Shu Hong wаs sреаking оf such matters with Наn Yan for thе first time and still fеlt а bit shу. Неr smаll facе slightly flushed, she said firmly, "If I must marrу, I dо not sеek grеаt wеаlth or nоblе stаtus. I оnlу ask thаt he be upright, hоnеst, cоnsiderate, аnd caring. Нe must not tаkе соnсubinеs оr keeр оther wоmеn—I оnly wish tо grow оld tоgether with him." Sееing that Нan Yan showеd no objeсtiоn, shе cоntinued, "Peорlе saу thаt уоur dеmаnd for thе рrincе to hаve onlу yоu аs his wifе is shoсking аnd unсоnventional, but I dо not think so. In fact, I sharе the same wish. А lifetime оf marriаgе is rarе enough—if one takes so many concubines, the household will likely never know peace."
Muyan, hidden silently in the shadows of the rooftop, watched Shu Hong through the window. She actually said she shared the same wish as the princess. In truth, when the princess first made that demand to never take concubines or maidservants, not only the prince but even someone as reticent as himself felt it was inappropriate. It was common for men to have multiple wives and concubines—how could the princess speak of jealousy so casually? Yet what was even more surprising was that the prince, who was known for never yielding to others, actually agreed to this demand. And now, a mere maid by the princess's side was saying the same thing. Were all the people around the princess this unique?
Sunlight fell on Shu Hong's slightly flushed face. Her skin was delicate and fair, and she looked like a gentle, sensible, and lovely young woman. Yet it was this very lovely young woman who had just spoken of monopolizing her husband. Muyan lowered his head, recalling the first time he saw Shu Hong. At the time, she thought they had taken the princess away and actually pulled out a hairpin and stabbed him. Muyan considered himself cold and stern—usually, maidservants dared not speak to him. But Shu Hong met his gaze directly, refusing to back down. He had been somewhat surprised and even admiring then—such a loyal maid was rare.
In their subsequent meetings, he almost always saw this girl by the princess's side. The princess was clever, and she was no less capable. Perhaps all those around the princess had some ability—Ji Lan was quick-witted, and Shu Hong was steady. Later, when Zhuang Hanming and Han Yan quarreled, Shu Hong was injured. At the time, he carried Shu Hong on his back and felt how light she was. For someone who seemed so steady, she now appeared just as delicate as the other frail maidservants in the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion.
Gradually, a trace of pity he himself was unaware of began to grow in his heart.
Today, when he heard Han Yan say from the rooftop that she intended to marry Shu off, he felt inexplicably nervous. He still did not understand why, even now. So this was the kind of person Shu Hong liked—upright and honorable, with wealth and status meaning nothing. What mattered most was to treat her wholeheartedly.
Han Yan smiled and asked, "Shu Hong, what do you think of Muyan?"
At these words, both the person in the room and the one on the rooftop were stunned.
Shu Hong shook her head in panic. "What do you mean, miss? I have no relationship with Guard Muyan."
Hearing Shu Hong so hastily deny any connection to him, Muyan gradually felt a surge of displeasure. He did not know why he was angry, but at this moment, this stone-like man finally let a trace of emotion show. With a turn of his head, he flew away from the rooftop, no longer observing the room.Han Yan had no idea what Muyan was thinking at the moment, but she was genuinely delighted. By Fu Yunxi's side, Mufeng had a lively temperament, while this Muyan seemed somewhat similar to Fu Yunxi. Those who earned Fu Yunxi's trust were likely decent people—she just wondered whether there was any fate between Shu Hong and him.
At this thought, Han Yan giggled softly. Shu Hong didn't understand why Han Yan was laughing, but after being brushed off with an excuse, she fell silent.
Inside the inn.
A beautiful young woman in yellow played with a small snake in her hand, watching a man applying medicine to his wound on the other side. "Brother, why did you save her?"
"Irina," Zhuo Qi looked at her coldly. "You're overstepping."
Irina pouted. Heaven knew she had been overjoyed when Han Yan was on the verge of death. If Han Yan died, Fu Yunxi could marry her. But Zhuo Qi had secretly helped Han Yan, allowing Zhuang Hanyan to ultimately be saved by Fu Yunxi. Seeing her efforts come to nothing, Irina nearly cried in frustration. However, she had always feared her brother since childhood and could only vent her grievances verbally.
"Brother, she is the Xuan Qing Prince Consort," Irina frowned. Even so, she remained exceptionally beautiful and charming. Her beauty far surpassed Han Yan's—one could say that half the men in the Great Dynasty would go mad at the sight of her face.
Zhuo Qi shook his head, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips—a smile filled with a predatory intensity. "She is mine." His mind flashed back to the fragile girl standing in a pool of blood, fearlessly wielding a large blade. The first time he saw her, he thought she was cunning, yet there was a tranquility about her that seemed detached from the world—a kind of calm that was hard to describe, as if forged through years of hardship, an inner and outer resilience. Each time he saw her afterward, she seemed different, wearing countless masks, making one wonder which version beneath those masks was the real her. And that day, pursued by assassins, her eyes shone brightly, without a trace of retreat or despair, instead radiating a fierce vitality, cold and ruthless. In that moment, he felt this girl was like a proud eagle on the grasslands, making him unable to resist the urge to tame her.
What did it matter if she was the Xuan Qing Prince Consort? As long as he set his sights on something, he would obtain it. A confident smile spread across Zhuo Qi's face. He had a feeling that once he claimed this girl, she would be the most satisfying prize of his journey to the Great Dynasty.
Irina couldn't guess what Zhuo Qi was thinking at all. Hearing his words, she hesitantly asked, "Brother, do you like her?"
Zhuo Qi smiled without answering. Irina confirmed her suspicion and grew even more displeased with Han Yan. Zhuo Qi had always been closest to her, but this worthless woman had not only stolen the man she loved but also caused her dear brother to scold her. Irina secretly resolved that the next time she saw Han Yan, regardless of what her brother thought, she would eliminate her. To Irina, such a woman remaining in the world for even one more day was a tremendous threat.
Meanwhile, inside the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion, an unusual calm prevailed.
"You guessed correctly," Cheng Lei propped his chin on one hand. "The one who saved your little consort was none other than the Western Rong prince."Fu Yunxi sat with his eyes lowered, his white robes pooling on the floor, his gaze indifferent. Upon hearing Cheng Lei's words, he unhurriedly extended two fingers and tapped the teacup before him. "He doesn't know what's good for him."
Cheng Lei let out a soft chuckle. "He is, after all, your wife's savior. Why speak so harshly? I think he's genuinely fallen for her."
Fu Yunxi lightly furrowed his brow, Han Yan's smiling face surfacing in his mind. This girl's radiance had been noticed by others, and now flies were swarming everywhere. It truly was troublesome. If only he could hide her away. Startled by the realization that such a thought had crossed his mind, Fu Yunxi paused, then couldn't help but let out a faint, self-mocking laugh.
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