As soon as the words left his mouth, Ning Lanxue behind Murong Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting to see Shen Ruoxi collapse into tears in a miserable scene.
However, nothing happened.
Not only did Shen Ruoxi show no shock or grief, she didn't even lift an eyelid.
Instead, a mocking smile curled at her lips.
"Does the Prince know what he is saying?"
"Ruoxi, I know this news is a bit of a shock to you, but Lan Xue and I are in love with each other. You were the one who barged in between us. The position of Principal Consort is something you snatched away."
Hearing this, Shen Ruoxi only felt a wave of disgust.
In her previous life, she had been brainwashed by Murong Yu into believing that she had indeed intruded upon his and Ning Lanxue's love, and she had felt guilty, yielding at every turn.
But Ning Lanxue was a woman of lowly origins from the pleasure quarters. The royal family would never allow her to become a consort—otherwise, Murong Yu would have long since carried her into the mansion in a grand bridal sedan.
Back then, as the Di Daughter of the General's Manor, Shen Ruoxi had always adored Murong Yu. The reigning emperor was on good personal terms with her father, Shen Tianrong, so she had pestered her father to go to the palace and request the emperor to bestow a marriage.
Her father, unable to withstand her nagging, had no choice but to bring the matter up with the emperor.
The emperor, on one hand, wanted to fulfill the loving wish of Shen Tianrong for his daughter, and on the other hand, wanted to cut off Murong Yu's hopes of marrying Ning Lanxue, so he agreed.
Before bestowing the marriage, the emperor personally asked Murong Yu in the imperial study whether he was willing to marry her.
It was Murong Yu himself who agreed.
For no other reason than that the Shen family had illustrious military achievements, and Murong Yu wanted to gain the Shen family's support in the Imperial Succession Struggle.
Yet after the marriage, Murong Yu put on a resentful, reluctant facade, blaming all his dissatisfaction on her.
He wanted the Shen family's power and support, while also wanting to fulfill his so-called true love.
Murong Yu was truly a hypocritical, despicable man!
Shen Ruoxi looked at the man before her and felt that she had indeed been terribly blind before.
"Ning Lanxue is nothing but a lowly wench who can't even show her face in public. Entering the Prince's mansion at all is a blessing she'd have to have cultivated for several lifetimes. Her, the Consort of Qi? Does she even deserve it?"
The moment the words fell, Ning Lanxue's face dropped.
Then she bit her lip and put on an air of lofty purity.
"One cannot choose one's birth. The Prince and I are deeply in love. It was you, sister, who used your status to snatch away this honor. If you could gracefully yield the position of Consort, we could address each other as sisters from now on, and I certainly would not make things difficult for you."
Shen Ruoxi nearly laughed in anger.
"Ning Lanxue, you have some nerve. Do you think that without me, you could become the Principal Consort? You've been away for so long—your brain must have been filled with water! Shake your head and pour it out, then take a good look at yourself. Wanting to be the Consort—do you even deserve it!?"
The emperor had never approved of Ning Lanxue and Murong Yu's affair.
If it weren't her, Shen Ruoxi, becoming the Consort of Qi, someone else would have married into the Qi Prince's mansion.
But it would never be Ning Lanxue.
"Also, I am the Di Daughter of the General's Manor. Don't go calling me 'sister' left and right—I don't have a sister as lowly as you who can't even show her face in public!"
Shen Ruoxi's words turned Ning Lanxue's face deathly pale.
"Enough!"
Murong Yu barked sternly: "Shen Ruoxi, have you lost your mind? In just half a month apart, you've become even more unruly!"
"I think the one who's lost their mind isn't me."
Shen Ruoxi said calmly, "Your Highness wanting to make a brothel woman your consort is what's truly insane. I think it would be better to have the servants prepare some cooling herbal tea to help you sober up. I'll take my leave for now."
With that, Shen Ruoxi flicked her sleeves and turned to leave.
Watching her retreating figure, Murong Yu's eyes were filled with shock and anger.
Shen Ruoxi…
What's gotten into her today?
Beside him, Ning Lanxue's eyes were red-rimmed.
"Your Highness, it seems Shen Ruoxi is unwilling to give up her position as Principal Consort. I'm an unmarried woman—am I to continue staying in the manor with you in this ambiguous state?"
Murong Yu's handsome brows furrowed slightly.
Having just been scolded by Shen Ruoxi, though he was angry, his mind had cleared a bit.
Ning Lanxue as Principal Consort…
That would indeed be difficult.
"Lanxue, how about… I take you as a Side Consort? Don't worry, your treatment will definitely not be any worse than Shen Ruoxi's."
"What do you take me for? I gave you my purity, and we agreed on a lifetime of just the two of us. You promised me the position of Principal Consort—how could you make me a concubine? If that's the case, I'd rather die!"
With that, Ning Lanxue made to throw herself into the nearby lake.
Murong Yu quickly pulled her into his arms, coaxing her carefully.
His eyes were full of guilt.
"Lanxue, blame me. As a prince, I can't even choose the woman I love… I'll go find Shen Ruoxi and continue discussing this matter. She'll agree whether she wants to or not!"
Ning Lanxue nestled in his arms and nodded obediently.
Ling Manor.
A dark figure swept over the wall and landed directly in front of the study in the back courtyard.
Leng Ye pushed the door open and entered.
"Master, I'm back."
Inside the study, the scent of medicine lingered in the air.
Murong Heng sat upright in a carved rosewood chair, holding a casual book in his hand with an air of indifference.
Hearing the sound, he lifted his head slightly.
His handsome face was like the bright moon in the sky, his complexion pale as snow, carrying a frail, sickly air—yet his narrow, aloof eyes lent him a hint of wildness that made it hard to look directly at him.
He spoke.
"Speak."
"Master, Prince Qi is getting more and more outrageous. Today he actually wanted Shen Ruoxi to give up her position as consort to that brothel woman!"
Leng Ye furrowed his brow, an unconscious trace of anger coloring his tone.
Murong Heng's gaze grew even deeper and darker.
Leng Ye continued.
"But Shen Ruoxi didn't agree. Not only did she not agree, she didn't even make a scene—instead, she scolded Prince Qi and that Ning Lanxue. It really surprised me. Could it be that the water in her head has finally drained out?"
Murong Heng shot him a cold glance.
Leng Ye immediately covered his mouth, realizing he had misspoken.
But it was true though…
Shen Ruoxi seemed like a hopeless romantic fool, the kind beyond saving.
He had no idea what his master saw in her.
"Leave."
Murong Heng said indifferently.
Having followed him for many years, Leng Ye knew that his master was in a good mood right now.
Sigh.
Actually, come to think of it, wasn't his master just as much of a fool in love?
"Report for ten military lashes on your way out. Think before you speak next time."
Leng Ye: …
"Yes."
He retreated, looking wronged.
In the room, Murong Heng's slender, jade-like fingers gripped the book tightly, the coldness in his eyes deepening.
Then, the corner of his lips curled slightly.
Shen Ruoxi, what game are you playing?
"Miss, you were truly formidable today! I almost didn't recognize you!"
Taoye followed Shen Ruoxi back to the study, her face brimming with delight.
The mere thought of Ning Lanxue's crestfallen expression made her even happier.
"That Ning Lanxue—who does she think she is? All she does is play the fragile damsel and stir up trouble! But miss, since you were so firm today, I doubt Prince Qi will bring this up again!"
"You're overthinking it. That pair of dogs won't let this go so easily."
Shen Ruoxi raised her hand. "Taoye, bring me the brush and ink."
"Dogs… dogs?"
Taoye was utterly shocked.
Her mistress had actually cursed someone—and it was Prince Qi, the one she'd pined for all this time!
How shocking.
But somehow, it also felt oddly satisfying. What was that about?
Taoye brought the brush and ink, unable to resist asking, "Miss, what are you going to write?"
"You'll see in a moment."
Shen Ruoxi picked up the brush and began writing while Taoye ground the ink beside her.
After she finished, not long passed before a servant announced that Murong Yu had arrived.
He entered with unexpectedly gentle tones.
"Ruoxi, are you still upset about the house arrest I placed on you earlier? I admit I was somewhat biased in that matter. I promise I'll treat you well from now on. Don't be angry anymore, alright?"
Shen Ruoxi said nothing, quietly watching his clumsy performance.
It was the same in her past life—Murong Yu alternated between coercion and coaxing, a slap followed by a sweet date.
He had her completely under his thumb.
This time, not a single word from his dog mouth would she believe!