ASTRP -Chapter 9 The Prince Strikes the White Lotus Again

Once she steadied herself, she suddenly looked up—only to see that graceful figure walking ahead as if nothing had happened.

The sight was like pouring oil on a raging fire.

Old grudges and new hatred intertwined in Liu Qingqing’s heart, anger and resentment surging all at once.

Facing Xiao Jinghan’s retreating back, she screamed, “Feng Jinge! Stop right there!”

Xiao Jinghan ignored her completely.

Furious, Liu Qingqing made to rush forward.

The two maids had already suffered at “Feng Jinge’s” hands earlier that afternoon. Knowing she was not someone to provoke, they were certain that if their mistress charged ahead, she would only suffer again.

Not wanting a repeat of the afternoon’s events, they desperately tried to stop her. “Madam…”

“Get out of my way!”

Consumed by rage, Liu Qingqing had only one thought in mind—settling the score.

No one knew where she found the strength, but she forcefully shoved the two maids aside and charged forward.

“Feng Jinge!”

Xiao Jinghan paid her no attention and continued walking.

Liu Qingqing was so angry her lungs felt ready to burst. She rushed ahead and blocked his path, arms spread wide.

“Feng Jinge, I’m talking to you—”

Xiao Jinghan cast her a cold glance and cut her off mercilessly. “A concubine dares to call herself ‘Madam’?”

The word concubine struck Liu Qingqing like a blow. Her face instantly turned pale and twisted, her eyes locked onto Xiao Jinghan.

Her chest heaved with rage, her lips trembling.

After a long pause, she finally squeezed out three words through clenched teeth: “How dare you!”

“How dare I?”

Xiao Jinghan raised a brow and let out a mocking laugh.

“And you dare say that to me?”

Liu Qingqing roared, “Why wouldn’t I dare?!”

Xiao Jinghan took a step forward. Startled, Liu Qingqing stumbled back several steps.

“Liu Qingqing, don’t forget—my identity is the Feng family’s eldest daughter.”

He paused, then enunciated each word clearly:

“And you are nothing more than a concubine.”

“Concubine…”

Her already pale face turned nearly translucent, her body trembling like a leaf.

Even in that state, Xiao Jinghan didn’t stop twisting the knife. “And one who could be cast aside at any time.”

With that, he stepped past her and continued walking.

Cast aside. Concubine…

Each word struck Liu Qingqing like a heavy hammer, leaving her dizzy and barely able to stand.

Fortunately, the two maids rushed over in time and supported her.

After steadying herself, Liu Qingqing murmured, “Cast aside…?”

Then, as if waking from a dream, she suddenly raised her head and screamed at Xiao Jinghan’s departing figure:

“Feng Jinge, don’t worry—even if you die, the Prince would never cast me aside!”

Xiao Jinghan paused, turned back, and looked at her with a faint smile.

“You’re that certain?”

Her pale face showed firm conviction.

“Not certain—absolutely sure.”

Her confidence made Xiao Jinghan frown slightly. At the same time, he thought to himself—women really are fond of gossip, aren’t they?

According to Feng Jinge’s persona, he should be asking why she was so certain…

Women really are troublesome.

Since Feng Jinge was trying her best to play his role, he would have to play hers properly as well.

“Why are you so sure the Prince won’t abandon you? Could it be you’re holding some leverage over him?”

Leverage?

Liu Qingqing froze for a moment. She had originally wanted to reveal her true identity to scare this ignorant little wretch.

But the word leverage gave her an idea.

After all, this little wretch had only just entered the residence and knew nothing about her relationship with the Prince.

So what if she claimed to hold something over him?

The Prince wasn’t here, and no one else was around. Even if she said it, he would never know.

After a moment of consideration, Liu Qingqing took a deep breath and declared firmly:

“That’s right. The Prince does have leverage in my hands. He would never cast me aside.”

Xiao Jinghan pressed his lips together, looking at her with a trace of amusement in his eyes.

As Liu Qingqing spoke, her confidence inexplicably grew—as if she truly held something over him.

“As for you, Feng Jinge, I advise you to drop those improper thoughts. Otherwise…”

She paused deliberately, giving “Feng Jinge” a meaningful look before continuing: “I’ll spread the word about how you fought dogs for food in the Feng household.”

Fought dogs for food?

Her?

Feng Jinge?

Xiao Jinghan’s gaze turned cold, his lips tightening into a thin line.

Since the soul swap, he had been busy planning, laying groundwork, and sending people to “invite” the charlatan Su Xiu back.

He had never actually taken the time to understand Feng Jinge.

Seeing “Feng Jinge” silent, Liu Qingqing assumed she had been frightened.

Feeling smug again, she revealed more of the information she had paid to gather that afternoon.

“Or perhaps I should say—someone who appears to be the dignified legitimate eldest daughter actually lives worse than a servant in her own household.”

“From the looks of you, Feng Jinge, you couldn’t assert yourself in the Feng residence, so you came here to throw your weight around?”

“Let me tell you—”

Seeing her grow more arrogant by the second, Xiao Jinghan glanced toward the nearby pond and interrupted: “What do you think of this pond?”

Caught off guard, Liu Qingqing paused but still answered proudly, “The Prince’s residence pond is naturally beautiful.”

Xiao Jinghan smiled faintly.

“I think it would be even more beautiful if you fell into it.”

Her expression changed instantly as memories of the afternoon resurfaced.

Without a second thought, she turned and ran.

“Ah! Help! Someone help!”

“Feng Jinge is trying to kill me!”

“Help!”

She shouted at the top of her lungs, not even noticing that “Feng Jinge” had already left.

The steward, Yi Feng, happened to be nearby. Hearing the cries, he hurried over.

“Miss Liu, what’s wrong?”

Hearing his voice, Liu Qingqing turned and saw it was the steward. She rushed over and hid behind him.

“Steward, you came just in time! Feng Jinge—she said she was going to push me into the water…”

Miss Feng was going to push Miss Liu into the pond?

The steward frowned and looked around, his brows knitting even tighter.

Aside from Miss Liu’s two maids, there was no sign of Miss Feng.

Yet judging by Miss Liu’s terrified expression, she didn’t seem to be lying.

Frowning, the steward asked, “Miss Liu, where is Miss Feng?”

“She’s right in fro—”

Liu Qingqing peeked out from behind him and looked ahead…