She Holds the World After Being Reborn

"Seeing is believing. The Crown Prince of Dawei, revered as a deity, harbors such a vile nature behind closed doors."

It truly opened her eyes, yet she was also curious — if a woman as dignified and beautiful as Qin Wu could be flatly refused, was there really any woman in the world who could catch his eye?"

Recalling her past life, she never once heard of a woman who stayed in the Eastern Palace before the Crown Prince died on the battlefield.

Given his vigorous and youthful age, unless he had severed all emotional desires, how could he not be tainted by the scent of a woman?

At that moment, the cold moonlight reflected off the stream in the mountain ravine, shimmering brightly.

For a while, under the open mountain woods, only Yan Wanqing was left alone.

Wrapping her cloak tighter around herself, she decided to stay a bit longer before leaving, to avoid running into any of them on the road.

What she didn't expect was for Xiao Hongshen to find this place.

Seeing someone running towards her from a small mountain path, Yan Wanqing couldn't help but clench her wrist tightly, her fingernails digging into her flesh, yet she was completely unaware of it.

"From a distance, it looked like you. I didn't expect it to really be you." The person came to a stop in front of Yan Wanqing, his voice gentle to the extreme, "Commandery Princess, it's been a long time."

It was indeed Prince Xiao Hongshen.

Yan Wanqing fixed her gaze on the person in front of her. A lifetime had passed, and seeing him again, she thought she would want nothing more than to consume his flesh and grind his bones; however, after her heart violently beat, it calmed down.

Outrage wouldn't accomplish anything, but calmness could.

Yan Wanqing hid the hatred in her eyes and even lifted a slight smile, "I've seen the Prince."

Seeing that she made no mention of his broken promises, a flash of harshness crossed Xiao Hongshen's eyes, but it was quickly concealed.

"The mountain path is difficult to navigate. It's inconvenient for the Commandery Princess to be alone. Let me accompany you," he stepped aside to make way.

Yan Wanqing did not move. "It's inconvenient for a single man and woman. Prince, you should go ahead."

Xiao Hongshen didn't take Yan Wanqing's rejection to heart. She had always been as unapproachable as a lotus on a snowy mountain. However, thinking of the news Cong Huan had sent him, he was forced to give it more consideration, hence his early arrival.

He had put in a lot of effort regarding Yan Wanqing, and he could not let this duck at hand be snatched by others.

So he showed a face full of sorrow.

"Why are you so cold to me, Wanqing? Have I done something wrong recently…"

"Your Highness, please show self-respect!" Yan Wanqing stepped back, lowering her head, "I strictly follow His Majesty's sacred words, spreading teachings among the princes. Should you need to consult me on any academic confusion, I hope you adhere to propriety and maintain the moral code."

Xiao Hongshen paused for a moment, frowning slightly. Wanqing usually responded well to this approach; what was different today?

Could it be as Cong Huan said, that the Yan Family intends to ally with the Lord of the Northern Border…

"If there is nothing else, Your Highness, I shall take my leave." Yan Wanqing nodded slightly and turned to walk down the mountain.

She did not notice the increasingly profound look in Xiao Hongshen's eyes behind her.

"In the past, I had the Commandery Princess's blessing to join my brothers in class and gradually make my presence known..." Xiao Hongshen slowly spoke.

Yan Wanqing's steps halted, inwardly cursing.

"You've shown kindness to me, and I dare not forget it, but..." Xiao Hongshen stepped forward quickly, grabbed Yan Wanqing, and spun her around to face him, his voice following bitterly, "Saving a life should be saved to the end, sending the Buddha to the west - if the Commandery Princess gave me a glimmer of hope, why not give me all the light?"

"Let go!" Yan Wanqing felt a sharp pain in her shoulder as her eyes turned icy, "Prince, choose your words wisely."

The saying 'a small favor breeds resentment while expecting a greater return' couldn't be more appropriate to describe Xiao Hongshen.

"Yan Wanqing, you belong to me. I simply will not allow you to marry the Lord of the Northern Border. Don't even think about it!" Xiao Hongshen threatened, his eyes red with fury.

As soon as these words were spoken, Yan Wanqing's expression also unmistakably turned gloomy.

She was thinking, if she let the Hidden Guard kill Xiao Hongshen at this moment, how likely was she to clear herself of suspicion.

Kill him, and she would be able to avenge her grievances...

Kill him, and the cause and effect of her past life would all be settled...

Kill him, kill him!

Yan Wanqing's lowered eyebrows gradually became tinged with blood, and her clear eyes grew increasingly dark and stern.

Just as she raised her hand to signal the Hidden Guard to act, a sound of a branch being snapped came from behind.

"Who!" Like a startled bird, Xiao Hongshen instantly sprang back.

Yan Wanqing quickly covered her head with her cloak and turned her face away.

She only heard a lazy tread on the stone steps, a low and elegant voice: "Seventh brother has good taste, are you also here to enjoy the moon?"

That voice!

Yan Wanqing's body stiffened, it was the Crown Prince! The murderous intent in her eyes swiftly faded away completely.

Hadn't he left? How could he appear here?!

Xiao Hongshen had not expected to be seen by the Crown Prince either; his heart sank, his face as pale as paper. However, within an instant, he thought of a malicious strategy.

"Tonight's moonlight is indeed lovely, I couldn't help myself and let my royal brother see me here, tomorrow I will report to our mother and ask her to arrange a marriage."

Yan Wanqing felt so aggravated her teeth itched, and as countless thoughts flashed through her mind, she pinched her own thigh and lunged towards Xiao Pingfeng: "I beg Crown Prince to stand up for your servant's daughter!"

But unexpectedly, the mountain path was rugged, at a critical moment, her left foot stepped on her right, and she looked set to fall down, instinctively she grabbed the person in front of her by the collar.

That was close!

Yan Wanqing steadied herself, paying no mind to the probing gaze of Crown Prince above her.

She immediately knelt on the ground, her eyes quickly reddened and tears streamed down her porcelain cheeks, her voice choked.

"As your servant had been graced by His Majesty and was fortunate to educate the princes, I am also the mentor to the Seventh Prince. However, I never imagined he would be so arrogant as to intercept me and attempt misconduct. All men of the Yan Family defend Governnor's Office Pass with utmost loyalty, their sincerity is evident for all to see, the actions of Seventh Prince Xiao Hongshen are contemptible and impinge upon my purity, I implore Crown Prince to stand up for me!"

Her kneeling was firm, her voice reached Xiao Pingfeng's ears, raising his eyebrows slightly.

Xiao Hongshen hadn't expected her to choose a desperate stand-off, and was momentarily frantic.

"Please, dear brother, discern the truth. This place is secluded, if she hadn't come here on her own, how could I have met with her—"

"Enough." Xiao Hongshen was about to continue, but Xiao Pingfeng couldn't be bothered to listen anymore, lazily casting him a glance: "Younger brother, mind your words. The Yan Family is full of loyal subjects, and the Commandery Princess has worked tirelessly for Dawei; even bringing this matter to our father would look bad."

"This place in Southern Mountain is quiet and elegant. Since you are restless, you should stay here a while longer and copy some scriptures."

Yan Wanqing had not anticipated the Crown Prince would speak up for her.

What Crown Prince said was naturally something she would remember at heart.

At that moment, Xiao Hongshen could only bite his lower lip hard, realizing that saying more was futile, he acknowledged with, "Yes." then gave thanks and left.

Between the Yan Family and himself, an unpopular prince, the Crown Prince, who was heir apparent, obviously knew how to choose.

Unwillingly, Xiao Hongshen turned as he walked, his gaze catching the silhouette still kneeling on the ground. Snorting coldly, he then turned and left without looking back.

If the soft approach hasn't worked, he would just have to resort to a harder one.