Who else could you love besides me

Chapter 18

Since he likes beautiful women, then...

A plan secretly took shape in Xi Ri's mind.

She didn't know how far they had walked, but when Minglu stopped to say goodbye, she realized that they had already arrived at Minglu's residence; it turned out to be very close. No wonder he hadn't taken a sedan chair.

Minglu said, "Brother Yu, we've arrived at my residence. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"

Xi Ri smiled faintly and said, "Your Highness, I am not properly dressed today, so I will not bother you any longer. I will definitely come to your residence to pay my respects another day."

"Alright, then I'll see you at Shixianglou at 1-3 PM."

"Alright." Xi Ri smiled, watching Ming Lu enter the gate. The guards at the entrance of the Prince's mansion immediately stepped forward to pay their respects upon seeing him. Ming Lu casually raised his hand and entered the gate. A steward-like man then greeted him, seemingly having been waiting at the gate. Ming Lu whispered some instructions, and the steward rose and beckoned a servant. The steward then gave some more instructions, and the servant nodded and ran off. The steward respectfully welcomed Ming Lu into the mansion…

Xi Ri withdrew her gaze and quickened her pace to go home. She figured Tian Shuang and Tian Yong must be waiting anxiously by now. It seemed that staying at home for the time being was not a long-term solution. She had to think of a way to temporarily move to the villa for convenience.

He wandered aimlessly, keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings, and finally stopped at a rusty little door on one side. He picked up three yellow pebbles from the doorway and threw them over the top of the door. He heard three sounds in succession, and the side door opened.

Tian Yong appeared at the door with an extremely anxious face. Xi Ri didn't have time to comfort him, just nodded slightly, and immediately slipped inside, quickly entering his small building through a hidden alley.

Tian Shuang came forward, her face also showing anxiety. She had obviously been waiting for a long time, and her eyes were slightly red, indicating that she hadn't slept all night.

She hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, and Xi Ri nodded, then removed her makeup and changed clothes in front of the mirror. Outside the gate, Tian Yong ordered someone to prepare, as she wanted to bathe and change. Tian Yong obeyed and left.

Tian Shuang then said, "Miss, you're finally back. The master just sent someone to report that the Prince Ming will be coming to the mansion for lunch today to discuss wedding-related matters, so he asked you to prepare in advance."

"What?" Upon hearing this, Xi Ri froze, her face turning deathly pale.

So fast! He's coming before she's even ready?

Why would he suddenly come to the Tian residence? Logically, all wedding-related matters should be handled by someone else; why would he need to personally appear? Moreover, he inexplicably requested to see her. Xi Ri suddenly had a very bad feeling.

After last night, Xi Ri didn't dare to face him directly. She had no choice but to steel herself; whatever she did, she'd face the consequences. Since he had come to her, she wouldn't have to bother making any arrangements. It seemed the plan needed to be moved up. As for success or failure, that was up to fate!

…………

Xi Ri wanted to go home and get some rest, but upon hearing that Ming Lu was coming to see her, she couldn't rest well at all. After washing up, she immediately instructed Tian Shuang and Tian Yong on this and that...

Tian Shuang and Tian Yong were shocked and hesitant after hearing this.

Tian Yong stammered, "Miss, are you really planning to do this? If Prince Ming and the magistrate find out in the future, the consequences will be unimaginable. Please think it over carefully."

Xi Ri replied, "As you all know, if it weren't for the imperial decree for this marriage, and Ming Lu being forced into it, why would he be willing to marry me? Besides, he already has a harem of wives and concubines and is always having affairs. I don't want to marry such a womanizing Ming Lu."

Tian Shuang said, "Prince Ming is a member of the imperial family, so it is common for him to have three wives and four concubines. After all, Miss was betrothed by the Emperor, so she is considered a principal wife and will not suffer too much grievance."

Tian Yong also advised, "Miss, you are overthinking it. Perhaps things won't be as you imagine. Once Prince Ming meets you, he will definitely like you very much."

Xi Ri sneered, "He already plans to marry Su Yingying, the most beautiful courtesan from Wanxiang Pavilion, into his household on our wedding day. What do you think of me?"

Tian Shuang's face turned pale, and Tian Yong was slightly taken aback, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes.

Xi Ri continued, "Last night, after getting drunk, they were all laughing and joking, saying that Ming Lu would give me a hard time, let me know that having an aunt who is the Empress Dowager is not enough, and that once someone enters the Prince's mansion, they will be at Ming Lu's mercy. Ha, do you really think he would like me?"

Xi Ri sneered and continued, "Besides, even if he really likes me because of my appearance, so what? Putting aside the fact that it's impossible to serve someone with beauty for long, I don't care whether he likes me or not! What is glory and prestige, what is a noble status, what is the principal wife of Prince Ming, what is Prince Ming's favor? None of these are what I want."

Tian Shuang murmured, "Miss..." but saw that her mistress only smiled coldly, her demeanor aloof and guarded, keeping everyone at arm's length. Whenever she was injured, her mistress always protected herself with this cold and distant attitude. Tian Shuang suddenly felt a pang in her heart, clenched her fist, and said firmly in a low voice, "Miss, Tian Shuang is willing to help you. Whatever you say, Tian Shuang will do her best to accomplish it."

Tian Yong also whispered, "I will obey your orders, Miss, even at the cost of my life."

Xi Ri smiled and nodded deeply, a hint of relief cooling the coldness in her eyes: "It's too serious. You don't need to risk your life. I just need you to carefully eavesdrop on the conversation between Ming Lu and my father. No matter how small the matter, as long as it concerns me, report it to me in time. Also, when Prince Ming wants to see me, you must tell my father in front of Prince Ming that I fainted because I was too excited to know that Prince Ming was coming to see me. Just say that I just woke up, but the doctor said that I am too weak to see guests in the front hall. Please ask Prince Ming to come here to see me. Tian Yong, remember, no matter what, you must invite Prince Ming to come."

Tian Yong lowered his hands and said, "Yes."

"Tian Shuang, your matter is the most important. The key to success or failure lies with you, but I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you a little," Xi Ri said with a smile.

"Tian Shuang knows," Tian Shuang said.

……

Just a quick heads-up: the next chapter is titled "The Plan to Destroy the Marriage - Part One: The Real and Fake Tian Xiri." It's not finished yet, so please wait...

Ugh, I know I'm really slow...

The True and False Tian Xiri (Part 1)

Time flies, and noon has arrived in the blink of an eye. Everything is ready, and all that's left is anxious waiting. Tian Shuang is a little nervous, and her palms are sweaty.

Xi Ri wanted to say a few words of comfort to Tian Shuang, but she was also so nervous that she couldn't sit still. She could only say, "Don't be nervous."

Tian Shuang seemed to have no choice but to speak up, saying, "Miss, you're walking back and forth in front of me. I wasn't so nervous before, but now I'm really nervous."

Xi Ri was taken aback and felt a little embarrassed. She was somewhat worried because the plan was too risky, and due to the tight schedule, she hadn't fully thought it through.

Just then, Tian Yong's voice suddenly rang out from the doorway of the outer room: "Miss."

Xi Ri was startled and inexplicably nervous. This was the first time in her life she had been so nervous beforehand. She felt a bit like a cat on edge. Perhaps it was because her partner was a shrewd and cunning person like Ming Lu that she was so nervous. Or perhaps she was afraid that Ming Lu would find out the truth. Just thinking about the five of them sharing a bed last night made her want to dig a hole and bury herself on the spot.

"How is it?" she asked as she opened the door.

Seeing that no one was around, Tian Yong slipped inside and said urgently, "Miss, I just heard Prince Ming say in the front hall that he had seen you before, and he will come to visit you in person after lunch!"

What? Xi Ri was startled and suddenly felt a little flustered. The plan had to be changed, it absolutely had to be changed. Originally, she knew that Ming Lu liked beautiful women, so she deliberately didn't let Tian Shuang dress up like her, afraid that Ming Lu would get lustful. She had Tian Shuang pretend to be an unfamiliar, faceless woman and put on a show to scare Ming Lu away. Ming Lu liked beautiful women, so if he saw that Tian Xi Ri was nothing special, he wouldn't like her at first. With the show that followed, he would probably be even more disgusted with marrying her.

But she hadn't expected Minglu to have seen her before! He really had seen her; no wonder she felt uneasy, like something was off. Could it be that Minglu had already begun to suspect her yesterday? Was he here today to confirm it? If so, then his complete silence yesterday… he really was no simpleton.

Seeing that Xi Ri remained silent with her brows furrowed, Tian Shuang grew anxious and said, "Miss, if it really doesn't work, you should go and see Prince Ming in person."

Should she go see him?