Chapter 7: The Crown Prince’s Fury

Bi Zhu’s heart trembled violently as she stared blankly at Fu Jinhe, whose eyes were cold and clear like melting snow. The sudden, resolute gesture seemed to carry an unyielding and bitter resentment.

“Miss, what has happened?” Bi Zhu asked anxiously.

Fu Jinhe’s clear eyes flickered as she glanced around to confirm no one was nearby. Her delicate brows twitched slightly. “Bi Zhu, if I told you that Song Junyao’s invitation this time was a trap to harm me, would you believe me?”

Bi Zhu’s expression faltered for a moment before she spoke earnestly, “My life was saved by you, Miss. Whatever you say, I will naturally believe.”

“That despicable man Song Junyao is so heartless and vicious. Despite your past kindness to him, he does not care at all. Instead, he uses it to harm you!”

Fu Jinhe flicked her sleeve, her gaze clear and resolute. “Indeed, those who betray true feelings deserve to taste the bitterness of revenge.”

She instructed Bi Zhu, “Prepare a carriage to leave the mansion. Do not alert Father and Mother.”

Her parents were still lost in the drama of their own world. If they found out, consumed by anger, they might end up playing into Song Junyao’s hands. Then, she would face the so-called chosen one of destiny alone to settle the score.

Half an hour later.

A modest carriage slipped out from the back gate of the Grand Tutor’s mansion. It passed through the bustling marketplace and entered the western alley of Chang’an city—a place ordinary people dared not venture.

The Western Alley housed the Yingxing Pavilion, an independent and mysterious force within Chang’an. Rumor had it that this building sheltered top poison masters, a medical genius akin to the reincarnation of Hua Tuo, and elite secret guards.

It was said that when a powerful aristocratic family ordered Yingxing Pavilion to carry out a task and was refused, they arrogantly threatened to destroy the pavilion and slaughter everyone inside.

The very next day, that aristocratic family was charged with serious crimes and imprisoned. The family head, desperate in his cell, took his own life. The rest were banished from Chang’an forever.

The city was shocked; decades of intertwined noble clans collapsed overnight. From then on, Yingxing Pavilion’s reputation soared, and no one dared underestimate it again.

“Phew—” The carriage driver slowly stopped the horses.

Bi Zhu drew back the curtain and extended her hand. “Miss, we have arrived.”

Fu Jinhe, wearing a veiled hat, placed her pale white wrist, delicate and red, into Bi Zhu’s hand and gracefully stepped down from the carriage. She lifted her veil slightly, gazing at the famed Yingxing Pavilion.

The lofty building stood magnificently, its flying eaves and curved corners elegant and refined. Its color was not the usual leaden red of Chang’an mansions but a solemn, dignified fish-tail gray.

The pavilion’s doors stood wide open, yet it exuded an oppressive aura that warned against approaching.

“I have a request for the Pavilion Master. Please grant me an audience,” Fu Jinhe’s voice was clear and pleasant.

Upstairs, in a side chamber.

Xiao Xuanyin sat by the window, his jet-black hair tied with a purple-gold jade crown. His sharp features and cold, commanding eyes gave him an aura like a solitary pine, tall and steady.

Hearing the voice that haunted his dreams, a deep, mysterious light swept through his eyes, and his heart skipped a beat.

It was Ahe.

Xiao Xuanyin looked down through the window. She wore a veiled hat that concealed her naturally exquisite face.

Her slender neck was delicate, her figure graceful like swaying willows.

His gaze burned with a fierce, possessive heat.

Damn it! Shang Xunhuan noticed Xiao Xuanyin’s greedy stare and was so shocked his jaw dropped.

Everyone in the Eastern Palace knew the Crown Prince, precious as a rare jewel, was infatuated with Miss Fu, to whom he was betrothed. For years, he silently watched her express joy and sorrow over other men.

No matter how mad or jealous he felt inside, he controlled himself because Miss Fu was deeply attached to her fiancé as well.

As the proud master of Yingxing Pavilion, he harbored a secret: he was well-versed in all kinds of dramas and had long witnessed the loves and hates of infatuated men and women.

The prince was like the lovesick second male lead in a novel, silently guarding the heroine wounded by the male lead, generously giving everything—even his life—and shedding countless tears.

Today, the prince suddenly lost his reason, staring absentmindedly at the woman beside him.

This hypocritical scoundrel, how could he be worthy of Miss Fu, worthy of the tears the prince shed over these stories?

Xiao Xuanyin withdrew his gaze and met Shang Xunhuan’s resentful eyes.

Frowning, he said, “Bring Miss Fu up.”

Shang Xunhuan’s expression immediately changed; guilt nearly drove him to despair.

That woman was Miss Fu! He had doubted the prince’s loyalty—he deserved to die!

“Yes, Your Highness,” he answered shakily and hurried away.

Turning, Shang Xunhuan sighed inwardly.

What is love in this world but a cause for life and death devotion?

Miss Fu wore a veil, yet the prince could easily recognize her, showing how well he knew her face and figure.

Her sudden appearance must have stirred a storm of joy in his heart.

After waiting for a long time with no response,

Bi Zhu hesitated. “Miss, shall we return to the mansion?”

Before she could finish, Shang Xunhuan, who had just descended the pavilion stairs, grew anxious. If Miss Fu escaped, the prince’s wrath would surely rain blood upon Yingxing Pavilion.

He hurriedly said, “Miss, please come with me upstairs.”

Several eyes turned toward him just as a man in red hurried over in a fluster.

Fu Jinhe stepped forward, slightly bowing, and asked, “I am Fu Jinhe, daughter of the Grand Tutor. May I ask if you are the Pavilion Master?”

Well, well, it truly is Miss Fu. The prince’s gaze did not deceive.

This was his first close encounter with Fu Jinhe. The woman was graceful and courteous, nothing like the arrogant fool rumored in Chang’an.

Of course, the prince’s beloved would naturally be extraordinary.

Shang Xunhuan raised an eyebrow and, as if conjuring it from thin air, produced a feather fan. “That would be me.”

Bi Zhu eyed Shang Xunhuan with suspicion, muttering to herself, This person is unreliable—can he really be the Pavilion Master?

Seemingly reading her thoughts, Shang Xunhuan thought, Hmm, this maid is quite pretty but has terrible judgment.

Fu Jinhe smiled faintly. “Then please, Pavilion Master, lead the way.”

Shang Xunhuan made a gesture of invitation but suddenly added, “Miss Fu, your maid should stay behind.”

Bi Zhu panicked, “Miss...”

She glared angrily at Shang Xunhuan. Flattering without cause—he must be a schemer. How could she trust him to accompany Miss Fu alone upstairs?

Fu Jinhe gave Bi Zhu a reassuring glance. Though she sensed something odd about his attitude, she knew Yingxing Pavilion was always aloof and would not resort to underhanded tricks.

Moreover, she had an inexplicable intuition that Yingxing Pavilion was the only place in Chang’an that wouldn’t slip up when dealing with Song Junyao.

Bi Zhu had no choice but to relent.

Shang Xunhuan’s mischievous eyes brimmed with mocking laughter as he snorted and swaggered away.

Bi Zhu stomped her foot in anger, cursing the scoundrel’s arrogant boldness.

Moments later,

Fu Jinhe and Shang Xunhuan ascended the wooden steps and took their seats.

Xiao Xuanyin stood in a partitioned chamber nearby, his tall, straight posture slightly tense.

Though the door blocked his view, his eyes remained fixed on Fu Jinhe’s direction, as if mentally sketching her image from memory.

Shang Xunhuan asked, “Miss Fu, what brings you to Yingxing Pavilion today?”

Fu Jinhe’s lips curled into a faint smile, though it did not reach her eyes. “I am here regarding my fiancé.”

Xiao Xuanyin’s brows furrowed deeply; the clarity of his eyes darkened as a haze settled in.

Those words struck his heart like a blow, causing it to tremble uncontrollably.

Shang Xunhuan’s heart skipped a beat; he glanced toward another side chamber and sighed quietly.

The prince must be heartbroken upon hearing Miss Fu’s words.

His tone deepened, “Miss Fu, what do you seek from Yingxing Pavilion?”

Fu Jinhe’s eyes blazed with cold fire, her voice thin and sharp. “Five days from now, my fiancé invited me to Yun Dian Mountain to celebrate my birthday. In truth, it’s a trap he set to harm me and vent his anger on his mistress.”

“He is despicable and treacherous, using vicious dogs to intimidate me. Then I shall use wolves to frighten him.”

Her words struck like thunder.

Shang Xunhuan suddenly stood, smoke practically pouring from his ears in fury. “Miss Fu, your fiancé treats you so cruelly—he is unworthy of being a man!”

He had long suspected Song Junyao did not truly like Miss Fu and often caused her sorrow.

But he never imagined Song Junyao was utterly heartless toward her.

All these years of Miss Fu’s heartfelt devotion were misplaced!

Xiao Xuanyin’s brows drew together coldly; the temperature around them seemed to plunge.

His chest felt torn apart, suffocating him.

How dare Song Junyao bully and break Ahe’s heart?

“Ahe,” he whispered lowly, filled with deep affection and sorrow.