Chapter Forty: Crisis

Xue Jiaoyue was naturally unwilling to take the beating, but she was no match for Xue Fanzhi. She glared fiercely at Xue Fanzhi, calculating in her heart, searching for an opportunity to turn the tables.

Just then, the door opened.

A middle-aged man in a black court robe entered. His face was pale and beardless, and his voice was somewhat sharp.

With a tone of disdain, he said, “Young lady of the Xue family, His Highness requests your presence!”

It was clear at a glance that he was a eunuch.

Only now did Xue Fanzhi vaguely recall the rumors about Prince Shou, but in her past life, she had rarely left home and knew nothing firsthand about him. When she married Xiao Yi, Prince Shou was already dead—supposedly assassinated. During Emperor Hongde’s reign, every effort was made to find the killer, but no one was ever held accountable. When Xiao Yi ascended the throne, he never mentioned the matter again.

So this was the infamous, depraved madman in high position.

Xue Fanzhi grew anxious about her current predicament. As for Prince Shou’s order for her to come out, she absolutely could not comply. If she stepped outside and was seen, even if her body remained untouched, she would be forever marked by association with Prince Shou, her reputation irrevocably stained.

Reborn into this life, though she had no intention of marrying Xiao Yi again, she still longed for a good marriage and an ordinary life, and she would not allow her name to be tainted.

Spinning around abruptly, her gaze frosty, Xue Fanzhi said coldly, “At the very least, I am a guest of the Xie family, and this is their domain. No matter who sent you, you should weigh the consequences—I am not some commoner, and my family holds considerable standing!”

The eunuch burst out laughing. “Don’t flatter yourself. Are you not the Eighth Miss of the Xue family? I serve Prince Shou himself. If his Highness takes a fancy to you, that is your good fortune, and by extension, your family’s as well. Do you really think the minor Xue family would risk his displeasure by defying his orders for your sake? For all you know, your father, upon hearing you might enter the Prince’s household, would be eager to send you over in a sedan chair this very night!”

It was precisely because he spoke the truth that despair set in.

Xue Fanzhi’s expression remained composed, but beneath her sleeve her fist was clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Suddenly, Xue Jiaoyue spoke up, “That’s her. Since you know everything, you must know I am the Seventh Miss Xue. My father would never give me away!”

The eunuch’s eyes flicked back and forth between the two girls, finally settling on Xue Fanzhi. “His Highness merely said to bring a young lady out to broaden her horizons, not specifying which one. In that case, it shall be you.”

With that, he gestured behind him, and attendants came to take Xue Fanzhi away.

Xue Jiaoyue breathed a sigh of relief and cast a smug smile at Xue Fanzhi.

Now Xue Fanzhi was like a fish on the chopping block, hating both the vicious Xue Jiaoyue and the overbearing Prince Shou with equal venom, but no matter how fiercely she resisted, she could not overpower the eunuch’s escort.

Soon she was being led toward the front hall. As they neared the partition, she heard a coarse, oily male voice declare, “What good fortune today, to acquire two beauties at once! Gentlemen, I must ask you all to help me judge their charms!”

Xue Fanzhi’s heart sank. He meant her and Xue Jiaoyue. The eunuch’s steps did not falter. Once she crossed this partition, her rebirth would be wasted—and death would not be far behind.

The eunuch had already announced her presence to Prince Shou, who inclined his head, signaling for her to be brought forward. When they reached her, Xue Fanzhi stiffened her legs and refused to move.

Just then, from the main doors came a familiar voice: “Royal Uncle, how is it there’s a banquet and yet your nephew is not invited? Instead, you gather here for a secret feast!”

Prince Shou was separated from the male guests outside; it was clear that only his closest and most unsavory associates were present, forming his own private domain.

Xue Fanzhi’s heart leapt with joy—she recognized Xiao Yi’s voice.

Prince Shou narrowed his eyes at the arrival of his nephew, his tone cold. “What brings you here?”

His wariness was obvious.

It wasn’t that Prince Shou distrusted his nephew—he simply disliked him. With so many sons, his elder brother had little time for each, and this ninth son had long been neglected. Since he was not favored by the emperor, Prince Shou had no reason to care for him either.

The hall fell silent upon Xiao Yi’s entrance, and the eunuch ceased urging Xue Fanzhi forward.

Not only had Xiao Yi arrived, but he brought with him a young girl in a striking crimson dress.

Xiao Yi led the girl before Prince Shou and said with a smile, “Uncle, this is the thirteenth daughter of the collateral Xie branch. Her parents asked me to present her to you as a gift, hoping the Xie family might earn your favor.”

His words were blunt and clear—the Xie family was selling their daughter for advancement.

Such families were common in Prince Shou’s circles, and he paid them little mind, gesturing impatiently for Xiao Yi to step aside, claiming he could not see properly.

Xiao Yi took a large step to the left, and there stood the lithe young girl before Prince Shou.

She was only thirteen or fourteen, dressed in a dramatic red foreign dance costume, her waist slender, her figure already hinting at voluptuousness. Even at her young age, her allure was apparent. Prince Shou’s eyes lit up, and he began to drool with anticipation.

Nodding with satisfaction, he said, “Good nephew, you are always so thoughtful. Come, girl, pour wine for your prince!”

Though Xie Shisan was not a great beauty—certainly not as lovely as Xue Fanzhi or Xue Jiaoyue—Xiao Yi had cleverly dressed her in foreign garb, and Prince Shou, delighted by the novelty, was instantly captivated, temporarily forgetting his plan to present the Xue sisters to the assembly.

No sooner had the eunuch pushed Xie Shisan before Prince Shou’s long table than the prince, paying no heed to the onlookers, grabbed her by the waist, pulled her onto his lap, and without restraint pressed a kiss upon her lips.

Xie Shisan struggled in revulsion; Xue Fanzhi herself felt sickened and terrified. If not for Xiao Yi’s timely arrival, she would have been the one humiliated in front of everyone.

Xie Shisan had thought she could escape by tricking Xue Jiaoyue into taking her place, but her parents, resolute in their greed, planned to send her to Prince Shou regardless. When the Ninth Prince offered an even higher price, they sold her to him instead.

At the time, Xie Shisan was overwhelmed—Xiao Yi was handsome and charming, unfavored yet refined, and she thought she would not lose by following him. But she never imagined his intention was to present her to Prince Shou all along.

Before, she feared death. Now, despairing, she no longer cared—if she was not afraid to die, what else could she fear?

Raising her hand, Xie Shisan slapped Prince Shou across the face. He was caught off guard, nearly sprawling over the table. Enraged at the humiliation—being a violent man by nature—he shoved Xie Shisan away.

She stumbled, crashed onto the long table, which toppled, sending wine, dishes, and fruit flying onto her as she rolled over the mess.

Other than knowing Xiao Yi did not want her, this was the most humiliating moment of her life.

Even so, Xie Shisan forced herself to lift her head.

Prince Shou, having lost all dignity, was in no mood for mercy. Pointing at her, he barked, “Drag her out and chop her up—feed her to the dogs!”