Chapter 155

When Song Qimo and the Crown Princess entered, what they saw was the two people on the bed entangled in that kind of shameless act.

“Qin Ruihan!”

Song Qimo’s eyes nearly burst from fury, so enraged that he directly shouted the Crown Prince’s name.

The Crown Princess’s face also twisted with jealousy, though she quickly masked it.

Before the Crown Prince could react, Song Qimo threw a punch straight at his face.

The two bodies separated.

Seeing the flushed, bruised skin of Mu Chengxue, Song Qimo immediately yanked a nearby blanket over her and carried her away.

“Emperor Song, isn’t this a bit… improper?”

The Crown Prince, now recovered, showed not a hint of shame.

He leisurely dressed himself while the door was shut behind them, the servants already dismissed by the Crown Princess.

The Crown Prince shot a glance at his wife—the warning in his eyes made her tremble, lowering her head and retreating without a word.

“Does the Crown Prince have anything else to say?”

“Chengxue is now my woman. Naturally, she should remain in Great Qian. For Emperor Song to take her away like this… that’s hardly appropriate.”

Song Qimo gave him a sidelong look.

“Appropriate or not, we’ll discuss it when Chengxue wakes. I trust the Crown Prince doesn’t want a war, does he?”

Though Great Qian had a powerful army, they were currently embroiled in a succession struggle.

If war broke out now, the entire kingdom would collapse into chaos.

Song Qimo turned and left with Mu Chengxue in his arms.

The Crown Prince didn’t stop him.

Once he ascend the throne, he won’t fear war with Great Liang… but not now. The military power still lies with the Emperor.

His gaze returned to the Crown Princess, who immediately dropped to her knees under his glare.

“Explain.”

The Crown Princess wasted no time shifting all blame to Song Qimo.

“Your Highness, it truly wasn’t me! I merely ran into Emperor Song on the way!”

The Crown Prince didn’t spare her another glance, turning on his heel and leaving.

The Crown Princess slumped to the floor, her eyes flashing with venom.

Outsiders say she married the destined Son of Heaven… but who knows my suffering?

She will keep my position.

The title of Empress… is mine.

Meanwhile…

Song Qimou returned to the post station by sedan chair with Mu Chengxue, the Ninth Princess, and their entourage.

“Qimo…”

Beneath him, Mu Chengxue squirmed, her face flushed, eyes dazed—clearly, the drug’s effects hadn’t worn off.

“Xue’er, wake up.”

He shook her gently.

But Mu Chengxue only arched against him, her wandering hands lighting fires everywhere they touched.

Song Qimo’s heart ached for her… but now, she was tainted.

Her body hadn’t even been cleansed, still carrying the scent of another man.

No matter how much he cared for her, he couldn’t bring himself to… indulge.

“Servants! Clean Miss Mu’s body at once.”

In the end… Song Qimo walked away.

Elsewhere…

Prince Jing had just returned to his manor when his shadow guard reported the incident.

“What an idiot.”

A smirk curled on Prince Jing’s lips.

“Anyone with eyes can see Mu Chengxue is Emperor Song’s beloved. My esteemed elder brother was far too hasty.”

Beside him, Lou Yin remained the picture of elegance in white robes, exuding the air of an immortal sage.

“The Crown Prince is desperate—his method, while crude, is understandable.”

Lou Yin smiled faintly.

“As the legitimate heir, once the Emperor dies, he ascends the throne. But now, someone who can save the Emperor appears… Of course he panicked.”

“Against an ordinary woman, his scheme might’ve worked. But when I last saw Miss Mu from afar… she struck me as the type who’d rather die than submit.”

Prince Jing nodded.

“Exactly. That’s why when I sought her help, I treated her with utmost courtesy—no coercion.”

“By acting this way, the Crown Prince has pushed Miss Mu straight into your arms.”

Prince Jing sipped his tea gracefully.

“Mmm.”

“Any gains from your visit to the Qi residence today?”

At this, Prince Jing’s smile deepened.

“She only said one thing: ‘Stay with me, and your wishes will come true.’”

Lou Yin paused, then remarked, “I heard Emperor Song met with her today.”

The two exchanged a glance, understanding passing between them.

“How’s your research on that poison?”

“I’ve identified several toxic herbs, but most components are… unprecedented. That Qi woman… is not to be provoked.”

Prince Jing nodded in solemn agreement.

“She’s cunning, formidable, and full of bizarre tricks. If I previously had half a mind to befriend her, now it’s full.”

“She seems to care about nothing, acting purely on whim. Winning her over won’t be easy.”

“No. There is something she cares about.”

Lou Yin looked at him questioningly.

Prince Jing didn’t keep him waiting.

“Wei Jue.”

How enviable… to earn her special regard.

The Crown Prince’s faction had thoroughly offended her.

He didn’t necessarily need her help—as long as she didn’t kick them while they’re down, with Mu Chengxue’s assistance… his chances had risen to 80%.

Back at the Post Station…

“Get out! ALL OF YOU, GET OUT!”

A roomful of maids scrambled out, fleeing Mu Chengxue’s wrath.

Alone, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

She’d been too confident.

With her space cheat, she’d thought herself invincible—only to fall for such a cheap trick today.

She hated her own stupidity.

The Crown Prince’s gentle facade had fooled her, lulling her into dropping her guard.

The loss of her virginity wasn’t what tormented her—back in the modern era, she’d had boyfriends and wasn’t hung up on chastity.

What she couldn’t tolerate was being raped—especially when she loved someone else.

Though she didn’t care about purity, this ancient world did.

And Song Qimo was an Emperor.

Would the imperial family ever accept a soiled woman into the harem?

And what she desired was “one man, one woman, till death parts us.”

Now, after this… even if Song Qimo was willing to take her in, he’d never agree to monogamy.

Suddenly, her mind conjured the image of that red-clad woman from the banquet—so free, so unrestrained, utterly indifferent to others’ gazes.

Rumors said she’d once been Song Qimo’s concubine but fled the palace because she didn’t love him.

Is that the kind of woman Song Qimo truly likes?

He’d moved heaven and earth to find her.

Even this time—for the Crown Prince’s wedding, any envoy would’ve sufficed.

Yet he came personally.

He came… for her, didn’t he?

Piece by piece, things she’d previously overlooked now clicked into place.

And in her heart… hatred for Qi took root.

If not for her, Song Qimo wouldn’t have come to Great Qian!

If he hadn’t come… none of this would’ve happened to her!

Meanwhile, Unaware…

Su Hua: “…”

To be honest, sister, it’s too far-fetched for you to hate me like this!

Ah, the classic “Plot Forces Heroine to Hate Cannon Fodder” trope.

Su Hua, still oblivious to Mu Chengxue’s newfound hatred, was currently—

“Five thousand taels. Selling or not?”

The tailor shop owner gaped before nodding frantically.

“Sell! We sell!”

These past few days, Su Hua had been quietly buying up every business in the capital…

…that didn’t belong to the male lead or the male supporting roles.

SMACK!