The Crown Prince’s guards immediately rushed forward and seized Yun Qingqing by the arms.
She shouted angrily:
“Don’t go too far! Our marriage contract is already void—what more do you want!”
Xiao Zirui sneered mockingly:
“For the past six months, you’ve clung to me in every possible way, all just to become the Crown Princess. Just now, you even threatened to kill yourself, and now you suddenly say such things—who do you think you can fool!”
Yun Qingqing paused, her expression turning grave.
The original host had once refused to believe that Xiao Zirui would change his heart, thinking he might have some hidden reason. But his actions over the past six months had exhausted all her affection for him, leaving only resentment and unwillingness.
She had blocked his path today only to confirm his feelings one last time, yet she was still met with his humiliation. The original host had already lost all hope in him.
At that moment, she had been about to take out the marriage contract and publicly throw it into the river, declaring that she would have nothing more to do with him. But before she could act, something struck the back of her head, and she fell into the water and died.
The original host had not thrown herself into the river at all—she had been murdered!
“What, feeling guilty?”
Seeing her frowning in silence, Xiao Zirui thought he had hit a nerve and said disdainfully:
“Once I finalize the marriage contract with Rou’er, I’ll settle every last bit of our old accounts with you!”
What old accounts?
Yun Qingqing furrowed her brows.
But before she could speak, Xiao Zirui had already impatiently turned his horse and raised his hand to give the order:
“Take her away!”
Yun Qingqing was furious and shouted at his retreating figure:
“Xiao Zirui, stop being so narcissistic! Who would want a man like you—one who repays kindness with betrayal and abandons those he once loved? I’d rather marry a dog than have even the slightest thought of you again!”
Xiao Zirui paused, then turned back with a look of disgust and glared at her:
“Such provocations won’t have the slightest effect on me. As for you, you’d better remember your words now—don’t turn around and cling to me again, using despicable tricks to force me to marry you!”
Yun Qingqing was speechless. Who was the one clinging here? This man’s brain was definitely faulty!
She came from a Metaphysical Family and had shown extraordinary talent since childhood, especially with her Spirit Pupils, which allowed her to see the Qi Fortune on people.
Xiao Zirui was surrounded by swirling Black Misfortune Qi—a sign of someone who had committed many evils and was nearing death. Getting close to such a person would lead to no good end, as the original host was the most tragic example.
Yun Qingqing wasn’t afraid of this Black Misfortune Qi, but the two of them were entangled by a Karmic Thread. She was worried that if heaven struck him down, she might be implicated as well.
She had to find a way to cut all ties with him completely!
Just then, a carriage approached from the distance. It was exceptionally luxurious and of the highest specifications. Yun Qingqing stared intently at the carriage for a moment, and her eyes suddenly lit up.
The carriage was enveloped in thick Purple Qi, indicating that the person inside was not only of noble status but also bore the weight of the National Fortune!
However, within that Purple Qi was entwined an ominous Black Light, exuding a heavy Yin Evil Aura. It was clear that the person inside had been plagued by Calamity for a long time.
She secretly performed a divination by finger calculation and immediately understood the situation, revealing a determined smile.
It had to be him!
Yun Qingqing abruptly broke free from the guards’ restraint and ran toward the center of the road, directly into the middle of the official path the carriage had to take.
Xiao Zirui was enraged and was about to reprimand the guards to recapture her when he saw Yun Qingqing shout loudly toward the carriage:
“Yun Qingqing of the Zhenyuan Marquis Estate requests an audience with His Highness the Regent King!”
His words jolted him with sudden alarm, and only then did he realize that the carriage was indeed the exclusive vehicle of the Regent King.
He angrily exclaimed:
“Yun Qingqing, your audacity grows by the day! You dare to obstruct even the carriage of the Imperial Uncle? Step aside at once!”
Yun Qingqing cast him a disdainful glance:
“What business is it of yours if I wish to speak with the Regent King? Who do you think you are to me?”
“You!” Xiao Zirui was left speechless, pointing at her but unable to form a retort.
Yun Qingqing ignored him, turning instead to continue calling out:
“This humble maiden has urgent matters to discuss and hopes for an audience with the Regent King!”
The carriage halted several yards in front of her.
After a moment, a magnetic voice emanated from within—authoritative yet indifferent, tinged with a weary rasp.
“Drive her away.”
Yun Qingqing raised an eyebrow. Rumors said that Regent King Xiao Changheng was a man of both literary and martial prowess, but after being severely injured in an assassination attempt years ago, he lost the use of his legs and his sight, gradually becoming an eccentric and unapproachable figure of dread. It seemed the rumors were true.
But if he thought he could drive her away so easily, he was sorely mistaken.
Ignoring the guards who advanced menacingly toward her, she spoke clearly and crisply:
“The first day, the fifteenth day, the hour of you!”
To bystanders, her words were utterly baffling, but the Regent King’s trusted aide beside the carriage paled dramatically, abruptly raising a hand to halt the guards and cautiously glancing toward the carriage curtain. “Your Highness…”
Just then, Xiao Zirui also arrived with his entourage, dismounting and respectfully offering a standard bow toward the carriage:
“Imperial Uncle, please calm your anger. This woman, in her desperation to force me into marriage, has resorted to disturbing you. I will take her away for questioning at once!”
Yun Qingqing turned her head and mocked him mercilessly:
“Can the esteemed Crown Prince not even comprehend human speech? Then let me repeat myself: I have no interest in you whatsoever. I suggest Your Highness hurry and marry that Su… whatever her name is, and stop pestering this young lady!”
Xiao Zirui’s face flushed with rage:
“Imperial Uncle, do not listen to her nonsense! This woman just threatened to kill herself to force me into marriage. She must be plotting some new scheme!”
Yun Qingqing rolled her eyes, unwilling to waste more words on him. Crossing her arms, she raised her voice toward the carriage:
“Your Highness the Regent King, could you please give a clear answer—will you see me or not? My time is precious too. If you refuse, I shall seek an audience elsewhere!”
“Outrageous!” Xiao Zirui roared. “You must be mad to speak to the Imperial Uncle with such disrespect!”
Yun Qingqing scoffed:
“If there is any offense to be judged, it is the Regent King’s affair. What need is there for you to overstep your authority?”
“Wait, that’s not right. Shouldn’t you be rushing to the Prime Minister’s residence to propose marriage? Why are you hovering around me instead? Could it be that you still harbor feelings for this young lady?”
Yun Qingqing feigned sudden realization, blinking at him with a radiant smile:
“But this young lady finds you utterly tiresome now. I advise you not to indulge in such fantasies!”
“You!” Xiao Zirui nearly lunged forward to tear her mouth shut!
This damned woman was acting completely abnormal today, and her tongue had grown so sharp—it was downright uncanny!
At that moment, a faint voice came from within the carriage:
“Nanzheng, allow her inside to speak.”
Yun Qingqing revealed a satisfied smile. She had known that the man inside the carriage would not remain indifferent upon hearing those words.
Xiao Zirui was stunned, blurting out:
“Imperial Uncle, this woman—”
His words were cut short by a cold interjection:
“Must the Crown Prince now question even how this prince conducts his affairs?”
Xiao Zirui’s heart tightened. He immediately lowered his head, saying “I wouldn’t dare,” and stepped aside.
He did not leave right away but instead fixed his gaze on the carriage, intently watching for any movement inside, wary that the ugly woman might resort to some trick to stop him from marrying Rou’er.
Inside the carriage.
Yun Qingqing looked directly at the Regent King, who stood above all but one, and felt as if the light inside the carriage had brightened slightly.
It was said that Crown Prince Xiao Zirui was the most handsome and dashing man in the Liang Kingdom, but compared to the man before her, he seemed rather plain.
Xiao Changheng’s face seemed as though it had been favored by heaven and carved by the Creator himself—his eyes deep and three-dimensional, his nose bridge straight and elegant, his lips perfectly shaped, neither too full nor too thin, with the corners slightly upturned, carrying an air of casual yet sharp grace.
Even the way he lazily propped his chin with one hand was elegant to the bone.
It was a pity that the light in his pitch-black pupils was scattered, unfocused. Observing him so closely, Yun Qingqing confirmed that he was truly blind.
“Have you seen enough?” the man’s faint voice sounded.
“Ahem…” Yun Qingqing awkwardly averted her gaze, inwardly grumbling that even though this man was blind, why was he so perceptive? Could he be deliberately testing her?
“Come sit here.” Xiao Changheng’s tone brooked no refusal.
Yun Qingqing paused for a moment before reacting. Without any pretense, she stood up and sat beside him, the two of them side by side.
Only at such close proximity could they ensure their conversation would not be overheard by those outside.
“Do you know that, based on those six words alone, I could make you vanish without a trace?” Xiao Changheng suddenly leaned closer, his lowered voice tinged with a hint of killing intent.
Yun Qingqing smiled fearlessly and replied softly:
“Since my life is still intact, does that mean Your Highness is interested in making a deal with me?”
Xiao Changheng raised an eyebrow briefly, let out a low chuckle, and the killing intent around him faded as his voice returned to normal.
Yet his tone still carried a trace of skepticism:
“Why should I believe you?”
Yun Qingqing smiled calmly:
“Of course, words alone are not enough—seeing is believing. Your Highness, pardon my offense.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she moved as fast as lightning, pressing the Blood Talisman she had secretly drawn on her palm onto his forehead.
Xiao Changheng never expected anyone would dare to strike in front of him. His aura turned icy in an instant.
He abruptly reached out and accurately seized Yun Qingqing by the neck!