Chapter 135: Just wait to be ruined in person and reputation!

Pei Shangyan heard the words, and the scene about the nightmare instantly appeared in his mind.

He drew his sword and stabbed at her, the hurtful words he had spoken to her, and her anguished screams—none of it failed to make Pei Shangyan feel grief‑stricken and breathless.

Mu Yuanzhi's words seemed to confirm that it was not a nightmare, but something real—either a past he had never remembered or a future about to happen.

He had originally thought this was only a secret known to himself, that he could reverse this deadly situation whose timing he did not know, but now it seemed like an irreversible fact that had already occurred, and he could only glimpse the tip of the iceberg.

Pei Shangling seemed trapped in a huge vicious cycle, his thoughts quickly driving him mad, he no longer knew whether his thoughts were still under his control, he felt he was about to go crazy!

He now very much wanted to speak of this matter, but he was afraid, afraid to speak out, not knowing what he feared—was he afraid she would tell him, "Yes, this is exactly what really happened"?

Mu Yuanzhi did not know what Pei Shangyan was agonizing over, nor did she want to know; she warned Pei Shangyan: "Don't use the excuse of being good to me to move your ulterior motives—no matter what, I have nothing to do with you; don't presume to act on your own, stay away from me!"

The Qilin coldly snorted in agreement: "Did you hear that? Stay away from my senior sister!"

Pei Shangyan watched Mu Yuanzhi leave, and once again they parted unhappily.

Little Sister Zhi…

But no matter how much you dislike me, I cannot let you continue being with Gu Rongjin!

Only this, he will absolutely not yield!

For her happiness in the second half of her life, he would rather be hated by her.

Someday, she will understand his painstaking efforts.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, it's time to go to the Gratitude Temple to offer incense," the Chief Eunuch came over and said.

Every year, members of the imperial family must go to the Gratitude Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings on their birthdays; this year the birthday banquet and the consort‑selection banquet are being held together, so His Majesty has ordered the Crown Prince to go to the Gratitude Temple to offer incense as well.

"Offer incense?" the Crown Prince asked, not understanding: "Why must I also go?"

The Chief Eunuch just laughed: "Of course, to tell the deities that you have obtained a good match!"

"What does that mean?" the Crown Prince's expression tightened.

The Chief Eunuch answered truthfully: "His Majesty feels that the younger sister of the Rebellion‑Suppressing General, Qi Shi'an, is an excellent match for Your Highness the Crown Prince—talented man and beautiful woman—and therefore…"

"You mean Father Emperor already has a candidate for Crown Princess in mind?" Pei Shangyan interrupted the Chief Eunuch's words.

The Chief Eunuch smiled and nodded: "Not only that, His Majesty also feels that the daughter of the Ximo Grand General of Fusang Kingdom, Xixi, is very pleasing to the eye and could serve as Your Highness the Crown Prince's concubine."

Even the concubine has already been picked?

Not even asked for his opinion……

Pei Shangyan naturally understood the Son of Heaven's meaning: marrying the Rebellion‑Suppressing General's sister is entirely because of the General; as for the concubine, is it to win over Fusang Kingdom, or for some other reason?

Father Emperor had just gained two cities from Fusang Kingdom, yet now he wants him to take the Ximo Grand General's daughter as a concubine—could there still be some other connection?

Just thinking that his marriage is entirely a political consideration makes Pei Shangyan feel heavy all over.

But as the Heir Apparent of the empire, he ought to bear these things.

"Understood, you may withdraw first."

"Yes."

Wanting to go to the Gratitude Temple together with Mu Yuanzhi, Pei Shangyan tried to catch up to find her, but saw no trace of her.

Never mind, he will surely see her when he gets there.

At this moment Mu Yuanzhi had already arrived at the Gratitude Temple; after finishing her incense offering she could go back, it was already late, she wanted to return early, hoping nothing would come up.

I don't know why, but just thinking that Pei Yunxi is in this temple gives me a bad feeling.

The National Teacher seems not to be present; the whole way, only a little daoist boy guides her on what to do, and in the main hall there is only her.

The little daoist boy handed the lit yellow incense to Mu Yuanzhi—suddenly, all the lamps inside the hall went out!

Pitch black, you can't see your own hand in front of your face.

What's going on?!

"Princess, don't panic; let this humble daoist go see what's happening."

From the darkness came the little daoist boy's words; Mu Yuanzhi hummed in acknowledgment, and she also felt her way in the dark looking for something that could provide light, remembering that there were candles there.

The little daoist boy had taken just a few steps when he suddenly saw something flash past; he frowned and hurried after it, but upon reaching the doorway his eyes went black and he fainted.

Pei Yunxi curled the corner of her mouth: "Go to sleep, little brat, don't get in the way."

She dragged the little daoist boy away, hid in the darkness, and waited for Princess Lanting to bring the Crown Prince of Huangli Kingdom here.

Everything was going according to her plan.

Mu Yuanzhi, let's see how you end this time!

Pei Yunxi raised a victorious smile.

This time she wants to get back what's owed, principal and interest!

Mu Yuanzhi, just wait to be ruined in person and reputation!

At the same time, Princess Lanting found an excuse and brought the Crown Prince of Huangli Kingdom over; she intentionally or unintentionally mentioned Mu Yuanzhi's affairs in front of him—how Mu Yuanzhi had repeatedly faced death and survived—and of course she embellished the story to steer it in the direction he liked.

The Crown Prince of Huangli Kingdom initially lacked interest, but the more he listened the more interested he became, until he finally could not help but ask: "Where is Princess Yuanzhi now? I, the Crown Prince, also very much want to meet such a remarkable woman."

"How coincidental—she is right now offering incense in the Gratitude Temple; the Crown Prince can go in person to pay his respects."

As she spoke, the two had already arrived near the main hall: "It should be right here."

Princess Lanting feigned puzzlement: "Strange, why are the lights all out? Let this concubine go ask a little daoist."

"Hurry there and back."

After Princess Lanting of Huangli Kingdom left, the Crown Prince pushed the door open and called: "Is anyone there?"

No one answered.

But he clearly saw someone; his night vision was good, and he could see a young woman tied up and placed beneath the offering table.

The Crown Prince of Huangli Kingdom immediately understood what was going on.

I never expected her to be so sensible.

He was quite satisfied; if that were the case, he could actually spare her life, let her be a safe and steady Crown Princess, and in the future she could become the mother of the nation.

After turning around and putting a lock, the prince of Splendid Fierce Kingdom smiled and asked: 'Is it Princess Zhiyan?'

Still no one answered; the person with their back to him seemed to be struggling, wanting to break free of the rope binding them.

"Tied up really lacks aesthetic appeal." The prince of Splendid Fierce Kingdom clicked his tongue and shook his head, "But it's fine; I, the prince, will retie you properly."

He walked over slowly, step by step.

Upon hearing that, the person struggled even more fiercely, but still made no sound.

Did you press their mute acupoint?

He frowned.

Not being able to speak is so boring.

The prince of Splendid Fierce Kingdom sighed, drew a specially made soft long whip from his bosom, whipped the air, and emitted a sound that made people's hair stand on end!

"Lanting said you can endure pain well; aren't you naturally supposed to be my confidante and beloved? Why didn't your emperor let you come for a marriage alliance back then?" It's truly a waste of heavenly gifts.