Fang Hui grew even angrier.
"You actually have such thoughts? Yu'er, you are being foolish!"
"What is Ning Lanxue? How could she possibly become the Princess of Qi? Even if Shen Ruoxi is not the best, she is still the legitimate Di Daughter of the General's Mansion. Ning Lanxue isn't even fit to hold her shoes!"
Murong Yu's expression turned grim.
"Mother, you are being too harsh. I was never favored by Father Emperor and was always disheartened. It was Lan Xue who stayed by my side, comforting and guiding me. Without her, I fear I would have long been lost and amounted to nothing."
"Besides…"
Murong Yu paused for a moment: "Mother, you also came from humble beginnings, yet you have risen to your current position. Why can't Lan Xue do the same?"
Fang Hui's face showed a hint of discomfort.
She had once been the maidservant who washed Emperor Renjing's feet.
One time, when Emperor Renjing was heavily drunk, she had boldly climbed into his bed.
When Emperor Renjing woke up, he was furious and wanted to have her executed. It was the late Empress Su Wan'er who interceded on her behalf, sparing her life, and had her brought into the harem with the title of a low-ranking concubine.
After enduring for twenty years, she finally reached the rank of consort.
But because of the disgraceful means by which she had risen, Emperor Renjing had never treated her well, and Murong Yu had suffered from the lack of favor as well.
Fang Hui said.
"That was because your mother was blessed by fortune to attain this wealth and honor. Does Ning Lanxue have such good fortune?"
Her tone shifted, and she lowered her voice.
"Yu'er, the most important thing for you now is to win your father's regard and prepare for your path in the Imperial Succession Struggle. Think about it—once you inherit the throne, who would dare say anything if you want Ning Lanxue in the harem?"
Murong Yu's eyes lit up.
Then they dimmed again.
"But Father Emperor has already relieved me of the mission to relieve the disaster in Jinan and assigned it to Prince Ling instead."
"What?!"
Fang Hui's face turned pale, then she gnashed her teeth in fury.
"That short-lived Murong Heng—when Su Wan'er was in difficult labor back then, why didn't she take him with her? A double death would have been perfect, and we'd all have some peace!"
Murong Yu said in a low voice.
"Mother, please watch your words."
Fang Hui composed her expression: "Murong Heng is short-lived anyway, and he is impotent and will never have heirs. No matter how great his talents, he cannot inherit the throne. Of the remaining two princes, Prince Duan, Murong Xiu, does not attend to serious matters, and Prince Rui, Murong Yao, is naive and without cunning."
"Yu'er, among all of them, only you possess both virtue and talent, courage and strategy. You are the most suitable candidate for heir apparent. Listen to your mother—don't let a woman hold you back. As for that Ning Lanxue, tell her to keep a low profile for now."
"Yes, Mother."
Seeing Murong Yu agree, Fang Hui finally felt at ease. She then reminded him to hold onto Shen Ruoxi tightly. Though Shen Ruoxi herself was unimportant, the General's Mansion behind her was.
A flicker of complexity passed through Murong Yu's eyes.
"Mother, actually… Ruoxi asked for a divorce from me yesterday."
"What madness has gotten into her lately?"
Fang Hui's expression turned impatient.
She rubbed her brow.
"She's probably just trying to throw a little tantrum to get your attention. Just say a few nice words to her over the next few days. What a nuisance."
Fang Hui was dismissive.
She had long seen through Shen Ruoxi—so deeply in love with her son that she had lost all sense.
Divorce?
Impossible.
…
The sunlight was warm, casting a brilliant glow upon the resplendent glazed tiles of the palace.
Shen Ruoxi, accompanied by Taoye, walked out of Yiyue Hall.
As the two reached a corridor, a young maidservant suddenly appeared beside them. She was dressed neatly and sharply, not in the usual palace maid's attire.
"Miss Shen, my master requests your presence."
Shen Ruoxi asked, puzzled, "And who is your master?"
"You'll know once you follow me."
Shen Ruoxi studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well, lead the way."
Taoye moved to follow as well, but the maidservant blocked her path.
"My master said to see Miss Shen alone."
Taoye was uneasy.
"How can that be? I must stay with my young lady!"
"Taoye, it's fine. Wait for me here."
Shen Ruoxi gave her a reassuring look, then followed the maidservant around the winding corridor to a pavilion.
"Please go in. My master is waiting for you inside."
Shen Ruoxi nodded, pushed open the door, and stepped in.
Inside the pavilion were various porcelain pieces and scrolls of writing, all appearing quite valuable. A faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, lending the space an air of refined tranquility.
In the center of the room, Murong Heng sat languidly in a chair, idly toying with a jade flute. Seeing Shen Ruoxi, he looked up. On his strikingly handsome face, his eyes held a faint trace of aloofness.
"So you actually came. You're quite bold."
"I knew it was you."
"Oh?"
"I guessed."
Shen Ruoxi's lips curved upward in a smile tinged with a hint of smugness. She wore a peach-pink dress today, and with that smile, she was even more radiant than the peach blossoms of March.
Murong Heng's heart stirred.
"Come here."
Shen Ruoxi stepped forward, slowly drawing closer to him. Just as she approached, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled.
Shen Ruoxi lurched forward. When she regained her senses, she was already seated in Murong Heng's lap. The man carried a faint scent of medicinal herbs, along with his unique cold, sharp aura.
Murong Heng pressed his forehead against hers.
"Tell me, how did you guess correctly?"
Shen Ruoxi's gaze was clear and bright.
"That maidservant should have called me 'Princess Qi,' but instead she addressed me as 'Miss Shen.' That's when I guessed she must be one of your people."
She said slowly.
"You probably don't like others calling me 'Princess Qi,' do you? Even you yourself have never once addressed me as sister-in-law."
Because there was love in his heart, he couldn't accept the fact that she had married another.
In her previous life, Shen Ruoxi had also noticed his different way of addressing her. But she had assumed it was simply because Murong Heng was accustomed to doing as he pleased, and hadn't thought much of it.
Only in this life did she realize that his love for her had left traces all along.
"I truly don't like addressing you that way."
Murong Heng tilted her chin up. Those faint, light eyes turned wicked and deep.
"But it depends on the situation."
He suddenly leaned down, his slightly cool lips pressing against her neck. Like a lazy cat, his soft breaths fell upon her fair skin, carrying a tingling sensation.
Shen Ruoxi unconsciously grabbed hold of his python robe, feeling somewhat nervous. The man's palm traced her slender waist.
"Sister-in-law, Princess Qi."
Shen Ruoxi stiffened.
"Didn't you say you don't like calling me that?"
"But at this moment, don't you think it's rather thrilling?"
Shen Ruoxi said nothing.
So this fellow had a hidden perverse streak buried deep in his bones.
She thought for a moment, then spoke.
"I've actually been wanting to ask you something. As Princess Qi, throwing myself into your arms like this… doesn't Prince Ling feel that I'm an unchaste woman deserving of contempt?"
Murong Heng chuckled softly.
"People always think a woman should remain faithful to one man for life, even after her husband dies, she should live as a widow until the end of her days to be considered a chaste and virtuous woman. Yet men can have three wives and four concubines, with endless romantic affairs. It's truly ironic.
Now, Prince Qi wronged you first—favouring an outside mistress while neglecting his Principal Consort. You're merely giving him a taste of his own medicine. That's only fair."
Shen Ruoxi was somewhat surprised.
Murong Heng's words were rather unconventional and startling.
But she actually found them somewhat reasonable.
Shen Ruoxi steadied herself and said,
"I have something for you."
She then pulled out a sachet from her bosom and placed it in his palm.
It was a purple sachet, embroidered with a peony in golden thread.
"The last time I saw you at the teahouse, I sensed your pulse was weak and floating. You probably suffer from frequent insomnia. Inside this sachet are some herbs I blended myself—they have a calming effect and aid sleep."
Murong Heng's gaze gradually deepened.
"Given the situation last time, you still had time to examine my health. It seems I wasn't trying hard enough."
Shen Ruoxi gave a slight cough.
"Well… Prince Ling already tried very hard, exceeding my expectations."
For a frail man like him who couldn't perform, it was indeed quite impressive.
Though they hadn't gone all the way, he'd still stirred her to the brink of losing her composure.
If he truly had the ability to consummate, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Murong Heng had no idea what was running through her mind.
He simply took it as her compliment.
He looked at the sachet in his hand.
"Embroidered with a peony—does it carry some special meaning?"
"Nothing in particular. I just thought peonies are noble and grand, with a beauty that befits a kingdom—very fitting for Your Highness."
Shen Ruoxi looked at the enchanting, bewitching face before her and spoke with sincerity.
The smile at the corners of Murong Heng's lips deepened.
He lowered his head and pecked her lips.
"Such sweet words."
Shen Ruoxi's heart skipped a beat.
This bewitching man.