Chapter 26: Don't Delude Yourself

She swallowed hard and asked, "Really? And what about your Fifth Imperial Brother? I shall petition the Emperor; you must address me as Fifth Imperial Sister-in-law from now on, Seventh Imperial Brother!"

Ye Jinchen lowered his head, his voice turning raspy as he asked, "When you were at Sansheng Hall last time, you said you wanted to find a prince... was that the truth?"

Sheng Yunqing raised an eyebrow and replied, "Yes, it was."

Having a dragon-blooded soul by her side was quite beneficial for recuperating her energy; yes, it was good. In fact, being by his side now felt quite comfortable.

Ye Jinchen gripped her shoulders tightly, looking at her with reddened eyes. "So, you intend to find someone else?"

Sheng Yunqing frowned slightly; it wasn't as if she *had* to find someone else...

"Am I so pathetic in your eyes?" Ye Jinchen’s eyes were filled with resentment.

To have taken a liking to that "green tea" woman—it was so beneath him! It was a waste of the high expectations she once held for him!

She gritted her teeth in anger and snapped, "Yes, you are pathetic!"

He had disappointed her too much!

Sheng Yunqing felt the grip on her shoulders tighten. Ye Jinchen leaned in close and demanded, "Why can it not be me?"

Sheng Yunqing blinked, completely bewildered. "What?"

Did he not want to marry Bai Jinxiu?

Could it be that he intended to take Bai Jinxiu as his wife and then keep her as a concubine?!

"Ye Jinchen! Do not indulge in such delusions!"

Sheng Yunqing shouted in indignation, but was caught off guard when he sealed her lips with his.

Ye Jinchen’s hand cupped the back of her head while the other pulled her waist close, his kiss fervent and urgent.

Sheng Yunqing was forced to stand on her tiptoes, collapsing into his arms. Her eyes were like those of a startled deer, and her fair face gradually flushed a deep red.

Heavens, had Ye Jinchen lost his mind? Why would he do such a thing to her?

That wasn't right... there was no aphrodisiac spirit present this time.

Did he not like Bai Jinxiu? What was this—what was this all about?

As the kiss ended, Ye Jinchen rested his forehead against hers, gazing at the sheen on her red lips. The veins on his hand, which was still wrapped around her waist, pulsed visibly.

Watching her awkward, blushing expression, his Adam's apple bobbed. He said in a husky voice, "I will not allow you to marry anyone else."

Sheng Yunqing frowned with lingering resentment, her voice softening. "Then who are you planning to marry—"

"The eldest daughter of the Sheng family, Sheng Yunqing—isn't that you?"

Sheng Yunqing’s pupils dilated, and her heart began to hammer against her ribs. Had she... had she misunderstood earlier?

For some reason, a wave of joy surged within her. Struggling to suppress the curve of her lips, she turned her head away and huffed, "The imperial decree has already been issued; there is nothing I can do about it."

"And your heart—that, too, is not allowed to be given to anyone else."

"Hmph, what business is it of yours?" Sheng Yunqing replied with a haughty air.

Ye Jinchen leaned down and pecked her lips once more. "It is my business."

The blush on Sheng Yunqing’s face deepened even further.

***

In the servant's quarters of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s mansion:

"Push! Keep pushing!" Lady Bai commanded anxiously, waving her silk fan at the maids.

Two maids were struggling to pull the wooden chair wedged against Bai Jinxiu’s hips, but despite their best efforts, it remained immovable. Bai Jinxiu grimaced in pain.

After a long while, the maids finally used a hammer to shatter the chair into pieces.

Bai Jinxiu clutched her quilt and wept in shame. All the dignity she had in this life had been completely lost today!

Lady Bai sighed regretfully. "The doctor said that although your legs were injured before, with proper care and rest, there might have been a slim chance of recovery. Even if you couldn't stand, at least the scars would have faded and not looked so unsightly."

"But now, before you could even recover, being bitten by a dog like this has left you completely crippled. Even if the wounds scab over, they will surely leave behind horrific scars..."

"What?!" Bai Jinxiu grabbed her sleeve in desperation. "Aunt, I cannot be ruined like this!"

Lady Bai patted her hand soothingly. "I have already paid the doctor to keep his mouth shut. No one will know your true condition. Just rest well; since you have pleased the Empress Dowager, there is still hope for you to marry into the imperial family."

Bai Jinxiu gnashed her teeth. Sheng Yunqing had brought her to such a miserable state—she would not let her get away with this!

Since Sheng Yunqing had entered the Marquis's mansion, everyone in the household had grown very fond of her.

Sheng Yuankun doted on her, the Old Madam’s chronic headaches had been cured, and she was quite fond of this junior. Sheng Qiuyao respected her, and little Sheng Yi followed her around every day.

Now that she was the fiancée of Prince Ye, she was the treasure of the entire household.

However, not everyone saw it that way.

By a secluded pond in the back garden, a new swing had been hung from a crooked tree. Yunqing was swinging alone, humming a tune, when she heard a rustle behind the tree.

She glanced up, noticing the hemp rope beginning to fray, and then looked at the bottomless water below. She curled her lips in a nonchalant smile.

She muttered a silent spell, and the loose knot began to slowly tighten itself.

Sheng Yueying, hiding behind the tree, bit her lip in worry.

Although she hated Sheng Yunqing just as much as her mother did, according to her mother's plan, if she were to fall into the pond like this, it could be fatal...

She didn't like Sheng Yunqing, but she didn't want to kill her!

Watching Sheng Yunqing swinging higher and higher, sweat beaded on her forehead, and her heart pounded violently.

She dared not look any longer, leaning against the tree and biting her fingers in anxiety.

"Third Sister, do you also wish to sit on the swing?"

Hearing Sheng Yunqing’s voice, Sheng Yueying turned around and saw the woman standing right beside her. She shrieked in fright, her legs giving way.

Sheng Yunqing caught her before she could fall. Once Sheng Yueying steadied herself, she hastily pulled away, waving her hands. "No... you go ahead. I have things to attend to."

"Don't be so polite." Sheng Yunqing grabbed her and walked toward the swing.

Sheng Yueying didn't know why her legs wouldn't listen to her; she found herself配合 her and sitting on the swing.

Sheng Yunqing smiled. "Hold on tight."

Before Sheng Yueying could react, Sheng Yunqing pushed her back, sending the swing soaring high into the air.

"Ah!" Sheng Yueying screamed in terror. "Let—let me down! Let me down right now!"

Sheng Yunqing pretended not to hear her, calling out, "What? You want to go higher?"

Sheng Yueying gripped the ropes, tears streaming down her face. "Dear sister, I was wrong! Please, let me down! I don't want to drown!"

Sheng Yunqing didn't stop, her peach-blossom eyes narrowing as she said sternly, "So, you wanted to drown me?"

Sheng Yueying shook her head frantically. "I didn't! I only wanted to make you look like a drowned rat! If you had choked on water, I would have sent someone to save you!"

"Is that so? Then you needn't worry. Since you care for me so much, I shall care for you just the same," Sheng Yunqing said with a radiant smile.

"Wuwuwu... I won't do it again! I'm terrified of water, please let me down! I apologize, eldest sister, isn't my apology enough?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a loud splash echoed through the garden as the rope snapped, and Sheng Yueying plummeted into the pond.

"Help! Help! I'm drowning! I'm going to drown!"