Chapter 251: Chapter 251: The Young Master Has Developed Genuine Feelings

At dinnertime, Song Lianhe stood by the door, peering outside from time to time.

After he’d left this morning without a backward glance, the man hadn’t shown his face since. ’Is he angry?’

’I guess so. As the villain, he and the male lead are natural-born enemies. For him to misunderstand and think I like the male lead is tantamount to betrayal!’

’It’s a wonder he hasn’t already killed me. How could he possibly be nice to a “traitor” like me?’

’But…’

’But we just…’

Song Lianhe stared at her toes, suddenly feeling a little wronged.

’He didn’t ask a single thing and just condemned me. How can he be so unreasonable!’

Just then, Xuan Mei stepped forward. “Madam, the food is getting cold.”

“Oh.”

Song Lianhe knew that Xuan Mei wouldn’t eat until she did.

’Sigh… Even if I don’t eat, Sister Mei still has to.’

She sat down at the table, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, and started shoveling rice into her mouth with her head down.

Xuan Mei glanced at her, then picked up some food and placed it in her bowl.

“Sister Mei,” she said, looking up and hesitating before she asked, “where did the Prince go?”

Xuan Mei replied, “His Lordship has gone to Huaxu Square. He has important business to attend to.”

“Huaxu Square again…”

Song Lianhe was extremely sensitive to the name, and the tips of her ears couldn’t help but turn red.

She said, “I thought we were only staying at Li Zong Pass for two days. We should be leaving tomorrow. If he’s still not back this late, won’t that delay our departure?”

“His Lordship has unfinished business. We’ll likely stay for another two days.”

“I see. Well, his business is more important, then.”

Song Lianhe lowered her head and went back to her food, asking no more questions.

Xuan Mei frowned and continued to place food in her bowl. “Don’t just eat plain rice.”

“Oh.”

Song Lianhe blankly lifted the piece of meat to her mouth.

’Somehow, the meat didn’t taste as delicious as usual.’

After the meal, Xuan Mei brought over the brewed medicinal soup. She looked at Song Lianhe and finally asked, “What exactly is this medicine for?”

“It’s just… to strengthen my body and help me sleep.”

Xuan Mei raised an eyebrow. “You need help sleeping?”

“Don’t underestimate me, okay? I have a lot on my mind, too! Sometimes I overthink things, tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep a wink!”

Xuan Mei was smart enough not to argue. She simply said, “But when the Shadow Guard gave it to me, he repeatedly warned that it shouldn’t be taken too often.”

In truth, even if Xuan Mei was inexperienced in such matters, she had probably already guessed what it was.

Song Lianhe froze. “The Shadow Guard gave it to you? Th-Then Zhou Cangyan knows?”

Xuan Mei nodded.

’It’s over.’

Now Song Lianhe really couldn’t eat another bite.

’My crime was no longer just being a “traitor.” It needed a prefix. I should be the “despicable traitor”!’

’In Zhou Cangyan’s eyes, I slept with him while my heart belonged to another!’

’And after sleeping with him, I immediately drank Abortion Soup, making my disgust for him painfully obvious.’

’This was a matter of a man’s pride. He must already resent me. The only reason he’s just giving me the cold shoulder is probably out of consideration for my many contributions to Sui Ning City.’

Just then, Xuan Mei suddenly spoke up. “His Lordship isn’t an unreasonable man. Whatever it is, you should just explain it to him clearly.”

Song Lianhe’s lips twitched into a strained smile. “Isn’t it obvious he’s avoiding me? I’d love to explain, but he has to give me the chance!”

Xuan Mei nodded. “True. I’ve never seen His Lordship show such disdain for anyone before.”

“Heh… you can say that again.” Song Lianhe was still smiling, so hard that her eyes began to well up with tears.

’Sister Mei, you really know how to twist the knife.’

「Huaxu Square.」

By the time a subordinate arrived to make a report, more than a dozen jars of wine had already been delivered to the private room.

Zhen Niang lifted the curtain and entered. “Even if the wine at my Huaxu Square isn’t the strongest, it won’t hold up if you keep drinking like this, sir.”

The man was sitting sideways on a long bench by a wide-open window, his gaze fixed on the singing and dancing on the floor below.

Even Zhen Niang, who had seen countless men, had to admit that Fu Yuan was an exceptionally charismatic man.

Zhen Niang had seen her share of handsome men. Fu Yuan’s features were far from conventionally beautiful, but he possessed a free-spirited, refined elegance. It was an innate quality, burnished by a unique and mature charisma.

“Is something on your mind today, Mr. Fu?”

She sat down across from him, helped herself to the wine pot, and poured a cup. “Is it… because of a woman?”

The man slowly turned his gaze toward her, his cool eyes sweeping over her face. “I’d like to know, who gave Huaxu Square its influence? Who is it that’s backing you? Do you dare to scheme against just anyone?”

Zhen Niang laughed, covering her mouth. “Though I have only had the pleasure of meeting you a few times, sir, I can tell you’re not some incompetent fool who can be easily schemed against. The only reason you fell for the trick was because you like her, and you were willing~ If anything, you should be thanking me.”

The man shot her a cold glance but, surprisingly, didn’t refute her claim.

Seeing him fall silent and resume drinking, Zhen Niang’s eyes widened in realization. “Don’t tell me you’ve actually developed feelings for her, sir?”

Zhou Cangyan frowned, his irritation seeming all too real.

Zhen Niang studied him closely, then nodded abruptly. “It seems Mr. Fu has truly lost his heart to that young lady.”

Zhou Cangyan lifted the wine pot and took a long swig.

Zhen Niang chuckled, a hint of envy in her voice. “A heart as sincere as yours is a rare find, sir.”

Zhou Cangyan pressed his lips together, looking somewhat intoxicated. “I came to Da Cheng on an important mission. Romantic entanglements are nothing but a burden to me…”

As soon as the words were out, he fell silent as if on alert, then drained the rest of the wine in the pot.

Zhen Niang watched him with a sly smile. “Then dare I ask, sir, what might this important matter be? I wonder if I might be of some assistance?”

—

Zhou Cangyan didn’t return all night.

Song Lianhe listlessly stirred the congee in her bowl, her mind involuntarily conjuring images of him in that den of pleasure, a woman on each arm.

She pouted, constantly trying to reassure herself.

’Before, we were just a married couple in name. Now… ugh, even if we’ve consummated the marriage, as long as there are no real feelings involved, it’s just a marriage of convenience!’

’At least emotionally, we’re both free.’

’So, no matter where he is or how many pretty girls he’s holding, that’s his choice, his freedom, and his own damn fault!!’

’What do I have to worry about?’

’Not only that! I should be happy! I should be ecstatic!’

’See how happy I am? It’s so much fun eating breakfast alone!’

’I could eat three whole bowls of this stuff!’

Xuan Mei, standing to one side with her shortsword in her arms, frowned. “Are you trying to eat yourself to death, Madam?”

Unable to watch any longer, she took the bowl away from her.

Song Lianhe wiped her mouth jauntily with her sleeve and patted her round belly. “Better to burst from overeating than to die of anger!”

Before Xuan Mei could ask who she was angry with, a luxurious carriage pulled up outside the inn.

The Shopkeeper, quick on his feet, immediately rushed forward to greet them personally.

“Are you looking for a room, honored guest?”

A guard jumped down from the carriage and set down a mounting stool.

The carriage door opened, and a man dressed in fine brocade stepped out.

Song Lianhe rubbed her eyes. “Sister Mei, is this congee making me hallucinate? Why am I seeing Zhou Junlin?!”

Xuan Mei suppressed her aura and took a subtle step back, her voice low. “You’re not hallucinating, Madam. It is indeed Prince Ling.”

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