The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

Murong Chuan shook his head, the tenderness in his eyes undeniable. He said, "How do you plan to resolve this? You are a wanted criminal now, and so weak. You don't even have a proper chance to get close to him. How can you possibly have a chance to take revenge?"

"Come back with me first. Give me some time. With my abilities, I believe I can find an opportunity to strike him within a few days. That way, you'll have avenged yourself, won't you?"

Jian Yue was somewhat tempted, but her expression still showed hesitation. After a moment, she looked up at Murong Chuan and asked, "Why is the Crown Prince helping me like this? The Shangguan family is no longer what it used to be and has no value to us. The so-called armored soldiers are nothing but an illusion."

"And I, now a dead man, an orphan, utterly useless, what good will it do you to have the Crown Prince's assistance?"

Jian Yue's words carried a hint of sarcasm, as if all of this was merely due to that illusory armored soldier. At this moment, Jian Yue was heartbroken. Murong Chuan stepped forward, seemingly tenderly ruffling her stray hairs, and sighed:

“Fool, how could there be such frivolous things between us? Do you really think I approached you for those empty things? If that's the case, why would I show up and stop you when you're down and out?”

I like you. I'll help you as long as you're happy. This doesn't need much explanation; I just need you to understand.

Upon hearing this, Jian Yue was taken aback at first, then chuckled and teased, "Does Your Highness really like me? But if one day you find the person you truly love, and discover that I am not the one you are looking for at all, where will you place me?"

Murong Chuan frowned, but smiled confidently and said, "How could such a day possibly come? I know exactly who you are, so you can rest assured! Time will tell."

"Time? It really is a wonderful thing. I would have forgotten if the Crown Prince hadn't mentioned it. I should congratulate the Crown Prince on his upcoming marriage to a concubine."

Her large eyes stared at Murong Chuan, devoid of any emotion. Murong Chuan was taken aback and asked, "You know about this too?"

Jian Yue nodded: "Of course I know. This capital city isn't very big. Although I have difficulty moving around, I can still hear what everyone is talking about. Your Highness, when you said you were good to me, did you mean that while you were confessing your feelings to me, you were also marrying another woman? And this woman is not only someone else's used shoe, but also the murderer who almost killed me?"

Murong Chuan paused, his gaze sharpening slightly. He explained, "These were just accidents. There are some things I need to continue to find the answers to. So, I'm sorry about this."

Don't worry, my heart is only for you. She's just someone I can use now; I'll never let her hurt you again.

Jian Yue smiled, but sadness welled up in her eyes once more. Slightly disappointed, she said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I am not worthy of it. In my eyes, hatred is hatred. Otherwise, Qiu Lingrong would not have died, nor would the Qiu family have fallen to this state. As for Qiu Lingfeng, she hurt me and harmed me, and I will never forget that. Therefore, if Your Highness wants me to go back with you, you can only choose one. Otherwise, if Your Highness is not prepared to hold me accountable, then I will take my leave."

Murong Chuan, in a panic, stepped forward and said, "Now, do you have anywhere else to go? If you stay with me, I will give you a new identity and the ability to achieve anything. Qiu Lingfeng's matter is only temporary. Once I have investigated the matter thoroughly, you can do whatever you want with her. Can't you just be patient?"

"Endure? How long does the Crown Prince expect me to endure? I, Shangguan Jianyue, endured for ten years in the Qiu family's cellar just to survive, and for another five years I endured humiliation and hardship on the estate just to survive. How many decades do you think I have? How many five-year periods?"

"Having said too much, it seems I, Shangguan Jianyue, am being pretentious. Your Highness, you hold a high position and wield great power; you cannot understand the hardships of lowly people like us, nor can you comprehend the depth of the hatred in my heart. But you cannot expect me to take these things lightly simply because you do not know them; that is absolutely impossible."

Jian Yue spoke almost hysterically. She took two steps back, her body trembling, but she was too excited and her body was unsteady. She fell to the side, and Murong Chuan seized the opportunity to step forward and pull Jian Yue into his arms.

Jian Yue struggled violently, and Murong Chuan took the opportunity to increase the force, while comforting her, he said, "I know, I know, but I also have my helplessness and my unease. I didn't see you fall into the river with my own eyes, but how could I not know the heartache and helplessness I felt?"

Yueyue, I consider you the love of my heart. I have no falsehood towards you. I only wish that you will not reject me and believe me. What I can give you will never be the humiliation and forbearance you are experiencing now.

Don't worry, come back with me, and I will make sure you have a legitimate place by my side, no less than your status as the Heir Apparent of Qingyan Marquis. I promise you, once things settle down, I will make sure everyone who harmed you gives you an explanation.

To be honest, there's something strange about what happened between Qiu Lingfeng and me. I had never been to the prison that day, but for some reason, I was led there by a figure, and then I had a relationship with Qiu Lingfeng in prison without knowing why.

I knew perfectly well whether Qiu Lingfeng was a virgin or not, but I never expected that she would bleed on the spot, and I, in a daze, actually brought her back to my mansion and even made a betrothal to the Qiu family.

The whole thing seemed perfectly normal, but only I knew that this wasn't my intention. I suspected someone was orchestrating it all, and that I had been poisoned.

Jian Yue's eyes darkened, and she stopped struggling. Murong Chuan was immediately delighted and continued, "I must investigate this matter thoroughly, otherwise, the conspiracy of the person behind it will surely succeed."

"Is that really the case? Wouldn't the Crown Prince be in great danger?"

Jian Yue's tone was somewhat anxious, as if she was very worried. Murong Chuan smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, since he doesn't want my life, he must have other plans. For now, I can only keep Qiu Lingfeng and follow the clues. However, it will be tough for you, and you will have to compromise for some time."

Murong Chuan's tone was tinged with grievance and pleading, revealing a rare tenderness in his love. Jian Yue sneered inwardly, but lowered her eyes and remained silent, seemingly hesitant.

Murong Chuan didn't continue speaking this time. He was waiting, believing that his words had touched Jian Yue's heart and that she would definitely agree to his request.

Sure enough, after a short while, Jian Yue raised her eyes, stared at Murong Chuan for a long time before saying, "You said I can use you to get revenge on Bai Jianan?"

A ruthless glint flashed in Murong Chuan's heart, but he smiled and said seriously, "Of course. He hurt you, so he is my enemy. Even if you don't say anything, I will definitely teach him a lesson once I have accomplished my goal."

Jian Yue finally nodded, but said, "I can go back with you, but what status are you going to give me? My face is practically a living advertisement in the capital, so how are you going to arrange a status for me?"

“Naturally, she is my concubine.”

Murong Chuan spoke casually, but the next moment, he saw Jian Yue's face instantly fall. She said, "My daughter from the Shangguan family will never share a husband with other women. If this is the only way, then Jian Yue will take her leave and resolve this herself."

Upon hearing this, Murong Chuan quickly said, "But nowadays, this is the only identity that won't be discovered. Although your appearance is similar to before, it's completely different. It's much better looking than that fake face from before. As long as your identity is flawless, there will definitely be no mistakes."

However, without a suitable identity, you will inevitably be suspected. Therefore, I arranged for you to be a weaver from Xiangguifang. I happened to see you there and was so amazed by your beauty that I brought you into my household to be my favorite."

Seeing that Jian Yue's expression was still not good, he quickly said, "Don't worry, I will never touch you, and I will never favor anyone else in front of you. You don't know, after I first saw you, I never had anything with any other woman. That day, Qiu Lingfeng and I were really secretly murdered."

Murong Chuan hurriedly explained, and Jian Yue listened for a long time before finally nodding. Murong Chuan was immediately relieved and took Jian Yue back to the Crown Prince's residence, settling her in Qing Su Zhai, which was closest to his room.

But man proposes, God disposes. Just as Murong Chuan was taking Jian Yue back to the mansion, Qiu Lingfeng was waiting at the gate, dressed neatly and smiling sweetly, like a newlywed bride longing for her husband's return.

When Qiu Lingfeng saw Shangguan Jianyue getting off the carriage with Murong Yu, her smiling eyes widened immediately, filled with shock and fear. She staggered back two steps before she could regain her balance.

"How is this possible? She's dead, how could she possibly appear? No, that's not right, this isn't her, she wasn't this beautiful, but how could there be someone so similar in this world?"

Qiu Lingfeng stared stiffly as Murong Chuan led Jian Yue toward her. When Murong Chuan reached her, she forced a smile and said, "This humble servant awaits Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Murong Chuan frowned slightly, glanced at Jian Yue out of the corner of his eye, and seeing that the other party looked normal and had no discomfort, he was relieved. He then looked at Qiu Lingfeng and frowned, saying, "What are you doing here? It's so cold at night, aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingfeng smiled broadly, gave Jian Yue a provocative look, and then lowered her eyes shyly and said, "Since parting with Your Highness, I have missed you dearly. Your Highness helped me, but you were also implicated because of it. I was very worried, so I thought I would come and see you."

Afterwards, with His Highness not in the residence, Feng'er wondered if, upon His Highness's return, he would see her the first thing he saw, and perhaps then he would sense her deep affection. If so, Feng'er would feel that enduring the cold had not been in vain.

These words were full of affection, yet tinged with the shyness of a young girl. Jian Yue couldn't help but admire her. How could one not feel sorry for such a gentle and virtuous Qiu Lingfeng?