Chapter 15

Miaoyun walked lightly through the bustling streets, following the Crown Prince’s order to buy a new dress for her mistress. She knew well about her mistress’s plan for the day, and she also had other instructions to follow.

Miaoyun arrived at the most popular dress shop in the city. Her eyes scanned the exquisite dresses before finally picking the most expensive one in the store.

With the dress in hand, she turned and walked toward Zui Xiao Pavilion.

When Miaoyun arrived at the pavilion, Meixiang, who had been waiting under the Crown Princess’s orders, spotted her. At first, Meixiang looked surprised, but then her expression turned doubtful.

She widened her eyes, frowned slightly, and asked urgently,

 “Miaoyun, where is Lady Su?”

Miaoyun’s eyes flickered briefly before she put on a perfectly composed smile.

“My lady’s dress got dirty, so His Highness sent me to buy a new one for her,” she replied.

“Then where are His Highness and Lady Su?”

Meixiang’s suspicion did not fade. She stared intently at Miaoyun, as if trying to read her expression. Miaoyun spoke in a relaxed tone,

“His Highness and my lady are at Moxiang Pavilion. I’ll deliver the dress to her, and once she changes, they should be coming here.”

“The reason I came to this shop is that it’s where my lady usually buys her dresses.”

She then casually asked,

 “Is the Crown Princess still waiting in Zui Xiao Pavilion?”

Meixiang’s expression turned serious as she replied,

“Of course. Your lady wandering around like this not only made His Highness send people to search for her, but the Crown Princess has also been waiting for news all this time.”

As she spoke, a hint of dissatisfaction rose in her heart. Was Lady Su’s disappearance intentional or accidental? It was the first time she had seen the Crown Prince so angry, all because of Lady Su.

“I’ll hurry back to Moxiang Pavilion and deliver the dress. I’ll return soon. Please ask the Crown Princess to wait a little longer,” Miaoyun said apologetically.

After finishing her words, she turned and left. The moment she turned away, a faint, victorious smile appeared on her face. Meixiang frowned deeply as she walked back to Zui Xiao Pavilion, her steps feeling heavier than before.

Carefully, she pushed open the door to the room that the Crown Prince had prepared for his mistress. As soon as Ling Yue saw Meixiang enter, she stood up anxiously, her face full of worry. She couldn’t wait to ask,

“Did His Highness find Lady Su?”

Meixiang lowered her head slightly and replied in a soft voice,

“Your Highness, His Highness and Lady Su are currently at Moxiang Pavilion.”

Ling Yue’s face showed confusion. Her brows furrowed tightly as she asked,

“Why? Why aren’t they coming back?”

Meixiang lifted her head, looked at Ling Yue, and said slowly,

“Just now, I ran into Miaoyun downstairs. She said that Lady Su’s dress got dirty, so His Highness took her to Moxiang Pavilion to change. Miaoyun just bought a new dress for her, so I believe His Highness will return soon.”

Ling Yue nodded gently, her gaze unfocused as if deep in thought. Her lips pressed together slightly, and her expression was complicated—there was doubt, worry, and a sense of unease that she couldn’t quite explain.

She absentmindedly twisted the hem of her sleeve, looking restless and anxious.

~At Moxiang Pavilion~

Jun Zechen leaned lazily against the bed, his gaze resting on the woman beside him, who was still weak and dazed.

They had been passionately entangled for nearly half an hour. As Su Jingyao gradually regained her senses, she quietly nestled in Jun Zechen’s arms, resting her head on his shoulder.

Outside the room, Anshun paced back and forth anxiously, his brows furrowed with deep worry. He never expected that the Crown Prince and Lady Su would behave so recklessly in a public inn.

Your Highness… have you forgotten that the Crown Princess is still waiting for you at Zui Xiao Pavilion?

Even though this was the best room in Moxiang Pavilion, Anshun could still hear faint sounds from inside. He felt helpless but didn’t dare to interrupt the Crown Prince’s indulgence. Suddenly, his eyes widened in shock, his pupils shrinking.

The Crown Princess was walking toward him. His heart jumped to his throat, pounding furiously. Anshun glanced at the tightly shut door, then quickly stepped forward, blocking the Crown Princess’s path.

“Greetings, Your Highness. Why are you here?” he asked with a nervous smile.

“I waited too long at Zui Xiao Pavilion and never saw His Highness return. I heard he was here at Moxiang Pavilion, so I came to find him,” Ling Yue said, her tone carrying frustration and urgency.

“Your Highness, perhaps I can arrange a room for you here. It’s likely you won’t be returning to the palace tonight. You can leave in the morning,” Anshun suggested cautiously.

Ling Yue frowned deeply, confusion and suspicion filling her eyes.

“Where is the Crown Prince?” she asked.

Anshun sighed inwardly. There’s no avoiding this now… Your Highness, I tried my best.

“The Crown Prince and Lady Su have already retired for the night. Your Highness, please allow me to prepare a room for you,” he said hesitantly.

Ling Yue froze.

Retired? What does that mean? Didn’t Jun Zechen promise to spend the annual Flower Festival with me? Does Anshun mean that the Crown Prince is spending the night with Lady Su instead?

Her voice turned icy.

“Anshun, which room are they in?”

She pointed to the door where she had first seen Anshun standing guard.

“Your Highness… His Highness is already asleep…” Anshun lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze.

Ling Yue ignored him, forcefully pushing past and striding toward the room, with Meixiang following closely behind. Just as she reached the door, she heard Su Jingyao’s soft, sweet voice from inside.

She was speaking intimately with the Crown Prince, her tone seductive and delicate. Jun Zechen’s deep, magnetic voice responded to her, their conversation filled with affection.

Ling Yue’s body stiffened, as if frozen in place. Last time, she chose to endure it, to trust Jun Zechen. But this time? Jun Zechen had trampled on her heart once again. Her nails dug into her palms so hard that they nearly broke the skin.

Taking a deep breath, she gathered all her strength and kicked the door open.

Su Jingyao gasped in shock, clinging tightly to Jun Zechen’s waist like a frightened bird, quickly hiding in his embrace. Even though the bed curtains offered some cover, their intimate posture was still visible.

Jun Zechen’s expression turned dark instantly.

“How dare you! Get out!”

He tightened his hold on Su Jingyao and quickly pulled the blanket over them. Ling Yue’s voice was sharp and trembling slightly, yet dripping with sarcasm.

“Didn’t His Highness go searching for his dear sister? Why is he now lost in another woman’s arms?”

Jun Zechen froze for a moment before turning his head slowly to look at her—it was Ling Yue.

“Yue’er, today’s situation is complicated. I’ll explain later. Leave for now,” he said hoarsely.

“Explain? What is there to explain? Do you think I can’t see it for myself?”

Ling Yue refused to back down, her eyes filled with stubbornness and disappointment. Jun Zechen’s anger flared at her defiance.

Does she really intend to argue with him in such a situation? He is the Crown Prince. No matter what happens, Ling Yue should not speak to him this way!

“Anshun!” he growled furiously.

Anshun shuddered at the sound of his master’s anger and quickly stepped forward.

“Your Highness.”

“Take the Crown Princess away!”

Jun Zechen ordered coldly, his eyes filled with icy rage. Su Jingyao trembled slightly in his arms but smirked subtly.

Ling Yue, you and Jun Zechen were never meant to have a happy ending. I’m simply helping you see his true nature sooner so you can give up before you suffer even more.

Her goal was clear—she wanted the title of Empress. Jun Zechen belonged to her alone. She would never allow any other woman to have a place in his heart.

---

Su Jingyao wanted to completely break their fake love! The corners of her lips curled up slightly, and a trace of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes. In this world, only the strong can rise to power. Since she had entered the palace, how could she not fight?

Besides, even without her, Su Jingyao, there would still be other women in Prince Jun Zichen’s life. If that was the case, why couldn’t it be her? At that moment, Jun Zichen’s large hand gently comforted Su Jingyao’s trembling body, softly stroking her smooth back, as if telling her not to be nervous, not to be afraid, and not to feel any guilt.

Ling Yue never expected Jun Zichen to treat her this way. Disappointment and anger flashed in her eyes. She said coldly,

“I will leave on my own.”

After speaking, she turned around decisively and left, her back looking lonely and sorrowful. Anshun sighed in frustration and quickly closed the door.

“Your Highness, I have already prepared a room for you at Mofeng Tower. Please rest there for the night,” An Shun said respectfully.

Ling Yue didn’t reply and simply followed a guard to the room Anshun had arranged. Meanwhile, Anshun remained standing outside Jun Zichen’s room. When Ling Yue returned to her room, she sat down on the bed. All the strength she had been holding onto seemed to crumble in an instant.

Tears streamed down her face like a broken dam, soaking her clothes. Meixiang stood beside her, looking at her with worry and concern.

“My Lady, Su Jingyao is definitely not as innocent as she appears! You must stop trusting her!” Meixiang said urgently.

Ling Yue’s mind was in chaos. Was Su Jingyao really innocent?

Had Jun Zichen’s heart already started to lean towards her? Ling Yue bit her lip, feeling torn and pained.

Had her husband fallen in love with Su Jingyao? The thought made her heart ache, as if thousands of ants were biting at it.

But even if Su Jingyao was truly innocent, so what?

Wasn’t Jun Zichen attracted to this kind of innocence?

Ling Yue finally understood why she always felt uncomfortable around Su Jingyao. Su Jingyao was too perfect. Her perfection was exactly what Jun Zichen liked, and that terrified Ling Yue. She would rather Su Jingyao be a scheming, manipulative woman—at least that way, Jun Zichen wouldn’t fall for her.

Ling Yue always felt inferior in front of Su Jingyao. Su Jingyao was a noble lady with breathtaking beauty, a prestigious family background, a gentle personality, and outstanding talents.

In the past, Ling Yue had confidence because of Jun Zichen’s love. But now? Meixiang sighed as she watched her mistress in deep thought.

“My Lady, don’t lose hope. The Prince still cares about you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have promised to explain everything tomorrow. But today, barging into the Prince’s room like that… you embarrassed him in front of others,” Meixiang said worriedly.

“The most important thing now is to win back the Prince’s heart. And please, stop trusting the Side Consort! She is definitely not a good person!”

Meixiang spoke with determination. At first, she also thought Su Jingyao was innocent, but after everything that had happened, her instincts told her otherwise. She couldn’t let her mistress continue to be fooled.

“Meixiang, His Highness likes innocent women. Haven’t I learned that after being with him for two years?”

Ling Yue’s voice was filled with bitterness. But she was not someone who would sit and wait for fate to decide. She clenched her fists and declared firmly,

“Meixiang, I don’t know if Su Jingyao is truly innocent or pretending to be. But one thing is certain—if anyone tries to take His Highness away from me, I will never forgive them.”

Her voice was unwavering, her eyes burning with determination. She couldn’t let Su Jingyao become more and more important in Jun Zichen’s heart.

She was the rightful Crown Princess!