Chapter 287: Chapter 287: So Beautiful It Makes One... Blush

Witnessing this scene, the assembled young noblewomen were so terrified they held their breath.

The more timid among them were so frightened they began to cry.

Her face stung sharply, but Guo Yingrong did not raise a hand to touch it.

Looking at the tyrannical Crown Prince, her expression grew even calmer as she said faintly, "I have been incompetent. I pray Your Highness quells your anger."

Having vented his fury, Xuanyuan Hongjun’s expression softened slightly upon seeing her submissive demeanor.

"Come to my study in a moment." With that, Xuanyuan Hongjun turned and left.

"Please, all of you, rise," Guo Yingrong said to the young noblewomen, even helping a few of the nearest ones to their feet.

Seeing the obvious handprint on the Crown Princess Consort’s face, the young noblewomen all felt indignant and sad for her.

The Crown Princess Consort was renowned for her virtue. Even before marrying into the Eastern Palace, her reputation was well-established, making her a model for all the noble ladies in the Capital.

They never imagined that after she married the Crown Prince, he would fail to cherish her in the slightest. To strike her in front of so many people was simply outrageous.

"Alright, today’s garden party is now over. You may all leave the palace," Guo Yingrong said. No matter how composed she was, she no longer had the heart to continue hosting. Besides, the young noblewomen had been frightened and likely couldn’t bear to stay any longer.

After seeing the young noblewomen off, Guo Yingrong returned to her chambers. She applied a cold compress to her face for a while before heading to the Crown Prince’s study.

When she entered, the Crown Prince was engrossed in his official duties. He didn’t even raise his head when he heard her arrive. "What’s this about Zhi Wan? Why didn’t she come?"

"Miss Zhi is ill. She has caught a cold and was unable to come," Guo Yingrong replied.

"What a coincidence. The Eastern Palace invites her to a garden party, and she suddenly falls ill?" Xuanyuan Hongjun’s expression was dark. "Didn’t I tell you to send someone to examine her? What did the Imperial Physician say?"

"Doctor Wang has already examined her. Miss Zhi has indeed contracted a cold," Guo Yingrong said faintly.

Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Hongjun suddenly threw down his brush. "I’ve really underestimated her, daring to play this feigned illness trick on me. You will pick a day and, in your name, invite her to go riding at the West Suburban Racecourse."

Guo Yingrong’s brow furrowed. She reminded him, "I heard that in court today, the Emperor granted her the title of County Princess and also betrothed her to Lu Siqing. It is truly inappropriate for Your Highness to... associate with her."

The mention of this reminded Xuanyuan Hongjun of how Lu Zhan had outmaneuvered him in court that morning, and his face instantly twisted with fury. "So what if she’s betrothed? When I ascend the throne, I will eradicate Lu Zhan and the entire Duke Dingguo Mansion! I will grind their bones to dust and scatter their ashes!"

A chill went through Guo Yingrong’s heart at his words.

’The Crown Prince is cruel. If he ever ascends the throne, he will surely be a tyrant.’

’A man like that is truly unworthy of being Emperor.’

Guo Yingrong felt utterly exhausted, but she still performed her duty and advised, "Your Highness must not think this way. Duke Dingguo holds military power and has rendered outstanding service to our Great Chen in battle. Your Highness ought to treat them with benevolence, or you risk disheartening all the people of the realm..."

"Shut up!" Xuanyuan Hongjun roared, then said coldly, "Arrange the meeting at once. Otherwise, I can crush your Guo Family just as easily!"

Shocked and furious, Guo Yingrong dug her nails into her palms. Through clenched teeth, she reminded him, "But Your Highness must not forget, the autumn hunt is nearly upon us. You will be required to accompany the Emperor."

"What of it? I’ll simply find a way to stay behind and act as regent," Xuanyuan Hongjun said confidently. "It’s the perfect chance to send that bastard Lu Zhan away. When the time comes, won’t I have the final say in the entire Capital City? That little beauty, Zhi Wan, will be mine for the taking." As he spoke, a lecherous smile spread across his face, as if Zhi Wan were already in the palm of his hand.

Seeing his look of absolute certainty, Guo Yingrong felt a chill, but she persisted, "If Your Highness stays behind as regent, you will inevitably be swamped with state affairs. Perhaps it would be better if I invite Miss Zhi after the autumn hunt is over."

Xuanyuan Hongjun’s face darkened. "After the autumn hunt? If I recall correctly, Lu Zhan and Zhi Wan’s wedding is at the end of this month. By the time the hunt is over, they’ll already be married. Are you telling me to take Lu Zhan’s leftovers?"

"That is not my meaning. I only hope Your Highness will prioritize matters of state and not... confuse your priorities," Guo Yingrong said with a frown.

Xuanyuan Hongjun stared at her for a moment, then said suddenly, "Right, that cousin of yours... I remember she’s already come of age. Why wasn’t she at the garden party today?"

Guo Yingrong’s heart sank. "My cousin was not on the invitation list, so I did not invite her."

Xuanyuan Hongjun snorted. "Crown Princess Consort, I know what you’re thinking. You simply don’t want me to get my hands on that cousin of yours, so you keep finding excuses to keep her away from the Eastern Palace."

"But if you dare to defy my will and fail to do as I command, then I’ll have to settle for second best... and have your cousin serve me instead."

"Also, don’t even think about running to the Emperor to complain. If he hears the slightest whisper of this, I have plenty of ways to destroy your Guo Family."

"Now, get out."

When Guo Yingrong emerged from the Crown Prince’s study, her face was as pale as winter frost.

Returning to her bedchamber, she slumped dejectedly onto the daybed.

"Crown Princess Consort..." Xi Ying said, her face filled with pity as she looked at her.

Everyone spoke of the Crown Princess Consort’s noble status, but no one knew that in the Eastern Palace, she was constantly walking on thin ice. The Crown Prince had no regard for her whatsoever, treating her no better than a servant to be ordered around.

"What does the Crown Prince want you to do now?" Xi Ying asked in a low voice, squatting down to gently massage her legs.

"The Crown Prince wants me to use my name to invite Miss Zhi to the West Suburban Racecourse for a ride. She has already been betrothed to the Lu Family... why won’t he give up?" Guo Yingrong’s face was etched with exhaustion.

Xi Ying paused before saying in a low voice, "That Miss Zhi... she is indeed alluringly beautiful. It’s easy for a man to become... captivated."

"Is she truly that beautiful?" Guo Yingrong was taken aback.

"Yes. So beautiful it makes one... blush," Xi Ying whispered, an image of Zhi Wan flashing through her mind.

Upon hearing this, Guo Yingrong understood.

’She must be an unparalleled beauty.’

’No wonder the Crown Prince is so obsessed, willing to risk the Emperor’s wrath rather than give up.’ 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’But what does any of that have to do with Miss Zhi?’

’If anyone is to blame, it is the Crown Prince for his own corrupt intentions.’

"Crown Princess Consort, we... we’ve done all that we can," Xi Ying advised in a low voice. "Since the Crown Prince is so fixated on Miss Zhi, he’ll just find another way even if you don’t help. It’s not worth offending him over an outsider."

When she had gone to the Zhi Mansion to extend the invitation yesterday, she could tell that Miss Zhi was likely feigning her illness.

She had reported this truthfully to the Crown Princess Consort, who had originally intended to help Miss Zhi get away with the deception. But who would have thought the Crown Prince would be so fixated on Miss Zhi that he would specifically ask the Crown Princess Consort about her first thing in the morning?

The Crown Princess Consort told the Crown Prince that Miss Zhi had a cold and couldn’t attend the garden party, but he didn’t believe it and insisted she send an Imperial Physician to examine her.

Fearing Miss Zhi’s ruse would be exposed, the Crown Princess Consort specifically asked an acquaintance, Doctor Wang, to perform the examination. Unexpectedly, it turned out that Miss Zhi was genuinely ill.

After listening to her handmaiden, Guo Yingrong recalled the Crown Prince’s threat in his study, and a wave of vexation washed over her.

’What should I do?’