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

Hua Xiangrong never figured out the truth about whether or not to marry Shangguan Hanque. After finishing her business with Shangguan Ting, she left without even glancing at Shangguan Hanque.

Although Shangguan Hanque noticed the change in her expression, he still escorted her back to Lanyue Tower. When they reached the teahouse opposite Lanyue Tower, Hua Xiangrong stopped and said, "You can go now."

Shangguan Hanque stamped his foot, and Hua Xiangrong looked at him and smiled, "Young general, did you take what I said to you in the building seriously? I only said those words to people outside, just to eliminate potential threats around me. Please don't take it seriously, young general. If you did, I apologize to you."

Shangguan Hanque shook his head and said, "Whether what you say is true or false, what I say is true. If you don't marry me, I will wait. I mean what I say."

Hua Xiangrong smiled coquettishly and said, "Young General, you're exaggerating. I'm just a courtesan, used to this life of pleasure and debauchery. How could I possibly get used to your cold and aloof style? Wake up, Young General, there's no way we can be together."

Shangguan Hanque remained silent. He was usually a man of few words, and he had already used all his courage when facing Hua Xiangrong. Now, he really didn't know what to say. He just stood there stubbornly, neither moving nor speaking.

Hua Xiangrong glanced at the fourth floor of Lanyue Tower, frowned slightly, and said, "You should leave now. If you don't, I'm really going to get angry."

Shangguan Yanque pursed her lips and said, "I'll leave after I see you go back."

Hua Xiangrong chuckled softly, "Young General, I'm already home. Why are you doing this? Do you know that I went in to find you while concealing my identity? If I were to return in such a grand manner, I might arouse suspicion, and then I'd lose my head. Your intelligence is truly worrying. I really don't know how you manage to lead an army. Tsk tsk, Young General, hurry back and, as the old general said, go back and get re-trained."

She spoke with a smile, but her heart was bleeding. Damn it, she had finally met a man she found pleasing to the eye, but she had to give him up. She couldn't bear it.

After uttering so many harsh words, Shangguan Hanque's heart ached. Looking at Hua Xiangrong's indifferent face, he turned around and left. Hua Xiangrong, watching his lonely figure, involuntarily clutched her chest, her eyes filled with confusion and panic.

She sneaked in through the back door and then onto the roof. Hua Xiangrong heard the sound of weapons clashing inside. She smiled slightly, and with a quick movement, she slipped through the window of the room next to hers. Then, following the tunnel that had been dug between the two rooms, she sneaked into the wardrobe in her own room.

"Lianfei, if you keep going, I'm going to take action."

"Lianfei, are you really going to treat me like this? I've already said I didn't betray the Lord, I just... Lianfei, are you serious?"

As Gu Yin spoke each word, finally letting out a muffled groan filled with anger, Hua Xiangrong knew that Lian Fei was truly going to kill, and Gu Yin was no match for her.

However, there was a third person breathing in the room, and if I'm not mistaken, it must be Murong Yu.

Sure enough, the next moment, Murong Yu said, "I didn't expect my little beauty to have such a loyal dog. It really makes me happy. But today I only asked Gu Yin to have a night with your master. Why did you have to go on a killing spree? Is it your master's decision?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Yin abruptly stopped in her tracks. In her moment of carelessness, she was stabbed again by Lian Fei, this time right in the chest. She immediately coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground.

Hua Xiangrong smiled wickedly, a smirk playing on her lips, and said from inside the wardrobe, "Your Highness knows my temperament perfectly well. I keep an eye on my own dog, but Your Highness's dog keeps running over here. Although it hasn't caused me any trouble, it still makes me uneasy. Your Highness, am I right?"

The sounds came from all directions, making it impossible to know where Hua Xiangrong was. Murong Yu's eyes flashed with admiration, but she still smiled and said, "What are you saying, Rongrong? I have naturally dealt with my dog. That brat was arrogant and I will replace him with a better one to serve him. He will definitely follow your arrangements wholeheartedly."

As for tonight, it was indeed my oversight. I was just missing you so much that I begged your right-hand man to come and visit. Please forgive me, Rongrong.

Hua Xiangrong let out a series of cold laughs and said, "Your Highness knows that I am your right-hand man, but would your right-hand man ever bring outsiders behind his master's back? Even if Your Highness is in a high position and has great power, you can't beat me, the master who gave her a meal!"

This treacherous and ungrateful servant is not someone I would dare keep. Your Highness would be better off taking him into your household; at least he'd be pleasing to the eye."

Gu Yin, who was clutching her chest and convulsing on the ground, looked at Murong Yu with hope in her eyes upon hearing this. However, Murong Yu never gave her a single glance. Instantly, the disappointment in her eyes deepened, and the corners of her lips curled into a desperate smile.

Murong Yu chuckled and said, "Although I am only a prince, I am still the son of the Emperor. Not just anyone can be taken into my household. If it weren't for a remarkable woman like Rongrong catching my eye, why would I lower myself to such a lowly position?"

Hua Xiangrong sighed, "Indeed, this very body is the root of all trouble. Does Your Highness truly intend to force me to become someone who dies in despair in Your Highness's residence?"

Murong Yu was taken aback, and immediately retorted, "How could that be? My feelings for Rongrong are genuine, how could I possibly make Rongrong depressed?"

Hua Xiangrong said, "How could it not be? I am just a woman in this building. There are many rules in His Highness's mansion. How could an ordinary person like me possibly learn them well? If I don't learn them well, I will be bullied and looked down upon. Some people might even call me a vixen or a lowly person."

His Highness said he would protect me, but what if His Highness isn't there? These things are impossible to guard against. Even that little devil spoke rudely! If my people hadn't told him, His Highness might still think that little devil was loyal.

Murong Yu was surprised by Hua Xiangrong's words and didn't know how to respond. Just then, the lights in the room suddenly came on, and the dazzling light made him squint. Then he heard a thumping sound in his ears. He quickly turned around but saw nothing. As he turned around, Hua Xiangrong appeared, leaning against the chaise lounge.

Murong Yu had long known that Hua Xiangrong was no ordinary person. Now, seeing her display her skills, the light in his eyes shone even brighter, and he said excitedly, "I knew Rongrong was extraordinary."

Hua Xiangrong yawned and said, "Your Highness, please forgive my rudeness. I am simply born to be unrestrained. If Your Highness would deign to come here for a drink often, I would be very happy to do so. However, I cannot accept the offer to come to your residence to keep you company."

As she spoke, she glanced around indifferently and said, "Life in this building is rather bland. Without Your Highness's protection, it's naturally of no use. I might as well close it down and go off to live a carefree life on a small boat."

Murong Yu narrowed her eyes and said, "Rongrong, is this a threat?"

Hua Xiangrong chuckled softly, looking at Murong Yu with a playful expression, and said, "Your Highness has always known that I am straightforward. I know exactly what Your Highness wants. These days, Your Highness has been mingling here, and you know just as much as I do. I haven't stopped you. Don't you think this is a win-win situation? Why do you want to break it?"

As she spoke, she stood up and walked to Murong Yu's side. She stretched out her slender arm and hooked it around his neck, her breath sweet as orchids as she said, "Your Highness is surrounded by beauties, and which one of them isn't as beautiful as Rongrong's face? It's just that Your Highness is looking at me from a distance, so I'm seen more closely. But if Your Highness puts me next to those beauties, wouldn't we all look the same?"

"Does Your Highness think a beautiful woman is something you can only remember by admiring her, or something you'll think of more often if you have her by your side? Anyway, I think all men are like that—they want what they can't have, and they always think the grass is greener on the other side. Wouldn't someone like Rongrong be a better match for Your Highness than if Your Highness took me away?"

Murong Yu smiled and said, "What Rongrong said is truly hard for me to refuse. But Rongrong, I have been pursuing you for quite some time, yet you always keep me at arm's length. I must say, I really don't believe Rongrong's clever tongue anymore. What do you say we should do?"

Hua Xiangrong smiled and said, "Wasn't it Your Highness who booked Ru Shuang Ge on the third floor for me? I remember it all. However, I have been too frightened these past few days, and there was also the betrayal of my servants. The matter still needs some time to be dealt with. Please wait a little longer, Your Highness. I will naturally come to your door. Anyway, my heart is with Your Highness. What do you think, Your Highness?"

Murong Yu's heart stirred. His original plan was to capture Hua Xiangrong and then take control of Lanyue Tower. But now that Hua Xiangrong had surrendered, it was perfect for him. However, if he could really win the beauty's favor, wouldn't his chances of winning be even greater?

Thinking of this, he smiled slightly, then suddenly wrapped his arms around Hua Xiangrong's waist and held her tightly in his embrace. Hua Xiangrong's lips remained smiling as she said, "Your Highness is in such a hurry, I'm afraid Rongrong can't handle it."

Murong Yu smiled and said, "As Rongrong said, how could I bear to disappoint and dishearten Rongrong? I have already waited for so long, what difference will a few more days make? Just listen to what Rongrong said, but please don't disappoint me."

Hua Xiangrong pushed Murong Yu away forcefully and said, "Of course. So, Your Highness, may you leave now? I still have family matters to attend to. As for my right and left arms, if they are disobedient, I will have to replace them."

Murong Yu smiled and nodded, completely forgetting that her presence in Hua Xiangrong's room was thanks to this right-hand man, and said directly, "Disobedient things do need to be dealt with to prevent such oversights from happening again. I'll be going now. Rongrong, don't overwork yourself, get some rest."