Ye Qingcheng, hearing Hu Fei's sudden confession, put on a pretense of coldness. "Thank you for your kind intentions, Great Leader. My only desire is to dedicate myself to studying medicine, improving my skills, and healing people. I am not a fitting match for you, Great Leader."
Hu Fei, undeterred by her rejection, said, "I never imagined a young lady like Miss Ye would have such aspirations. I am impressed."
After the banquet dispersed, Bixi reminded Ye Qingcheng, "Princess Consort, when are we returning to the Prince's residence? If we don't go back soon, the Prince might come looking for us."
Bixi's words reminded Ye Qingcheng that Xiao Wangye likely already knew she hadn't been at the residence for the past few days. A plan suddenly formed in Ye Qingcheng's mind. She was now the second-in-command of Black Wind Stronghold, with money and people at her disposal. Why not seize this opportunity to teach him a lesson and find a way to break free from him?
Ye Qingcheng found Hu Fei to discuss her plan. She recounted Xiao Wangye's various wrongdoings and asked him to bring his men from Black Wind Stronghold to teach Xiao Wangye a severe lesson. Upon hearing this, Hu Fei became indignant and readily agreed.
Ye Qingcheng, with Bixi, returned to the Prince's residence. Xiao Wangye had gone out on business again. Ye Qingcheng left a message for Lin Xiao, asking him to inform Xiao Wangye that she would be waiting at the Hot Spring Villa to administer acupuncture. Then, taking Bixi, she went to the Hot Spring Villa to make arrangements. She instructed Hu Fei to have his men lie in ambush outside the villa. Once she had administered acupuncture to Xiao Wangye, she would coax him into taking a bath in the hot springs. Then, she would find an excuse to send Lin Xiao away. At that moment, Hu Fei and his men would rush in and beat up Xiao Wangye.
Not long after Ye Qingcheng returned to the Hot Spring Villa, Xiao Wangye arrived. He looked at Ye Qingcheng and gave her a cold glance. "Where have you been these past few days? You'd better be honest."
"Xiao Wangye, why do you ask when you already know? If you hadn't allowed your maidservants to cut my allowance, I wouldn't have had to go out to earn money," Ye Qingcheng stated righteously. This selfish and cold-blooded man, Xiao Wangye, did not intervene when his maidservants bullied her, yet he expected her to obey his every command. It was a pipe dream. She, Ye Qingcheng, was not the original Ye Qingcheng who loved him to death.
"As a Princess Consort, you cannot even handle a maidservant; that is your own incompetence. However, without my permission, you are not allowed to leave the residence privately." Xiao Wangye's words were selfish and domineering. Ye Qingcheng was so angered that she almost spat blood.
"Xiao Wangye, you truly are the epitome of selfishness. You neither care about how I live in your residence nor do you have the standing to demand that I obey you and remain in the Prince's residence?" Ye Qingcheng was infuriated by his words. Looking at this cold-blooded and selfish man before her, she truly felt it was not worth it for the original Ye Qingcheng. How could such a man be worth her love?
"As long as I haven't divorced you, you are my Princess Consort and must obey my every command." Xiao Wangye's face was as cold as ice.
"Your Highness, do you feel no guilt saying that? If I hadn't been lucky, I would have died long ago. When you poisoned me, did you ever consider for a moment that I was still your Princess Consort, your lawfully wedded wife?" Ye Qingcheng intended to speak up for the original Ye Qingcheng today. She had died too unjustly.
"You were merely a substitute from the beginning. I thought you already knew that. You willingly fell for me, so what grievances do you have now?" Xiao Wangye said without a trace of guilt, which further sent Ye Qingcheng's temper soaring. Just as she was about to erupt, she suddenly remembered her purpose for today. She mentally composed herself for a moment before suppressing her anger.
"Your Highness, what's past is past. Let us focus on the present and the future." Ye Qingcheng spoke of the past, but in her heart, she thought, *Xiao Wangye, I, Ye Qingcheng, am not finished with you. I will tolerate you for now, and I will make you pay later.*
She took a breath, took out her silver needles, walked to Xiao Wangye's side, and squatted down. "Your Highness, this concubine will administer acupuncture for you first."
Xiao Wangye did not reply and did not roll up his trousers. This clearly indicated he wanted Ye Qingcheng to do it for him. Ye Qingcheng was so angry she almost ground her teeth. She mentally composed herself again before reaching out to roll up Xiao Wangye's trouser legs and begin the acupuncture. Once the acupuncture was finished, she urged Xiao Wangye to quickly soak in the hot springs, as the combination would be better for his leg recovery.
She stood up, about to excuse herself, when Xiao Wangye spoke, "Are you not coming to help me change?"
Ye Qingcheng wanted to retort, but thinking of her plan, she quickly went to help Xiao Wangye change. Ye Qingcheng thought, *You cold-blooded scumbag, what you are making me do now, I will repay you tenfold later.* After Ye Qingcheng had helped him undress, Xiao Wangye acted as if she didn't exist and walked directly to the hot springs to soak.
"Your Highness, this concubine will not disturb your soak." Ye Qingcheng just wanted to get out quickly and then tell Hu Fei outside to proceed with the plan. However, Xiao Wangye seemed to know what she was thinking and kept thwarting her at every turn.
"Come here and give me a massage," Xiao Wangye said, leaning against the edge of the pool with his eyes closed.
Ye Qingcheng cursed him mentally, but still reluctantly walked over and began to massage Xiao Wangye. Just like last time, she massaged forcefully and even pulled his hair a few times. She secretly glanced at Xiao Wangye's expression, but couldn't discern anything. This man could truly endure.
After massaging for a while, Ye Qingcheng heard his breathing stabilize, as if he had fallen asleep. She quietly called out to him, "Your Highness, Your Highness, this concubine has an urgent need to relieve herself." Xiao Wangye still did not react. Ye Qingcheng assumed he had fallen asleep and quietly tiptoed out. The moment she closed the door, Xiao Wangye's eyes snapped open. He had indeed been asleep, but the sound of Ye Qingcheng opening the door had awakened him. His inner energy was profound, and he was highly sensitive to sounds even when asleep.
At this moment, Ye Qingcheng and Hu Fei, leading the men of Black Wind Stronghold, stormed in. Xiao Wangye looked at the bandits surrounding him, his eyes sharp, and immediately realized this was a trap set by Ye Qingcheng for him.
Meanwhile, Hu Fei, having heard Ye Qingcheng's words, felt indignant on her behalf and also wanted to fight the Prince Regent, thereby bringing renown to Black Wind Stronghold. "Brothers, charge! Beat him!"
The bandits of Black Wind Stronghold rushed towards Xiao Wangye at his command. Just as they were about to reach the hot springs, they were all sent flying by a surge of power. It turned out that Xiao Wangye had activated his inner energy. The man who had been soaking in the hot springs moments ago was now dressed in his inner garments and sitting on a chair, his gaze sharp as he looked at Hu Fei.
Hu Fei never expected the seemingly gentle Prince Regent to be so formidable. Hu Fei was at a loss and could only shout, "Brothers, keep going!" However, not a single person advanced. They were all rolling on the ground, unable to get up.
Hu Fei was at a loss. He dared not charge forward again. He looked towards Ye Qingcheng, who was hiding in a corner. Xiao Wangye also looked in her direction. Seeing Xiao Wangye look at her, Ye Qingcheng thought, *It's over.*