Chapter 418: First Volume, Chapter 418: Xie Yun'er's Misfortune

First Volume, Chapter 418: Xie Yun'er's Misfortune

The Emperor had pledged the marriage some time ago, but the wedding cannot take place until after the National War—no one knows when that will be. Everyone knows Xie Yun'er is betrothed to Qin Feng; they see the pride on her face, but none know her inner anguish.

From the moment she was betrothed to Qin Feng, Xie Yun'er could no longer roam freely as before; she spent day and night confined within the Residence, rarely getting a chance to go out strolling. Even when she did go out, Noble Youth avoided her entirely, fearing they might offend her and incur the wrath of the Qin and Xie families.

Even if she did stroll, it was truly dull.

If that damned Qin Feng would only pay her a little more attention, it would be enough.

But…

Xie Yun'er felt she was even less than a maid.

Xie Yun'er had more than once wanted to tell her father to break off the engagement, but every time the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back. After all, such a major matter was not hers to decide.

Princess of Qiyang Commandery seemed to sense Xie Yun'er's discomfort, and immediately frowned: "Yun'er, be honest—has Qin Feng been cold-neglecting you?"

"If this is true, I will not let him off!"

As soon as she spoke, the other girls' gazes toward Xie Yun'er changed instantly.

"Unlikely? With Yun'er's beauty, Qin Feng would be delighted to have her—how could he cold-neglect her?"

"Exactly! Among all the women in Jingzhong, how many are more beautiful than Yun'er?"

"Could it be that Qin Feng thinks… Yun'er's personality is too blunt, lacking feminine grace, so he…?"

"Ah! Such men all prefer weak, delicate women. Yun'er, you should change."

The girls spoke one after another, and Xie Yun'er's face burned.

Even if Qin Feng's achievements shook Heaven, what did that have to do with her? She felt no pride at all—only a deep sense of grievance.

Just as Xie Yun'er sat on pins and needles, the maid rushed in, stumbling: "Miss, the Sixth Prince has arrived."

Hearing this, Xie Yun'er frowned slightly: "The Sixth Prince? What does he want? Go tell him my father is not home, and I, as a young lady, cannot receive him—ask the Sixth Prince to return to Gong Zhong."

Almost as soon as the words left her mouth, laughter came from outside the courtyard.

"Yun'er, how unkind you are!"

The Sixth Prince, clad in White Splendid Garment and holding a Folding Fan, pushed the door open and walked right in, smiling broadly.

Xie Yun'er's brow tightened further; she stood up immediately, alert and wary: "There are no men in this household—Your Highness intrudes boldly into the Inner Courtyard—is this not against propriety?"

Facing Xie Yun'er's accusation, the Sixth Prince showed not the slightest caution; instead, he strode straight over and sat down on the Stone Stool, gently fanning himself, utterly at ease: "Princess of Qiyang Commandery and several young ladies are here—what are you afraid of? Even if I am dangerous, I can't possibly swallow you all whole, ha ha ha."

Not only Xie Yun'er, but even Princess of Qiyang Commandery wore an expression of disgust.

Among the Princes of the Hou Gong, even the most powerless still carried imperial dignity in every gesture.

Only this Sixth Prince was infamous for lewdness and baseness; his Palace had no Eunuchs at all—only young girls gathered from the Folk. According to rumors in Gong Zhong, every night it became a den of lustful bees and butterflies, chasing pleasure and beauty, even more base than that. Had any other Prince done this, the Emperor would have punished him severely.

But this fellow's Imperial Consort once saved the Emperor's life; the Emperor, remembering old favors and knowing this fellow has no interest in the Crown Prince position, turned a blind eye.

This only emboldened the Sixth Prince further.

Moreover, it is rumored…

The Sixth Prince has a Strange Kink—he especially covets Strict and Domineering Women—and his Admiration for Xie Yun'er has long existed.

So his coming to harass her now, while Xie Bi is away from the Residence, is hardly surprising.

Princess of Qiyang Commandery immediately sneered: "Your Highness knows full well that Xie Yun'er is already betrothed to Qin Feng—she is a bride-to-be. Yet Your Highness ignores all taboos—do you not fear provoking the Qin Family?"

Facing Princess of Qiyang Commandery's blunt accusation, the Sixth Prince paid no heed; instead, he leered up and down at Xie Yun'er and chuckled: "Since she's already betrothed to the Qin Family, why hasn't she crossed the threshold yet? In my view, Qin Feng is deliberately cold-neglecting her! Yun'er, you know my feelings—better to become a Princess Consort than suffer in the Qin household."

No one expected a Prince to be so shameless, openly seducing a betrothed woman before all.

Xie Yun'er was furious; she forgot all about rank and hierarchy and snapped sharply: "Your Highness, show some self-respect! If you speak another word like that, don't blame me for turning on you!"

Hearing this, the Sixth Prince slowly rose and burst into loud laughter: "Turn on me? So what?"

"I am a Prince—no matter how wrong I am, no one dares lay a finger on me. Not you, and not even Qin Feng! Didn't he bring down the Eleventh Prince by taking him to Dali Temple? Did he dare touch the Eleventh Prince even once? What a joke!"

"Qin Feng's tricks of manipulating power are useless against me."

Though Xie Yun'er despised him utterly, she could not deny the truth of his words.

The Emperor, grateful for the Sixth Prince's mother's life-saving sacrifice, granted him special privileges: unless he violates the Imperial Taboo and brings ruin to Heaven, he will not be punished.

In other words, as long as the Sixth Prince doesn't commit treasonous crimes, no one can touch him.

The young ladies present, fearing they'd be tainted, dared not speak up for Xie Yun'er.

Princess of Qiyang Commandery wanted to help, but could not—no matter how vile the Sixth Prince was, he was still her brother; it was not her place to reprimand him.

The Sixth Prince smirked, staring openly at Xie Yun'er: "Let me make this clear, so you don't misunderstand. I came today to avenge the Eleventh Prince. He was not only my Hand and Foot Brother, but my closest companion. Now he languishes in Zongzheng Temple, broken and defeated—I suffer in my heart."

As he spoke, the Sixth Prince's eyes gleamed with insatiable greed: "Yun'er, I am nothing like that Qin Feng—I would never cold-neglect you. I would hold you in my hands, cherish and protect you."

To Xie Yun'er, these words were a Disgrace.

Even if Qin Feng cold-neglected her, he was still her lawful future husband—how could she endure such disrespect, even from a Prince?

Xie Yun'er drew her Whip from her waist, gritting her teeth: "If Your Highness insists on pushing further, I would rather die preserving my Chastity than yield!"

Seeing Xie Yun'er enraged, Princess of Qiyang Commandery quickly reached out to stop her: "Yun'er, calm down! Don't fall for this fellow's Evil Scheme—he wants to provoke you. If you strike a Prince, the Xie Family will be ruined, and Qin Family will be implicated too."

Xie Yun'er understood this perfectly—but this Hatred… she simply could not swallow it.

Watching Xie Yun'er furious yet helpless, the Sixth Prince sneered: "Qin Feng earned great merit, didn't he? Let's see—if you swing this whip, can his Merit and Demerit Offset this?"