Chapter 178: Chapter 120: What Does That Kiss Mean?

The Eldest Princess was momentarily taken aback, then a faint smile crossed her face as she spoke with deep sincerity, “Li, what you’re doing is against the rules.

Engaged couples who are soon to be married are absolutely not allowed to meet; it’s considered inauspicious.”

Jun Moling couldn’t help but chuckle in response, “Aunt, that’s an old custom from many years ago. I have something important I need to discuss with Ruoxi.”

The Eldest Princess lifted her eyes to glance at this niece-in-law, her heart truly not very fond.

Yet, thinking of her nephew finally having a family, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of relief.

After all, her nephew was not young anymore, and seeing his fascination with this woman, she really couldn’t stand in the way with more words.

“Prince, whatever you need to say, say it here!”

Shen Ruoxi felt an inexplicable surge of anger; clearly, this was his own family, yet she faced endless rejection.

Recalling all these events, she thought, it’s all his fault; if not for him, how would she be in such a stifling situation, filled with frustration?

By her usual disposition, anyone who dared to speak ill of her today, she would make it clear who Shen Ruoxi truly was! Instead of wasting breath with them here.

“Ruoxi, there really is something.” Jun Moling’s face was full of smiles, wholly disregarding others’ gazes, he directly reached out to clasp her sleeve and led her aside.

Shen Ruoxi was filled with reluctance but could not struggle.

After all, in this public setting, struggling would not only be unseemly, but she couldn’t deny Jun Moling, this prince, any face.

Helplessly, she let him lead her away by the sleeve.

The Emperor gazed intently at the two people leaning against each other, his expression showing obvious envy, as well as a hint of loneliness.

“Haven’t had a wife for many lifetimes, have you? Look how foolishly happy you’re smiling!” The Eldest Princess couldn’t restrain herself, complaining angrily.

The Emperor seemed lost in his world of thoughts, instinctively murmuring, “If she would marry me, I’d be happier than my brother.”

On hearing this, the Eldest Princess was utterly enraged, thinking this Shen Ruoxi is quite the seductress, see how she bewitched the two of them!

But she was helpless and couldn’t say much!

Turning to see her daughter’s eyes filled with hatred, she angrily said, “Embarrassing thing, go back immediately!”

Cheng Caiyun never expected her mother would punish her like this, and her heart was instantly filled with tidal waves of resentment yet couldn’t express it.

She choked with emotions, her voice trembling, feeling utterly wronged, “Daughter obeys.”

The Eldest Princess pressed her brow, her heart filled with helplessness and worry.

Her daughter truly was too foolish and reckless in confrontation.

Now caught in a trap, if she didn’t punish her own daughter and show a superior attitude, once the Emperor got involved, her daughter’s punishment would be much worse.

Thinking of this, she had no choice but to force a smile and cheerfully said to everyone, “Ladies and gentlemen, please.”

The farce finally ended, and everyone promptly bowed and saluted, then followed the Eldest Princess into the front hall.

Jun Moling pulled Shen Ruoxi to a slightly secluded area in the rear garden, his voice low and gentle, “Are you angry?”

Shen Ruoxi’s chest was still filled with unresolved anger, her voice cold as she replied, “No.”

Jun Moling couldn’t help but laugh, hurrying to explain, “Let me tell you, as for that Mu Jinxuan, I hardly ever spoke to her, and as for any engagement or concubines, it was all her wishful thinking.

I’ve already arranged a marriage for her, who would have thought she’d continue to bother you, but such things definitely won’t happen again.”

Shen Ruoxi had things to say, wanting to express that him marrying a hundred concubines had nothing to do with her, he should not blame her and make her seem like a jealous person.

Clearly knowing nothing, yet being falsely accused like this, what she hated most in life was being wronged.

But ultimately, she swallowed back those words, as he had already stated his stance, if she were to say such things now, it would inevitably be hurtful.

“We were merely using each other; I’m grateful to the Prince. In the future, if you wish to marry anyone, letting me know is sufficient, I won’t stand in the way.” Shen Ruoxi’s expression was indifferent, her tone so calm that one couldn’t discern any emotion.

Jun Moling’s face instantly darkened, his eyes became cold as ice, with a hint of questioning, “So you’re saying that kiss was also just using each other?”

Shen Ruoxi was momentarily stunned, pressing her lips tightly together, her face soon displaying a touch of humiliation.

Her voice trembled slightly, “Is that what the Prince Zhan means? Just because of a kiss, should I expect you to be responsible, never taking concubines, never thinking about any other woman, loving only me, Shen Ruoxi, for life? Is that it?”

Jun Moling was taken aback, wanting to say that if she thought so, everything would go as she wished.

But when the words reached his lips, he suddenly felt them so powerless.

Indeed, just a kiss, can it truly allow them to express heartfelt feelings for each other? Can it lead to a love so deep that they cannot live without the other?

Jun Moling felt a bit helpless and softly inquired, “Then what does that kiss mean to you?”

Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled into a mocking smile, her gaze was cold as she looked at the Prince, “Prince, the reason for our marriage is clear to us both.

I do hold gratitude towards you, yet I dare not harbor excessive desires. Even vows can be broken, let alone a mere kiss.

Back then, Xiao Chengyi’s eyes saw only me, and in his gaze was intense fiery love.

He swore resolutely that he’d never take concubines, solely treating me well.

To this day, I can vividly recall my wedding day.

He changed out of his bridegroom attire into a soldier’s uniform and entered the bridal chamber, his hands shaking with excitement, his eyes full of deep affection and longing, he told me: ’My wife, wait for me.’

Yet, what I ended up with was him bringing back a pregnant woman, wanting to elevate her to the status of a wife.

He said she was different, not like me, who was good at scheming, stuck uselessly in the back courtyard, how laughable!

Men, I am afraid, truly afraid.

Don’t talk to me about vows, they’re simply ineffective.

All I seek from marrying into Prince Zhan’s mansion is peace and steadiness.

If the Prince finds me unsuitable, then we can separate.

I reckon, being a soon-to-be third-time bride, the Emperor would no longer be interested in me.”

Jun Moling wanted to tell her at that moment that he was the older brother she saved back then, and she was the woman he had thought about for years.

But at this moment, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Clearly, in the past few days, she had somewhat begun to open up to him, yet now she retreated again.

It could only be said, the harm Xiao Chengyi caused her was too deep and heavy, and Mu Jinxuan’s appearance acted like a catalyst, pulling back that slight affection she had for him.

Today, she was covered in sharp thorns, merely trying to protect herself from getting hurt again.

He understood that he couldn’t rush.

“What I’ve done for you, can it not alleviate your concerns?”

Jun Moling tried to remain calm; Mu Jinxuan’s presence was indeed his fault, failing to nip it in the bud. She was likely afraid of more Zhang Jinxuans or Li Jinxuans appearing around him?

Shen Ruoxi bit her lip slightly; his kindness toward her seemed like a dense net, entangling her deeper and deeper.

But she reminded herself to remain lucid, not to be foolish.

“Prince, I am grateful, but love is really tiring, I was able to detach from the Xiao family because I didn’t love Xiao Chengyi that much; I fear the ’what if’?”

She feared a situation where it had to be Jun Moling, and at that time, the hurt could be fatal. Not talking about love meant not getting hurt.

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