Chapter 158
Chapter 158
Perhaps because of the hazy moonlight or something else, Shengsheng Zhou could not discern the emotion in Fusheng Duan’s eyes. They seemed veiled in gauze, as though something spilled out–or perhaps she imagined it.
*A-Pang, does my expression look pure yet seductive?*
A-Pang could not be bothered to look. Fusheng could see him, so he hid in Shengsheng’s hair. *More stupid than seductive.*
“Elder Sister Noble Consort, why are you here?” Shengsheng stared at him with innocent surprise.
Fusheng casually glanced at the right hand that had punched a man across the lake. “Fresh air.”
“Though I happened to witness an interesting scene. Your Highness is quite skilled.”
His words contained no teasing, only fact.
Shengsheng laughed dryly. Damn it. Her innocent-fool persona had collapsed.
With nothing to discuss, silence lasted a moment. Fusheng casually bade farewell and left first.
Only after he departed did Shengsheng dare breathe loudly.
Oh no. If word spread that a princess possessed such freakish strength, would people call her a monster?
Hearing the splashing nearby, she reconsidered. Forget it.
When she had been a palace maid and smashed through a roof with her head, nobody asked how. Her status was different now, and Fusheng was no gossip.
But…
Shengsheng stopped.
Why had no one ever asked where all her strange abilities came from?
…
Fusheng did not know where he walked. When he returned to himself, he stood behind an artificial hill.
Everything was silent. No longer needing restraint, he took out a handkerchief and coughed.
Large stains of blood spread across the white cloth. His unfocused gaze rested somewhere distant while a possibility he feared to confirm filled his mind.
Perhaps Shengsheng Zhou had never left this world.
Mosheng Song. Shengsheng Zhou.
Shengsheng Zhou. Mosheng Song.
Weiqing Song had once despised his sister. Yet judging by the investigation and what happened at the banquet…
Where was any trace of hatred?
Fusheng laughed softly, letting blood drip from his lips. Like self-torture, he allowed the motion of laughing to feed the tearing pain in his chest.
She had always been an actress. Had he not heard her thoughts, even he would never have imagined her true nature.
But Shengsheng Zhou, if you do not want to see me, you should act more convincingly.
Why reveal so many flaws the instant you see me, making me suspect you and find you so easily?
After another violent coughing fit, Fusheng began calming himself.
When one looked again, the man in red was gone.
Only the bloodstained handkerchief abandoned on the ground proved he had been there.
…
Cui’er paced anxiously outside. When Shengsheng returned, she hurried over. “Princess! You finally came back! The Crown Prince is here!”
Shengsheng motioned for calm. The moment she entered, she saw Weiqing with his back to her.
At the footsteps, Weiqing turned, studied her expression, and asked, “Did something happen?”
The prayer beads in his hand began turning unconsciously.
Surprised by his perception, Shengsheng Zhou answered naturally, “Nothing. I acted heroically on the road, so I was delayed.”
Weiqing Song raised a brow. “Heroically?”
Shengsheng walked over smiling. “Yes, Imperial Brother. I kindly rescued a young lord who fell into the water and had someone take him home unconscious. His family sent a chest of fine pearls in gratitude.”
*Though I was the one who punched him in, rescuing him was still real.*
Weiqing nodded. “You did well.”
Knowing Shengsheng never provoked people unless they provoked her, Weiqing planned to investigate which blind fool had dared offend his sister.
“Imperial Brother, can Sheng’er sit with you later?” Shengsheng pulled a charming fruit from her sleeve, pressed it into his hand, and smiled ingratiatingly.
Weiqing tapped her forehead and laughed. “Where did this come from?”
“I saw it on the road. It looked nice, so I picked it for Imperial Brother.”
*If you’d arrived one second later, it would’ve entered my stomach.*
It was rather sweet.
He did not know what fruit it was. He should send someone to pick more.
Under Imperial Mother’s resentful stare, Weiqing brought Shengsheng to sit beside him.
Then Shengsheng discovered another problem.
Damn it. Was Siran Ming sitting here all along?
“Sheng’er, switch places with Imperial Brother.”
Knowing she was uncomfortable, Weiqing exchanged seats with her.
Shengsheng was moved to tears.
*I’ll never call you a scheming bastard again, my dear Imperial Brother.*
Smiling like a flower, Weiqing clinked cups with a baffled Siran and explained, “Do not misunderstand. I am merely in a good mood.”
He would no longer be cursed as a scheming bastard.
Shengsheng waved to Imperial Mother and stole a glance at the neighboring seat.
He still had not returned?
She did not notice Weiqing’s flowerlike smile suddenly stiffen.
Disbelief entered his eyes.
Siran was already irritated by his smile. Seeing the reaction, he narrowed his eyes.
Why did Weiqing’s tiny expression feel so familiar?
Weiqing swallowed, fine sweat appearing on his forehead. Only the greatest willpower of his life allowed him to rise as though nothing were wrong, though his steps were hurried.
Shengsheng looked at him in confusion. “Imperial Brother?”
Weiqing did not hear. Siran instead glanced thoughtfully at Shengsheng. “You should not disturb him at this moment.”
Then he turned away, his former gloom returning.
He looked as though he wanted the world to know he had lost at love.
Shengsheng wondered why he seemed so familiar with this matter.
She was right. He was.
Because inside a palace latrine, Weiqing’s entire world was collapsing.
He swore he would never again eat anything Shengsheng handed him!!
Never!!!
Was this the price of no longer being called a scheming bastard?
From today onward, he would embody the scheming-bastard spirit to the end.