FRGNM -Chapter 6 Refusing to Marry the Crown Prince

“But, but… if it weren’t for Xiao Yu, Miss wouldn’t have gone to the Bamboo Sea, and this wouldn’t have happened…” Xiao Yu wiped her tears, reaching out to touch the red mark, her voice choking. “Miss, does it still hurt?”

“Silly girl, it doesn’t hurt anymore.” This little pain was nothing to her. She had once pulled a bullet out of her leg with a dagger, without any anesthesia. That pain had been far worse than this.

Xiao Yu’s eyes were brimming with tears as she continued to sob, “But… but Miss can’t… marry the Crown Prince anymore. This matter has already reached the palace. The Crown Prince will know too!”

“If I can’t marry him, then I won’t. I’m not lacking men anyway.” Ling Ruoxi shrugged indifferently. She didn’t care about the title of Crown Princess. She valued her freedom to love, and would never let such trivial matters bind her.

Ling Roudan, standing nearby, didn’t want to interfere. She waved her sleeve coldly and said, “Both of you, come to the study later. If it weren’t for father sending me to find you, I wouldn’t speak another word to either of you for all I’m worth.”

“Hmph, who cares.” Taking advantage of Ling Roudan leaving, Ling Ruoxi grabbed Xiao Yu’s arm and held her own back, asking, “Xiao Yu, where’s the bathhouse? My whole body feels uncomfortable; I want to take a bath.”

“Alright, Miss, follow me.” Xiao Yu nodded and stopped crying, quickly leading the way.

But when she glanced back at the person following them, she froze for a moment. A flush crept across Xiao Yu’s cheeks as she tugged on Ling Ruoxi’s wrist. “Miss… this is the young master of the Ye family, right?”

“Ah? Yes, his surname is Ye—Ye Ningfeng. Why don’t you go in and have a seat too?” After all, such a handsome young man had escorted her home. She thought she should at least invite him to see this unfamiliar house.

“No need. Just make sure you get home safely,” Ye Ningfeng replied calmly, waving his sleeve to leave.

At his voice, Ling Roudan only now realized who he was. Staring at his handsome face, she froze, unsure how this lucky man had been chosen to be the Crown Princess’s fiancé. Now, even Ye Ningfeng of Northern Ning Kingdom was involved with her.

“Hmph, acting all cool,” Ling Ruoxi muttered, touching her nose as she turned into the Ling estate. But she thought Ye Ningfeng was actually quite decent. Perhaps when she had time, she could tease him a bit.

Although it wasn’t luxurious, the Ling family had prepared a nice place for her to stay—a private courtyard, fully furnished rooms. Only after Xiao Yu left did Ling Ruoxi hurry to the mirror, looking at her own reflection.

Her delicate, handsome face, without a trace of makeup, still held a natural charm. What shocked Ling Ruoxi was that this face was exactly like hers… only younger. At fifteen, her body had just fully developed, curves in all the right places, though still thin from long-term weakness, leaving only a layer of flesh over her frame.

But her body was covered in bruises and red marks. Her removed pants still had traces of blood, glaringly obvious. From today on, she would truly be entering the world of women.

Reluctantly, she stepped into the bathtub. Immersed in water, Ling Ruoxi tried to recall everything from last night—from awareness to indulgence. In one fleeting moment, she had glimpsed a man’s figure—under the moonlight, his agile form, and his indistinct face. Damn it… who was he?

If she ever found out, she would definitely deal with that irresponsible man.

Letting go of her obsession, she thought of her previous life. She had never experienced love and didn’t know what it felt like—only that someone had inexplicably taken her virginity, which left her feeling somewhat hurt.

Only after the scent on her body disappeared did Ling Ruoxi tidy her clothes. Xiao Yu then led her to the study.

She had assumed the study would contain only books, like a library. But Ling Ruoxi had overthought it. The study had simple furniture, a soft couch at the front, surrounded by potted plants, and a round table.

Ling Roudan sat with another woman in her early twenties, both looking displeased. Opposite them, a man in black stood with a comical handlebar mustache.

Ling Ruoxi guessed this must be her father and eldest sister. She quickly walked to the table and, imitating the others, sat down. But before she could fully settle, Ling Hu roared, “How dare you sit?”

“Oh? Should I be kneeling instead?” She raised an eyebrow, meeting the dark, deep eyes of the person in front of her. From the tense atmosphere, she sensed even her own father disliked her.

Ling Hu’s brows twitched in anger. “You useless brat, you even know how to kneel. What sins did our Ling family commit to produce a thousand-year useless girl like you, bringing shame to the family! And now, knowing you’re betrothed to the Crown Prince, you still dared to steal a man on your coming-of-age day, shaming our family. If I don’t teach you a lesson, you won’t know your place!”