The Mad Dog by My Pillow - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Yan Yuheng summoned me to the palace on the seventh day after Nanny Qin’s passing.

The eunuch who came to deliver the message was all smiles.

“The Prince says that Your Highness has lived in quiet cultivation for many years, so he has specially prepared a banquet today as an act of grace.”

I knew this “grace” boded no good.

But I could not refuse.

As I was about to leave, Meng Yu’an helped me fasten my cloak.

His fingers brushed against the back of my neck, the cold touch making me shiver slightly.

“No banquet is ever just a banquet,” he said.

“I know.”

“Then do not stray too far from your servant.”

I looked up at him. “And if I do?”

His movements paused, his eyes dark and deep.

“I will go and bring you back.”

He spoke softly.

Yet, my heart skipped a beat for no reason.

Zhaoming Hall was brilliantly lit.

Yan Yuheng sat behind a beaded curtain, his face pale and his expression elegant-the picture of the world’s most dignified, sickly prince.

But I knew better. After the Eastern Palace Case years ago, it was he who personally took command of the Imperial Guard and slaughtered every last one of my Father King’s old subordinates.

A man like him was a master at acting merciful.

He even poured tea for me himself.

“Is Your Highness still accustomed to living in the villa?”

“Thanks to the Prince’s blessing, I am still alive.”

He acted as if he didn’t hear the thorn in my words, his smile remaining unchanged.

After circling around the topic for a long time, several members of the imperial clan took turns praising my improved complexion, eventually remarking that a woman must always have a place to belong.

Finally, Yan Yuheng leisurely laid his cards on the table.

“Ding Wang of the Northern Frontier has been a widower for many years. He is willing to welcome Your Highness as his Principal Consort.”

My fingertips tightened.

Dingwang was sixty-two years old. The number of women who had died in his manor was beyond counting.

This wasn’t a marriage decree.

This was throwing me into a fire pit.

I lowered my head and said, “A matter as significant as marriage should be decided by His Majesty.”

Yan Yuheng looked at me and smiled.

“His Majesty is young. In such matters, this Prince shall act on his behalf.”

The hall fell silent instantly.

Just then, a sudden “crack” echoed from behind.

A white jade wine cup lay shattered on the floor.

Everyone turned to look.

Meng Yu’an stood by a palace pillar, his palm sliced open by the broken porcelain, blood dripping down his fingers.

A eunuch shrieked a reprimand, “Impropriety in the imperial presence! Drag him out!”

But Meng Yu’an didn’t even look at the man.

He only stared at me.

As if checking to see if I had been frightened by the words “Dingwang’s Principal Consort.”

Yan Yuheng watched him for a long while, then suddenly laughed.

“Is this the dog Your Highness picked up?”

My heart sank abruptly.

“He does not know the rules.”

I rose and knelt down.

“I beg the Prince to forgive him this once.”

Yan Yuheng’s gaze swept over my face before settling back on Meng Yu’an.

“If I forgive him today, Your Highness must remember my favor.”

I lowered my head and complied.

It was pitch black by the time we left the palace.

I walked quickly, but as soon as I turned into a long corridor, someone grabbed me and pulled me behind a pillar.

It was Meng Yu’an.

“You cannot marry him.”

His voice was low, but his breathing was heavy.

I shook off his hand.

“I know I can’t.”

“Then why did you kneel to him?”

“If I didn’t kneel to him, who was I supposed to kneel to?”

My temper flared up instantly.

“Did smashing a cup in the hall do any good? Other than getting yourself targeted, what use was it?”

Meng Yu’an was silent for a moment.

Then he said quietly, “If you are truly sent to the Northern Frontier, I will kill Dingwang first.”

I laughed out of pure frustration.

“And then?”

“Then I’ll kill Yan Yuheng.”

“And after that?”

“I will kill anyone who stands in your way.”

He spoke so calmly.

As if he were merely commenting on the strength of the wind tonight.

I found myself suddenly speechless.

Because I realized all at once that he wasn’t just acting tough.

He truly meant it.