Chapter 021: Dispute

Beside her, Xie Wannian’s maid, Zhenzhu, also noticed the girl in the distance. Secretly impressed, she quickly revealed a look of disdain. “She’s just a sickly girl. She probably won’t live more than a few days. So pale and weak—so unlucky. I don’t think she even measures up to half a fraction of a county princess’s status. I wonder what the Regency Prince sees in her.”

Though her face was beautiful, she was sickly, thin, and weak, as if a gust of wind could blow her over. Her frail body lacked even a bit of flesh; if a man were with her in bed, she wouldn’t last long.

Especially someone like the Regency Prince, a warrior in his prime, full of vitality and strength—she simply couldn’t handle him.

Zhenzhu had heard before, on several occasions, that in the capital’s general households, female bodies were often carried out, lifeless, after being “used up” by men.

No figure, no strength, only a pretty face—the rest had long been hollowed out by illness. What use could the Regency Prince possibly have for her?

Xie Wannian, however, looked worried. “I heard the Regency Prince brought in that divine doctor. His skills are extraordinary; he can bring the dead back to life. Perhaps he can cure her illness.”

Zhenzhu reassured her: “Don’t worry, my lady. The Regency Prince is probably just feeling pity. He’s using her as a pastime, nothing more. You, my lady, were appointed by the Grand Empress Dowager to be the Regency Princess. No one can compare to you.”

Although Xie Wannian knew in her heart that Lan Xun, as the Regency Prince, had the duty to extend the royal lineage, and there would inevitably be concubines in his household, she felt a rare sense of crisis. With such a beauty in his arms, how could he pay attention to anyone else?

She wanted to see just what this sickly girl had that could ensnare the usually indifferent and cold Lan Xun.

“Let’s go meet her!”

Xie Wannian lifted her posture and, leading Zhenzhu, headed toward the opposite garden.

Mu Shengsheng was enjoying the flowers, feeling cheerful, when two figures suddenly appeared, blocking her path.

Looking up, she saw the leading woman was about twenty, wearing a silver fox-fur cape embroidered with large peonies, her hair styled in a Ling-snake bun, gold hairpins dangling, jeweled and regal. Her face was heavily made up—arched eyebrows, red lips—with an air of arrogance and dominance. Clearly not someone easy to confront.

Mu Shengsheng intended to walk around them.

But the maid in front of her crossed her arms and blocked her path, shouting, “Stop! You see our lady, and you don’t even greet her?”

Mu Shengsheng was still puzzled—who was this lady, and why did she look so hostile?

Seeing her stunned, Zhenzhu’s temper flared, and she proudly emphasized, “Our lady is the daughter of Grand Princess Suning, the Zhaoyang Princess personally appointed by the late emperor. Who are you to disrespect her? Believe it or not, my lady can punish you for showing no respect to the royal family!”

Mu Shengsheng didn’t want to cause trouble for Lan Xun, so she immediately bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, I am Mu Shengsheng, daughter of Marquis Xuanwu. Greetings, Zhaoyang Princess.”

Zisu also followed behind, bowing.

Zhenzhu smirked. This would let the sickly girl realize the difference between herself and the princess, and perhaps abandon her thoughts of the Regency Prince.

Xie Wannian scrutinized Mu Shengsheng. From a distance, she had seemed like a beautiful portrait, ethereal and distant. But up close, she looked like a living painting, even more breathtaking.

After a long look, Xie Wannian finally asked, “What’s your name?”

Mu Shengsheng answered truthfully, “Your Highness, I am Mu Shengsheng, daughter of Marquis Xuanwu.”

Xie Wannian then asked, “What is your relationship with the Regency Prince, and why are you in the Prince’s mansion?”

Given the conflict with the Zhen Guo residence had become widely known—even the Empress Dowager and the Emperor knew—Mu Shengsheng saw no reason to hide it. She replied honestly, “I ran into trouble, and the Regency Prince came to help me. I am currently recuperating in the mansion.”

Xie Wannian sneered, stepping closer, her tone confrontational. “Miss Mu, a young lady of your status, staying in another man’s residence while unmarried, with no name or status—did the Xuanwu household never teach you propriety? Or are the people of your household all ill-mannered, not caring for virtue or reputation, just clinging to the Regency Prince? Or do you have improper intentions toward the Regency Prince, so you refuse to leave?”

Beside her, Zhenzhu added disdainfully, “Our lady is noble and perfectly suited for the Regency Prince. The Empress Dowager has already approved the marriage, and it will soon be completed. You, a sickly girl, should recognize your place and stay away. Half-dead as you are, even as a concubine you would be unlucky for him!”

Mu Shengsheng was suspicious—Xuanji had said Lan Xun hadn’t been involved in marriage for a long time. How could a betrothed suddenly appear?

It seemed the princess had investigated everything and was here just to cause trouble.

Mu Shengsheng gave the most reasonable explanation. “Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand. My relationship with the Regency Prince is proper. He treats me kindly out of respect for my father, who is his colleague. I am only staying in the mansion to seek medical treatment.”

Xie Wannian sneered inwardly. She could believe their relationship was proper—better yet, let her think there’s something suspicious.

She said, “If it’s proper, then leave the Regency Prince’s mansion immediately, and don’t let me see you here again!”

Lan Xun hasn’t kicked her out, so on what basis does the princess give orders?

Without hesitation, Mu Shengsheng firmly refused. “I’m afraid I must decline, Your Highness. This is the Regency Prince’s mansion, not the Zhaoyang Princess’s. You have no authority to evict me. Are you trying to ignore the Regency Prince and act on your own?”

Seeing Mu Shengsheng dare to talk back and defy her, Xie Wannian’s eyes widened. She revealed her true face, no longer polite. “Mu Shengsheng, don’t blame me if the Empress Dowager learns that you’re harassing the Regency Prince. If she finds out, you won’t see tomorrow’s sun!

“If you’re sensible and leave voluntarily, I won’t make trouble for you. But if you persist, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!”

Mu Shengsheng wanted to argue, but she caught sight of a tall man approaching along the distant corridor.

A smile tugged at her lips, and a glint appeared in her eyes.