Chapter 463: Make Him Suffer Worse Than Death
The palace maid was not in a hurry and obediently followed behind Xiahou Yuanwei, chasing all the way to the end of the corridor.
At the end of the corridor was an open space beside the main hall.
The open space was empty, with only a few palace lanterns casting a dim glow over the night.
Looking at the vast, empty area, where there was no trace of Ye Lu despite the short time that had passed, Xiahou Yuanwei frowned deeply, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.
“Did you see just now? Did the Lu Prince come this way?”
Xiahou Yuanwei turned to the palace maid who had followed her out, asking suspiciously.
“Reporting to the Princess, this servant didn’t pay much attention. It’s cold outside; Princess should come with me to change into a fresh gown first. If this one stays wet, you’ll freeze soon.”
Upon hearing this, the man’s smile widened even more.
“Good!”
“It seems the Princess is quite intelligent. Since you understand my intentions, then surely you know what to do?”
“Who’s there?!”
Can it be warmer?
Hearing the man’s words, Xiahou Yuanwei wished she could kill him on the spot!
“Where have you been? Why do you look so pale? The palace banquet is almost over.”
A sudden bang startled Xiahou Yuanwei. She turned around quickly and saw her maid lying unconscious on the ground. A terrible premonition filled her heart, and she immediately rushed toward the door.
After entering, the palace maid led Xiahou Yuanwei to a room. “Princess, inside are fresh garments prepared for the noble guests.”
Crossing the open space, taking several twists and turns, Xiahou Yuanwei followed the palace maid to a secluded side hall.
They had grown up together as childhood friends, so why?
The man bent down slightly, lifting Xiahou Yuanwei’s face filled with hatred, his lips curling into a satisfied smirk.
Xiahou Yuanwei quickly grabbed the blanket, wrapping it tightly around herself. If she still didn’t realize she had fallen into a trap, then she truly would be a fool!
The maid mumbled to herself while walking toward the window, intending to open it for fresh air.
The man chuckled at her words but didn’t linger any longer and left the room directly.
“It’s you! You… why?!”
Looking around again, she realized she was lying on an unfamiliar, intricately carved bed. The weight of despair crushed her.
“Princess…”
The maid entered and immediately felt suffocated, as did Xiahou Yuanwei.
“Would the Princess really be willing? If you wish to die, then I will not spare that useless man. I will make him suffer worse than death.”
“You don’t just want me, do you?”
Xiahou Yuanwei pushed open the door, and the scent of sandalwood wafted into her nose.
The man retracted his hand that had been gripping her chin, straightened up, flicked his robe, and laughed heartily as he walked away.
“Wait!”
Hearing her voice, Xiahou Yuanwei withdrew her searching gaze and nodded slightly.
At her call, the man paused his steps, slowly turning back with a mocking yet triumphant smile.
Xiahou Yuanwei nodded. “Just wait outside. My maid will accompany me.”
Her entire body trembled—fear and despair threatened to suffocate her. But she couldn’t let the one who schemed against her go unpunished!
Just as Xiahou Yuanwei was drowning in despair, a man’s voice echoed in the darkness.
She wanted to scream, to summon everyone, to perish together with him if necessary. But she knew—no one would come.
By the time Xiahou Yuanwei returned to the palace hall in a daze, the banquet was nearing its end.
“Hold this, you’ll warm up soon.”
Holding back the injustice in her heart, feeling as if life was no longer worth living, Xiahou Yuanwei forced a smile at her mother, the Imperial Consort.
“My voice… the Princess doesn’t even recognize it? Ha! It seems you truly have no feelings for me.”
“I just changed my gown with the palace maid. The snowfall was beautiful tonight, so I lingered outside for a while.”
“So, you merely want to use this disgrace to blackmail me into doing your bidding?”
She had no idea how long had passed when Xiahou Yuanwei finally regained consciousness. Her head felt heavy, and her clothing… was gone.
Just as she stepped toward the door, everything went black, and her body collapsed.
“You’re despicable! Why are you doing this to me?! You—you…”
But just as the maid reached the window, a sharp pain struck the back of her head. Darkness engulfed her, and her outstretched hand fell lifelessly to the floor.
The room was already warm, with a brazier burning inside.
“Why? Ha! Because I want you to be my woman. But sadly, your heart belongs to that worthless man. No matter. Now, you have two choices—either you persuade your father to annul your engagement, or you marry that useless man but secretly remain mine.”
The Imperial Consort of Zhan Nan Kingdom looked at her daughter with a dark expression.
The man’s voice sounded again in the darkness, followed by his figure emerging, moving slowly while fastening his robe.
“Take the Princess away.”
“Princess, you are already mine now. If you don’t want your marriage to be ruined, you had better obey me. After all, it was you who refused to marry me and chose that pathetic man instead.”
At his words, the palace maid hurriedly led the way.
As the man approached the bedside, Xiahou Yuanwei finally saw his face clearly.
That face—she could never have imagined that he would be the one to betray her!
Looking at the empty room and her unconscious maid lying on the ground, Xiahou Yuanwei felt utterly hopeless.
She could never feel warm again.
“This room is filled with incense, and no windows have been opened for ventilation. The brazier is burning—aren’t they worried about making the guests uncomfortable?”
Hearing the man’s words, Xiahou Yuanwei, who was sitting weakly on the bed, felt as though ice had pierced through her soul—utterly desolate!
“Aren’t you afraid that even if I die, I will never submit to you?”
Just as the man was about to leave the room, Xiahou Yuanwei called out urgently!
Hearing this, the Imperial Consort of Zhan Nan didn’t say more, only sighed and hurriedly placed a warm hand-warmer into her daughter’s hands.
Among the crowd, Xiahou Yuanwei’s gaze landed on the man across the hall, who was laughing and chatting with others. Her eyes were filled with cold hatred.
The next day, Ye Lu, determined to achieve his goal, entered the palace early to greet the Emperor. After all the other princes had left, he shamelessly lingered in the Imperial Study, unwilling to depart.
“You’re still here? Do you wish to assist me? Well, since you’re so free, why don’t you help relieve my burden? The north has been hit by heavy snow, and many citizens are suffering. If you’re so idle, go assist the ministers in disaster relief.”
(End of Chapter 463)
