Chapter 17: Is Your Menstrual Cycle Over Yet?

Chapter 17: Is Your Menstrual Cycle Over Yet?

"Your Highness, there's really no need for you to quarrel with Miss Cang on my account." Ran Qinggu was utterly perplexed as he followed Shang Rongyu out of the Sinking Fish Pavilion.

Wasn't the Heir supposed to detest him? Wasn't his beloved Cang Jiaojiao?

Could it be that he and Cang Jiaojiao had a minor spat? Was he deliberately walking away with him to make Cang Jiaojiao jealous?

Shang Rongyu glanced at him and snorted coldly, "The Heiress is quite generous, eager to send her husband away. How so? Did I eat you poor by having one meal with you?"

Before Ran Qinggu could open his mouth, Chun'er smiled, "What nonsense does Your Highness speak? The Sinking Fish Pavilion is also part of the Heir's courtyard, why differentiate between yours and mine? Our Heiress waits up for the Heir every night by the light of a lamp."

Shang Rongyu raised an eyebrow and sneered at Ran Qinggu, "Is that so?"

Ran Qinggu fell silent.

He didn't know if Shang Rongyu was going to make things difficult for him because of his paramour.

Seeing Ran Qinggu's cold and indifferent demeanor, Shang Rongyu felt a surge of anger.

Other people's wives would jump at any chance to please their husbands, but this person treated him like air.

Would it kill him to politely say "yes"?

Was he, the esteemed Heir of King Cheng, so despicable that his wife would avoid him at all costs?

Chun'er, seeing the atmosphere suddenly turn icy, and knowing that the Heiress was naturally cold and indifferent, not one to scheme for herself, became anxious and spoke up, "Yes, our Heiress has a gentle disposition; she just doesn't usually express it. In fact, she thinks about the Heir more than anyone else."

Shang Rongyu snorted through his nose, "Prepare lunch."

Chun'er nodded in agreement.

This meal was eaten without taste, both silent during the feast, and the servants serving them trembled in fear.

After the meal, Shang Rongyu didn't leave. Instead, he handled official business in the study of the Sinking Fish Pavilion, specifically requesting Ran Qinggu's company. Ran Qinggu had no choice but to accompany him.

For the entire afternoon, not a word was exchanged between them.

During dinner, the servants noticed that the Heir's expression had darkened even further.

Could it be that he was truly blaming the Heiress over Miss Cang?

After dinner, Shang Rongyu washed up simply and went straight to bed.

Ran Qinggu, seeing that he had no intention of leaving, turned to exit the room, planning to sleep in the annex.

Unexpectedly, before he could leave, Shang Rongyu got out of bed barefoot, picked him up, and carried him to the bed, pressing him down beneath him, pinning his hands above his head.

Ran Qinggu was momentarily stunned, "Your Highness?"

Shang Rongyu's voice was grim, "Is your menstrual cycle over yet? Can we consummate our marriage now?"

Was he seeking revenge for Cang Jiaojiao, intending to humiliate him in bed?

Before Ran Qinggu could struggle, his outer robe was torn off by Shang Rongyu.

The discarded robe floated to the ground like a butterfly with its wings cut off.

Shang Rongyu, atop Ran Qinggu, pinned his hands above his head, nipping at his collarbone.

His collarbone was beautiful, each curve and line exquisitely smooth.

He had long wanted to do this.

And yet, this was as far as he allowed himself to go.

Though he was a rogue and a scoundrel, he was not a thug who forced himself on unwilling women; he wouldn't force a woman who didn't want to serve him into consummating their marriage.

But when he saw him, he lost control.

Yet, he always managed to infuriate him.

Throughout the afternoon, not a single word was spoken to him.

Would it kill him to say one more sentence?

Ran Qinggu, struggling for breath under Shang Rongyu's kisses, suddenly hatched a plan.

He broke free from his grasp, pressed against Shang Rongyu's chest, tears welling up in his eyes, two streams sliding down his cheeks, evoking sympathy, "Is Your Highness angry with me because of Miss Cang? I did nothing wrong today. Why must you make things so difficult for me?"

In these days spent with Shang Rongyu, he had roughly figured out his character.

Though arrogant and reckless, doing as he pleased, he was not as despicable as the rumors outside suggested.

A child of heaven had the pride of a child of heaven. He acted according to his whims, but he wouldn't oppress the weak.

Sure enough, when Shang Rongyu saw Ran Qinggu's red-rimmed eyes and the two clear tears falling, he was taken aback and quickly sat up.

He helped Ran Qinggu adjust his clothing, then stood up as if fleeing the scene, "Heiress, rest early tonight. This Heir still has matters to attend to."

As he stepped out the door, remembering something, he turned back to emphasize, "This Heir has no relationship with Cang Jiaojiao, nor will there be any in the future. Since the Heiress has entered the Wangfu, she belongs to this Heir. Please, Heiress, adhere to propriety and don't think about those who should not be thought of."

Without looking back, he strode out the door and walked away.

Those who should not be thought of?

Ran Qinggu looked at the empty doorway, unsure of what to make of it.

Shang Rongyu, troubled and restless, left the Sinking Fish Pavilion. Just as he exited the pavilion, he encountered Cang Jiaojiao.

Concealed Beauty carried a food box from which wafted an intense aroma.

She smiled coyly. "Heir, Second Lady said that the Heir wanted to try something new, so she specially asked Beauty to bring this box of freshly made shrimp dumplings for the Heir."

Shang Rongyu cast her a cold glance. Her makeup was new, and her clothes emphasized her figure. Second Sister-in-law only had these few tricks up her sleeve, but unfortunately, he, Shang Rongyu, wasn't interested in just anyone.

He sneered, "Indeed, it's quite special."

Concealed Beauty's eyes held a myriad of emotions. "Heir, you're..."

Shang Rongyu looked at her indifferently. "Miss Concealed, I spoke out of turn before when I said I fancied you. In truth, it was all due to a bet I lost with my friends after drinking. I apologize here, Miss. I'm sorry, but I have no interest in you. Please forgive me for my presumptuous words."

Concealed Beauty was taken aback.

In recent days, because of Shang Rongyu's words, she not only became Da Su's top courtesan, with her beauty spreading far and wide, but also attracted the attention of countless princes and nobles.

How many people longed to see her face, and how many would pay a fortune just for her smile.

Numerous officials and wealthy men wanted to marry her, some even wanting to make her their official wife.

And all this was due to one sentence from Shang Rongyu.

One sentence from the Heir had brought her countless treasures and boundless fame. What if she could enter the Prince's Mansion?

Since the Heir of King Cheng was fond of her, he would surely take her back to the mansion in the future.

From then on, she would be royalty.

What was the point of being the top courtesan in the world? She aimed higher.

But she never expected it to be merely a sentence after a bet.

Upon hearing this, her tears fell like broken strings: "Beauty truly admires the Heir, but she understands her own status. Beauty knows her humble position and doesn't dare to aspire too high. This time, it was simply uncontrollable emotion, so..."

Shang Rongyu frowned. "I have a tarnished reputation; what do you admire about me?"

Concealed Beauty wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "Those are just misunderstandings by the public. Beauty once saw the Heir save a little beggar under the hooves of wild horses. The Heir is of such high status, yet he risked his life for a small beggar. How much more so for others. Therefore, thinking of the Heir's noble character, I've been unable to eat or sleep, day and night."

Shang Rongyu laughed coldly. "Sorry, Miss, you've misjudged me. I'm just a rogue, taking advantage of my father's power to do as I please. I have no interest in you, Miss. Please put an end to your thoughts sooner rather than later. Besides, I've already married the Heiress."

Concealed Beauty choked back sobs, her eyes brimming with tears. "Beauty has never dared to have improper thoughts about the Heir."

Shang Rongyu: "That's good."

He sidestepped Concealed Beauty and headed towards the annex, but unexpectedly, she turned around. "Heir, these shrimps..."

The moment she turned, her ankle suddenly twisted, and she stumbled into Shang Rongyu.

Shang Rongyu didn't anticipate Concealed Beauty lunging at him and couldn't step back in time, ending up caught in her embrace.

Lifting his gaze, Shang Rongyu saw Ran Qinggu standing at the moon gate of the Sinking Fish Pavilion.

His clothes rustled, and he held the jade tablet of his office in his hand, its tassels dancing more joyfully than his garments.

Ran Qinggu hadn't expected to stumble upon this awkward scene and hurriedly handed Shang Rongyu his jade tablet. "The Heir's jade tablet was left at my place. I chased after you because I feared it might delay the Heir's affairs. Sorry for interrupting, Heir."

Shang Rongyu took the jade tablet. "Don't misunderstand, Heiress."

Ran Qinggu bowed. "Heir, take care."

Then, he ran back into the Sinking Fish Pavilion himself.

Shang Rongyu wanted to call out to Ran Qinggu, but the words died in his throat.

The Heiress didn't care at all.

She was eager to divorce him and return to her cousin.

Concealed Beauty straightened herself, her face flushed red, shy and fearful. "Heir, it's all Beauty's fault. Beauty shouldn't have twisted her ankle, nor should she have..."

Shang Rongyu gripped the jade tablet tightly and said coldly, "Don't let it happen again."

With that, he left with a cold expression, leaving Concealed Beauty stunned.

Was this man really a man?

Which man wouldn't be captivated by her every smile and frown?

==

The flowers in the garden were in full bloom, clusters of them competing for beauty, even someone like Ran Qinggu, who had no heart for appreciating flowers, couldn't help but take a second look.

It must be said that the scenery of the Prince's Mansion was beautiful all year round.

"The Heiress flew into a jealous rage and made things difficult for that Concealed Beauty. The Heir even got angry with the Heiress over it. Do you think this Concealed Beauty will be taken as a concubine by the Heir?"

"I've heard the same thing. That Concealed Beauty is indeed the top courtesan; she's so beautiful, which woman wouldn't be jealous? What use is the Heiress's jealousy? She can't keep her husband's heart."

"I also heard that the Heir embraced Concealed Beauty in front of the Heiress at the gate of the Sinking Fish Pavilion. It was so tender and affectionate that it made the jealous woman jump on the spot. She was only dragged back to the Sinking Fish Pavilion by the Heir's scolding..."

"What man doesn't have multiple wives and concubines? What use is the Heiress's jealousy? Doesn't it just make the Heir despise her even more? With the Heir's temper, he'll divorce her sooner or later."

A group of gossipy maids whispered behind closed doors, denigrating Ran Qinggu as a jealous and wicked woman and comparing Concealed Beauty to a delicate flower.

These rumors, spoken with such certainty, couldn't have spread without someone guiding them. Ran Qinggu didn't believe it.

Only three people were present at the gate of the Sinking Fish Pavilion that day: him, Shang Rongyu, and Concealed Beauty.

Even the maids of the Sinking Fish Pavilion didn't know that Concealed Beauty had arrived at the gate, nor did they know that she had fallen into Shang Rongyu's arms. How did others find out?

He wouldn't speak out, and Shang Rongyu was above using such tactics. There was no reason for him to do so, leaving only one person—Concealed Beauty!

Unable to swallow her pride, Chun'er was about to step forward, but Ran Qinggu intervened to stop her.

Chun'er felt suffocated as she spoke: "Your Highness, they are all taking advantage of your kind nature. That day, it was clearly the courtesan who was putting on a show, so why is all the blame being heaped upon you?"

She was raised under the strict guidance of the queen consort since childhood, and thus, every word and deed of hers should be conducted with utmost caution.

This time, it seems he was really angry, and he started speaking without any restraint.

Ran Qinggu chuckled and said, "No harm done. If Miss Zang is determined to court her own destruction, why should you assist her?"

Chun'er was puzzled: "Help her? It's not worth it for Chun'er to do so on behalf of the Heir's wife."

Ran Qinggu: "There is no question of worth or not, Chun'er, think about it, I am the Heir's wife and in charge of the household. Why would these people dare to gossip so freely all over the courtyard? Throughout our journey, there has been endless chatter and discussion."

Chun'er: "Was it someone who intentionally offered them some sort of advantage?"

Ran Qinggu nodded and said, "Yes, even if I am as angry as can be, the law does not punish the masses. If one person is talking nonsense, I can give them a beating, but if the whole courtyard is filled with such nonsense, I can't possibly beat everyone, could I? If I did, who would be left to do the work?"

Chun'er was in a state of exasperation and distress: "But we cannot just let them slander you in this manner."

Ran Qinggu turned around and said, "Everything comes to an extreme and then turns back; it's utterly foolish. Let's go, there's no need to pay attention to these people."

He indeed overestimated Zang Jiaojiao.

With such grand ambitions, yet so... foolish.

Zang Jiaojiao's background is such that not only would the prince and princess refuse to allow her to marry into the royal household, but even the emperor might not permit it. This is a matter that concerns the dignity of the royal family.

Moreover, behind this stands the formidable Li Feiluan.

Whether these rumors could reach the imperial palace and Li Feiluan's ears, he was uncertain.

He knew that it would inevitably reach the ears of the princess consort.

The princess consort hailed from a prestigious family, with her maternal lineage being a prominent clan in Jiangnan. From a young age, she was well-versed in the distinctions of social hierarchy. How could she permit her only son to have even the slightest connection with a courtesan?

He truly couldn't comprehend what Shang Rongyu saw in Zang Jiaojiao that was so appealing.

Do all men prefer women who are as delicate and charming as willows caressed by the spring breeze, yet hopelessly naive and beyond remedy?