Chapter 10: The Harmless Princess of Beiyang vs. The Ruthless Prince of Beiyang Who Betrayed His Own Kin
Yang Liuyan’s gaze was filled with hatred as she looked at Wen Yurou. “Wen Yurou, I’m telling you, in the Crown Prince’s heart, there is simply no place for you. He only loves me now. Don’t waste your time with foolish daydreams!”
Upon hearing this, Wen Yurou slightly furrowed her brow, a hint of disdain flickering in her eyes as she replied calmly, “And so?”
“So…” Yang Liuyan hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, “You’d better return to your Northern Yang Manor and stop entangling him, or I won’t let you off!”
“Hmph.”
A wry smile curved Wen Yurou’s lips as she looked at Yang Liuyan. “What exactly does the Crown Princess intend by ‘not letting me off’?”
“…”
Yang Liuyan was momentarily stunned, not expecting such a question.
Seeing her frozen, Wen Yurou’s lips curled into a cold sneer. “Crown Princess, do you really believe the Crown Prince likes you? He only loves power. He married you as Crown Princess because your father is the Minister of War, nothing more.”
As Wen Yurou’s words fell, Yang Liuyan stood there dumbfounded, looking at her in disbelief. “What did you say?!”
“I said... the Crown Prince doesn’t love you at all!” Wen Yurou met her gaze and spoke each word deliberately.
“Shut up! The Crown Prince wouldn’t love someone like you. The one he loves is me!” Yang Liuyan shouted.
“Is that so?”
Wen Yurou smiled faintly, her gaze falling on the kiss mark on Yang Liuyan’s neck. “If it were truly love, why would he need to declare his claim in such a manner? Crown Princess, you really think the Crown Prince treasures you? He merely uses you as a stepping stone to climb higher. The one he truly holds dear is not me, but the supreme throne itself!”
“You’re lying!”
Wen Yurou’s words struck a raw nerve. Yang Liuyan glared fiercely, wishing she could tear her apart.
But Wen Yurou’s words echoed relentlessly in Yang Liuyan’s mind.
“…”
Yang Liuyan understood this deep down but refused to admit it. “Wretch, what do you mean by saying that? Are you trying to seduce the Crown Prince? You’re already married to the Northern Yang Prince, yet you want to rekindle something with the Crown Prince?”
Hearing this, Wen Yurou’s lips curled in a slight smirk. Such foolishness—it was no wonder that when Xiao Qiheng ascended the throne, the first thing he did was secretly execute her.
She sneered coldly, “Now that it’s come to this, think about it yourself.”
“Wretch!”
Yang Liuyan raised her hand to strike, but before it fell, Wen Yurou grabbed it. Looking at her, a mocking smile played at Wen Yurou’s mouth. “What’s wrong? The Crown Princess is losing her temper? Don’t you ever think—if it weren’t for your father, would you have been so gloriously married off as the Crown Princess?”
“…”
At those words, Yang Liuyan’s whole body stiffened, her eyes filled with disbelief.
---
Wen Yurou shook off her hand. “Crown Princess, I have other matters to attend to. You’d better think carefully.”
“Stop right there!” Yang Liuyan called after her.
Wen Yurou halted, turning to look at her with a trace of impatience in her eyes. “Does the Crown Princess have further instructions?”
Seeing her calm demeanor only fueled Yang Liuyan’s rage. “Is what you said true?!”
“Believe it or not, it’s up to you.”
Before she could say more, the wooden door was pushed open.
A familiar voice rang out, “What’s got you so angry?”
Xiao Qiheng entered, dressed in a white robe that lent him a scholarly grace, though his eyes carried a hint of murkiness.
He cast a glance of disdain toward Yang Liuyan.
Yang Liuyan hurriedly approached him, wearing a pleading expression. “Crown Prince, why have you come? I’m not angry, and she hasn’t bullied me.”
“Is that so?”
Xiao Qiheng’s gaze shifted to Wen Yurou.
Wen Yurou nodded slightly. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Northern Yang Princess, I have some matters to discuss with you.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Liuyan’s expression changed, and she quickly said, “Your Highness, what is it you wish to discuss? I can listen.”
“Get out!”
“But—”
Yang Liuyan was about to say more but was cut off by Xiao Qiheng. “Didn’t you hear me? Get out!”
“Yes, I will leave immediately!”
Yang Liuyan turned and exited the chamber quickly, her eyes blazing with anger as the door closed behind her.
Inside, Xiao Qiheng closed the window before sitting down nearby.
Wen Yurou looked at him, puzzled. “I wonder why the Crown Prince summoned me.”
“Yurou, I’ve heard about the spring hunt. I don’t blame you; after all, there were reasons behind it.”
Xiao Qiheng’s gaze lingered on Wen Yurou with a hint of admiration and infatuation.
Upon hearing this, Wen Yurou’s expression changed, her eyes filled with silent exasperation. This man was even better at acting than she was!
---
“Your Highness…”
“Yurou, I’m not holding grudges. As long as you don’t misunderstand me and Liuyan, my promise still stands.”
Xiao Qiheng looked at her with a trace of affection in his eyes.
Seeing his gaze, Wen Yurou felt a chill in her heart but maintained her composure. “Your Highness, he treated me well. We should let bygones be bygones. Now, I just want to live my life peacefully. I am not anyone’s pawn.”
At her words, Xiao Qiheng’s expression darkened, anger flashing in his eyes. “What did you say?!”
“I said, let’s not meet again.” Wen Yurou met his gaze, speaking each word clearly.
Not meet again?
Frowning deeply, Xiao Qiheng’s eyes blazed with rage. “Say that again!”
“Your Highness, there’s nothing between us anymore. Please don’t bother me again.”
With that, Wen Yurou turned and walked away.
“Stop!”
Xiao Qiheng’s voice rang out behind her.
Wen Yurou halted but did not look back. “Your Highness, is there something else?”
“Wen Yurou, what’s happened to you? You know better than anyone how I’ve treated you. Did Liuyan say something? That night was just an accident; she drugged me!”
There was panic in Xiao Qiheng’s voice.
Wen Yurou frowned slightly and turned to look at him. “Your Highness, it’s come to this. There’s no need for so many explanations.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Xiao Qiheng’s gaze fixed on her, filled with confusion and shock.
Wen Yurou met his eyes coldly. “I wish you harmony and happiness.”
Just as her hand reached for the door, Xiao Qiheng stood up and quickly came over, grabbing her wrist.
“What are you doing?” Wen Yurou frowned deeply.
“Yurou, please don’t leave me,” he said earnestly. “I know you’ve suffered. Rest assured, once I sit on the supreme throne, the first thing I’ll do is divorce Yang Liuyan so you can be my glorious empress!”
“What did you say?!” Wen Yurou’s eyes widened in disbelief.
This Xiao Qiheng truly was despicable!