likely wished to summon His Highness, and promptly corrected herself, "Does the princess wish to call for His Highness?"
Shen Xiyue thought this maid was far too sharp-witted and quickly shook her head. "I was only asking about the poison he was afflicted with. How is he now?"
Shuangye answered with complete honesty, holding nothing back:
"Doctor Mu said it’s nothing serious. Medicine has already been prescribed and is being brewed over the fire. However, His Highness ordered an investigation into the poisoning and traced it to his wet nurse, Aunt Zhou. His Highness is rather displeased at the moment."
Shen Xiyue nodded at first, but upon hearing the last part, she sighed softly.
…Betrayal by someone so close—that feeling was far more than mere displeasure could describe.
It was best not to disturb him now.
She waved a hand toward Shuangye. "You may leave for now."
"Yes."
The room fell into sudden silence.
Back at Wenyuan Marquis Manor, she had forced herself to endure, not daring to relax for even a moment.
Now, feeling safe and surrounded by quiet solitude, she could no longer hold back her tears.
Perhaps it was the hot water easing the physical fatigue, or perhaps crying had brought some relief to the heart. Later, exhausted from weeping, she actually leaned against the bathtub and drifted into a hazy sleep.