After paying respects to the princess, Feng Moheng boarded another carriage to attend to official matters, while Shen Yuling returned to the carriage she had arrived in, followed by Xi Tong, who sat down beside her.
The interior of the carriage was spacious, with soft cushions and exquisite curtains swaying gently as the vehicle rocked.
“Master, Feng Moheng seems quite difficult to win over,” Xi Tong frowned, looking troubled.
Back when “Shen Yuling” was reborn, Feng Moheng had seemed to fall in love with the original host quite easily…
“Yes, he is indeed difficult to win over,” Shen Yuling leaned slightly against the carriage wall, her expression indifferent.
“After just two days of interacting with him, I’ve realized that Feng Moheng is clearly a performer-type personality.”
If she hadn’t lived through so many different lives and experienced the complexities of human nature, she might not have been able to see through him either.
Princess Xihe held great power. In Qian Capital, aside from His Majesty, she was the most esteemed figure.
She stirred up storms in the imperial court and indulged in pleasures upon returning to her residence. Others feared her authority, and no one dared utter a single word of criticism.
What kind of feelings did Feng Moheng harbor for his mother?
She guessed it was a mix of love and hatred.
What child doesn’t yearn for a mother’s love?
But his mother was no ordinary woman. She acted recklessly both in court and at home, even divorcing his father.
When Feng Moheng couldn’t receive love, he grew resentful, wondering why his mother was so different and paid him no attention.
Yet when he tried to hate her, he found he couldn’t—love was something he couldn’t obtain, and hatred was something he couldn’t muster.
At the age of ten, Feng Moheng projected his misplaced emotions onto that female assassin, fully believing he could find warmth and care from her.
Little did he expect to be betrayed in the end, which undoubtedly carved another deep wound into his young and fragile heart.
And Liu Jingyi had truly chosen the perfect timing.
When Feng Moheng was at his most vulnerable and in need of emotional comfort, she approached him, becoming his sole emotional anchor at that time.
But why couldn’t Feng Moheng defy the princess for Liu Jingyi?
Was it because he didn’t love her enough?
Or did he simply not understand love?
What he enjoyed was merely the feeling of being loved wholeheartedly by others.
And the reason he had fallen in love with the original host was because she had grown up surrounded by abundant love, making her a woman who knew how to love deeply. Her gentle and sincere affection precisely filled the void of maternal love in Feng Moheng’s heart.
Wasn’t his craving for the feeling of being loved by a woman also a subconscious search for the maternal love he had lacked since childhood?
However, he disguised all of this exceptionally well.
The personality Shen Yuling displayed in front of Feng Moheng was entirely different from that of the original host.
Because of this, Feng Moheng felt guarded toward her, curious and probing.
Shen Yuling didn’t want Feng Moheng to love her for the feeling of being loved by her.
What difference would that make from Liu Jingyi?
Listening to Shen Yuling’s words, Xi Tong looked puzzled and scratched her head.
“Master, what is a performer-type personality?”
Instead of answering directly, Shen Yuling asked in return, “Do you think he loves Liu Jingyi?”
Xi Tong tilted her head and thought carefully.
“Right now, he probably does.”
“Not necessarily.”
“He doesn’t truly love anyone—only himself. You’ll see.”
With that, Shen Yuling reached out to lift the carriage curtain and fell silent.
Her gaze fell upon the bustling streets of Qian Capital.
Ever since arriving in Qian Capital, to prevent Quan Minghe from finding her, she had never ventured out to explore the city’s streets and alleys before her wedding.
Now, looking out, Qian Capital truly lived up to its reputation as the imperial capital beneath the emperor’s feet—a scene of prosperity and vitality.
People came and went, the atmosphere lively and vibrant, with shops of all kinds lining the streets and hawkers’ cries rising and falling in succession.
Suddenly.
Shen Yuling’s pupils contracted sharply.
“Stop the carriage!” she blurted out.
“Mistress, what’s wrong?”
Xi Tong was startled by her sudden action.
Shen Yuling merely shook her head slightly, offering no further explanation.
The masked man, seeing the woman’s frightened expression, waited leisurely for the rabbit to emerge on its own.
The coachman hastily pulled on the reins, bringing the carriage to a halt.
Shen Yuling took a deep breath.
With an air of nonchalance, she said, “Zuiyin Tower seems to have a performance today—it looks quite lively. I haven’t been in Qian Capital for long and have never properly explored it. I’d like to join in the excitement now.”
In the Qian Dynasty, women held a relatively high status, and there were few restrictions on them going out for leisure.
“As you wish, Mistress.”
Xi Tong responded, helping Shen Yuling alight from the carriage.
She then turned to the coachman and guards and instructed, “Wait outside Zuiyin Tower.”
As soon as Shen Yuling stepped through the tavern’s entrance, a tall, masked man silently followed her inside.
Zuiyin Tower was bustling with activity, filled with people coming and going. Servants hurried back and forth, busy with their tasks.
A waiter responsible for greeting guests spotted Shen Yuling at once, as if he had known she would come.
His face immediately broke into a wide smile as he hurried forward.
“Madam, allow me to escort you to our tavern’s premium private room, ‘Apricot Blossoms and Spring Rain.’ The view there is the finest in all of Zuiyin Tower—I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”
Shen Yuling’s body trembled slightly, whether from nervousness or fear, it was unclear.
She pressed her lips together, remaining silent as she followed the waiter from the front hall toward the rear courtyard.
Her eyelashes lowered, concealing the light in her eyes.
So, the so-called fear was merely an act for Quan Minghe, who was following behind.
Passing through the winding corridors along the way, the scenery in the rear courtyard was indeed exceptionally beautiful.
Pavilions, terraces, and towers were arranged in an orderly yet varied layout, with lush flowers, plants, and trees creating a uniquely elegant and refined atmosphere.
But Shen Yuling had no mind to appreciate the beauty at this moment.
Arriving before the ‘Apricot Blossoms and Spring Rain’ room, she pushed the door open and entered.
As soon as Shen Yuling stepped into the room, the tall, masked man approached.
The moment Xi Tong’s eyes fell upon him, she already knew who he was.
But given her current role, she shouldn’t appear to recognize his identity.
Thus, she furrowed her willow-leaf brows and scolded, “Who are you! What do you intend to do to my mistress?”
Hearing the commotion from inside the room, Shen Yuling spoke up to intervene.
“Xi Tong, he is a friend of mine. Wait outside.”
Upon hearing the word “friend,” the masked man’s eyes gradually darkened.
Hah, friend?
He pushed the door open.
As soon as he entered, he saw Shen Yuling with her back to him, her slender frame seemingly still trembling.
Was she really that afraid?
She had been trembling since she stepped out of the carriage, even while walking.
Quan Minghe stepped forward, moving behind her, and grasped her waist.
With a firm grip, he pulled Shen Yuling toward him.
“Very afraid?”
Shen Yuling was like a startled bird.
She turned abruptly, pushed him away forcefully, and stumbled backward several steps herself.
Taking a deep breath, she mustered her courage and raised her eyes to look at Quan Minghe.
Her voice trembled as she said, “Let’s both forget what happened that day.”
But Quan Minghe acted as if he hadn’t heard, sitting down on a round stool.
He watched Shen Yuling with leisurely composure.
“Do not consummate the marriage with Feng Moheng. I will find a way to get you out of the Prince’s residence.”
His tone was calm, yet it carried an inexplicable authority as he laid out his own arrangements.
“I… my husband and I already… already consummated the marriage on our wedding night yesterday!”
Shen Yuling gritted her teeth and forced herself to say it.
But her eyes involuntarily shifted away, betraying a hint of guilt.
Seeing her like this, Quan Minghe understood well enough, though he didn’t expose her.
He stood up and walked step by step toward her.
His tall frame brought with it an intense sense of oppression, making Shen Yuling feel as if she could hardly breathe.
“Shall I verify it then?”
A slight curve lifted the corner of Quan Minghe’s mouth, his gaze dangerous.
Shen Yuling’s expression instantly turned horrified.
How could he possibly verify that?
Before she could react, Quan Minghe actually reached out and began undoing the ties of her dress, his movements without hesitation.
“How dare you!”
“Since you know I am already the Princess Consort, you should know that no one in Qian Capital would dare offend either my family background or my husband’s power.”
Shen Yuling was both shocked and furious.
“If you continue to be this rude, I will call for help. The Prince’s residence guards are right outside the tavern!”
But her threats, just like that night, were utterly useless against Quan Minghe.
What exactly was this man’s identity?!
Shen Yuling felt both shock and fear, tears welling up uncontrollably in her eyes.
“Wah…”
Her voice choked with sobs, seeing that Quan Minghe’s actions didn’t stop, she could only plead.
“Don’t take it off, I… I haven’t consummated the marriage…”
Only then did Quan Minghe’s hands pause.
Hearing the satisfactory answer, he seemed to relax slightly.
He extended a finger, gently stroking Shen Yuling’s red lips, his eyes holding an unfathomable depth.
Quan Minghe leaned close to Shen Yuling’s ear.
“If you consummate the marriage with Feng Moheng, you will die.”
After a pause, he added, “There is nothing in this world I do not know.”
“Who exactly are you?!”
Tears brimmed in Shen Yuling’s eyes, her face filled with terror.
“You’ll find out in time.”
Quan Minghe gave an evasive reply.
Frustrated and anxious, Shen Yuling reached out to remove his mask.
She wanted to know what the man really looked like.
But as soon as her hand extended, Quan Minghe instantly grasped her wrist.
He squeezed hard, making her wrist ache.
“Disobedient children will be punished.”
Quan Minghe’s voice was low and icy, carrying a hint of warning that sent a shiver down Shen Yuling’s spine.