Chapter 78

Perhaps it was the first time she had done such a direct act of taking a life; Princess Lanting was terrified, and almost the instant the needle went in, she broke out in a cold sweat all over, her heart raced so fast she thought she would soon stop breathing.

Under the red veil, Princess Lanting could not see how Mu Yuanzhi was; after hurriedly hiding the poison needle, she realized the hand holding hers showed no abnormality, and she heard no scream from Mu Yuanzhi.

What's going on? Even though Mu Yuanzhi wore gloves, her needle really did pierce in!

But it seemed not to have pierced the flesh?

She was too panicked; now, looking back, her mind is a blank.

Could it be that the poison takes time to take effect?

Princess Lanting bit her lip; suddenly, she heard Mu Yuanzhi's low laugh from beside her ear: "Princess Lanting, don't waste your efforts—the gloves I wear are poison-proof."

How could she come to escort the bride without any preparation?

For her, contacting Princess Lanting is no different from contacting poison; naturally she wore her specially made poison-proof gloves.

"What, what are you saying? Today is my wedding day; don't cause trouble here!" Princess Lanting suppressed her endless panic and forced calm.

Mu Yuanzhi gave another low laugh: "Rest assured, Princess Lanting, I won't make a fuss—after all, you are to marry peacefully into Huangli Kingdom."

If she now exposed Princess Lanting's use of the poison needle against her, not only would it ruin the marriage alliance and anger the emperor, Princess Lanting might not even get what she deserves; then this woman would get off scot-free without having to marry.

Let the wicked be punished by the wicked; let this woman go to Huangli Kingdom and torment each other with those there.

Hearing this, Princess Lanting's anger flared, instantly dispelling her timidity.

Well done, Mu Yuanzhi!

Indeed, it was she who harmed her to force the marriage!

Princess Lanting was furious, but she wasn't without a countermove.

The reason she let Mu Yuanzhi come as her new bride was not only to give her a poison needle for vengeance, but also another reason.

It was Huangli Kingdom's Prince Chun.

It is said that Prince Chun is a lecher who bullies men and women; any beauty he fancies he tries to bring into his mansion, and now he has dozens of concubines.

If he took a fancy to Mu Yuanzhi…… Princess Lanting curled her lips.

One need not fear thieves stealing but fear thieves eyeing; she could not let Mu Yuanzhi just sell her out and do nothing—that would be too cheap for Mu Yuanzhi!

Thinking this, Princess Lanting laughed with satisfaction.

Her pleased laugh came from beneath the red veil, leaving Mu Yuanzhi bewildered.

After seeing her onto Huangli Kingdom's grand bridal sedan, Mu Yuanzhi hurried to keep her distance.

Suddenly, Mu Yuanzhi felt a gaze that made her feel like a prickle on her back; she turned her head and met a pair of cunning eyes.

Who is this person?

Dressed in an air of nobility yet lacking aristocratic bearing, his whole person seemed sinister and shady.

Dressed like that, could he be Huangli Kingdom's Prince Chun?

Is he looking at her?

Mu Yuanzhi found his gaze uncomfortable, so she hurried away, leaving his field of vision.

Gongs and drums clamored, extraordinarily lively; the wedding procession prepared to set off.

Beside the bride's grand sedan, the Prince Chun of the wedding procession fixed his gaze firmly on Mu Yuanzhi.

"How beautiful." Prince Chun clicked his tongue in praise, "Especially that plum blossom—it's literally the finishing touch!"

That plum blossom is not painted on the beauty's body, but on his heart!

Even having seen all kinds of beauties—whether noble ladies or humble maidens, or the orioles and swallows outside—none compare to today's breathtaking glance.

Every frown and smile seemed to dance on the tip of his heart.

Who exactly is this woman of such bearing?

Prince Chun, eager to know, asked the escorting Pei Shangling: "Second Prince, I have a matter I wish to consult Your Highness."

"Please speak, Your Lordship."

The wedding procession was about to depart, yet this prince still wanted to ask something; Pei Shangling was puzzled.

The surrounding clamor gave him a headache, making it hard for him to think about the problem.

"Which family is the lady who escorts the bride from?" Prince Chun asked.

"The bride's escort?"

"It's my sister." Pei Shangling eyed Prince Chun suspiciously; the interest in his eyes could not be hidden.

He couldn't help but frown.

Why ask that?

Could this fellow have taken a liking to Mu Yuanzhi?

"So it's a Princess; my apologies." Prince Chun had already formed a plan in his mind.

A princess is troublesome; with only one princess coming for the marriage alliance, he cannot continue to pursue her.

Yet giving up such a woman who makes his heart flutter is truly a pity.

"May I ask if your sister is already betrothed?" Prince Chun asked again.

Now his heart truly harbored ulterior motives.

Pei Shangling lifted his eyes and sized up Prince Chun.

This lord appears refined, seemingly better than Gu Rongjin.

But he is not well acquainted, and marrying so far away would be improper; after much thought, Pei Shangling decided to reject this sudden option, saying: "My sister is already the fiancée of the Heir of Prince Pingnan."

Although he really didn't want to admit it, for now it was a very good excuse.

It's merely a fiancée, not a true wife; Prince Chun didn't take it to heart.

"In that case, it's truly a pity." Prince Chun said with regret.

"What do you mean, Your Lordship?" Pei Shangling asked, somewhat displeased.

Could it be that this person still won't give up?

"Your Highness, don't misunderstand; I merely have a fondness for beauty, which everyone has, but a gentleman does not take what others like." Prince Chun clasped his hands in a farewell bow and left with the wedding procession.

Pei Shangling stared intently at Prince Chun's back until the wedding procession left the city gate, fading from sight, before he withdrew his gaze.

That little incident just now really bothered him.

After all, from childhood to now, he had never seen anyone show such concern for Mu Yuanzhi in front of him.

If anyone had dared before, he would definitely make that toad look bad!

Pei Shangling glanced toward Pingnan Wangfu; now Gu Rongjin is the one he needs to worry about.

Early that morning, the Chief Eunuch came to Weiyang Palace, saying he had finished inventorying the dowry and asked Mu Yuanzhi to check the accounts.

"The date hasn't even been set yet, and we're already looking at the dowry?" Linglong asked curiously.

Mu Yuanzhi: "The date is just next month at most; Pei Yunxi is really anxious about it."

Afraid someone would snatch away her Brother Chen.

Arriving at the storehouse door of the palace, Pei Yunxi was already waiting there.

"Sister Zhiyan has come!" She came over happily, grabbing Mu Yuanzhi's hand, "I thought since you're also here to settle the accounts, we might as well look together."

Mu Yuanzhi subtly pushed away Pei Yunxi's hand, being stingy even with a perfunctory smile.

Pei Yunxi seemed not to notice Mu Yuanzhi's impatience, still approaching eagerly to speak.