The scar on her chest would never fully heal in this lifetime.
Although the scar had faded over time, it was like an insurmountable chasm between her and Liang Yuzhou.
Liang Yuzhou had already explained many of the past misunderstandings and humbly admitted his mistakes with utmost sincerity.
However, they had always been cautious and avoided talking about the matter of the heart's blood.
Song Wanchu was well aware that although she and Liang Yuzhou might have had a new beginning, their relationship would still be on shaky ground if the biggest knot remained unresolved.
Lies could shatter trust, and even the most steadfast of feelings could crumble because of them.
Their relationship was gradually mending, but the future between them remained a hazy mystery to her.
One thing Song Wanchu was certain of was that she didn't want to be by the Crown Prince's side. Whether it was the position of the Crown Princess or the future Empress, it wasn't a beautiful promise but a heavy yoke weighing her down.
The Crown Prince stared at Song Wanchu's stubborn face, his eyes darkening with emotion.
"It doesn't matter, Wanchu. Feelings can be nurtured over time. One day, you'll realize that I'll love you more deeply, sincerely, and passionately than Liang Yuzhou ever could."
He gently caressed his lips, his Adam's apple bobbing as a glint of desire flashed in his eyes.
He knew that Wanchu couldn't accept him yet, so his movements were extremely gentle, as if he were stroking a newborn lamb.
Just as he was about to lean in for a kiss, Song Wanchu suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, would you be willing to grant any request of mine?"
The Crown Prince didn't hesitate, "Naturally."
He was delighted that Wanchu had asked something of him.
It was better than before when she had been polite yet distant, always on guard and rejecting whatever he said.
Song Wanchu tilted her head back and looked into his eyes, "During my three years in the Duke's Mansion, I was in charge of the household affairs. Every day, I had to entertain guests and manage hundreds of people. As soon as I opened my eyes, there were dozens of trivial matters waiting for me to deal with. I'm tired of such a life. All I want is to find a place with beautiful scenery and live a simple and peaceful life. Would Your Highness be willing to give up the Great Zhou's throne for me?"
Her words were incredibly bold.
If it were anyone else, they would have lost their heads on the spot!
The Crown Prince's face darkened, his brows furrowing tightly.
Song Wanchu could feel the anger radiating from him, but she didn't flinch. Instead, she bravely met his gaze.
The Crown Prince naturally understood what she meant.
With her humble background, even when she became a concubine in the Duke's Mansion, she was still looked down upon.
Just because she had the ability to manage the inner courtyard of the Duke's Mansion didn't mean she was eager for power.
Moreover, if she became the Crown Princess or even the Empress, she would have to manage the entire harem.
The harem was a more complicated place than the imperial court. Every concubine represented a different faction, and there were all sorts of undercurrents and hidden agendas.
She didn't want to waste her prime years in endless battles with those women.
Especially for a man she didn't love.
It wasn't worth it.
"Wanchu, why do you ask me to do something that's simply impossible?"
"Then please don't give me something that I don't want at all."
Song Wanchu's retort was almost a direct confrontation with the Crown Prince.
Anger flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes.
"Do you reject me because you don't like me or because I'm the future emperor?"
He was stubbornly determined to find out where he had gone wrong.
Song Wanchu told him plainly, "When you don't love someone, you're indifferent to everything about them."
The Crown Prince had once come to her rescue when she was at her most vulnerable and embarrassed. She would always be grateful to him for that.
She was willing to always regard him as an unreachable god rather than trying to pull him down from his pedestal to show off her charm.
She had never toyed with any man's feelings.
And the men around her, whether it was Liang Yuzhou, her elder brother, or the Crown Prince, had all been sincere to her.
But she couldn't reciprocate their feelings one by one.
A strong sense of frustration welled up in the Crown Prince's heart, drowning his rationality like a tide.
He was used to getting whatever he wanted with just a wave of his hand. But when it came to Song Wanchu, he couldn't have her.
Dark clouds gathered on his face, and he suddenly let out a soft laugh.
The fingers pinching Song Wanchu's chin tightened, and a hint of cruelty flashed in his handsome and elegant smile.
"I don't care, Wanchu. Sooner or later, you'll be mine."
He wanted to make Wanchu a woman that Liang Yuzhou could never touch.
Song Wanchu saw the crazy obsession in his eyes and felt a fear of having her life controlled.
She suddenly pushed the Crown Prince away, but he grabbed her wrist and pinned her against the wall.
The dangerous aura closed in on her.
Song Wanchu's heart raced wildly. She wanted to scream, but it was as if something was stuck in her throat.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Little Anzi's voice was a bit urgent, "Your Highness, there's an urgent matter!"
The moment her wrist was released, it was as if the mountain pressing on her had been removed. Song Wanchu gasped for breath like someone who had survived a disaster.
The Crown Prince called Little Anzi in.
Little Anzi whispered in his ear, "Yue Jiaojiao has been taken away by the Princess's people. She might have already left Yunzhou City by now!"
The Crown Prince's face paled.
He had been so careless that he hadn't thought that the Princess would use Yue Jiaojiao as a pawn!
"Send more people. We must stop them!"
Song Wanchu was sent back to the Chu Mansion by Baizhi and Luocen.
In the evening, when it was time for dinner, the head maid of Old Lady Chu came to Meiyingxuan to deliver a message, "The old lady's private kitchen has made a few new dishes. She would like the young lady to come and try them."
Baizhi and Luocen insisted on going with her, so Song Wanchu didn't bring Nanzhi and Suyue.
Xiahe and Yinglan didn't fight for the chance to go either. Instead, they quietly stayed in the room to tidy up.
The two of them said that a few of Song Wanchu's cotton-padded clothes, cloaks, and a few pairs of her usual shoes were a bit damp and needed to be dried by the fire.
Song Wanchu went to Cihuiyuan and saw that there was indeed a table of light dishes in Old Lady Chu's room.
Chu Yueying and Chu Yuexi were also there.
After dinner, Old Lady Chu ordered someone to bring out a few kinds of snacks and nuts, and everyone chatted while eating.
Less than an hour later, Chu Yueying and Chu Yuexi started yawning continuously, so Old Lady Chu told them to go back.
Song Wanchu also wanted to bid farewell, but Old Lady Chu held her hand and said with a kind smile, "Don't leave just yet. I have something to talk to you about in private."
Song Wanchu sat down again. The head maid of Old Lady Chu gave a look to the servants in the room, and they all left the room consciously.
Only Baizhi and Luocen still stood outside the bead curtain.
Old Lady Chu just kept smiling and didn't say a word for a long time.
Baizhi and Luocen exchanged a look and understood that the old lady had something to say that wasn't suitable for outsiders to hear.
They thought that Song Wanchu would surely be safe with Old Lady Chu.
So, they also walked out of the room and closed the door.
A figure emerged from behind the screen and stood in front of her, tall and imposing.
Song Wanchu's heart skipped a beat. "How did you get here?"
She nervously looked outside. The room was brightly lit, and people outside could see the shadows inside...
Old Lady Chu said with a smile, "Don't be afraid. The windows in my room are covered with mist-shielding curtains. People outside can't see the figures inside."
Liang Yuzhou hugged her tightly in front of Old Lady Chu.
The man's steady breath fell on her ear, "Wanchu, I'll take you away."