Chapter 46: Never Provoking Me Again

Chapter 46: Never Provoking Me Again

Shang Yuzhou, seeing the ferret, exclaimed, "Second Imperial Brother, isn't this... your ferret?"

Shang Rongyu's face darkened as he asked, "Second Prince, is it truly yours?"

Prince Shang Zhi, now the target of everyone's ire, could only nod in acknowledgment. "This ferret indeed belongs to this palace, but my ferret was clearly tied up securely. Moreover, it doesn't attack people."

Shang Rongyu angrily questioned, "Tied up? If it was tied up, how did it manage to come out and attack my Heir's wife? Today, fortunately, I was here; otherwise, who knows what would have happened? If anything had befallen my Heir's wife, your ferret would need to die a hundred times to make amends."

Prince Shang Zhi coldly retorted, "Heir, my ferret never attacks people and was secured properly. With all the people coming and going in the back courtyard, why did it only attack your Heir's wife?"

Shang Rongyu feigned a loud voice. "Perhaps it's because my Yu'er is pregnant. After all, pregnant women are unusually sensitive to furry animals. Maybe she did something that provoked your ferret into becoming aggressive, or perhaps someone deliberately used an animal to harm her. After all, miscarriages happen in every family, don't they?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces turned deathly pale.

Who didn't know that the imperial offspring often struggled to survive? The Crown Prince had lost three children for no apparent reason, and the other princes also faced difficulties with their offspring, encountering various accidents.

If one said there was no human involvement, who would believe it?

After all, the number of incidents where both mother and child died in the inner quarters was countless, let alone within the imperial family.

Yet, no one dared to openly discuss such matters, considering them a family disgrace.

This devilish prince truly feared nothing, actually accusing Prince Shang Zhi of attempting to harm his Heir's wife's unborn child in front of so many people.

Crown Prince Shang Jue watched with a secret delight.

The Cheng Wang father-son duo were indeed adept at slinging mud.

Last time in the Eastern Palace, when the Heir's wife showed no signs of pregnancy, these two could still pin the blame on him for wanting to harm the imperial lineage. How much more so now that the Heir's wife was indeed pregnant.

The second son had walked right into the line of fire.

Shang Rongyu acted like a mad dog, not letting anyone off even when he was in the wrong, let alone when he was right.

After all, when beasts attack humans, it's the beast that should die.

That beast should have been dead long ago. After its death, let's see how the second son would continue to praise his deep father-son affection before the Emperor.

Every time the second son went to pay respects to the Emperor, he would inevitably bring that ferret and repeatedly express gratitude for the Emperor's favor.

But the Emperor was easily swayed by this, being completely charmed by the second son, praising him for his filial piety.

Ha, now let all that filial nonsense go to hell.

Prince Shang Zhi revealed a look of annoyance. "Heir, I've just learned about the Heir's wife's pregnancy. How could I have possibly planned to harm your child beforehand? I'd like to ask the Heir's wife herself: with so many high-ranking officials visiting the back courtyard without incident, why did something happen specifically when the Heir's wife went there? And coincidentally, Liu Guozhang's precious cup also met with misfortune... My ferret can't speak, so if it was wronged, it would simply die. But this palace is not to be trifled with."

Ran Qinggu feigned weakness, leaning against Shang Rongyu. "Heir, it's all Yu'er's fault. Yu'er shouldn't have gone to the back courtyard... but I couldn't vomit in the front courtyard and dirty the eyes of all the esteemed officials..."

Li Feiluan almost retched.

This wench was quite convincing, indeed a vixen.

A man acting coy towards another man, how could she not find it disgusting?

Shang Rongyu pulled Ran Qinggu into his embrace, speaking gently. "Yu'er, morning sickness is not your fault. Letting beasts run rampant and cause trouble, that's the real mistake."

He raised his eyebrows at Shang Zhi. "Second Prince, if you're a man, you should own up to your actions. Your beast injured my Heir's wife, and we merely want an apology from you. You argue so much and keep throwing accusations at my Heir's wife, a pregnant woman. Don't you feel ashamed? It can't be that just because Uncle Emperor dotes on you more than the Crown Prince, you think you can get away with wrongdoing without admitting it?"

Shang Zhi: "You..."

Shang Rongyu was intentionally setting him up to fail, inciting conflict between him and the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince's face turned white in an instant.

Ever since he lost his position as regent and became a mere figurehead, the second son had rapidly risen in prominence.

He even frequently heard that the Emperor stayed overnight in the second son's palace, allowing him to help review memorials.

When the Emperor fell ill, he refused to see anyone except the second son.

The second son served by his side day and night, demonstrating a deep father-son bond...

It seemed that the entire court now knew that he, the Crown Prince, was useless. Otherwise, Shang Rongyu wouldn't dare embarrass him in public like this.

Shang Qianzhen hadn't expected this little rascal to be so trouble-prone. Hurriedly, he bowed to the displeased Shang Qianxian. "Imperial Brother, Rongyu is young and fiercely protective of his wife. His words are unfiltered. I apologize on his behalf for my failure as a brother in guiding him."

Shang Qianxian's expression was extremely ugly, yet he maintained a benevolent smile. "Sixth Brother, your son is indeed cunning. What was originally a conflict with Zhi'er has now involved Jue'er. Does this mean you're blaming me for favoritism and neglecting the crown prince?"

Shang Rongyu quickly knelt down, lifting the corner of his robe. "Uncle Emperor and Second Prince share a deep father-son affection. How dare Rongyu blame Uncle Emperor? Rongyu merely hopes that Uncle Emperor will not show favoritism and will give justice to my Heir's wife. This matter is clearly the fault of Second Prince's beast injuring someone, yet he refuses to admit his mistake and apologize to my Heir's wife. Isn't this because he relies on Uncle Emperor's affection for him?"

Shang Qianxian emitted a cold snort through his nostrils.

Shang Rongyu was indeed cunning, his words forming a chain of logic.

On the surface, it appeared he was defending his Heir's wife, but in reality, he was sowing discord between his two sons.

Yet, Shang Qianxian couldn't catch any flaws in his words. If he punished him in front of so many people, it would be a loss of face for the Cheng Wang, and the entire court might even consider him petty...

He glanced at the Crown Prince, whose face was ashen.

His gaze was sharp, as if ready to devour him whole.

The Crown Prince, that simpleton, had indeed fallen for it.

Compared to Shang Rongyu, the Crown Prince was truly far behind. Could the Crown Prince really suppress Shang Rongyu after his passing?

It was evident that he could not.

Shang Rongyu was like a venomous snake; even when cornered, he would strike, tearing off a piece of your flesh.

He raised his eyebrows again, looking at the Heir's Consort.

She leaned gently against Shang Rongyu, neither submissive nor arrogant, neither advancing nor retreating.

She had spoken little so far, but every word was like a swift, ruthless, and precise knife, nailing people to the gallows.

He didn't believe this woman was an ordinary, naive young lady from a distinguished family.

If she were just anyone, how could both his sons have fallen into her hands one after another?

This person was truly inscrutable.

Inscrutable people couldn't be allowed to remain.

Shang Qianxian spoke, "Have a few people go to the backyard to check the situation, and see if there are any traces of the sable on the Heir's Consort's clothes..."

After a short while, those who went to the backyard returned: "Your Majesty, there is indeed filth in the wooden bucket in the backyard, and there are also traces of the sable's movements in the courtyard."

The nursemaid who examined Ran Qinggu's torn wound also reported back: "Your Majesty, there are indeed some sable hairs on the Heir's Consort's body, and the clothes were torn by the sable's sharp claws."

Shang Qianxian raised his eyebrows at Shang Zhi: "Zhi'er, your pet injured the Heir's Consort, go apologize."

Shang Zhi had no choice but to agree with "Yes," then walked up to Ran Qinggu and respectfully bowed: "Heir's Consort, my sable injured you, I apologize here for it."

Ran Qinggu accepted the bow with dignity, smiling: "Second Prince, there's no need to be polite, beasts don't understand human nature, it's not your fault."

Shang Zhi gritted his teeth.

That was the sable that had been with him for over a decade, living and dying together.

It was also the only thing he possessed that surpassed the Crown Prince.

That sable listened to him very well, never going against his wishes.

He made it scratch people, and it scratched them.

When it was about to starve to death, if he didn't tell it to eat, even if the table was full of its favorite venison, it wouldn't touch it.

And because of this, he loved it so much that he took it everywhere with him.

When he went to the main hall for the banquet, he told the sable not to make a fuss and sit there waiting for him.

The sable sat obediently, silent.

Who knew that when he saw it again, it would be in such a bloody state.

He glared fiercely at Ran Qinggu and Shang Rongyu.

He would certainly take these two people's heads to honor this sable.

Shang Rongyu respectfully thanked the emperor: "Thank you, Uncle Emperor, for upholding justice for us. But... Second Prince, your sable caused us to break Lord Liu Guozhang's cup, which was a gift from Grandfather Emperor to him, and he cherished it dearly. Since you are the owner of that beast, that cup, you should compensate Lord Guozhang as well."

That cup was priceless to Lord Liu Guozhang.

If he had broken it, who knows what Empress Consort Liu would have done, how she would have cried and made a scene to have his father punish him.

Perhaps she would even open her mouth wide and take away many treasures from the Prince's Mansion.

The Second Prince's face was ugly, and he respectfully bowed to Lord Liu Guozhang: "I know that cup was a gift from Grandfather Emperor to you, it's priceless. Now that the cup is broken, it happened because of the sable I kept, I am willing to divide all the estates in the capital to the Liu Mansion, and give up a piece of pure green jade from the barbarians obtained during Grandfather's lifetime, as a sign of apology."

All the estates in the capital? How much money was that?

And that piece of thousand-year-old pure green jade was truly priceless, worth much more than that white porcelain cup.

It was the late emperor's favorite piece of jade, which he treasured all his life.

Later, after the emperor ascended the throne and had two legitimate sons, he divided the ancient jade in half, one part for the Crown Prince, one part for the Second Prince.

Now, unexpectedly, the Second Prince actually bled so much, compensating the Lord Guozhang with this piece of jade.

So, perhaps Lord Guozhang couldn't say anything now, right?

Everyone was pondering in their hearts.

Shang Rongyu's hand around Ran Qinggu's shoulder loosened slightly.

Ran Qinggu looked at him.

He noticed that Shang Rongyu's brows relaxed.

Shang Rongyu's gaze also fell on Ran Qinggu, their eyes meeting.

Ran Qinggu clearly saw that Shang Rongyu's eyes were filled with the expression of "Fortunately, this money isn't coming out of my pocket, otherwise, I'd lose big time."

==

After the banquet, the guests left, and those related to the Liu Mansion by marriage were left behind for dinner.

Ran Qinggu, unfortunately, had a bit of a kinship with the Liu Mansion, so he was also left behind.

He was walking in the peach grove when a kite landed at his feet.

Ran Qinggu squatted down and picked up the kite.

Suddenly, the kite was snatched away, and the thin bamboo pieces on the kite scraped across Ran Qinggu's palm, leaving a long bloody gash, blood beads quickly gathering and dripping onto the soil.

Langhua provocatively said, "Who told you to touch this princess' kite with your dirty hands."

Ran Qinggu slowly wiped the blood off his hand with a handkerchief: "Princess, enjoy playing, happy times are running out."

Langhua snapped, "How dare you."

Ran Qinggu smiled faintly, then turned to leave.

That smile sent chills down Langhua's spine. She grabbed Ran Qinggu and angrily demanded, "What do you mean? If you don't explain clearly, this princess won't let you off."

Ran Qinggu raised an eyebrow. "Didn't His Majesty tell the princess that the Prince of the Turks has arrived in the capital?"

Langhua was perplexed. "So what if he did?"

Ran Qinggu smiled again, turning to go, leaving behind three cryptic words: "Nothing much."

Confused, Langhua blocked Ran Qinggu's path. "What do you mean? Stop right there. You're not going anywhere until you explain."

Sighing, Ran Qinggu asked, "What do you want me to say?"

Langhua: "What did you mean by your earlier words?"

Ran Qinggu coolly appraised Princess Langhua. "Are you really unaware?"

Langhua: "Aware of what?"

Ran Qinggu smiled. "The Prince of the Turks came to the capital for a marriage alliance, though I'm not sure how true it is. That's just what I've heard."

Langhua's face paled.

A marriage alliance?

She was the only princess in Da Su. King Cheng had no daughters, and the daughter of Prince Yi was merely five years old.

Thus, she was the only one in the royal family who was fourteen years old. Since they were here for a marriage alliance, the person to be married off would undoubtedly be her.

No wonder her father had been showing her portraits of the Prince of the Turks these past few days. No wonder he often praised the prince's valor and wisdom in front of her.

As if denying something, she shook her head repeatedly. "No, it can't be. Father only has me as his daughter, and he loves me so much. He wouldn't bear to part with me."

While denying it, she was also confirming it in her mind. She said it couldn't be while being in a state of panic because she knew it had already been decided.

Tears quietly streamed down her face...

Ran Qinggu handed her a handkerchief. "Princess, actually, a marriage alliance doesn't necessarily have to involve a real princess."

Hearing this, Princess Langhua looked up. "What do you mean?"

Ran Qinggu smiled. "Wipe your tears."

Princess Langhua took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears. "Tell me quickly, what do you mean?"

Ran Qinggu: "Throughout history, how many dynasties truly sent their own princesses for marriage alliances? Often, the daughter of a marquis or a high-ranking official's daughter would be bestowed the title of princess. As long as she is talented, beautiful, and virtuous, representing Da Su, would the Turks really care whether she's a real princess or not?"

Langhua nodded eagerly, as if grasping at straws. "Yes, that's right. I'll have Father bestow the title on a minister's daughter right now."

Ran Qinggu stopped her. "Princess, matters concerning a marriage alliance between two countries cannot be taken lightly. Although the Turks don't care whether it's a real princess or not, they do value our sincerity. If we hastily bestow the title on any minister's daughter, wouldn't it cause conflict between our two nations?"

Langhua pressed, "Then what should we do?"

By now, Bai Yu had already hinted at a solution. There must be a way out.

She hurriedly grabbed Ran Qinggu's hand and spoke affectionately. "Cousin-in-law, what should we do?"

She was the daughter of Consort Liu and the niece of Noble Consort Liu. Calling Ran Qinggu 'cousin-in-law' was entirely appropriate.

Ran Qinggu smiled. "Find a young lady from a distinguished official's family in Da Su who is talented, beautiful, and has a far-reaching reputation."

Langhua repeated softly, "Talented, beautiful, with a far-reaching reputation..."

In all of Da Su, perhaps no one fit that description better than Li Feiluan.

Li Feiluan was known as the most beautiful woman in Da Su, excelling in both literature and martial arts, far surpassing this willful princess.

If she went for the marriage alliance, the Prince of the Turks would surely agree.

However, Li Feiluan's right thumb had been severed at the root, leaving her disabled. Would the Turks agree to that?

Seeing through Langhua's thoughts, Ran Qinggu smiled. "As long as her face isn't severely disfigured and she doesn't have any illnesses, she can still go for the marriage alliance."

Langhua nodded vigorously. "Right."

After saying this, she raised an eyebrow and glanced at Ran Qinggu before walking away.

This person held a grudge against Li Feiluan and had come up with such a despicable method.

But it conveniently solved her urgent problem.

If Li Feiluan wanted to blame someone, she could blame herself. If she hadn't continuously targeted Bai Yu, Bai Yu wouldn't have suggested this idea.

Ran Qinggu watched the girl, who was filled with joy under the setting sun, with a calm expression.

Her face showed no ripples.

This person was like the peach blossoms filling the courtyard, blooming so brilliantly.

Unfortunately, it was truly unfortunate...

Unfortunately, she was born into the imperial family.

Shang Rong stood in the pavilion, watching.

Watching the figure in aqua green amidst the layers of peach and pear blossoms under the fading sunlight.

So beautiful, it didn't seem real.

More exquisite than the peach and pear blossoms in full bloom...

And his methods were even more ruthless than he was.

Ran Qinggu turned around and saw Shang Rongyu standing in the Sinking Fish Pavilion.

He approached, bowed his head, and said, "Heir, thank you for today. If there's ever anything you need from me in the future, just say so."

Shang Rongyu: "What do you want to do with the person who exposed your identity?"

Ran Qinggu didn't understand: "Huh? You're leaving it to me to deal with?"

Shang Rongyu nodded: "Mm."

Ran Qinggu thought for a moment: "Kill him."

Shang Rongyu hesitated for a moment before saying after a long while, "Alright."

Ran Qinggu stood with lowered eyes, and between the two of them, there was silence.

A long silence. The evening breeze blew past, causing their clothes to flutter and their hair to tangle together.

Shang Rongyu didn't know how to break this silence.

He also didn't know how to face Ran Qinggu for now.

It wasn't that he had prejudice against men, but he never imagined he would fall in love with a man without knowing it.

And he couldn't help but fear for his safety...

Ran Qinggu took a step toward the main hall, saying, "The banquet might have started by now. Let's go over first."

His pace was quick, not caring whether Shang Rongyu followed.

Shang Rongyu watched as Ran Qinggu slowly walked toward the main hall, his back thin and lonely.

Too thin.

He took two steps forward and said, "Now that we can't divorce, and you can't leave King Cheng's mansion, you'll stay in the mansion for the time being. As long as you don't harm the mansion, the mansion will protect you."

Ran Qinggu paused. After a long while, he said slowly, "Thank you."

Shang Rongyu: "As for the matter of the child, don't worry about it. With so many eyes on your belly, find an opportunity to miscarry and let them have what they want."

Ran Qinggu nodded: "Alright."

"In fact, Heir, you don't have to be so good to me. I can't repay you, nor do I deserve it. You don't have to force yourself to face me. Even I can't face myself, let alone you... If you have someone you truly like, you can tell her. I won't be in this position for long."

A wave of bitterness washed over Shang Rongyu's throat.

He felt that the person in front of him was ethereal, about to disappear into the world at any moment.

If he used to be filled with affection for this person, then now, he was left with only heartache, unable to blame him.

==

Ran Qinggu spent half a month recuperating in the Sinking Fish Pavilion before his digestive system improved.

Perhaps due to the effects of the medication or the influence of spring drowsiness, he always slept more than he was awake.

The empress dowager was considerate of his "pregnancy" and didn't burden him with matters inside and outside the mansion, so he was relatively peaceful.

At noon, the birds chirping on the beams woke him up.

He opened his hazy eyes and sat up.

Chun'er pushed the door open, served him to wash up, combed his hair, and said, "Your Highness, did you know? It's said that Miss Li has been named Princess Nuanzhao and is going to marry the prince of the Turks. Let's see if she dares to make things difficult for you again."

Ran Qinggu looked at the person in the bronze mirror.

He found it incredibly unfamiliar, yet that was himself.

Vengeful and merciless.

Seeing that Ran Qinggu showed no joy or expression, Chun'er asked, "Why isn't Your Highness happy? She targeted you like that..."

Ran Qinggu smiled: "This matter, you can just tell me. Don't go out and say it."

Li Feiluan's marriage was a farce; she wouldn't actually go through with it. In the end, it would still be Langhua who would go. Whether it would succeed or not was another story.

Chun'er nodded: "Don't worry, Your Highness. Chun'er only dares to say these things in front of Your Highness. I know my limits with others."

In the afternoon, when Ran Qinggu was strolling around the mansion, he heard servants gossiping in twos and threes.

"Really disfigured?"

"I don't know if it's true or not. There have been quite a few imperial doctors coming in and out of the Li residence."

"This Miss Li is really ruthless to herself. She'd rather cut her own face than go through with the marriage. I heard that the Turkic prince is quite handsome..."

"The Turkestan side is a desert country, poor in resources. How can it compare to our prosperous Da Su? The emperor was reluctant to part with his own daughter, so he picked a daughter from among the ministers. No matter how beautiful Miss Li was, she was chosen, wasn't she? Now it's a pity. No matter how beautiful her face was, it's gone."

Ran Qinggu's expression was indifferent, completely unmoved by the surroundings.

Chun'er was cutting a bunch of flowers in the garden to take back to the Sinking Fish Pavilion. Ran Qinggu saw a red rose blooming brilliantly.

He reached out to snap the flower stem and handed the stem to Chun'er, who was trimming the flowers.

Chun'er, upon seeing the petal, said, "Heir's Consort, this flower has withered a petal. If it's placed in the vase with the others, it will cause the rest of the blooms to wilt prematurely."

Ran Qinggu looked at the rose and replied, "I apologize; I'm not versed in floristry."

Chun'er teased, "Is this considered ruthless destruction of beauty by the Heir's Consort? It could have naturally withered on the branch, but now that it's been plucked, it can't even be put in the vase."

Ran Qinggu smiled, "Let's say so."

His sharp gaze fixed on the vibrant rose, "Next time, you can do whatever you want, but just don't... provoke me again."

Hopefully, Li Feiluan would remember this warning.

He was lost in thought, holding the flower.

After this incident, how should Prime Minister Li position himself?

Would he choose the Crown Prince, sluggish like an obese tiger unable to move swiftly, or the Second Prince, fierce and sharp as a leopard, or perhaps... the Lone Wolf, the Third Prince!

This game is becoming increasingly intriguing!

Author's note: The protagonist has always been a dark lotus, never pure! Thank you to the little angels who cast their overlord votes or watered nutrient fluids for me from August 25, 2020, 21:41:46 to August 27, 2020, 00:33:28.

Thank you to the little angels who cast bombs: Night Owl, Xu Zhifan, Ling520, You Huo, 1 each;

Thank you to the little angels who watered nutrient fluids: Mu Zi, 100 bottles; Idle Cloud Wild Crane, 20 bottles; July, 12 bottles; Yi Ye, Nananananana, 10 bottles each; He He, 8 bottles; Cuo Cuo Enters the City, 4 bottles; Huajiao, 3 bottles; Dimensional Gardener, Run Wild, 2 bottles each; Tangyuan Very Round, Leaf Xu Urging Updates, Steamed Emperor Crab, Huang Pangzi, 1 bottle each;

I am deeply grateful for everyone's support, and I will continue to work hard!