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Madam Cui and Madam Lin had devised a strategy: force Mu Shengsheng to leave the Regency Prince’s mansion. Without the Prince as her support, how could she not be at their mercy?
Madam Cui sighed, her tone threatening. “It seems you don’t care for those two maidservants, nor their fate. Very well, I won’t trouble you further. Hide here in the Prince’s mansion all you like. Let’s see how long you can evade me. I’ll return and tell them that their young mistress is a coward… They’ll lose hope and die with bitterness in their hearts.”
Seeing Madam Cui about to leave with her entourage, imagining Zisu and Lvl Luo suffering innocently…
Mu Shengsheng finally yielded, calling after her, “Madam, please wait…”
“What, have you changed your mind?” Madam Cui thought secretly, See? Bringing Mu Shengsheng back will be easy. A little trick is all it takes.
“Shengsheng can go with you, but…” Mu Shengsheng added, “The Regency Prince has taken me in for so long. If I am to leave, I should properly bid him farewell and gather my belongings.”
Fearing she might reveal something to the Prince, Madam Cui warned, “Be cautious with your words and actions. Do not trouble the Regency Prince further, or you know the consequences.”
“Please wait a moment, Madam Zhen Guo. Shengsheng will return shortly.”
Mu Shengsheng turned back, sat in her sedan chair, and instructed them to head to the Regency Prince’s study.
Along the way, Mu Shengsheng slumped into the chair.
Zisu and Lvl Luo were in Madam Cui’s hands—how could she break the deadlock? Surely she couldn’t truly marry that corpse!
Should she tell Lan Xun and ask for his help?
She quickly dismissed the thought. Lan Xun was the type to treat human life like grass. How could he care for the lives of her two little maidservants?
Returning to the Jingyuan Pavilion, Lan Xun was seated cross-legged at the desk, brewing tea. The fragrance drifted through the room, warm and peaceful.
Hearing Mu Shengsheng enter, he didn’t look up, merely asking, “Have you sent them off?”
Mu Shengsheng removed her veil and handed it to Xuanji, her expression serious. She bowed before Lan Xun. “Shengsheng is here to bid Your Highness farewell. I am to go with Madam Zhen Guo. Thank you for taking me in these past days. I can never repay your kindness, only in another life as cattle or horse shall I make amends.”
Lan Xun paused, the tea in his hand tipping over, scalding the table and dripping onto his legs.
Yet he seemed unfazed by the burn, his gaze fixed on Mu Shengsheng, slightly surprised. “You agreed to go with her?”
Impossible! Mu Shengsheng feared nothing more than marrying that corpse for posthumous marriage. Lan Xun had been sure she would refuse, which was why he allowed Madam Cui to ask her directly. Yet she had agreed.
Mu Shengsheng nodded.
Lan Xun stood, his expression serious. “Mu Shengsheng, have you truly thought this through? Once you leave the Prince’s mansion, returning won’t be easy.”
Mu Shengsheng lowered her head. “I have thought it through. The marriage contract is still in their hands. Sooner or later, I have to go. Living or dead, it makes no difference. Even Your Highness’ ability cannot protect me forever.”
Who says he can’t protect her forever? With Lan Xun’s power, two lifetimes or three wouldn’t be a problem!
“The Madam Zhen Guo is still waiting. Shengsheng takes her leave.” Mu Shengsheng bowed again and turned to leave.
But Lan Xun grabbed her wrist, yanking her back, forcing her into his embrace.
His gaze was sharp, clearly angry. “Farewell? Did I allow you to leave? You yourself said you would stay by my side for the remaining days. How is it so soon that you wish to break your word?”
Indeed, she had said that—but he hadn’t agreed either.
“I do not dare break my word…” Mu Shengsheng buried her head, eyes red, biting her lip. Her innocent, troubled expression made it clear: she had no choice.
“I do not wish to leave Your Highness either, but…”
She hesitated, tears welling as if ready to spill.
Lan Xun asked softly, “Madam Cui is coercing you?”
Besides Madam Cui, he couldn’t think of any other reason. After all, Mu Shengsheng liked him too much to leave this safe haven and marry that corpse.
True to the Regency Prince’s intuition, he immediately guessed correctly. Mu Shengsheng quietly shook her head, tears sparkling as she sobbed, “Your Highness, do not ask… I cannot say… If you have even a shred of affection for me, please let me go.”
The more she said this, the less likely he would let her leave.
Lan Xun held her wrist gently, controlling the force to avoid hurting her, eyes filled with possessiveness. “Today, without my permission, you go nowhere. Guards, drive Madam Cui away. If she refuses, arrest everyone outside for disturbing public order!”
“Yes!”
Orders were immediately carried out.
Mu Shengsheng cried harder, shaking her head frantically. “Your Highness, no! They will die!”
“Who?”
Forced by circumstance, she finally spoke. “My two maidservants, my sisters in all but blood. Only today did I learn that my stepmother sent them to the Zhen Guo household as bridal attendants…”
As she spoke, Lan Xun pulled her onto the Luohan couch and sat beside her.
He seemed to suddenly understand. “So Madam Cui is threatening you with their lives, forcing you to go with her?”
Mu Shengsheng nodded.
“The lives of two maidservants are worth risking your own to enter a tiger’s den?”
She wiped her tears, pleading with him. “Life is not to be ranked. I have no siblings in this world. From childhood, only they kept me company. They are loyal, caring. I cannot stand by and watch them die… Your Highness, let me save them.”
Though clearly asking him to act, she never outright demanded. This woman was increasingly skilled at reading him.
Lan Xun laughed coldly, then loosened his grip. “Fine. Go, then.”
Mu Shengsheng froze, surprised by his sudden consent.
He turned slightly, repeating, “I have agreed. Since you care so deeply for them, I will not stop you.”
Mu Shengsheng was at a loss. “Ah?”
“‘Ah’ nothing. Pack your things and leave—don’t make people wait,” Lan Xun waved, urging her forward.
“Then… Shengsheng will go now…” she said, bracing herself, walking toward the door.
Lan Xun stayed seated, drinking his tea, giving no sign of trying to stop her.
Mu Shengsheng glanced back, emphasizing, “Your Highness, Shengsheng is really leaving. Perhaps we will never meet again.”
Lan Xun responded lightly, “Hmm,” seemingly indifferent.
Mu Shengsheng almost cried. She had hoped he would offer to help her, yet he allowed her to go without intervention.
Trapped between options, she frowned, pushed open the door, only to freeze in shock.
Zisu and Lvl Luo were standing outside the door, waiting.