Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Seeing this, Lu Yunqi turned to Murong Jie and whispered, "Hey, tell me, how is it that your three brothers, all sons of the same father, are so different from one another?"

Murong Jie said, "The eldest prince has been groomed as the crown prince since childhood, so naturally he's head and shoulders above the rest. The second prince, as the spare, naturally wouldn't slack off either. As for the third prince, the empress already has two sons, and this third one's her joy in her golden years. So it's only natural she spoils him rotten."

In the hall, the eldest prince furrowed his brows, and the second prince didn't look too happy either.

Just as the second prince was about to speak, the eldest prince said, "Forget it, he's just a kid. Let him be!"

The second prince chuckled lightly, "Big brother's sure generous, even willing to give up a woman."

The eldest prince said, "Do you think Miss Xie is someone who can be given away? She's got more than romance on her mind—she cares about the world and keeping the literary tradition alive. The third brother's still young and just messing around. But Miss Xie's different—she knows her limits."

The second prince frowned, "Guess I'm not as big-hearted as big brother. All I know is what I want, I should fight for! Big brother's wearing such a fake mask—who exactly are you trying to kid?"

"You!" The eldest prince said angrily, "Second brother, you weren't like this before. When'd you get so hungry for power?"

The second prince sneered, "All I know is I love Miss Xie and want her as my princess! Big brother's got his eyes on the throne, so don't fight me on this, alright?"

The eldest prince didn't say anything more, but a flicker of resentment crossed his face.

It wasn't that he had to have Xie Lianyi no matter what, but if the realm's literary world wasn't in his hands, he wouldn't feel safe in his position as crown prince!

Just like his father had to hold the military—how could you let someone else sleep next to your bed?

Even brothers couldn't fully trust each other. Didn't his own father take the throne from his elder brother back then?

Meanwhile, in Xie Lianyi's room, she looked helplessly at the third prince and said, "Prince Yu, what poetry did you want to talk about?"

The third prince stepped forward and took Xie Lianyi's hand, saying, "Sister Xie, will you marry me? I've already asked Father for permission. As long as you're willing, we can marry right away! Be my princess, and I'll take care of you for the rest of my life!"

Xie Lianyi said helplessly, "Prince Yu is joking. I'm already the second prince's woman—how could I possibly marry you? Besides, I don't hold feelings for you, Prince Yu. Once I've fulfilled my master's last wishes, I'll devote myself to a life of Buddhist practice and live out my days in solitude."

The third prince said angrily, "Second brother is truly detestable! He took advantage of the situation—how could he do something like that!"

Xie Lianyi chuckled softly, "Don't be upset, Your Highness. My master once taught me that a woman's chastity isn't between her legs. So I don't care about that kind of thing. But the world still puts a lot of restrictions on women. I may not mind, but others certainly do. Even for your reputation's sake, Your Highness, I can't agree to this marriage."

The third prince said, "But I don't care—I truly don't! Sister, marry me! All I need is you!"

Xie Lianyi took out a handkerchief and wiped his tears, saying, "You're a grown man now—why are you still crying? Your Highness, women in this world have it hard. I carry my master's heavy trust, so I can't just think of myself. And I don't want to cause a rift between you brothers because of me."

The third prince still had much he wanted to say to Xie Lianyi, but she stood up and said, "Alright, Your Highness, your time for poetry talk is up. You should take your leave."

Helpless, the third prince had no choice but to turn and go. Before exiting, he said, "Sister, my love for you will never end in this lifetime. Don't worry, I'll come back to marry you!"

With that, he pushed open the door and left Xie Lianyi's room.

Then the second prince walked in. The moment he entered, he frowned and said, "Miss Xie, I..."

Xie Lianyi said coldly, "What more does the second prince have to say? I know you came specifically to see me today. You must've realized this was the only way to see me, so you had someone write it for you, didn't you?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed in the second prince's eyes. He pursed his lips and said, "That's just who I am! What I want, I've gotta have! Otherwise, I'll think about it day and night and can't sleep! Miss Xie, I hope you can see how sincere I am. I really do love you!"

Xie Lianyi looked up with a cold expression and asked, "Second prince, I understand your feelings, but I'm afraid you can't handle such immense fortune and honor!"

"What... do you mean?" The second prince was confused.

Xie Lianyi looked at the second prince, "Don't you understand? Why did I befriend the eldest prince? Why did I privately connect the great scholarly families with him? You should know this better than I do, shouldn't you? Both your father and mother intend to make him crown prince. The emperor's still in his prime, so it's not time to name a crown prince yet. But in a few years? When the emperor gets old, the eldest prince will definitely be named crown prince. If I married you, the realm's literary world would side with you. If the eldest prince is then named crown prince and the literary world isn't in his hands, do you think he'd let someone sleep next to his bed? He's not your father—he's not that merciful. He has his own ways. I'm afraid that when the time comes, you won't be able to protect me, and you'll bring disaster on yourself. Refusing you isn't what I want—I'm doing this for your own good, Your Highness."

Murong Pei furrowed his brows. He'd been raised well by his mother since childhood, studying both academics and martial arts alongside his eldest brother—in fact, he even beat him in martial arts!

He didn't get why both his father and mother favored the eldest brother over him, the stronger and more sensible second son.

At that moment, a thought took root in his mind, and he asked, "If... I could protect you, Miss Xie, would you be willing to marry me?"

Xie Lianyi chuckled softly, "Your Highness is joking. How could such a thing be so easy? However, 'Are kings and nobles born to their station?'—that's something my master once said. If you want to protect me, then show me you mean it! If not, there's nothing I can do. My master said I carry the realm's literary heritage, and I can only help the strongest person in the world stabilize the nation. Otherwise, great calamity will surely follow. Your Highness, I still advise you to drop this!"

"'Are kings and nobles born to their station?'" A hint of madness flashed in the second prince's eyes. "Who says I'm worse than my eldest brother? Miss Xie, just wait—sooner or later, I'll come to marry you!"

Just then, a racket suddenly broke out outside the door. Xie Lianyi frowned and asked, "What's happening out there?"

Murong Pei quickly pushed open the door and saw Murong Yu holding Murong Feng by the collar, shouting loudly, "You've got everything, and I've got nothing! Can't you just let me have Miss Xie?"

Murong Feng repeated the same line, "I told you, Miss Xie isn't a thing—how can she be given away?"

Murong Yu was furious, "You're the one who isn't a thing! Why are you insulting me?"

Murong Feng was speechless, "...That's not what I meant. I'm saying Miss Xie isn't some object—how can she just be passed around? Besides, Miss Xie and I are only confidants. She's been taken by your second brother—you think he'd let her go?"

By now, Murong Yu had lost his cool. He looked up and happened to see Murong Pei coming out of Xie Lianyi's room, and his eyes instantly filled with murderous intent.

He stepped forward, pointing at Murong Pei, "Some second brother you are! Some prince you are! Don't you have any shame or decency? After what you've done, are you still worthy of being a prince of our Great Xia?"

Up in the private room on the second floor, Lu Yunqi got all excited. He tugged at Murong Jie and said, "Quick, look! The three brothers are going at each other! Hahaha..."

Murong Jie stayed totally calm. Lu Yunqi said, "Gotta say, Murong Yu really is an impulsive, hot-tempered spoiled brat—takes after his mother. Empress Wang comes from a big noble family. When your father took the throne, her family did a lot for him. So even though she's got a fiery temper, your father still made her empress."

Just as the crowd was gathered around watching the show, a loud crash came from below. Lu Yunqi squinted and let out a whoop, "This kid's trouble! He actually kicked his brother off the second floor!"

Letting out a scream of agony, Prince Cheng's men finally rushed in and helped him up, but Prince Cheng screamed even louder: "Don't move! My leg's broken!"

His men shouted, "Get a doctor! Quick, get a doctor!"

But Prince Cheng, gritting through the pain, said, "A doctor? Hah! What doctor! Now, carry me to the palace right now! I'm going to see Father and expose my two good brothers for what they really are! They ganged up on me and hurt me—what fine brothers they are!"

Prince Cheng gritted his teeth, glaring at his two brothers like a wild beast.

The third prince seemed to realize he'd messed up and stammered, "I... I didn't mean to. Who knew the railing at Tianhuan Tower was so flimsy—it gave way with just a light push."

The eldest prince cut in at the right moment, "Alright, stop talking. Go apologize to your second brother."

"No need!" Prince Cheng said. "I'll say this right now: I, Murong Pei, from this day on, no longer have you two as brothers!"

With that, he ordered his men to carry him to the palace.

The eldest prince frowned and looked up at Xie Lianyi, only to see her shake her head disappointedly and say, "Let's call it a day for today's literary gathering. Prince Feng, we can pick this up another time."

"Miss Xie..." The eldest prince was reluctant, but he knew this wasn't the time for romance.

He had to go to the palace, or this mess would be hard to clean up.

His second brother had always been hot-headed and reckless. If word of today's events got out, it wouldn't look good for his reputation as the future heir.

So he turned and ordered, "Back to the palace! Third brother, you're coming too!"

The third prince had no choice but to slink off from Tianhuan Tower. Only after they'd all left did Lu Yunqi say, "Well, that's the end of that show. The second prince broke his leg—who knows what trouble he'll stir up now. Nice move, killing three birds with one stone. Brothers at odds, tearing each other apart from the inside."

Murong Jie seemed deep in thought. He felt like Lu Yunqi was somehow different from before. The old Lu Yunqi knew nothing but eating, drinking, having fun, and raising hell.

But judging by his performance today, he could actually see through that many of my schemes?

Lu Yunqi looked at him and asked, "Why so quiet? Or is this not what you expected?"

Murong Jie narrowed his eyes, turned to look at Lu Yunqi, and said, "What have you been putting up with and hiding all these years for?"

Lu Yunqi blinked: "Huh? What do you mean, enduring and hiding?"

==========Author's Note:==========

Third update