Hibiscus as a Painting

Chapter 51

Upon learning that the two of them had gone to a brothel and argued over a male actor, I was instantly filled with shock and anger. I wanted nothing more than to drag her back and give her a good beating. But then, thinking of her fascination with the world outside the palace, a wave of sorrow washed over me.

In a single day, she let me experience all the joys and sorrows of life...

I tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to sleep, when a smooth hand reached out to my forehead. I opened my eyes abruptly, and there stood my most beloved and cherished head palace maid. She smiled gently at me, her eyes filled with tenderness and a hint of melancholy.

Those clear, watery eyes flashed before my eyes. I suddenly embraced the person before me and kissed her gently, but I caught a pungent smell of perfume on her. When I looked up, I saw a fleeting glimpse of smugness in her eyes. I felt as if I had been doused with a bucket of ice water, chilled to the bone. I shoved her off the bed and ordered her and the eunuch on night duty to be dragged out and beaten to death.

From that day on, my unease grew stronger day by day. I didn't know what to do, nor why I was like this. Everything was in complete chaos.

I am the Crown Prince, second only to the Emperor, above all others. Why then does she repeatedly make me uneasy? I am afraid, terrified, and mostly confused.

I withdrew all the spies around her, afraid to think about her, afraid to look at her. I thought that in this way, I could forget her, who could so easily disturb my mind.

When my father issued the imperial decree for the wedding, my first thought was how she would react when she found out. Knowing what I was thinking filled me with shock and fear. After smashing everything in the palace, I ran towards my father's bedchamber, only to be stopped at the door.

The Emperor's mind is made up.

Although I was unwilling, I knew that my father's arrangement was entirely beneficial to me, so I had no choice but to accept it.

Father Emperor was greatly relieved to see me compromise: Father Emperor knows that you are fond of Princess Xile, but... it is not the right time yet. When the time comes, no matter how noble she is, she will still only belong to my son.

I smiled bitterly to myself: I like west Le? How could that be?! The one I like is clearly that heartless, mute bastard from the Zi family!

I was stunned by the thought that had crossed my mind, and my heart was filled with a mixture of emotions, a bittersweet feeling...

Yes, if I didn't love her, why would I miss her every day? If I didn't love her, why would I be so uneasy? If I didn't love her, why would I indulge in this? If I didn't love her, why would I be in so much pain? If I didn't love her, why would I be struggling so bitterly?

I want to laugh out loud, and I also want to cry my heart out. How could I, who prides myself on being exceptionally intelligent, be so unable to understand or see through even the simple word "love"?

Having spent sixteen years in the palace, what kind of beauty hadn't I seen? How could I have imagined that I would fall for a thin, dark-skinned, plain-looking, unattractive, and utterly unlikable mute woman?

After realizing my own feelings, I became even more worried. If she were west Le, it would be better, but why is she Zi Yingfeng's daughter?

My father hates Zi Yinfeng so deeply, so intensely. How could he possibly allow me to marry the daughter of the very person he hates with the full force of the nation?

Suddenly, I was terrified. I was terrified that once my father learned of my feelings, he would never allow the daughter of my enemy, who could disturb my mind, to live in this world.

I desperately tried to suppress myself from seeing her, thinking about her, and avoiding any contact with her.

The day before the wedding, I was restless and, as if possessed, went to Taiping Pavilion. As soon as I entered, I saw her gently patting Jun Chi with eyes full of tenderness. There was pity, self-reproach, and heartache in her eyes, emotions I had never seen or received from her before.

I was furious, but to protect her safety and to avoid being noticed by others, I pretended to be nonchalant and strolled over to them, asking: "Tomorrow is my wedding day, are you aware of that?"

I watched her reactions and actions carefully.

She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye; there was disdain and contempt in her eyes, but not a trace of emotion.

I turned away, unable to look at her, trying to hide the pain in my heart.

Yes, if she truly has feelings for me, it's only hatred. As a hostage in the palace, she's already constantly in danger. Not only have I made things difficult for her at every turn, but I've also hit her repeatedly. How could she possibly have any affection for me?

My eyes were drawn to the handwriting on the table, and I picked it up to take a look: My heart is breaking.

So she was so gloating over the arranged marriage, yet so genuinely devoted to Jun Chi. So she had long planned to leave the palace and wander the world, but the only person she wanted to take with her was Jun Chi. So all my affection and protection were just wishful thinking on my part. So to her… I… am nothing… nothing at all…

At the height of my anger, my heart gradually calmed down. My questions and accusations revealed the resentment that had been building up in my heart for many days. But when I saw her protecting Jun Chi beneath her, I felt a surge of emotion.

My rationality crumbled instantly...

How could I tolerate her shielding others while fiercely glaring at me? How could I bear to see her sweeping contemptuous gaze upon me, the one who had so diligently protected her? How could I...bear the deepest, most undisguised hatred in her eyes?

My heart has been shattered into pieces, withering away piece by piece... Why... why did you do this to me?

When I saw that slap land on her face, my heart, which was shattered beyond repair, still ached terribly...

When I saw her struggling desperately against the eunuchs to protect Jun Chi, it felt as if my heart was being trampled on again and again...

I desperately tried to hide my trembling hands as I looked at the wedding gift she had given me. Standing there, my trembling hands finally couldn't conceal my emotions any longer; I wanted to laugh out loud, and I also wanted to cry out loud, and I felt waves of dizziness.

She was asking me if one day she would fly out of this nine-layered palace like a free bird. Was she implying that I couldn't have both the throne and the beauty?

He fled Taipingxuan in a disheveled state, stumbling and wandering aimlessly, his chest feeling icy cold.

A goddess reincarnated, originally meant to save all living beings, was born to answer questions of love and tribulations. Her passionate nature was always wounded by the heartless. (Part Two) [Bonus Chapter]

The passionate are always hurt by the heartless (Part 2) [Bonus Chapter] Author's Note: The Crown Prince's Bonus Chapter is a work I put a lot of effort into.

I hope everyone can take a close look.

If you want to temporarily switch sides, the number in front of "8452202太子否否建" is the group number.

For a year, I didn't dare step into Taipingxuan even half a step, desperately suppressing myself. The longing that gnawed at my heart forced me to hide in the shadows and secretly watch her.

Watching her frolic with Jun Chi like the rising sun, watching her obey Xi Le like a child. Seeing the occasional mischievous glint in her clear, watery eyes, watching her leisurely life and the faint smile on her lips. Seeing her smug satisfaction after bullying Jun Chi, seeing the slight grievance on her face after being outmaneuvered by Xi Le.

I rejoice when she rejoices, and grieve when she grieves, yet there is no trace of me in her world…

To celebrate Jun'an's establishment of a residence abroad, I had a robe made well in advance, the same robe I wore when we first met. I looked at my entire outfit in the bronze mirror again and again until I was satisfied.

Before leaving, he specially brought along the most beautiful woman in the palace, bestowing upon her immense favor and allowing her to ride with him.

After getting out of the car, I personally carried the beauty down, ignoring the stunned looks of the crowd outside the mansion. My gaze swept through the crowd, not missing a single corner, but I did not see the figure I was looking for. A deep disappointment enveloped my heart.

Watching the crowd come to pay their respects with cold eyes, a sudden surge of irritation rose within her, and she wished she could leave this place without her immediately.

Jun Chi's anxious expression as he searched everywhere aroused my suspicion. Xiao Wu replied that Jun Chi was looking for her, whom he didn't know where she had gone.