Chapter 9: The Harmless Princess of Beiyang vs. the Ruthless King of Beiyang Who Betrays His Own Kin

Xiao Zexuan walked to the side and sat down, looking at Wen Yurou. "I do not care for those who beat around the bush."

Hearing this, Chunmei turned and hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Wen Yurou observed Xiao Zexuan, her eyes filled with a trace of scrutiny. This was the first time she had spoken to him in such a formal manner. This man was dangerous.

Wen Yurou’s eyes flickered. "Your Highness, what is it you wish to say?"

Xiao Zexuan sat in the chair, his gaze fixed upon her. After a long silence, he said indifferently, "Act in a play with me to prove yourself."

Wen Yurou froze, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean?"

Seeing her confusion, Xiao Zexuan narrowed his eyes slightly. "You will know when the time comes."

Wen Yurou frowned, staring at him in silence for a long while before finally speaking. "Very well, I agree."

Xiao Zexuan kept his eyes on her, saying nothing.

Wen Yurou met his gaze without a hint of timidity. "Your Highness, I have said before that I am yours, and I always will be."

"Is that so?" Xiao Zexuan lowered his eyes, lost in thought. He rose from his chair, took a sip of tea from the cup on the table, and continued, "The Crown Prince has invited you to a gathering at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Be prepared."

Wen Yurou was taken aback. She looked up at him, shock evident in her eyes. "The Crown Prince?" Why would he suddenly seek her out? Was it because of the spring hunt? But half a month had already passed; an invitation now certainly smelled of ulterior motives.

"Wen Yurou, do not forget what you have said," Xiao Zexuan said, his voice cold.

"I understand," Wen Yurou replied, collecting her thoughts. "Your Highness, what would you have me do?"

***

After Xiao Zexuan left, Chunmei entered and set out breakfast. "Your Highness, please eat."

Wen Yurou nodded and sat down. As she ate some porridge, Chunmei couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, what are your plans?"

"Plans?"

"Regarding the spring hunt..." Chunmei trailed off. In the ten-plus days she had spent with her mistress, she had found her to be kind, not the vicious person the rumors portrayed, but rather a pitiable soul. When bathing her a few days ago, she had discovered bruises all over her body. Upon asking, she learned that at the Wen residence, although her mistress appeared to be the pampered legitimate daughter, she was secretly bullied by the maidservants due to the groundless lies spread by her cousin. It was no wonder she was so timid; she had endured so much injustice.

Hearing Chunmei mention that event, Wen Yurou’s hand, holding the spoon, paused. "Do not worry, I have my own plans."

***

Inside the most luxurious private room on the second floor of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, a woman dressed in blue sat at the head of the table. She was slender with delicate features, her every expression exuding an air of nobility. Her gaze fell upon the maid beside her, a trace of irritation in her eyes.

"Where is she? Why hasn't she arrived yet?"

Hearing this, the maid quickly stepped forward. "Reporting to the Crown Princess, I have handled everything as you instructed. Perhaps she was delayed by something. Shall I go and inquire?"

"Well? Go!"

As the maid hurried off, Yang Liuyan’s lips curled into a smile, though it was a strange, chilling expression.

***

At the entrance of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, a carriage came to a stop. Chunmei hopped down and lifted the curtain, allowing Wen Yurou to emerge. She wore a simple white dress, her hair pulled back and secured with a single white jade hairpin. Her face was bare, clean and translucent.

Wen Yurou looked at the bustling entrance of the pavilion. Chunmei asked, "Your Highness, are you not dressed too plainly to meet the Crown Prince?"

"Not at all."

"But didn't the Prince tell you..."

Wen Yurou scanned the surroundings. "When the Prince arrives, tell him that it is likely not the Crown Prince meeting me, and that he should play his part well!"

Minutes earlier, her system, 027, had informed her who she was actually meeting—another tragic woman obsessed with the Crown Prince. Since her mission was to help Xiao Zexuan exact his revenge and survive until the end, she would start by tearing apart the mask of the man he was sleeping beside.

Chunmei was stunned, and by the time she recovered, Wen Yurou had already entered the pavilion. She walked to the second-floor room and pushed the door open, seeing the Crown Princess, Yang Liuyan, sitting at the head of the table.

***

"Greetings, Crown Princess," Wen Yurou said with a formal bow.

Yang Liuyan’s gaze swept over her plain attire, a flicker of sarcasm in her eyes. "What is the meaning of this, Princess of Beiyang? I invited you for a small gathering, and you dress like this. Do you truly think it was the Crown Prince who invited you?"

"My apologies, Crown Princess. I meant no offense." Wen Yurou’s expression remained calm, without a ripple.

Seeing her indifference, Yang Liuyan grew even more annoyed. "You are already the Princess of Beiyang, yet you are still so ignorant. Dressing like this—were you hoping to seduce the Crown Prince?!"

Wen Yurou frowned; she realized now that this woman was looking for trouble. She maintained her bow, looked up, and met Yang Liuyan’s eyes. "May I ask, Crown Princess, what you require of me?"

"Require?" Yang Liuyan sneered, rising and walking toward Wen Yurou. She looked down at her, intentionally loosening her collar to reveal a patch of reddish, suggestive love bites.

"You..." Wen Yurou’s gaze flickered over the marks on her neck, her brows knitting together. "What is the meaning of this, Crown Princess?"

"The Crown Prince and I have already consummated our vows. He is mine, and he will be mine for a lifetime!" Yang Liuyan’s eyes were filled with triumph.

Wen Yurou watched her smile, her frown deepening. This woman must be insane. She took a deep breath and said coldly, "Crown Princess, did you bring me here just to show me this? Or to tell me how much you love him?"

"You...!"

Seeing her so composed, Yang Liuyan’s face changed. She raised her hand to strike, but Wen Yurou caught her wrist mid-air.

"Let go!" Yang Liuyan’s eyes burned with rage.

Wen Yurou looked at her, her eyes icy. "Crown Princess, let us speak properly. Resorting to violence at every turn—is this the breeding of a Crown Princess?"

"How dare you insult me?!"

Wen Yurou released her hand, a cold smile playing on her lips. "And why should I not?"

Wen Yurou had always been timid; Yang Liuyan was stunned by this sudden display of defiance, a wave of fury surging in her chest.