As the morning rooster finished crowing, the Prince Qi's residence went about its daily tasks as usual. However, today the residence was unusually quiet for a reason. Of course, it was because the mistress of the house, accompanied by six maids, was heading to Hanyue Residence in a grand manner.
Meiniang had meticulously adorned herself today, enhancing her already exquisite face to be even more alluring. She wore a red dress that accentuated her seductive figure, and the matching red ruby earrings and necklace shimmered with a captivating brilliance.
Meiniang and her entourage arrived at the entrance gate of Hanyue Residence, where they were intercepted by the guards. This greatly angered Meiniang, who was not accustomed to being challenged.
"How dare you, you lowly servants! Where I, the royal consort, go is none of your business," Meiniang scolded angrily, thinking that this vixen had quite a high profile. The prince actually sent guards to protect her, which made Meiniang itch with irritation.
"Please forgive us, royal consort. We are under the orders of the prince to guard Hanyue Residence. No one is allowed to enter without the prince's command," the guards coldly responded to Meiniang's words.
Meanwhile, I was pondering inside the garden, wondering why Big Brother Qi had left without a word. I asked Qinglian, but she replied, "Your Highness, we should consider when it would be best for us to leave." Asking her was pointless, so I wanted to go and ask Yuntian. However, I was still unfamiliar with everything here since I had just arrived, and I didn't want to cause any trouble because of me. Just as I was deep in thought, I heard a series of female voices arguing at the garden gate. Out of curiosity, I followed the sound, much to Qinglian's disapproval, but she still followed me.
"What are you all arguing about?" As soon as I arrived at the garden gate, I saw a figure dressed in bright red. Undeniably, she was incredibly beautiful. However, if it weren't for her high level of anger, she might have been even more stunning.
Meiniang widened her eyes, looking extremely surprised. Her heart couldn't help but tremble. Oh my... this, this, this couldn't be possible. He, he, he couldn't possibly appear again. For the first time, Meiniang felt like she had encountered a ghost after doing something wicked. Her slightly parted red lips struggled to form a complete sentence.
"Who are you? What are you making a fuss about so early in the morning?" I furrowed my brow, genuinely despising this woman in red, feeling an inexplicable aversion towards her. It wasn't the kind of dislike based on beauty, but a complete disgust.
When Meiniang heard her speak, she confirmed that she was a human and not a ghost. She quickly put on a smile that didn't reach her eyes, speaking softly, "Sister, you're mistaken. It would be impolite not to recognize each other after entering the same door. I came here today to visit you and thought of helping you get familiar with the surroundings. Let's have a sisterly chat!" Meiniang's words were polite, but her heart was filled with resentment.
I listened to her repeatedly calling me "sister" and felt an inexplicable fear. A thought flickered in my mind, and I understood eight or nine points. So he had already married someone else, then what was I? Bitterness overwhelmed me once again.
Meiniang looked at the woman who resembled Pujun, her expression filled with sadness and a hint of joy. It turned out that the prince hadn't explained everything to her. Looking at that beautiful face, especially the delicate peony mark on her forehead, which was even more charming than her own, Meiniang couldn't help but feel discontented. She thought to herself, "This face is truly a disaster. Originally, it had already stirred up the prince's desire when it appeared on a man. Now that it's on a woman..."
"We sisters are the closest people to the prince. Naturally, we should spend more time together," Meiniang maintained a very friendly expression, but it seemed piercing in Pujun's eyes.
"Royal Consort, I apologize for my impoliteness. I was too presumptuous," I said with a surface-level regret, but inside, I was feeling even more uncomfortable, unable to express it on the spot. The oppression in my chest grew stronger, and my complexion alternated between pale and green.
"Royal Consort, I misspoke. Please forgive me," I forced a faint smile and quickly changed my way of addressing her. A hint of arrogance showed through, and my beautiful eyes sparkled with calculating thoughts.
"I was the one who spoke out of turn, and I apologize for my rudeness," I showed extreme remorse on the surface, but deep inside, I was unable to relieve the discomfort that had been building up. The suppression in my chest intensified, causing my face to display alternating shades of paleness and blueness.
"Miss, are you feeling unwell again?" Qinglian observed our exchange closely, as well as the royal consort standing outside the garden. It seemed that the royal consort didn't want both of us, master and servant, to stay here. It seemed there was a way out. Qinglian pondered with a thoughtful expression, while also caring for my well-being.
"I apologize, but I'm feeling a bit unwell. I should withdraw. Qinglian, please accompany me," I restrained the surging blood in my chest and spoke steadily.
Meiniang didn't expect that Pujun had actually distanced herself. She thought to herself, "Indeed, this fox spirit with some skills is not to be underestimated. However, the more you act like this, the less I will let you go."
"That was inappropriate of me, Royal Consort. I hope you understand," I expressed deep regret for my own rudeness, but in truth, I was too uncomfortable to utter a word. The suppression in my chest grew heavier, and my complexion turned even paler.
"It's all right, there's no need to see me off. If Qinglian needs anything in the future, feel free to discuss it with me. I will do my best to help," Meiniang's words had a double meaning, striking a chord in Qinglian's heart.
"Thank you, Royal Consort. If there are any needs, I will discuss them with you," Qinglian skillfully responded, choosing her words carefully. Meanwhile, I paid no attention to their conversation due to the pain in my chest.
"Very well, there's no need to send us off. Qinglian will accompany me back. These are my gifts for our meeting," Meiniang felt extremely delighted, unexpectedly finding someone who could be of use so quickly.
"Thank you, Royal Consort," Qinglian understood the hidden meaning behind her words and responded appropriately, without showing any sign of it.
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I continued to rush into the inner garden of Hanyue Residence and collapsed weakly to the ground. I couldn't believe I had been deceived again, and so completely. Why?
"Niangniang, you..." Qinglian followed me in and looked at my painful figure, feeling uneasy herself. She wanted to come forward and console me but was pushed away by me. "Let me be alone for a while."
Qinglian stood in place and waited for a long time. She finally gave up her space completely to me, believing that as long as she brought me back, I would be happy again. Qinglian firmly believed this in her heart.
I covered my face with both hands, and tears fell like broken pearls. They fell continuously, one by one. Why, Yuntian? Why did you do this to me? Now that you have a beautiful wife, why did you still want to deceive me? And why did I, despite knowing I shouldn't develop feelings for you, willingly let my heart follow you? I understand that there are men in the world who have three or four wives and concubines, but do I understand why I had to chase after a moth to the flame?
As I deeply regretted my foolish actions, a pair of men's shoes appeared in front of me. I couldn't control my trembling body, unwilling to let him see me in such a disheveled state. I struggled to get up and leave but, due to kneeling for too long, my legs had gone numb. As soon as I stood up, I fell back down in pain.
At that moment, Yuntian quickly reached out and supported Pujun. With one hand, he gently massaged her numb legs to relieve the tingling sensation.
"Snap!" After a crisp sound, I finally regained my senses. What had I just done? I looked at Yuntian, whom I had just slapped fiercely. Despite my weak strength, the slap had significant force behind it.
Looking at Pujun, her face covered in tears, Yuntian knew she must be furious. When he received the message from Mie, he knew that Meiniang couldn't resist coming to see Pujun in the end. He also knew that when the two of them met, Pujun would have a strong reaction. The slap was loud and clear, landing on Yuntian. The pain pierced Pujun's heart, as she didn't know she had fallen in love with him in such a short time.
Ignoring the numbness in my legs, I grabbed his clothes at the chest. Tearfully, I asked, "Why? Why would you deceive me when you already have a wife?"
"Jun'er, her existence is a mistake. But it's inevitable," Yuntian said lightly, his tone filled with helplessness.
"If she is a mistake, then what am I? Tell me!" I couldn't control my anger and shouted.
"Jun'er, you have lost your memories of the past. I can't explain why, but I hope you believe me," Yuntian held Pujun tightly in his arms and whispered in her ear.
"Fine, I believe you. Let me leave!" I understood that I loved him, but I couldn't share him with other women. This possessiveness was something I had never experienced before, and I couldn't bear the pain it brought.
"Jun'er, you..." Yuntian had expected Pujun to say this, but hearing it directly from her still made it difficult for him to accept.
"Let me leave. Since you've decided not to forsake her, you should let go of me," each word pierced my heart like a knife, and if I didn't make a decision today, it would be even more painful for the three of us in the future!
Suddenly, Yuntian saw the scene from four years ago when Pujun bid him farewell. He realized that he had been hurting Pujun all this time. He had repeatedly demanded selfless devotion from her without giving anything in return. No, this time he couldn't let Pujun make the sacrifice. Even if it hurt Meiniang, he couldn't let Pujun leave with a broken heart.
"Jun'er, believe me. I won't disappoint you this time," Yuntian said with great determination, his handsome face showing a resolute expression.
"You..." I was about to speak, but he held me tightly, interrupting the words I wanted to say.
"I will give you an explanation. Don't you want to live a secluded life away from the world?" Yuntian didn't want to hear Pujun refuse him again, so he quickly embraced her and continued her unfinished words.
I leaned silently in his warm embrace, wondering if what I was doing was too selfish. I didn't want to think about whether it would hurt another woman. I just wanted to lean against him.
The morning light brought a gentle warmth as it softly illuminated the couple who had finally come together. What would the future hold for them? What kind of hardships would the heavens bring?
Chamber Room
Meiniang, at this moment, was holding her chin with her delicate fingers, a slight smile curling up at the corners of her mouth. She was extremely pleased and her narrowed eyes were filled with calculating thoughts. She couldn't help but wonder if there was any connection between the woman who resembled Pujun and her. She carefully searched her memory and came to the conclusion that Pujun was an orphan who had been bestowed honor by the prince's grace and could not have any relatives. But why did two different people in the world have such similar appearances?
As she pondered and contemplated, an impossible idea suddenly came to Meiniang's mind. This idea caused her body to tremble involuntarily. Meiniang whispered to herself, "Impossible. Could it be that he didn't die back then? But he was clearly a man, and what I saw today was undoubtedly a woman. It couldn't be... Pujun is actually a woman." Meiniang realized this in an instant, and it felt like a thunderbolt had struck her. Remembering the ambiguous relationship between Pujun and the prince in the past, she couldn't recall the prince showing any interest in men other than Pujun.
"So that's how it is," Meiniang said with resentment.
"What's going on?" a voice came from outside the door, startling Meiniang. She turned around in panic to look.
"Your Highness," Meiniang's eyebrows raised slightly, her vermilion lips slightly parted as she called out softly. She thought to herself, that stupid servant Xiao Lian didn't inform me before the prince entered.
Yuntian walked gracefully into the room, the main residence he had rarely visited in the past four years. His gaze gently scanned Meiniang, whom he had married but hadn't really observed closely. Today, he felt inclined to take a good look at her. Truly deserving of being the number one beauty in Qi, she had a more enchanting appearance than Pujun. However, the calculating look in her eyes spoiled her otherwise elegant temperament, which was a great flaw.
Facing Yuntian, who suddenly appeared before her, Meiniang was taken aback. At this moment, she was cautiously observing whether Yuntian had heard what she had said earlier, and she overlooked the fact that she addressed him as "Your Highness."
"Your Highness, if you want to come, you should let the maidservant inform me in advance. So that I can prepare to welcome you," Meiniang said sweetly, with a charming smile on her face, addressing Yuntian.
"It's not necessary. I came today to discuss something with you," Yuntian didn't want to waste time on pointless pleasantries. Since his heart was clear, there was no need for pretense.
"Your Highness, what do you want to discuss with me?" Meiniang looked at Yuntian, who was different from usual, and felt a slight wavering in her heart. She maintained an appearance of grace and composure, without showing any signs of panic.
"Meiniang, I know my decision today will cause you distress. But my mind is made up," Yuntian said expressionlessly, taking out a letter from his pocket and handing it to Meiniang.
Meiniang finally understood at this moment that he intended to abandon her. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and she looked at the letter in Yuntian's hand, unable to believe that there was something about her that couldn't compare to Pujun.
"Your Highness, do you remember our promise from back then?" Meiniang asked anxiously, hoping to dissuade him from his thoughts. But she didn't know that this time it was Yuntian's carefully thought-out decision after much deliberation.
"Meiniang, can you honestly say that you haven't done anything?" Yuntian revealed her deception without mincing words, speaking in a deep voice.
The sound of thunder rang in Meiniang's ears, unable to believe that her perfect plan had been seen through. Her beautiful and delicate appearance lost some of its charm in an instant. "I haven't done anything. Your Highness, please believe me. I haven't done anything," Meiniang suddenly fell to her knees in front of Yuntian, tears shimmering in her eyes, her voice filled with despair.