Dongfang Zhan's furious roar rang in his ears: "Who gave you permission to scheme against Shen Lixue in this way?"
Chapter 197: Selecting a Concubine and Driving Away the Crown Prince of Southern Xinjiang
"You're the one who told me to get rid of the baby in Shen Lixue's womb." Ye Qianmei covered her swollen face with her hands, her eyes brimming with tears, and looked at Dongfang Zhan with a wronged expression: "Don't you remember what you said yourself?"
"There are hundreds of ways to get rid of the fetus in her womb, why did you have to use such a despicable and shameless method?" Using aphrodisiacs to control Qin Junhao, forcibly taking advantage of Shen Lixue, and endlessly engaging in pleasure to abort the fetus, how could she even think of such a despicable and shameless method?
Ye Qianmei bit her lip: "Shen Lixue is the Princess Consort of Dongfang Heng. If she is forced to have a miscarriage, she will definitely be infamous. This will severely damage Dongfang Heng, who cherishes her, and also destroy their relationship. If they become a disorganized mess, they will be no threat. It's a good way to kill three birds with one stone. What's wrong with that?"
"If I say it's wrong, then it's wrong." When Dongfang Zhan arrived at Weiyang Palace and saw the room in such a state of disarray, he was furious and almost went crazy when he guessed Ye Qianmei's plan. How could Shen Lixue be defiled by that despicable and shameless beast Qin Junhao?
Ye Qianmei was stunned. This was the first time she had seen Dongfang Zhan so unreasonable. He was always ruthless and merciless to his enemies. Forcible possession was the best way to deal a heavy blow to a woman, leaving her heartbroken, desperate, and devoid of any fighting spirit. Why didn't he want to hurt Shen Lixue like that? Unless... he liked Shen Lixue?
The thought sent a chill down Ye Qianmei's spine. She glanced furtively at Dongfang Zhan, whose deep eyes were filled with intense anger, yet deep within them flickered a faint affection—yes, affection, the kind of genuine love a man feels for a woman, the kind of anger that comes from unrequited love.
He didn't even get Shen Lixue, so how could he allow another man to have her?
"Then I'll try a different approach next time." Dongfang Zhan was still angry, so Ye Qianmei wisely chose to lower her head and admit her mistake, instead of overestimating herself and contradicting him or exposing his incompetence.
"There won't be a next time." Dongfang Zhan's calm voice carried a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one's spine.
Ye Qianmei was startled: "What do you mean?"
Dongfang Zhan looked into the distance and said calmly, "You are now Qin Junhao's man and will soon be returning to the Southern Frontier with him. You will no longer have the chance to scheme against Shen Lixue."
"I won't go to the Southern Frontier, I'd rather die than go!" Ye Qianmei roared sharply, her voice shaking the heavens.
"You cannot disobey your father's decision!" Dongfang Zhan said coldly, with an unquestionable and forceful tone.
Heartbroken and desperate, Ye Qianmei knelt down with a thud and pleaded, "Prince Zhan, you can save me..." Her mother had passed away, and her father disowned her. She was a helpless orphan with only Dongfang Zhan left to rely on.
"You haven't done a single thing I asked you to do. Why should I save a useless person like you?" Dongfang Zhan raised an eyebrow and looked at Ye Qianmei, his gaze as cold as ice in the dead of winter.
"Give me another chance, and I promise I'll handle it perfectly!" Ye Qianmei promised repeatedly, her eyes full of hope.
"No need. Qingyan has plenty of people at my beck and call. They will definitely be able to complete the tasks I assign with ease. You will go back to the Southern Frontier with Qin Junhao and become a concubine, enjoying wealth and luxury." Dongfang Zhan said softly, calmly deciding Ye Qianmei's fate.
She's no longer of any use to him. Does Dongfang Zhan want to give her up?
Ye Qianmei's eyes were streaked with tears, her small, pale hands clenched tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh, but she was oblivious. She clutched at Dongfang Zhan's sleeve and pleaded again, "Your Highness Zhan, Qin Junhao... he's like a beast. If I go to the Southern Frontier, he'll torture me to death. Please, for the sake of our past cooperation, put in a good word for me..."
Qin Junhao is Dongfang Zhan's ally, yet he dislikes her. With just a word from Dongfang Zhan, he could change her fate of going to the Southern Frontier. The Southern Frontier is such a strange place; just hearing about it sends chills down one's spine. She has no desire to go there.
"Your marriage to the Crown Prince of Southern Xinjiang was arranged by the Emperor, and I have no right to change it." Dongfang Zhan rejected Ye Qianmei's suggestion without hesitation: "You are already branded as the Crown Prince of Southern Xinjiang, and it will be very inconvenient for you to continue living in the Zhan Prince's residence..."
As he spoke, Dongfang Zhan looked outside the palace and said coldly, "Someone, escort Princess Ye to the Prince of Southern Xinjiang's post station."
Ye Qianmei's mind went blank, and she slumped to the ground. Was Dongfang Zhan going to send her away now and completely sever ties with her? The buzzing in her ears echoed Dongfang Zhan's cold, ruthless words: "The dowry you brought from Xiliang, I will have it inventoried and sent to the post station..."
What she needs is not a dowry, but freedom!
Ye Qianmei's beautiful eyes blazed with fury as she glared hatefully at Dongfang Zhan. Two guards stepped forward, grabbed her arms, and dragged her away quickly. She struggled, weeping, pleading, "Your Highness Zhan, please, please... say something for me..."
The sorrowful pleas echoed through the sky, but Dongfang Zhan's sharp gaze remained unmoved. What use was she to him? He would send her to the Southern Frontier to marry Qin Junhao, thus sparing him the trouble of worrying about her!
Qin Junhao's mistreatment of her was her own doing, and she deserved it; it had nothing to do with him.
Select the principal wife and concubines for the Prince's residence!
Recalling what the emperor had just mentioned, he felt a headache coming on. Why did he have to choose a principal wife and concubines for the prince's residence? Didn't the emperor hate the strong smell of cosmetics? With a principal wife and concubines entering the residence, how could he possibly have any peace and quiet…
Suddenly, a familiar, beautiful face appeared before him. His gaze sharpened, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. This was a good opportunity.
On a bright and sunny morning, Shen Lixue woke up early, which was unusual for her. Pregnant women are picky eaters, and she was tired of the food at the Holy King's Mansion every day, so Dongfang Heng accompanied her to Zuixianlou for a meal.
Standing in the private room on the second floor, I opened the window and the warm sunlight streamed into the room. A gentle breeze caressed my cheeks and hair, creating an indescribable feeling of comfort and ease.
"Li Xue, what would you like to eat?" Dongfang Heng asked gently. Shen Li Xue looked out the window and said casually, "I'd like a plate of pickled plums. As for the rest, you can decide."
During her morning sickness period, she ate small, frequent meals. Half a plate of pickled plums was almost her entire meal, and she could barely eat any of the other dishes.
The warm sunshine shone on the earth, and people came and went on the streets. The antique shops were all open, and the shopkeepers and waiters were enthusiastically soliciting business. The whole capital was a scene of prosperity and splendor.
Shen Lixue's cool gaze swept across the streets, finally settling on a large, tightly packed crowd. She frowned slightly and said, "Heng, that's the post station, isn't it?"
Dongfang Heng walked over and looked in the direction Shen Lixue was pointing: "That's right, it's an inn."
"Why are there so many people?" Shen Lixue asked, puzzled. Had something happened?
Dongfang Heng stretched out his long arm and gently embraced his beautiful wife, resting his chin on her shoulder. Looking at the bustling entrance of the post station, he said softly, "Qin Junhao is going back to the Southern Frontier, and the auspicious day calculated is today."
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow. The Emperor himself had issued the order to leave, and Qin Junhao had no right to object. However, leaving Qingyan so easily was not like Qin Junhao's style. She wondered if he would cause any more trouble before leaving.
The crowd gathered at the entrance of the post station were ordinary people who had come to watch the spectacle. Dongfang Zhan, representing the Qingyan Emperor, had come to see Qin Junhao off. Boxes of Qingyan's unique treasures were loaded onto the carriage. Qin Ruoyan slowly walked out, looking listless: "Leaving so soon? I haven't had enough of staying here yet."
"Princess Qin likes Qingyan, so please come often if you have the chance," Dongfang Zhan said with a slight smile, being polite and courteous.
Qin Ruoyan glanced at Dongfang Zhan and muttered under her breath, dissatisfied: "If they really welcomed me, why would they have given us the order to leave?"
Dongfang Zhan pretended not to hear, smiled gently, and looked at Qin Junhao who came out afterward: "Crown Prince Qin, have a safe journey."
Qin Junhao's departure from Qingyan did indeed mean the loss of a powerful ally for him. However, Qin Junhao was treacherous and cunning, and cooperating with him was like dealing with a tiger for its skin. Breaking off contact early would prevent him from being devoured by Qin Junhao, which would also have some benefits.
"Thank you for your kind words, Prince Zhan." Qin Junhao chuckled. Behind him, two maids helped a woman out of the inn. The woman's face was exquisitely beautiful, so beautiful that all the beauties in the world paled in comparison. The men, women, and children watching the spectacle on the street were all amazed.
She wore a golden silk dress, noble and gorgeous, with faint bruises showing beneath, reminding her that she was no longer the noble princess of Xiliang. A glittering gold hairpin and beautiful pearl flowers adorned her black hair, dazzling the eye, but her eyes were dull, like a soulless puppet.
Upon seeing Dongfang Zhan, her eyes flickered, and she regained some of her senses. She smiled at him, the swollen lips bearing numerous wounds and beads of blood testifying to the brutal torture she had endured, silently accusing Qin Junhao of his inhuman cruelty.