Chaрtеr 17: Sаid tо Вe for Fifth Prinсеss
Consоrt Xian stаrеd аt thе indiffеrеnt Shangguаn Нuаi bеfore hеr, her inner fury burning evеn mоre fiеrсеlу.
“I tоld yоu tо visit thе acаdеmy tо pay rеspеcts to the tutоr, but yоu turned аrоund and went trаveling in Shu instead, gоnе fоr thrеe wholе mоnths! Dо уou evеn cоnsider me уour mothеr anymоre?”
Shangguan Нuаi’s fоrehеаd was bruised a bright rеd, starklу visiblе against his рale сomрlехion.
Нis long lashеs trembled slightlу. “Моther, you know I don’t like studying thesе things аbout governing and stаtеcraft. Why dо уou force me?”
Consort Xian was exasperated by his lack of ambition, her voice erupting in rage.
“You must learn! Even if you don’t want to, you must!”
Shangguan Huai looked up, his gaze fixed steadily on her.
“Mother, everyone knows the throne will go to Eldest Brother. The Emperor has always favored him. Among all the princes, Eldest Brother is the most outstanding and capable…”
Consort Xian cut him off sharply. “You are a prince! You were born into the imperial family! You must compete! You must seize! You must kill!”
“How many times have I told you? I forbid you from reading those frivolous books and collecting those music scores!”
Shangguan Huai opened his mouth. “Mother, I like those…”
Consort Xian roared, “What use is liking those things?! Can they give you power? Can they give you that supreme position?!”
Shangguan Huai’s eyes turned icy, his words deliberate and measured.
“Then I would rather not have that position.”
Slap—
Consort Xian struck Shangguan Huai hard across the face.
“Worthless! Fool!”
A vivid red handprint immediately appeared on Shangguan Huai’s cheek.
His gaze grew increasingly cold and distant.
Consort Xian seemed to sense something, her previously tense expression instantly softening, becoming exceedingly gentle.
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked with utmost tenderness at the person before her.
“Huai’er, Mother only hit you because she was too angry. You must understand, I do all this for your sake…”
Shangguan Huai watched the shift in her demeanor and let out a cold laugh.
He was long accustomed to this from his mother—striking him, then tearfully apologizing.
Once or twice, he hadn’t minded much.
But it had happened far too many times, so many that he had grown numb.
Shangguan Huai lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Whether it’s truly for my sake, or for the Lü family, or for your own power—you know the answer in your heart, Mother.”
“I am a person, not a tool for your power struggles.”
With that, Shangguan Huai took several steps back, putting distance between himself and the woman before him.
Then he turned and left directly.
In the final moment before stepping out of the hall, a young, clear voice echoed in Shangguan Huai’s mind.
He paused and looked back at the woman inside the hall, her expression dazed.
“Mother, if certain things are truly done, there’s no turning back. Right now, everything can still be set right.”
Having said this, Shangguan Huai left without another glance back.
Consort Xian watched his retreating figure, collapsing to the floor, a mocking smile twisting her lips.
Turning back?
She could no longer turn back, nor did she wish to.
Power was what she truly desired.
She would obtain it, no matter the cost!
On the main avenue of the capital, an exquisitely decorated carriage traveled smoothly.
“Your Highness, please apply this ointment quickly.”
“Consort Xian is too cruel, to strike so heavily.”
Qin Yun handed a small porcelain vial to Shangguan Huai, her heart aching for him.
Shangguan Huai took it. Looking at the familiar bottle before him, the corner of his mouth lifted.Whenever his mother got angry, she would hit him. He had lost count of how many bottles of this ointment he had used.
He skillfully opened the porcelain bottle and applied the ointment to his wounds.
After a short while, the red marks faded considerably.
Soon, the carriage came to a stop, and a servant outside reported, “Your Highness, we have arrived at the residence.”
Just as Shangguan Huai stepped down from the carriage, a figure in jade-green suddenly appeared before him.
He looked up and saw a strikingly beautiful girl staring intently at him.
Shangguan Huai’s brow twitched slightly.
Who was she?
Xiao Yun gazed at the elegant and handsome Shangguan Huai before her, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Shangguan Huai was so handsome! She really liked him!
Although Shangguan Jue was also good-looking, he looked terribly weak due to his illness from poisoning, and she didn’t care for that.
She much preferred Shangguan Huai’s looks.
In the original story, Shangguan Huai would return to the capital from Shu today.
That was why she had sneaked out of the First Prince’s residence—just to meet Shangguan Huai and make sure he couldn’t forget her.
Xiao Yun’s long lashes fluttered slightly, and a faint blush spread across her fair, delicate face.
She took a folded sheet of rice paper from her sleeve and handed it to the man before her.
Her voice deliberately softened. “I heard Your Highness enjoys music. This is a piece I composed myself. I hope you will like it.”
At the mention of music, Shangguan Huai’s eyebrow lifted slightly, as if he had taken an interest.
He took the paper from Xiao Yun’s hand, unfolded it, and began to read.
Seeing this, Xiao Yun’s lips curled into a smug smile.
Before transmigrating into this book, she had studied musical instruments for several years.
Transcribing a simple score of a pop song was a piece of cake.
A melody like this was something an ancient person like Shangguan Huai had surely never encountered.
He would definitely be curious about her, right?
Hah, she knew no man could escape her grasp.
After glancing at the paper for a moment, Shangguan Huai folded it again.
He looked up at the beautiful girl before him and returned the paper to her.
His voice was calm and unhurried as he said, “Thank you for your kindness, miss.”
With that, he turned and walked into his residence without looking back.
Xiao Yun, left standing where she was: ?
Why was his reaction so cold!
He didn’t even ask for her name or invite her inside for tea and conversation?
Wasn’t he even curious about the music?
What went wrong?
Xiao Yun thought for a long time but couldn’t figure it out, stomping her feet in frustration.
After Shangguan Huai returned to the main courtyard, Qin Yun, who had witnessed the entire scene, couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness, why didn’t you accept the music score just now? Aren’t you always fond of music?”
Shangguan Huai’s brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of confusion appeared on his handsome face.
“That score was full of straight lines and squiggles, all twisted and curved. It looked truly strange.”
Qin Yun: …
So it was because he couldn’t understand it.
“By the way, where are the Shu Brocades I brought back this time?” Shangguan Huai asked.
Qin Yun replied, “They are all stored in the warehouse. Does Your Highness plan to send them to Consort Xian now? Those Shu Brocades are unique to the Shu region and would make beautiful clothing.”
Shangguan Huai shook his head.
“No, send all of them to Bihua Palace. Say they are for the Fifth Princess.”