Bixi touched her forehead, pouting in protest, "But it's true! She's a courtesan, her skills and figure are leagues above yours, Princess. What if, what if she tries to win his favor..."
"If she wants to compete for his favor, let her!" Ye Qingcheng interrupted her.
"Bixi, you must remember, not everyone is born lowly. If it weren't for dire circumstances, no one would want to be treated like an object, carelessly discarded. That's just how the world is."
"Like beggars, do they want to be beggars? Don't they wish for a better life? Since I've treated her with courtesy, if she stabs me in the back later, I'll accept it. After all, her past might have been a hundred times more brutal than the scheming here. Perhaps she's also been abandoned or betrayed. Then we can't really judge her. Because I haven't experienced her past, I shouldn't advise her to be kind."
Bixi nodded blankly, "But, but what if she really... Princess, you're not favored as it is. If that happens, your treatment in the manor will only get worse."
Ye Qingcheng patted her head, "So what if I'm not favored? Why strive for favor and appease men just to have a better life in the manor? Bixi, I have something else to tell you. You must remember, it's better to rely on yourself than on anyone else."
Bixi was utterly dumbfounded.
Seeing her expression, Ye Qingcheng understood that Bixi didn't grasp it, but that was normal. In this era, the injustices faced by women were profound. The husband was heaven; women followed their husbands after marriage, and their sons after their husbands' passing. This led every woman to become a faded woman in the inner courtyard. Why not live more freely and elegantly?
Fortunately, Xiao Wangye had a new love interest, which gave her some breathing room. Let them fight for favor! She was going to be a lazy bum now, which meant she wouldn't have to see Xiao Wangye. Hahahaha.
Thinking this, Ye Qingcheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Bixi thought the Princess had gone mad. She was currently laughing hysterically at thin air.
However, that same day, news spread throughout the capital that the newly appointed official Wang Luheng had sent a courtesan to the Regent Prince's manor, and even more surprisingly, the Regent Prince had accepted her. The entire capital knew by morning.
The matter quickly became idle gossip, with everyone waiting to witness Ye Qingcheng's humiliation and see how long it would take for the Regent Prince Xiao Wangye to divorce her.
It was well known that small taverns were where individuals in the martial world spread information. As scholars, who disliked indulging in wine and pleasure, preferred tea and snacks, small teahouses became the gossip hubs for intellectuals.
"Alas, do you know? The courtesan Wang Luheng presented to the Regent Prince was truly exquisite! It's said Wang Luheng 'bloomed the flower bud' himself before gifting her to the Regent Prince."
"'Bloomed the flower bud'? Wang Luheng is truly audacious! Isn't he afraid of the Regent Prince's displeasure?"
"But the problem is, the Regent Prince accepted her himself!"
"Hahahaha, with the Regent Prince's constitution, he probably can't enjoy such blessings."
"This... who exactly is Wang Luheng?"
"You don't even know Wang Luheng? He's the son of Wang Peidong from Jin'an Lane. He just got married last year and was recently promoted to Guanglu Daifu."
"Oh~ I remember now. He's a simpleton, with a fat head and big ears, his belly as round as a pregnant woman in her tenth month."
"Yes, yes, that's him."
Jokes aside, no one expected the bombshell news that arrived that very evening: Regent Prince Xiao Wangye had actually neglected the courtesan and come to Ye Qingcheng's courtyard.
At this moment, Ye Qingcheng was fidgeting, shoveling food in her bowl and muttering, "I didn't expect him to neglect the stunningly beautiful courtesan. Is the rumor true? Is he really incapable?"
"Who are you saying is incapable?" a cold roar sounded beside her ear, startling Ye Qingcheng into falling under the table.
Ye Qingcheng took a breath, "Are you insane? Coming so close, are you trying to scare me to death?"
Xiao Wangye's eyes narrowed, his long hair moving as if in a windless environment, "What did you say?"
Ye Qingcheng, scared, immediately bristled, "Hey, don't start turning red-eyed so easily. It's really scary, you know."
Xiao Wangye's imposing aura intensified.
Ye Qingcheng, learning her lesson, immediately suppressed her arrogance and became as docile as a kitten, "I... I won't mention it anymore. Eat, eat, hehe."
Xiao Wangye then returned to normal and continued to eat.
Ye Qingcheng looked at his rapid change in demeanor, feeling speechless. Hey! You're the male lead! Please don't exhibit the villainous red-eyed rampage mode!
After dinner, Xiao Wangye still lingered, unwilling to leave her place.
Watching him, Ye Qingcheng's eyebrows twitched, feeling helpless.
Xiao Wangye stated just two words, and his attitude was clear: "Treat my leg."
Ye Qingcheng offered a strained smile, explaining, "Your Highness, as you can see, it's getting late. This is the perfect time for beauties to be close. I noticed the lady Hua Yuer who arrived today is as beautiful as a celestial being, with a soft figure. Embracing her would surely bring sweet slumber. How about..."
Xiao Wangye raised his eyes to look at her, "Hm?" signaling her to continue.
Ye Qingcheng narrowed her eyes and continued with a forced smile, "How about I send someone to escort Your Highness over there?" To put it bluntly, she was telling him to scram.
Normally, a domineering CEO type would say: "Fine, woman, you're that eager to push me away, aren't you? Very well, I'll grant your wish. Guards, to Hua Yuer's courtyard."
But Xiao Wangye was an exception, "Not how about?"
Ye Qingcheng was choked, rendered speechless.
Xiao Wangye's lips curled up, carrying a hint of devilish charm. He was as radiant as the sun and moon entering a embrace, his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes forming a captivating allure. Ye Qingcheng found herself inexplicably drawn to him.
Ye Qingcheng swallowed hard, "It's over, he's using the beauty trap! But that won't stop him from being the male lead's man..."
"Heh!" Before she could finish, Xiao Wangye interrupted, "You're overthinking it. The entire manor belongs to me. Why can't I stay here for the night?"
Ye Qingcheng deflated, hiding in a corner and drawing circles to curse him.
He was right. Even her current dwelling belonged to him. She was utterly speechless.
Thinking about this, Ye Qingcheng felt even more like crying without tears.
Xiao Wangye spoke in a low voice, two words: "Come and treat my leg."
Ye Qingcheng refused without a second thought, "I won't."
The next second, her body was pulled towards him like a magnet, being drawn by an unseen force and falling directly into Xiao Wangye's arms.
Ye Qingcheng was stunned. Was that Xiao Wangye's internal energy just now?
Xiao Wangye's internal energy could actually pull her over? This was too outrageous... No, this was too incredible!
It defied all reason.
How could she forget? Xiao Wangye was once one of the Four Great Sword Heroes, his internal energy terrifyingly profound.
At this moment, Xiao Wangye looked down at her with a gentle smile, but his eyes were shrouded in mist, "Now, can you treat my leg?"
Ye Qingcheng's heart leaped as if it would jump out of her chest. She quickly nodded, "Agreed, I agree." Not agreeing would be like waiting for death!
Thus, Ye Qingcheng reluctantly crouched down to examine Xiao Wangye's leg, unable to resist muttering, "Drawing circles to curse you."