Chapter 14: Three Months

Shen Yuling was forcibly pulled onto Quan Minghe’s lap.

She was both embarrassed and furious, her face flushed red as she glared at the mysterious and domineering man before her.

“Three months.”

Quan Minghe’s voice was deep and mellow, carrying a slight huskiness that was pleasant to the ear.

Shen Yuling didn’t react immediately, her brows furrowing.

“What?”

“You will stay at the Residence of Prince Lingyang for another three months.”

Three months?!

Shen Yuling’s heart tightened in shock, and she instantly understood his meaning.

As expected, Quan Minghe, being an emperor, possessed a terrifying sense of dominance. Any woman he had set his sights on—how could he possibly tolerate her becoming another man’s wife?

However, she couldn’t fathom what methods he would use to ensure she left the Residence of Prince Lingyang after three months.

He certainly wouldn’t take her away by force. If that were his intention, he wouldn’t have waited three months.

“What exactly are you planning?”

“The emperor himself bestowed this marriage between the prince and me. There is no possibility for us—you and I—why don’t you understand?”

“What happened that night was nothing more than an accident. Why must you keep entangling yourself with me?”

“The blood of the Shen family of Cangwu and the Ye family of Lingxi flows through my veins. My family’s honor weighs as heavily as a mountain upon me—I can never allow them to be shamed because of me.”

“If you expose the fact that I lost my chastity before marriage, you will be forcing me onto a path of no return. How is that any different from killing me outright?”

Quan Minghe merely reached out, gripping her chin firmly.

He forced her to lift her head, making her meet his gaze directly.

“If not for preserving your reputation, there would be no need to wait these three months.”

Quan Minghe’s gaze was as deep and unfathomable as a dark pool.

There was no denying it—ever since that unexpected night, the thought of bringing her into the Harem had taken root in his mind.

After all, her face was exquisitely beautiful, her figure graceful and alluring, her skin like jade, cool and flawless.

Killing her would be a true waste.

So, he was relieved—relieved that she had not yet consummated her marriage with Feng Moheng.

Otherwise, the one visiting her today might not have been him, but Zhao Cong, carrying a tray with poisoned wine.

“The Shen family and the Ye family will not be affected in any way.”

Seeing the worry in her eyes, Quan Minghe added these words.

Shen Yuling’s delicate face remained tense. She simply chose to stay silent, glaring at him coldly.

“What’s this? Even the Prince of Lingyang refuses to touch you, yet you still dream of a harmonious marriage with him?”

“Then should I instead long for a harmonious marriage with someone whose identity is unclear and whose face remains unseen?”

Shen Yuling refused to back down, retorting sharply, her gaze filled with defiance and disdain.

Quan Minghe let out a faint chuckle at her words.

“Sharp-tongued.”

Yet, a flicker of intrigue flashed in his eyes.

“It’s getting late. I need to go back.”

Shen Yuling spoke as she struggled forcefully, intent on freeing herself from his lap.

But how could Quan Minghe let her go so easily? He tightened his grip around her waist.

To him, her struggling was nothing—her strength was insignificant in his eyes.

“Don’t move.”

“If you keep struggling, I’ll carry you straight from Drunken Chant Pavilion to the Residence of Prince Lingyang.”

Shen Yuling’s body instantly froze.

She dared not move again.

Quan Minghe suddenly yanked open her robes. Before Shen Yuling could react, he bit down hard just above her chest.

“Mm…!”

She gasped in pain.

“It hurts! What are you doing?!”

But Quan Minghe acted as if he hadn’t heard her, merely gazing in satisfaction at the mark he had left.

Leisurely, he said, “With this mark, I suppose you won’t dare let Feng Moheng get too close—lest he sees something he shouldn’t.”

“You’re shameless!”

Shen Yuling trembled with anger, her face flushed red.

Unwilling to back down, she reached out, yanked open Quan Minghe’s collar, and bit down hard on his chest.

Yet, instead of getting angry, Quan Minghe merely raised a large hand, pressing it gently against the back of her head, allowing her to bite as she pleased.

There was even a trace of indulgence in his gaze.

He lowered his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

His warm breath brushed against Shen Yuling’s ear.

“I prefer flowers with thorns.”

Shen Yuling froze for a moment, a chill running through her heart. She immediately let go.

Hah, a masochist.

She lifted her head, her lips stained with blood.

Quan Minghe remained composed, casually taking out a handkerchief from his robes.

He gently wiped the bloodstain from her lips.

Shen Yuling, however, was filled with disgust. Instinctively, she turned her head away, unwilling to share such an intimate moment with him.

Quan Minghe reached out, pinching her chin and forcing her to face him, his gaze burning into hers.

“Go back.”

It was as if she had been granted a pardon. Shen Yuling immediately slid off his lap.

She hurried to the door, reaching out to open it—only to pause abruptly.

She took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and composed herself, restoring the dignified poise befitting a noble lady.

Only then did she reach out to open the door, stepping out without a backward glance as she hurried away.

Quan Minghe remained seated, watching her retreating figure.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

Such an amusing experience—he truly had never encountered one like it before.

He had never concealed his identity when dealing with women, and he wondered if, upon learning who he truly was, she would be frightened by her own audacity today.

After all, she was indeed a little timid.

Even in the harem, only Beauty Wang occasionally allowed herself a bit of indulgence before him. The rest were bound by strict etiquette, never daring to overstep their bounds.

Quan Minghe lowered his head, brushing his fingers over the wound on his chest, his eyes narrowing slightly.

A wild cat with claws—if brought into the palace and properly tamed, she would surely become a docile little kitten.

Obediently pleasing him.

•  

Shen Yuling hurried back to the Residence of Prince Lingyang, heading straight for Ninglan Courtyard, where she resided.

Along the way, her expression showed a hint of exhaustion. Though she had anticipated Quan Minghe’s possessiveness, she hadn’t expected it to be this overwhelming.

Three months.

How was she supposed to win over Feng Moheng within three months?

Back in the room, Xi Tong quickly locked the door.

“Master, what did Quan Minghe say to you?”

(Note: Xi Tong addresses Shen Yuling as Master in private because she is the manifestation of Shen Yuling’s  System Spirit)

Shen Yuling’s gaze wavered slightly, drifting to a distant point.

“Three months… Xi Tong, it seems we need to move faster.”

She frowned slightly, her mind already calculating the next steps. The situation was growing increasingly complicated, and every move had to be made with caution.

Especially when it came to Quan Minghe—he was indeed even more difficult to manipulate than she had anticipated.

Especially Quan Minghe—he was indeed more difficult to manipulate than expected.

“Pass down my orders. Have the kitchen prepare some specialty dishes from the northwest tonight. I brought Xifeng wine from there, and I intend to invite his Highness for a tasting.”

Xi Tong nodded.

As a system, she possessed a vast reservoir of knowledge, but when it came to scheming and maneuvering human emotions, she was rather lacking.

Fortunately, after spending so much time by Shen Yuling’s side, she had learned to simply follow her master’s commands without questioning the reasoning behind them.

“Oh, right, Master. Quite a few maids and servants arrived at Ninglan Courtyard today. I will assign them positions according to their individual strengths.”

“Mm, make sure to keep a close watch on them.”

Shen Yuling responded softly.

“Rest assured, Master.”

Night gradually fell.

The kitchen had meticulously prepared the dishes Shen Yuling requested and carefully brought them over.

It was the perfect season in April, with the flowers in the residence blooming in full splendor, competing in beauty.

The Ninglan Courtyard, where Shen Yuling resided, was also adorned with a riot of blossoms, their delicate fragrances lingering in the night air.

Inside the Ziwei Pavilion.

An array of exquisite Northwestern dishes was elegantly arranged on the stone table, accompanied by the bottle of Xifeng wine brought from the northwest.

Shen Yuling sat within the pavilion.

Her gaze fell upon the dishes and wine before her.

Before long, a young attendant hurried back.

“Princess Consort, just now, after the Prince returned to the residence, the maidservant by Liu Jingyi’s side invited him away. The Prince also said he would not be dining with you tonight.”

Shen Yuling waved her hand, her voice slightly hoarse. “Alright, you may go.”

She dined alone in the pavilion, her figure appearing solitary and desolate.

In the courtyard, a maid tending to the flowers occasionally glanced in the direction of the Princess Consort, but she quickly averted her gaze, pretending to focus on the plants in her hands.