C18 She Had Expected This

Mo Ruyan looked utterly desolate, his gaze briefly sweeping over Xiao Zhen's arm wrapped around Yanwu's waist before he turned away.

"You..." Yanwu felt a pang in her heart seeing Mo Ruyan's expression. She wanted to go to him, but Xiao Zhen held her tightly, whispering in her ear, "Don't go..."

It was a clear threat. Yanwu glared at Xiao Zhen, but he only smiled innocently back at her.

To Mo Ruyan, it seemed like the two were exchanging affectionate glances.

Of course... it was just wishful thinking on his part...

Nan Yuvyi was nearly driven mad with jealousy.

Nan Ying spoke up, "Yanwu, it was wrong of me not to trust you."

Yanwu gave a bitter smile and turned away.

"This party can't go on today. I'll rest in the guest room and visit His Highness another day to apologize," Nan Ying said, heading towards the guest quarters.

Nan Yuvyi stepped forward and pulled Yanwu out of Xiao Zhen's embrace. Caught off guard, Yanwu stumbled, her head heading straight for a pillar.

Mo Ruyan wanted to save her but hesitated, recalling the earlier scene, and stopped in his tracks.

Xiao Zhen couldn't reach Yanwu in time to protect her.

With a soft thud, Yanwu fell by the pillar, blood slowly trickling down her forehead.

Nan Yuvyi stood frozen.

Xiao Zhen scooped up Yanwu, glanced at Mo Ruyan, who understood and left to find a doctor.

Xiao Zhen glared coldly at Nan Yuvyi, his tone icy, making her feel as if she had fallen into a pit of ice: "You've gone too far, little princess."

"Let me go." Yanwu suddenly opened her eyes, her expression calm.

"Why?" Xiao Zhen smiled again.

Yanwu hated that smile, the one that could captivate anyone, the smile that had once ensnared her at first sight.

"Had enough of the act?" Yanwu's voice was cold as ice.

"Who's really acting here? Don't think I don't know you were faking it just now—though getting knocked into the pillar by your sister was real," Xiao Zhen said, lightly touching Yanwu's wound and smearing the blood on her cheek.

"Pointless," Yanwu replied coolly. "Can you let me go now?"

"Of course, my lady," Xiao Zhen chuckled.

"Xiao Zhen, have you had enough? This isn't something you should joke about so lightly."

Xiao Zhen paused, releasing Yanwu, and said slowly, "A joke... then just consider everything I said as empty words."

Yanwu shot a cold glance at Xiao Zhen as he turned to leave, leaving her alone in the hallway with Lvyu.

"Do it," Yanwu suddenly commanded, her voice as sharp and cold as a blade slicing through the night. Lvyu, kneeling on the ground, stiffened and trembled, "P-Princess..."

"Haven't you been waiting for this chance? I'm giving it to you now. Let's see if you can follow Yuvyi's orders and get rid of me," Yanwu's tone was dripping with sarcasm. "Blame yourself for choosing such a foolish master. You stirred up quite the storm today, but it was the wrong time, and now you're done for."

"Princess!" Lvyu pleaded desperately, "I swear my loyalty to you is true, as clear as day. I was only coerced by the young princess, that's why... that's why this happened today! Even if you gave me ten lives, I wouldn't dare betray you!"

"Lvyu, I've been more than lenient with you," Yanwu smiled suddenly. "If I hadn't, do you think you could have so easily accomplished everything for Yuvyi and gained her trust?"

"I'm not doing this willingly... I had no choice!" Green Jade cried out, her voice hoarse with desperation. Panic surged through her as she realized the princess before her was not the naive and weak figure she had assumed. Quite the opposite, both she and Yuvyi had been outsmarted by her!

Today's events... she had anticipated them all along!

"Since you already know..." Green Jade sneered, her face twisted with despair. "If you, Princess, show no mercy, don't blame me for doing the same... It's perfect timing; today, I'll finally settle things with the young princess!"

With that, Green Jade drew a small dagger from her waist and lunged at Nan Yanwu!