Song Huaizhi watched the scene in front of him like a spectator. Wen Xiuzhi, who had always been so calm in the cycle of reincarnation, now had bloodshot eyes, no longer the composed man he used to be. Song Huaizhi couldn't find the shadow of the man who would later compete against him. All he saw was a poor soul, enraged because his beloved was being forced.
Shangguan Xue was in the same state. She had never been so disheveled. She struggled but couldn't break free, like a caged bird, looking mournfully at the sky.
Only Crown Prince Zheng Yuanjia remained as calm, arrogant, and all - powerful as ever, making it impossible for anyone to refuse him.
If Wen Xiuzhi hadn't been by his side, Song Huaizhi was afraid he wouldn't be able to hold back his sarcasm and would burst out laughing right there.
"Your Highness," Wen Xiuzhi tried to look calm, but his eyes betrayed his emotions. "What are you doing?"
Zheng Yuanjia frowned and looked back with displeasure. He saw Wen Xiuzhi staring at him, and there was a handsome man standing beside him.
He stood up and calmly adjusted his clothes. Apparently, he was unhappy that these people had ruined his good deed, but he still slightly curled his lips and said with a smile, "Brother Wen walks so quietly. Fortunately, it's just me and Xue'er here. If it were someone else, there might be trouble."
Seeing the restraint on Wen Xiuzhi's face, Zheng Yuanjia casually placed his hand on Shangguan Xue's shoulder and said, "Xue'er will soon become my crown princess. I hope Brother Wen will come to drink a toast at our wedding."
Shangguan Xue was trembling.
Wen Xiuzhi stared at him intently. The tension between them was so thick that it seemed to spread everywhere.
"Xue'er!"
The Fifth Princess ran over, holding up her skirt. Seeing Shangguan Xue standing behind her elder brother, she was immediately surprised and said, "I've been looking for you for a long time. Why are you here?"
Then, meeting the Crown Prince's sinister gaze, she quickly stepped forward and grabbed Shangguan Xue's hand. Looking at the Crown Prince, she said, "Brother, I have some girlish matters to discuss with Xue'er now. I'll take my leave first."
The Fifth Princess had summoned all her courage. She pulled Shangguan Xue away, her hand shaking so much that she almost couldn't hold on. Fortunately, Shangguan Xue seemed to come back to her senses and tightly held her hand in return. Forcing a smile, she said, "I'll leave with the Fifth Princess first."
The two women held hands, feeling the coldness of each other's palms and the hearts that were about to burst out of their chests.
The Fifth Princess's face had turned completely pale, even her lips were bloodless. She was cold all over, and her legs were so weak that she felt uncomfortable.
They ran forward quickly, not looking back at all.
Zheng Yuanjia watched them leave without stopping them. He just sneered slightly and said, "It seems that my Fifth Sister is quite brave and loyal today. She's not as timid as usual."
After saying that, he turned to the two men and asked, "And you are?"
Song Huaizhi saw that the Crown Prince was trying to intimidate him. So he calmly bowed and said, "I'm Song Huaizhi, a commoner. I pay my respects to Your Highness."
"Song Huaizhi?" Zheng Yuanjia's face changed slightly. Looking at him, he said, "The disciple of Mr. Lin?"
Song Huaizhi nodded slightly.
"Good, very good!" Zheng Yuanjia laughed. After laughing, his eyes scanned the two men. Then he curled his lips and said, "I'm really looking forward to our next meeting."
"Song... Huai... Zhi."
After watching the Crown Prince leave, Wen Xiuzhi beside him could no longer contain his anger. He punched a tree and gasped heavily.
"I'm sorry, Brother Song," he said with red - eyed to Song Huaizhi. "I've implicated you today."
"It's okay," Song Huaizhi said. A hint of appropriate embarrassment appeared on his face, and he sighed. "I never thought the Crown Prince would be..."
"It's not your fault, Brother Wen. Who could watch their childhood sweetheart be humiliated in public? The Crown Prince is really..."
"I originally thought the Crown Prince was elegant, amiable, and kind - hearted. Alas!"
Song Huaizhi was very skillful in his speech. He appropriately revealed his dissatisfaction and surprise, which triggered the thought that Wen Xiuzhi had buried deep in his heart.
Such a domineering and violent man. If he ascended the throne, could the common people really live in peace?
And... would Xue'er really have to marry such a man and be trapped in the backyard for the rest of her life?
"Sir Song, please wait."
Seeing that Song Huaizhi was about to turn around and leave, a look of unspeakable struggle appeared on Wen Xiuzhi's face. When Song Huaizhi looked at him, his gaze gradually became firm.
"I wonder if I can visit you at the academy after the banquet today?"
The fish had taken the bait.
Song Huaizhi responded gently, "Of course, Brother Wen."
...
The Fifth Princess pulled Shangguan Xue and ran until she was out of breath. Looking around, she felt completely lost and didn't know where to go.
Unconsciously, they arrived at the small pavilion where she had met Meng Ruyi before.
Meng Ruyi was actually still sitting there. When she heard their footsteps, she looked up, a look of sigh on her face. She said, "Come and take a rest, ladies."
The Fifth Princess lowered her head and nodded. Her head was covered in sweat.
Shangguan Xue looked blank. She was just being pulled by the Fifth Princess and sat down on the side, relying on muscle memory.
Slowly coming to her senses, she saw Meng Ruyi looking at her. Suddenly, she felt a chill all over her body. She hesitated and said, "Miss Meng."
Her voice was hoarse. She looked like a frightened little animal. "Why... why are you here?"
"Your Highness, she helped us."
Meng Ruyi looked at the bullet comments.
【Aaaaaah, my goodness! I can't support the Crown Prince anymore. He's such a jerk! What a disgusting person!!!】
【Male characters who don't respect women should die! A person like the Crown Prince would be a minor character in other plots. He's arrogant and cruel. I hate him so much!!!】
【Poor Xue'er. The Fifth Princess has seen the light. This part makes me feel so complicated.】
【Alas! I hate this plot. Forced love? I think such scenes are just disgusting.】
It seemed that the people behind these bullet comments also had a sense of right and wrong. From the beginning when they admired the powerful, now they no longer wanted to see the Crown Prince.
Meng Ruyi looked calm. Looking at the two women in front of her, she said, "No, Your Highness, you're overestimating me."
Shangguan Xue came to her senses. Looking at Meng Ruyi, she forced a smile and said, "I understand. I never thought it would be you who saved me in the end."
Looking back, she saw the Fifth Princess sitting beside her, still holding her hand tightly. Shangguan Xue comforted her, "Your Highness, it's okay now."
Shangguan Xue was smart. She couldn't have not known that the Fifth Princess had been involved at the beginning, but she didn't want to think about it.
Both of these women in front of her had saved her. Maybe it wasn't an accident that Wen Xiuzhi and Song Huaizhi had stumbled upon them either.
Recalling Song Huaizhi's cold gaze, the bitterness on Shangguan Xue's face deepened. Her voice trembled as she said, "There's no turning back once the arrow is shot."
"I'm the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family, but now..." Shangguan Xue took a deep breath. "It seems there's no way to turn things around."
Saying this, she looked up at Meng Ruyi.