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

He immediately felt unwell, a warm liquid sliding down his nose. He quickly looked up, trying to control his wild thoughts. Hua Xiangrong chuckled and continued softly, "Young master, I'm about to fall."

The soft, seductive voice, tracing the winding mountain road, finally broke down Shangguan Hanque's composure. He instinctively reached out to embrace his beloved, who was about to fall, and said in a trembling voice, "Miss, please have some self-respect. I... I..."

"Self-respect? Heh, just now you were so brazen, like a street ruffian, asking me to marry you. How come you're so disgusted now? Could it be that you've come to your senses and now you despise my status as a courtesan? Are men really all heartless?"

Shangguan Hanque immediately became anxious and hurriedly said, "No, no, I really want to marry you, I want to marry you and make you my wife."

Hua Xiangrong was taken aback, blinked, and looked at the blood-red ribbon under Shangguan Hanque's nose, asking, "Is what you said true, young master?"

Shangguan Hanque nodded vigorously and said, "Of course it's true."

Hua Xiangrong narrowed her eyes and loosened her grip on Shangguan Hanque's arm. Startled, Shangguan Hanque immediately used his strength to lift her up. In an instant, Hua Xiangrong was held in Shangguan Hanque's arms with her legs spread apart.

The softness in Shangguan Hanque's hands made him instantly collapse, and he could only laugh foolishly. Hua Xiangrong was already laughing uncontrollably in her heart. With trembling arms, she pulled the silk handkerchief down from her chest to wipe the blood from Shangguan Hanque's nose and said, "Even if what you say is true, young master, will your family agree? I have heard that the rules of the Great General's sect are very strict. With my status, I am afraid they will look down on me."

Shangguan Hanque immediately replied, "How could that be? My family is very strict, but that doesn't mean they will interfere with our marriages. I dare say that if I marry you, no one in my family will object. The Shangguan family has never been the kind of family that cares about social standing."

Shangguan Hanque's face was very serious, which startled Hua Xiangrong. She was momentarily lost in thought, and her original intention of just playing around suddenly became unpredictable. After a while, she suddenly leaned against Shangguan Hanque's chest, causing Shangguan Hanque's body to tense up and his heart to race.

After a long while, Hua Xiangrong finally turned her face away and looked at Shangguan Hanque, who had now turned into a red wooden stake, which looked quite festive.

Hua Xiangrong said softly, "Your heart is warm; it seems you are telling the truth."

Shangguan Hanque didn't understand what she meant, and said seriously, "What I said is of course true, so, young lady, don't worry about things you shouldn't worry about. Just wait for me to marry you."

Upon hearing this, Hua Xiangrong pushed Shangguan Hanque away and jumped out of his arms. Shangguan Hanque was quite disappointed to suddenly lose the beauty in his arms, but he saw that Jian Yue had already sat back on the chaise longue and said with a smile, "Young general, you are exaggerating. It is true that you are asking for my hand in marriage, but I have not yet agreed to marry you."

Shangguan Hanque, in a moment of anxiety, asked, "So, are you going to marry me or not?"

Hua Xiangrong shook her finger and said, "What's the rush? As a woman of the night, I'm used to a free life. Now, hearing the young general's heartfelt devotion, I'm quite surprised. But as for marriage! The General's mansion is known as the hellish place. I really don't dare to marry into it."

Shangguan Hanque was anxious and was about to step forward to continue speaking when a loud laugh came from outside the door. Then the door was opened, and Murong Yu staggered in, carrying a wine pot in one hand.

"You want to marry the owner of Lan Yue Tower? I say, General Shangguan, have you been holding the title of general for so long that you've forgotten your own worth? If this were any other day, we wouldn't believe that the person in front of us is really you."

Shangguan Hanque frowned and said, "Second Prince, you should pay more attention to your appearance. It's better to avoid places like this, lest you embarrass the royal family."

Murong Yu clicked her tongue and said, "See? You always speak so seriously, but what about you? Little General, where are you standing right now? Don't you know? I've utterly disgraced the royal family! And what about you? The Shangguan family prides themselves on their integrity and never frequents brothels. Now, Little General, you're here, asking for a marriage proposal like a courtesan? It's an absolute joke. Tell me, if I told the people below, wouldn't they laugh their heads off?"

Shangguan Hanque immediately sneered, "I'm different from you. You really came here to solicit prostitutes, and the reason is..."

Murong Yu sneered, interrupting Shangguan Hanque, "Why? Because you're here to propose? But aren't I here to propose too? In this capital city, everyone, inside and out, knows that I, Murong Yu, have been devoted to the Lord of Lanyue Tower for many years, but to no avail."

Shangguan Hanque, do you really think you're so noble? Rongrong doesn't even look down on me, so why would she look at you? Your face is nothing more than that of a street thug. In front of me, you're nothing but a fart.

You dare to covet the woman I've set my sights on? You're truly courting death! Now, get out of here, or you'll regret it!

By this time, Hua Xiangrong was already extremely impatient. She hadn't had enough of the man she had her eye on, so how could she let others scold her? Seeing that Murong Yu was already speaking recklessly, she leaned back on the chaise lounge and said coolly, "Your Highness, this is my place. If people find out that you're throwing a tantrum here, they'll think I've offended you. That wouldn't be good. If you want to argue, you should do it outside. Don't damage my Lanyue Tower. Repairing it will cost money and take time. I won't stand for it."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yu smiled gently and looked at Hua Xiangrong. He had long coveted those jade-like legs, but had never been able to touch them. At this moment, he was momentarily stunned, and only after regaining his senses did he say, "My Rongrong, are you taking your anger out on me? How could I possibly be offended by you? Even if Rongrong is angry, I will listen and enjoy it, and I will never be angry."

Hua Xiangrong snorted and said, "Second Prince, you make it sound so easy. Aren't you still scolding people on my territory? I've always been timid. Your voice is unusually loud. I'm afraid I'll have nightmares again tonight."

Hua Xiangrong's composure—neither speaking nor flattering, nor falling for traps—was precisely what attracted Murong Yu.

As a prince, what couldn't he get besides the title of crown prince? Yet he kept hitting this nail countless times, but he was still willing to endure it and found it increasingly interesting.

Hearing Hua Xiangrong's accusations, he chuckled and said, "Rongrong is right. I was being presumptuous. Well then, I'll be leaving now. You should rest well and refresh your spirit. If you really can't manage, I'll leave you an extra hundred taels of gold when I go. How about that?"

Hua Xiangrong smiled coquettishly, and a round fan appeared in her hand at some point. She waved it gently and said, "In that case, thank you for the comforting fee from the Second Prince. I am also very tired today. If the people downstairs have had their fun, please ask the Second Prince to dismiss them. I am so tired during the day that I don't know if the door will be open tonight. It's really disappointing."

As she spoke, she frowned, her eyes filled with sorrow, which only further bewitched Murong Yu and confused Shangguan Hanque.

Murong Yu continued to shower Shangguan Hanque with sweet words, leaving him no chance to interject. Watching his beloved being coaxed into smiling faces while he stood by, like a wooden statue, he felt a sharp pain in his heart.

After a long while, Murong Yu finally finished his praise and flattery, then walked to Shangguan Hanque's side and sneered, "What? Don't want to leave? Well, you have to leave. Whether you paid or not, you got in here thanks to my good fortune. You'd better leave now! Otherwise, I will definitely not let you off the hook."

Shangguan Hanque ignored Murong Yu, and anger suddenly rose in Murong Yu's eyes. But then Hua Xiangrong said softly, "Young general, I have been quite frightened today and I am exhausted. I will not keep you any longer. When you are in the mood and have some gold and silver in your pocket, you will be very welcome to come to me. Goodbye, both of you."

Shangguan Hanque paused for a moment before nodding and saying, "Then you should rest well. What I said today was not a joke. Before I leave, may I ask your name?"

Murong Yu immediately scoffed: "You don't even know the famous Lan Yue Lou Hua Xiang Rong? Little General, you should wake up from your delusional dream."

As Murong Yu spoke, he walked straight past Shangguan Hanque and left. He was certain that Hua Xiangrong would not leave any men behind, so he left with peace of mind. Little did he know that the moment he left, the woman who had been so reserved just moments before had transformed into a hungry wolf and pounced into the arms of the departing man in an instant.

Hua Xiangrong pouted, looking aggrieved.

"How awful! I wanted to tell the young general my name myself, but that scoundrel beat me to it. Young general, I'm so heartbroken."

Shangguan Hanque looked completely bewildered, but he still held the person up to prevent them from falling, giving them an overwhelming sense of security.

"Miss, this...this...?"

"What? Does the young general feel that I am not good enough for him and dare not utter the words 'I propose marriage' again?"

Shangguan Hanque hurriedly said, "How could that be? I'm serious."

Hua Xiangrong smiled slightly, her eyes full of charm, and said, "In that case, young general, would you mind meeting me tonight? I'll be waiting for you in my room."

Shangguan Hanque was startled once again. The strict family rules of the past immediately came to mind. He shook his head in a panic and said, "No, absolutely not! My reputation is a small matter, but the young lady's reputation is a big matter. If we are to meet, it must be on our wedding night, in the bridal chamber."

When he said the last four words, Shangguan Hanque's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible. Hua Xiangrong was laughing so hard she couldn't help but give him a quick kiss on the cheek, leaving him speechless.

Shangguan Hanque never expected to receive such treatment. He was completely stunned, as if frozen in time. However, he still held the person in his arms firmly, as if the person were a precious treasure, unyielding even if a mountain collapsed.