Chapter 15: The Harmless Princess of Beiyang vs. The Ruthless Prince of Beiyang

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Wen Yurou raised an eyebrow. Her lips were rosy, teeth white, and skin fair—truly the image of a beauty in the making.

“Your Highness, have you risen? I’m here to help you change,” Chunmei’s voice came from outside.

Wen Yurou quickly set down the bronze mirror and cleared her throat. “Come in.”

“Yes.”

Chunmei entered the room and approached the dressing table to begin arranging Wen Yurou’s hair. After a moment, she brought over a lotus-colored long gown. “Your Highness, what do you think of this dress?”

Wen Yurou glanced at the garment in Chunmei’s hands and nodded. “This one.”

“Very well.”

Chunmei placed the dress neatly by the screen. “Allow me to assist you with dressing, Your Highness.”

“Mm.”

Half an hour later, Wen Yurou emerged from her chamber. In the courtyard, young servants and maids of the Northern Yang Prince’s residence hastily bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness!”

“No need for formalities,” Wen Yurou said coolly, casting a brief glance over them before heading toward the dining hall, with Chunmei following closely.

Just a few steps in, a maid approached from a distance. “Your Highness, a woman at the gate claims to be your sister. Shall I bring her in?”

Wen Ruwei?

Wen Yurou sneered coldly. “Bring her to the dining hall to see me.”

“Yes.”

The maid hurried away at once. Led by Chunmei, Wen Yurou went straight to the dining hall and took the seat of honor, picking up a bowl of porridge to sip gracefully.

Seafood porridge?

For over half a month now, the meals had changed daily, and she found herself quite fond of them.

After a moment, the maid returned with Wen Ruwei. “Your Highness, she has been brought here.”

“Hm. Everyone else may leave.”

The maids bowed and withdrew. Wen Yurou turned to Wen Ruwei, raising an eyebrow. “Guests should be seated.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Wen Ruwei suddenly dropped to her knees. “Greetings, Northern Yang Princess!”

Wen Yurou was taken aback by this act. Was this really the same Wen Ruwei who once saw her as a thorn in her side, wishing she were dead?

“Sister, please, I beg your forgiveness for my past wrongs. This matter can only be resolved by you! I implore you!”

Wen Ruwei’s eyes lowered in fear, her hands clenched tightly into fists, trembling slightly.

Chunmei stood by, equally surprised that Wen Ruwei would kneel before Wen Yurou.

“You want me to help? Tell me what’s going on.”

Wen Yurou arched an eyebrow, a hint of deadly intent gleaming in her eyes.

She was curious to hear what trouble Wen Ruwei was in that would compel her to seek help.

“I... I...” Wen Ruwei’s face darkened, unsure how to begin.

“Speak!”

Wen Yurou’s voice grew colder, her gaze icy as it fixed on Wen Ruwei.

The stare sent a chill through Wen Ruwei’s body, causing her to shiver involuntarily.

“I... I don’t want to marry Liu Wenyu...” Wen Ruwei lowered her head, sorrow lacing her voice.

Hearing this, Wen Yurou furrowed her brow slightly.

“Whether you marry or not is none of my concern!”

She said this, then raised the teacup to her lips and took a sip.

“Sister, I know I wronged you before. Please don’t hold it against me. I truly regret it,” Wen Ruwei spoke cautiously. “If you help me this once, no matter what you ask in return, I will agree!”

She wasn’t merely repentant—she was frightened.

With the Third Princess around, the life of luxury she had known would likely vanish.

Wen Yurou glanced back at her. “Rise. This matter is beyond my power. The emperor has decreed the marriage. To defy the imperial will would bring disaster upon nine generations!”

Wen Ruwei’s displeasure deepened. She had knelt to beg, yet this was the cold response she received?

She stood abruptly. “Wen Yurou, you’re shameless!”

“So your true colors show at last?” Wen Yurou set down her chopsticks. “Is this how you beg for help?”

Wen Ruwei trembled as she caught the killing intent in Wen Yurou’s tone.

“Sister… I… I really regret it…” she looked at her with a mixture of fear and concealed hatred, quickly dropping to her knees once more. “Please save me!”

Wen Yurou said nothing, sipping her tea while her gaze lingered on a piece of pastry, eyes flickering with something strange.

At that moment, Qing Yu entered.

Seeing the scene, Qing Yu furrowed his brow, silently wondering what was happening.

“Your Highness, the Prince orders that I escort you to the palace to meet the Empress Dowager.”

Wen Ruwei stiffened, her heart filling with joy. To go to the palace! If she went along, she could finally meet Noble Consort Ling.

Qing Yu, noting Wen Yurou’s silence but not questioning it, respectfully said, “Please, Your Highness, shall we proceed?”

“Very well.”

Wen Yurou turned to Wen Ruwei, raising an eyebrow. “Sister, I have matters to attend to. I must leave first.”

Wen Ruwei’s gaze burned with hatred, her jaw clenched and eyes reddened.

“Chunmei, prepare ourselves. We’re going to the palace!” Wen Yurou rose and left the dining hall.

“Yes.”

Qing Yu cast a glance at the kneeling Wen Ruwei, frowning deeply, then quickly followed. “Your Highness, what about her...?”

“Ignore her!”

Before he finished, Wen Ruwei surged forward, blocking their path. “Sister, please take me with you! I promise to obey you!”

Qing Yu frowned sharply, looking at her with disdain. “Who do you think you are?!”

“I…” Wen Ruwei’s face darkened.

Wen Yurou stepped closer, her voice low and firm. “Sister, return to the residence and prepare for your wedding.”

Wen Ruwei suddenly looked up at her. “Wen Yurou, you cannot treat me this way!”

“Did you consider what would become of you when you treated me so?”

Seeing her like this brought a strange satisfaction to Wen Yurou’s heart.

“Fine. If you won’t take me, just wait and see,” Wen Ruwei said, drawing a deep breath, eyes flashing with determination, then turned and left.

Watching her retreating figure grow faint, Qing Yu frowned. What was going on here?

“How dare you bump into me? What are you looking at?! Who do you think you are?!” a maid shouted.

She had accidentally collided with Wen Ruwei, who suddenly raised her hand and struck the maid fiercely.

The maid’s face twisted from the blow, blood trickling from her mouth as she staggered back and fell to the ground.

“Get out of my way, you dog!”

A sharp slap rang out.

Wen Yurou had delivered a heavy slap to Wen Ruwei’s cheek, swelling it and drawing blood at the corner of her mouth.

Wen Ruwei spat out blood, looking utterly disheveled and haggard, her hair loose and her spirit broken.