The Princess Cannot Escape: The Cunning Prince Is Not to Be Messed With

Chapter 268 The Status of the First Wife

Yin Quan examined the little mouse. It took two whole days for the color on the mouse's body to fade. Over those two days, Yin Quan's initial aversion to it gradually turned into fondness. After all, the little thing had shrunk to only the size of Yin Quan's palm and still looked quite endearing.

"How about I give you a name? I wonder what Xiahou Ying and Gu Lounan have been up to these past few days. They've both disappeared as if they've vanished." Yin Quan teased the little mouse with her finger.

"Look at your fluffy body, how about I call you Little Fluff?" The little mouse seemed quite pleased with its new name, chirping twice. Yin Quan scratched its belly, and the mouse and the human were having a great time.

Qin Nian's voice rang out from outside the door, "Junior Sister is in trouble." Yin Quan opened the door, carrying the little mouse, and saw Qin Nian standing outside with her lips tightly pursed. Ever since she came to Qifeng Manor, Qin Nian had been like a transparent person, avoiding Yin Quan at all costs.

"Senior Brother Qin has finally shown himself? What could have happened out of the blue?" Qin Nian blushed, unusually shy. "Well... Gu Lounan and Chu Fenghua were discovered. They were found to have done something indecent."

"What did you say? Gu Lounan? That's impossible! I clearly warned him!" Could it be that Gu Lounan couldn't resist Chu Fenghua's beauty? "I'll go with you to see."

Qin Nian nodded. When Yin Quan entered the main hall, she only saw Gu Lounan standing calmly in the center, and the atmosphere inside was oppressive. After seeing Yin Quan enter, Xiahou Ying floated up behind her and said to her in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Wait and watch the show quietly."

Although she didn't know what the two were up to, their confident demeanor made them seem like they weren't being schemed against. Yin Quan finally felt relieved.

Qinghuang angrily said, "Although you are the master of Chonglou Manor, you are still too ignorant of the rules. You actually did such a beastly thing to the women in my manor. This matter must not be tolerated, otherwise where will our Qifeng Manor put its face in the future?" Yin Quan curled her lips and thought to herself that the face of your Qifeng Manor has probably been completely disgraced by you, a fickle woman.

Gu Lounan chuckled, "It's no secret that Fenghua and I are in love. We were even engaged years ago, but I was busy serving the court, which delayed the marriage. It's really not a matter of ruining our reputation."

The owner of Yunshang Manor frowned, clearly disapproving of Gu Lounan's actions. Although her face showed reproach, her tone was not harsh at all. "Although what you said makes sense, you are not married yet, so it is still inappropriate. Why don't you go and apologize to Fenghua?"

"Master, if word gets out about this, what will the world think of our Qifeng Manor? A mere apology won't silence the gossip." Gu Lounan turned to Qinghuang, "What is Elder Qing's opinion?"

Qinghuang pondered for a moment, "Marry Chu Fenghua." Listening to the back-and-forth of the others, Yin Quan showed no interest whatsoever. Her heart was completely drawn to the tempting fruit on the table behind her. The fruit, entirely red, looked incredibly alluring, and Yin Quan felt her mouth water.

She flicked her sleeves, and Xiao Rong, understanding perfectly, slipped out and, taking advantage of everyone's inattention, brought the fruit to Yin Quan. Yin Quan patted its head with satisfaction, and, taking advantage of everyone's distraction, took a small bite. Sure enough, it was crisp, sweet, and delicious.

Before she could even swallow a bite, she heard someone call her name. When she looked up, she saw that everyone in the hall was looking at her. She was stuck in her throat, unsure whether to swallow or spit out the fruit.

As everyone made way for Yin Quan, Gu Lounan, dressed in flowing red robes, seemed to walk on lotus blossoms with every step he took, his eyes fixed solely on Yin Quan.

The intense gaze made Yin Quan's heart race involuntarily. Gu Lounan's voice was exceptionally gentle, "It was my mistake not to introduce you to the sect leader before we came. Aunt Yun, this is my wife, Yin Quan."

These words were so uttered that a pin drop could be heard in the hall. Xiahou Ying's aura suddenly plummeted. He stood in front of Yin Quan without making any move. Gu Lounan walked to Xiahou Ying's side, grabbed his shoulder, and pushed him aside. Although it was only for a moment, Yin Quan saw the instant the two had exchanged blows, and the veins on their hands were bulging.

"Xiao Quan Quan, you've been wronged these past few days. Aunt Yun must have already heard that Mr. Gu has already married a wife, so please forgive Mr. Lou for not being able to marry Feng Hua as his legal wife."

Chu Fenghua stumbled outside the main hall. She had been waiting outside for a long time, but she never dreamed that she would get such an outcome. Her lifelong hope, even if it ruined her reputation, she didn't care. She just wanted to marry him rightfully. Was that impossible?

Why is it always this woman? She deserves to die! Chu Fenghua's fingers gripped the door frame tightly, peeling off all the red paint.

Yin Quan was pulled into Gu Lounan's arms, and the headband was loosened, revealing Yin Quan's true identity as a woman to everyone. Yunshang could no longer sit still, and her tone turned cold, "Lounan, don't be ridiculous. Your relationship with that woman is just a relationship without any official status. Your father has never acknowledged it. If you can marry Fenghua with a grand wedding procession, I will pretend I never heard your nonsense."

"Um, I..." Yin Quan was about to explain when her shoulder went numb and she could no longer say anything. Looking at Gu Lounan, who had silenced her, Yin Quan felt like strangling him.

However, to outsiders, this scene looked like a young couple flirting. "Aunt Yun, are you really going to force me like this? If you insist that I marry Feng Hua, then I can only marry her as a concubine."

This situation was clearly unexpected for Qinghuang, who was momentarily speechless. Just as everyone was feeling awkward, a clear, cold female voice rang out from outside the door.

"I marry."

Chu Fenghua walked in from outside the door, dressed in a light pink dress that accentuated her snow-white skin. She knelt down in the hall and said, “Master, your unfilial disciple has done such a disgraceful thing to the family. In order not to disgrace the reputation of Qifeng Manor, your disciple is willing to marry Senior Brother Gu as a concubine.”

Qinghuang's eyes lit up. This was even better. Chu Fenghua, being a concubine, was even less qualified to inherit the position of manor lord.

“Since even Feng Hua doesn’t care, I think this is the only way to handle this matter.” Yun Shang disagreed firmly. “No matter how incompetent the people of Qifeng Manor are, they will never be forced to become concubines! Feng Hua, you go out and I will handle this matter.”

Yin Quan glared at Gu Lounan. Now, even though he was the one who got the better deal, it was as if Qifeng Manor was forcing him to marry her. This shrewd man had taken all the benefits.

Chu Fenghua respectfully kowtowed three times, "Master, this is my own choice. I am willing to marry Senior Brother Gu, even if I am a concubine." Yin Quan felt that he was not human enough to accept such a devoted daughter.

Just as she was about to help Chu Fenghua up, Gu Lounan stopped her and whispered in her ear, "Now you are the legitimate wife, you should act like one. Why are you stooping down to help a concubine?"

Yin Quan glared at him fiercely. If we're talking about shamelessness, Gu Lounan would definitely be number one. Chu Fenghua saw their little exchange, and the jealousy in her heart was practically burning her up.

Gu Lounan's attitude further convinced Yunshang to disagree with the marriage. "Fortunately, today's events happened within our manor, and everyone kept their mouths shut. Let's pretend this never happened. Fenghua, why don't you go back to your room and reflect on your actions?" Chu Fenghua, however, showed no intention of leaving.

"Master, I have no face to live in this world. If my senior brother doesn't marry me, I will have no face to live in the future. I might as well let Fenghua die." Qinghuang had long known about Chu Fenghua's feelings for Gu Lounan. The way things had turned out was extremely advantageous to her, so she hurriedly added fuel to the fire.

"The sect leader can't keep secrets forever. This matter depends entirely on what Master Gu thinks. If he mistreats the people of Qifeng Manor, we will certainly not agree. If he can treat everyone equally, then it's fine. Isn't it normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines?" Yunshang's eyes were filled with anger.

Chu Fenghua looked at Gu Lounan with a pitiful expression, "Senior Brother Gu, are you really not going to say anything? Although Fenghua is not from a prestigious family, she is devoted to you." She kept calling him "Senior Brother," and even Yin Quan couldn't bear it. She gestured incoherently, and Gu Lounan released her speech acupoint.

She hurriedly helped Chu Fenghua up. "Don't be anxious. Gu Lounan was in the wrong. He took advantage of her and didn't want to pay. I will absolutely not allow that. To put it mildly, it's frivolous behavior; to put it seriously, it's rape, which is punishable by imprisonment. I've made the decision. We will marry Miss Chu tomorrow."

Yin Quan's words were powerful and resounding, and everyone present was moved by her magnanimity. They had never seen such a sensible woman before. For a moment, the men present were somewhat envious of Gu Lounan. Chu Fenghua showed gratitude on her face, but her hatred for Yin Quan intensified.

"Thank you for not disliking me, elder sister. I will serve you well after I enter the family." Qinghuang hurriedly said, "Sect Leader, you have seen that it is rare for Master Gu's wife to be so understanding. I think this matter should be handled this way. We will make arrangements for the wedding immediately, which will also find a good home for Fenghua."

Seeing Qinghuang's overly attentive manner, Yunshang was quite displeased. However, having been forced into this situation, she had no choice but to sigh deeply and say to Chu Fenghua, "You chose this path yourself. Don't blame your teacher if you regret it in the future. I have done everything I can for you."

Chu Fenghua smiled through her tears, "Master, don't worry, Fenghua will definitely be happy, Fenghua will never let you down." Yin Quan felt a pang of emotion. What good could come of marrying that scoundrel Gu Lounan? But she was willing to do him a favor, after all, she knew how Gu Lounan felt about her.

If she could find him a good girl, it would fulfill one of her wishes. This matter was finally settled, and Qifeng Manor also ushered in a happy event. After all, it was the head disciple's wedding, so it could not be taken lightly. After Yin Quan's identity was exposed, she was treated as an honored guest and moved into Gu Lounan's room alone.

Seeing the scoundrel's smug expression, Yin Quan gritted her teeth in hatred, "Gu Lounan, you better watch out for your skin, Xiahou Ying would love to kill you right now."