Chapter 224

Chapter 224: Unspeakable Deeds

It would have been fine if that was all. But if the other party deliberately arranged people to spread rumors comparing the Princess with the courtesan who supposedly had a scandalous affair with him—a future Prince Consort…

Even if no one dared say it openly, what about whispers in the shadows?

How much criticism would the Princess endure?

Such methods were shameful, yet incredibly damaging to any woman’s reputation.

Thinking of this, Shang Hang Yu’s eyes grew icy cold. He possessed martial arts skills, and could easily dissolve the effects of the drug within him using his internal energy. At most, he’d just feel a little uncomfortable.

But the Princess worried for him and had thoughtfully prepared an antidote, sparing him even that slight discomfort.

Shang Hang Yu smiled faintly and swallowed the medicine.

In moments, even the faintest heat in his body vanished. However, his skin still felt warm and his face remained flushed.

This was all part of his performance for the unseen watchers.

Shang Hang Yu lay sprawled across the table, eyes tightly shut.

Footsteps gradually approached.

Then came two whispering voices. He recognized them—the men who had sat at his sides earlier. One sounded hesitant, concerned about Shang Hang Yu’s status as future Prince Consort.

The other scoffed, “Afraid? He’s just a useless good-for-nothing. Whoever hired us could even obtain invitations to the Inner Courtyard of the Literary Gathering. He must be someone powerful.”

“After tonight, he won’t even qualify as trash, let alone Prince Consort. Think about the silver waiting for us…”

“You’re right.”

The two men lifted Shang Hang Yu from both sides.

Pretending to be feverish, Shang Hang Yu tugged at his clothes. The pair moved swiftly, taking a quiet route to the secluded side chambers at the back.

“Is it this room?”

Soon, Shang Hang Yu was tossed inside a small chamber.

Inside, candlelight flickered gently, gauzy curtains half-covered a bed, and the subtle fragrance drifting in the air was mixed with aphrodisiac incense.

One man was about to place him onto the bed.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Two darts swiftly struck.

Without even a groan, the man collapsed soundlessly.

Mo Qing stepped inside.

Before Shang Hang Yu could speak, a woman’s soft moan drifted from the inner room.

Shang Hang Yu’s expression darkened immediately.

[Damn it! That Crown Prince truly knows no shame!]

His mouth twitched briefly, but fortunately, he himself was even more shameless.

Shang Hang Yu and Mo Qing retreated outside and quietly climbed onto a nearby tree.

Soon enough, figures approached the room.

Only three appeared, without Xiu He, who had guided them before.

Shang Hang Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.

[It seems Commandery Princess Ming Jia truly despises me. Even now, she insists on witnessing my humiliation personally. Isn’t she afraid of catching fire herself?]

Or perhaps, she felt too secure in the power of Prince Huai’s soldiers.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Sheng Yuan Jun, growing uneasy as Ming Jia failed to return, relaxed slightly upon seeing one of her soldiers approaching.

“What happened? Where’s the Commandery Princess?”

But as soon as he spoke, the soldier leaned close, his face troubled, and whispered, “Your Highness, the Commandery Princess… she’s been drugged too…”

“What?” Sheng Yuan Jun leaped to his feet in shock. Realizing people around were staring, he quickly found an excuse and left.

Sheng Yuan Jun hurried to the side chamber.

Unsurprisingly, yet utterly unexpected—

The soldier beside him suddenly tore off a mask, revealing a clear, handsome face beneath.

“Well done. After today, you’ll all receive generous rewards.”

Having thrown Sheng Yuan Jun onto the bed, Shang Hang Yu thoughtfully administered an even stronger dose of drugs.

Stepping out, he soon heard the fierce sounds of passion within.

Hmm—

Listening for a moment, Shang Hang Yu felt thoroughly satisfied.

[Truly, His Highness the Crown Prince lives up to his title—even his affairs of the bedchamber are extraordinary.]

Sending Mo Qing away, Shang Hang Yu reappeared casually in the Inner Courtyard, mingling with students, sipping tea, and speaking nonsense poetry.

Soon after, commotion erupted from the side chamber.

Shang Xiu Yuan froze on the spot.

Behind him stood more than ten students from the Imperial Academy, also dumbfounded.

“Xiu Yuan… Didn’t you say Shang Hang Yu was in there?”

“But why… why is it…”

Shang Xiu Yuan’s face turned deathly pale. Realizing too late, he tried desperately to usher his companions away.

The Crown Prince had been caught openly in such a disgraceful act. Even if they saw it clearly, they must pretend they hadn’t.

But it was too late. To draw attention earlier, Shang Xiu Yuan and his companions had shouted all the way here.

Someone had already peeked inside and let out a startled scream.

Shang Hang Yu thought he heard his name again. He called out loudly from behind, “Who’s looking for me? Here I am!”

Shang Xiu Yuan spun around.

Seeing him, Shang Hang Yu’s face lit up. “Ah! Elder Brother, you got an invitation too? I was just feeling guilty that you gave yours to me and missed out. Now that I see you here as well, I’m relieved.”

“You—why are you outside?” Shang Xiu Yuan felt his head buzzing.

Shang Hang Yu feigned confusion. “Why shouldn’t I be outside? Elder Brother, what’s everyone looking at?”

Before Shang Xiu Yuan could stop him, Shang Hang Yu slipped forward effortlessly, like a slippery eel, and peeked inside.

Then he gasped dramatically. “Crown Prince?!”

Immediately, he pointed at Shang Xiu Yuan, yelling, “Elder Brother, you’re finished! You’re in huge trouble now! How dare you bring so many people to catch the Crown Prince in such a scandalous act!”

Shang Xiu Yuan stood speechless.

Fury rose within him. He yearned to smash Shang Hang Yu’s smug face with his fist.

He clearly saw the gloating in his eyes.

But now, what could he possibly do?

He had acted precisely as the Crown Prince instructed. This scandalous scene should have been—

Shang Hang Yu and a courtesan!