Yuan Wanru was furious.
She had originally thought that she and Princess Le'an would simply leave each other alone, like well water and river water that never mix.
She never expected the princess to actually try to lay hands on her.
Princess Le'an paid no heed to Yuan Wanru's anger. She finally got a clear look at Yuan Wanru's appearance.
The young woman was petite and delicate, carrying an innate air of pitiable charm. Though not the type to stun at first glance, she was the kind one couldn't help but look at again and again—quite alluring.
A vixen!
Princess Le'an cursed inwardly, even more convinced that Lu Jiangnian would never fancy such a frail, fragile woman.
Her mournful expression had vanished entirely, replaced by lofty arrogance and undisguised contempt and scrutiny.
"So you're the orphan girl lodging at the Lu residence?"
"Shabby-looking, low-born—no wonder you resorted to such despicable tricks, throwing yourself into the water to force Lu Jiangnian to marry you."
"You're shameless. In what way do you deserve him?"
"Let me tell you—if you know what's good for you, you'll call off this engagement at once. Otherwise, I won't let you off easy."
The bystanders, never ones to shy from drama, had already begun chattering among themselves.
"I knew it—I wondered why Young Lord Lu suddenly took a wife. Turns out he was forced into it."
Someone said regretfully, "If I'd known, I would have fallen into the water too. Even if it meant being just a concubine, I'd have been willing."
This remark drew nods of agreement from several young women: "Yes, why didn't we think of such a scheme? In the end, we were simply too naive."
There were, of course, those who sneered in disdain.
"A woman like her—Young Lord Lu definitely won't take a liking to her. I reckon she'll be cast aside soon enough."
Yuan Wanru shot Lu Jiangnian a withering glare.
This was all that man's fault. If he didn't want to deal with Murong Ling, he didn't have to drag her into it.
Fine then—since he'd dragged her in, he'd better play along and help her infuriate this arrogant, lovelorn Princess Le'an until she spat blood.
She smiled with gentle innocence. "You're right about matching families, Princess. I understand that principle well."
"But what you don't know, Princess, is that Brother Jiang has… long since… felt a certain way about me."
"I only just learned of it myself. Brother Jiang insists he'll marry no one but me. I'm rather troubled by it, truly."
Such vague insinuations only fueled everyone's imagination further.
Lu Jiangnian saw her trying to cover things up while sullying his reputation, and couldn't help wanting to refute her.
What about him?
What had he "long since" done?
What was she trying to do with such ambiguous words?
Yuan Wanru rose on her tiptoes and whispered by his ear, "This is the best chance to quash the rumors—unless you want to keep playing the hero saving the damsel in distress every day from now on."
Lu Jiangnian had, of course, heard what the people around them were saying.
His brief hesitation cost him the opportunity to explain.
And his silence, to the onlookers, was as good as an admission.
Princess Le'an was indeed shaking with rage. "You're lying! How could Lu Jiangnian ever fancy you?"
This orphan girl, in her shabby, unsightly clothes, standing beside Lu Jiangnian, was nothing more than a head maid serving at his side.
Only she—she and Lu Jiangnian were the perfect match.
Yuan Wanru was determined to infuriate her to death. She added more fuel to the fire, feigning fright and pressing herself against Lu Jiangnian. Where no one could see, she gripped his sleeve tightly, preventing him from pulling away.
"Brother Jiang, now I finally understand why you don't like her."
"Look at how wide she's glaring—like a man-eating tigress."
"And that whip in her hand—one flick and it could flay someone's skin open. So frightening."
"If I were a man, I wouldn't dare like a woman like her either."
The plain silver hairpin in her hair tapped against his jaw with each of her movements. Lu Jiangnian, at the end of his patience, reached out and pressed his hand on top of her head. "Stop squirming."
At the sight, Princess Le'an's face turned ashen, her blood boiling with fury. She wished she could lunge forward and bite Yuan Wanru to death.
She stepped forward and lashed out with her whip, aiming to smash Yuan Wanru's face to pieces.
Lu Jiangnian reacted with lightning speed, drawing the long sword from his waist. The scabbard tangled with the whip, rendering Princess Le'an immobile.
"Does the Princess believe the people of the Marquis of Loyal Valor's household are so easily bullied?"
"Lu's marriage was arranged by my parents' command. No outsider has the right to interfere."
"The Princess blocks the road in broad daylight, making a scene, and repeatedly humiliates Lu's betrothed—surely this is taking your disregard for others too far."
"You're protecting her?!"
Princess Le'an shrieked at the top of her lungs, startling the onlookers into backing away in a wide circle, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.
Her eyes were wide, red-rimmed, tears streaming down her fair cheeks as her body trembled violently. "The more you protect her, the more I want to strike her."
"I am a proper princess by title—am I not allowed to discipline a powerless orphan girl?"
"I will strike her, and let's see what you can do about it!"
With that, she yanked her whip back, mustered all her strength, and swung it at Yuan Wanru once more.
Yuan Wanru only saw a blur before her eyes—Lu Jiangnian had already flown out—and Princess Le'an's whip lay in several broken pieces, silent on the ground.
"How dare you!"
"This is an imperial gift, personally given to me by the Emperor Uncle. How dare you destroy it."
Lu Jiangnian said calmly, "No matter what the object is, if it is used to commit violence and harm others, it is a weapon. Of course I can destroy it."
"Someone, the Princess's carriage is damaged. Tear it apart so it doesn't obstruct the passage of the common folk."
The person in question had arrived belatedly, and he had no patience to waste more time. With a wave of his hand, two guards stepped forward, ready to dismantle the carriage.
Princess Le'an had not expected him to be so ruthless, so heartless.
"How dare you! My carriage is perfectly fine. Whoever dares to touch it, I'll have the Emperor Uncle cut off your heads."
Princess Le'an had brought her own guards, and the Lu family's men could not even get close to the carriage before being blocked at the perimeter by her people.
She wiped away her tears, suppressed her burning anger and disappointment, and lifted her chin slightly. "Lu Jiangnian, I don't care whether you truly wish to marry her or are being forced to marry her. In any case, I will not agree."
"If you do not give me a satisfactory answer today, then I will stay here and waste time with you."
She was born a favored daughter of heaven, getting whatever she wanted whenever she wanted. Why should she let an orphan girl take away the one her heart desired?
Yuan Wanru could not help but glance sideways at the man beside her. How did he plan to end this farce?
The man's profile was sharply defined, his calm eyes as still as still water.
"Xuanying, you go."
Xuanying was Lu Jiangnian's personal bodyguard, said to come from a mysterious sect in the martial world, with extraordinarily high martial arts skills.
Princess Le'an knew this as well. Her face turned pale with fright. "Must you humiliate me like this?"
Just as Xuanying was about to move, a clear, resonant male voice suddenly rang out. "Jiang Nian, your patience is growing thinner by the day."
Everyone in the crowd turned their gaze toward the newcomer.
Under the watch of all eyes, he strolled in leisurely, completely at ease.
The man matched his voice—like a clear breeze and bright moon, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, radiating vitality. A confident, composed smile hung on his face, his features gentle and clear, noble and warm.
When Princess Le'an saw the newcomer, her eyes lit up. "Elder Brother Crown Prince."