Chapter 206

Chapter 206: Exactly to My Liking

From afar, Qi Shu Xian saw the carriage and rushed over quickly.

He had never imagined hearing such shocking news from the Third Prince.

[Shang Hang Yu!]

[Who does he think he is, daring to ask His Majesty for the Princess’s hand?!]

“Zhi Wan, I know you don’t wish to marry into Northern Di, and you certainly don’t like Shang Hang Yu…”

Before Sheng Zhi Wan even stepped from the carriage, she already heard an irritating voice.

“Zhi Wan, Meng Yang is now merely a concubine. I swear, I shall never take another concubine again. I know…you surely regret it now. If you’re willing, I will personally plead with the Third Prince, with His Majesty himself.”

“I’ll ask His Majesty to betroth you back to me, so we can return to how we once were. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Qi Shu Xian’s voice floated toward her.

Ting Lan nearly laughed aloud from sheer anger.

How thick-skinned could this man be? Where did he find the audacity?

But only Sheng Zhi Wan knew exactly where he found such audacity—it was the endless tolerance and affection she’d given him in the past. Even after the divorce, he still could not see himself clearly!

Well, if that was the case… Sheng Zhi Wan gave Ting Lan a meaningful glance.

Ting Lan swiftly lifted the carriage curtain and jumped out, Liu Shang following close behind. Only after that did Sheng Zhi Wan herself slowly descend, gracefully supported by her two maids.

Qi Shu Xian’s gaze was fixed firmly on Sheng Zhi Wan.

In just a short time, she seemed to have transformed entirely—more charming and radiant than ever. Her delicate, jade-like ears glistened softly in the fading sunlight.

No wonder Lu Chuo and Shang Hang Yu were competing fiercely for her hand.

“How does Heir Apparent Qi know that I’m unwilling to marry Prince Lu Chuo?” Sheng Zhi Wan replied gently. “The Imperial Prince of Northern Di is young, handsome, and of noble birth.”

“Don’t joke around, Zhi Wan. You’d never consent to become someone’s concubine, much less endure life in Northern Di. Such a harsh environment is entirely unsuited for you.”

“Heir Apparent Qi speaks truly,” Sheng Zhi Wan nodded slightly.

Qi Shu Xian’s eyes instantly brightened.

But in the next moment, Sheng Zhi Wan’s calm, casual voice echoed clearly—

“Thus, I’ve decided that Second Young Master Shang shall be my consort.”

Wh-what?

Qi Shu Xian’s hopeful expression froze abruptly.

The corner of his lips twitched nervously. “Stop joking, Zhi Wan! Shang Hang Yu is just a reckless wastrel, utterly unworthy of you.”

“A reckless wastrel?” Sheng Zhi Wan raised her brows. “Yet I precisely enjoy his recklessness.”

“You…like him? Impossible!”

Qi Shu Xian nearly trembled in rage. “He’s nothing but a good-for-nothing! He’s lazy, useless, and indulges in nothing but eating and drinking. What could you possibly like about him?”

“He only wants to marry you because no other respectable woman would accept him! Stop fooling around, Zhi Wan. I refuse to believe you fancy someone like him!”

Good-for-nothing? Lazy and useless?

Listening to Shang Hang Yu being slandered so viciously filled Sheng Zhi Wan with deep displeasure.

Even greater displeasure than when she herself was being harassed!

Recalling Shang Hang Yu’s earnest words the other day, Sheng Zhi Wan scoffed lightly, her eyes cold as she scanned Qi Shu Xian from head to toe. “Does Heir Apparent Qi never look into a mirror? I favor Second Young Master Shang precisely because he’s younger and handsomer than you—exactly to my liking.”

“You—you are shameless!” Qi Shu Xian stared at Sheng Zhi Wan, utterly disbelieving she could say something like that.

Even when their affection had been strongest, she’d always spoken with careful restraint.

But now—she openly claimed Shang Hang Yu suited her tastes!

Overwhelmed by fury, Qi Shu Xian lost control of his tongue.

“Someone!” Sheng Zhi Wan commanded icily. “Heir Apparent Qi has dared disrespect my carriage and insulted me! Give him thirty strokes!”

As soon as her command fell, Zhang Da and a group of guards rushed forward, swiftly encircling Qi Shu Xian.

“Zhi Wan, are you insane? Now isn’t the time for you to throw a tantrum. I refuse to believe you’d willingly choose Shang Hang Yu as your consort!”

Even now, he could not believe Sheng Zhi Wan’s decision.

How could she truly like Shang Hang Yu?

Surely she was only saying it out of spite. But this wasn’t the time for petty revenge—

“Zhi Wan, I’ll ask you one last time…”

“What are you all waiting for?” Sheng Zhi Wan turned sharply toward her guards. “He not only offended me but also disrespected my future consort! Make it sixty strokes! Whoever lands a stroke will be rewarded ten silvers. Whoever lands the most strokes will have their reward doubled!”

At Sheng Zhi Wan’s command, the guards surged forward eagerly.

Liu Shang stepped forward excitedly. “Princess, can this maid join as well?”

“You may!”

Ting Lan hesitated briefly. “And this maid as well…”

“All of you, go!” Sheng Zhi Wan smiled faintly.

Ting Lan swiftly ran back to the mansion, grabbed a broom, and joyfully joined the fray.

Qi Shu Xian hadn’t expected Sheng Zhi Wan to mean business. No matter how skilled he was in martial arts, even he feared a crowd of attackers. Especially since these were Sheng Zhi Wan’s own people, he dared not seriously hurt them.

Eventually, he managed to escape in disheveled embarrassment.

Liu Shang sighed regretfully. “Three strokes! Princess, this maid struck Heir Apparent Qi three times!”

Ting Lan was elated. “This maid also landed two!”

Zhang Da scratched his head. “I only got him once…”

The other guards had mostly managed one stroke each, totaling fewer than thirty strokes before Qi Shu Xian escaped.

“Oh, Heir Apparent Qi!” Zhang Da suddenly pointed, shouting in astonishment, “Your hair! Why has so much fallen out?”

Qi Shu Xian paused abruptly, glaring at Zhang Da coldly.

Zhang Da shuffled back nervously. “It’s true! I wouldn’t lie to you. Look, your hair is scattered all over the ground!”

Instinctively, Qi Shu Xian glanced downward. To his horror, he indeed saw many strands of his own black hair scattered about.

Remembering how much hair he’d lost while washing yesterday, a bad premonition filled his heart.

His hand reached up subconsciously.

Several more strands came loose easily in his fingers.

Qi Shu Xian stared blankly at the hair clutched in his hand.

“How could this happen?”

“It was you, wasn’t it!” He suddenly accused Liu Shang fiercely. Liu Shang was utterly confused.

Sheng Zhi Wan laughed coldly. “Instead of blaming others, perhaps Heir Apparent Qi should blame himself for meddling where he’s unwanted. Next time, don’t wander around in front of me without reason.”

“Sheng Zhi Wan!” Qi Shu Xian shouted in fury.

Sheng Zhi Wan lifted her chin proudly. “Has Heir Apparent Qi forgotten your last punishment? Next time you address me, remember clearly—I am Princess Ning of Qing!”

With those words, she waved dismissively, leading her attendants calmly into the Princess’s mansion.

Qi Shu Xian could only watch helplessly as the tall gates slowly shut in his face.

Until finally, that familiar figure disappeared entirely from view.

He clenched his eyes shut tightly, tossing the fallen strands of hair bitterly to the ground.

[Good… Very good…]

[Sheng Zhi Wan, you brought this upon yourself!]

She’d rather choose a worthless playboy as her consort than reconcile with him!

Claiming she admired his youth and beauty—what nonsense! A worthless rake, no matter how handsome, was still empty-headed.

Given Shang Hang Yu’s scandalous reputation and frivolous nature, could such a man truly stay faithful?

Once Shang Hang Yu became her consort, would he truly remain satisfied with Sheng Zhi Wan alone?

When that day came, Qi Shu Xian would wait patiently to witness her bitter regret!