Chapter 4: The Harmless Princess of Beiyang vs. the Ruthless Prince Who Betrayed His Kin

With a thud, Wen Yurou knelt on the ground, tears streaming endlessly from her eyes. She bit her lip and lowered her head, looking so pitiful that no man would bear to hurt her.

Yet, in the eyes of this prince, it was merely a tactic she used to make him lower his guard.

After all, her father had an unusual relationship with the crown prince, and she was no exception. Perhaps this arranged marriage was all part of their plan.

“The acting is impressive; he’s willing to invest heavily,” the prince murmured.

He? Was he referring to the crown prince?

They were enemies, and she, in her position, was treading dangerously close to the target.

Wen Yurou remained kneeling but looked up only to meet a pair of furious eyes. Afraid, she quickly bowed her head again, trembling as she spoke in a wronged tone, “I... I don’t understand Your Highness’s meaning.”

“Guards, take the lady to the side courtyard and keep a close watch on her.” Xiao Zexuan withdrew his gaze coldly, turned, and prepared to leave.

“Your Highness, our marriage was decreed by the imperial order. On our wedding night, what place do you leave me in by doing this?” Wen Yurou suddenly lifted her head, her eyes reddened and brimming with tears. “Having married into the prince’s residence, I am yours...”

“I have no other intention but to serve Your Highness well!” she pleaded.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zexuan stopped, slowly turned around, and looked down at the woman kneeling submissively before him, a sarcastic curve appearing on his lips.

He looked down at Wen Yurou from above and said coldly, “Do you think I’m a fool?”

He was least fooled by such beauty traps.

Wen Yurou was stunned. She had said so much—what was wrong with him?

She looked at Xiao Zexuan and said, “Your Highness... I only wish to live well...”

Xiao Zexuan narrowed his deep black eyes, suddenly crouched down, and reached out to lift her chin. His handsome face drew closer, exuding an intense intimacy.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to kill you—yet...”

Suddenly, Wen Yurou grabbed his sleeve, interrupting him. “I only beg Your Highness not to misunderstand me... After my mother passed away, my father remarried, and the Wen household no longer has a place for me... I will not become one of them. Please believe me...”

After speaking, she bit her thin lips lightly, revealing a trace of embarrassment. “Your Highness, please let me stay here tonight, just tonight...”

As she spoke, tears slipped down her cheeks like pear blossoms in the rain, so pitiful that anyone would feel reluctant to harm her, especially the man before her in the prime of life.

A strange look flickered in Xiao Zexuan’s eyes before he regained his composure, a mocking smile curling on his lips. “Very well...”

Upon hearing this, Wen Yurou immediately bowed her head, her face radiant with joy. “Thank you, Your Highness, thank you...”

“You may stay, but how do you intend to repay me?” Xiao Zexuan suddenly sneered, eyes full of ridicule.

“I... I am willing to repay Your Highness with my whole life!” Wen Yurou blurted out without hesitation.

“Oh?”

Wen Yurou looked up, her gaze resolute.

A faint smile played on Xiao Zexuan’s lips. “Heh... I shall wait and see.”

He was curious to find out what trick Wen Yurou was hiding.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

[Affection level unchanged: -50%]

...

The next morning, Wen Yurou was awakened by a knock on the door. Xiao Zexuan was nowhere to be seen beside her. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she sat up.

“Your Highness, the prince has official duties today, so I was sent to assist you with your morning routine. The prince instructed me that if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. I will make sure to take care of it for you.”

Official duties?

It must be related to the spring hunting expedition two days from now. Crown Prince Xiao Qiheng had mentioned meeting in a few days. It seemed something significant was about to happen.

Wen Yurou gathered her thoughts. “Yes, please come in.”

She sat upright before the dressing table and stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror, frowning slightly.

The original owner had delicate and beautiful features. Though her complexion was somewhat pale, it could not conceal the elegance of a noble lady. Every movement she made exuded grace and composure.

Only her eyes seemed vacant, as if devoid of a soul; otherwise, her appearance would be enough to captivate anyone.

“Your Highness, may I style your hair into a simple yet elegant bun?” the maid Chunmei asked.

Wen Yurou smiled softly. “Yes.”

Just as her hair was being arranged, a breeze fluttered through the open window, and the cuckoo’s call echoed.

Wen Yurou raised her brow slightly— the crown prince had arrived.

“Where is breakfast?”

“I shall prepare it immediately.”

As maid Chunmei closed the door, a shadow swiftly slipped inside. Wen Yurou knit her brows.

The man had sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, a delicate face bearing a faint smile. His peach blossom eyes shimmered with a captivating light.

“I pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince,” Wen Yurou rose and bowed.

Xiao Qiheng shrugged with a smile, showing his white teeth. “Yurou, do you miss me?”

“Miss you...” Wen Yurou’s tone was utterly indifferent.

Xiao Qiheng’s brow furrowed slightly. “Yurou, on the day of the spring hunting, Xiao Zexuan will die. Could you endure him for a few more days for my sake?”

“What do you need me to do?”

Just seeing him made Wen Yurou feel nauseous. If it weren’t for needing information from him, she wouldn’t spend a second near this man!

Hearing her, Xiao Qiheng paused, sensing something odd about her, but still said, “My plan only requires you to lure him up the mountain. I will handle the rest.”

A plan?

Wen Yurou’s brow lifted slightly. The 027 side hadn’t mentioned this to her, but since the original story’s protagonist didn’t live this long, it was understandable that this was unknown.

It seemed she needed to be cautious on the day of the spring hunting.

“Very well.”

Seeing her cold tone, Xiao Qiheng couldn’t help but say, “Rest assured, everything was instigated by Xiao Zexuan to have you assassinate me. You are innocent.”

Unaware he had let something slip, he stepped closer to Wen Yurou and took her small hand. “We will be reunited soon.”

His voice was gentle, as if speaking of sweet things, but Wen Yurou felt nothing but revulsion.

A man’s promises only hold when you are useful to him. Once you lose your value, then—

“Yurou, what’s wrong?” Xiao Qiheng noticed her stiffness and frowned.

Wen Yurou suppressed her disgust, forcing a slight smile. “Nothing...”

“Don’t worry, it’s just a misunderstanding.” Xiao Qiheng stroked her cheek. “Yurou, don’t be afraid. I will protect you.”

“I understand...” Wen Yurou withdrew her hand, subtly avoiding his touch, lowering her head and closing her eyes.

Seeing this, displeasure flashed swiftly in Xiao Qiheng’s eyes, but he said no more. “Good. At the spring banquet, I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Outside the room, maid Chunmei had overheard their entire conversation and turned toward the study...