"I do not understand what you mean, Your Highness."
"You don't understand? Are you telling me those rumors outside weren't spread by people you hired? Shen Qingyan, what a clever scheme! You knew I hadn't reported our separation to the Emperor, so you used that to stir up the whole city. A truly brilliant tactic!"
Fortunately, he had stepped in to suppress the situation; otherwise, by tomorrow, news of the discord between the Prince and his Consort would have swept through the entire Capital. And then... it would be another wave of unavoidable gossip.
Ignoring the accusations and fury etched across his face, Shen Qingyan walked over to a grand armchair on the left and sat down with elegant ease. Her tone was nonchalant. "Setting aside whether or not I was the one who spread those rumors, if you are so certain that I am the one behind it, Your Highness, shouldn't you be the very last person appearing here?"
"Furthermore, the Prince Qin's Estate is filled with gossiping mouths; it could easily have been those servants who love to wag their tongues. As for me, Shen Qingyan, I haven't reached the point where I need to scour the world to 'spread rumors' about myself being a 'discarded' wife just to get you to show your face. I am not that bored, and my father cannot afford to lose that much face!"
If she hadn't been an assassin in her past life, she would have become an actress; she would have definitely snatched the title of Best Actress!
He stood up from his chair. "It truly has nothing to do with you?"
The question was heavy with suspicion, and she responded with an earnest look that clearly signaled, *Of course not.*
He suddenly let out a low, cold laugh. "It had better not be you! Don't let me find out this entire affair is your doing from start to finish. If you do, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
She smiled brilliantly. "You have never been anything but ruthless to me, Your Highness!" Her tone remained flat, but her eyes held a smile as she continued, "I know why you came here today. Since you want me to cooperate in playing out this drama of a harmonious couple, I suggest you adopt the attitude of someone who is actually asking for a favor. You are the one who needs the rumors to fall apart, not me."
She had finally reached this point. She had to return to the Prince Qin's Estate.
At first, she couldn't understand why, after so many days of separation, Xuanyuan Ming would rather hide the truth and keep the news tightly sealed than announce it to the world. Later, to test her hypothesis, she had bribed those two people to spread rumors of their marital breakdown at the restaurant.
If Xuanyuan Ming didn't care about such talk, she was prepared to change her strategy. Clearly, she had bet correctly.
It wasn't that Xuanyuan Ming didn't care... it was that the person he feared was the Emperor.
After all, the relationship between the original owner's father and the Emperor was far more than just that of a subordinate and his superior.
Therefore, the reason Xuanyuan Ming dared not make the separation public was that he knew the Emperor had her back.
Xuanyuan Ming was silent for a moment before he suddenly laughed, as if her words were a joke to him. He curled his lip in a cold sneer. "Shen Qingyan, I will never beg you. Since you refuse to return to the estate with me, you can stay here for these few days. Once the storm passes, I will report our separation to the Emperor myself! Expecting me to beg you? Dream on!"
The man lowered his brow, squinting as if contemplating something.
What surprised him, however, was that she actually knew why he had come.
Could those rumors really have nothing to do with her?
She stood up and sneered, "Prince Qin, I am not your subject; you cannot restrict my freedom. Since you refuse to beg me, what do those rumors have to do with me? Please hurry and report our separation to the Emperor, and stop blocking my search for happiness! Lian'er, see the guest out!"
Although Lian'er feared Xuanyuan Ming, she now knew who her true mistress was.
Xuanyuan Ming was so infuriated by her attitude that he lost his temper. He immediately seized her wrist, pulling her close, his gaze vicious as they locked eyes. He realized that this woman was now capable of driving him to the brink of losing his composure time and again.
Shen Qingyan felt as though the bones in her wrist were about to snap. She furrowed her brows, her tone icy.
"Prince Qin, do you have any other instructions?"
She stared into his eyes, watching as the flames of anger in his dark pupils dimmed little by little, leaving behind only coldness.
He did not continue the confrontation, but as he left, he warned her to go out less.
*Xuanyuan Ming, our battle has only just begun. I look forward to your next performance...*
Shen Qingyan watched his retreating figure, a smile of triumph tugging at her lips.
The Lantern Festival.
Colorful lanterns stretched along the streets of the entire Capital. Shen Qingyan, wearing a cyan-blue tube-top dress, appeared at the festival.
A figure up ahead caught her eye. She lifted her skirt and jogged over, tapping the man on the shoulder.
The man stopped and turned his head, looking puzzled. The lantern light fell upon his exquisite, chilly features, and the locks of hair framing his face fluttered in the breeze. For a moment, Shen Qingyan felt her heart skip a beat. It was as if something had just barged into her world.
"Miss Shen, there is a difference between men and women! Please conduct yourself accordingly!"
She reached up to brush a stray lock of hair from her forehead, lowering her head shyly. "Do you dislike me that much?"
She truly couldn't stand this coy, artificial persona! But for the sake of her plan, she endured this character that was the complete opposite of her true self. Since Xuanyuan Ming wouldn't beg her, she had no choice but to keep entangling herself with him and use the public pressure to force his hand... though, of course, she had her own ulterior motives as well.
"Miss Shen, I don't deny that you are clever. But your little schemes and tricks are full of holes in front of me. You didn't approach me out of genuine affection, but to use this to provoke Prince Qin! Am I right?"
Shen Qingyan felt the embarrassment of being seen through. So, he had known her purpose in approaching him all along.
*As expected of you! The Master of Dragon Sword Manor really does have a keen eye for people.* She put on an innocent act, hands behind her back, and lowered her head, saying softly, "Young Master Mo, are you under some misunderstanding? I approached you not to get close to the Prince, but for my own sake."
The man frowned, looking at her. "For your own sake?"
Mo Lincheng wore a look that clearly said he didn't believe a word of it. Just as he was about to analyze her words, he heard her speak.
"I want to become your disciple!"
He was stunned and refused point-blank. "I do not take disciples!"
He turned to leave, but Shen Qingyan hurried after him, grabbing his arm with a stubborn tone.
"Mo Lincheng, I want to become your disciple. I suggest you don't be ungrateful!"
Mo Lincheng ignored her, looking at her with a strange expression, as if looking at a lunatic.
Shen Qingyan knew he wouldn't agree, so she had already made other preparations.
She smiled with hidden intent. "Mo Lincheng, you will agree whether you want to or not! Look at all these people coming and going. Tell me... if I accidentally shout 'molestation,' what do you think will happen?"
The story of the Master of Dragon Sword Manor harassing the Prince Qin's Consort would surely shock the entire Capital and even the martial arts world! She was clearly gambling.
"Are you threatening me!?"
"Obviously, I am! So, you have no choice!"
Mo Lincheng: "..."
After they stood in a stalemate for a moment, he finally compromised. "I can take you as a disciple! But I have a condition!"
Hearing him agree, Shen Qingyan nodded happily, accepting the condition without even considering whether it was something she could handle...
"Mo Lincheng! What kind of agreement is this! You're clearly just trying to make things difficult for me!"