Chapter 46: The Contest Between Two Women

Prince, didn’t we agree not to bring this up again? Although Zhenzhen fell seriously ill after returning home and forgot everything, she must have saved you out of pure kindness, without expecting anything in return.” Fang Zhenzhen pouted coquettishly.

Then, she pretended to be angry. “If you mention it again, I’ll really get upset.”

He Chengjin’s heart softened.

The woman he had set his sights on was truly the most sincere and kind-hearted in the world.

The affectionate and lingering gaze of the man made Fang Zhenzhen feel much better. The humiliation of the broken engagement slowly faded, allowing her to regain her former confidence.

Thinking of something, Fang Zhenzhen’s mood dimmed slightly. “Right now, the second branch of the Fang family is still in the eye of the storm. If others were to learn that I saved Your Highness, coupled with your insistence on the marriage, no matter the truth, people would assume that my Fang family is using this as leverage for repayment.”

She pleaded in a low voice. “So, I ask for Your Highness’s mercy.”

With a pained expression, He Chengjin pulled her into his embrace once more.

Similar words had been spoken when they first reunited.

Back then, she had said that she had been in the water, embracing another man, and was worried that if people found out, her reputation would be ruined. Even though she was young, it would still be inappropriate for her future husband to know about such a thing.

“I understand your concerns and remember your initial warnings. Don’t worry, not even my mother consort knows about this.”

He gently stroked Fang Zhenzhen’s back.

His mind drifted to the past.

Even now, he could vaguely recall that crisp, melodious voice during his moments of fading consciousness.

“Hold on to me!”

That time, he had left the palace for an outing beyond the city walls. His horse had been startled and bolted, throwing him off.

After rolling a few times, he fell into the water.

His guards were too far behind to reach him quickly.

The horse kept running forward, and the guards might not even realize he had fallen into the water.

Just as he thought he was about to drown, that voice rang out.

After being pulled ashore, he coughed up water for a long time before he finally looked at his rescuer.

A young girl in a red riding outfit, much shorter than him—how could she be so brave?

“Since you’re fine, I’ll be leaving now.”

The girl’s demeanor was carefree and unrestrained, and though she was soaked through, she didn’t seem embarrassed in the slightest.

He noticed that his guards were approaching from a distance and hurriedly asked, “What’s your name? You saved me. I will send someone to express my gratitude.”

But the girl had already turned to leave, merely raising her hand in a casual wave.

He quickly got up, removed the jade pendant from around his neck, and chased after her with all his might, shoving it into her hand before turning and running away.

Having received his promise, Fang Zhenzhen’s expression softened, and a sweet smile emerged. She withdrew from He Chengjin’s embrace and quickly pecked his cheek before lowering her head in shyness.

He Chengjin snapped back to reality and affectionately pinched her cheek. “You’re still as bold as you were back then.”

Fang Zhenzhen’s smile faltered slightly but quickly adjusted her expression as she gazed at the strikingly handsome man.

“My heart has long belonged to Your Highness and will never change in this lifetime. Since you’ve said this, I shall wait for your good news.” Her voice was soft and sweet.

Then, she immediately lowered her gaze. “But if it proves too difficult, it’s alright. I don’t want Your Highness to be troubled.”

The light in He Chengjin’s eyes was unwavering as he gently promised, “Rest assured, in this lifetime, I will marry no one but you.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Zhenzhen’s eyes lit up, nearly unable to contain her excitement.

Filled with joy, she threw herself into He Chengjin’s arms.

The two lingered in each other’s embrace for a while before finally parting.

He Chengjin watched as Fang Zhenzhen boarded the carriage. Only when the carriage disappeared from sight did he turn and walk back into the palace.

---

Changhua Palace

A palace maid walked over with small steps, knelt by the bedside, and carefully lifted a corner of the autumn-fragrant bed canopy, speaking softly. “Your Highness, Prince Qi seeks an audience.”

Consort Liang, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened her sharp gaze.

How could she not know what her son was here for?

When the rumors about the Fang family spread, she had been so furious it nearly affected her health. Without discussing it with He Chengjin, she had immediately sent someone to annul the engagement.

She had claimed illness for days, using rest as an excuse to refuse visitors. Yet, in the end, her son could no longer hold back and had come to see her.

“Let him in.”

The palace maid relayed the message and withdrew. Another maid stepped forward, placed soft cushions behind Consort Liang, helped her lean back, adjusted the bed curtains, and then retreated.

As He Chengjin entered the bedchamber, he caught a whiff of medicine in the air.

He paused before the screen, saluted, and asked with concern, “Mother Consort, are you feeling any better?”

Consort Liang’s voice carried a smile as she reassured him gently, “My son need not worry. I am much better.”

The chamber fell into a brief silence.

Consort Liang was the first to speak. “These past few days, though I have been unwell, I have also done much thinking. You are my only child, and of course, I hope for your well-being and happiness.”

She paused. “If you truly have your heart set on that girl, then marry her. I will do my best to persuade your father.”

Her voice was warm and loving, but her gaze was anything but.

To have reached the rank of Consort, she was no naive woman.

As a woman herself, after so many years in the palace, how could she not see through Fang Zhenzhen’s true nature?

But now, her son was still blinded by passion. If she were too forceful, it would only push him further away.

“However, there is one condition.”

The excitement in He Chengjin’s heart instantly cooled. He cautiously asked, “What is it?”

Consort Liang gazed at the silhouette of her son behind the screen, lightly tapping her finger against the brocade quilt.

After a moment, she spoke slowly.

“Even if Fang Zhan never returns, Fang Xunli is bound to achieve great things. Besides, he is about to marry into the Xu family. For the sake of our grand plan, I still wish to win over the Fang family’s main branch.”

“But now, the two branches of the Fang family are completely at odds. If you marry the second branch’s daughter, it may push the main branch even further away from us.”

“I recall that two years ago, at a poetry gathering hosted by the Liang family, Fang Zhiyi met with misfortune. Yet, in the end, the Liang family never gave the Fang family a proper explanation.”

Mentioning Fang Zhiyi, Consort Liang couldn’t help but sigh.

That girl was the daughter-in-law she had originally set her heart on.

The abilities of the Fang family’s main branch would undoubtedly help them seize the position they had long coveted. Unfortunately, they had been a step too late.

Her son—who knew what spell he was under—was wholly devoted to the second branch’s daughter, caring for nothing else.

“If you uncover the truth and inform the main branch, they will see our sincerity. With our families bound by marriage, they would find it hard to refuse us their support when the time comes.”

Behind the screen, Consort Liang couldn’t see her son’s expression and retracted her gaze.

Her beautiful phoenix eyes darkened.

Of course, she didn’t truly want him to investigate.

It was a long-dead case with no evidence. Even with much effort, a resolution was unlikely.

Besides, the incident had happened two years ago.

This was merely a way to buy time.