"Stop making noise!" Dongfang Zhan was agitated. When he grabbed the person, he had looked closely and the face was indeed Shen Lixue's. But afterwards, the person lying in his arms was someone else. The rouge and powder on her face were very thick, but he had examined it carefully. The woman had no skin behind her ears, so it was definitely not a disguise. Was it just because of that layer of rouge and powder that she had completely transformed this courtesan into Shen Lixue?
Dongfang Zhan was unaware that modern makeup techniques were so advanced that even a dinosaur could be transformed into a Barbie doll. Shen Lixue used ancient rouge and powder as a disguise to transform this courtesan into her own likeness, setting a trap for him to fall into.
Dongfang Zhan's roar startled the woman, tears welling in her beautiful eyes. She asked in a trembling voice, "Does Prince Zhan dislike me?"
Dongfang Zhan's face was ashen. He had fallen for Dongfang Heng's trap and had favored a courtesan. The thought of it disgusted him. He felt utterly filthy and wished he could slap this courtesan to death. Disgusting? Absolutely disgusting!
Qingguan bit her lower lip, tears welling in her beautiful eyes. She clutched the thin blanket tightly around her body, endured the pain, jumped off the bed, and slammed her head against the wall.
"Young lady, don't take your own life!" Two rough-looking maids stepped forward and grabbed the young lady's arms tightly.
The courtesan wept bitterly, "Though I am a courtesan, I sell my art, not my body. I only thought of leaving this world and marrying a good husband. Now, I have no face to live in this world anymore..."
Crying sadly, the courtesan tried to break free from the rough maid and bang her head against the wall again.
"Miss, today is the Prince of An's wedding day, we mustn't see blood!" The maidservant pulled her back forcefully, urgently advising her.
The young woman paused, covering her face with her small hands. Her cries were sorrowful and even more pitiful, enough to break the hearts of those who heard them and bring tears to their eyes. The crowd felt more sympathy for her, and their slightly reproachful gazes quietly turned to Dongfang Zhan.
She was a courtesan, and he defiled her purity, yet he doesn't want her. Isn't that forcing her to die? Prince Zhan is gentle by nature and has always been kind to women. Why is he so heartless towards this courtesan? If he doesn't like her, why did he have to lay a hand on her and act recklessly while drunk?
Dongfang Heng stared coldly at Dongfang Zhan, who felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze. Dongfang Zhan angrily said, "What, is Prince An going to plead for Qingguan and ask me to take her as a concubine?"
Others may not know, but Dongfang Heng should know very well that he hates courtesans the most. Even if she is a virgin, once she enters a brothel, she will always be a virgin, and she falls into his category of people he hates.
Dongfang Heng's lips curled slightly as he said arrogantly, "I don't like to meddle in other people's business. However, today is my wedding day, and I don't want to see blood. Does Prince Zhan understand what I mean?"
Dongfang Zhan doted on Qingguan, harmed her, and then abandoned her. Because of Dongfang Heng's authority, she wouldn't cause trouble in the Holy King's Mansion. However, she was proud and aloof, and might just run into a wall and die if she went out. In that case, it would still bring bad luck to Dongfang Heng's wedding.
If Dongfang Zhan wants her to live a good life instead of committing suicide, he must take her back to the Zhanwang Mansion. Dongfang Heng will not interfere if she becomes his slave.
But Qingguan was used by Dongfang Heng to scheme against Dongfang Zhan. He had already lost by spoiling Qingguan. Bringing Qingguan into his household was like forcibly giving him a souvenir of his defeat. Whenever he saw her, he would be reminded of how Dongfang Heng had schemed against him, which made him extremely angry.
"Dongfang Heng, don't push people too far!"
"Prince Zhan, a real man should make amends for his mistakes!" Dongfang Heng looked coldly at Dongfang Zhan, as if to say, "You've spoiled Qingguan and caused trouble. Do you expect me to clean up your mess?"
Dongfang Hong's imposing aura was so strong that no one dared to look at him. Their sympathetic gazes remained fixed on Qingguan. What a pitiful woman! How could Prince Zhan be so heartless?
“If Prince Zhan finds this difficult, we can go to the palace to meet with the Emperor and ask him to make a decision!” Looking at Dongfang Zhan’s eyes burning with rage, Dongfang Heng remained calm and spoke in a light tone.
The matter of courtesans in brothels is a trivial matter that Prince Zhan could resolve with a single word. There's no need to make a fuss about it before the Emperor. Prince An's desire to enter the palace is making a mountain out of a molehill.
However, upon closer reflection, the wedding day symbolizes a happy and fulfilling life together, and no one wants to be stained with blood and bad luck. Prince An is the God of War of the Azure Flame, and he is very particular about his actions. He dislikes such inauspicious things even more, so it is understandable that he goes to the palace to meet the emperor.
On the contrary, how could Prince Zhan be so bold as to do something but not dare to admit it!
Dongfang Zhan's face turned ashen, and he clenched his fists tightly. Su Lie, the matter of Huoyin Mountain had already left a very bad impression on the Emperor. If the matter of the courtesan were to be brought before the Emperor again, the Emperor's last remaining hope for him would vanish.
A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan; he cannot afford to leave a bad impression on the emperor any further.
He suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze sweeping coldly over Dongfang Heng before landing on the weeping courtesan: "You, come back to the manor with me!"
She was just a courtesan, nothing special. He was forced to take her back because he lost to Dongfang Heng, but she was already his. He could just find a reason to beat her to death, and no one could say anything.
"Yes!" The courtesan cried, bowing gracefully, the long, thin blanket concealing the joy in her eyes.
Her clothes were torn and could no longer be worn. Apart from the maidservants, there were no other maids in the Holy King's Mansion. Qiuhe gave her a set of her own clothes. She was quite beautiful, and even in maid's clothes, she was still pretty and charming, which made many servants stare.
With his plan failing, Dongfang Zhan was upset and had no interest in staying any longer. He strode out of the room and, as he passed Fengsong Courtyard, suddenly glanced at the slightly open window. The light inside was dim, and he couldn't see anyone, but he knew that Shen Lixue was definitely standing by the window, coldly watching him leave.
She and Dongfang Heng conspired to scheme against him; their love as a couple was truly profound.
Behind him, the courtesan was incomparably beautiful. Dongfang Zhan didn't even glance at her, but glared hatefully at the woman behind the window, flicked his sleeves, and strode forward.
"Dongfang Zhan's plan failed, and you even turned the tables on him. He'll definitely be furious when he gets back!" Shen Lixue stood by the window, watching the two figures disappear quickly into the sunlight, and frowned.
"No matter how angry he is, he has already lost!" Dongfang Heng had been fighting with Dongfang Zhan for more than ten years and knew his nature well. He knew that Dongfang Zhan would never give up until the very end. Dongfang Heng had been on guard all along and finally prevented his scheme from succeeding.
"I have to thank you for your makeup." Dongfang Zhan was very clever. He had to be extra careful when he devised a plan. Dongfang Heng had never been able to find anyone who looked like Shen Lixue. Unexpectedly, she took rouge and powder and casually applied them to the woman's face, and the small face looked just like her.
"Designing Dongfang Zhan is exhausting!" Shen Lixue complained. When Dongfang Zhan sneaked into the new house to catch her, she hid far away. His movements were very fast. If she were sitting in front of the dressing table, she wouldn't have been able to avoid such a fast attack.
"Then let's rest!" Dongfang Heng's soft words carried an air of ambiguity as he picked up Shen Lixue and strode towards the bedside.
Chapter 163: Wedding Night
Shen Lixue stared wide-eyed at Dongfang Heng: "It's not dark yet, and the guests are all dining in the banquet hall. Aren't you afraid that someone will take the opportunity to cause trouble?"
"Dongfang Zhan was tricked and suffered a crushing defeat. He has no energy to make a comeback today. The guests from other noble families will not, and dare not, cause trouble at the Holy King's Mansion!"
Dongfang Heng spoke in a deep voice, a beautiful smile curving his lips. His deep gaze was like a deep pool. He strode to the bed, carefully placed Shen Lixue on the bright red brocade quilt, and reached out to remove the hairpin from her black hair.
In an instant, her flowing black hair cascaded down like a fine brocade, hanging straight behind Shen Lixue. Soft and smooth, it reflected her beautiful face, exuding an indescribable purity and elegance amidst her nobility.
A hint of amazement flashed in Dongfang Hengli's eyes. His jade-like fingers gently caressed her fair and porcelain-like cheeks, the smooth and delicate touch making him linger.
The warmth of her palm seeped into her skin through her face, and Shen Lixue looked up, her clear eyes sparkling with light. To Dongfang Heng, it was like a silent temptation. His gaze towards her grew even more intense, and he lowered his head to kiss her cherry lips deeply.
Dongfang Heng's kiss was passionate and fiery, intense like a storm. His strong arms held her small waist tightly with one arm and the back of her head with the other, not allowing her to back down, and he tasted her sweetness without any restraint.
His unique pine scent overwhelmed Shen Lixue like a tidal wave. Her lips and breath were filled with the scent of pine, and all her senses were invaded by him. Her body felt weak and trembled slightly. Her slender arms subconsciously reached out and gently wrapped around his neck, slowly responding to his kiss.
Dongfang Heng's slender body jolted suddenly. He flipped over and pinned Shen Lixue to the bed, his fiery kisses landing on her long neck. His jade-like fingers swiftly untied the sash at her waist, reaching for the buttons of her inner garment. He whispered passionately, "Lixue..."
"Mmm!" Shen Lixue's heart pounded like a drum, her face flushed red, and she hugged Dongfang Heng tightly, accepting his passion.
Her bright red outer garment and inner garment were unknowingly removed by Dongfang Heng. Her smooth and delicate skin was like a handful of snow under his fingertips, incredibly soft, as if it would melt away at any moment.