Chapter 38
“Your Highness, please endure a little longer.”
The morning’s elaborate process of grooming and dressing had nearly exhausted Murong Qiufeng’s patience. The two maidservants were efficient but overly meticulous, spending what felt like an eternity just on his eyebrows.
Murong Qiufeng was still deeply opposed to any embellishments on his face. After the ordeal of his wedding day, he had no desire to repeat it, especially since today’s preparations were even more grandiose.
His brows had been furrowed in frustration since he took the Bone-Quenching Pill.
“All done, Your Highness. You look beautiful,” one of the maidservants finally announced with a light chuckle.
Murong Qiufeng felt a hint of mockery in her words. She knew his true identity yet persisted in calling him “Your Highness.” Although it was Shangguan Ye’s order, as a man, it was unbearable for him to be treated as a woman.
Taking a deep breath, he stood up with a cold expression, eyes filled with exhaustion and a trace of anger. “Let’s go.”
“Please be careful, Your Highness. Allow me to assist you,” one maidservant offered, seeing how the cumbersome phoenix robe made it difficult for him to move. He felt an urge to discard all his decorum and rage.
“No need,” he snapped, pushing her hand away in irritation. These maidservants were sent by Shangguan Ye, ostensibly to serve him but actually to monitor him. They were clearly not ordinary maids.
Their martial skills were not weak, and one of them was skilled in poison. The faint scent emanating from her body indicated her constant interaction with toxic plants.
The two maidservants exchanged playful glances behind him, suppressing their laughter. They had no ill intentions but were curious about the man their master was so taken with. They found his situation amusing—so reluctant and uncomfortable, yet forced to endure.
Indeed, these women were no ordinary maids but members of the Heaven’s Killing Pavilion. The one skilled in poison was one of the four great assassins, known for her deadly expertise in poisons and renowned medical skills. The Bone-Quenching Pill was her creation.
The other woman was her personal maid and assistant.
Shangguan Ye had her here for two reasons: to accommodate Murong Qiufeng’s changing conditions and as a precaution, primarily against Yun Feiyang.
Heaven’s Killing Pavilion never failed, but after half a month, they still hadn’t located Yun Feiyang. This raised questions about his true identity.
Shangguan Ye didn’t plan to ask Murong Qiufeng about Yun Feiyang. He wished for Murong Qiufeng to completely forget him.
Upon leaving the courtyard and reaching the main hall, Murong Qiufeng found Shangguan Ye already dressed and waiting, sipping tea.
Despite the short distance, Murong Qiufeng was drenched in sweat.
When Shangguan Ye looked up, he saw Murong Qiufeng walking in, lips tightly pressed together. Seeing him in his elaborate attire and makeup, Shangguan Ye was momentarily stunned. Although this look gave him a unique allure, beautiful and captivating, it wasn’t what he had intended.
Shangguan Ye’s icy gaze turned to the woman behind Murong Qiufeng, knowing instantly that she was behind this. He had ordered simplicity, aware of Murong Qiufeng’s distaste for such finery.
The woman, head bowed, suppressed her laughter. She knew her master wouldn’t punish her, at least not yet.
Seeing Shangguan Ye’s displeased expression, Murong Qiufeng assumed he was impatient from waiting too long and quickly spoke up, “I apologize for the delay, Your Highness.”
Shangguan Ye redirected his gaze to Murong Qiufeng, noticing the deep weariness in his eyes. His heart softened, and he swiftly walked over, wrapping an arm around Murong Qiufeng’s waist to support him, his tone still cold and indifferent, “No matter, let’s go.”
Murong Qiufeng’s eyes widened as Shangguan Ye suddenly held him, almost making him lean completely against him. “Your… Your Highness.”
Shangguan Ye raised an eyebrow, smiled slightly, and leaned close to his ear, whispering, “Remember, you are now my newlywed wife, my beloved consort. Don’t let anyone see through it.”
“But we’re still in the palace,” Murong Qiufeng mumbled, gritting his teeth. The wedding day’s forced intimacy was excusable due to ignorance, but now…
He felt utterly uncomfortable.
“What difference does it make? The palace is full of prying eyes. Let’s go.” Shangguan Ye’s voice turned cold with impatience as he led him away.
Murong Qiufeng could only grit his teeth and comply.
The luxurious carriage awaited at the palace gate. Seeing it, Murong Qiufeng felt a sense of relief, as if nearing the end of his ordeal.
But just as he relaxed, he was suddenly scooped up and carried into the carriage, placed on the soft seat inside.
His eyes filled with anger as he glared at Shangguan Ye, “Your Highness, please refrain from being so domineering in the future.” He was genuinely angry now.
He had a good temper, but that didn’t mean he had no temper. He was patient, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t explode. The entire palace knew his situation. Even though he was currently powerless, as a man, he couldn’t bear being treated like a delicate woman. It was humiliating.
Finally showing your true feelings, little one.
Shangguan Ye observed Murong Qiufeng, now looking like an angry little lion, stripped of his cold composure and aloofness. His mood lifted, but he maintained a stern expression, his hand still on Murong Qiufeng’s waist. “What? Do you expect me to seek your permission for my actions?”
Murong Qiufeng was momentarily speechless. Indeed, Shangguan Ye was the high and mighty prince. What right did he have to demand anything?
Feeling a mix of frustration and bitterness, his eyes stung with unshed tears. He turned his head stubbornly, his face cold once more, but inside, he felt even more lost. Was he destined to live as a puppet?
Seeing his demeanor, Shangguan Ye felt a pang of guilt. He realized he might have gone too far, sighed, and reluctantly withdrew his hand, sitting down and closing his eyes to rest.
The sudden loss of warmth at his waist made Murong Qiufeng pause. He glanced at the now-closed-eyed Shangguan Ye, noting the emotionless face, and let out a self-deprecating laugh. The departing warmth left him feeling inexplicably empty.
Shangguan Ye’s alternating warmth and coldness left him confused. After experiencing his coldness, he longed for the past warmth, yet he knew it was a futile hope. How could Shangguan Ye remain calm after all that had happened? It was already kind of him not to seek revenge. What more could he wish for?
Unbeknownst to him, his feelings were slowly drifting off course.
The contrast between warmth and coldness made the former seem like a poison, gradually eroding him.