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Mei Shuang felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her and couldn't help but yawn. "What time is it? Where are we staying?"
"It's almost curfew. Anyway, I won't let you sleep on the streets..." Nangong Nuo replied, exasperated with Mei Shuang, who was still severely amnesiac and knew almost nothing about her surroundings. They were already on his territory, and she was asking where they would stay?!
After bringing her ashore, Nangong Nuo led her through a narrow alley until they arrived at a large courtyard near the Changshuo Canal.
Several water silk lanterns hung high above the grand entrance, accentuating the heavy, glossy red door adorned with golden studs and beast-shaped knockers. Two imposing stone lions stood guard on either side of the steps, exuding an air of majesty.
In the glow of the lanterns, the gilded characters spelling "Nangong" shimmered above the red door.
"What an impressive mansion! What does 'Nangong' mean? Is there a Northern Palace as well?" Mei Shuang asked in surprise.
Nangong Nuo was momentarily taken aback, rendered speechless.
"Miss Mei Shuang, have you forgotten even my name due to your amnesia?"
"How could that be?" Mei Shuang shrugged. "I was just joking with you."
Yet deep down, she was pondering how it was her first time learning that this Zhao Prince had the surname Nangong. Since the emperor of the Great Qin Empire had the surname Xiao, why did this Zhao Prince have the surname Nangong? How strange!
As they spoke, the door swung open, and four young maidens hurried down the steps, standing respectfully on either side with their heads bowed. "We welcome His Highness back to the residence."
Just as Mei Shuang was about to step inside, she heard Nangong Nuo's low voice beside her. "Miss Mei Shuang, it's better to refrain from such jokes in the future—"
Before he could finish his sentence, laughter echoed from a distance.
In the stillness of the night, that laughter sounded like a cat's wail—jarring and out of place. Startled, Mei Shuang felt her hair stand on end and nearly stumbled as she missed a step.
Nangong Nuo reacted swiftly, catching Mei Shuang just in time while his expression darkened.
The four maidens standing by the steps were equally alarmed. Seeing that Zhao Prince was about to lose his temper, they quickly moved and hid behind the stone lions.
Then, a beautifully dressed woman with an elaborate hairstyle emerged from behind the stone lion. She struggled against the grip of two young maidens, but when she saw Nangong Nuo, she suddenly stopped fighting. Her eyes sparkled with fascination as she smiled sweetly, "Zhao Prince, you have returned... Are you going to take me as your concubine? I have been waiting for this day until my hair turns white... You never believed that I am a maiden; I will show you right now..."
As she spoke, the woman attempted to undress, but the two maidens held her firmly, rendering her unable to move. She continued to struggle while cursing under her breath.
Seeing that Nangong Nuo was about to lose his temper, the two young maidens quickly restrained the frantic woman and prepared to drag her away, muttering softly, "You madwoman, don't you see where you are? Hurry back to your Miaochun Tower..."
Unexpectedly, the madwoman displayed immense strength and broke free from the grasp of the two maidens. She rushed forward, pleading desperately, "Zhao Prince, I have been waiting for you here for so long. Please have mercy on me..."
Nangong Nuo's expression darkened significantly; at this moment, Mei Shuang could not afford to show any signs of anger either.
The other two young maidens hurried forward to stop her. One of them pointed a finger at the madwoman, and she immediately collapsed limply before being carried away by the two.
Everything fell silent once more...
As Mei Shuang steadied herself, she subtly avoided Nangong Nuo's hand reaching for her waist. She shrugged and smiled, "Zhao Prince, it seems our three-year agreement is in some danger... If this is a joke, well, such jokes should be kept to a minimum in the future..."
Nangong Nuo never expected Mei Shuang would turn this situation against him. Realizing her schadenfreude hidden in her words made his face turn pale with anger. He silently cursed: Damn Miaochun Tower; it seems you intend to close your doors early.
This incident did not dampen Mei Shuang's spirits; on the contrary, seeing Nangong Nuo embarrassed in front of her brought her an indescribable joy.
Upon entering through the grand doors, they were greeted by an expansive view filled with pavilions and towers, winding corridors, and under the soft glow of pink silk lanterns, intricately carved beams and painted pillars exuded opulence.
Walking inside felt like stepping into a fairyland for Mei Shuang; her mood lifted considerably.
After passing through another archway, they entered a quiet and spacious courtyard.
The maidservants waiting outside saw Nangong Nuo and quickly bowed before opening the door to a room.
Once inside, Mei Shuang was struck by the brightness of the room. The candlelight illuminated the spacious area as if it were daytime. The antique furniture gave off a faint fragrance of incense that filled her senses with tranquility and clarity.
In another room separated by thin gauze, several maidservants were seen waiting beside a half-height wooden tub. The steam rising suggested that there was hot bathwater prepared for use.
Mei Shuang felt an itch all over her body, but she noticed that Nangong Nuo beside her seemed in no hurry to take his leave. Instead, he sat at the table, leisurely sipping tea.
Mei Shuang reminded him, "Zhao Prince, thank you for your generous invitation tonight. See you tomorrow..."
Nangong Nuo continued to sip his tea slowly, casually replying, "Hmm, you should wash up first to relieve your fatigue. Just be careful not to infect your wounds..."
Mei Shuang widened her eyes and glanced through the thin veil separating them, clearly visible. "What about you?"
"This prince? I bathed this afternoon; I won't wash again..."
"......"
Mei Shuang was speechless. Talking to this man could not be too gentle. "That's not what I meant... Uh, how can I wash with you here?"
Only then did Nangong Nuo seem to understand. He glanced at the interior and nonchalantly said, "I've seen everything worth seeing already. What’s new? Besides, I'm not looking now; what are you afraid of?"
"......"
At his words, Mei Shuang was stunned for a moment and nearly spat out blood. What kind of talk was this?!
Her face flushed as she stole a glance at the maids serving in the room, who stood there like statues, seemingly deaf to the conversation. It appeared that this man's shameless behavior was not a first; everyone must have grown accustomed to it.
Although she was still unclear about the relationship and actual closeness between the young lady of Mei Manor and this man, at this moment, if she were expected to bathe in front of Nangong Nuo and possibly share a bed with him, she absolutely could not do it.
She firmly stated, "Zhao Prince, we have an agreement; it’s three years before we can—"
"Three years is just to define our status; it doesn’t mean we can’t have anything happen between us," Nangong Nuo interrupted her as he pulled out a written document from his sleeve, unfolded it, and presented it to Mei Shuang. "Let me read it to you: 'I have a three-year agreement with Zhao Prince. If after three years Zhao Prince still wishes for me, I willingly marry Zhao Prince.' Signed: Mei Shuang, first day of February in the first year of Tianwu."
Mei Shuang snatched the document from him and looked it over. The content had not changed. She replied, "That's right; this document doesn’t say that during these three years—"
"Miss Mei Shuang, that’s where you’re mistaken. If you want me to remain chaste for these three years, I can do that. But can Miss Mei Shuang do the same? Moreover, I am in my prime; I am neither Liu Xia Hui nor a monk. Miss Mei Shuang should consider my needs as well."
“......”
Mei Shuang felt a chill run down her spine. At that moment, Nangong Nuo had completely changed from his previous flippant demeanor to a serious expression, as if they were discussing something of great significance rather than whether they should go to bed together.
She was stunned for a moment, glancing at the note she had written herself, then looking at the relaxed and carefree Nangong Nuo sitting at the table. Suddenly, she realized that the note was utterly useless; she had never been able to outsmart this man.
After a moment of thought, she handed the note back to Nangong Nuo, trying to conceal her emotions. “Zhao Prince, this note is merely a precaution against gentlemen, not against scoundrels. Since you have already seen my body, it shouldn’t be anything surprising... It’s just that I haven’t been feeling well lately, especially that birthmark the size of a coin on my chest seems to be getting larger. I’m really worried I might have some illness and don’t want to infect you...”
Sure enough, as Nangong Nuo took the note, his gaze flickered to Mei Shuang’s chest. When his eyes moved to her face, he slowly stood up, a wicked smile curling at the corners of his lips. “Is that so? You have a birthmark? Come, let me see something new...”
“......”
Mei Shuang was speechless and instinctively raised her hand to adjust her clothing at her chest before turning away.
Seeing Mei Shuang deliberately trying to evade him only confirmed Nangong Nuo’s suspicions that she was lying. He asserted confidently, “Miss Mei Shuang, which part of you hasn’t this king seen? A birthmark? Aside from that little vermilion dot behind your ear, I really don’t recall any other obvious marks on your body.”
“......”
Mei Shuang hurriedly touched behind her ear and found there was indeed a small bump. She felt an overwhelming sense of despair wash over her.
Being exposed was one thing; the key issue was that her relationship with Nangong Nuo seemed truly ambiguous. This was just one aspect; the other was that it appeared Nangong Nuo’s intentions tonight were very clear—he had her firmly in his grasp.
Although his sordid thoughts were now fully exposed in broad daylight, all she could do was play dumb and act foolishly. There was no way for her to leave now; all she could do was stall for time.
Mei Shuang resolved that if she couldn’t delay things any longer, she would rather die than submit.
She knew well that if she fulfilled Nangong Nuo’s desires today, what would be the point of the three-year agreement she had previously set as a delaying tactic? Moreover, if Emperor Xiao Luo was a dangerous figure, this man before her wasn’t necessarily any better. Once she got tied down by him, who knew when she might find herself in a situation similar to going from Empress to prisoner.
She was self-aware enough; she was a typical lady with the fate of a servant girl. Given this reality, she decided to stick to her goal and not falter.
Nangong Nuo remained calm and collected, regardless of whether Mei Shuang hesitated or pondered deeply; he simply refused to leave and wanted to see how she would handle it.
For a moment, the room was enveloped in a tense silence.
Inside, Mei Shuang felt anxious about Nangong Nuo's unruliness. The only thing that brought her some comfort was that the Zhao Prince did not seem inclined to force the issue at that moment.
As she racked her brain for a solution, she suddenly heard a maid's voice from outside the door. "Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived and requests your immediate presence..."
Mei Shuang's heart leaped with joy.
Nangong Nuo, however, was quite displeased. What was this timing? Just when he was about to take action, such an unwelcome interruption occurred.
He slammed down the teacup in his hand and impatiently said, "Tell them I am resting..."
The maid continued in a soft voice, "Your Highness, it is the Emperor who wishes to discuss an important matter with you..."
Watching Nangong Nuo's figure disappear into the courtyard, Mei Shuang finally let out a sigh of relief. Just as she had been cursing that detestable Emperor for half the day, he unexpectedly came to save the situation at such a critical moment.
Who could have predicted that such a precarious situation would be resolved so unexpectedly? For the first time, Mei Shuang found herself feeling a bit of admiration for that cold-hearted Emperor.
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