ASTRP -Chapter 116 The Prince Agrees to Marry Only Feng Jingge

“She entered the Prince’s Manor while I was traveling outside. I only returned once a year, and every time I stayed for less than two days before leaving again.”

“Later, when Imperial Brother fell gravely ill, he sent me a message by carrier pigeon, ordering me to return to the capital immediately.”

“As soon as I returned, I received Imperial Brother’s final edict. He appointed me Regent Prince and ordered me to assist Xiao Yu in ascending the throne.”

Although Xiao Jinghan’s explanation was brief and concise, Feng Jingge still frowned deeply after hearing it. She had not expected there to be so many hidden circumstances behind everything.

“So in other words, before the late emperor died, he also schemed against you once?”

A bitter smile tugged at Xiao Jinghan’s lips, his tone heavy.

“You could say that.”

Feng Jingge believed him about being forced into becoming Regent Prince.

After all, he had mentioned that to her before.

What he said now was almost identical to what he had said then.

But when Xiao Jinghan claimed he had no relationship with Liu Qingqing—

She did not believe it.

Even if someone beat her to death, she still would not believe it.

“So Your Highness says you have nothing to do with Liu Qingqing?”

“Then let me ask you this—why does Liu Qingqing refer to herself as ‘your concubine’ in front of you?”

“Before, when I kept calling her your concubine in front of you, you never denied it even once.”

“And when she said she was pregnant, you were clearly extremely nervous. If you really have nothing to do with her, then what exactly were you nervous about?”

“…”

Faced with the barrage of questions Feng Jingge threw at him, Xiao Jinghan was momentarily speechless.

Other than Liu Qingqing’s pregnancy, everything Feng Jingge said was true.

When Feng Jingge called Liu Qingqing his concubine in front of him, he had never refuted it.

In fact…

At the beginning, when he had become Feng Jingge, in order to better imitate her personality, he himself had even used the word “concubine” when speaking to Liu Qingqing.

Everything he had previously said and done directly contradicted what he had just claimed.

He had contradicted himself completely.

Seeing Xiao Jinghan remain silent, Feng Jingge raised a hand and patted his shoulder.

“Your Highness, you’re a prince. Having multiple wives and concubines is perfectly normal. There’s really no need to lie to me.”

Xiao Jinghan frowned.

“If My Lady does not believe me, you may ask Ning An and Qing Shan.”

Ning An and Qing Shan are your people. Of course they’d side with you. If I could get the truth out of them, that would be strange.

That was what Feng Jingge thought inwardly, though aloud she answered, “There’s no need to ask. I already know Liu Qingqing is your concubine.”

“Your Highness, work hard. Try bringing ten concubines into the manor.”

At the mention of “ten concubines,” Xiao Jinghan’s expression gradually darkened.

“If this prince takes concubines, My Lady won’t be angry?”

Feng Jingge looked puzzled.

“Taking concubines is a joyous occasion. Why would I be angry?”

As she spoke, she muttered inwardly:

“Besides, I’m not marrying you anyway. What does it matter to me how many concubines you take?”

What was supposed to remain an inner thought somehow slipped out aloud.

Though her voice was soft, Xiao Jinghan heard every word clearly.

He suddenly grabbed Feng Jingge’s wrist, his tone icy cold.

“What did you say?”

He gripped so hard it felt as though he intended to crush her bones.

Feng Jingge still had not realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud.

Feeling pain, she sucked in a sharp breath and snapped irritably, “Xiao Jinghan, what madness are you throwing again?”

Grinding his teeth, Xiao Jinghan said, “You already belong to this prince, yet you don’t want to marry me? Then who do you want to marry?”

Threatening her?

Feng Jingge’s temper flared instantly.

“What business is it of yours who I marry? I’ll marry whoever I want!”

“You’re allowed to have multiple wives and concubines, but I’m not allowed to change men?”

At those words, Xiao Jinghan nearly exploded from anger.

That matter had been a lie to deceive her.

But if she truly ran off to find another man, then what would he do?

Seeing Xiao Jinghan’s face darken so badly it looked ready to drip with gloom, Feng Jingge felt greatly satisfied.

“I’ll switch to someone else. Someone who won’t take concubines and who’ll only marry me in this lifetime.”

“Fine.”

Xiao Jinghan slowly released her wrist, his tone solemn.

“This prince agrees.”

Agrees…?

Feng Jingge’s expression froze.

Xiao Jinghan had agreed far too readily, completely beyond her expectations.

At the same time…

Even though she should have felt happy, she suddenly felt an emptiness in her heart, and an inexplicable sorrow spread through her chest.

Her gaze landed on Xiao Jinghan.

His eyes were lowered, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Feng Jingge pursed her lips.

Forget it.

The more they talked, the unhappier she became.

With a cold face, Feng Jingge turned to leave.

But just as she turned around, her right hand was suddenly grabbed.

Her back stiffened.

Turning around, she saw Xiao Jinghan holding her hand.

Frowning in confusion, she looked at him.

Xiao Jinghan spoke slowly, emphasizing every word.

“Now. We enter the palace. To request a marriage decree.”

As soon as the words fell, before Feng Jingge could react, Xiao Jinghan dragged her out of the manor and into a carriage.

By the time she regained her senses, the carriage had already started moving.

“Your Highness—”

Feng Jingge had only spoken two words when Xiao Jinghan interrupted her.

“When we arrive at the palace gates, if the Imperial Guards stop this prince, you are to say we’ve come to request a marriage decree.”

“…”

What kind of madness had possessed this man now?

Naturally, Feng Jingge was not going to listen to him.

She stood up directly, swaying slightly as she walked to the carriage entrance. Lifting the curtain, she coldly ordered the coachman, “Pull over and stop the carriage!”

Hearing the command, the coachman immediately pulled over.

Feng Jingge turned back toward Xiao Jinghan inside the carriage.

“Get down. Let’s find somewhere to talk.”

After speaking, she jumped down from the carriage.

Xiao Jinghan frowned slightly, but said nothing and silently followed her out.

Meanwhile, Liu Qingqing arrived at the rouge shop as usual.

Only upon reaching the entrance did she discover the shop was closed today.

Already in a foul mood, seeing the tightly shut doors made her anger soar even higher.

And now that she was outside, she had nowhere to vent her rage.

Inside her sleeves, Liu Qingqing’s hands clenched tightly into fists, her beautiful eyes filled with chilling coldness.

Seeing this, Fu Ping felt that Liu Qingqing looked somewhat frightening at the moment.

She reached out and tugged lightly on Liu Qingqing’s sleeve, lowering her voice with a hint of pleading.

“Madam, perhaps we should return to the Prince’s Manor first and come again another day?”

Liu Qingqing glared coldly at Fu Ping before suddenly letting out a mocking laugh.

“Return?”

“Return and watch the prince and that little bitch acting all lovey-dovey?”

Fu Ping shook her head and tried to persuade her.

“But Madam, didn’t that lady tell you to behave with dignity? To stop fighting Feng Jingge for favor and act like the proper mistress of the household?”

Liu Qingqing stared fixedly at Fu Ping for a long moment before curling her lips into a bitter smile.

“Fu Ping, all these years I’ve been deceiving myself, fine! But how is it that now even you have started deceiving me too?!”

At the word “deceiving,” Fu Ping panicked.

If they were not standing in the middle of the street, she would already have knelt down.

“Madam, this servant has never deceived you! I have always been loyal to you and would never dare deceive you…”

Liu Qingqing interrupted her.

“That’s not the kind of deception I mean.”

Fu Ping stared blankly at her.

“Then… what do you mean?”

Liu Qingqing glanced around.

There were too many people here; it would be bad if someone overheard.

She pressed her lips together.

“We’ll talk while walking.”