Chapter 18: The Innocent Crown Prince

Fu Jinxie’s expression stiffened slightly, as if a light feather had brushed against her heart, leaving behind a subtle, inexplicable itch.

She flicked her fingertips and said, "Bizhu, stop talking nonsense."

Bizhu shook her head, looking quite earnest. "My Lady, what this servant says is not without basis."

"His Highness the Crown Prince has always been indifferent and cold-hearted, yet he stood up for you in front of everyone. That alone is enough to prove that you hold a place in his heart."

Her expression turned somewhat sweet. "Do you remember the rumors that spread through Chang'an after the Spring Flower Banquet regarding Song Junyao and Jiang Manxue? I dare guess that it was the Crown Prince working in the shadows to help you. My Lady, you are blessed with such exquisite beauty; it is not impossible that His Highness covets your appearance and contemplates a tender entanglement with you."

It was both lamentable and astonishing—the Crown Prince’s love was silent yet profound; it was truly intoxicating.

Seeing Bizhu becoming increasingly outrageous, Fu Jinxie tapped her on the forehead. "Bizhu, it is fine to say such things within Ningcui Garden, but do not let them spread, lest you tarnish His Highness's reputation."

"It is impossible for His Highness to have feelings for me."

In her previous life, the Crown Prince had never taken a concubine, nor even a bedfellow, until the day he died. It was clear he was diligent in his duties and uninterested in women.

Furthermore, having been controlled by the plot before, she had chased after Song Junyao regardless of dignity, causing many laughable scenes. How could His Highness ever like such a "hopeless" version of her?

Bizhu wanted to argue, but Fu Jinxie waved her hand, having caught the desolation in her mistress's eyes.

She knew her lady must have been deeply hurt by Song Junyao and no longer had any heart for love.

If only her guess were true. The Crown Prince was as bright and clear as the moon, a man of noble character; he was a thousand times better than that heartless scoundrel Song Junyao.

She believed that His Highness could certainly heal the scars in her lady's heart and cherish her beyond measure.

Meanwhile.

Yingxing Pavilion.

Shang Xunhuan’s peach-blossom eyes were filled with rippling amusement as he gazed at the elegant, jade-like Xiao Xuanyin, nodding with satisfaction.

The boy was teachable.

His Highness’s tactics were nothing short of brilliant. At the moment when Lady Fu was isolated and helpless, His Highness had appeared like a stern, imposing god descended from the heavens, casting aside all objections to forcefully and protectively shelter her.

Add to that His Highness’s appearance—as refreshing as a willow in the spring moon—and his exterior of cold abstinence masking a burning, frantic interior; who in this world could resist falling for him?

At this moment, ripples must surely be forming in Lady Fu’s heart.

He felt quite proud; it was entirely the credit of his cherished collection of romantic novels. His Highness had applied them well—splendid, truly splendid.

"Your Highness, what are your next plans?" Shang Xunhuan asked.

Xiao Xuanyin’s brow bone was deep and heavy. He looked at Shang Xunhuan but remained silent.

Look at that—to capture Lady Fu’s heart, His Highness still had to rely on a "veteran of the romantic field" who had read three thousand novels. Shang Xunhuan coughed lightly and spoke with great eloquence.

"Your Highness, you have now left a perfect impression in Lady Fu’s heart. You must strike while the iron is hot and further cultivate your feelings."

"If you two could be alone in a confined space, that would be marvelous. A lone man and a lone woman, like dry wood meeting a raging fire—it is the perfect place for affection to sprout."

Their breathing would be rustling, interlacing in a daze. Gazing into each other’s eyes, reflecting each other’s depths...

His Highness could hold back no longer, his well-defined hands gathering Lady Fu’s waist, kissing her with unrestrainable passion.

With the earth as their bed and the sky as their quilt, she would cling to his sturdy, powerful frame, her jade arms hooked around his neck, merging closely, indulging in a wanton fall.

Ah, it was truly both shy-making and incredibly thrilling.

Xiao Xuanyin’s eyes were clouded with deep, intense shadows, his heart trembling as if something were about to burst forth.

He rolled his throat and gave a faint, "Mn."

"Mn?" His Highness actually said "Mn!" That was just a random, terrible idea he had thrown out.

When did His Highness become so corrupted?

Shang Xunhuan suddenly remembered that he had inadvertently presented His Highness with an erotic book of spring palace paintings that day.

It must be that His Highness, this red-blooded, long-time virgin, had read it and, thinking of Lady Fu’s peerless beauty, had felt his blood boil with desire, longing to possess her.

Thus, His Highness had become impatient.

His gaze fell meaningfully on Xiao Xuanyin’s robes, and he chuckled twice. "Then this subordinate shall take his leave."

Having spoken, he turned to depart, thoughtfully closing the door.

Only Xiao Xuanyin remained.

He slowly closed his eyes, his brows a pure, aloof black.

In his mind, scenes of today that left him extremely satisfied surfaced repeatedly.

A-He looking at him from afar, her smile sweet.

After the banquet, A-He’s skirt swaying in the wind as she ran toward him, breathless when she reached him, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

The faint fragrance drifting from A-He’s hair, the soft and pleasant sound of her voice, her graceful and slender figure...

Everything was beautiful; every detail could stir his desires.

*Drip, drip.*

A drop of thick red blood slid from his straight nose bridge. Xiao Xuanyin opened his eyes and wiped it away with his well-defined knuckles.

His jade-like face remained as bright as snow, noble and inviolable. Yet his eyes were filled with deep, heavy desire, and his entire being radiated a potent, masculine intensity.

With a cold, indifferent expression, he lowered his head to straighten his collar and walked toward the inner chamber.

...

Night fell.

The moonlight was bright, spreading silver light across the earth. The endless mansions of Chang'an were covered as if by frost, and bright lamplight shone through the wooden windows.

The Grand Princess’s Mansion.

"A-Xue." Shen Minglan looked with heartache at Jiang Manxue’s haggard face. A-Xue was usually radiant; she had never been this weak before.

It was all because of that bitch, Fu Jinxie!

Her heart was filled with venomous hatred. Since Fu Jinxie had escaped this time, she would ensure she was left with no place to be buried the next!

"Cough, cough..." Jiang Manxue coughed lowly and slowly regained consciousness.

She looked somewhat dazed. "Where is this?"

Shen Minglan was so moved that tears fell. She gripped Jiang Manxue’s hand tightly. "A-Xue, it is so good that you are awake."

"This is the Grand Princess’s Mansion. Because you stabbed your heart with a hairpin and the injury was severe, and given the mansion physician’s superb skills, I requested my mother to let you recover here."

Terrible memories flooded her mind instantly, and her expression turned extremely ugly.

Fu Jinxie had won a total victory, smiling at her with such arrogance, turning her prized intellect and strategy into a giant joke.

How could she not hate her? How could she be reconciled?

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Grand Princess looking down at her. She hurriedly retracted the hatred in her eyes and said softly and weakly, "This daughter thanks the Grand Princess for her grace."

The Grand Princess’s gaze was dark and inscrutable. "It is a good thing that Miss Jiang has awakened."

"A-Lan, you have guarded Miss Jiang for so long; you should go back and rest. I have words for Miss Jiang."

Shen Minglan was puzzled by the Grand Princess’s attitude, but she had never defied her mother’s words, so she could only say, "Yes, Mother."

She turned and left.

The Grand Princess watched Shen Minglan leave, then turned, her gaze heavy with authority as she stared at Jiang Manxue. "I found a pretext to gloss over today’s farce."

Under the Grand Princess’s gaze, Jiang Manxue could not help but shrink back. She smiled harmlessly. "This daughter thanks the Grand Princess once again."

Suddenly, the Grand Princess’s bright red fingernails pinched Jiang Manxue’s chin, her tone sharp. "But why did you exploit A-Lan’s trust in you?"

"Although this matter has been glossed over, it has ultimately affected A-Lan’s reputation."

Jiang Manxue was shocked; her schemes had not escaped the Grand Princess’s eyes.

Just as she was about to speak, the Grand Princess interrupted. "I will give you a chance to make amends."

"I know you are a clever woman, full of wit and strategy. I want Fu Jinxie dead without a corpse left, or else I will take your life!"

Today, that young girl, Fu Jinxie, had relied on the Crown Prince’s backing to speak recklessly at the Grand Princess’s Mansion, causing complete chaos and showing her absolutely no respect.

Anyone who had dared to be so presumptuous in front of her before had long since been executed by slow slicing!

Jiang Manxue’s heart settled slightly; the Grand Princess, like her, hated Fu Jinxie to the bone.

As long as she took her life, the Grand Princess would not only refrain from blaming her but would even reward her.

Sure enough, fate favored her.

Her eyes shifted, and she immediately had an idea. "Grand Princess, the spring hunt is approaching; it is the perfect opportunity to strike at Fu Jinxie."

"The youngest son of the Vice Minister’s mansion, Chu Changling, is deeply in love with this daughter and also harbors monstrous hatred for Fu Jinxie. I will use him to make her meet her end on the hunting grounds!"

Without the blade that was Shen Minglan, she still had the sword that was Chu Changling.

She had been too careless and underestimated her enemy several times before. This time, she would be cautious and make foolproof preparations. Fu Jinxie would not escape death!